N-CSRS 1 d94820dncsrs.htm NORTHERN FUNDS Northern Funds

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08236

 

 

Northern Funds

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

Name and Address of Agent for Service:

Diana E. McCarthy

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996

  

with a copy to:

Kevin P. O’Rourke

Jose J. Del Real, Esq.

The Northern Trust Company

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 595-9111

Date of fiscal year end: March 31

Date of reporting period: September 30, 2020

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


LOGO


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

    

 
          

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

          
 

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

 

 
 

 

May lose value / No bank guarantee

 

 
   
  2     

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  4     

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  6     

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  8     

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  17     

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

  17     

INCOME EQUITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol:
NOIEX

  21     

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol:
NOIGX

  26     

LARGE CAP CORE FUND

  

Ticker Symbol:
NOLCX

  30     

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

  

Ticker Symbol:
NOLVX

  35     

SMALL CAP CORE FUND

  

Ticker Symbols:

  

Class K: NSCKX

  

Class I: NSGRX

  57     

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

  

Ticker Symbol:
NOSGX

  67     

U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND

  

Ticker Symbols:

  

Class K: NUESK

  

Class I: NUEIX

  71     

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  83     

FUND EXPENSES

  85     

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

  92     

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 1 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

        Amounts in thousands, except per share data

   INCOME
EQUITY FUND
   INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY FUND
  LARGE CAP
CORE FUND
   LARGE CAP  
VALUE FUND  

ASSETS:

                        
       

Investments, at value

       $129,871        $90,602       $218,003        $51,768
       

Investments in affiliates, at value

       1,212        266       2,140        458
       

Cash held at broker (restricted $0)

              41             
       

Foreign currencies held at broker, at value (restricted $168)

              385 (1)              
       

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $194)

              194             
       

Dividend income receivable

       153        409       175        48
       

Receivable for foreign tax reclaims

              480             
       

Receivable for securities sold

                          
       

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       7              13        3
       

Receivable for fund shares sold

              1       201       
       

Receivable from investment adviser

       5        6       4        3
       

Prepaid and other assets

       6        10       7        14

Total Assets

       131,254        92,394       220,543        52,294
       

LIABILITIES:

                        
       

Payable for securities purchased

                          
       

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

              11             
       

Payable for fund shares redeemed

       116        2       56        4
       

Payable to affiliates:

                        
       

Management fees

       20        7       16        4
       

Custody fees

       3        12       4       
       

Shareholder servicing fees

       37        1       7        7
       

Transfer agent fees

       4        3       7        2
       

Trustee fees

       4        9       17        7
       

Outstanding options written, at value (premiums received $31)

       21                    
       

Accrued other liabilities

       8        43       12        7

Total Liabilities

       213        88       119        31

Net Assets

       $131,041        $92,306       $220,424        $52,263
       

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

                        
       

Capital stock

       $89,014        $137,666       $160,508        $59,105
       

Distributable earnings

       42,027        (45,360 )       59,916        (6,842 )

Net Assets

       $131,041        $92,306       $220,424        $52,263
       

Net Assets:

                        
       

Shares

       $131,041        $92,306       $220,424        $52,263
       

Class K

                          
       

Class I

                          
       

Total Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value, unlimited authorization):

                        
       

Shares

       9,924        10,939       10,603        3,352
       

Class K

                          
       

Class I

                          
       

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share:

                        
       

Shares

       $13.20        $8.44       $20.79        $15.59
       

Class K

                          
       

Class I

                          

Investments, at cost

       $97,262        $92,142       $158,848        $53,709

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       1,212        266       2,140        458

 

(1) 

Costs associated with foreign currencies held at broker is $378.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    2 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

SMALL CAP
    CORE FUND    
  SMALL CAP
    VALUE FUND    
  U.S. QUALITY  
ESG FUND  
 
    $382,373         $2,174,835       $186,294
    5,352         37,213       70
                 
                 
                 
    310         3,942       128
                 
    800              
            42      
    14         1,821      
    6         58       4
    38         30       31
    388,893             2,217,941            186,527
 
    2,286              
    7         65      
    160         12,223      
 
    29         339       11
            25      
    40         1,085      
    13         74       6
    4         13       2
                 
    5         11       6
    2,544         13,835       25
    $386,349         $2,204,106       $186,502
 
    $261,347         $2,047,635       $159,378
    125,002         156,471       27,124
        $386,349         $2,204,106       $186,502
 
            2,204,106      
    208,937               186,442
    177,412               60
 
            139,548      
    8,910               13,922
    7,567               4
 
            15.79      
    23.45               13.39
    23.44               13.39
    $280,867         $2,177,130       $159,872     
    5,352         37,213       70
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 3 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

       Amounts in thousands    INCOME
EQUITY FUND
  INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY FUND
  LARGE CAP
CORE FUND
      LARGE CAP    
    VALUE FUND    
         

INVESTMENT INCOME:

                
         

Dividend income

     $1,765       $1,946 (1)      $2,190       $744  
         

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

     1       1       1        
         

Interest income

     1             2       1  
         

Total Investment Income

     1,767           1,947           2,193           745  
         

EXPENSES:

                
         

Management fees

     607       244       439       138  
         

Custody fees

     12       59       18       7  
         

Transfer agent fees

     25       20       38       10  
         

Registration fees

     11       10       11       10  
         

Printing fees

     30       30       30       30  
         

Professional fees

     20       23       20       20  
         

Shareholder servicing fees (Shares)

     67       2       16       16  
         

Shareholder servicing fees (Class I)

                        
         

Trustee fees

     3       3       3       3  
         

Interest expense

           1              
         

Other

     7       14       8       8  
         

Total Expenses

     782       406       583       242  
         

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

     (138     (137     (128     (93
         

Net Expenses

     644       269       455       149  
         

Net Investment Income

     1,123       1,678       1,738       596      
         

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

                
         

Net realized gains (losses) on:

                
         

Investments

     9,564       (16,621     2,377       (3,370
         

Options written

     352                    
         

Futures contracts

     525       719       982       281  
         

Foreign currency transactions

           (16            
         

Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                
         

Investments

     19,090       32,090       39,791       12,266  
         

Options written

     (30                  
         

Futures contracts

     (192     (385     (92     (35
         

Foreign currency translations

           41              
         

Net Gains

     29,309       15,828       43,058       9,142  
         

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     $30,432       $17,506       $44,796       $9,738  

 

(1) 

Net of $188 in foreign withholding taxes.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    4 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

SMALL CAP

    CORE FUND    

  SMALL CAP
    VALUE FUND    
      U.S. QUALITY        
ESG FUND
   
  $2,700       $27,277       $1,365  
   
  3       42       1  
   
  5       35        
   
  2,708       27,354       1,366  
   
  1,095       10,630       299  
   
  40       94       10  
   
  74       431       29  
   
  15       24       12  
   
  48       117       48  
   
  20       38       20  
   
  71       1,893        
   
  33              
   
  3       14       1  
   
               
   
  7       19       6  
   
  1,406       13,260       425  
   
  (229     (2,048     (110
   
  1,177       11,212       315  
   
  1,531           16,142           1,051      
   
  19,447       152,916       1,720  
   
               
   
  2,918       29,782       261  
   
               
   
  62,900       142,354       35,219  
   
               
   
  (545     (3,898     (34
   
               
   
  84,720       321,154       37,166  
   
  $86,251       $337,296       $38,217  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 5 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    

INCOME

EQUITY FUND

  INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY FUND
    LARGE CAP
CORE FUND
    LARGE CAP
VALUE FUND
 
    Amounts in thousands   

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

 

OPERATIONS:

                      
       

Net investment income

     $1,123       $3,464       $1,678       $5,733       $1,738       $4,468       $596       $1,429  
       

Net realized gains (losses)

     10,441       6,801       (15,918     (15,908     3,359       2,258       (3,089     990  
       

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     18,868       (25,216     31,746       (24,618     39,699       (27,339     12,231       (13,245
       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     30,432       (14,951     17,506       (34,793     44,796       (20,613     9,738       (10,826

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

                      
       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from Shares transactions

     (13,838     (41,592     (47,389     (39,768     12,681       (50,039     (3,261     (27,469
       

Net increase in net assets resulting from Class K transactions

                                                
       

Net increase in net assets resulting from Class I transactions

                                                
       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     (13,838     (41,592     (47,389     (39,768     12,681       (50,039     (3,261     (27,469

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHARES SHAREHOLDERS:

                      
       

Distributable earnings

     (1,115     (15,527           (6,938     (1,748     (9,873           (1,500
       

Total Distributions to Shares Shareholders

     (1,115     (15,527           (6,938     (1,748     (9,873           (1,500

DISTRIBUTIONS TO CLASS K SHAREHOLDERS:

                      
       

Distributable earnings

                                                
       

Total Distributions to Class K Shareholders

                                                

DISTRIBUTIONS TO CLASS I SHAREHOLDERS:

                      
       

Distributable earnings

                                                
       

Total Distributions to Class I Shareholders

                                                

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     15,479       (72,070     (29,883     (81,499     55,729       (80,525     6,477       (39,795
       

NET ASSETS:

                      
       

Beginning of period

     115,562       187,632       122,189       203,688       164,695       245,220       45,786       85,581  
       

End of period

     $131,041       $115,562       $92,306       $122,189       $220,424       $164,695       $52,263       $45,786  

 

*

Amounts round to less than $1,000.

 

(1) 

On July 31, 2020, the balances of the Shares Class for Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds were transferred to Class I and Class K, respectively, in a class conversion. (See Note 8).

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    6 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

 

    

SMALL CAP
CORE FUND
   

SMALL CAP

VALUE FUND

   

U.S. QUALITY

ESG FUND

 
SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
  SEP 30,
2020
   

MAR 31,

2020

  SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
   
  $1,531       $3,230           $16,142       $32,044           $1,051       $1,569      
   
  22,365       (1,587     182,698       133,958       1,981       (683
   
  62,355       (106,107     138,456       (953,587     35,185       (10,846
   
  86,251       (104,464     337,296       (787,585     38,217       (9,960
   
  (430,293 )(1)      16,577       (210,090     100,834       (137,880 )(1)      79,589  
   
  208,626                         181,331        
   
  177,699                         61        
   
  (43,968     16,577       (210,090     100,834       43,512       79,589  
   
        (29,297           (208,800     (473     (2,023
   
        (29,297           (208,800     (473     (2,023
   
                          (528      
   
                          (528      
   
                               
   
                               
   
  42,283       (117,184     127,206       (895,551     80,728       67,606  
   
  344,066       461,250       2,076,900       2,972,451       105,774       38,168  
   
  $386,349       $344,066       $2,204,106       $2,076,900       $186,502       $105,774  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 7 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

  INCOME EQUITY FUND

  SHARES
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $10.42       $12.95       $13.96       $13.39       $12.22       $12.74
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                   
           

Net investment income

      0.11       0.26       0.28       0.27       0.27       0.27
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      2.78       (1.63 )       0.56       1.36       1.29       (0.09 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      2.89       (1.37 )       0.84       1.63       1.56       0.18
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                   
           

From net investment income

      (0.11 )       (0.26 )       (0.28 )       (0.27 )       (0.27 )       (0.27 )
           

From net realized gains

            (0.90 )       (1.57 )       (0.79 )       (0.12 )       (0.43 )

Total Distributions Paid

      (0.11 )       (1.16 )       (1.85 )       (1.06 )       (0.39 )       (0.70 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $13.20       $10.42       $12.95       $13.96       $13.39       $12.22
           

Total Return(1)

      27.68 %          (12.44) %(2)          7.66 %(3)          12.08 %          12.94 %          1.62 %   
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                   
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $131,041       $115,562       $187,632       $217,214       $230,511       $239,540
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

                                   
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      1.01 %       1.02 %       1.01 %       1.01 %       1.01 %       1.00 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      1.22 %       1.12 %       1.12 %       1.11 %       1.15 %       1.13 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      1.76 %       1.89 %       2.01 %       1.88 %       2.07 %       2.12 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      1.55 %       1.79 %       1.90 %       1.78 %       1.93 %       1.99 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      28.76 %       76.34 %       40.94 %       23.14 %       32.17 %       13.14 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund received monies related to certain nonrecurring litigation proceeds. If these monies were not received, the total return would have been (12.98)%.

 

(3) 

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, the Fund received monies related to certain nonrecurring litigation proceeds. If these monies were not received, the total return would have been 7.16%.

 

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 and $5,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $3,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    8 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

  INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

  SHARES
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $7.14       $9.36       $10.16       $9.06       $8.12       $9.39
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                 
           

Net investment income

      0.34       0.37       0.37       0.21       0.14       0.17
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      0.96       (2.23 )       (0.94 )       1.01       0.93       (1.27 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      1.30       (1.86 )       (0.57 )       1.22       1.07       (1.10 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                 
           

From net investment income(1)

            (0.36 )       (0.23 )       (0.12 )       (0.13 )       (0.17 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

            (0.36 )       (0.23 )       (0.12 )       (0.13 )       (0.17 )

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $8.44       $7.14       $9.36       $10.16       $9.06       $8.12
           

Total Return(2)

      18.21 %       (20.78 )%       (5.36 )%       13.50 %       13.32 %       (11.78 )%
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                 
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $92,306       $122,189       $203,688       $262,902       $154,784       $153,111
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                                 
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

      0.53 %       0.55 %       0.51 %       0.51 %       0.93 %(5)       1.08 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      0.80 %       0.67 %       0.69 %       0.81 %       1.23 %       1.22 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

      3.30       3.14       3.18       2.53       1.67 %(5)        1.66
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      3.03 %       3.02 %       3.00 %       2.23 %       1.37 %       1.52 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      26.51 %       33.97 %       59.45 %       101.53 %       101.07 %       12.78 %

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, $1,000, $1,000, 3,000 and $1,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $1,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

(5) 

Effective January 1, 2017, the investment adviser agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 0.50%. Prior to January 1, 2017, the expense limitation had been 1.06%.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 9 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

  LARGE CAP CORE FUND

  SHARES
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

    FISCAL YEAR    

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $16.46       $19.36       $18.88       $16.98       $15.10       $15.42
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                 
           

Net investment income

      0.17       0.39       0.34       0.31       0.30       0.28
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      4.33       (2.44 )       0.65       2.11       1.88       (0.32 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      4.50       (2.05 )       0.99       2.42       2.18       (0.04 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                 
           

From net investment income

      (0.17 )       (0.39 )       (0.34 )       (0.31 )       (0.30 )       (0.28 )
           

From net realized gains

            (0.46 )       (0.17 )       (0.21 )            

Total Distributions Paid

      (0.17 )       (0.85 )       (0.51 )       (0.52 )       (0.30 )       (0.28 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $20.79       $16.46       $19.36       $18.88       $16.98       $15.10
           

Total Return(1)

      27.40       (11.28)       5.45       14.34       14.60       (0.22)
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                 
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $220,424       $164,695       $245,220       $244,798       $127,255       $144,226
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                                 
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

      0.46 %       0.46 %       0.46 %       0.46 %       0.49 %(4)       0.59 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      0.58 %       0.56 %       0.56 %       0.58 %       0.63 %       0.59 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

      1.74 %          1.85 %          1.76 %          1.75 %          1.85 %(4)          1.82 %   
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      1.62 %       1.75 %       1.66 %       1.63 %       1.71 %       1.82 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      22.55 %       37.90 %       45.92 %       50.70 %       66.77 %       56.10 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $2,000, $1,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $1,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $1,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

(4) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to Financial Statements) to 0.45%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 0.60%.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    10 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

  LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

  SHARES
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $12.85       $16.42       $15.83       $15.22       $12.95       $13.99
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                 
           

Net investment income

      0.19       0.41       0.34       0.35       0.27       0.22
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      2.55       (3.62 )       0.50       0.64       2.22       (1.04 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      2.74       (3.21 )       0.84       0.99       2.49       (0.82 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                 
           

From net investment income

            (0.36 )       (0.25 )       (0.38 )       (0.22 )       (0.22 )

Total Distributions Paid

            (0.36 )       (0.25 )       (0.38 )       (0.22 )       (0.22 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $15.59       $12.85       $16.42       $15.83       $15.22       $12.95
           

Total Return(1)

      21.32       (20.16)       5.52       6.43       19.29       (5.87)
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                 
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $52,263       $45,786       $85,581       $89,814       $93,854       $89,048
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                                 
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

      0.57 %          0.55 %          0.59 %          0.58 %          0.63 %(4)          0.87 %   
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      0.93 %       0.83 %       0.83 %       0.90 %       1.12 %       1.09 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

      2.30       2.04       1.95       2.08       1.80 %(4)        1.58
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      1.94 %       1.76 %       1.71 %       1.76 %       1.31 %       1.36 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      28.19 %       80.40 %       96.45 %       110.59 %       71.22 %       60.22 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of less than $1,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2020, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets and approximately $1,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $1,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $1,000, which represent less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

(4) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 0.55%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 0.85%.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 11 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

  SMALL CAP CORE FUND

  CLASS K(1)
  Selected per share data  

PERIOD

ENDED

  SEPTEMBER 30,    

2020

(UNAUDITED)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $23.46
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment income

      0.05
 

Net realized and unrealized losses

      (0.06 )
 

Total from Investment Operations

      (0.01 )
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

   
 

From net investment income

     
 

From net realized gains

     

Total Distributions Paid

     
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $23.45
 

Total Return(2)

      (0.04 )%
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

   
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $208,937
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

   
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

      0.49 %
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(4)

      0.61 %
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      1.20 %
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

      1.08 %
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      26.78 %

 

(1) 

For the period from July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of less than $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the period July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2020. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class K shares on July 31, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    12 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

  SMALL CAP CORE FUND

   CLASS I (1)                     
  Selected per share data   

PERIOD

ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020

(UNAUDITED)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $23.46  
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

  
 

Net investment income

     0.05  
 

Net realized and unrealized losses

     (0.07
 

Total from Investment Operations

     (0.02
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

  
 

From net investment income

      
 

From net realized gains

      
 

Total Distributions Paid

      
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $23.44  
 

Total Return(2)

     (0.08 )%     
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

  
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $177,412  
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

  
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

     0.59
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.71
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     1.09
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

     0.97
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     26.78

 

(1) 

For the period from July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of less than $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the period July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2020. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class I shares on July 31, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 13 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

  SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

  SHARES
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $13.49       $20.18       $22.71       $24.00       $19.81       $21.61  
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           
           

Net investment income

    0.12       0.22       0.21       0.20       0.19       0.24  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    2.18       (5.45     (0.59     0.79       4.55       (1.17
           

Total from Investment Operations

    2.30       (5.23     (0.38     0.99       4.74       (0.93
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

           
           

From net investment income

          (0.23     (0.16     (0.21     (0.22     (0.23
           

From net realized gains

          (1.23     (1.99     (2.07     (0.33     (0.64
           

Total Distributions Paid

          (1.46     (2.15     (2.28     (0.55     (0.87
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $15.79       $13.49       $20.18       $22.71       $24.00       $19.81  
           

Total Return(1)

    16.96 %        (28.43 )%        (0.45 )%        3.76 %        23.82 %        (4.22 )%     
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

           
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $2,204,106       $2,076,900       $2,972,451       $3,538,528       $3,777,051       $2,914,311  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

           
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    1.18     1.10     1.12     1.13     1.22     1.23
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    1.44     1.09     0.86     0.82     0.89     1.13
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.26     0.99     0.74     0.69     0.67     0.90
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    20.30     14.18     16.02     18.65     11.48     25.31

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $52,000, $138,000, $110,000, $119,000 and $184,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $91,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    14 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

  U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND

   CLASS K(1)                    
  Selected per share data   

PERIOD

ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $13.00  
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

  
 

Net investment income

     0.03  
 

Net realized and unrealized gains

     0.40  
 

Total from Investment Operations

     0.43  
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

  
 

From net investment income

     (0.04
 

From net realized gains

      
 

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.04
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $13.39  
 

Total Return(2)

     3.30 %     
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

  
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $186,442  
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

  
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

     0.39
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

     0.56
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

     1.27
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

     1.10
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     14.45

 

(1) 

For the period from July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of less than $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the period July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2020. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class K shares on July 31, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 15 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

  U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND

   CLASS I (1)                     
  Selected per share data   

PERIOD

ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $13.66  
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

  
 

Net investment income

     0.01  
 

Net realized and unrealized losses

     (0.24
 

Total from Investment Operations

     (0.23
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

  
 

From net investment income

     (0.04
 

From net realized gains

      
 

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.04
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $13.39  
 

Total Return(2)

     (1.70 )%     
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

  
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $60  
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

  
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

     0.49
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.69
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.89
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.69
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     14.45

 

(1) 

For the period from August 24, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class I shares on August 24, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    16 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

        

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

   INCOME EQUITY FUND  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 99.0%

     

Aerospace & Defense – 1.3%

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     4,538        $1,739        

Apparel & Textile Products - 0.5%

 

VF Corp.

     9,589        674  

Asset Management – 1.2%

     

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     4,805        740  

BlackRock, Inc.

     1,579        890  
     
                1,630  

Banking – 3.4%

     

Bank of America Corp.

     10,747        259  

Citigroup, Inc.

     35,923        1,548  

First Hawaiian, Inc.

     39,713        575  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     20,996        2,021  
     
                4,403  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.0%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

     15,823        1,386  

Amgen, Inc.

     8,431        2,143  

Eli Lilly and Co.

     12,464        1,845  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     24,872        1,572  

Johnson & Johnson

     16,565        2,466  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     17,900        1,485  

Pfizer, Inc.

     60,476        2,219  
     
                13,116  

Chemicals – 2.4%

     

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     20,879        641  

Dow, Inc.

     14,593        687  

Huntsman Corp.

     24,195        537  

Sherwin-Williams (The) Co.

     1,900        1,324  
     
                3,189  

Construction Materials – 0.5%

 

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

     28,427        640  

Consumer Products – 6.5%

     

Altria Group, Inc.

     38,119        1,473  

Clorox (The) Co.

     3,579        752  

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

     4,269        211  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     20,139        1,554  

General Mills, Inc.

     14,252        879  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     5,457        806  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     24,079        1,805  

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     7,844        1,090  
     
                8,570  

Containers & Packaging – 0.6%

 

International Paper Co.

     19,749        801  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.0%    continued

 

Distributors – Consumer Staples - 0.5%

 

Sysco Corp.

     11,356        $707        

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.3%

 

Pool Corp.

     1,222        409  

Electrical Equipment – 0.8%

     

Emerson Electric Co.

     14,048        921  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

     759        168  
     
                1,089  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 0.6%

 

McDonald’s Corp.

     359        79  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.

     9,603        295  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

     4,264        389  
     
                763  

Hardware – 10.6%

     

Apple, Inc.(1)

     88,780        10,282  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     51,578        2,032  

HP, Inc.

     42,498        807  

NetApp, Inc.

     9,269        406  

Seagate Technology PLC

     8,277        408  

Ubiquiti, Inc.

     39        6  
     
                13,941  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 1.2%

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     105        10  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     14,770        694  

Humana, Inc.

     327        135  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     2,331        727  
     
                1,566  

Home & Office Products – 0.6%

 

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

     2,536        104  

Newell Brands, Inc.

     42,401        728  
     
                832  

Industrial Services – 0.9%

     

Fastenal Co.

     11,662        526  

Watsco, Inc.

     2,741        638  
     
                1,164  

Institutional Financial Services – 0.7%

 

Lazard Ltd., Class A

     21,106        698  

Morgan Stanley

     3,124        151  
     
                849  

Insurance – 1.8%

     

Aflac, Inc.

     21,223        772  

Allstate (The) Corp.

     5,856        551  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 17 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INCOME EQUITY FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.0%     continued

 

  

Insurance – 1.8%    continued

     

MetLife, Inc.

     8,782        $326  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     16,150        650  
     
                2,299  

Machinery – 1.7%

     

Caterpillar, Inc.

     6,362        949  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

     6,759        1,306  
     
                2,255  

Media – 5.2%

     

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

     1,673        2,452  

Comcast Corp., Class A

     51,883        2,400  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) *

     4,502        1,179  

New York Times (The) Co., Class A

     634        27  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     5,809        287  

Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.

     75,663        406  
     
                6,751  

Medical Equipment & Devices – 2.0%

 

Abbott Laboratories

     9,234        1,005  

Baxter International, Inc.

     6,908        556  

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

     1,841        80  

ResMed, Inc.

     4,462        765  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     347        153  
     
                2,559  

Metals & Mining – 0.5%

     

Southern Copper Corp.

     14,314        648  
     

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.9%

     

Antero Midstream Corp.

     91,645        492  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     7,308        127  

ConocoPhillips

     25,215        828  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

     32,642        478  

Valero Energy Corp.

     11,624        504  

Williams (The) Cos., Inc.

     1,237        24  
     
                2,453  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 4.2%

 

American Tower Corp.

     4,379        1,058  

Apartment Investment and Management Co., Class A

     15,605        526  

Brandywine Realty Trust

     17,586        182  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     21,113        501  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     21,535        616  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     2,238        239  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

     17,915        662  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     17,655        593      
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.0%     continued

 

  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 4.2%    continued

 

  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

     6,285        $729  

Weingarten Realty Investors

     22,832        387  
     
                5,493  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 2.0%

     

Target Corp.

     2,004        316  

Walmart, Inc.

     16,819        2,353  
     
                2,669  

Retail-Discretionary –7.2%

     

Amazon.com, Inc.(1) *

     1,408        4,433      

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     5,322        592  

eBay, Inc.

     7,118        371  

Genuine Parts Co.

     2,846        271  

Home Depot (The), Inc.

     9,711        2,697  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     5,012        831  

Tractor Supply Co.

     1,217        175  
     
                9,370  

Semiconductors – 5.7%

     

Analog Devices, Inc.

     6,492        758  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     829        50  

Intel Corp.

     6,334        328  

KLA Corp.

     2,577        499  

Lam Research Corp.

     3,413        1,132  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

     5,459        561  

NVIDIA Corp.

     270        146  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     16,802        1,977  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     13,777        1,967  
     
                7,418  

Software – 10.3%

     

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     18,116        1,466  

Cerner Corp.

     8,447        611  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

     5,155        710  

Intuit, Inc.

     3,682        1,201  

Microsoft Corp.

     32,539        6,844  

Oracle Corp.

     33,611        2,007  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

     10,608        642  
     
                13,481  

Specialty Finance – 3.9%

     

American Express Co.

     15,520        1,556  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     7,418        2,508  

Visa, Inc., Class A

     5,396        1,079  
     
                5,143  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    18 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.0%    continued

 

Technology Services – 2.5%

    

Accenture PLC, Class A

     4,526           $1,023  

International Business Machines Corp.

     14,793       1,800  

TransUnion

     4,841       407  
     
               3,230  

Telecom – 2.7%

    

AT&T, Inc.

     38,521       1,098  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     41,859       2,490  
     
               3,588  

Transportation & Logistics – 1.5%

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

     5,119       523  

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

     3,799       687  

Union Pacific Corp.

     3,614       712  
     
               1,922  

Transportation Equipment – 0.5%

 

Cummins, Inc.

     3,222       680  

Utilities – 2.8%

    

Avangrid, Inc.

     13,370       675  

Exelon Corp.

     22,911       819  

NRG Energy, Inc.

     6,371       196      

OGE Energy Corp.

     4,461       134  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     14,755       810  

Vistra Corp.

     11,476       216  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     8,716       845  
     
               3,695  

Total Common Stocks

    

(Cost $97,127)

             129,736  
    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.9%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(2) (3)

     1,211,557       1,212  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $1,212)

             1,212  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE     
(000S)    

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.1%

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(4) (5)

     $135           $135  

Total Short-Term Investments

                

(Cost $135)

             135  
    

Total Investments – 100.0%

                

(Cost $98,474)

             131,083  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.0%)

 

    (42 )     

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $131,041  

 

(1) 

Security represents underlying investment on open written option contracts.

(2) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(3) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(5) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

S&P - Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  CONTRACT
POSITION
  CONTRACT
EXP.
  VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini S&P 500

  8   $1,341   Long   12/20   $(8)

 

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open written call options as follows:

 

TYPE    NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

Amazon.com, Inc.,

Exp. Date 10/16/2020, Strike Price $3,600.00

   (14)   $(4,408)   $(11)
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 19 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INCOME EQUITY FUND    continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

TYPE    NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
     NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
 

Apple, Inc.,

        

Exp. Date 10/16/2020, Strike Price

        

$135.00

     (443)        $(5,130)        $  (9)  

Facebook, Inc.,

        

Exp. Date 10/16/2020, Strike Price

        

$310.00

     (45)        (1,179)        (1)  
       

Total Written Options Contracts

           $(21)  
       

(Premiums Received (000s) $31)

                          

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

Communication Services

     9.1

Consumer Discretionary

     9.5  

Consumer Staples

     9.0  

Energy

     1.9  

Financials

     8.3  

Health Care

     13.8  

Industrials

     7.1  

Information Technology

     30.2  

Materials

     3.6  

Real Estate

     4.2  

Utilities

     3.3  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

LEVEL 1

(000S)

   

LEVEL 2

(000S)

   

LEVEL 3

(000S)

   

TOTAL    

(000S)    

 

Common Stocks(1)

    $129,736       $ —       $ —       $129,736  

Investment Companies

    1,212                   1,212  

Short-Term Investments

          135             135  
         

Total Investments

    $130,948     $ 135       $ —       $131,083  
  INVESTMENTS   

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

 

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                   

Liabilities

           

Written Options

   $         (21)        $ —        $ —      $ (21)  

Futures Contracts

     (8)                      (8)  
         

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $         (29)        $ —        $ —      $ (29)  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    20 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


   

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

   

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)

    

Australia – 5.1%

    

AGL Energy Ltd.

     12,379       $121  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

     26,206       565  

ASX Ltd.

     2,105       123  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

     101,152       309  

AusNet Services

     88,173       119  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

     76,987       953  

BHP Group Ltd.

     12,724       328  

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

     3,107       21  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     8,688       397  

CSL Ltd.

     1,495       308  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

     75,025       878  

Santos Ltd.

     24,394       86  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

     231,974       463  
     
               4,671  

Austria – 1.0%

    

ANDRITZ A.G.

     4,885       151  

OMV A.G.*

     7,245       198  

Raiffeisen Bank International A.G.*

     34,757       531  
     
               880  

Belgium – 1.2%

    

Ageas S.A./N.V.

     5,639       230  

Colruyt S.A.

     4,882           317  

Proximus S.A.DP

     23,106       422  

UCB S.A.

     1,377       156  
     
               1,125      

Canada – 8.9%

    

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., Class B

     19,656       685  

AltaGas Ltd.

     9,824       119  

Atco Ltd., Class I

     3,763       109  

B2Gold Corp.

     50,897       331  

Barrick Gold Corp.

     3,558       100  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

     8,810       307  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     24,918       399  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     2,791       849  

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A

     749       75  

Canadian Utilities Ltd., Class A

     1,749       42  

CGI, Inc.*

     9,866       670  

CI Financial Corp.

     57,260       726  

Constellation Software, Inc.

     23       26  

Emera, Inc.

     572       24  

Fortis, Inc.

     452       19  

IGM Financial, Inc.

     31,898       731  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

 

Canada – 8.9%    continued

    

Kinross Gold Corp.*

     97,043       $856  

Manulife Financial Corp.

     63,348       881  

National Bank of Canada

     7,072       351  

Quebecor, Inc., Class B

     2,034       51  

TC Energy Corp.

     21,441       900  
     
               8,251  

China – 0.6%

    

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd.

     758,000           553  

Denmark – 2.3%

    

Carlsberg A.S., Class B

     4,634       624  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     1,772       123  

Orsted A/S(2)

     442       61  

Pandora A/S

     10,733       772  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     3,599       583  
     
               2,163  

Finland – 1.5%

    

Fortum OYJ

     7,616       154  

Orion OYJ, Class B

     7,873       356  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

     28,816       877  
     
               1,387  

France – 8.6%

    

Atos S.E.*

     140       11  

BNP Paribas S.A.*

     25,582       927  

Capgemini S.E.

     7,343       940  

Cie de Saint-Gobain*

     5,747       241  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin S.C.A.

     7,102       760  

Dassault Aviation S.A.*

     129       110  

Engie S.A.*

     3,347       45  

ICADE

     4,207       236  

Iliad S.A.

     359       66  

Ingenico Group S.A.*

     2,972       460  

La Francaise des Jeux S.A.E.M(2)

     4,832       177  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.

     2,748       1,285  

Peugeot S.A.*

     20,860       376  

Sanofi

     10,878       1,091  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

     193       66  

Schneider Electric S.E.

     3,659       454  

Sodexo S.A.

     1,962       140  

TOTAL S.E.

     16,914       581  
     
               7,966      

Germany – 6.8%

    

Allianz S.E. (Registered)

     1,924       369  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 21 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

 

Germany – 6.8%    continued

    

Aroundtown S.A.*

     17,227       $87  

Brenntag A.G.

     7,377       469  

Deutsche Post A.G. (Registered)

     16,521       753  

E.ON S.E.

     5,160       57  

Evonik Industries A.G.

     20,388       528  

Fresenius Medical Care A.G. & Co. KGaA

     4,922       416  

LEG Immobilien A.G.

     2,281       326  

Merck KGaA

     4,841       707  

RWE A.G.

     4,081       153  

SAP S.E.

     8,488       1,322  

Siemens A.G. (Registered)

     912       115  

Siemens Energy A.G.*

     456           12  

Siemens Healthineers A.G.(2)

     12,848       577  

Uniper S.E.

     4,114       133  

United Internet A.G. (Registered)

     5,858       224  

Zalando S.E.(2) *

     610       57  
     
               6,305  

Hong Kong – 3.2%

    

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

     300,477       797  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     126,878       619  

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

     33,779       205  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

     9,877       46  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

     20,960       195  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

     21,528       320  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

     1        

Link REIT

     6,858       56  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

     6,076       78  

WH Group Ltd.(2)

     746,950       608  
     
               2,924  

Ireland – 0.2%

    

CRH PLC

     3,811       138  

Israel – 1.3%

    

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

     6,979       840  

ICL Group Ltd.

     110,167       389  
     
               1,229      

Italy – 1.9%

    

DiaSorin S.p.A.

     174       35  

Enel S.p.A.

     60,313       524  

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.*

     183,180       344  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

 

Italy – 1.9%    continued

    

Poste Italiane S.p.A.(2)

     78,234       $693  

Snam S.p.A.

     23,978       123  
     
               1,719  

Japan – 23.3%

    

ABC-Mart, Inc.

     13,400       698  

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

     22,209           486  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

     20,200       704  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

     58,800       875  

Bridgestone Corp.

     20,310       642  

Brother Industries Ltd.

     36,622       582  

Central Japan Railway Co.

     3,139       450  

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

     12,000       146  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

     12,700       257  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

     1,920       170  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

     26,100       671  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

     1,000       49  

Hitachi Ltd.

     5,300       179  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

     7,300       172  

Hoya Corp.

     2,500       282  

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

     5,400       109  

ITOCHU Corp.

     42,327       1,082  

Kajima Corp.

     3,300       40  

Kamigumi Co. Ltd.

     26,400       520  

KDDI Corp.

     33,819       856  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

     3,700       122  

Marubeni Corp.

     15,400       87  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

     11,000       220  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

     1,700       130  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

     22,100       128  

Mitsubishi Corp.

     300       7  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.

     13,500       250  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

     13,300       228  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

     2,700       67  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

     1,534       31  

Nitto Denko Corp.

     3,800       248  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

     3,400       65  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

     34,400       1,276  

Obayashi Corp.

     28,900       262      

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     8,900       279  

ORIX Corp.

     17,900       223  

Otsuka Corp.

     14,000       717  

Resona Holdings, Inc.

     167,500       571  

SCSK Corp.

     5,600       313  

Secom Co. Ltd.

     3,500       320  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    22 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

 

Japan – 23.3%    continued

    

Sekisui House Ltd.

     16,100       $285  

Subaru Corp.

     14,900       289  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     10,700       249  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

     36,800       1,024      

Sundrug Co. Ltd.

     7,100       267  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     14,276       537  

Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

     13,000       130  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings, Inc.*

     33,900           93  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

     4,000       1,047  

Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

     28,900       407  

Toshiba Corp.

     1,000       25  

Tosoh Corp.

     51,044       830  

Toyota Motor Corp.

     26,700       1,766  
     
               21,463  

Jordan – 0.1%

    

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     2,809       94  

Netherlands – 3.8%

    

ASML Holding N.V.

     570       210  

EXOR N.V.

     2,509       137  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.

     33,540       993  

NN Group N.V.

     18,844       708  

Randstad N.V.*

     6,387       333  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

     79,126       957  

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

     1,845       158  
     
               3,496  

New Zealand – 0.5%

    

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

     21,783       480  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

     4,528       15  
     
               495  

Norway – 0.9%

    

DNB ASA*

     33,179       458  

Yara International ASA

     8,809       339  
     
               797  

Singapore – 0.4%

    

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     20,600       303  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

     13,600       91  
     
               394  

Spain – 1.3%

    

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios S.A.

     20,295       460  

Enagas S.A.

     5,444       125  

Endesa S.A.

     5,436       145  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

 

Spain – 1.3%    continued

    

Iberdrola S.A.

     29,315       $361  

Naturgy Energy Group S.A.

     7,026       141  
     
               1,232      

Sweden – 4.1%

    

Essity AB, Class B*

     3,730       126  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

     24,074       415  

Hexagon AB, Class B*

     3,829       289  

Investor AB, Class B

     15,227       993  

Sandvik AB*

     16,956           331  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A*

     39,203       347  

Skanska AB, Class B*

     27,975       590  

SKF AB, Class B

     27,362       564  

Volvo AB, Class B*

     8,607       165  
     
               3,820  

Switzerland – 8.7%

    

Adecco Group A.G. (Registered)

     15,211       804  

Credit Suisse Group A.G. (Registered)

     18,207       182  

LafargeHolcim Ltd. (Registered)*

     8,691       396  

Logitech International S.A. (Registered)

     4,538       351  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

     17,862       2,119  

Novartis A.G. (Registered)

     12,669       1,101  

Roche Holding A.G. (Genusschein)

     6,832       2,338  

Swisscom A.G. (Registered)

     1,424       755  
     
               8,046  

United Kingdom – 11.8%

    

3i Group PLC

     3,639       47  

Admiral Group PLC

     18,753       632  

Anglo American PLC

     37,932       916  

BAE Systems PLC

     144,343       893  

Barratt Developments PLC

     29,359       179  

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) PLC

     10,874       592  

British American Tobacco PLC

     28,210       1,014  

BT Group PLC

     205,535       261  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

     80,745       281  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     71,114       1,332  

Imperial Brands PLC

     25,084       442  

ITV PLC

     135,379       117  

Legal & General Group PLC

     279,145       677  

National Grid PLC

     22,381       258  

Persimmon PLC

     3,153       100  

Rio Tinto PLC

     6,788       410  

Sage Group (The) PLC

     30,179       279  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 23 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
   VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS – 97.5% (1)     continued

 

  

United Kingdom – 11.8%     continued

     

Segro PLC

     2,066        $25  

Smiths Group PLC

     3,004        53  

SSE PLC

     391        6  

Unilever N.V.

     31,425        1,897  

United Utilities Group PLC

     12,765        141  

Vodafone Group PLC

     164,165        218  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

     56,039        123  
     
                10,893  

Total Common Stocks

                 

(Cost $91,621)

              90,041  
     

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.6% (1)

     

Germany – 0.6%

     

Henkel A.G. & Co. KGaA, 2.06%(3)

     1,275        133  

Volkswagen A.G., 3.68%(3)

     2,658        428  
     
                561  

Total Preferred Stocks

     

(Cost $521)

              561  
     

  INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.3%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(4) (5)

     265,838        266  

Total Investment Companies

                 

(Cost $266)

              266  
     

Total Investments – 98.4%

                 

(Cost $92,408)

              90,868  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 1.6%

        1,438  

Net Assets – 100.0%

              $92,306  

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors were provided by an independent evaluation service to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(3) 

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

(4) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(5) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

 

PLC – Public Limited Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

S&P – Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  CONTRACT
POSITION
   

CONTRACT

EXP.

   

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

(000S)(1)

Euro Stoxx 50 (Euro)

    19       $712       Long       12/20       $(26)  

FTSE 100 Index (British Pound)

    3       226       Long       12/20       (7)  

S&P/TSX 60 Index (Canadian Dollar)

    1       144       Long       12/20       1  

SPI 200 Index (Australian Dollar)

    2       208       Long       12/20       (3)  

Yen Denominated Nikkei 225 (Japanese Yen)

    3       331       Long       12/20       1  
           

Total

                                    $(34)      

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

   INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Communication Services

     5.3

Consumer Discretionary

     10.9  

Consumer Staples

     11.9  

Energy

     3.4  

Financials

     16.6  

Health Care

     12.5  

Industrials

     14.6  

Information Technology

     9.1  

Materials

     8.8  

Real Estate

     2.9  

Utilities

     4.0  

Total

     100.0

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    24 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

   CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Euro

     28.4

Japanese Yen

     23.7  

British Pound

     11.1  

Canadian Dollar

     9.1  

Swiss Franc

     8.9  

Australian Dollar

     5.2  

All other currencies less than 5%

     13.6  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

   INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Common Stocks:

          

Canada

   $ 8,251     $     —        $—      $ 8,251  

Germany

     12       6,293               6,305  

Israel

     840       389               1,229  

All Other Countries(1)

           74,256               74,256  

Total Common Stocks

     9,103       80,938               90,041  

Preferred Stocks

           561               561  

Investment Companies

     266                     266  

Total Investments

   $ 9,369     $ 81,499        $—      $ 90,868  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                  

Assets

          

Futures Contracts

   $         2     $     —        $—      $ 2  

Liabilities

          

Futures Contracts

     (36                   (36
         

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $     (34)     $     —        $—      $     (34

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 25 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

LARGE CAP CORE FUND

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.7%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 1.0%

    

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     5,603       $2,147  

Asset Management – 0.9%

    

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     2,865       441  

BlackRock, Inc.

     963       543  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

     53,463       1,088  
     
               2,072      

Automotive – 0.1%

    

Gentex Corp.

     8,665       223  

Banking – 3.1%

    

Bank of America Corp.

     107,947           2,600  

Citigroup, Inc.

     44,781       1,931  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

     4,168       105  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     11,547       1,112  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

     79,169       655  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     20,095       472  
     
               6,875  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 6.9%

 

Amgen, Inc.

     10,048       2,554  

Biogen, Inc.*

     4,658       1,321  

Eli Lilly and Co.

     16,017       2,371  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     4,332       274  

Johnson & Johnson

     29,615       4,409  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     35,234       2,923  

Pfizer, Inc.

     11,031       405  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     949       531  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     1,709       465  
     
               15,253  

Chemicals – 1.8%

    

3M Co.

     9,392       1,504  

Celanese Corp.

     833       90  

Eastman Chemical Co.

     5,665       443  

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

     6,926       488  

PPG Industries, Inc.

     5,195       634  

Sherwin-Williams (The) Co.

     1,201       837  
     
               3,996  

Commercial Services – 0.6%

    

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

     2,891       212  

Robert Half International, Inc.

     21,673       1,147  
     
               1,359  

Consumer Products – 4.8%

    

Altria Group, Inc.

     14,001       541  

Campbell Soup Co.

     28,451       1,376  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%    continued

 

Consumer Products – 4.8% continued

 

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

     8,196       $405  

General Mills, Inc.

     19,048       1,175  

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.*

     14,217       663  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     10,327       1,525  

Monster Beverage Corp.*

     3,018       242  

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     5,113       256  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     9,577       1,327  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     21,636           1,623  

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     10,169       1,413  
     
               10,546      

Containers & Packaging – 0.6%

    

International Paper Co.

     32,255       1,308  

Electrical Equipment – 1.1%

    

Emerson Electric Co.

     15,634       1,025  

Hubbell, Inc.

     9,796       1,341  
     
               2,366  

Engineering & Construction Services – 0.2%

 

Quanta Services, Inc.

     9,691       512  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 0.8%

 

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

     2,785       1,184  

McDonald’s Corp.

     1,590       349  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

     3,451       315  
     
               1,848  

Hardware – 8.8%

    

Apple, Inc.

     141,831       16,425  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     67,623       2,664  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

     1,356       342  
     
               19,431  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 3.2%

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     8,919       864  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*

     619       140  

DaVita, Inc.*

     3,598       308  

Humana, Inc.

     4,447       1,841  

McKesson Corp.

     6,171       919  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

     1,314       241  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     8,500       2,650  
     
               6,963  

Home & Office Products – 1.9%

    

Lennar Corp., Class A

     8,914       728  

Masco Corp.

     26,366       1,453  

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,176       20  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    26 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%    continued

 

Home & Office Products – 1.9%    continued

 

NVR, Inc.*

     93       $380  

PulteGroup, Inc.

     29,405       1,361  

Snap-on, Inc.

     582       86  

Whirlpool Corp.

     662       122  
     
               4,150  

Industrial Services – 0.3%

    

HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*

     2,966       122  

United Rentals, Inc.*

     611       107  

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

     1,308       467  
     
               696  

Institutional Financial Services – 1.9%

 

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.

     4,258           856  

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

     81,140       1,460  

Morgan Stanley

     37,159       1,797  
     
               4,113      

Insurance – 3.2%

    

Aflac, Inc.

     12,346       449  

Allstate (The) Corp.

     17,556       1,653  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     28,674       616  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.,
Class B*

     10,053       2,141  

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     27,958       510  

MetLife, Inc.

     42,684       1,586  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     1,504       60  
     
               7,015  

Iron & Steel – 0.6%

    

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     13,564       1,384  

Leisure Products – 0.4%

    

Polaris, Inc.

     9,517       898  

Machinery – 0.3%

    

Dover Corp.

     3,593       389  

Regal Beloit Corp.

     2,257       212  
     
               601  

Media – 7.5%

    

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

     5,603       8,212  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*

     869       543  

Comcast Corp., Class A

     9,435       436  

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

     18,987       4,973  

Netflix, Inc.*

     2,122       1,061  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     15,930       788  

Walt Disney (The) Co.

     3,245       403  
     
               16,416  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%    continued

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.3%

 

 

Abbott Laboratories

     19,479       $2,120  

Baxter International, Inc.

     9,065       729  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

     1,702       136  

Hologic, Inc.*

     5,010       333  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

     1,962       771  

Medtronic PLC

     23,024       2,393  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     543       524  

Quidel Corp.*

     796       174  

ResMed, Inc.

     6,802       1,166  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     2,059       909  

Waters Corp.*

     1,240       243  
     
               9,498      

Metals & Mining – 0.3%

    

Newmont Corp.

     11,406       724  

Oil, Gas & Coal – 2.1%

    

Baker Hughes Co.

     51,180       680  

Chevron Corp.

     27,367           1,970  

Concho Resources, Inc.

     8,059       356  

ConocoPhillips

     28,097       923  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     312       11  

HollyFrontier Corp.

     12,450       245  

Schlumberger N.V.

     23,993       373  
     
               4,558  

Real Estate – 0.5%

    

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

     22,691       1,066  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.5%

 

Boston Properties, Inc.

     4,448       357  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     46,984       1,343  

Equity Residential

     11,597       596  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

     26,894       993  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     38,126       1,280  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     5,210       59  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

     28,901       824  
     
               5,452  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 3.0%

    

Kroger (The) Co.

     13,986       474  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.*

     58,696       1,229  

Target Corp.

     13,181       2,075  

Walmart, Inc.

     20,612       2,884  
     
               6,662  

Retail - Discretionary – 8.0%

    

Amazon.com, Inc.*

     3,126       9,843  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 27 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

LARGE CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%    continued

 

Retail - Discretionary – 8.0%    continued

 

AutoZone, Inc.*

     612       $721  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     14,488       1,613  

eBay, Inc.

     29,851       1,555  

Genuine Parts Co.

     8,217       782  

Home Depot (The), Inc.

     5,354       1,487  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     7,248       1,202  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

     269       124  

Qurate Retail, Inc., Class A

     13,812       99  

Tractor Supply Co.

     357       51  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

     2,078       188  
     
               17,665      

Semiconductors – 5.0%

    

Applied Materials, Inc.

     28,839       1,715  

Intel Corp.

     56,969       2,950  

KLA Corp.

     6,171       1,196  

Lam Research Corp.

     4,969       1,648  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

     6,473       665  

NVIDIA Corp.

     1,966       1,064  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     12,616           1,801  
     
               11,039  

Software – 9.8%

    

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     3,202       259  

Adobe, Inc.*

     2,715       1,331  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

     11,028       1,519  

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

     12,304       1,605  

Intuit, Inc.

     963       314  

Microsoft Corp.

     67,054       14,103  

Oracle Corp.

     41,808       2,496  

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     239       60  
     
               21,687  

Specialty Finance – 2.0%

    

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

     288       47  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     2,755       932  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

     1,956       385  

SLM Corp.

     99,302       803  

Visa, Inc., Class A

     6,346       1,269  

Western Union (The) Co.

     43,311       928  
     
               4,364  

Technology Services – 3.3%

    

Accenture PLC, Class A

     11,115       2,512  

Amdocs Ltd.

     8,176       469  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

     11,825       981  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%    continued

 

Technology Services – 3.3%    continued

 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     5,753       $399  

International Business Machines Corp.

     17,373       2,114  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

     9,326       832  
     
               7,307  

Telecom – 2.4%

    

AT&T, Inc.

     67,829       1,934  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     56,938       3,387  
     
               5,321      

Transportation & Logistics – 2.0%

    

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

     15,947       1,630  

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

     13,438       1,216  

Landstar System, Inc.

     10,884       1,366  

Schneider National, Inc., Class B

     3,561       88  
     
               4,300  

Transportation Equipment – 0.8%

    

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

     1,095       39  

Cummins, Inc.

     7,895           1,667  
     
               1,706  

Utilities – 2.7%

    

AES (The) Corp.

     70,232       1,272  

Ameren Corp.

     15,993       1,265  

Edison International

     1,007       51  

Entergy Corp.

     198       19  

Exelon Corp.

     33,803       1,209  

FirstEnergy Corp.

     31,495       904  

NRG Energy, Inc.

     12,323       379  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     16,895       928  
     
               6,027  

Total Common Stocks

                
     

(Cost $158,393)

       217,548  
    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0 .0%

    

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.0%

 

Qurate Retail, Inc.*

     408       40  

Total Preferred Stocks

                
     

(Cost $40)

       40  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    28 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE     
(000S)    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.0%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(1) (2)

     2,140,116           $2,140      
     

Total Investment Companies

    
     

(Cost $2,140)

       2,140  
    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.2%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(3) (4)

     $415           $415  
     

Total Short-Term Investments

    
     

(Cost $415)

       415  
    
     

Total Investments – 99.9%

    
     

(Cost $160,988)

       220,143  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

 

    281  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $220,424  

 

(1) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(2) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(3) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(4) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

S&P - Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

      TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    CONTRACT
POSITION
  CONTRACT
EXP.
  VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini S&P 500

  15     $2,514     Long   12/20     $23      
   

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

    INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Communication Services

     10.8

Consumer Discretionary

     11.7  

Consumer Staples

     6.9  

Energy

     2.1  

Financials

     9.6  

Health Care

     14.6  

Industrials

     7.7  

Information Technology

     28.1  

Materials

     2.7  

Real Estate

     3.0  

Utilities

     2.8  
   

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
   LEVEL 2
(000S)
   LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

TOTAL 

(000S) 

Common
Stocks(1)

     $217,548        $ —        $ —        $217,548  

Preferred
Stocks(1)

     40                      40  

Investment Companies

     2,140                      2,140  

Short-Term Investments

            415               415  
         

Total Investments

     $219,728        $415        $ —        $220,143  
     

OTHER FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

 

 

                 

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

     $        23        $ —        $ —        $        23   

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 29 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.7%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 0.5%

 

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.

     8,085       $135  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

     1,381       80  

Textron, Inc.

     696       25  
     
               240  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.5%

 

Hanesbrands, Inc.

     15,876       250  

Asset Management – 0.1%

 

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

     922       63  

Automotive – 1.2%

 

BorgWarner, Inc.

     2,946           114  

Gentex Corp.

     10,269       264  

ITT, Inc.

     388       23  

Lear Corp.

     1,995       218  
     
               619  

Banking – 7.4%

 

Bank of America Corp.

     47,667       1,148  

Citigroup, Inc.

     16,898       729  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

     637       203  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     10,015       964  

M&T Bank Corp.

     2,756       254  

PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.

     1,002       110  

Popular, Inc.

     5,599       203  

U.S. Bancorp

     4,888       175  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     3,616       85  
     
               3,871      

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 5.7%

 

Johnson & Johnson

     11,436       1,703  

Mylan N.V.*

     1,771       26  

Pfizer, Inc.

     34,221       1,256  
     
               2,985  

Chemicals – 2.7%

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     6,544       201  

Dow, Inc.

     12,896       607  

Eastman Chemical Co.

     3,973       310  

Huntsman Corp.

     9,260       206  

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

     1,396       98  
     
               1,422  

Commercial Services – 0.8%

 

FTI Consulting, Inc.*

     1,213       129  

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

     3,715       272  
     
               401  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%     continued

 

Construction Materials – 0.9%

 

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

     1,906       $233  

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

     11,694       263  
     
               496  

Consumer Products – 5.0%

 

Campbell Soup Co.

     5,236       253  

General Mills, Inc.

     10,103       623  

J.M. Smucker (The) Co.

     1,538       178  

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     8,816           1,226  

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*

     5,928       240  

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

     1,361       81  
     
               2,601      

Containers & Packaging – 1.0%

 

International Paper Co.

     8,300       336  

Sonoco Products Co.

     3,672       188  
     
               524  

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 1.2%

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     9,623       447  

Bunge Ltd.

     3,409       156  
     
               603  

Electrical Equipment – 5.8%

 

Acuity Brands, Inc.

     1,081       111  

Amphenol Corp., Class A

     2,952       320  

Eaton Corp. PLC

     6,952       709  

Emerson Electric Co.

     7,277       477  

General Electric Co.

     12,150       76  

Hubbell, Inc.

     2,176       298  

Johnson Controls International PLC

     12,935       528  

Trane Technologies PLC

     4,148       503  
     
               3,022      

Engineering & Construction Services – 0.7%

 

AECOM*

     1,767       74  

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

     3,297       306  
     
               380  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 0.3%

 

Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A

     3,148       168  

Hardware – 1.2%

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     14,382       566  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

     138       35  
     
               601  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.8%

 

Anthem, Inc.

     979       263  

Cigna Corp.

     791       134  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    30 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%     continued

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.8%     continued

 

CVS Health Corp.

     3,794       $222  

Humana, Inc.

     1,422       588  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.*

     59       9  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     19       4  

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

     2,518       269  
     
               1,489  

Home & Office Products – 4.1%

    

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

     4,339           376  

Lennar Corp., Class A

     4,963       405  

Newell Brands, Inc.

     16,906       290  

NVR, Inc.*

     76       310  

PulteGroup, Inc.

     6,930       321  

Snap-on, Inc.

     409       60  

Whirlpool Corp.

     2,078       382  
     
               2,144      

Industrial Services – 1.0%

    

HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*

     7,771       320  

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A

     3,567       226  
     
               546  

Institutional Financial Services – 3.7%

 

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.

     13,876       477  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.

     3,662       736  

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

     1,966       35  

Morgan Stanley

     14,114       682  
     
               1,930  

Insurance – 4.6%

    

Aflac, Inc.

     7,610       277  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     6,857       147  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

     2,672       569  

Chubb Ltd.

     39       5  

Globe Life, Inc.

     3,720       297  

Hartford Financial Services Group (The), Inc.

     3,894       144  

Loews Corp.

     6,742       234  

MetLife, Inc.

     13,370       497  

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

     285       222  
     
               2,392  

Iron & Steel – 0.9%

    

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     2,834       289  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

     5,420       155  
     
               444  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%     continued

 

Machinery – 0.2%

 

Oshkosh Corp.

     1,482       $109  

Media – 6.4%

    

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*

     528       330  

Comcast Corp., Class A

     28,234       1,306  

Discovery, Inc., Class A*

     11,990       261  

Fox Corp., Class A

     2,661       74  

Interpublic Group of (The) Cos., Inc.

     15,654           261  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty SiriusXM, Class A*

     396       13  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class A*

     13,630       129  

Walt Disney (The) Co.

     7,995       992  
     
               3,366      

Medical Equipment & Devices – 6.5%

 

Abbott Laboratories

     9,042       984  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     4,912       496  

Baxter International, Inc.

     1,970       158  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     1,419       330  

Danaher Corp.

     769       166  

Medtronic PLC

     10,047       1,044  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     464       205  
     
               3,383  

Oil, Gas & Coal – 3.1%

    

Chevron Corp.

     2,350       169  

Concho Resources, Inc.

     880       39  

Devon Energy Corp.

     23,159       219  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     12,712       436  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

     12,153       178  

HollyFrontier Corp.

     9,051       178  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     9,830       289  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

     11,878       108  
     
               1,616  

Passenger Transportation – 0.6%

    

Southwest Airlines Co.

     8,839       332  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 3.7%

 

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

     10,011       285  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     2,444       365  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     2,305       66  

Equity Residential

     6,383       327  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     6,887       231  

JBG SMITH Properties

     6,497       174  

Life Storage, Inc.

     2,771       292  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 31 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND     continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 3.7%     continued

 

Weingarten Realty Investors

     10,655       $181  

Welltower, Inc.

     510       28  
     
               1,949  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 5.0%

 

Kroger (The) Co.

     13,443       456  

Target Corp.

     5,834       918  

Walmart, Inc.

     8,926       1,249  
     
               2,623  

Retail - Discretionary – 0.4%

 

Qurate Retail, Inc., Class A

     1,497           11  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

     2,349       212  
     
               223  

Semiconductors – 4.6%

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

     843       98  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     891       53  

Broadcom, Inc.

     233       85  

Intel Corp.

     17,821       923  

KLA Corp.

     948       184  

Lam Research Corp.

     786       261  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

     4,689       317  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

     509       52  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     941       137  

Teradyne, Inc.

     2,901       230  

Xilinx, Inc.

     365       38  
     
               2,378      

Software – 0.8%

 

Cerner Corp.

     2,829       204  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

     3,118       189  
     
               393  

Specialty Finance – 2.9%

 

Ally Financial, Inc.

     12,340       310  

Capital One Financial Corp.

     1,659       119  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     300       44  

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

     1,396       227  

MGIC Investment Corp.

     24,378       216  

Santander Consumer U.S.A. Holdings, Inc.

     11,884       216  

SLM Corp.

     22,792       185  

Synchrony Financial

     7,617       199  
     
               1,516  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.7%     continued

 

Technology Services – 3.2%

 

Accenture PLC, Class A

     706       $159  

Amdocs Ltd.

     4,493       258  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     5,442       378  

International Business Machines Corp.

     5,778       703  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

     58       5  

Paychex, Inc.

     1,789       143  
     
               1,646  

Telecom – 2.1%

    

AT&T, Inc.

     18,445       526  

CenturyLink, Inc.

     13,256           134  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     7,757       461  
     
               1,121      

Transportation & Logistics – 0.0%

 

Schneider National, Inc., Class B

     135       3  

Transportation Equipment – 1.1%

 

Cummins, Inc.

     2,559       541  

PACCAR, Inc.

     600       51  
     
               592  

Utilities – 5.4%

 

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

     14,788       286  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     2,911       227  

Duke Energy Corp.

     58       5  

Evergy, Inc.

     4,888       249  

Exelon Corp.

     10,129       362  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

     7,137       237  

IDACORP, Inc.

     2,991       239  

National Fuel Gas Co.

     3,281       133  

OGE Energy Corp.

     8,679       260  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

     2,054       153  

PPL Corp.

     12,102       329  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     6,690       368  
     
               2,848  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.6%

 

Pentair PLC

     7,070       324  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $53,555)

       51,613  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    32 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.0%

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.0%

 

Qurate Retail, Inc.*

     45           $5  

Total Preferred Stocks

                

(Cost $4)

             5  
    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.9%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(1) (2)

     457,856       458  

Total Investment Companies

 

       

(Cost $458)

             458  
    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE    
(000S)    

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.3%

 

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.11%, 1/28/21(3) (4)

     $150       $150  

Total Short-Term Investments

 

       

(Cost $150)

             150  
    

Total Investments – 99.9%

                

(Cost $54,167)

             52,226  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

 

    37  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $52,263      

 

(1) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(2) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(3) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(4) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

S&P - Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

    TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  CONTRACT
POSITION
  CONTRACT
EXP.
 

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini S&P 500

  3   $503   Long   12/20   $6    
 

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Communication Services

     8.7

Consumer Discretionary

     7.5  

Consumer Staples

     9.5  

Energy

     3.1  

Financials

     18.4  

Health Care

     15.6  

Industrials

     12.3  

Information Technology

     10.5  

Materials

     4.6  

Real Estate

     3.8  

Utilities

     6.0  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL  
(000S)  
 

Common Stocks(1)

     $51,613        $ —        $ —        $51,613  

Preferred Stocks(1)

     5                      5  

Investment Companies

     458                      458  

Short-Term Investments

            150               150  

Total Investments

     $52,076        $150        $ —        $52,226  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 33 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND     continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

   INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
   LEVEL 2
(000S)
   LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL  
(000S)  
 
 

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

     $      6        $ —        $ —        $      6  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

                    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    34 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.8%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 0.8%

    

AAR Corp.

     7,509       $141  

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*

     14,794       590  

AeroVironment, Inc.*

     5,868       352  

American Outdoor Brands, Inc.*

     2,698       35  

Astronics Corp.*

     2,544       20  

Astronics Corp., Class B*

     3,668       27  

Barnes Group, Inc.

     11,984       428  

Ducommun, Inc.*

     3,306       109  

Ituran Location and Control Ltd.

     4,136           58      

Kaman Corp.

     5,448       212  

Moog, Inc., Class A

     9,117       579  

National Presto Industries, Inc.

     1,353       111  

Park Aerospace Corp.

     2,783       30  

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

     10,792       168  

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

     4,250       260  

Woodward, Inc.

     1,719       138  
     
               3,258  

Apparel & Textile Products – 1.1%

    

Capri Holdings Ltd.*

     28,325       510  

Crocs, Inc.*

     15,605       667  

Culp, Inc.

     198       3  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

     5,447       1,198  

Delta Apparel, Inc.*

     8,061       115  

Fossil Group, Inc.*

     1,756       10  

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

     8,256       200  

Movado Group, Inc.

     3,336       33  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

     5,034       203  

Rocky Brands, Inc.

     4,550       113  

Steven Madden Ltd.

     16,871       329  

Superior Group of Cos., Inc.

     7,320       170  

Unifi, Inc.*

     692       9  

Urban Outfitters, Inc.*

     10,054       209  

Weyco Group, Inc.

     3,278       53  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

     16,966       438  
     
               4,260  

Asset Management – 0.9%

    

Altisource Asset Management Corp.*

     512       11  

Apollo Investment Corp.

     12,727       105  

Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc., Class A

     10,027       391  

Associated Capital Group, Inc., Class A

     2,873       104  

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

     1,755       44  

Blucora, Inc.*

     9,564       90  

Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.

     2,714       15  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Asset Management – 0.9%    continued

 

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

     5,667       $316  

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

     963       122  

Freedom Holding Corp.*

     5,424       130  

GAMCO Investors, Inc., Class A

     5,150       60  

Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A

     5,519       356  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

     20,864       303  

Pzena Investment Management, Inc., Class A

     4,695       25      

Rafael Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     5,871       91  

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

     826           4  

Siebert Financial Corp.*

     919       3  

Stifel Financial Corp.

     12,811       648  

StoneCastle Financial Corp.

     3,697       72  

Victory Capital Holdings, Inc., Class A

     9,571       162  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

     2,317       321  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

     13,855       206  

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

     496       5  

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

     4,100       13  
     
               3,597  

Automotive – 1.2%

    

Adient PLC*

     17,670       306  

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*

     7,181       41  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

     15,420       489  

Dana, Inc.

     27,461       338  

Delphi Technologies PLC*

     11,697       196  

Dorman Products, Inc.*

     9,467       856  

Fox Factory Holding Corp.*

     8,308       618  

Gentherm, Inc.*

     8,767       359  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (The) Co.

     45,802       351  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

     7,359       210  

Miller Industries, Inc.

     8,446       258  

Modine Manufacturing Co.*

     2,602       16  

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*

     5,314       83  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

     4,636       207  

Tenneco, Inc., Class A*

     3,500       24  

Visteon Corp.*

     5,291       366  
     
               4,718  

Banking – 7.2%

    

1st Source Corp.

     5,460       168  

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.

     4,097       96  

Altabancorp

     4,601       93  

Amalgamated Bank, Class A

     6,269       66  

American National Bankshares, Inc.

     2,646       55  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 35 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Banking – 7.2%    continued

    

Ameris Bancorp

     14,521       $331  

Ames National Corp.

     2,547       43  

Arrow Financial Corp.

     5,265       132  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.

     16,996       363  

Axos Financial, Inc.*

     14,037           327      

Banc of California, Inc.

     6,661       67  

BancFirst Corp.

     4,585       187  

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A., Class E

     7,890       96  

Bancorp (The), Inc.*

     7,254       63  

BancorpSouth Bank

     19,847       385  

Bank First Corp.

     3,402       200  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

     6,979       353  

Bank of Marin Bancorp

     3,682       107  

Bank of NT Butterfield & Son (The) Ltd.

     10,037       224  

Bank of South Carolina Corp.

     5,450       87  

Bank7 Corp.

     9,191       86  

BankFinancial Corp.

     1,816       13  

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.

     7,813       111  

Banner Corp.

     8,821       285  

Bar Harbor Bankshares

     1,968       40  

BCB Bancorp, Inc.

     508       4  

Berkshire Bancorp, Inc.*

     121       1  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

     23,413       202  

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

     4,961       123  

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co.

     20       32  

C&F Financial Corp.

     474       14  

California First National Bancorp

     1,583       25  

Cambridge Bancorp

     913       49  

Camden National Corp.

     4,006       121  

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

     4,062       76  

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.

     25,224       234  

Cathay General Bancorp

     16,356       355  

CBTX, Inc.

     3,800       62  

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

     675       9  

Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A

     4,752       312  

Citizens & Northern Corp.

     774       13  

City Holding Co.

     3,955       228  

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

     13,496       322  

Commercial National Financial Corp.

     121       2  

Community Bank System, Inc.

     9,784       533  

Community Financial (The) Corp.

     3,510       75  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     2,985       84  

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

     5,067       71  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Banking – 7.2%    continued

    

Customers Bancorp, Inc.*

     7,370       $83  

CVB Financial Corp.

     23,812       396  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     7,293       82  

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.

     6,851           184      

Eagle Financial Services, Inc.

     100       2  

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.

     2,054       43  

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

     5,591       152  

Equity Bancshares, Inc., Class A*

     3,473       54  

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

     924       11  

FB Financial Corp.

     2,484       62  

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     4,552       70  

First Bancorp

     7,975       167  

First Bancorp (The), Inc.

     2,982       63  

First Bancshares (The), Inc.

     4,998       105  

First Busey Corp.

     11,676       186  

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

     30,033       232  

First Community Bankshares, Inc.

     1,805       33  

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     30,003       837  

First Financial Corp.

     2,808       88  

First Financial Northwest, Inc.

     699       6  

First Foundation, Inc.

     5,394       70  

First Horizon National Corp.

     53,449       504  

First Internet Bancorp

     1,689       25  

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

     10,214       325  

First Merchants Corp.

     10,848       251  

First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

     37       1  

First Northwest Bancorp

     521       5  

First of Long Island (The) Corp.

     3,693       55  

First Savings Financial Group, Inc.

     3,176       173  

First United Corp.

     8,086       95  

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.

     8,757       259  

Flushing Financial Corp.

     4,485       47  

FNB Corp.

     59,964       407  

FS Bancorp, Inc.

     116       5  

Fulton Financial Corp.

     29,705       277  

German American Bancorp, Inc.

     5,541       150  

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

     15,879       509  

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     5,209       189  

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

     3,878       54  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

     17,373       327  

Hanmi Financial Corp.

     3,851       32  

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

     1,370       26  

Heartland Financial U.S.A., Inc.

     6,005       180  

Heritage Financial Corp.

     8,439       155  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    36 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

Banking – 7.2%    continued

    

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.

     16,924       $348  

Hingham Institution For Savings (The)

     701       129  

Home Bancorp, Inc.

     3,119       75  

Home BancShares, Inc.

     28,961       439  

HomeStreet, Inc.

     4,343       112  

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

     1,363       18  

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

     22,785           173      

Independent Bank Corp.

     7,099       372  

Independent Bank Group, Inc.

     10,771       476  

International Bancshares Corp.

     12,763       333  

Investar Holding Corp.

     10,598       136  

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

     66,653       484  

Kearny Financial Corp.

     22,037       159  

Kentucky First Federal Bancorp

     724       4  

Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc.

     300       4  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

     7,660       76  

Lakeland Financial Corp.

     4,918       203  

Landmark Bancorp, Inc.

     5,709       122  

Malvern Bancorp, Inc.(1) *

     9        

Mercantile Bank Corp.

     5,312       96  

Meridian Bancorp, Inc.

     10,036       104  

Meta Financial Group, Inc.

     11,612       223  

Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.*

     200       6  

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

     564       10  

NASB Financial, Inc.

     4,183       251  

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

     7,956       209  

National Bankshares, Inc.

     1,783       45  

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

     10,910       293  

Nicolet Bankshares, Inc.*

     3,149       172  

Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc.

     897       9  

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

     16,513       151  

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

     2,996       76  

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp

     700       22  

Norwood Financial Corp.

     1,101       27  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

     9,688       133  

OFG Bancorp

     7,059       88  

Ohio Valley Banc Corp.

     757       16  

Old National Bancorp

     28,488       358  

Old Second Bancorp, Inc.

     2,655       20  

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.

     12,068       243  

Park National Corp.

     3,093       253  

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp.

     4,327       66  

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.

     150       3  

Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

     1,726       33  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Banking – 7.2%    continued

    

Peoples Financial Corp.

     236       $2  

Peoples Financial Services Corp.

     420       15  

Preferred Bank

     3,973       128  

Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.

     8,354       90  

Premier Financial Corp.

     10,387           162      

Provident Bancorp, Inc.(1)

     18        

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     19,080       233  

Prudential Bancorp, Inc.

     1,050       11  

QCR Holdings, Inc.

     7,155       196  

Renasant Corp.

     12,493       284  

Republic Bancorp, Inc., Class A

     4,201       118  

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.*

     24,079       48  

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

     5,362       124  

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida*

     10,995       198  

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.

     13,308       453  

Severn Bancorp, Inc.

     1,292       8  

Shore Bancshares, Inc.

     691       8  

Sierra Bancorp

     823       14  

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

     14,914       236  

South State Corp.

     13,412       646  

Southern BancShares NC, Inc.

     5       17  

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.*

     4,663       113  

Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.

     669       6  

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

     5,136       125  

Spirit of Texas Bancshares, Inc.*

     4,794       53  

Standard AVB Financial Corp.

     947       31  

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

     6,474       220  

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     3,839       119  

Tompkins Financial Corp.

     4,208       239  

Towne Bank

     10,454       171  

TriCo Bancshares

     5,153       126  

Triumph Bancorp, Inc.*

     6,583       205  

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

     9,135       48  

Trustmark Corp.

     13,142       281  

UMB Financial Corp.

     9,011       442  

Union Bankshares, Inc.

     5,883       119  

United Bancorp, Inc.

     498       6  

United Bankshares, Inc.

     19,350       415  

United Community Banks, Inc.

     15,574       264  

Univest Financial Corp.

     5,415       78  

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

     8,419       143  

Virginia National Bankshares Corp.

     105       3  

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     3,313       102  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 37 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

         NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Banking – 7.2%    continued

    

Waterstone Financial, Inc.

     3,803       $59  

WesBanco, Inc.

     15,509       331  

West BanCorp, Inc.

     2,843       45  

Westamerica BanCorp

     6,293       342  

Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

     4,295       24  

WSFS Financial Corp.

     14,348       387  
     
               27,960  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.4%

 

89bio, Inc.*

     7,393       190  

Abeona Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,200       1  

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     7,666           32      

ADMA Biologics, Inc.*

     22,679       54  

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.*

     12,531       129  

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,902       81  

Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,780       123  

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.*

     24,751       62  

Akero Therapeutics, Inc.*

     4,219       130  

Albireo Pharma, Inc.*

     7,695       257  

Alector, Inc.*

     6,804       72  

Altimmune, Inc.*

     13,560       179  

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     14,322       135  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.*

     64,019       904  

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     36,053       140  

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     12,971       243  

AnaptysBio, Inc.*

     5,481       81  

Anavex Life Sciences Corp.*

     15,685       71  

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,635       199  

Anixa Biosciences, Inc.*

     3,567       9  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     957       29  

Applied Molecular Transport, Inc.*

     6,700       213  

Applied Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,837       38  

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.*

     3,767       91  

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.*

     8,992       386  

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.*

     10,566       181  

Ardelyx, Inc.*

     9,450       50  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,748       804  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     21,732       936  

Arvinas, Inc.*

     283       7  

Assembly Biosciences, Inc.*

     9,978       164  

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.*

     12,001       156  

Atreca, Inc., Class A*

     4,447       62  

Avrobio, Inc.*

     4,520       59  

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,644       402  

Baudax Bio, Inc.*

     5,890       16  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.4%    continued

 

Beyond Air, Inc.*

     15,066       $78  

Beyondspring, Inc.*

     4,914       65  

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     17,291       59  

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.*

     2,711       10  

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.*

     4,646       245  

Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,922       430  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.*

     12,273       1,138  

Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.*

     692       26  

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.*

     2,212       8  

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.*

     23,956       126  

Cara Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,599           135      

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     38,269       59  

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,355       95  

Catalyst Biosciences, Inc.*

     17,739       76  

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     35,088       104  

Centogene N.V.*

     5,273       50  

Champions Oncology, Inc.*

     4,476       41  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.*

     7,251       397  

China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc.*

     5,242       583  

Clovis Oncology, Inc.*

     500       3  

Coherus Biosciences, Inc.*

     11,902       218  

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

     16,050       334  

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     21,147       208  

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.*

     30,380       529  

CorMedix, Inc.*

     3,231       19  

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     4,914       77  

Cue Biopharma, Inc.*

     4,219       63  

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     232       1  

Cytokinetics, Inc.*

     18,969       411  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     2,542       130  

DermTech, Inc.*

     7,232       86  

DiaMedica Therapeutics, Inc.*

     21,394       91  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     17,005       306  

Dyadic International, Inc.*

     16,724       127  

Dynavax Technologies Corp.*

     19,370       84  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     2,183       93  

Editas Medicine, Inc.*

     11,450       321  

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     20,361       166  

Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     700       2  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*

     10,694       1,105  

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,645       258  

Endo International PLC*

     34,982       115  

Epizyme, Inc.*

     6,667       80  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    38 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.4%    continued

 

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,608       $208  

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.*

     15,015       600  

FibroGen, Inc.*

     20,175       830  

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.*

     4,000       19  

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,909       103  

Frequency Therapeutics, Inc.*

     4,163       80  

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,424       43  

G1 Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,844       91  

Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd.*

     209       1  

Geron Corp.*

     7,700       13  

GlycoMimetics, Inc.*

     7,400       23  

Gossamer Bio, Inc.*

     8,136       101  

Gritstone Oncology, Inc.*

     5,765           15      

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.*

     18,177       478  

Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,027       102  

Harrow Health, Inc.*

     17,176       96  

Heska Corp.*

     5,016       496  

Homology Medicines, Inc.*

     10,502       112  

IGM Biosciences, Inc.*

     6,108       451  

ImmuCell Corp.*

     2,554       14  

Immunic, Inc.*

     7,940       147  

ImmunoGen, Inc.*

     15,996       58  

Innoviva, Inc.*

     27,817       291  

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     12,374       144  

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,074       240  

Intersect ENT,Inc.*

     12,063       197  

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.*

     13,585       349  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     33,005       297  

Kadmon Holdings, Inc.*

     30,330       119  

Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     7,533       56  

Kaleido Biosciences, Inc.*

     14,464       160  

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     18,954       239  

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,181       134  

Kindred Biosciences, Inc.*

     8,662       37  

Krystal Biotech, Inc.*

     3,143       135  

Kura Oncology, Inc.*

     10,420       319  

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co.*

     1,889       8  

Lannett Co., Inc.*

     16,884       103  

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     3,400       5  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     4,796       457  

MacroGenics, Inc.*

     11,173       281  

Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,245       70  

Mallinckrodt PLC*

     9,730       9  

Mannatech, Inc.

     4,014       67  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.4%    continued

 

MediciNova, Inc.*

     28,415       $149  

MeiraGTx Holdings PLC*

     14,024       186  

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     261       1  

Merus N.V.*

     12,819       154  

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.*

     2,542       8  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*

     262       43  

Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,575       107  

Molecular Templates, Inc.*

     14,114       154  

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     14,360       754  

Monopar Therapeutics, Inc.*

     13,409       71  

Morphic Holding, Inc.*

     5,028       137  

MyoKardia, Inc.*

     8,204       1,118  

Natural Alternatives International, Inc.*

     729           5      

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.*

     6,487       75  

Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,437       101  

NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     7,383       41  

Nkarta, Inc.*

     6,400       192  

Novavax, Inc.*

     11,340       1,229  

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.*

     395       3  

Omeros Corp.*

     15,976       161  

Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,218       76  

Optinose, Inc.*

     249       1  

Oramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     471       1  

Otonomy, Inc.*

     400       2  

Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.*

     3,465       73  

Pacira BioSciences, Inc.*

     11,698       703  

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     12,084       65  

PDL BioPharma, Inc.*

     24,608       78  

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

     9,732       169  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.*

     12,573       458  

ProPhase Labs, Inc.

     15,179       53  

ProQR Therapeutics N.V.*

     154       1  

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,167       179  

Protara Therapeutics, Inc.*

     2,109       35  

Prothena Corp. PLC*

     9,356       93  

Provention Bio, Inc.*

     8,437       108  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,766       597  

RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,123       165  

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.*

     2,109       79  

Replimune Group, Inc.*

     8,636       199  

Retrophin, Inc.*

     14,007       259  

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.*

     11,601       292  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     9,410       204  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     631       14  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 39 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

         NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 10.4%    continued

 

Rockwell Medical, Inc.*

     5,100       $5  

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,546       645  

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.*

     23,805       225  

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     3,384       13  

Savara, Inc.*

     3,800       4  

Scholar Rock Holding Corp.*

     6,027       107  

scPharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     12,806       95  

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,500       241  

Sierra Oncology, Inc.*

     7,232       77  

Sinovac Biotech Ltd.(2) *

     1,587       5  

Solid Biosciences, Inc.(1) *

     61        

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.*

     29,292       327  

Spero Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,768           76      

SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,754       417  

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,058       236  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,089       210  

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,027       89  

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.*

     7,759       426  

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.*

     14,928       303  

TG Therapeutics, Inc.*

     15,315       410  

Theravance Biopharma, Inc.*

     10,661       158  

TransMedics Group, Inc.*

     10,153       140  

Twist Bioscience Corp.*

     8,000       608  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

     13,402       1,102  

UroGen Pharma Ltd.*

     7,775       150  

Urovant Sciences Ltd.*

     9,191       86  

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.*

     2,397       177  

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,878       105  

Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     8,136       63  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.*

     2,948       17  

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,628       113  

WaVe Life Sciences Ltd.*

     5,408       46  

Windtree Therapeutics, Inc.*

     14,313       79  

X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     11,601       79  

XBiotech, Inc.*

     7,081       135  

Xencor, Inc.*

     13,786       535  

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     8,588       95  

XOMA Corp.*

     8,798       166  

Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,438       286  

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.*

     35,901       90  

Zymeworks, Inc.*

     7,920       369  

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     16,896       56  
     
               40,195  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

Chemicals – 2.2%

    

American Vanguard Corp.

     4,066       $53  

Amyris, Inc.*

     6,700       20  

Balchem Corp.

     6,686       653  

Cabot Corp.

     11,821       426  

Codexis, Inc.*

     10,165       119  

Element Solutions, Inc.*

     34,004       357  

Ferro Corp.*

     15,438       191  

GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.*

     9,944       208  

H.B. Fuller Co.

     13,390       613  

Hawkins, Inc.

     4,191       193  

Haynes International, Inc.

     2,409       41  

Ingevity Corp.*

     8,613       426  

Innospec, Inc.

     5,014           318      

Koppers Holdings, Inc.*

     8,679       182  

Kraton Corp.*

     5,093       91  

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

     700       9  

LSB Industries, Inc.(1) *

     19        

Lydall, Inc.*

     148       2  

Materion Corp.

     7,197       375  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

     7,964       407  

Oil-Dri Corp. of America

     3,144       113  

Olin Corp.

     29,078       360  

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.

     8,880       111  

Quaker Chemical Corp.

     4,276       768  

Rogers Corp.*

     3,688       362  

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     9,304       537  

Stepan Co.

     5,067       552  

Trinseo S.A.

     10,592       272  

Tronox Holdings PLC, Class A

     6,864       54  

WD-40 Co.

     2,802       530  
     
               8,343  

Commercial Services – 2.9%

    

ABM Industries, Inc.

     14,272       523  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

     10,869       635  

ASGN, Inc.*

     13,282       844  

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

     3,862       202  

Brady Corp., Class A

     10,646       426  

Brink’s (The) Co.

     10,081       414  

CBIZ, Inc.*

     23,591       539  

Collectors Universe, Inc.

     9,699       480  

Computer Task Group, Inc.*

     140       1  

CorVel Corp.*

     7,007       599  

CRA International, Inc.

     4,004       150  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*

     16,073       104  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    40 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

Commercial Services – 2.9%    continued

 

Deluxe Corp.

     7,479       $192  

Ennis, Inc.

     4,851       85  

Forrester Research, Inc.*

     6,555       215  

Franklin Covey Co.*

     4,998       89  

FTI Consulting, Inc.*

     8,061       854  

GP Strategies Corp.*

     1,059       10  

Hackett Group (The), Inc.

     10,164       114  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     15,860       341  

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

     6,671       131  

HMS Holdings Corp.*

     20,332           487      

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*

     4,958       195  

Information Services Group, Inc.*

     11,200       24  

Insperity, Inc.

     7,709       505  

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A

     5,020       86  

Kforce, Inc.

     11,993       386  

Korn Ferry

     11,439       332  

Morgan Group Holding Co.(1) *

     64        

National Research Corp.

     3,595       177  

NV5 Global, Inc.*

     4,029       213  

Quad/Graphics, Inc.

     254       1  

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.(1)

     1        

R1 RCM, Inc.*

     20,733       356  

Resources Connection, Inc.

     7,968       92  

ShotSpotter, Inc.*

     4,447       138  

SP Plus Corp.*

     4,601       83  

TrueBlue, Inc.*

     10,075       156  

UniFirst Corp.

     3,731       707  

Vectrus, Inc.*

     7,375       280  

Viad Corp.

     4,634       96  

Where Food Comes From, Inc.*

     1,100       2  

Willdan Group, Inc.*

     2,967       76  
     
               11,340  

Construction Materials – 1.2%

    

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

     10,440       652  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

     7,098       152  

Boise Cascade Co.

     8,865       354  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

     26,788       791  

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

     10,922       1,061  

Summit Materials, Inc., Class A*

     27,409       453  

U.S. Concrete, Inc.*

     3,245       94  

UFP Industries, Inc.

     13,652       771  

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.

     1,432       129  
     
               4,457  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

Consumer Products – 2.7%

 

Adecoagro S.A.*

     1,368       $6  

Alico, Inc.

     6,543       187  

B&G Foods, Inc.

     14,086       391  

Bridgford Foods Corp.*

     3,967       73  

Cadiz, Inc.*

     15,939       158  

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.*

     7,853       301  

Calyxt, Inc.*

     20,942       115  

Central Garden & Pet Co.*

     200       8  

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A*

     8,097       293  

Clearwater Paper Corp.*

     3,759           143      

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

     1,618       389  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

     36,524       1,316  

Edgewell Personal Care Co.*

     11,261       314  

Farmer Bros. Co.*

     6,514       29  

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

     4,379       100  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

     5,751       1,113  

Hostess Brands, Inc.*

     25,419       313  

Inter Parfums, Inc.

     4,931       184  

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

     4,137       540  

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

     1,445       109  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

     4,146       741  

Landec Corp.*

     3,108       30  

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

     3,510       140  

Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

     1,531       79  

National Beverage Corp.*

     3,533       240  

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     14,001       701  

Quanex Building Products Corp.

     6,254       115  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     4,698       554  

Seneca Foods Corp., Class A*

     3,901       139  

Simply Good Foods (The) Co.*

     17,343       382  

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

     10,159       581  

Tejon Ranch Co.*

     8,274       117  

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

     10,766       333  

United-Guardian, Inc.

     502       8  

Universal Corp.

     5,861       246  

Vector Group Ltd.

     9,438       92  
     
               10,580  

Consumer Services – 1.1%

    

Aaron’s, Inc.

     15,161       859  

Adtalem Global Education, Inc.*

     13,448       330  

Afya Ltd., Class A*

     17,929       488  

American Public Education, Inc.*

     5,419       153  

Graham Holdings Co., Class B

     975       394  

K12, Inc.*

     6,794       179  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 41 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Consumer Services – 1.1%    continued

 

Medifast, Inc.

     4,086       $672  

Perdoceo Education Corp.*

     10,265       126  

Regis Corp.*

     9,180       56  

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

     9,876       295  

Strategic Education, Inc.

     4,525       414  

WW International, Inc.*

     8,121       153  
     
               4,119  

Containers & Packaging – 0.4%

    

Greif, Inc., Class A

     5,160       187  

Matthews International Corp., Class A

     5,438       122  

Myers Industries, Inc.

     3,706       49  

O-I Glass, Inc.

     24,175           256      

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

     11,836       435  

TriMas Corp.*

     10,067       229  

UFP Technologies, Inc.*

     3,876       161  
     
               1,439  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.5%

 

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

     11,604       234  

Fabrinet*

     8,353       527  

MIND Technology, Inc.*

     3,700       8  

Plexus Corp.*

     6,346       448  

Sanmina Corp.*

     13,686       370  

SYNNEX Corp.

     1,358       190  
     
               1,777  

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.4%

 

Andersons (The), Inc.

     4,233       81  

Calavo Growers, Inc.

     3,038       201  

Chefs’ Warehouse (The), Inc.*

     1,600       23  

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

     10,009       290  

Performance Food Group Co.*

     24,700       855  

United Natural Foods, Inc.*

     7,444       111  
     
               1,561  

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.4%

 

ePlus, Inc.*

     7,814       572  

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*

     8,353       109  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

     27,120       391  

PC Connection, Inc.

     8,438       346  

ScanSource, Inc.*

     4,877       97  

Wayside Technology Group, Inc.

     5,862       135  
     
               1,650  

Electrical Equipment – 2.0%

    

AAON, Inc.

     8,650       521  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Electrical Equipment – 2.0%    continued

 

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*

     9,353       $589  

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.*

     6,539       361  

Allied Motion Technologies, Inc.

     2,967       122  

Argan, Inc.

     4,170       175  

Atkore International Group, Inc.*

     9,410       214  

Badger Meter, Inc.

     5,795       379  

Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B

     2,900       31  

Belden, Inc.

     7,560       235  

Chase Corp.

     2,616       250  

CompX International, Inc.(1)

     1        

CyberOptics Corp.*

     2,329           74      

ENGlobal Corp.*

     6,300       5  

FARO Technologies, Inc.*

     3,813       233  

Houston Wire & Cable Co.(1) *

     139        

IntriCon Corp.*

     13,397       163  

Itron, Inc.*

     8,999       547  

Kimball Electronics, Inc.*

     5,454       63  

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

     830       211  

NL Industries, Inc.(1)

     100        

nLight, Inc.*

     11,794       277  

Novanta, Inc.*

     8,524       898  

OSI Systems, Inc.*

     5,529       429  

Powell Industries, Inc.

     4,712       114  

Preformed Line Products Co.

     2,026       99  

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.*

     7,792       213  

SPX Corp.*

     11,024       511  

Stoneridge, Inc.*

     4,784       88  

Transcat, Inc.*

     4,255       125  

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

     6,222       623  
     
               7,550  

Engineering & Construction Services – 2.0%

 

 

Aegion Corp.*

     7,212       102  

Arcosa, Inc.

     10,394       458  

Comfort Systems U.S.A., Inc.

     10,254       528  

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

     7,118       376  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     11,512       780  

Exponent, Inc.

     13,613       981  

Fluor Corp.

     25,425       224  

Goldfield (The) Corp.*

     6,800       29  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.*

     4,201       40  

IES Holdings, Inc.*

     1,500       48  

Installed Building Products, Inc.*

     6,486       660  

KBR, Inc.

     27,763       621  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    42 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Engineering & Construction Services – 2.0%    continued

 

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.*

     18,256       $352  

MasTec, Inc.*

     14,637       618  

Mistras Group, Inc.*

     1,067       4  

MYR Group, Inc.*

     3,372       125  

Primoris Services Corp.

     7,275       131  

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

     3,867       55  

TopBuild Corp.*

     7,131       1,217  

Tutor Perini Corp.*

     2,100       23  

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.*

     27,546       459  
     
               7,831  

Forest & Paper Products – 0.2%

    

Domtar Corp.

     6,160       162  

Neenah, Inc.

     5,147       193  

P.H. Glatfelter Co.

     8,081       111  

Resolute Forest Products, Inc.*

     21,609           97      

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

     9,398       286  

Verso Corp., Class A

     8,256       65  
     
               914  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 3.2%

 

BBQ Holdings, Inc.*

     174       1  

Biglari Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     874       78  

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

     872       26  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

     18,976       582  

Brinker International, Inc.

     5,700       243  

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.*

     11,518       646  

Cannae Holdings, Inc.*

     13,606       507  

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     300       2  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

     8,244       1,351  

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.*

     2,787       55  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

     5,175       593  

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

     5,504       83  

Denny’s Corp.*

     15,633       156  

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

     2,254       123  

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.(1) *

     15        

Everi Holdings, Inc.*

     12,281       101  

Extended Stay America, Inc.

     30,932       370  

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     1,356       13  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.*

     1,711       24  

Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.*

     14,989       314  

International Game Technology PLC

     19,749       220  

Jack in the Box, Inc.

     4,475       355  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     8,132       738  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*

     947       42  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%    continued

 

 

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 3.2%    continued

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.

     7,548       $621  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.*

     26,527       1,929  

Red Lion Hotels Corp.*

     1,115       2  

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A

     9,486       162  

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

     3,095       34  

Scientific Games Corp.*

     8,646       302  

Shake Shack, Inc., Class A*

     4,957       320  

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

     16,784       1,020  

Wingstop, Inc.

     5,779       790  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.

     15,800       486  
     
               12,289  

Hardware – 1.9%

    

3D Systems Corp.*

     13,533       66  

Acacia Communications, Inc.*

     7,087       478  

ADTRAN, Inc.

     9,982       102  

Anterix, Inc.*

     5,005           164      

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.*

     5,897       66  

Arlo Technologies, Inc.*

     3,200       17  

AstroNova, Inc.

     13,073       105  

AudioCodes Ltd.

     5,611       177  

Aware, Inc.*

     683       2  

BK Technologies Corp.

     1,835       5  

CalAmp Corp.*

     2,500       18  

CCUR Holdings, Inc.

     691       2  

Ciena Corp.*

     1,379       55  

Clearfield, Inc.*

     4,759       96  

CommScope Holding Co., Inc.*

     38,269       344  

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

     7,285       102  

Daktronics, Inc.

     2,559       10  

Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.*

     7,968       61  

Digimarc Corp.*

     5,036       112  

Extreme Networks, Inc.*

     14,194       57  

Fitbit, Inc., Class A*

     27,359       190  

Frequency Electronics, Inc.*

     6,866       69  

GoPro, Inc., Class A*

     8,900       40  

Harmonic, Inc.*

     13,292       74  

Infinera Corp.*

     17,463       108  

Inseego Corp.*

     3,287       34  

InterDigital, Inc.

     8,535       487  

Knowles Corp.*

     15,208       227  

Kornit Digital Ltd.*

     7,102       461  

Maxar Technologies, Inc.

     900       22  

NETGEAR, Inc.*

     7,536       232  

NetScout Systems, Inc.*

     14,957       327  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 43 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Hardware – 1.9%     continued

    

PAR Technology Corp.*

     3,687       $149  

PCTEL, Inc.*

     14,245       81  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

     15,756       84  

Radware Ltd.*

     7,640       185  

Silicom Ltd.*

     5,346       173  

Sonos, Inc.*

     17,827       271  

Stratasys Ltd.*

     9,136       114  

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

     7,916       209  

TTM Technologies, Inc.*

     13,062       149  

Universal Electronics, Inc.*

     3,806       144  

UTStarcom Holdings Corp.(1) *

     1        

Viavi Solutions, Inc.*

     40,923       480  

Vicor Corp.*

     6,224       484  

Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*

     7,056       179  

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

     14,947           435  

VOXX International Corp.*

     1,469       11  
     
               7,458      

Health Care Facilities & Services – 3.6%

 

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

     15,048       444  

Addus HomeCare Corp.*

     6,002       567  

American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc.*

     20,174       139  

Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.*

     7,812       140  

Capital Senior Living Corp.(1) *

     526        

Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc.*

     14,203       261  

Covetrus, Inc.*

     21,751       531  

Cryo-Cell International, Inc.*

     750       6  

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,442       73  

Ensign Group (The), Inc.

     13,658       779  

Enzo Biochem, Inc.*

     7,400       16  

Evofem Biosciences, Inc.*

     2,852       7  

Five Star Senior Living, Inc.*

     3,367       17  

Fulgent Genetics, Inc.*

     6,328       253  

Global Cord Blood Corp.*

     6,447       23  

Hanger, Inc.*

     7,033       111  

HealthEquity, Inc.*

     13,769       707  

Independence Holding Co.

     4,659       176  

Invitae Corp.*

     20,244       878  

Joint (The) Corp.*

     10,534       183  

LHC Group, Inc.*

     6,192       1,316  

Magellan Health, Inc.*

     6,750       512  

MedCath Corp.(3) *

     7,953        

Medpace Holdings, Inc.*

     6,042       675  

National HealthCare Corp.

     4,414       275  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 3.6%     continued

 

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

     23,102       $852  

OPKO Health, Inc.*

     95,756       353  

Option Care Health, Inc.*

     99       1  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     11,434       287  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     23,617       569  

Pennant Group (The), Inc.*

     6,632       256  

Personalis, Inc.*

     7,684       167  

Premier, Inc., Class A

     12,511       411  

Providence Service (The) Corp.*

     5,029       467  

RadNet, Inc.*

     9,430       145  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.*

     26,172       545  

SI-BONE, Inc.*

     6,710       159  

Surgery Partners, Inc.*

     12,998       285  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.*

     22,062       541  

Tivity Health, Inc.*

     10,541       148  

Triple-S Management Corp., Class B*

     10,771       192  

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

     5,093       442  

Vapotherm, Inc.*

     3,315           96  
     
               14,005      

Home & Office Products – 2.4%

    

ACCO Brands Corp.

     21,348       124  

American Woodmark Corp.*

     3,709       291  

Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc.*

     277       4  

Caesarstone Ltd.

     6,269       61  

Cavco Industries, Inc.*

     2,689       485  

Century Communities, Inc.*

     9,732       412  

Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.*

     262       2  

Flexsteel Industries, Inc.

     4,762       114  

Forestar Group, Inc.*

     10,884       193  

Griffon Corp.

     11,009       215  

Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Class A

     2,945       57  

Herman Miller, Inc.

     14,360       433  

HNI Corp.

     6,887       216  

Hooker Furniture Corp.

     1,687       44  

Interface, Inc.

     9,790       60  

iRobot Corp.*

     5,978       454  

JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.*

     13,707       310  

KB Home

     21,270       816  

Kewaunee Scientific Corp.*

     2,542       23  

Kimball International, Inc., Class B

     3,741       39  

Knoll, Inc.

     7,651       92  

LGI Homes, Inc.*

     4,344       505  

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

     587       5  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    44 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Home & Office Products – 2.4%     continued

 

M/I Homes, Inc.*

     5,188       $239  

Masonite International Corp.*

     4,870       479  

MDC Holdings, Inc.

     11,286       532  

Meritage Homes Corp.*

     9,789       1,081  

Nobility Homes, Inc.

     876       20  

Patrick Industries, Inc.

     4,767       274  

PGT Innovations, Inc.*

     14,120       247  

Skyline Champion Corp.*

     10,753       288  

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

     17,390       176  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.*

     25,096       617  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.*

     24,124           438  

Virco Mfg. Corp.*

     1,676       4  
     
               9,350      

Industrial Services – 0.7%

    

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     9,557       527  

CAI International, Inc.

     4,320       119  

EVI Industries, Inc.*

     1,671       44  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

     3,388       67  

Herc Holdings, Inc.*

     5,115       203  

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.*

     8,243       1,005  

Systemax, Inc.

     6,897       165  

Team, Inc.*

     483       3  

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.(1) *

     17        

Titan Machinery, Inc.*

     800       10  

Triton International Ltd.

     13,242       538  

VSE Corp.

     3,090       95  
     
               2,776  

Institutional Financial Services – 0.6%

 

BGC Partners, Inc., Class A

     53,837       129  

Cowen, Inc., Class A

     291       5  

Evercore, Inc., Class A

     7,383       483  

Houlihan Lokey, Inc.

     8,189       484  

Moelis & Co., Class A

     11,919       419  

Piper Sandler Cos.

     4,081       298  

PJT Partners, Inc., Class A

     4,619       280  

StoneX Group, Inc.*

     4,329       221  
     
               2,319  

Insurance – 2.4%

    

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.*

     8,576       109  

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     22,318       491  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

     3,589       206  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

     9,909       341  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Insurance – 2.4%     continued

 

Atlantic American Corp.*

     6,901       $14  

Citizens, Inc.*

     6,295       35  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     43,870       704  

Donegal Group, Inc., Class A

     1,755       25  

eHealth, Inc.*

     5,523       436  

Employers Holdings, Inc.

     9,771       296  

Enstar Group Ltd.*

     2,075       335  

FBL Financial Group, Inc., Class A

     2,297       111  

GAINSCO, Inc.*

     714       72  

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*

     85,416       286  

Global Indemnity Group LLC, Class A

     1,785       37  

Greenlight Capital Re Ltd., Class A*

     14,935       100  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     9,817       328  

James River Group Holdings Ltd.

     5,979       266  

Kansas City Life Insurance Co.

     1,898       59  

Kemper Corp.

     823       55  

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

     3,969       755  

MBIA, Inc.*

     20,174       122  

Mercury General Corp.

     4,561       189  

National General Holdings Corp.

     11,037       372  

National Western Life Group, Inc., Class A

     972       178  

Palomar Holdings, Inc.*

     3,767       393  

Primerica, Inc.

     1,404       159  

ProAssurance Corp.

     6,260       98  

Protective Insurance Corp., Class B

     4,699       62  

Radian Group, Inc.

     36,245       529  

RLI Corp.

     10,332       865  

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

     2,608       180  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     11,560       595  

Sirius International Insurance Group Ltd.*

     463       5  

State Auto Financial Corp.

     4,917       68  

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.*

     15,817           110  

United Fire Group, Inc.

     4,746       96  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     5,025       70  

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

     160       125  
     
               9,277      

Iron & Steel – 0.5%

    

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.*

     33,208       290  

Carpenter Technology Corp.

     11,663       212  

Commercial Metals Co.

     24,117       482  

Northwest Pipe Co.*

     13,400       355  

Shiloh Industries, Inc.(1) *

     2,100        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      45       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Iron & Steel – 0.5%     continued

 

Synalloy Corp.*

     100       $ —  

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.*

     1,504       8  

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.

     12,407       212  

Worthington Industries, Inc.

     12,729       519  
     
               2,078      

Leisure Products – 0.9%

    

Acushnet Holdings Corp.

     6,780       228  

Callaway Golf Co.

     17,112       327  

Clarus Corp.

     5,500       78  

Escalade, Inc.

     5,294       97  

Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A

     5,630       461  

LCI Industries

     8,600       914  

Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A*

     4,068       202  

Marine Products Corp.

     7,934       124  

Vista Outdoor, Inc.*

     7,062       142  

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

     10,993       568  

YETI Holdings, Inc.*

     7,920           359  
     
               3,500  

Machinery – 2.3%

    

Alamo Group, Inc.

     2,390       258  

Albany International Corp., Class A

     6,564       325  

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

     14,628       541  

Astec Industries, Inc.

     5,862       318  

Cactus, Inc., Class A

     11,437       219  

CIRCOR International, Inc.*

     2,506       69  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

     9,804       324  

CSW Industrials, Inc.

     3,245       251  

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

     4,619       158  

Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

     12,742       240  

Federal Signal Corp.

     16,343       478  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

     9,736       573  

Gorman-Rupp (The) Co.

     6,696       197  

Graham Corp.

     2,552       33  

Helios Technologies, Inc.

     4,065       148  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

     16,242       461  

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

     9,394       104  

Hurco Cos., Inc.

     1,141       32  

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

     2,429       90  

Ichor Holdings Ltd.*

     2,513       54  

John Bean Technologies Corp.

     7,124       655  

Kadant, Inc.

     3,047       334  

Kennametal, Inc.

     18,181       526  

Lindsay Corp.

     2,500       242  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Machinery – 2.3%     continued

 

MTS Systems Corp.

     1,434       $27  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

     34,653       360  

Pro-Dex, Inc.*

     5,424       155  

Rexnord Corp.

     22,955       685  

SPX FLOW, Inc.*

     10,277       440  

Taylor Devices, Inc.*

     1,689       15  

Tennant Co.

     4,080       246  

Terex Corp.

     11,559       224  

Titan International, Inc.(1)

     20        

Twin Disc, Inc.*

     356       2  

Welbilt, Inc.*

     21,522           133  
     
               8,917      

Manufactured Goods – 1.2%

    

AZZ, Inc.

     5,042       172  

Chart Industries, Inc.*

     9,441       663  

Conrad Industries, Inc.*

     100       1  

Eastern (The) Co.

     3,604       70  

EnPro Industries, Inc.

     4,095       231  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

     8,105       528  

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.*

     5,419       17  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

     6,218       116  

L.B. Foster Co., Class A*

     1,609       22  

Lawson Products, Inc.*

     4,295       176  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

     12,071       327  

Omega Flex, Inc.

     2,642       414  

Proto Labs, Inc.*

     5,787       749  

Raven Industries, Inc.

     7,580       163  

RBC Bearings, Inc.*

     5,343       648  

Standex International Corp.

     4,237       251  

Tredegar Corp.

     6,625       99  
     
               4,647  

Media – 1.6%

    

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*

     8,097       200  

Boingo Wireless, Inc.*

     13,507       138  

Boston Omaha Corp., Class A(1) *

     1        

Cargurus, Inc.*

     16,293       352  

Cars.com, Inc.*

     6,394       52  

Cumulus Media, Inc., Class A*

     300       2  

Despegar.com Corp.*

     7,358       47  

EverQuote, Inc., Class A*

     4,737       183  

EW Scripps (The) Co., Class A

     5,125       59  

Gannett Co., Inc.

     12,387       16  

Gray Television, Inc.*

     24,153       333  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    46     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Media – 1.6%     continued

 

HealthStream, Inc.*

     4,861       $97  

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.*

     1,700       3  

IMAX Corp.*

     7,071       84  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

     9,799       311  

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     6,300       11  

LiveXLive Media, Inc.*

     5,876       15  

Magnite, Inc.*

     12,354       86  

Marchex, Inc., Class B(1) *

     179        

Meredith Corp.

     5,720       75  

MSG Networks, Inc., Class A*

     9,076       87  

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A

     8,046       723  

QuinStreet, Inc.*

     17,697       280  

Quotient Technology, Inc.*

     7,058       52  

Saga Communications, Inc., Class A

     1,418       28  

Scholastic Corp.

     7,285       153  

Shutterstock, Inc.

     1,362       71  

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Class A

     11,648       224  

Stamps.com, Inc.*

     3,260       785  

TechTarget, Inc.*

     4,457       196  

TEGNA, Inc.

     42,264       497  

Travelzoo*

     5,443       35  

Tribune Publishing Co.

     7,638       89  

Tucows, Inc., Class A*

     3,048       210  

Upwork, Inc.*

     19,436       339  

Yelp, Inc.*

     16,412           330  
     
               6,163      

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.8%

 

Accuray, Inc.*

     1,300       3  

Alphatec Holdings, Inc.*

     18,967       126  

AngioDynamics, Inc.*

     11,486       139  

Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.*

     55,294       93  

Apyx Medical Corp.*

     4,321       20  

AtriCure, Inc.*

     11,543       461  

Atrion Corp.

     267       167  

Avanos Medical, Inc.*

     12,843       427  

Axogen, Inc.*

     6,332       74  

Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc.*

     8,256       421  

Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,985       81  

BioLife Solutions, Inc.*

     11,042       320  

BioSig Technologies, Inc.*

     9,643       48  

BioTelemetry, Inc.*

     10,643       485  

Cantel Medical Corp.

     8,549       376  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.8%     continued

 

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.*

     12,779       $503  

CareDx, Inc.*

     11,649       442  

Castle Biosciences, Inc.*

     2,712       140  

Celcuity, Inc.*

     9,341       54  

Cerus Corp.*

     50,765       318  

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.*

     14,061       68  

CONMED Corp.

     6,137       483  

CryoLife, Inc.*

     9,473       175  

Cutera, Inc.*

     11,249       213  

Daxor Corp.*

     37       1  

Electromed, Inc.*

     5,124       53  

Establishment Labs Holdings, Inc.*

     5,102       95  

Fluidigm Corp.*

     16,440       122  

FONAR Corp.*

     9,796       205  

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.*

     30,020       426  

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.*

     17,484       53  

ICU Medical, Inc.*

     311       57  

Inmode Ltd.*

     6,780       245  

Inogen, Inc.*

     2,812       82  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.*

     4,256       549  

Integer Holdings Corp.*

     8,308       490  

Invacare Corp.

     14,693       110  

iRadimed Corp.*

     7,769       166  

Lantheus Holdings, Inc.*

     15,666           198      

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

     12,911       420  

LivaNova PLC*

     5,424       245  

Luminex Corp.

     9,745       256  

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.*

     14,248       242  

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

     13,432       584  

MiMedx Group, Inc.*

     17,240       110  

Misonix, Inc.*

     8,038       94  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.*

     6,047       79  

NanoString Technologies, Inc.*

     11,086       496  

Natera, Inc.*

     4,276       309  

Natus Medical, Inc.*

     7,084       121  

Neogen Corp.*

     11,767       921  

Nevro Corp.*

     5,960       830  

NuVasive, Inc.*

     9,596       466  

OraSure Technologies, Inc.*

     18,318       223  

OrthoPediatrics Corp.*

     3,212       147  

Oxford Immunotec Global PLC*

     7,441       87  

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.*

     19,787       195  

Pulse Biosciences, Inc.*

     17,981       212  

Quanterix Corp.*

     7,638       258  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      47       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.8%     continued

 

Retractable Technologies, Inc.*

     17,326       $115  

SeaSpine Holdings Corp.*

     17,378       248  

Semler Scientific, Inc.*

     4,012       214  

Sientra, Inc.(1) *

     113        

SmileDirectClub, Inc.*

     21,601       252  

Soliton, Inc.*

     5,723       44  

STAAR Surgical Co.*

     9,860       558  

Surgalign Holdings, Inc.*

     4,038       7  

Surmodics, Inc.*

     5,516       215  

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*

     2,023       74  

Utah Medical Products, Inc.

     3,351       268  

Varex Imaging Corp.*

     6,152       78  

Veracyte, Inc.*

     11,067       360  

Vericel Corp.*

     9,825       182  

Wright Medical Group N.V.*

     24,372       744  

Zynex, Inc.*

     11,697           204  
     
               18,347      

Metals & Mining – 0.7%

    

Alcoa Corp.*

     37,967       442  

A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.

     5,183       175  

Coeur Mining, Inc.*

     49,148       363  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

     9,016       535  

Constellium S.E.*

     28,164       221  

Covia Holdings Corp.(1) *

     1,100        

Encore Wire Corp.

     4,161       193  

Ferroglobe Representation & Warranty Insurance Trust(3) *

     9,916        

Gold Resource Corp.

     8,218       28  

Hecla Mining Co.

     54,894       279  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

     3,655       196  

Livent Corp.*

     29,681       266  

McEwen Mining, Inc.*

     24,100       25  

Uranium Energy Corp.*

     4,700       5  
     
               2,728  

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.5%

    

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc.

     4,823       96  

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

     838       3  

Antero Resources Corp.*

     31,790       87  

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.*

     2,313       44  

California Resources Corp.(1) *

     400        

Callon Petroleum Co.*

     4,630       22  

ChampionX Corp.*

     11,021       88  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.(1) *

     100        

Cimarex Energy Co.

     1,000       24  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.5%     continued

 

CNX Resources Corp.*

     27,737       $262  

Comstock Resources, Inc.*

     9,378       41  

CONSOL Energy, Inc.*

     5,501       24  

Contango Oil & Gas Co.*

     11,200       15  

Cosan Ltd., Class A

     40,469       601  

Dawson Geophysical Co.*

     16,700       29  

Delek U.S. Holdings, Inc.

     11,628       129  

DMC Global, Inc.

     2,241       74  

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

     6,644       165  

Earthstone Energy, Inc., Class A*

     1,500       4  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

     35,858       303  

Exterran Corp.*

     8,874       37  

Geospace Technologies Corp.*

     9,242       57  

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.*

     1,100       9  

Gulfport Energy Corp.*

     4,600       3  

Hallador Energy Co.

     12,596       8  

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*

     38,775       94  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

     18,381           269      

HighPoint Resources Corp.*

     11,000       3  

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.*

     717       7  

Matrix Service Co.*

     3,627       30  

Murphy Oil Corp.

     25,462       227  

Murphy U.S.A., Inc.*

     5,717       733  

Nabors Industries Ltd.

     1,888       46  

NACCO Industries, Inc., Class A

     2,826       52  

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*

     6,630       56  

NexTier Oilfield Solutions, Inc.*

     21,655       40  

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.*

     3,730       21  

NOW, Inc.*

     11,220       51  

Ovintiv, Inc.

     45,651       373  

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.*

     304       2  

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A

     3,385       32  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

     42,276       121  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

     16,874       96  

PDC Energy, Inc.*

     14,475       179  

Peabody Energy Corp.

     5,697       13  

PrimeEnergy Resources Corp.*

     1,583       105  

ProPetro Holding Corp.*

     5,400       22  

Range Resources Corp.

     37,365       247  

Riviera Resources, Inc.

     6,246       11  

RPC, Inc.*

     8,100       21  

SM Energy Co.

     3,700       6  

Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc., Class A

     7,243       46  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    48     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


   

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.5%     continued

 

Southwestern Energy Co.*

     110,850       $261  

TETRA Technologies, Inc.*

     12,300       6  

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.*

     3,372       38  

Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.*

     2,700       1  

Transocean Ltd.*

     101,939       82  

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

     400       1  

Ultra Petroleum Corp.(3) *

     20,300        

VAALCO Energy, Inc.*

     15,700       16  

Voc Energy Trust

     2,500       4  

World Fuel Services Corp.

     12,831           272  
     
               5,709      

Passenger Transportation – 0.3%

    

Allegiant Travel Co.

     3,268       391  

Bristow Group, Inc.*

     2,304       49  

Copa Holdings S.A., Class A

     6,629       334  

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

     1,583       20  

SkyWest, Inc.

     11,911       356  

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.

     4,517       94  
     
               1,244  

Real Estate – 0.5%

    

American Realty Investors, Inc.*

     1,772       16  

CTO Realty Growth, Inc.

     3,251       143  

Cushman & Wakefield PLC*

     21,803       229  

FRP Holdings, Inc.*

     1,150       48  

Griffin Industrial Realty, Inc.

     3,609       193  

McGrath RentCorp

     6,332       377  

Newmark Group, Inc., Class A

     300       1  

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A

     6,159       202  

Realogy Holdings Corp.*

     12,857       122  

Redfin Corp.*

     13,600       679  

RMR Group (The), Inc., Class A

     81       2  

Stratus Properties, Inc.*

     114       3  
     
               2,015  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 6.0%

 

Agree Realty Corp.

     10,613       675  

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

     5,270       59  

Alexander’s, Inc.

     686       168  

American Assets Trust, Inc.

     8,982       216  

American Finance Trust, Inc.

     20,166       126  

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

     18,506       30  

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

     42,035       404  

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

     26,402       303  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 6.0%     continued

 

Arlington Asset Investment Corp., Class A(1)

     10       $ —  

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

     5,470       51  

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.

     7,592       72  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A

     13,680       301  

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

     9,167       69  

Braemar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     4,900       12  

Brookfield Property REIT, Inc., Class A

     15,984       196  

BRT Apartments Corp.

     15,639       184  

Capstead Mortgage Corp.

     27,285       153  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

     18,889       336  

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc., Class A

     15,074       135  

Chimera Investment Corp.

     35,557       292  

CIM Commercial Trust Corp.

     934       9  

City Office REIT, Inc.

     14,526       109  

Colony Capital, Inc.

     78,094       213  

Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.

     4,519       211  

CoreCivic, Inc.

     22,866       183  

CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.

     1,462       9  

CorePoint Lodging, Inc.

     12,463       68  

Dynex Capital, Inc.

     6,553       100  

Easterly Government Properties, Inc.

     14,120       316  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     8,106       1,048  

Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT

     540       6  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

     16,849       309  

Exantas Capital Corp.

     410       1  

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

     15,711       402  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

     16,282       60  

Front Yard Residential Corp.

     10,026       88  

GEO Group (The), Inc.

     26,323       299  

Getty Realty Corp.

     13,670       356  

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

     7,329       124  

Gladstone Land Corp.

     15,818       238  

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

     9,922       134  

Global Net Lease, Inc.

     19,638           312  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

     14,043       594      

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     28,620       862  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

     17,342       201  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

     11,179       244  

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.

     3,384       420  

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc.

     2,185       6  

Investors Real Estate Trust

     2,037       133  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      49       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 6.0%     continued

 

iStar, Inc.

     18,767       $222  

Jernigan Capital, Inc.

     9,038       155  

Kite Realty Group Trust

     16,166       187  

Ladder Capital Corp.

     10,691       76  

Lexington Realty Trust

     45,508       476  

LTC Properties, Inc.

     8,378       292  

Macerich (The) Co.

     28,325       192  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

     15,029       190  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

     19,704       273  

National Health Investors, Inc.

     8,413       507  

National Storage Affiliates Trust

     11,300       370  

New Senior Investment Group, Inc.

     2,823       11  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

     46,822       119  

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.

     3,956       175  

One Liberty Properties, Inc.

     6,466       106  

Outfront Media, Inc.

     28,777       419  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     25,732       322  

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust(1)

     371        

Physicians Realty Trust

     37,846       678  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     23,981       325  

Plymouth Industrial REIT, Inc.

     5,953       73  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

     13,026       548  

Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc., Class A

     600       3  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

     4,074       499  

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     11,229       708  

Ready Capital Corp.

     1,512       17  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

     22,123           230      

Retail Value, Inc.

     3,035       38  

RLJ Lodging Trust

     22,498       195  

RPT Realty

     293       2  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

     9,576       352  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     40,920       564  

Safehold, Inc.

     3,465       215  

Saul Centers, Inc.

     2,417       64  

Service Properties Trust

     32,694       260  

Sotherly Hotels, Inc.

     2,334       4  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

     29,935       913  

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

     45,405       361  

Terreno Realty Corp.

     13,784       755  

Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc.*

     405       10  

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

     17,000       87  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 6.0%     continued

 

UMH Properties, Inc.

     8,589       $116  

Uniti Group, Inc.

     39,298       414  

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

     9,130       84  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

     14,982       302  

Weingarten Realty Investors

     24,257       411  

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp.

     1,107       2  

Whitestone REIT

     10,902           65  
     
               23,224      

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.2%

 

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Class A

     14,983       70  

Bowl America, Inc., Class A

     492       5  

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

     20,189       202  

Drive Shack, Inc.*

     8,763       10  

Marcus (The) Corp.

     2,392       18  

RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.

     12,441       254  

Reading International, Inc., Class A*

     4,319       14  

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.(1)*

     2,621        
     
               573  

Renewable Energy – 0.7%

 

Canadian Solar, Inc.*

     10,026       352  

EnerSys

     10,946       735  

FutureFuel Corp.

     7,167       81  

Green Plains, Inc.*

     13,340       206  

Pacific Ethanol, Inc.*

     10,100       74  

Plug Power, Inc.*

     25,715       345  

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*

     9,969       533  

REX American Resources Corp.*

     5,230       343  

Ultralife Corp.*

     846       5  
     
               2,674  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.8%

 

Big Lots, Inc.

     9,088       405  

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.*

     21,780       905  

Five Below, Inc.*

     292       37  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

     5,861       223  

PriceSmart, Inc.

     4,389       292  

Rite Aid Corp.*

     8,702       83  

SpartanNash Co.

     7,367       120  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.*

     25,764       539  

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

     1,495       37  

Weis Markets, Inc.

     4,952       238  
     
               2,879  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    50     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Retail - Discretionary – 3.8%

 

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., Class A*

     8,910       $222      

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

     1,861       26  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

     33,193       492  

America’s Car-Mart, Inc.*

     2,145       182  

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*

     7,705       751  

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.*

     4,100       45  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.*

     12,056       317  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.*

     14,342       446  

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

     21,487           322  

BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.*

     700       15  

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*

     13,662       585  

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*

     4,351       122  

Buckle (The), Inc.

     6,066       124  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.*

     23,138       755  

Cato (The) Corp., Class A

     1,700       13  

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

     8,100       8  

Children’s Place (The), Inc.

     1,269       36  

Citi Trends, Inc.

     3,770       94  

Conn’s, Inc.*

     2,468       26  

Designer Brands, Inc., Class A

     7,251       39  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

     4,504       61  

Express, Inc.*

     4,300       3  

Foundation Building Materials, Inc.*

     6,108       96  

Freshpet, Inc.*

     7,550       843  

Gaia, Inc.*

     18,993       187  

GameStop Corp., Class A*

     10,537       107  

Genesco, Inc.*

     3,475       75  

GMS, Inc.*

     8,763       211  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

     3,981       352  

Guess?, Inc.

     9,451       110  

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

     4,637       97  

Hibbett Sports, Inc.*

     2,984       117  

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

     10,046       318  

Liquidity Services, Inc.*

     5,320       40  

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

     4,723       1,077  

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*

     8,218       181  

Macy’s, Inc.

     61,923       353  

Monro, Inc.

     6,996       284  

National Vision Holdings, Inc.*

     13,103       501  

ODP (The) Corp.

     6,775       132  

Overstock.com, Inc.*

     4,821       350  

PetIQ, Inc.*

     7,262       239  

PetMed Express, Inc.

     9,779       309  

RH*

     3,303       1,264  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Retail - Discretionary – 3.8%     continued

 

RTW Retailwinds, Inc.(1) *

     54       $ —  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     10,939       553  

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*

     25,083       218  

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

     5,730       192  

Signet Jewelers Ltd.

     7,154       134  

Sleep Number Corp.*

     10,345       506  

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

     10,117       406  

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A*

     11,330       307  

Vera Bradley, Inc.*

     5,750       35  

Winmark Corp.

     1,331       229  

Zumiez, Inc.*

     7,313           203  
     
               14,710      

Semiconductors – 3.2%

    

ACM Research, Inc., Class A*

     3,767       260  

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd.*

     5,605       72  

Ambarella, Inc.*

     6,260       327  

Amkor Technology, Inc.*

     21,960       246  

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

     11,708       258  

Brooks Automation, Inc.

     14,717       681  

CEVA, Inc.*

     4,919       194  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

     14,778       997  

Coherent, Inc.*

     4,136       459  

Cohu, Inc.

     5,101       88  

CTS Corp.

     6,987       154  

Diodes, Inc.*

     11,269       636  

DSP Group, Inc.*

     2,504       33  

Entegris, Inc.

     2,791       207  

FormFactor, Inc.*

     14,643       365  

II-VI, Inc.*

     9,900       401  

Impinj, Inc.*

     4,254       112  

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.

     20,461       458  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.*

     31,836       922  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.*

     10,286       350  

MagnaChip Semiconductor Corp.*

     1,800       25  

MaxLinear, Inc.*

     12,973       301  

Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.*

     3,143       164  

NVE Corp.

     2,041       100  

Onto Innovation, Inc.*

     13,555       404  

Photronics, Inc.*

     10,954       109  

Power Integrations, Inc.

     14,016       776  

Rambus, Inc.*

     20,527       281  

Semtech Corp.*

     15,577       825  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

     8,408       823  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      51       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Semiconductors – 3.2%     continued

 

Synaptics, Inc.*

     7,364       $592  

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*

     13,051       280  

Veeco Instruments, Inc.*

     10,199       119  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     22,014           343  
     
               12,362      

Software – 6.5%

    

ACI Worldwide, Inc.*

     27,852       728  

Actua Corp.(3) *

     8,828        

Agilysys, Inc.*

     8,597       208  

Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A*

     7,600       319  

American Software, Inc., Class A

     14,207       200  

Appfolio, Inc., Class A*

     3,560       505  

Appian Corp.*

     6,269       406  

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A*

     10,236       418  

Avaya Holdings Corp.*

     22,773       346  

Avid Technology, Inc.*

     137       1  

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A*

     3,303       577  

Benefitfocus, Inc.*

     5,124       57  

Blackbaud, Inc.

     9,881       552  

Blackline, Inc.*

     9,876       885  

Bottomline Technologies DE, Inc.*

     9,781       412  

Box, Inc., Class A*

     25,775       448  

Brightcove, Inc.*

     9,410       96  

Calix, Inc.*

     6,866       122  

Cardlytics, Inc.*

     4,925       348  

Castlight Health, Inc., Class B*

     32,200       36  

ChannelAdvisor Corp.*

     1,965       28  

Cloudera, Inc.*

     48,546       529  

CommVault Systems, Inc.*

     7,713       315  

Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.

     9,368       259  

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.*

     10,902       396  

Daily Journal Corp.*

     337       82  

Digi International, Inc.*

     9,145       143  

Digital Turbine, Inc.*

     15,000       491  

Domo, Inc., Class B*

     5,414       208  

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.(1) *

     1        

Ebix, Inc.

     6,980       144  

eGain Corp.*

     2,900       41  

Envestnet, Inc.*

     8,699       671  

Evolent Health, Inc., Class A*

     20,397       253  

Glu Mobile, Inc.*

     24,408       187  

HubSpot, Inc.*

     850       248  

Immersion Corp.*

     7,975       56  

InnerWorkings, Inc.(1) *

     73        
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Software – 6.5%     continued

 

Inovalon Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     14,043       $371  

J2 Global, Inc.*

     11,303       782  

LivePerson, Inc.*

     13,525       703  

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*

     1,489       224  

Mimecast Ltd.*

     11,408       535  

Model N, Inc.*

     7,476       264  

MTBC, Inc.*

     13,710       122  

NextGen Healthcare, Inc.*

     11,631       148  

Omnicell, Inc.*

     10,073       752  

OneSpan, Inc.*

     12,648       265  

Ontrak, Inc.*

     6,248       375  

Park City Group, Inc.(1) *

     33        

PDF Solutions, Inc.*

     15,448           289      

Phreesia, Inc.*

     2,513       81  

Progress Software Corp.

     9,007       330  

Q2 Holdings, Inc.*

     9,724       887  

QAD, Inc., Class B

     717       24  

Qualys, Inc.*

     7,867       771  

Rapid7, Inc.*

     7,976       489  

Rosetta Stone, Inc.*

     9,241       277  

Sailpoint Technologies Holdings, Inc.*

     15,028       595  

Sapiens International Corp. N.V.

     10,236       313  

Sciplay Corp., Class A*

     23,956       389  

SecureWorks Corp., Class A*

     5,801       66  

Simulations Plus, Inc.

     9,438       711  

SPS Commerce, Inc.*

     9,009       702  

SVMK, Inc.*

     23,445       518  

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*

     1,500       5  

Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.*

     4,219       172  

Tenable Holdings, Inc.*

     12,500       472  

Teradata Corp.*

     21,696       493  

TransAct Technologies, Inc.

     376       2  

Upland Software, Inc.*

     2,646       100  

Varonis Systems, Inc.*

     5,789       668  

Verint Systems, Inc.*

     12,751       614  

Verra Mobility Corp.*

     26,366       255  

VirnetX Holding Corp.

     398       2  

Workiva, Inc.*

     6,943       387  

Xperi Holding Corp.

     11,954       137  

Zovio, Inc.(1) *

     16        
     
               25,005      

Specialty Finance – 2.1%

    

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

     9,341       392  

Cardtronics PLC, Class A*

     7,571       150  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    52     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Specialty Finance – 2.1%     continued

 

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

     3,132       $126  

Curo Group Holdings Corp.

     193       1  

Encore Capital Group, Inc.*

     7,190       277  

Enova International, Inc.*

     5,154       84  

Essent Group Ltd.

     20,754       768  

Evo Payments, Inc., Class A*

     7,943       197  

EZCORP, Inc., Class A*

     2,900       15  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

     1,345       86  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

     1,734       54  

FirstCash, Inc.

     10,057       575  

GATX Corp.

     7,071       451  

Green Dot Corp., Class A*

     11,809       598  

I3 Verticals, Inc., Class A*

     4,136       104  

Investors Title Co.

     1,861       242  

LendingClub Corp.*

     9,539       45  

LendingTree, Inc.*

     247       76  

MGIC Investment Corp.

     62,464       553  

Mr Cooper Group, Inc.*

     7,927       177  

Navient Corp.

     35,406       299  

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

     7,149       431  

Ocwen Financial Corp.*

     25       1  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

     6,995       407  

PRA Group, Inc.*

     10,712       428  

Regional Management Corp.*

     300       5  

Repay Holdings Corp.*

     8,883       209  

Stewart Information Services Corp.

     3,230       141  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

     8,351       443  

Willis Lease Finance Corp.*

     1,778       33  

World Acceptance Corp.*

     6,851           723  
     
               8,091      

Technology Services – 1.8%

    

CACI International, Inc., Class A*

     423       90  

Computer Services, Inc.

     4,115       255  

comScore, Inc.*

     11,803       24  

CoreLogic, Inc.

     3,572       242  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

     7,858       322  

EVERTEC, Inc.

     11,883       412  

ExlService Holdings, Inc.*

     7,538       497  

ICF International, Inc.

     5,779       356  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

     11,174       632  

ManTech International Corp., Class A

     6,150       424  

MAXIMUS, Inc.

     18,429       1,261  

NIC, Inc.

     14,693       289  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Technology Services – 1.8%     continued

 

Parsons Corp.*

     2,411       $81  

Perficient, Inc.*

     8,279       354  

Perspecta, Inc.

     28,757       559  

StarTek, Inc.*

     835       4  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

     14,221       487  

TTEC Holdings, Inc.

     4,350       237  

Unisys Corp.*

     4,641       50  

Virtusa Corp.*

     4,589       226  
     
               6,802  

Telecom – 0.8%

    

ATN International, Inc.

     2,935       147  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.*

     7,638       115  

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

     8,080       485  

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.*

     12,277       70  

GTT Communications, Inc.*

     16,337       84  

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

     22,227       568  

KVH Industries, Inc.*

     6,277       56  

LICT Corp.*

     6       103  

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.

     664       12  

Otelco, Inc., Class A*

     3,996       46  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

     10,009       445  

Spok Holdings, Inc.

     13,551       129  

Switch, Inc., Class A

     6,445       101  

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

     19,100       352  

Vonage Holdings Corp.*

     44,164       452  

Zix Corp.*

     3,437           20  
     
               3,185      

Transportation & Logistics – 1.6%

    

Air T, Inc.*

     765       7  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*

     14,180       355  

ArcBest Corp.

     5,468       170  

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

     23,904       85  

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*

     4,640       283  

Atlas Corp.

     45,809       409  

Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.*

     6,575       115  

CryoPort, Inc.*

     13,111       621  

DHT Holdings, Inc.

     36,497       188  

Dorian LPG Ltd.*

     1,355       11  

Forward Air Corp.

     7,245       416  

Frontline Ltd.

     30,092       196  

Golar LNG Ltd.*

     9,720       59  

Heartland Express, Inc.

     15,462       288  

Hornbeck Offshore Services,
Inc.(3) *

     10,400        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      53       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Transportation & Logistics – 1.6%     continued

 

International Seaways, Inc.

     10,375       $152  

Marten Transport Ltd.

     17,184       280  

Matson, Inc.

     10,673       428  

Navigator Holdings Ltd.*

     15,986       134  

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp.

     600       2  

Nordic American Tankers Ltd.

     14,210       50  

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., Class A*

     8,500       18  

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.*

     1,329       50  

Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.

     465       4  

Saia, Inc.*

     6,576       829  

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

     13,037       144  

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*

     3,613       105  

SFL Corp. Ltd.

     21,321       160  

Star Bulk Carriers Corp.

     14,016       97  

Teekay Corp.*

     6,900       15  

Teekay Tankers Ltd., Class A*

     1,000       11  

USA Truck, Inc.*

     500       5  

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

     9,760           410  
     
               6,097      

Transportation Equipment – 0.4%

    

Greenbrier (The) Cos., Inc.

     5,241       154  

Meritor, Inc.*

     17,465       366  

Navistar International Corp.*

     9,072       395  

Shyft Group (The), Inc.

     6,678       126  

Trinity Industries, Inc.

     19,479       380  

Wabash National Corp.

     6,866       82  
     
               1,503  

Utilities – 3.4%

    

ALLETE, Inc.

     12,847       665  

American States Water Co.

     9,611       720  

Artesian Resources Corp., Class A

     4,427       153  

Avista Corp.

     14,348       490  

Black Hills Corp.

     13,276       710  

Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A

     7,386       433  

California Water Service Group

     11,093       482  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

     4,541       383  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class A

     1,149       28  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C

     18,028       486  

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.

     13,701       143  

MGE Energy, Inc.

     8,978       563  

Middlesex Water Co.

     9,213       573  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

     21,224       573  

Northwest Natural Holding Co.

     8,139       369  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.8%     continued

 

Utilities – 3.4%     continued

 

NorthWestern Corp.

     12,070       $587  

ONE Gas, Inc.

     12,214       843  

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

     9,623       569  

Otter Tail Corp.

     10,911       395  

PNM Resources, Inc.

     20,020       827  

Portland General Electric Co.

     21,043       747  

RGC Resources, Inc.

     936       22  

SJW Group

     6,691       407  

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

     20,924       403  

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

     12,318       777  

Spire, Inc.

     12,028       640  

Unitil Corp.

     3,712       143  

York Water (The) Co.

     3,678           155  
     
               13,286      

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.8%

 

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.*

     7,759       235  

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*

     9,090       508  

CECO Environmental Corp.*

     206       2  

Covanta Holding Corp.

     2,623       20  

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

     6,647       535  

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.*

     15,198       322  

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.*

     508       7  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     13,982       1,335  
     
               2,964  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $280,216)

             381,726  
    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.0%

    

Manufactured Goods – 0.0%

    

Steel Partners Holdings L.P., 6.00%

     2,675       51  

Total Preferred Stocks

                

(Cost $67)

             51  
    

RIGHTS – 0.1%

    

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 0.1%

 

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(2) *

     23,500       13  

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)*

     8,800       8  

Dova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)*

     4,020       2  

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(3) *

     10,111        

Sinovac Biotech Ltd.(3) *

     1,587        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    54     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

   

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE
(000S)

RIGHTS - 0.1%     continued

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 0.1%     continued

 

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(2) *

    17,190       $6  

Tobira Therapeutics, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(2) *

    16,926       129  
     
              158  

Media – 0.0%

   

Media General, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights) (2)*

    11,792           1  

Medical Equipment & Devices – 0.0%

 

American Medical Alert
Corp.(3) *

    13,109        

Specialty Finance – 0.0%

 

NewStar Financial, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(3) *

    1,580        

Total Rights

               

(Cost $147)

            159  
   

OTHER – 0.0%

   

Escrow Adolor Corp.(3) *

    1,241        

Escrow Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (3)*

    2,074        

Total Other

               

(Cost $—)

             
   
    NUMBER
OF WARRANTS
  VALUE
(000S)

WARRANTS – 0.0%

 

Air T Funding, Exp. 12/31/49, Strike $100.00(1)*

    2,121       $ —  

Tidewater, Inc., Class A Exp. 7/31/23, Strike $0.00(1) *

    10        

Tidewater, Inc., Class B Exp. 7/31/23, Strike $0.00(1) *

    11        

Total Warrants

               

(Cost $—)

             
   
   

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE
(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.4%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(4) (5)

    5,351,934       $5,352  

Total Investment Companies

               

(Cost $5,352)

            5,352      
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT - TERM INVESTMENTS –0.1%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(6) (7)

     $437           $437  

Total Short-Term Investments

                

(Cost $437)

             437  
    

Total Investments – 100.4%

                

(Cost $286,219)

             387,725      

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.4%)

 

    (1,376

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $386,349  

 

(1) 

Value rounds to less than one thousand.

(2) 

Level 3 asset.

(3) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(4) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(5) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(6) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(7) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

        TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  CONTRACT
POSITION
  CONTRACT
EXP.
 

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  (DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)

    E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

  56   $4,212   Long   12/20   $(20)
 

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 55 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP CORE FUND    continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

    INDUSTRY SECTOR   

% OF LONG-TERM    

INVESTMENTS    

Communication Services

     2.5

Consumer Discretionary

     13.5  

Consumer Staples

     3.9  

Energy

     2.0  

Financials

     13.7  

Health Care

     21.0  

Industrials

     15.4  

Information Technology

     14.3  

Materials

     4.1  

Real Estate

     6.1  

Utilities

     3.5  

Total

     100.0 % 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
  LEVEL 2
(000S)
   LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Common Stocks:

          

Aerospace & Defense

     $ 3,231       $27        $ —        $ 3,258  

Banking

     27,901       59               27,960  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

     40,190              5        40,195  

Hardware

     7,456       2               7,458  

Health Care Facilities & Services

     13,999       6               14,005  

All Other Industries(1)

     288,850                     288,850  
         

Total Common Stocks

     381,627       94        5        381,726  

Preferred Stocks

     51                     51  

Rights:

          

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

           10        148        158  

Media

                  1        1  
         

Total Rights

           10        149        159  

Warrants

                      
  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

TOTAL   

(000S)   

Investment Companies

     $    5,352       $ —        $ —       $   5,352  

Short-Term Investments

           437              437  
         

Total Investments

     $387,030       $541        $154       $387,725  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Liabilities

         

Futures Contracts

     $       (20     $ —        $ —       $       (20

 

*

Amounts round to less than a thousand.

(1)

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    56 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.4%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 1.3%

    

AAR Corp.

     392,898       $7,386  

Barnes Group, Inc.

     135,314       4,836  

Kaman Corp.

     123,934       4,830  

Moog, Inc., Class A

     184,527       11,723  
     
               28,775  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.2%

 

Lakeland Industries, Inc.*

     13,489       267  

Movado Group, Inc.

     115,504       1,148  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

     28,823       1,164  

Rocky Brands, Inc.

     12,372       307  

Superior Group of Cos., Inc.

     25,913           602  
     
               3,488      

Asset Management – 0.8%

 

Blucora, Inc.*

     18,714       176  

Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.

     265,149       1,464  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

     186,183       2,703  

Stifel Financial Corp.

     210,775       10,657  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

     152,296       2,262  
     
               17,262  

Automotive – 1.5%

    

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*

     521,684       3,010  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

     401,798       12,737  

Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.*

     41,543       549  

Dana, Inc.

     461,102       5,681  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

     62,758       1,788  

Miller Industries, Inc.

     19,297       590  

Modine Manufacturing Co.*

     176,135       1,101  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

     154,665       6,906  

Superior Industries International, Inc.*

     2,430       3  

Visteon Corp.*

     4,303       298  
     
               32,663  

Banking – 16.2%

    

1st Source Corp.

     18,308       565  

Alerus Financial Corp.

     28,943       567  

Amalgamated Bank, Class A

     53,758       569  

Arrow Financial Corp.

     15,891       399  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.

     158,573       3,389  

Axos Financial, Inc.*

     191,185       4,457  

BancFirst Corp.

     117,072       4,781  

BancorpSouth Bank

     681,537       13,208  

Bank of NT Butterfield & Son (The) Ltd.

     56,470       1,258  

BankFinancial Corp.

     111,364       804  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Banking – 16.2%    continued

    

Banner Corp.

     67,855       $2,189  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

     109,618       1,108  

Bridge Bancorp, Inc.

     33,388       582  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

     216,868       1,875  

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.

     55,387       513  

Cathay General Bancorp

     220,071       4,771  

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

     85,030       1,154  

City Holding Co.

     124,563       7,176  

Civista Bancshares, Inc.

     27,138       340  

CNB Financial Corp.

     69,833       1,038  

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

     206,080       4,915  

Community Bank System, Inc.

     184,014       10,021  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     160,666           4,540      

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

     67,115       944  

CVB Financial Corp.

     469,306       7,805  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     424,641       4,803  

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.

     91,932       2,463  

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

     101,836       2,777  

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

     18,771       231  

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     73,117       1,126  

First Bancorp

     89,816       1,880  

First BanCorp (New York Exchange)

     913,604       4,769  

First Bancshares (The), Inc.

     36,207       759  

First Busey Corp.

     24,591       391  

First Business Financial Services, Inc.

     33,526       479  

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

     315,139       2,439  

First Community Bankshares, Inc.

     29,950       541  

First Financial Bancorp

     291,701       3,502  

First Financial Corp.

     117,905       3,702  

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

     16,483       200  

First Horizon National Corp.

     1,033,806       9,749  

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

     52,841       1,683  

First Merchants Corp.

     266,248       6,166  

First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

     28,260       705  

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

     466,354       5,027  

First of Long Island (The) Corp.

     40,348       598  

Flushing Financial Corp.

     377,752       3,974  

Fulton Financial Corp.

     764,406       7,132  

German American Bancorp, Inc.

     64,307       1,745  

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

     66,498       2,131  

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     43,155       1,563  

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.

     170,995       2,129  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

     341,094       6,416  

Heartland Financial U.S.A., Inc.

     136,341       4,090  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      57       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Banking – 16.2%    continued

    

Heritage Financial Corp.

     81,355       $1,496  

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.

     152,632       3,141  

Home Bancorp, Inc.

     15,242       368  

Home BancShares, Inc.

     448,931       6,806  

HomeStreet, Inc.

     78,416       2,020  

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

     685,434       5,199  

Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

     74,062           747  

Independent Bank Corp.

     172,563       9,039  

Independent Bank Corp. (Berlin Exchange)

     37,040       466  

Independent Bank Group, Inc.

     44,545       1,968      

International Bancshares Corp.

     160,690       4,188  

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

     651,088       4,727  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

     322,957       3,213  

Lakeland Financial Corp.

     157,402       6,485  

Luther Burbank Corp.

     89,593       748  

Mercantile Bank Corp.

     27,419       494  

Meridian Bancorp, Inc.

     21,661       224  

Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.*

     14,035       393  

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

     250,661       6,723  

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

     532,440       4,898  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

     238,901       3,271  

OFG Bancorp

     139,139       1,734  

Old National Bancorp

     439,533       5,521  

Old Second Bancorp, Inc.

     50,225       376  

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.

     155,273       3,127  

Park National Corp.

     40,017       3,280  

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp.

     38,277       580  

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

     53,160       1,892  

Preferred Bank

     40,083       1,287  

Premier Financial Corp.

     35,556       554  

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     832,980       10,162  

QCR Holdings, Inc.

     26,690       732  

Renasant Corp.

     164,446       3,736  

Republic Bancorp, Inc., Class A

     31,635       891  

Riverview Bancorp, Inc.

     38,145       158  

S&T Bancorp, Inc.

     223,419       3,952  

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

     111,169       2,566  

Sierra Bancorp

     134,795       2,263  

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

     387,514       6,144  

SmartFinancial, Inc.

     25,747       350  

South State Corp.

     122,908       5,918  

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.

     15,445       364  

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

     86,244       2,107  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    
 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Banking – 16.2%    continued

    

Summit Financial Group, Inc.

     21,949       $325  

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     158,157       4,923  

Tompkins Financial Corp.

     44,796       2,545  

Towne Bank

     200,612       3,290  

TriCo Bancshares

     144,644       3,542  

TriState Capital Holdings, Inc.*

     50,491       668  

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

     328,305       1,714  

Trustmark Corp.

     187,358       4,011  

UMB Financial Corp.

     243,907       11,954  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

     449,320       4,772  

United Community Banks, Inc.

     343,213       5,811  

Univest Financial Corp.

     76,031       1,093  

Valley National Bancorp

     1,055,254           7,228      

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

     87,822       1,496  

Washington Federal, Inc.

     222,302       4,637  

WesBanco, Inc.

     235,976       5,040  

Westamerica BanCorp

     21,776       1,184  

WSFS Financial Corp.

     207,640       5,600  
     
               356,279  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 1.5%

 

 

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

     24,143       854  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     137,000       10,246  

Endo International PLC*

     365,269       1,205  

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.*

     69,816       1,792  

Jounce Therapeutics, Inc.*

     57,618       470  

Lannett Co., Inc.*

     68,247       417  

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.*

     32,948       381  

PDL BioPharma, Inc.*

     1,396,839       4,400  

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

     7,848       137  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.*

     159,082       5,794  

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.*

     64,733       3,551  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.*

     297,922       1,734  

XBiotech, Inc.*

     48,819       932  
     
               31,913  

Chemicals – 2.6%

    

American Vanguard Corp.

     179,101       2,353  

H.B. Fuller Co.

     280,164       12,826  

Hawkins, Inc.

     17,984       829  

Haynes International, Inc.

     21,174       362  

Innospec, Inc.

     124,407       7,877  

Kraton Corp.*

     117,753       2,098  

Materion Corp.

     73,865       3,843  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

     268,099       13,700  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    58 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Chemicals – 2.6%    continued

    

PQ Group Holdings, Inc.*

     369,574       $3,792  

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     112,530       6,498  

Stepan Co.

     31,969       3,485  

Univar Solutions, Inc.*

     10,965       185  
     
               57,848  

Commercial Services – 2.6%

    

ABM Industries, Inc.

     468,952           17,192      

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

     31,542       1,654  

BrightView Holdings, Inc.*

     177,535       2,024  

CBIZ, Inc.*

     217,189       4,967  

Ennis, Inc.

     326,652       5,697  

GP Strategies Corp.*

     46,230       445  

Kforce, Inc.

     72,529       2,333  

Korn Ferry

     313,992       9,106  

Resources Connection, Inc.

     54,190       626  

TrueBlue, Inc.*

     16,461       255  

UniFirst Corp.

     61,213       11,592  

Viad Corp.

     43,200       900  
     
               56,791  

Construction Materials – 1.5%

    

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

     44,928       960  

Boise Cascade Co.

     152,281       6,079  

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

     159,610       15,508  

Summit Materials, Inc., Class A*

     377,745       6,248  

UFP Industries, Inc.

     88,496       5,001  
     
               33,796  

Consumer Products – 2.9%

    

Alico, Inc.

     12,666       362  

B&G Foods, Inc.

     108,364       3,009  

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.*

     101,961       3,912  

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A*

     25,788       932  

Clearwater Paper Corp.*

     27,945       1,060  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

     793,992       28,608  

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

     110,197       2,526  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

     19,505       3,775  

Inter Parfums, Inc.

     174,986       6,536  

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

     6,700       266  

Seneca Foods Corp., Class A*

     12,722       455  

Simply Good Foods (The) Co.*

     83,560       1,842  

Universal Corp.

     236,058       9,886  
     
               63,169  

Consumer Services – 1.1%

    

Aaron’s, Inc.

     173,155       9,809  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Consumer Services – 1.1%    continued

 

Adtalem Global Education, Inc.*

     308,012       $7,559  

American Public Education, Inc.*

     26,053       734  

Laureate Education, Inc., Class A*

     321,676       4,272  

Regis Corp.*

     177,925       1,093  
     
               23,467  

Containers & Packaging – 0.2%

    

Matthews International Corp., Class A

     31,340       701  

Myers Industries, Inc.

     298,315           3,946      
     
               4,647  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.7%

 

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

     477,934       9,630  

Plexus Corp.*

     21,158       1,495  

Sanmina Corp.*

     188,205       5,091  
     
               16,216  

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.4%

 

 

Andersons (The), Inc.

     354,163       6,789  

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

     81,477       2,357  
     
               9,146  

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.7%

 

ePlus, Inc.*

     14,872       1,088  

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*

     19,663       258  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

     217,884       3,137  

PC Connection, Inc.

     250,263       10,276  

ScanSource, Inc.*

     42,750       848  
     
               15,607  

Electrical Equipment – 1.1%

    

Belden, Inc.

     203,989       6,348  

Kimball Electronics, Inc.*

     42,278       489  

LSI Industries, Inc.

     44,319       299  

NL Industries, Inc.

     48,756       207  

Powell Industries, Inc.

     31,198       753  

Preformed Line Products Co.

     13,406       653  

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

     152,730       15,296  
     
               24,045  

Engineering & Construction Services – 1.4%

 

 

Aegion Corp.*

     238,033       3,363  

Arcosa, Inc.

     130,266       5,743  

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

     12,233       646  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     99,207       6,717  

KBR, Inc.

     200,037       4,473  

MasTec, Inc.*

     126,509       5,339  

Primoris Services Corp.

     102,299       1,846  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 59 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Engineering & Construction Services – 1.4%    continued

 

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

     47,337       $670  

TopBuild Corp.*

     14,239       2,431  
     
               31,228  

Forest & Paper Products – 0.3%

    

Neenah, Inc.

     44,647       1,673  

P.H. Glatfelter Co.

     229,697       3,163  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

     41,068           1,248      
     
               6,084  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 1.1%

 

 

Boyd Gaming Corp.

     45,075       1,383  

Cannae Holdings, Inc.*

     133,680       4,981  

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.*

     59,022       956  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     125,618       11,408  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*

     24,064       1,073  

Wingstop, Inc.

     24,652       3,369  
     
               23,170  

Hardware – 1.0%

    

ADTRAN, Inc.

     185,668       1,904  

Arlo Technologies, Inc.*

     344,573       1,812  

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

     41,268       578  

Knowles Corp.*

     434,774       6,478  

NETGEAR, Inc.*

     174,001       5,363  

NetScout Systems, Inc.*

     133,793       2,921  

PCTEL, Inc.*

     40,999       232  

Plantronics, Inc.

     40,048       474  

TTM Technologies, Inc.*

     219,498       2,505  

Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*

     21,224       537  
     
               22,804  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 1.8%

 

 

Magellan Health, Inc.*

     212,271       16,086  

MedCath Corp.(1) *

     106,845        

National HealthCare Corp.

     71,641       4,464  

OPKO Health, Inc.*

     1,232,291       4,547  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     106,346       2,670  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     258,820       6,239  

Triple-S Management Corp., Class B*

     367,135       6,561  
     
               40,567  

Home & Office Products – 3.6%

    

ACCO Brands Corp.

     675,780       3,920  

Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc.*

     202,441       2,672  

Caesarstone Ltd.

     92,608       908  

Hooker Furniture Corp.

     138,788       3,585  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Home & Office Products – 3.6%    continued

 

 

Interface, Inc.

     23,773       $145  

KB Home

     375,673       14,422  

M/I Homes, Inc.*

     47,618       2,193  

MDC Holdings, Inc.

     171,828       8,093  

Meritage Homes Corp.*

     201,339       22,226  

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

     250,572       2,533  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.*

     333,317       8,196  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.*

     620,847           11,262      
     
               80,155  

Industrial Services – 1.2%

    

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     32,101       1,769  

CAI International, Inc.

     17,506       482  

DXP Enterprises, Inc.*

     105,692       1,705  

Herc Holdings, Inc.*

     49,256       1,951  

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.*

     54,870       777  

Triton International Ltd.

     266,561       10,841  

WESCO International, Inc.*

     177,327       7,806  
     
               25,331  

Insurance – 4.9%

    

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     494,016       10,863  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

     112,267       6,440  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

     88,737       3,055  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     710,791       11,401  

Donegal Group, Inc., Class A

     39,683       558  

Employers Holdings, Inc.

     327,899       9,919  

Enstar Group Ltd.*

     36,564       5,905  

FBL Financial Group, Inc., Class A

     26,447       1,275  

GWG Holdings, Inc.*

     7,314       63  

Hanover Insurance Group (The), Inc.

     17,026       1,586  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     386,010       12,893  

Kemper Corp.

     97,097       6,489  

National General Holdings Corp.

     325,149       10,974  

NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     25,994       463  

ProAssurance Corp.

     110,445       1,727  

Radian Group, Inc.

     1,089,188       15,913  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     102,886       5,298  

United Fire Group, Inc.

     147,958       3,007  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     13,967       193  
     
               108,022  

Iron & Steel – 1.4%

    

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.*

     684,731       5,971  

Arch Resources, Inc.

     82,222       3,493  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    60 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Iron & Steel – 1.4%    continued

    

Carpenter Technology Corp.

     214,921       $3,903  

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.

     136,888       879  

Commercial Metals Co.

     481,774       9,626  

Ryerson Holding Corp.*

     64,494       369  

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

     81,919       1,575  

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.

     316,321       5,403  
     
               31,219  

Leisure Products – 0.7%

    

Acushnet Holdings Corp.

     107,072           3,599      

Callaway Golf Co.

     522,363       9,998  

Vista Outdoor, Inc.*

     97,843       1,974  
     
               15,571  

Machinery – 1.4%

    

Alamo Group, Inc.

     30,927       3,341  

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

     65,592       2,425  

Astec Industries, Inc.

     38,148       2,069  

CIRCOR International, Inc.*

     600       16  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

     74,137       2,454  

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

     102,429       1,132  

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

     39,881       1,482  

Kadant, Inc.

     37,495       4,110  

Kennametal, Inc.

     83,884       2,428  

Manitowoc (The) Co., Inc.*

     34,509       290  

MTS Systems Corp.

     6,263       120  

Regal Beloit Corp.

     102,094       9,584  

Rexnord Corp.

     41,657       1,243  

SPX FLOW, Inc.*

     17,023       729  
     
               31,423  

Manufactured Goods – 1.0%

    

AZZ, Inc.

     54,649       1,865  

Chart Industries, Inc.*

     172,404       12,115  

EnPro Industries, Inc.

     8,651       488  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

     12,720       828  

L.B. Foster Co., Class A*

     28,823       387  

Standex International Corp.

     91,299       5,405  

Timken (The) Co.

     31,202       1,692  
     
               22,780  

Media – 1.6%

    

DHI Group, Inc.*

     89,840       203  

Entercom Communications Corp., Class A

     319,722       515  

EW Scripps (The) Co., Class A

     734,971       8,408  

Gannett Co., Inc.

     23,733       31  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Media – 1.6%    continued

    

Gray Television, Inc.*

     156,223       $2,151  

Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.*

     84,035       730  

Meredith Corp.

     214,395       2,813  

Saga Communications, Inc., Class A

     8,533       170  

Scholastic Corp.

     139,342       2,925  

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Class A

     124,381       2,392  

TEGNA, Inc.

     1,137,444       13,365  

Tribune Publishing Co.

     61,687       719  
     
               34,422  

Medical Equipment & Devices – 1.2%

 

AngioDynamics, Inc.*

     325,859           3,930      

Avanos Medical, Inc.*

     308,668       10,254  

FONAR Corp.*

     10,908       228  

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.*

     64,939       195  

Integer Holdings Corp.*

     24,144       1,425  

Invacare Corp.

     56,977       428  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.*

     436,574       5,693  

Natus Medical, Inc.*

     79,825       1,367  

Orthofix Medical, Inc.*

     52,442       1,633  

Varex Imaging Corp.*

     64,924       826  
     
               25,979  

Metals & Mining – 0.7%

    

Arconic Corp.*

     257,394       4,903  

Encore Wire Corp.

     91,225       4,235  

Gold Resource Corp.

     118,484       404  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

     111,212       5,960  
     
               15,502  

Oil, Gas & Coal – 2.4%

    

Abraxas Petroleum Corp.*

     183,307       27  

Archrock, Inc.

     257,032       1,383  

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.*

     178,300       3,352  

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.*

     339,967       843  

CNX Resources Corp.*

     405,350       3,826  

Comstock Resources, Inc.*

     392,220       1,718  

CVR Energy, Inc.

     34,786       431  

Delek U.S. Holdings, Inc.

     463,709       5,161  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.*

     377,157       83  

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

     198,924       4,925  

Earthstone Energy, Inc., Class A*

     50,511       131  

Exterran Corp.*

     142,204       592  

Matador Resources Co.*

     118,726       981  

Matrix Service Co.*

     246,978       2,062  

Montage Resources Corp.*

     60,599       266  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 61 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 2.4%    continued

 

National Energy Services Reunited Corp.*

     148,042       $945  

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*

     181,589       1,534  

Newpark Resources, Inc.*

     902,480       948  

Oil States International, Inc.*

     53,092       145  

Ovintiv, Inc.

     439,618       3,587  

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.*

     55,970       379  

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A

     97,280       911  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

     44,339           252      

PDC Energy, Inc.*

     419,231       5,196  

Peabody Energy Corp.

     245,326       564  

Penn Virginia Corp.*

     153,888       1,516  

ProPetro Holding Corp.*

     408,972       1,660  

Ramaco Resources, Inc.*

     72,271       253  

RPC, Inc.*

     672,500       1,775  

SM Energy Co.

     44,721       71  

Southwestern Energy Co.*

     787,530       1,851  

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.*

     180,023       2,022  

World Fuel Services Corp.

     179,164       3,796  
     
               53,186  

Passenger Transportation – 0.4%

 

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

     301,125       3,881  

Mesa Air Group, Inc.*

     35,195       104  

SkyWest, Inc.

     123,841       3,698  

Spirit Airlines, Inc.*

     97,156       1,564  
     
               9,247  

Real Estate – 0.4%

    

McGrath RentCorp

     101,880       6,071  

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A

     30,179       988  

St. Joe (The) Co.*

     112,619       2,323  
     
               9,382  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 11.7%

 

Acadia Realty Trust

     317,692       3,336  

Agree Realty Corp.

     177,845       11,318  

American Assets Trust, Inc.

     196,525       4,734  

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

     469,967       4,516  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A

     309,158       6,792  

Brandywine Realty Trust

     360,005       3,722  

Capstead Mortgage Corp.

     847,585       4,763  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

     231,500       4,120  

Chatham Lodging Trust

     209,659       1,598  

City Office REIT, Inc.

     78,400       590  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 11.7%    continued

 

CoreCivic, Inc.

     100,000       $800  

CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.

     41,427       242  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     103,192       2,448  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     274,699       7,854  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

     428,139       2,171  

Easterly Government Properties, Inc.

     125,477       2,812  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

     148,783       2,726  

Exantas Capital Corp.

     520,780       1,088  

Farmland Partners, Inc.

     50,533       337  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

     382,777       1,401  

Getty Realty Corp.

     97,800       2,544  

Global Net Lease, Inc.

     151,363           2,407      

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

     189,316       8,002  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     220,482       6,641  

Hersha Hospitality Trust

     49,956       277  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

     182,539       2,116  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

     121,414       2,655  

Investors Real Estate Trust

     19,670       1,282  

Kite Realty Group Trust

     80,751       935  

Ladder Capital Corp.

     566,091       4,031  

Lexington Realty Trust

     659,131       6,888  

LTC Properties, Inc.

     119,300       4,159  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

     435,112       5,491  

MFA Financial, Inc.

     837,952       2,246  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

     78,327       1,085  

National Health Investors, Inc.

     168,415       10,150  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

     347,943       887  

Office Properties Income Trust

     62,820       1,302  

One Liberty Properties, Inc.

     156,994       2,568  

Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

     857,544       4,296  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     437,538       4,371  

Physicians Realty Trust

     661,333       11,845  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     504,321       6,844  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

     268,586       11,307  

Ready Capital Corp.

     433,695       4,857  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

     45,039       469  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A

     87,934       511  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     32,483       1,486  

RLJ Lodging Trust

     917,230       7,943  

RPT Realty

     793,883       4,319  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     667,666       9,204  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    62 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 11.7%    continued

 

Service Properties Trust

     65,844       $523  

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     202,911       6,848  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

     538,716       16,425  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

     313,547       1,624  

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

     1,162,039       9,227  

Terreno Realty Corp.

     166,875       9,138  

Washington Prime Group, Inc.

     566,819       367  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

     332,797       6,699  

Weingarten Realty Investors

     216,884       3,678  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     440,939           3,871  
     
               258,886      

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.1%

 

Marcus (The) Corp.

     319,528       2,470  

RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.

     15,440       315  
     
               2,785  

Renewable Energy – 1.1%

    

Canadian Solar, Inc.*

     100,458       3,526  

EnerSys

     130,367       8,750  

Green Plains, Inc.*

     219,795       3,402  

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*

     148,298       7,922  

REX American Resources Corp.*

     16,148       1,060  
     
               24,660  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.6%

 

Big Lots, Inc.

     66,015       2,944  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

     59,075       2,247  

PriceSmart, Inc.

     22,366       1,486  

SpartanNash Co.

     79,907       1,307  

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

     38,861       957  

Weis Markets, Inc.

     72,524       3,481  
     
               12,422  

Retail - Discretionary – 7.2%

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

     27,249       380  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

     466,136       6,903  

AutoNation, Inc.*

     187,734       9,937  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.*

     68,836       2,139  

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*

     283,971       12,162  

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*

     80,448       2,264  

Buckle (The), Inc.

     83,287       1,698  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.*

     117,929       3,847  

Caleres, Inc.

     113,149       1,082  

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

     51,202       50  

Children’s Place (The), Inc.

     26,576       753  

Citi Trends, Inc.

     43,770       1,093  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%    continued

 

 

Retail - Discretionary – 7.2%    continued

 

Conn’s, Inc.*

     64,764       $685  

Designer Brands, Inc., Class A

     400,939       2,177  

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

     33,130       1,918  

Dillard’s, Inc., Class A

     9,805       358  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

     195,817       2,651  

Foot Locker, Inc.

     229,668       7,586  

Foundation Building Materials, Inc.*

     72,736       1,143  

Genesco, Inc.*

     150,252       3,236  

GMS, Inc.*

     71,350       1,719  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

     257,783       22,785  

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

     189,720       3,973  

Lands’ End, Inc.*

     54,790       714  

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

     292,242       9,244  

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

     22,797       5,196  

ODP (The) Corp.

     206,304       4,013  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

     170,183       8,111  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     284,544       14,381  

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

     248,618       8,349  

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

     413,065           16,589  

Zumiez, Inc.*

     43,662       1,215  
     
               158,351      

Semiconductors – 2.5%

    

Amkor Technology, Inc.*

     1,142,865       12,800  

AXT, Inc.*

     69,112       423  

Cohu, Inc.

     113,743       1,954  

CTS Corp.

     385,248       8,487  

Diodes, Inc.*

     174,449       9,848  

Onto Innovation, Inc.*

     9,519       283  

Photronics, Inc.*

     477,590       4,757  

Rambus, Inc.*

     355,299       4,864  

Synaptics, Inc.*

     68,319       5,494  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     412,066       6,416  
     
               55,326  

Software – 0.7%

    

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*

     449,496       3,659  

Avaya Holdings Corp.*

     322,864       4,908  

Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.

     24,290       671  

Digi International, Inc.*

     149,882       2,343  

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.*

     58,036       775  

Ebix, Inc.

     108,659       2,238  

NextGen Healthcare, Inc.*

     110,713       1,410  
     
               16,004  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 63 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Specialty Finance – 2.3%

    

Encore Capital Group, Inc.*

     152,754       $5,895  

Enova International, Inc.*

     126,917       2,080  

Essent Group Ltd.

     39,303       1,455  

GATX Corp.

     208,917       13,318  

General Finance Corp.*

     51,819       328  

Marlin Business Services Corp.

     35,711       252  

Mr Cooper Group, Inc.*

     155,614       3,473  

Navient Corp.

     327,120           2,764      

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

     93,090       5,609  

Ocwen Financial Corp.*

     8,248       174  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

     134,061       7,792  

Regional Management Corp.*

     18,915       315  

Stewart Information Services Corp.

     40,112       1,754  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

     64,478       3,417  

World Acceptance Corp.*

     24,397       2,575  
     
               51,201  

Technology Services – 1.8%

    

ICF International, Inc.

     74,701       4,596  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

     268,884       15,214  

ManTech International Corp., Class A

     52,968       3,648  

Perficient, Inc.*

     186,749       7,982  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

     214,122       7,325  
     
               38,765  

Telecom – 0.8%

    

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.

     90,625       181  

ATN International, Inc.

     31,119       1,560  

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.*

     121,949       694  

EchoStar Corp., Class A*

     19,313       481  

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

     272,699       6,976  

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

     257,836       4,754  

United States Cellular Corp.*

     109,472       3,233  
     
               17,879  

Transportation & Logistics – 2.8%

 

ArcBest Corp.

     154,737       4,806  

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

     241,373       859  

Costamare, Inc.

     119,932       728  

DHT Holdings, Inc.

     807,668       4,168  

Diamond S Shipping, Inc.*

     68,442       470  

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*

     111,935       2,885  

Frontline Ltd.

     754,341       4,903  

GasLog Ltd.

     32,337       88  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 98.4%     continued

 

 

Transportation & Logistics – 2.8%     continued

 

International Seaways, Inc.

     48,804       $713  

Matson, Inc.

     60,691       2,433  

Nordic American Tankers Ltd.

     249,115       869  

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., Class A*

     145,477       311  

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.

     45,061       117  

Saia, Inc.*

     108,317       13,663  

Schneider National, Inc., Class B

     291,452       7,208  

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*

     80,911       2,353  

SFL Corp. Ltd.

     1,241,541       9,299  

Teekay Corp.*

     41,912       94  

Teekay Tankers Ltd., Class A*

     49,117       532  

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

     100,930           4,238      
     
               60,737  

Transportation Equipment – 0.0%

 

 

Wabash National Corp.

     23,096       276  

Utilities – 5.0%

    

ALLETE, Inc.

     124,940       6,464  

Avista Corp.

     112,874       3,851  

Black Hills Corp.

     162,491       8,692  

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.

     25,575       266  

National Fuel Gas Co.

     180,436       7,324  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

     236,700       6,396  

NorthWestern Corp.

     315,479       15,345  

ONE Gas, Inc.

     12,504       863  

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

     20,308       1,200  

Otter Tail Corp.

     204,958       7,413  

PICO Holdings, Inc.*

     19,313       173  

PNM Resources, Inc.

     438,809       18,136  

Portland General Electric Co.

     85,876       3,049  

SJW Group

     8,849       538  

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

     303,457       19,148  

Spire, Inc.

     169,447       9,015  

Unitil Corp.

     45,700       1,766  
     
               109,639  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.0%

 

CECO Environmental Corp.*

     95,281       695  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $2,171,105)

             2,168,810  
    

OTHER – 0.0%

    

Escrow Calamos Asset Management, Inc.(1) *

     8,063        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    64 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
 

VALUE

(000S)

OTHER - 0.0%     continued

    

Escrow DLB Oil & Gas(1) *

     2,100       $—  

Escrow Spirit MTA REIT(2) *

     17,083       13  

Total Other

                

(Cost $13)

             13  
    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.7%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(3) (4)

     37,213,042           37,213  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $37,213)

             37,213  
    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 

VALUE

(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.3%

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(5) (6)

     $6,014           $6,012  

Total Short-Term Investments

 

       

(Cost $6,012)

             6,012  
    

Total Investments – 100.4%

                

(Cost $2,214,343)

             2,212,048  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.4%)

 

    (7,942 )     

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $2,204,106  

 

(1) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(2) 

Level 3 asset.

 

(3) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(4) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(5) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(6) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE

   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
   NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   CONTRACT
POSITION
   CONTRACT
EXP.
   VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

   461    $34,676    Long    12/20    $18

 

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

Communication Services

     2.5

Consumer Discretionary

     13.8  

Consumer Staples

     3.5  

Energy

     4.2  

Financials

     25.8  

Health Care

     4.8  

Industrials

     16.6  

Information Technology

     7.8  

Materials

     5.5  

Real Estate

     10.5  

Utilities

     5.0  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
   LEVEL 2
(000S)
   LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Common Stocks(1)

     $2,168,810        $ —        $—        $2,168,810  

Other

                   13        13  

Investment Companies

     37,213                      37,213  

Short-Term Investments

            6,012               6,012  
         

Total Investments

     $2,206,023        $6,012        $13        $2,212,048  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 65 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND    continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                   

Assets
Futures Contracts

   $ 18        $  —        $  —      $ 18  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    66 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 99.8%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 1.1%

 

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     5,522       $2,117  

Apparel & Textile Products – 1.8%

    

Hanesbrands, Inc.

     69,965       1,102  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

     9,793       1,229  

PVH Corp.

     10,399       620  

VF Corp.

     6,034       424  
     
               3,375      

Asset Management – 1.6%

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     7,090       1,093  

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.

     21,628       783  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

     7,868           1,009  
     
               2,885  

Automotive – 0.3%

 

Aptiv PLC

     6,102       559  

Banking – 3.0%

 

Bank of America Corp.

     49,116       1,183  

Citigroup, Inc.

     33,692       1,453  

First Republic Bank

     1,728       189  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     21,058       2,027  

SVB Financial Group*

     583       140  

Zions Bancorp N.A.

     21,524       629  
     
               5,621  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 7.4%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

     13,325       1,167  

Amgen, Inc.

     11,649       2,961  

Biogen, Inc.*

     2,188       621  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     6,327       381  

Eli Lilly and Co.

     9,868       1,461  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     19,299       1,219  

Johnson & Johnson

     12,012       1,788  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     38,640       3,205  

Pfizer, Inc.

     10,780       396  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     2,126       579  
     
               13,778  

Chemicals – 1.1%

 

3M Co.

     1,201       192  

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.*

     22,738       504  

Ecolab, Inc.

     4,559       911  

PPG Industries, Inc.

     4,248       519  
     
               2,126  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.8%     continued

 

Commercial Services – 0.6%

    

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

     10,963       $804  

Robert Half International, Inc.

     6,422       340  
     
               1,144  

Consumer Products – 4.9%

 

Clorox (The) Co.

     4,091       860  

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

     10,204       504  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     19,704       1,520  

General Mills, Inc.

     21,503       1,326  

Kellogg Co.

     10,437       674  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     6,513       962  

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B

     6,739       226  

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     21,600           3,002  
     
               9,074      

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.4%

 

Bunge Ltd.

     17,049       779  

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.4%

 

Pool Corp.

     2,192       733  

Electrical Equipment – 3.4%

    

Acuity Brands, Inc.

     6,653       681  

General Electric Co.

     45,170       281  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     9,607       1,581  

Johnson Controls International PLC

     27,847       1,138  

Lennox International, Inc.

     476       130  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

     5,219       1,152  

Trane Technologies PLC

     10,839       1,314  
     
               6,277  

Engineering & Construction Services – 0.7%

 

AECOM *

     18,470       773  

Quanta Services, Inc.

     10,220       540  
     
               1,313  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 1.0%

 

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

     1,097       467  

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

     6,997       573  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

     4,610       427  

MGM Resorts International

     20,387       443  
     
               1,910  

Hardware – 9.4%

 

Apple, Inc.

     122,127       14,144  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     24,838       978  

HP, Inc.

     38,801       737  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      67       EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND     continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.8%     continued

 

Hardware – 9.4%     continued

 

 

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     3,765       $590  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

     4,065       1,026  
     
               17,475      

Health Care Facilities & Services – 3.6%

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     3,905       378  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     19,613       921  

Cigna Corp.

     4,027       682  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     5,229       652  

Henry Schein, Inc.*

     16,288       957  

Humana, Inc.

     3,023       1,251  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

     2,746       503  

Teladoc Health, Inc.*

     1,889       414  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     3,161           986  
     
               6,744  

Home & Office Products – 0.3%

 

Newell Brands, Inc.

     19,942       342  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.*

     2,117       189  
     
               531  

Industrial Services – 0.6%

    

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

     3,364       1,200  

Institutional Financial Services – 1.1%

 

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.

     9,985       343  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.

     5,168       1,039  

Morgan Stanley

     4,024       194  

State Street Corp.

     6,838       406  
     
               1,982  

Insurance – 1.3%

    

Allstate (The) Corp.

     8,348       786  

Aon PLC, Class A

     3,600       743  

Loews Corp.

     4,329       150  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     1,610       185  

Travelers (The) Cos., Inc.

     5,152       557  
     
               2,421  

Machinery – 2.1%

    

AGCO Corp.

     2,745       204  

Caterpillar, Inc.

     12,653       1,887  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

     5,865       1,133  

Oshkosh Corp.

     8,169       601  
     
               3,825  

Media – 7.9%

    

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

     3,692       5,411  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C*

     2,169       3,188  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.8%     continued

 

Media – 7.9%     continued

 

 

Booking Holdings, Inc.*

     393       $672  

Comcast Corp., Class A

     5,518       255  

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

     10,454       2,738  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class A*

     47,767       453  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B*

     39,869       348  

New York Times (The) Co., Class A

     24,961       1,068  

Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.

     69,668       373  

Walt Disney (The) Co.

     2,420           300  
     
               14,806      

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.0%

 

Abbott Laboratories

     1,872       204  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     13,243       1,337  

Hologic, Inc.*

     11,968       796  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

     2,425       953  

Medtronic PLC

     5,088       529  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     1,295       1,251  

Quidel Corp.*

     996       218  

ResMed, Inc.

     2,958       507  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     1,724       761  

Waters Corp.*

     4,877       954  
     
               7,510  

Metals & Mining – 0.2%

    

Newmont Corp.

     4,802       305  
     

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.0%

    

Baker Hughes Co.

     45,325       602  

ConocoPhillips

     14,822       487  

Schlumberger N.V.

     35,256       548  

Valero Energy Corp.

     6,962       302  
     
               1,939  

Real Estate – 0.1%

    

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

     1,362       130  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 3.1%

 

American Tower Corp.

     10,152       2,454  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     3,370       503  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     2,228       179  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     15,369       365  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

     8,012       416  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     31,539       315  

Prologis, Inc.

     11,711       1,179  

Welltower, Inc.

     8,189       451  
     
               5,862  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    68     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.8%     continued

 

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.1%

 

 

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

     9,101       $185  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.3%

    

Kroger (The) Co.

     14,379       488  

Retail - Discretionary – 9.2%

    

Amazon.com, Inc.*

     2,244       7,066  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     11,790       1,312  

eBay, Inc.

     16,572       863  

Etsy, Inc.*

     1,454       177  

Foot Locker, Inc.

     4,345       144  

Gap (The), Inc.

     21,183       361  

Home Depot (The), Inc.

     14,664       4,072  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     13,493       2,238  

Tractor Supply Co.

     824       118  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

     9,307           842  
     
               17,193      

Semiconductors – 4.4%

    

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*

     5,645       463  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     17,601       1,046  

Intel Corp.

     13,858       718  

Lam Research Corp.

     881       292  

NVIDIA Corp.

     4,793       2,594  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     21,508       3,071  
     
               8,184  

Software – 10.6%

    

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     4,362       353  

Adobe, Inc.*

     2,878       1,412  

Autodesk, Inc.*

     2,624       606  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

     8,549       912  

Cerner Corp.

     8,426       609  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

     2,914       401  

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

     4,877       636  

Intuit, Inc.

     5,455       1,780  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

     3,560       340  

Microsoft Corp.

     50,936       10,713  

Oracle Corp.

     9,231       551  

Teradata Corp.*

     17,726       402  

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*

     1,098       309  

VMware, Inc., Class A*

     5,060       727  
     
               19,751  

Specialty Finance – 5.5%

    

Ally Financial, Inc.

     31,593       792  

American Express Co.

     14,814       1,485  

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

     1,135       184  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE     
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 99.8%     continued

 

Specialty Finance – 5.5%     continued

 

 

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     15,015       $5,078  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

     3,672       723  

Square, Inc., Class A*

     2,158       351  

Visa, Inc., Class A

     6,259       1,252  

Western Union (The) Co.

     18,364       394  
     
               10,259      

Technology Services – 3.4%

 

Accenture PLC, Class A

     9,514       2,150  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

     3,182       420  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     935       65  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     3,381       1,132  

International Business Machines Corp.

     12,775       1,554  

Moody’s Corp.

     1,741       505  

S&P Global, Inc.

     1,147           414  
     
               6,240  

Telecom – 0.7%

    

AT&T, Inc.

     15,982       455  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     14,839       883  
     
               1,338  

Transportation & Logistics – 0.8%

 

CSX Corp.

     4,491       349  

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

     12,947       1,172  
     
               1,521  

Transportation Equipment – 0.8%

 

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

     2,575       90  

Cummins, Inc.

     6,231       1,316  
     
               1,406  

Utilities – 1.6%

    

AES (The) Corp.

     10,398       188  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     9,332       726  

Exelon Corp.

     35,493       1,269  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     3,152       875  
     
       3,058  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $159,622)

             186,044  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 69 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

U.S. QUALITY ESG FUND     continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE     
(000S)    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.0%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(1) (2)

     70,090           $70  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $70)

             70  
    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT - TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.1%

 

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.11%, 1/28/21(3)

     $250       $250  

Total Short-Term Investments

                

(Cost $250)

             250  
    

Total Investments – 99.9%

                

(Cost $159,942)

             186,364      

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

    138  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $186,502  

 

(1)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(2)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(3) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Communication Services

     8.9

Consumer Discretionary

     13.5  

Consumer Staples

     5.6  

Energy

     1.0  

Financials

     9.3  

Health Care

     15.6  

Industrials

     10.2  

Information Technology

     29.9  

Materials

     1.2  

Real Estate

     3.2  

Utilities

     1.6  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

    Common Stocks(1)

     $186,044        $ —        $ —        $186,044  

    Investment Companies

     70                      70  

    Short-Term Investments

            250               250  
         

    Total Investments

     $186,114        $250        $ —        $186,364  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY FUNDS    70     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Income Equity, International Equity, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Value, Small Cap Core, Small Cap Value and U.S. Quality ESG Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Except for the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds, each Fund is authorized to issue one class of shares designated as the “Shares” class. Effective July 31, 2020, the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds are authorized to issue two classes of shares designated as Class K shares and Class I shares, which replaced the Shares class for each Fund. At September 30, 2020, the Income Equity, International Equity, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds had Shares outstanding; and the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds had Class K shares and Class I shares outstanding.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS Securities are valued at their fair value. Securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using an independent pricing service. Exchange-traded financial futures and options are valued at the settlement price as established by the exchange on which they are traded. The foregoing prices may be obtained from one or more independent pricing services or, as needed or applicable, independent broker-dealers. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by a Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 71 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) FUTURES CONTRACTS Certain Funds invest in long or short exchange-traded futures contracts for hedging purposes, to increase total return (i.e., for speculative purposes) or to maintain liquidity to meet potential shareholder redemptions, to invest cash balances or dividends or to minimize trading costs. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the fair value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio securities as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract as a hedge in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. A Fund bears the market risk arising from changes in the value of these financial instruments. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Futures are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular futures contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. The Statements of Operations include any realized gains or losses on closed futures contracts in Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts, and any unrealized gains or losses on open futures contracts in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

The contract position and investment strategy utilized during the six months ended September 30, 2020, was as follows:

 

     

CONTRACT

POSITION

  

 

INVESTMENT

STRATEGY

Income Equity

   Long    Liquidity

International Equity

   Long and Short    Liquidity

Large Cap Core

   Long    Liquidity

Large Cap Value

   Long    Liquidity

Small Cap Core

   Long    Liquidity

Small Cap Value

   Long    Liquidity

U.S. Quality ESG

   Long    Liquidity

At September 30, 2020, the aggregate fair value of securities pledged to cover margin requirements for open positions for the Income Equity, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Value, Small Cap Core and Small Cap Value Funds was approximately $135,000, $415,000, $150,000, $437,000 and $6,012,000, respectively. At September 30, 2020, the aggregate fair value of foreign currencies

to cover margin requirements for open positions for the International Equity Fund was approximately $168,000. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10.

C) OPTIONS CONTRACTS Certain Funds buy put options and call options and write covered call options and secured put options for hedging purposes or to earn additional income. When used as a hedge, a Fund may enter into option contracts in order to hedge against adverse price movements of securities which a Fund intends to trade upon. These options may relate to particular securities, foreign and domestic securities indices, financial instruments or foreign currencies. The gains or losses on purchased options contracts are included with Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments on the Statements of Operations. The gains or losses on written options contracts are included with Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on options written on the Statements of Operations, if applicable.

The risks associated with purchasing an option include risk of loss of premium, change in fair value and counterparty nonperformance under the contract. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular options contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as Fund securities.

The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

In writing an option, a Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by a Fund could result in a Fund selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current fair value. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10.

D) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The gains or losses, if any, on investments from the original purchase date to subsequent sales trade date resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations in Net realized gains (losses) on investments and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The gains or losses, if any, on translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions are included in Net realized gains (losses)

 

 

    

 

 

 

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

on foreign currency transactions and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations in the Statements of Operations.

E) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS Certain Funds are authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, or forward currency exchange contracts, for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a specified exchange rate on a future date as a hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions, or as a cross-hedge transaction or for speculative purposes. The objective of a Fund’s foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce the risk that the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s foreign currency denominated securities will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable exchange rates. Any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations. Gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until settlement date. Realized gains or losses, if any, are included in Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations.

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. A Fund bears the market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the credit risk if the counterparty to the contract fails to perform. The institutions that deal in forward foreign currency exchange contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. No forward foreign currency exchange contracts were held by the Funds during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

F) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent either the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on the date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income, if any, is recognized

on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date, or as soon as the information is available. Distributions received from a Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are

comprised of return of capital, capital gains and income. The actual character of the amounts received during the year is not known until the fiscal year-end. A Fund records the character of distributions received from the REITs during the year based on estimates available. A Fund’s characterization may be subsequently revised based on information received from the REITs after their tax reporting periods conclude.

The Funds allocate all income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on a daily basis to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of the value of shares outstanding of each class, if applicable.

G) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses arising in connection with a specific class of shares are charged to that class of shares. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

H) REDEMPTION FEES The International Equity Fund charges a 2 percent redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 days or less. For the purpose of applying the fee, the Fund uses a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest are treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest are treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is paid to the Fund from which the redemption is made and is intended to offset the trading, market impact and other costs associated with short term money movements in and out of the Fund. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption transaction, through a separate billing. The Fund is authorized to waive the redemption fee for certain types of redemptions as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

Redemption fees for the International Equity Fund were less than $1,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. These amounts are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 8—Capital Share Transactions. The impact from redemption fees paid to the Fund was less than $0.001 per share for both periods.

I) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid as follows:

 

     

 

DECLARATION AND  

PAYMENT FREQUENCY  

Income Equity

   Monthly

International Equity

   Annually

Large Cap Core

   Quarterly

Large Cap Value

   Annually

Small Cap Core

   Annually

Small Cap Value

   Annually
 

 

 

 

 

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EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

     

DECLARATION AND  

PAYMENT FREQUENCY  

U.S. Quality ESG

   Quarterly

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Funds may periodically make reclassifications among certain of their capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. These reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses, Section 988 currency gains and losses, Passive Foreign Investment Companies (“PFICs”) gains and losses, recharacterization of dividends received from investments in REITs, expired capital loss carryforwards, and gains or losses on in-kind transactions. These reclassifications have no impact on the total net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds. At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

  Amounts in thousands   

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

ACCUMULATED

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET REALIZED

GAINS (LOSSES)

International Equity

     $  182           $(182 )     

Small Cap Core

     267       (267

Small Cap Value

     (1,701     1,701  

J) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

For the period from November 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, the following Funds incurred net capital losses and/or late year ordinary losses for which the Fund intends to treat as having been incurred in the following fiscal year:

 

  Amounts in thousands        

Income Equity

   $ 626      

Large Cap Core

     1,125      

Small Cap Value

     36,806      

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became

effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 can be carried forward for an unlimited period. However, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning before the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 with an expiration date may not be used to offset capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 without an expiration date have been utilized. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Large Cap Value Fund utilized approximately $1,239,000 in capital loss carryforwards.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

  Amounts in thousands   

 

SHORT-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFORWARD

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFOWARD

International Equity

     $  14,978           $    19,149      

Large Cap Value

           2,361  

Small Cap Core

     2,190        

U.S. Quality ESG

     702        

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

    

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

   
  Amounts in thousands
  

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

 

UNREALIZED  

GAINS (LOSSES)  

Income Equity

   $ 65         $         $ 13,275      

International Equity

     5,764             (34,504

Large Cap Core

     94             17,907  

Large Cap Value

     710             (14,922

Small Cap Core

     3,469             37,476  

Small Cap Value

     6,576             (150,585

U.S. Quality ESG

     10             (9,400

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

 

 

    

 

 

 

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EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands   

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM  

CAPITAL GAINS  

Income Equity

     $  3,527           $  12,000      

International Equity

     6,938        

Large Cap Core

     4,473       5,400  

Large Cap Value

     1,500        

Small Cap Core

     3,428       25,869  

Small Cap Value

     38,800       170,000  

U.S. Quality ESG

     1,598       425  

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands   

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

Income Equity

     $  4,786           $  21,474      

International Equity

     5,000        

Large Cap Core

     4,363       2,200  

Large Cap Value

     1,300        

Small Cap Core

     2,724       2,175  

Small Cap Value

     21,227       270,107  

U.S. Quality ESG

     480       252  

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

K) OTHER RISKS Certain Funds may invest in emerging market securities. Additional risks are involved when a Fund invests its assets in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. These countries generally are located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries. In general, the securities markets of these countries are less liquid, subject to

greater price volatility and have smaller market capitalizations. As a result, the risks presented by investments in these countries are heightened.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Shares class of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers.

Effective July 31, 2020, Service Organizations may receive fees from Class I shares of the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily NAV of Class I shares of these Funds beneficially owned by such clients. NTI has contractually agreed to limit payments of service fees from Class I shares of the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds to an annual rate of 0.10% of the average NAV of the Class I shares of these Funds. There is no service fee payable by Class K shares of the Small Cap Core and U.S. Quality ESG Funds.

There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The

 

 

 

 

 

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EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Funds had borrowings with the average loan amounts and weighted average interest rates as disclosed below:

 

    Amounts in thousands   

 

DOLLAR
AMOUNT

     RATE      

Income Equity

   $ 600        1.15

International Equity

     1,788        1.36  

Small Cap Core

     200        1.17  

No other Fund had any borrowings or incurred any interest expense during the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, service fees for the Small Cap Core Fund (effective July 31, 2020), the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) of each Fund except for the U.S. Quality ESG Fund, for which NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of operating expenses (other than service fees effective July 31, 2020 and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund, as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL

     

ANNUAL

MANAGEMENT FEES

  EXPENSE
  LIMITATIONS  

International Equity

       0.48 %       0.50 %

Large Cap Core

       0.44 %       0.45 %

Large Cap Value

       0.53 %       0.55 %

Small Cap Value

       0.95 %       1.00 %

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL ANNUAL

   
     MANAGEMENT FEES   CONTRACTUAL
      FIRST
$1 BILLION
  NEXT
$1 BILLION
  OVER
$2 BILLION
  EXPENSE
LIMITATIONS

Income Equity

       0.95 %       0.922 %       0.894 %       1.00 %

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL

      ANNUAL
MANAGEMENT FEES
  EXPENSE
  LIMITATIONS  

Small Cap Core(1)

       0.47 %       0.49 %

U.S. Quality ESG(2)

       0.37 %       0.39 %

 

(1) 

Prior to July 31, 2020, the Small Cap Core Fund’s contractual management fee rate was 0.63% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and the contractual expense limitation for the Fund was based on an annual rate of 0.65%.

(2) 

Prior to July 31, 2020, the U.S. Quality ESG Fund’s contractual management fee rate was 0.41% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and the contractual expense limitation for the Fund was based on an annual rate of 0.43%.

The contractual reimbursement arrangements of each Fund are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

 

 

    

 

 

 

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NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed-income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI and/or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the

Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Funds did not engage in any purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

   

 

PURCHASES

  SALES
  Amounts in thousands   U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER   U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER

  Income Equity

      $–       $ 36,338       $–       $ 48,958

  International Equity

            26,719             70,922

  Large Cap Core

            56,654             44,290

  Large Cap Value

            14,279             16,384

  Small Cap Core

            100,306             132,130

  Small Cap Value

            435,008             480,613

  U.S. Quality ESG

            66,133             21,993   

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, deferral of post-October currency and capital losses for tax purposes, and the recharacterization of income recognition on investments in REITs and PFICs.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including

 

 

    

 

 

 

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EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

the effects of foreign currency translation and derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

  Amounts in
  thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

 

NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

  COST
BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Income Equity

    $ 34,368     $ (2,032 )     $ 32,336     $ 98,718

International Equity

      9,824       (12,289 )       (2,465 )       93,299
  Amounts in
  thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

 

NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

 

COST

BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Large Cap Core

    $ 63,585     $ (5,886 )     $ 57,699     $ 162,467

Large Cap Value

      4,166       (6,822 )       (2,656 )       54,888

Small Cap Core

      120,628       (20,251 )       100,377       287,328

Small Cap Value

      450,995       (459,225 )       (8,230 )       2,220,296

U.S. Quality ESG

      31,237       (5,419 )       25,818       160,546
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in Shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHARES
SOLD
   PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
   SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

 

NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

 

 

  NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
  IN NET ASSETS  

Income Equity

       409      $ 5,179        82      $ 1,017        (1,654 )     $ (20,034 )       (1,163 )     $ (13,838 )

International Equity

       364        2,751                      (6,543 )       (50,140 )       (6,179 )       (47,389 )  

Large Cap Core

       1,332        26,665        79        1,563        (815 )       (15,547 )       596       12,681

Large Cap Value

       230        3,217                      (442 )       (6,478 )       (212 )       (3,261 )

Small Cap Core *

       1,017        21,041                      (19,545 )       (451,334 )       (18,528 )       (430,293 )

Small Cap Value

       17,016        256,046                      (31,372 )       (466,136 )       (14,356 )       (210,090 )

U.S. Quality ESG *

       3,255        38,828        3        36        (13,632 )       (176,744 )       (10,374 )       (137,880 )

 

  *

Shares class of the Small Cap Core Fund and U.S. Quality ESG Fund ceased operations on July 31, 2020.

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHARES
SOLD
   PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
   SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

 

NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

 

 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS

Income Equity

       853      $ 11,215        1,029      $ 13,735        (5,287 )     $ (66,542 )       (3,405 )     $ (41,592 )

International Equity

       925        7,805        119        1,126        (5,694 )       (48,699 )       (4,650 )       (39,768 )  

Large Cap Core

       773        15,144        423        8,358        (3,854 )       (73,541 )       (2,658 )       (50,039 )

Large Cap Value

       494        8,307        80        1,432        (2,222 )       (37,208 )       (1,648 )       (27,469 )

Small Cap Core

       3,545        87,363        1,008        26,505        (4,062 )       (97,291 )       491       16,577

Small Cap Value

       39,343        707,015        9,821        202,616        (42,589 )       (808,797 )       6,575       100,834

U.S. Quality ESG

       7,433        85,305        46        562        (529 )       (6,278 )       6,950       79,589

Transactions in Class K shares for the period ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands     SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
  NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES
  

 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS

Small Cap Core*

       9,304 **     $ 218,188 **            $        (394 )     $ (9,562 )       8,910      $ 208,626   

U.S. Quality ESG*

       14,166 ***       184,591 ***       2        28        (246 )       (3,288 )       13,922        181,331

 

  *

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020.

  **

Amounts include shares of approximately 8,648,000 and proceeds of approximately $202,885,000 for the Small Cap Core Fund which was transferred due to the conversion of the Shares Class to Class K. The transfer was completed on July 31, 2020.

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   78 
 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

***

Amounts include shares of approximately 13,262,000 and proceeds of approximately $172,453,000 for the U.S. Quality ESG Fund which was transferred due to the conversion of the Shares Class to Class K. The transfer was completed on July 31, 2020.

Transactions in Class I shares for the period ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

 

NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

  

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS  

Small Cap Core*

       8,560 **     $ 201,079 **            $        (993 )     $ (23,380 )       7,567      $ 177,699

U.S. Quality ESG***

       4       61                                 4        61

 

*

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020.

**

Amounts include shares of approximately 8,230,000 and proceeds of approximately $193,126,000 for the Small Cap Core Fund which was transferred due to the conversion of the Shares Class to Class I. The transfer was completed on July 31, 2020.

***

Commenced class operations on August 24, 2020.

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands
  except shares
  AFFILIATE   VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  PURCHASES     SALES
PROCEEDS
 

 

NET CHANGE

IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

  NET
REALIZED
GAINS
(LOSSES)
  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
  SHARES, END  
OF PERIOD

Income Equity

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)     $ 1,766     $ 10,809     $ 11,363     $     $     $ 1     $ 1,212       1,211,557

International Equity

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       1,535       14,911       16,180                   1       266       265,838

Large Cap Core

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       2,974       17,021       17,855                   1       2,140       2,140,116

Large Cap Value

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       776       4,339       4,657                   *       458       457,856

Small Cap Core

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       11,389       35,226       41,263                   3       5,352       5,351,934

Small Cap Value

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       136,890       173,115       272,792                   42       37,213       37,213,042

U.S. Quality ESG

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       536       47,616       48,082                   1       70       70,090

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Information concerning the types of derivatives in which the Funds invest, the objectives for using them and their related risks can be found in Note 2.

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 79 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

Below are the types of derivatives by primary risk exposure as presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020:

 

         ASSETS         

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

  Amounts in thousands   CONTRACT TYPE   

STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS LOCATION

   VALUE    STATEMENTS OF
LIABILITIES LOCATION
  VALUE

Income Equity

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation    $    –    Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation   $ (8 )* 
  Equity contracts          Outstanding options written, at value     (21

International Equity

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation    2*    Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation     (36 )* 

Large Cap Core

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation    23*    Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      

Large Cap Value

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation    6*    Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      

Small Cap Core

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation       Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation     (20 )*   

Small Cap Value

  Equity contracts    Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation    18*    Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      

 

     *

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts as reported in the Schedules of Investments’ footnotes. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Funds’ realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended September 30, 2020:

 

           

 

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION    VALUE

Income Equity

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts    $ 525  
   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on options written      352  

International Equity

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      719  

Large Cap Core

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      982  

Large Cap Value

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      281  

Small Cap Core

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      2,918  

Small Cap Value

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      29,782  

U.S. Quality ESG

   Equity contracts      Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      261    
           

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION    VALUE

Income Equity

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts    $ (192
   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on options written      (30

International Equity

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (385

Large Cap Core

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (92

Large Cap Value

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (35

Small Cap Core

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (545

Small Cap Value

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (3,898

U.S. Quality ESG

   Equity contracts      Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (34 )   

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   80 
 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

Volume of derivative activity for the six months ended September 30, 2020*:

 

    

 

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

      NUMBER
OF
TRADES
  AVERAGE    
NOTIONAL    
AMOUNT**    

Income Equity

     58       $ 524  

International Equity

     125       394  

Large Cap Core

     54       372  

Large Cap Value

     17       265  

Small Cap Core

     49       994  

Small Cap Value

     77       3,394      

U.S. Quality ESG

     25       654  

 

*

Activity for the period is measured by number of trades during the period and average notional amount for futures and written option equity contracts.

 

**

Amounts in thousands.

 

11. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

12. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In 2007, the Large Cap Core Fund and the Large Cap Value Fund were shareholders of the Tribune Company (“Tribune”). In December of 2007, as a part of a leveraged buy-out transaction (the “LBO”), Tribune was converted from a public company to a privately-held company. Tribune later filed for bankruptcy. On December 7, 2010, Northern Funds was named as a defendant and a putative member of the proposed defendant class of shareholders named in an adversary proceeding (the “Committee Action”) brought by The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Company (the “Committee”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, in connection with Tribune’s bankruptcy proceeding. On June 2, 2011, a second suit was initiated by certain creditors of Tribune in the Delaware Superior Court with respect to claims related to the LBO (Niese et al.v. A.G.Edwards, Inc. et al.), in which Northern Funds was named as a defendant. On June 2, 2011, the indenture trustees, on behalf of certain noteholders of Tribune, filed a third suit and named Northern Funds as a defendant in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Deutsche Bank Trust Co. et al. v. Ohlson Enterprises et al.) and a fourth suit named Northern Funds as a defendant in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Deutsche Bank Trust Co. et al. v. Sirius International Insurance Corp. et al.). Each of these cases, along

with others brought by the indenture trustees and other individual creditors, has now been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation proceeding in the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”). The cases attempt to “clawback” the proceeds paid out in connection with the LBO. The Tribune bankruptcy plan was confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on July 23, 2012, and became effective on December 31, 2012.

The former shareholder defendants filed motions to dismiss, each of which was granted by the District Court. The District Court’s order dismissing the actions by the individual creditors was affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (the “Second Circuit Decision”). The Plaintiffs in the individual creditor actions filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari requesting review of the Second Circuit Decision by the United States Supreme Court; however, the Supreme Court issued a statement indicating a potential lack of a quorum and informing the parties that the Second Circuit or District Court could provide relief based on the Supreme Court decision in Merit Management Group, LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc. The Plaintiffs filed a motion with the Second Circuit to recall the mandate and vacate the Second Circuit decision, and the Second Circuit recalled the mandate on May 15, 2018. On December 19, 2019, the Second Circuit issued an amended decision that affirmed dismissal of the constructive fraudulent transfer claims, holding that the safe harbor of Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code applies. On February 6, 2020, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for a rehearing en banc. Plaintiffs filed a Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court on July 6, 2020 to seek review of the Second Circuit’s amended decision. Defendants filed an opposition brief on August 26, 2020, and plaintiffs filed a reply brief on September 8, 2020. On October 5, 2020, the Supreme Court invited the Acting Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the views of the United States.

 
 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 81 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

The motion to dismiss the Committee Action was also granted by the District Court. The Plaintiff in the Committee Action also sought from the District Court leave to amend the complaint with an additional claim for constructive fraudulent transfer based upon the decision in Merit Management. The motion for leave to amend was denied on April 23, 2019. On June 13, 2019, the District Court entered a final judgment on the claim dismissed. On July 12, 2019, the Trustee filed a notice of appeal stating that it was appealing the final judgment and the April 23, 2019 decision and related orders to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was fully briefed, and argument on the appeal took place on August 24, 2020. The Second Circuit has not yet issued a decision.

The value of the proceeds received by the Large Cap Core Fund and the Large Cap Value Fund in the LBO was approximately $308,000 and $26,520,000, respectively. The Funds cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, but an adverse decision could have a material impact on the Funds’ net asset value. The Funds intend to vigorously defend these actions.

On or about February 14, 2020, Marc S. Kirschner, as Trustee for NWHI Litigation Trust (“Litigation Trustee”) and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as indenture Trustee (“Indenture Trustee”) for several series of notes issued by Nine West Holdings, Inc. (“Nine West”), filed separate complaints (docket nos. 20-cv-01129 and 20-cv-01136, respectively ) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against a group of defendants that includes three Northern Funds that had invested in The Jones Group Inc. (“Jones Group”) including the Small Cap Core Fund and Small Cap Value Fund (together, the “Funds”). The claim stems from a series of merger transactions (“Transactions”) entered into by Jones Group, Nine West and others in 2014 that allegedly rendered Jones Group insolvent. The matters in these proceedings have been transferred from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to centralize the litigation, and have been assigned to the Honorable Jed S. Rakoff for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings. The Funds allegedly received the following amounts as a result of the Transactions: Small Cap Core Fund ($134,265) and Small Cap Value Fund ($4,010,685). The Litigation Trustee and Indenture Trustee seek to clawback these proceeds for the benefit of the Trust and the noteholders, respectively, on the basis that they were fraudulent conveyances. The Funds intend to vigorously defend themselves against this action.

13. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR

and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

14. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4 - Bank Borrowings.

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   82 
 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

FUND EXPENSES

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, including redemption fees on certain exchanges and redemptions in the International Equity Fund; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. For example, the information does not reflect redemption fees (See page 73), if any, in the International Equity Fund. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements of advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 77), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

INCOME EQUITY

 

    SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       1.01 %       $1,000.00        $1,276.80        $5.75

Hypothetical

       1.01 %       $1,000.00        $1,019.95        $5.10
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY

 

    SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.53 %       $1,000.00        $1,182.10        $2.89

Hypothetical

       0.53 %       $1,000.00        $1,022.35        $2.68
LARGE CAP CORE

 

    SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.46 %       $1,000.00        $1,274.00        $2.62

Hypothetical

       0.46 %       $1,000.00        $1,022.70        $2.33
LARGE CAP VALUE

 

    SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.57 %       $1,000.00        $1,213.20        $3.15

Hypothetical

       0.57 %       $1,000.00        $1,022.15        $2.88
SMALL CAP CORE

 

      EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Class K(1)

                                          

Actual

       0.49 %       $1,000.00        $ 999.60        $0.83

Hypothetical

       0.49 %       $1,000.00        $1,022.55        $2.48

Class I(1)

                                          

Actual

       0.59 %       $1,000.00        $ 999.20        $1.00

Hypothetical

       0.59 %       $1,000.00        $1,022.05        $2.98
SMALL CAP VALUE

 

    SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES     
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       1.00 %       $1,000.00        $1,169.60        $5.42

Hypothetical

       1.00 %       $1,000.00        $1,020.00        $5.05     

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 83 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FUND EXPENSES     continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

U.S. QUALITY ESG

 

      EXPENSE
RATIO
    BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
     ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
    

 

EXPENSES     
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

  Class K(1)

                                  

Actual

     0.39   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,033.00      $ 0.67  

Hypothetical

     0.39   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.05      $ 1.97  

Class I(2)

                                  

Actual

     0.49   $ 1,000.00      $ 983.00      $ 0.50  

Hypothetical

     0.49   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.55      $ 2.48      

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

  (1) 

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020. The actual expense example is based on the period since inception; the hypothetical example is based on the half-year beginning 4/1/2020.

 

  (2) 

Commenced class operations on August 24, 2020. The actual expense example is based on the period since inception; the hypothetical example is based on the half-year beginning 4/1/2020.

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   84 
 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to

the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed below, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 85 
 
 
  EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT     continued

 

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objective, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. For Funds that had been in existence for the applicable periods, the Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of the Funds was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, with the exception of:

 

  the Large Cap Core Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the one-year period; and

 

  the International Equity Fund, which was in the fifth quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods.

They also considered that all of the Funds underperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, except for:

 

  the Small Cap Core Fund, which outperformed its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods; and

 

  the Small Cap Value Fund and U.S. Quality ESG Fund, which outperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-year period.

They also considered that none of the Funds were in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. They also considered the Funds’ investment performance relative to the investor base the Funds are intended to serve. The Trustees noted the potential impact on performance of the relative risk parameters of the different Funds. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming Funds. They noted the quarterly in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in that regard.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory for most Funds, and that Northern was taking appropriate steps to address the performance of any underperforming Funds.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses, such as management fee reductions with respect to certain Funds. The Trustees also considered that, for those

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   86    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

Funds that were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted, with respect to the Funds:

 

  actual management fees were equal to or lower than the Funds’ respective peer group and universe medians, except the Income Equity Fund, whose actual management fees were higher than its expense group and universe medians; and

 

  all of the Funds’ actual expenses, after reimbursement and fee waivers, were in the first quintile of their respective peer group and peer universe, except the Income Equity Fund, which was in the third quintile of its peer group and fourth quintile of its peer universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for most of the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. The Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated funds in which the Funds invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. The Trustees considered that the Income Equity Fund had breakpoints, thus ensuring that as this Fund grew, shareholders would receive reduced fee rates. The Trustees also noted that all of the Funds had a quantitative active strategy. They agreed that breakpoints were not necessary with respect to the Funds (other than the Income Equity Fund) at this time based on the level of management fees and the contractual expense reimbursements. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      87      EQUITY FUNDS


 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

   

    

 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT     continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s other equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Fund’s asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1) Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

                    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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   88    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

 

    

    

 

    

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EQUITY FUNDS

 

 

    

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

                    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS

   92    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

   

        

 

        

 

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds

Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern

Trust.

 

 

        

 

    

   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

 

   
   

 

  May lose value / No bank guarantee  

 

   
       
  2     

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  
  4     

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  
  6     

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  
  8     

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  
  16     

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

  
  16     

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NOEMX

  
  39     

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NGREX

  
  50     

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbols:

  
  

Class K: NSRKX

  
  

Class I: NSRIX

  
  62     

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NOINX

  
  76     

MID CAP INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NOMIX

  
  83     

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NSIDX

  
  109     

STOCK INDEX FUND

  
  

Ticker Symbol: NOSIX

  
  118     

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  
  133     

FUND EXPENSES

  
  135     

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

  
  140     

FOR MORE INFORMATION

  
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 1 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

    Amounts in thousands, except per share data   

    EMERGING MARKETS    
EQUITY

INDEX FUND

  

    GLOBAL REAL    

    ESTATE INDEX    

    FUND    

ASSETS:

           

Investments, at value

       $1,841,680        $1,329,616

Investments in affiliates, at value

       25,394        12,982

Cash held at broker (restricted $3,821, $1,666, $1,368 and $5, respectively)

       5,366        2,970

Foreign currencies held at broker, at value (restricted $137, $930 and $5,113, respectively)

              288 (1)  

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $10,234, $2,231, $1,603 and $9,477, respectively)

       10,342        2,240

Dividend income receivable

       2,420        5,730

Receivable for foreign tax reclaims

       69        1,705

Receivable for securities sold

              630

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       683        162

Receivable for fund shares sold

       1,620        148

Receivable from investment adviser

       14        1

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       24        33

Prepaid and other assets

       17        18

Total Assets

       1,887,629        1,356,523

LIABILITIES:

           

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       83        48

Payable for securities purchased

       767       

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

              32

Payable for fund shares redeemed

       464        1,045

Payable to affiliates:

           

Management fees

       64        88

Custody fees

       197        66

Shareholder servicing fees

       134        48

Transfer agent fees

       62        45

Trustee fees

       9        7

Deferred foreign capital gains tax payable

       1,143       

Accrued other liabilities

       108        46

Total Liabilities

       3,031        1,425

Net Assets

       $1,884,598        $1,355,098

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

           

Capital stock

       $1,690,873        $1,433,168

Distributable earnings

       193,725        (78,070 )

Net Assets

       $1,884,598        $1,355,098

Net Assets:

           

Shares

       $1,884,598        $1,355,098

Class K

             

Class I

             

Total Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value, unlimited authorization):

           

Shares

       156,702        149,250

Class K

             

Class I

             

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share:

           

Shares

       $12.03        $9.08

Class K

             

Class I

             
   

Investments, at cost

       $1,205,021        $1,140,358

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       25,394        12,982

 

(1) 

Costs associated with foreign currencies held at broker are $282, $1,470 and $5,800 respectively.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    2 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

GLOBAL

    SUSTAINABILITY    

INDEX FUND

  

 

INTERNATIONAL

EQUITY

INDEX FUND

  

MID CAP  

INDEX FUND  

 

SMALL CAP  

INDEX FUND  

 

STOCK

INDEX FUND

       
        $ 940,382          $4,413,241        $1,870,127                $1,097,192                $9,452,250         
    20,976          13,120        56,404       20,360       21,356
    1,539          5                   
    1,487 (1)             5,875 (1)                         
    1,625          9,483                   
    1,302          12,484        1,828       962       6,631
    657          13,146                   
             2,042              2,030      
    95          51        480       3       209
    2,275          2,016        292       142       2,430
    1          1        17       9       48
    11          173                   
    27          27        9       16       26
    970,377          4,471,664        1,929,157       1,120,714       9,482,950
       
    22          163                   
    2                 2,909       568      
    81          538        78       50       30
    326          3,017        912       1,889       3,878
    28          131        40       23       122
    3          99        16       9       61
    54          60        36       7       33
    31          147        62       36       309
    3          15        7       7       28
                               
    16          87        19       9       36
    566          4,257        4,079       2,598       4,497
    $969,811          $4,467,407        $1,925,078       $1,118,116       $9,478,453
       
        $ 764,379          $4,203,115        $1,529,255       $845,701       $3,547,260
    205,432          264,292        395,823       272,415       5,931,193
    $969,811          $4,467,407        $1,925,078       $1,118,116       $9,478,453
       
             4,467,407        1,925,078       1,118,116       9,478,453
    419,336                            
    550,475                            
       
             377,177        109,030       92,680       245,963
    26,367                            
    34,615                            
       
             11.84        17.66       12.06       38.54
    15.90                            
    15.90                            
       
    $734,548          $3,395,755        $1,542,487       $842,920       $3,633,136
    20,973          13,120        56,404       20,360       19,606
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 3 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS    

 

    Amounts in thousands   

    EMERGING MARKETS      

EQUITY

INDEX FUND

 

    GLOBAL REAL    

    ESTATE INDEX    

    FUND    

   

INVESTMENT INCOME:

          
   

Dividend income

       $25,713 (1)        $29,071 (1) 
       

Non-cash dividend income

             1,527
   

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

       12       6
   

Interest income (Note 6)

       151      
   

Total Investment Income

       25,876       30,604
   

EXPENSES:

          
   

Management fees

       1,813       3,043
   

Custody fees

       677       240
   

Transfer agent fees

       332       293
   

Registration fees

       16       13
   

Printing fees

       16       12
   

Professional fees

       38       32
   

Shareholder servicing fees (Shares)

       245       85
   

Shareholder servicing fees (Class I)

            
   

Trustee fees

       14       10
   

Interest expense

       1       1
   

Other

       32       27
   

Total Expenses

       3,184       3,756
   

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

       (571 )       (7 )
   

Net Expenses

       2,613       3,749
   

Net Investment Income

       23,263       26,855
   

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

          
   

Net realized gains (losses) on:

          
   

Investments

       1,241 (2)         (114,481 )
   

Investments in affiliates

            
   

Futures contracts

       15,578       7,263
   

Foreign currency transactions

       (231 )       216
   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       98       224
   

Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          
   

Investments

       399,326 (3)        261,811
   

Investments in affiliates

            
   

Futures contracts

       (2,748 )       (200 )
   

Foreign currency translations

       389       107
   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       (247 )       (6 )
   

Net Gains

       413,406       154,934
   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       $436,669       $181,789

 

(1) 

Net of $3,337, $997, $493, $5,624, and $1, respectively, in foreign withholding taxes.

 

(2) 

Net of foreign capital gains tax paid of $2.

 

(3) 

Net change in unrealized of deferred foreign capital gains tax of $1,143.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    4 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

GLOBAL

    SUSTAINABILITY    

INDEX FUND

 

 

INTERNATIONAL      

EQUITY

INDEX FUND

  MID CAP
INDEX FUND      
  SMALL CAP      
INDEX FUND      
 

STOCK

INDEX FUND      

       
    $9,593 (1)        $63,571 (1)        $15,718       $7,032 (1)         $82,186     
       
                             
       
    14         8       9            6            172
       
                  20       7       65
       
    9,607         63,579       15,747       7,045       82,423
       
    775         3,918       1,264       678       3,666
       
    61         328       92       53       330
       
    166         838       374       201       1,764
       
    23         21       25       12       33
       
    23         18       12       8       27
       
    20         46       32       26       56
       
    88         101       94       31       62
       
    46                          
       
    3         14       11       7       25
       
                             
       
    16         63       14       11       31
       
    1,221         5,347       1,918       1,027       5,994
       
    (41       (11 )       (443 )       (234 )       (1,370 )
       
    1,180         5,336       1,475       793       4,624
       
    8,427         58,243       14,272       6,252       77,799
       
    (8,276       (117,501 )       51,676       31,795       158,560
       
    (15                         24
       
    3,562         20,196       7,770       4,474       34,036
       
    415         1,461                  
       
    25         1,416                  
       
    186,892         830,337       425,385       230,550       2,138,056
       
    34                           178
       
    (360       (10,703 )       (142 )       (662 )       3,035
       
    43         760                  
       
    19         (294 )                  
       
    182,339         725,672       484,689       266,157       2,333,889
       
    $190,766         $783,915       $498,961       $272,409       $2,411,688
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 5 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS    

 

    

 

EMERGING MARKETS

EQUITY

INDEX FUND

 

GLOBAL REAL

ESTATE INDEX

FUND

    Amounts in thousands   

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

OPERATIONS:

                  
   

Net investment income (Note 6)

       $23,263       $74,267            $26,855       $63,374  
   

Net realized gains (losses)

       16,686       (39,976 )       (106,778 )       (33,601 )
   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       396,720       (426,456 )       261,712       (571,427 )
   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       436,669       (392,165 )       181,789       (541,654 )  

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

                  
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from Shares transactions

       (146,109 )       (728,602 )       (580,640 )       334,977
   

Net increase in net assets resulting from Class K transactions

                        
   

Net increase in net assets resulting from Class I transactions

                        
   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

       (146,109 )       (728,602 )       (580,640 )       334,977

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHARES SHAREHOLDERS:

                  
   

Distributable earnings

             (76,000 )       (26,479 )       (104,128 )
   

Total Distributions to Shares Shareholders

             (76,000 )       (26,479 )       (104,128 )

DISTRIBUTIONS TO CLASS K SHAREHOLDERS:

                  
   

Distributable earnings

                        
   

Total Distributions to Class K Shareholders

                        

DISTRIBUTIONS TO CLASS I SHAREHOLDERS:

                  
   

Distributable earnings

                        
   

Total Distributions to Class I Shareholders

                        

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

       290,560       (1,196,767 )       (425,330 )       (310,805 )
   

NET ASSETS:

                  
   

Beginning of period

       1,594,038       2,790,805       1,780,428       2,091,233
   

End of period

           $1,884,598           $1,594,038           $1,355,098           $1,780,428

 

(1) 

On July 31, 2020, the balances of the Shares Class for Global Sustainability Index Fund were transferred to Class K and Class I in a class conversion. (See Note 8).

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    6 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

 

    

GLOBAL
SUSTAINABILITY
INDEX FUND
 

 

INTERNATIONAL

EQUITY

INDEX FUND

 

MID CAP

INDEX FUND

 

SMALL CAP

INDEX FUND

 

STOCK

INDEX FUND

SEP 30,
2020
 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

 

SEP 30,

2020

 

MAR 31,

2020

       
    $8,427         $15,437            $58,243       $152,483            $14,272       $35,727            $6,252       $13,459            $77,799       $173,001
       
    (4,289       1,679       (94,428 )       (151,090 )       59,446       6,377       36,269       (7,293 )       192,620       35,003
       
    186,628         (85,460 )       820,100       (711,129 )       425,243       (555,094 )       229,888       (295,492 )       2,141,269       (816,127 )  
       
    190,766         (68,344 )       783,915       (709,736 )       498,961       (512,990 )       272,409       (289,326 )       2,411,688       (608,123 )
       
    (856,563 )(1)        141,317       (416,668 )       (351,789 )       (274,393 )       (26,486 )       (41,722 )       32,463       (788,921 )       271,109
       
                408,503                                                        
       
    537,265                                                        
       
    89,205         141,317       (416,668 )       (351,789 )       (274,393 )       (26,486 )       (41,722 )       32,463       (788,921 )       271,109
       
            (21,417 )             (172,000 )             (54,750 )             (22,800 )       (77,536 )       (241,825 )
       
            (21,417 )             (172,000 )             (54,750 )             (22,800 )       (77,536 )       (241,825 )
       
                                                           
       
                                                           
       
                                                           
       
                                                           
       
    279,971         51,556       367,247       (1,233,525 )       224,568       (594,226 )       230,687       (279,663 )       1,545,231       (578,839 )
       
    689,840         638,284       4,100,160       5,333,685       1,700,510       2,294,736       887,429       1,167,092       7,933,222       8,512,061
       
      $969,811           $689,840         $4,467,407         $4,100,160         $1,925,078         $1,700,510         $1,118,116         $887,429         $9,478,453         $7,933,222
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 7 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

  EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND

  SHARES            
  Selected per share data  

 

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $9.25       $11.70       $13.10       $10.68       $9.28       $10.86
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                 
           

Net investment income

      0.14 (1)         0.37       0.30       0.24       0.20       0.22
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      2.64       (2.43 )       (1.41 )       2.40       1.38       (1.58 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      2.78       (2.06 )       (1.11 )       2.64       1.58       (1.36 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                 
           

From net investment income(2)

            (0.39 )       (0.29 )       (0.22 )       (0.18 )       (0.22 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

            (0.39 )       (0.29 )       (0.22 )       (0.18 )       (0.22 )
     

    Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $12.03       $9.25       $11.70       $13.10       $10.68       $9.28
           

Total Return(3)

      30.05 %         (18.36 )%         (8.20 )%         24.84 %         17.30 %         (12.38 )%  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                 
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $1,884,598       $1,594,038       $2,790,805       $3,255,089       $2,296,815       $1,552,904
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

                                 
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      0.30 %       0.30 %       0.30 %       0.30 %       0.30 %       0.30 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      0.37 %       0.35 %       0.35 %       0.34 %       0.35 %       0.35 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      2.69 %       3.07 %       2.35 %       2.00 %       1.95 %       2.36 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      2.62 %       3.02 %       2.30 %       1.96 %       1.90 %       2.31 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      25.41 %       45.08 %       54.69 %       27.03 %       30.14 %       34.20 %

 

(1) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $151,000. The reimbursements represent less than $0.01 per share. Without these reimbursements, the total return would have been 29.98%. See Note 6.

 

(2) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(3) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $16,000, $26,000, $31,000, $34,000 and $32,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $15,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    8 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

  GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND  

 

SHARES

    Selected per share data  

 

SIX MONTHS    

ENDED    

SEP 30,    

2020    

  (UNAUDITED)    

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $8.22       $11.05       $10.35       $9.99       $10.08       $10.41
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                 
           

Net investment income

      0.02       0.34       0.34       0.33       0.25       0.27
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

      1.01       (2.67 )       0.72       0.38       0.02       (0.31 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

      1.03       (2.33 )       1.06       0.71       0.27       (0.04 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                 
           

From net investment income(1)

      (0.17 )       (0.50 )       (0.36 )       (0.35 )       (0.36 )       (0.29 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

      (0.17 )       (0.50 )       (0.36 )       (0.35 )       (0.36 )       (0.29 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $9.08       $8.22       $11.05       $10.35       $9.99       $10.08
           

Total Return(2)

      12.61 %         (22.11 )%         10.55 %         7.10 %         2.81 %         (0.25 )%  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                 
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $1,355,098       $1,780,428       $2,091,233       $1,881,555       $1,889,797       $1,910,722
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                                 
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

      0.49 %       0.49 %       0.50 %       0.50 %       0.50 %       0.50 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

      0.49 %       0.49 %       0.53 %       0.53 %       0.53 %       0.53 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

      3.53 %       2.81 %       3.17 %       3.21 %       2.52 %       2.59 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

      3.53 %       2.81 %       3.14 %       3.18 %       2.49 %       2.56 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      4.89 %       6.91 %       27.17 %       9.53 %       5.96 %       8.55 %

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $7,000, $32,000, $16,000, $16,000 and $24,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $28,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 9 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

    GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND                                                                                                      CLASS K(1)

    Selected per share data  

PERIOD

ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30,    

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $15.50
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment income

      0.06
 

Net realized and unrealized gains

      0.34
 

Total from Investment Operations

      0.40
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

   
 

From net investment income

     
 

From net realized gains

     
 

Total Distributions Paid

     
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $15.90
 

Total Return(2)

      2.58 %
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

   
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $419,336
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

   
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

      0.24 %
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(4)

      0.26 %
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      2.12 %
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

      2.10 %
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      7.15 %

 

(1) 

For the period from July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the period July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2020. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class K shares on July 31, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    10 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

    GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND                                                                                                      CLASS I (1)

    Selected per share data  

PERIOD  

ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30,  

2020  

(UNAUDITED)  

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $15.50
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                                                                              

   
 

Net investment income

      0.05
 

Net realized and unrealized gains

      0.35
 

Total from Investment Operations

      0.40
 

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

   
 

From net investment income

     
 

From net realized gains

     
 

Total Distributions Paid

     
 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $15.90
 

Total Return(2)

      2.58 %    
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

   
 

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

      $550,475
 

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

   
 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

      0.29 %
 

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(4)

      0.31 %
 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

      2.08 %
 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits(4)(5)

      2.06 %
 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      7.15 %

 

(1) 

For the period from July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) through September 30, 2020.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the period July 31, 2020 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2020. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

As the Fund commenced operation of Class I shares on July 31, 2020, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 11 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

    INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND

   SHARES
    Selected per share data   

 

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $9.84       $11.86       $12.77       $11.39       $10.49       $11.78  
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                      
           

Net investment income

     0.15       0.35 (1)       0.39       0.30       0.33       0.29  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.85       (1.98     (0.93     1.40 (2)       0.91       (1.29
           

Total from Investment Operations

     2.00       (1.63     (0.54     1.70       1.24       (1.00
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                      
           

From net investment income(3)

           (0.39     (0.37     (0.32     (0.34     (0.29
           

Total Distributions Paid

           (0.39     (0.37     (0.32     (0.34     (0.29
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $11.84       $9.84       $11.86       $12.77       $11.39       $10.49  
           

Total Return(4)

     20.20 %        (14.46 )%        (3.89 )%        14.88 %        12.07 %        (8.50 )%   
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                      
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $4,467,407       $4,100,160       $5,333,685       $6,209,334       $4,401,667       $4,241,254  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(5)

                      
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.25     0.26     0.30     0.30     0.30     0.29
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

     2.68     2.85     3.15     2.58     2.98     2.76
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     2.68     2.84     3.10     2.53     2.93     2.72
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     8.69     10.17     26.95     31.54     28.03     30.80

 

(1) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $69,000. The reimbursement represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return. See Note 6.

 

(2) 

The Fund received reimbursements from Northern Trust Investments, Inc. of approximately $137,000. The reimbursements represent less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

 

(3) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(4) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(6) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $10,000, $30,000, $36,000, $55,000 and $32,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $19,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    12 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

    MID CAP INDEX FUND

   SHARES
    Selected per share data   

 

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $13.59       $17.95       $19.17       $18.59       $16.39       $18.43
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                  
           

Net investment income

       0.14       0.28       0.27       0.26       0.23       0.23
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       3.93       (4.21 )       (0.04 )       1.76       3.12       (0.97 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       4.07       (3.93 )       0.23       2.02       3.35       (0.74 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                  
           

From net investment income

             (0.27 )       (0.28 )       (0.24 )       (0.24 )       (0.23 )
           

From net realized gains

             (0.16 )       (1.17 )       (1.20 )       (0.91 )       (1.07 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

             (0.43 )       (1.45 )       (1.44 )       (1.15 )       (1.30 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $17.66       $13.59       $17.95       $19.17       $18.59       $16.39
           

Total Return(1)

       29.95 %         (22.61 )%       2.38 %       10.80 %       20.71 %       (3.71 )%
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                  
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $1,925,078       $1,700,510       $2,294,736       $2,320,034       $2,175,963       $1,689,719
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                                  
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.20 %       0.18 %       0.17 %       0.18 %       0.18 %       0.18 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       1.47 %       1.52 %       1.39 %       1.35 %       1.35 %       1.38 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       1.42 %       1.49 %       1.37 %       1.32 %       1.32 %       1.35 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       11.20 %       18.15 %       20.59 %       16.02 %       19.71 %       20.43 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $12,000, $72,000, $77,000, $44,000 and $87,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $38,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 13 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

    SMALL CAP INDEX FUND

   SHARES
    Selected per share data   

 

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR    
ENDED    

MAR 31,    

2016    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $9.18       $12.34       $13.60       $12.97       $10.70       $12.67
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                  
           

Net investment income

       0.07       0.14       0.16       0.15       0.14       0.13
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       2.81       (3.07 )       (0.11 )       1.38       2.64       (1.37 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       2.88       (2.93 )       0.05       1.53       2.78       (1.24 )
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                  
           

From net investment income

             (0.14 )       (0.15 )       (0.15 )       (0.13 )       (0.14 )
           

From net realized gains

             (0.09 )       (1.16 )       (0.75 )       (0.38 )       (0.59 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

             (0.23 )       (1.31 )       (0.90 )       (0.51 )       (0.73 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $12.06       $9.18       $12.34       $13.60       $12.97       $10.70
           

Total Return(1)

       31.37 %         (24.28 )%         1.97 %         11.68 %         26.11 %         (9.91 )%  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                  
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $1,118,116       $887,429       $1,167,092       $1,214,764       $1,183,557       $953,884
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                                  
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.20 %       0.19 %       0.18 %       0.18 %       0.18 %       0.18 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       1.20 %       1.13 %       1.13 %       1.04 %       1.16 %       1.13 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       1.15 %       1.09 %       1.10 %       1.01 %       1.13 %       1.10 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       18.75 %       18.36 %       20.81 %       13.03 %       19.37 %       18.80 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $9,000, $32,000, $32,000, $25,000 and $28,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $22,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    14 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

 

    STOCK INDEX FUND

       SHARES            
    Selected per share data   

 

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR
ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR    
ENDED    

MAR 31,    

2016    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $29.61       $32.74       $31.35       $28.44       $24.94       $25.41
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                  
           

Net investment income

       0.31       0.65       0.61       0.58       0.53       0.54
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       8.93       (2.87 )       2.18       3.35       3.68       (0.13 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       9.24       (2.22 )       2.79       3.93       4.21       0.41
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                                  
           

From net investment income

       (0.31 )       (0.65 )       (0.61 )       (0.57 )       (0.52 )       (0.55 )
           

From net realized gains

             (0.26 )       (0.79 )       (0.45 )       (0.19 )       (0.33 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.31 )       (0.91 )       (1.40 )       (1.02 )       (0.71 )       (0.88 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $38.54       $29.61       $32.74       $31.35       $28.44       $24.94
           

Total Return(1)

       31.28 %         (7.10 )%         9.38 %         13.87 %         17.06 %         1.70 %  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                                  
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $9,478,453       $7,933,222       $8,512,061       $7,787,749       $7,544,579       $7,011,831
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                                  
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.10 %       0.10 %       0.10 %       0.10 %       0.10 %       0.10 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.13 %       0.12 %       0.11 %       0.12 %       0.11 %       0.11 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       1.70 %       1.88 %       1.89 %       1.86 %       1.98 %       2.14 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       1.67 %       1.86 %       1.88 %       1.84 %       1.97 %       2.13 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       1.87 %       5.15 %       6.68 %       6.76 %       3.88 %       5.46 %

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $59,000, $205,000, $185,000, $153,000 and $61,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $72,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 15 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)

 

Argentina – 0.1%

    

Globant S.A.*

     10,632         $1,906      

Telecom Argentina S.A. ADR

     27,193       178  

YPF S.A. ADR*

     50,787       181  
     
               2,265  

Brazil – 3.3%

    

Ambev S.A.*

     1,354,560       3,034  

Atacadao S.A.*

     108,400       393  

B2W Cia Digital*

     63,991       1,030  

B3 S.A. - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

     590,882       5,800  

Banco Bradesco S.A.

     381,760       1,229  

Banco BTG Pactual S.A.*

     65,600       846  

Banco do Brasil S.A.*

     246,644       1,304  

Banco Santander Brasil S.A.

     118,336       588  

BB Seguridade Participacoes S.A.

     200,801       871  

BRF S.A.*

     163,120       534  

CCR S.A.

     347,800       789  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.

     92,400       501  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao

     46,142       573  

Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo*

     98,071       817  

Cia Siderurgica Nacional S.A.

     199,090       585  

Cielo S.A.*

     249,839       176  

Cogna Educacao

     511,552       476  

Cosan S.A.

     50,447       615  

CPFL Energia S.A.

     66,100       325  

Energisa S.A.

     52,700       388  

Engie Brasil Energia S.A.

     68,847       496  

Equatorial Energia S.A.

     260,870       983  

Hapvida Participacoes e Investimentos S.A.(2)

     63,900       711  

Hypera S.A.*

     107,358       568  

IRB Brasil Resseguros S/A

     350,023       467  

JBS S.A.

     313,236       1,154  

Klabin S.A.

     198,741       842  

Localiza Rent a Car S.A.*

     174,066       1,761  

Lojas Renner S.A.

     228,215       1,615  

Magazine Luiza S.A.

     209,800       3,345  

Multiplan Empreendimentos

    

Imobiliarios S.A.*

     81,038       281  

Natura & Co. Holding S.A.*

     215,201       1,959  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes S.A.

     138,600       1,608  

Petrobras Distribuidora S.A.

     217,300       787  

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.

     1,067,878       3,776  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Brazil – 3.3%     continued

    

Porto Seguro S.A.

     27,508         $236      

Raia Drogasil S.A.

     308,035       1,292  

Rumo S.A.*

     372,800       1,267  

Sul America S.A.

     83,785       589  

Suzano S.A.*

     156,256       1,262  

TIM Participacoes S.A.*

     243,136       564  

Ultrapar Participacoes S.A.

     208,548       719  

Vale S.A.

     1,069,969       11,275  

Via Varejo S/A*

     367,100       1,135  

WEG S.A.

     240,824       2,804  
     
               62,370  

Chile – 0.4%

    

Aguas Andinas S.A., Class A

     723,294       203  

Banco de Chile

     13,045,681       996  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones S.A.

     14,548       460  

Banco Santander Chile

     18,961,994       659  

Cencosud S.A.

     410,140       601  

Cencosud Shopping S.A.

     146,864       210  

Cia Cervecerias Unidas S.A.

     42,416       274  

Colbun S.A.

     2,343,569       379  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A.

     43,337       270  

Empresas CMPC S.A.

     322,858       678  

Empresas COPEC S.A.

     111,911       839  

Enel Americas S.A.

     9,826,038       1,277  

Enel Chile S.A.

     7,939,909       557  

Falabella S.A.

     216,000       633  
     
               8,036  

China – 37.9%

    

360 Security Technology, Inc., Class A

     77,700       190  

3SBio, Inc.*

     355,000       404  

51job, Inc. ADR*

     7,516       586  

AAC Technologies Holdings, Inc.

     208,000       1,129  

Accelink Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,600       60  

Addsino Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,600       87  

AECC Aero-Engine Control Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,700       57  

AECC Aviation Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,700       265  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

     336,000       441  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class A

     1,256,700       585  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     7,939,367       2,486  

Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     65,351       494  

Air China Ltd., Class A

     95,200       99  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    16 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

 

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Air China Ltd., Class H

     512,705         $336      

Airtac International Group

     36,000       814  

Aisino Corp., Class A

     45,400       106  

AK Medical Holdings Ltd.(2)

     110,000       282  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*

     539,937       158,731  

A-Living Services Co. Ltd., Class H

     120,500       614  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class A*

     300,800       129  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class H*

     1,011,435       209  

Angang Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

     110,110       42  

Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,100       127  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

     68,800       560  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

     354,075       2,448  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,200       230  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class B

     30,900       344  

Anhui Kouzi Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,600       109  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

     309,432       3,207  

Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     20,200       71  

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A

     2,900       113  

Autobio Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Class A

     6,100       145  

Autohome, Inc. ADR

     16,987       1,631  

AVIC Aircraft Co. Ltd., Class A

     46,400       157  

Avic Capital Co. Ltd., Class A

     127,300       82  

AVIC Electromechanical Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

     56,100       94  

AVIC Jonhon Optronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,200       124  

AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Co. Ltd., Class A

     20,000       169  

AviChina Industry & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

     678,313       388  

AVICOPTER PLC, Class A

     9,300       77  

BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A*

     40,100       35  

BAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class H(2)

     416,000       170  

Baidu, Inc. ADR*

     78,773       9,972  

Bank of Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

     366,100       252  

Bank of Chengdu Co. Ltd., Class A

     78,000       113  

Bank of China Ltd., Class A

     627,000       295  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     22,797,652       7,098  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd.,

    

Class A

     681,400       454  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd.,

    

Class H

     2,511,117       1,208  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

     102,020         $177      

Bank of Jiangsu Co. Ltd., Class A

     216,188       193  

Bank of Nanjing Co. Ltd., Class A

     179,496       208  

Bank of Ningbo Co. Ltd., Class A

     103,400       478  

Bank of Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

     244,571       292  

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

     333,996       245  

Baozun, Inc. ADR*

     16,536       537  

BBMG Corp., Class A

     179,000       81  

Beijing Capital Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     44,400       44  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H

     538,000       324  

Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     76,900       101  

Beijing E-Hualu Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,160       57  

Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., Class A

     65,100       160  

Beijing Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,700       76  

Beijing New Building Materials PLC, Class A

     31,900       145  

Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,000       214  

Beijing Originwater Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,200       42  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     16,000       90  

Beijing Shunxin Agriculture Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,500       128  

Beijing Sinnet Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,000       76  

Beijing Thunisoft Corp. Ltd., Class A

     13,900       49  

Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Corp. Ltd., Class A

     24,240       142  

Beijing Tongrentang Co. Ltd., Class A

     28,100       112  

Beijing Yanjing Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,500       60  

Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway Co. Ltd., Class A

     197,500       170  

BEST, Inc. ADR*

     55,779       167  

Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

     9,200       155  

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,800       165  

Bilibili, Inc. ADR*

     33,894       1,410  

BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     559,900       406  

Bohai Leasing Co. Ltd., Class A*

     185,800       76  

BTG Hotels Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,000       45  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 17 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,000         $567      

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

     183,699       2,914  

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.

     190,500       969  

By-health Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,200       84  

C&S Paper Co. Ltd., Class A

     22,500       71  

Caitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     61,700       130  

CanSino Biologics, Inc., Class H*

     17,000       367  

Centre Testing International Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,200       51  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     2,565,000       528  

Chacha Food Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,700       74  

Changchun High & New Technology Industry Group, Inc., Class A

     6,800       370  

Changjiang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     114,600       135  

Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

     4,700       104  

Chaozhou Three-Circle Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     30,900       131  

Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,900       93  

Chengdu Xingrong Environment Co. Ltd., Class A

     51,400       39  

China Aerospace Times Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     46,800       48  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.

     333,000       342  

China Avionics Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

     25,200       63  

China Cinda Asset Management Co. Ltd., Class H

     2,530,000       475  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class A

     70,900       53  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

     2,562,286       995  

China Communications Construction Co. Ltd., Class A

     73,400       80  

China Communications Construction Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,270,287       668  

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

     667,035       393  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

     466,000       2,160  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

     172,000       155  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

     27,723,693       18,054  

China East Education Holdings Ltd.

     159,500       346  

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Class A

     221,700       161  

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Class H

     454,000       194  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

China Enterprise Co. Ltd., Class A

     69,900         $40      

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     685,500       368  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

     887,000       280  

China Evergrande Group

     531,411       1,359  

China Feihe Ltd.(2)

     333,000       776  

China Film Co. Ltd., Class A

     26,700       55  

China Fortune Land Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     70,850       158  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     73,900       138  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,006,000       567  

China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     84,900       74  

China Great Wall Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     38,900       75  

China Greatwall Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     57,400       136  

China Hongqiao Group Ltd.

     472,000       296  

China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     3,444,000       366  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class H(2) *

     382,400       888  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

     70,600       150  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

     308,000       557  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

     47,800       314  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

     2,134,544       4,845  

China Literature Ltd.*

     82,800       624  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

     891,473       559  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

     389,000       432  

China Meheco Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,300       40  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     355,179       1,878  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,119,433       5,331  

China Merchants Energy Shipping Co. Ltd., Class A

     116,700       99  

China Merchants Property Operation & Service Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,200       71  

China Merchants Securities Co. Ltd., Class A*

     132,210       421  

China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     106,800       238  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class A

     610,540       475  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    18 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H

     1,671,154         $877      

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class A

     339,100       186  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

     957,000       341  

China National Accord Medicines Corp. Ltd., Class A

     6,400       44  

China National Building Material Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,110,000       1,406  

China National Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

     77,100       61  

China National Medicines Corp. Ltd., Class A

     12,900       84  

China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     269,798       174  

China National Software & Service Co. Ltd., Class A

     9,200       113  

China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co. Ltd., Class A*

     62,500       99  

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

     472,757       332  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     108,200       497  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     796,337       2,275  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class A

     472,000       271  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

     6,954,628       2,804  

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd., Class A

     200,700       244  

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd., Class H

     566,000       390  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class A

     360,800       286  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class H

     1,085,827       512  

China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., Class H

     422,000       139  

China Reinsurance Group Corp., Class H

     1,629,000       150  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

     415,000       213  

China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     21,100       80  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

     87,800       213  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

     975,136       1,757  

China Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd., Class A*

     392,600       251  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

China South Publishing & Media Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     35,800         $57      

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A*

     176,800       150  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class H*

     444,530       241  

China Spacesat Co. Ltd., Class A

     22,600       111  

China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd., Class A

     733,280       547  

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H

     3,782,339       1,135  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. Ltd., Class A

     33,600       1,102  

China Tower Corp. Ltd., Class H

     12,722,000       2,210  

China TransInfo Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,400       89  

China United Network Communications Ltd., Class A

     474,300       339  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

     167,400       691  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

     489,072       1,500  

China Yangtze Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     365,000       1,028  

China Yuhua Education Corp. Ltd.

     334,000       287  

Chinese Universe Publishing and Media

    

Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,300       40  

Chongqing Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,100       153  

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., Class A*

     74,400       147  

Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     15,300       106  

Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

     684,434       252  

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,500       567  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

     874,973       646  

CITIC Ltd.

     1,668,803       1,238  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     189,800       840  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

     621,000       1,392  

CNOOC Ltd.

     5,124,433       4,960  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     40,100       1,243  

COSCO SHIPPING Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     184,700       56  

COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., Class A

     59,600       62  

COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., Class H

     382,000       159  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A*

     171,600       144  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 19 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class H*

     684,000         $335      

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.

     2,194,879       2,704  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

     403,000       2,608  

CRRC Corp. Ltd., Class A

     440,891       355  

CRRC Corp. Ltd., Class H

     1,253,991       502  

CSC Financial Co. Ltd., Class A

     47,600       351  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

     1,609,600       3,123  

Da An Gene Co. Ltd. of Sun Yat-Sen University, Class A

     15,100       78  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.

     565,500       346  

Daqin Railway Co. Ltd., Class A

     255,900       239  

Dawning Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,320       108  

DHC Software Co. Ltd., Class A

     72,400       108  

Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,200       106  

Dongfang Electric Corp. Ltd., Class A

     60,600       90  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     739,169       463  

Dongxing Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     35,200       67  

East Money Information Co. Ltd., Class A

     139,920       493  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

     226,079       2,466  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

     32,597       237  

Everbright Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     65,098       210  

Fangda Carbon New Material Co. Ltd., Class A*

     99,082       89  

Fiberhome Telecommunication Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,200       81  

Financial Street Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     40,800       39  

First Capital Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     72,300       118  

Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     235,400       280  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co. Ltd., Class A

     46,404       1,109  

Fosun International Ltd.

     717,365       838  

Founder Securities Co. Ltd., Class A*

     133,500       165  

Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd., Class A

     128,400       257  

Fujian Star-net Communication Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,000       37  

Fujian Sunner Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     25,600       82  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     34,392         $164      

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     144,800       533  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,800       151  

G-bits Network Technology Xiamen Co. Ltd., Class A

     1,300       119  

GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd., Class A*

     78,000       43  

GD Power Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     362,600       108  

GDS Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     22,666       1,855  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,800       34  

Gemdale Corp., Class A

     77,700       166  

Genscript Biotech Corp.

     278,000       458  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     109,993       255  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

     354,800       452  

Giant Network Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     39,100       111  

Gigadevice Semiconductor Beijing, Inc., Class A

     7,700       197  

Glodon Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,300       79  

GoerTek, Inc., Class A

     56,900       340  

GOME Retail Holdings Ltd.*

     2,578,970       341  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A*

     20,200       71  

Grandjoy Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     91,900       63  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

     889,296       1,133  

Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai, Class A

     51,500       405  

Greenland Holdings Corp. Ltd., Class A

     152,500       143  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

     414,000       507  

GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

     41,400       74  

GSX Techedu, Inc. ADR*

     22,158       1,997  

Guangdong Haid Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,200       246  

Guangdong HEC Technology Holding Co. Ltd., Class A*

     41,300       38  

Guangdong Hongda Blasting Co. Ltd., Class A

     12,100       90  

Guanghui Energy Co. Ltd., Class A*

     191,100       80  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     815,664       684  

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co. Ltd., Class A

     45,000       90  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    20 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     30,600         $136      

Guangzhou Haige Communications Group, Inc. Co., Class A

     35,000       60  

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,000       106  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

     356,814       461  

Guangzhou Shiyuan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,900       170  

Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co. Ltd., Class A

     5,900       72  

Guocheng Mining Co. Ltd., Class A*

     19,500       48  

Guosen Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     71,700       142  

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     129,400       348  

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     148,000       207  

Guoyuan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     61,200       108  

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.

     228,000       1,650  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A

     118,497       380  

Hainan Airlines Holding Co. Ltd., Class A*

     283,000       73  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd.

     173,000       402  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A*

     166,200       346  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H*

     782,433       671  

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     160,900       904  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

     16,300       78  

Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     22,900       54  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,300       172  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(2)*

     340,000       1,665  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology, Inc., Class A

     9,700       68  

Heilongjiang Agriculture Co. Ltd., Class A

     30,600       83  

Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     44,900       349  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

     187,398       1,362  

Hengli Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     105,460       289  

Hengtong Optic-electric Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,860       59  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Hengyi Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     57,330         $88      

Hesteel Co. Ltd., Class A*

     142,400       44  

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co. Ltd., Class A

     9,300       219  

Holitech Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     40,000       30  

Hongfa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     12,800       86  

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd.*

     126,000       487  

Huaan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     62,300       80  

Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class A

     121,800       64  

Huadong Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

     32,720       119  

Huagong Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,300       58  

Hualan Biological Engineering, Inc., Class A

     27,070       227  

Huaneng Power International, Inc., Class A

     126,200       100  

Huaneng Power International, Inc., Class H

     944,501       366  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     126,600       383  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     419,200       687  

Huaxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     45,200       80  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     249,690       225  

Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,400       87  

Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

     54,500       200  

Huazhu Group Ltd. ADR

     45,587       1,971  

Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     120,900       94  

Hubei Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     117,200       64  

Hubei Jumpcan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,000       46  

Hunan Valin Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

     105,500       78  

Hundsun Technologies, Inc., Class A

     18,135       264  

HUYA, Inc. ADR*

     16,532       396  

Iflytek Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,500       220  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class A

     924,800       668  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     17,435,023       9,089  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     349,800       829  

Industrial Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     128,600       157  

Inner Mongolia BaoTou Steel Union Co. Ltd., Class A*

     873,200       147  

Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,000       48  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 21 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Inner Mongolia Junzheng Energy & Chemical Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     131,000         $140      

Inner Mongolia MengDian HuaNeng Thermal Power Corp. Ltd., Class A

     100,000       38  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     104,400       593  

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co. Ltd., Class B

     288,400       198  

Innovent Biologics, Inc.*

     269,500       2,007  

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,456       132  

iQIYI, Inc. ADR*

     63,506       1,434  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,100       179  

JD.com, Inc. ADR*

     244,028       18,939  

Jiangsu Changshu Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     74,200       85  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

     344,000       346  

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd., Class A

     24,568       258  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

     91,388       1,210  

Jiangsu King’sLuck Brewery JSC Ltd., Class A

     24,100       157  

Jiangsu Shagang Co. Ltd., Class A

     28,700       51  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co. Ltd., Class A

     25,900       477  

Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     5,300       68  

Jiangsu Yuyue Medical Equipment & Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,800       95  

Jiangsu Zhongnan Construction Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     79,600       107  

Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     77,500       119  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class A

     51,499       108  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H

     338,000       380  

Jiangxi Zhengbang Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     38,200       103  

Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     20,000       49  

Jinduicheng Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class A

     46,200       40  

Jinke Properties Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     89,000       118  

Jinyu Bio-Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     12,000       48  

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     34,700       87  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Jointown Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A*

     23,300         $58      

Jonjee Hi-Tech Industrial And Commercial Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

     15,400       149  

Joyoung Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,200       79  

JOYY, Inc. ADR

     16,632       1,342  

Juewei Food Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,600       140  

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,500       69  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.*

     707,000       363  

KE Holdings, Inc. ADR*

     26,315       1,613  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.*

     667,000       1,733  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

     235,903       1,189  

Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd.*

     64,000       274  

Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A

     21,595       5,309  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.

     350,000       599  

Laobaixing Pharmacy Chain JSC, Class A

     7,840       96  

Legend Holdings Corp., Class H(2)

     141,200       172  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

     2,068,000       1,374  

Lens Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,900       232  

Leo Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     116,300       50  

Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

     32,100       160  

Leyard Optoelectronic Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,700       50  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

     598,500       2,808  

Liaoning Cheng Da Co. Ltd., Class A

     26,300       90  

Lingyi iTech Guangdong Co., Class A

     95,100       157  

Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, Inc., Class A

     10,600       77  

Logan Group Co. Ltd.

     394,000       625  

Lomon Billions Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,100       100  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.

     514,731       2,893  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     62,787       692  

Luenmei Quantum Co. Ltd., Class A

     26,200       50  

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd.,

    

Class A

     116,905       987  

Luye Pharma Group Ltd.

     515,500       300  

Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd., Class A

     25,200       533  

Maanshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

     126,200       50  

Mango Excellent Media Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,570       293  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    22 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Maxscend Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     2,500         $139      

Meinian Onehealth Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A*

     74,176       155  

Meituan Dianping, Class B*

     1,024,200       32,210  

Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

     307,400       119  

Momo, Inc. ADR

     43,177       594  

Muyuan Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

     64,456       701  

NanJi E-Commerce Co. Ltd., Class A

     42,000       107  

Nanjing King-Friend Biochemical

    

Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,580       57  

Nanjing Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     54,800       114  

Nanyang Topsec Technologies Group, Inc., Class A*

     19,900       67  

NARI Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     79,585       231  

NAURA Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,500       199  

NavInfo Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,500       73  

NetEase, Inc. ADR

     23,655       10,755  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

     35,900       329  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

     237,352       895  

New Hope Liuhe Co. Ltd., Class A

     72,400       295  

New Oriental Education & Technology

    

Group, Inc. ADR*

     40,948       6,122  

Newland Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,100       42  

Ninestar Corp., Class A

     20,400       86  

Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp., Class A

     21,800       71  

Ningbo Tuopu Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,100       107  

NIO, Inc. ADR*

     306,954       6,514  

Noah Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     9,530       248  

Northeast Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     40,300       59  

Oceanwide Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     74,500       46  

Offcn Education Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     25,800       124  

Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

     50,500       34  

OFILM Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     45,000       96  

Oppein Home Group, Inc., Class A

     6,720       106  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     102,687       166  

Oriental Pearl Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     79,480       113  

Ovctek China, Inc., Class A

     11,500       106  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Pacific Securities (The) Co. Ltd., Class A*

     117,300         $70      

Pangang Group Vanadium Titanium & Resources Co. Ltd., Class A*

     259,900       79  

People’s Insurance Co. Group of China (The) Ltd., Class A

     103,700       103  

People’s Insurance Co. Group of China (The) Ltd., Class H

     2,378,535       711  

Perfect World Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,450       164  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class A

     371,700       224  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

     6,053,438       1,780  

PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,979,359       1,385  

Pinduoduo, Inc. ADR*

     78,062       5,788  

Ping An Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     334,100       745  

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.(2) *

     107,200       1,384  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A

     186,435       2,090  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

     1,718,406       17,727  

Poly Developments and Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     205,400       480  

Poly Property Services Co. Ltd.

     32,400       252  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class A

     192,900       128  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     2,849,000       1,199  

Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

     278,300       154  

Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Class A

     3,400       72  

Qingdao Rural Commercial Bank Corp., Class A

     80,300       59  

RiseSun Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     110,600       124  

Rongsheng Petro Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     90,200       250  

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class A

     134,193       378  

Sanan Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     78,600       283  

Sangfor Technologies, Inc., Class A

     4,600       143  

Sansteel Minguang Co. Ltd. Fujian, Class A

     34,600       33  

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     139,700       510  

SDIC Capital Co. Ltd., Class A

     67,600       152  

SDIC Power Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     137,800       183  

Sealand Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     95,440       75  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 23 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Seazen Group Ltd.*

     608,000         $519      

Seazen Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     38,194       197  

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.*

     1,018,000       2,413  

SF Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

     50,600       606  

SG Micro Corp., Class A

     2,600       115  

Shaanxi Coal Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     150,200       186  

Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,856       73  

Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Class A(3)

     60,137       225  

Shandong Hualu Hengsheng Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     39,500       143  

Shandong Linglong Tyre Co. Ltd., Class A

     31,800       137  

Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co. Ltd., Class A

     188,800       63  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co. Ltd., Class A

     12,800       70  

Shandong Sun Paper Industry JSC Ltd., Class A

     34,000       70  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., Class H

     712,116       1,427  

Shanghai 2345 Network Holding Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     99,300       42  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,000       181  

Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     174,100       79  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A*

     161,200       119  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class H*

     680,000       184  

Shanghai Electric Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     45,000       50  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     35,500       259  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     144,000       605  

Shanghai International Airport Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,700       199  

Shanghai International Port Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     195,000       120  

Shanghai Jahwa United Co. Ltd., Class A

     11,500       64  

Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,800       83  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co. Ltd., Class B

     305,401         $256      

Shanghai M&G Stationery, Inc., Class A

     15,800       158  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

     42,300       126  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

     213,947       359  

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

     505,392       697  

Shanghai Putailai New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,200       132  

Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co. Ltd., Class A

     94,600       114  

Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

     39,500       33  

Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     84,800       110  

Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     37,200       104  

Shanxi Lu’an Environmental Energy Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,200       24  

Shanxi Meijin Energy Co. Ltd., Class A*

     81,300       72  

Shanxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,230       57  

Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

     164,300       89  

Shanxi Xinghuacun Fen Wine Factory Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,700       428  

Shanxi Xishan Coal & Electricity Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     56,420       36  

Shenergy Co. Ltd., Class A

     111,400       90  

Shengyi Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     41,800       144  

Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd., Class A

     9,380       162  

Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     367,100       286  

Shenzhen Airport Co. Ltd., Class A

     65,300       82  

Shenzhen Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     101,656       80  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

     212,000       184  

Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,700       178  

Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,800       46  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     32,200       275  

Shenzhen Kaifa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,700       57  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    24 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,600         $285      

Shenzhen Kingdom Sci-Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,800       39  

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,100       875  

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co. Ltd., Class A

     154,400       154  

Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,000       92  

Shenzhen Sunway Communication Co. Ltd., Class A

     15,400       124  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

     237,200       4,028  

Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     19,100       76  

Siasun Robot & Automation Co. Ltd., Class A*

     22,500       48  

Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

     83,800       121  

Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,000       95  

Sichuan Languang Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     42,100       31  

Sichuan Swellfun Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,400       80  

Silergy Corp.

     23,000       1,361  

SINA Corp.*

     17,964       765  

Sinolink Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     66,100       148  

Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd.

     796,048       161  

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     364,500       134  

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

     144,100       71  

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class H

     860,005       157  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     373,914       794  

Sinotrans Ltd., Class A

     75,400       41  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd.

     191,000       491  

SOHO China Ltd.*

     585,778       158  

Songcheng Performance Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,200       116  

SooChow Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     67,110       105  

Southwest Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     131,700       102  

Spring Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,200       94  

STO Express Co. Ltd., Class A

     26,300       58  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

     733,000       2,879  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Suning.com Co. Ltd., Class A

     177,100         $237      

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

     204,525       3,132  

Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd., Class A

     22,300       89  

Suofeiya Home Collection Co. Ltd., Class A

     15,700       61  

Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Class A

     30,300       118  

Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction

    

Decoration Co. Ltd., Class A

     74,800       107  

TAL Education Group ADR*

     110,058       8,369  

Tangshan Jidong Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,200       53  

TBEA Co. Ltd., Class A

     69,000       89  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

     202,500       184  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     1,647,389       109,705  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR*

     104,606       1,545  

Thunder Software Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,200       91  

Tianfeng Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     90,500       86  

Tianjin 712 Communication & Broadcasting Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,800       118  

Tianjin Chase Sun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     51,700       41  

Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Class A

     55,900       182  

Tianma Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     51,500       112  

Tianqi Lithium Corp., Class A*

     24,390       71  

Tianshui Huatian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     36,500       74  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

     552,435       979  

Toly Bread Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,500       119  

Tongcheng-Elong Holdings Ltd.*

     244,400       448  

TongFu Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A*

     13,000       44  

Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     44,400       89  

Tongkun Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     50,100       102  

Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     218,400       72  

Tongwei Co. Ltd., Class A

     64,100       252  

Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A*

     6,100       192  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.

     355,000       491  

Transfar Zhilian Co. Ltd., Class A

     87,500       73  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 25 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H

     265,000         $567      

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR*

     136,161       4,240  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

     12,800       142  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H

     121,767       995  

Tunghsu Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A*

     151,600       68  

Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,400       183  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

     383,000       352  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

     48,048       180  

Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,800       105  

Venustech Group, Inc., Class A

     10,800       55  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     126,543       1,979  

Visionox Technology, Inc., Class A*

     600       1  

Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,100       203  

Wanda Film Holding Co. Ltd., Class A*

     45,800       120  

Wangsu Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     42,900       51  

Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     56,000       574  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

     1,424,870       994  

Weibo Corp. ADR*

     14,783       539  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class A

     101,700       227  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

     544,812       1,098  

Weifu High-Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,600       87  

Weihai Guangwei Composites Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,900       93  

Wens Foodstuffs Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     109,700       315  

Western Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     61,100       85  

Westone Information Industry, Inc., Class A

     25,100       68  

Will Semiconductor Ltd., Class A

     10,100       265  

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     15,800       273  

Winning Health Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,030       124  

Wonders Information Co. Ltd., Class A*

     13,200       46  

Wuchan Zhongda Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     124,900       85  

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. Ltd., Class A

     29,410       150  

Wuhu Sanqi Interactive Entertainment

    

Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     36,500       213  

Wuhu Token Science Co. Ltd., Class A

     42,000       62  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A

     66,800         $2,174      

WUS Printed Circuit Kunshan Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,800       94  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

     35,660       534  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     79,176       1,145  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(2) *

     292,500       7,178  

Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

     18,200       130  

Wuxi Taiji Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

     36,200       55  

XCMG Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

     117,700       96  

Xiamen C & D, Inc., Class A

     28,100       35  

Xiamen Intretech, Inc., Class A

     7,800       67  

Xiamen Tungsten Co. Ltd., Class A

     24,200       48  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B*

     3,037,200       8,112  

Xinhu Zhongbao Co. Ltd., Class A

     163,100       81  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     63,800       96  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

     195,236       171  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

     1,169,879       1,873  

XPeng, Inc. ADR*

     29,844       599  

Yango Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     95,800       103  

Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     17,100       75  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class A

     66,500       91  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class H

     413,138       308  

Yealink Network Technology Corp. Ltd., Class A

     14,400       128  

Yifan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     21,200       78  

Yifeng Pharmacy Chain Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,120       148  

Yihai International Holding Ltd.*

     135,000       2,127  

Yintai Gold Co. Ltd., Class A

     33,600       52  

Yonghui Superstores Co. Ltd., Class A

     165,300       190  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     61,035       344  

Youngor Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     86,300       87  

Youzu Interactive Co. Ltd., Class A

     14,000       36  

Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co. Ltd., Class A*

     19,100       52  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

     114,184       6,046  

Yunda Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

     41,450       114  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     21,500       323  

Yunnan Energy New Material Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,800       187  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    26 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

     524,186         $208      

Zai Lab Ltd. ADR*

     19,597       1,630  

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,393       374  

Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd., Class H

     291,000       356  

Zhejiang Century Huatong Group Co. Ltd., Class A*

     145,460       204  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

     36,494       162  

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,500       147  

Zhejiang Dingli Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,340       121  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

     397,294       287  

Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     23,210       110  

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., Class A*

     18,950       97  

Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd., Class A

     37,100       168  

Zhejiang Juhua Co. Ltd., Class A

     47,200       47  

Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     50,800       102  

Zhejiang NHU Co. Ltd., Class A

     48,000       210  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co. Ltd., Class A

     56,420       185  

Zhejiang Semir Garment Co. Ltd., Class A

     38,700       46  

Zhejiang Supor Co. Ltd., Class A

     13,000       151  

Zhejiang Wanfeng Auto Wheel Co. Ltd., Class A

     37,600       37  

Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

     27,000       63  

Zhejiang Wolwo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

     10,100       83  

Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,300       100  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.

     446,000       274  

Zheshang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

     47,800       124  

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H*

     107,800       538  

Zhongji Innolight Co. Ltd., Class A

     8,200       61  

Zhongjin Gold Corp. Ltd., Class A

     83,400       123  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

     158,500       996  

Zhongtian Financial Group Co. Ltd., Class A*

     120,600       60  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)      continued

 

China – 37.9%     continued

    

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd., Class H

     149,774         $505      

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     342,100       311  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,646,162       1,049  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class A*

     111,600       133  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

     363,600       352  

ZTE Corp., Class A

     67,500       330  

ZTE Corp., Class H

     216,717       518  

ZTO Express Cayman, Inc. ADR

     116,348       3,481  
     
               714,386  

Colombia – 0.1%

    

Bancolombia S.A.

     73,138       464  

Ecopetrol S.A.

     1,415,985       701  

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana S.A.

     67,303       363  

Interconexion Electrica S.A. ESP

     127,536       679  
     
               2,207  

Czech Republic – 0.1%

    

CEZ A.S.

     46,318       876  

Komercni banka A.S.*

     20,919       440  

Moneta Money Bank A.S.(2)

     151,153       348  
     
               1,664  

Egypt – 0.1%

    

Commercial International Bank Egypt S.A.E.

     400,524       1,691  

Eastern Co. S.A.E.

     290,572       222  

ElSewedy Electric Co.

     220,868       96  
     
               2,009  

Greece – 0.1%

    

FF Group(4) *

     18,664        

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A.

     68,867       994  

JUMBO S.A.

     30,650       539  

Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries S.A.

     12,369       146  

OPAP S.A.

     58,955       559  
     
               2,238  

Hong Kong – 3.1%

    

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.*

     930,000       2,288  

Alibaba Pictures Group Ltd.*

     3,300,000       494  

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

     139,771       421  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.*

     1,419,886       550  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 27 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Hong Kong – 3.1%     continued

    

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

     908,000         $283      

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

     867,944       817  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

     218,000       400  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

     1,057,629       601  

China Everbright Ltd.

     259,110       347  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

     748,695       2,135  

China Huishan Dairy Holdings(4) *

     1,922,380        

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

     1,597,791       885  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.*

     789,870       3,728  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

     394,329       403  

China Mobile Ltd. (Hong Kong Exchange)

     1,762,508       11,331  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

     1,100,195       2,775  

China Overseas Property Holdings Ltd.

     375,000       307  

China Power International Development Ltd.

     1,219,000       226  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co. Ltd.

     418,948       2,570  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

     700,000       960  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

     273,958       1,227  

China Resources Land Ltd.

     919,432       4,181  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

     541,735       600  

China State Construction International Holdings Ltd.

     557,600       365  

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd.

     464,104       715  

China Traditional Chinese Medicine Holdings Co. Ltd.

     756,000       317  

China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd.

     1,754,494       1,150  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

     459,905       263  

Far East Horizon Ltd.

     568,000       462  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

     1,687,641       3,389  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

     842,514       1,338  

Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.

     358,000       1,299  

Hutchison China MediTech Ltd. ADR*

     19,818       640  

Kingboard Holdings Ltd.

     185,500       613  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

     308,000       424  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

     1,117,230       736  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

     362,000       263  

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

     466,923       587  

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd.

     124,043       165  

Shanghai Industrial Urban Development Group Ltd.

     24,809       2  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Hong Kong – 3.1%     continued

    

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

     306,255         $488      

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

     802,200       234  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

     347,403       1,444  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

     2,979,750       3,266  

SSY Group Ltd.

     440,000       251  

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.

     668,500       741  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

     103,000       340  

Wharf Holdings (The) Ltd.

     437,000       873  

Yuexiu Property Co. Ltd.

     1,998,000       391  
     
               58,285  

Hungary – 0.2%

    

MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC*

     117,762       642  

OTP Bank Nyrt.*

     64,284       1,933  

Richter Gedeon Nyrt.

     40,115       847  
     
               3,422  

India – 8.1%

    

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

     146,117       680  

Ambuja Cements Ltd.

     199,447       589  

Asian Paints Ltd.

     82,582       2,225  

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

     82,396       893  

Avenue Supermarts Ltd.*

     44,616       1,333  

Axis Bank Ltd.*

     649,581       3,771  

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

     19,961       780  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

     51,646       2,320  

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

     10,960       875  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.*

     207,948       778  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

     65,194       516  

Bharat Forge Ltd.

     64,960       396  

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

     186,762       898  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

     360,491       2,065  

Bharti Infratel Ltd.

     99,384       237  

Biocon Ltd.*

     82,651       504  

Bosch Ltd.

     1,709       319  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

     16,602       858  

Cipla Ltd.

     99,492       1,050  

Coal India Ltd.

     355,985       561  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

     18,953       368  

Container Corp. of India Ltd.

     58,358       290  

Dabur India Ltd.

     152,136       1,056  

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

     22,855       945  

DLF Ltd.

     174,412       363  

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

     31,721       2,232  

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. ADR

     1,163       81  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    28 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

India – 8.1%     continued

    

Eicher Motors Ltd.

     38,390         $1,155      

GAIL India Ltd.

     453,020       536  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

     117,355       1,156  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

     84,950       861  

Havells India Ltd.

     71,833       662  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

     311,512       3,429  

HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd.(2)

     14,653       451  

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.*

     202,764       1,538  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

     28,087       1,203  

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

     335,185       802  

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

     174,925       431  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

     235,989       6,629  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

     475,800       11,292  

ICICI Bank Ltd.*

     1,464,124       7,102  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.

     58,689       1,038  

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

     97,182       558  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

     541,627       545  

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

     60,266       317  

Info Edge India Ltd.

     17,703       873  

Infosys Ltd.

     977,738       13,508  

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd.(2) *

     26,664       453  

ITC Ltd.

     847,902       1,975  

JSW Steel Ltd.

     242,797       920  

Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.

     20,830       662  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

     136,970       1,683  

LIC Housing Finance Ltd.

     81,279       306  

Lupin Ltd.

     63,701       870  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

     214,066       1,774  

Marico Ltd.

     129,589       640  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

     34,676       3,186  

Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd.

     271,884       426  

Nestle India Ltd.

     6,640       1,433  

NTPC Ltd.

     681,501       787  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp.Ltd.

     722,070       681  

Page Industries Ltd.

     1,516       439  

Petronet LNG Ltd.

     172,191       517  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

     34,989       682  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

     26,268       447  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

     525,485       1,160  

REC Ltd.

     198,370       268  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

     821,993       25,036  

SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.*

     114,796       1,269  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

India – 8.1%     continued

    

Shree Cement Ltd.

     2,485         $683      

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

     26,871       227  

Siemens Ltd.

     20,440       352  

State Bank of India*

     512,246       1,297  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

     240,994       1,640  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

     258,450       8,766  

Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

     124,301       843  

Tata Motors Ltd.*

     487,569       888  

Tata Steel Ltd.

     100,218       492  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

     133,025       1,434  

Titan Co. Ltd.

     89,173       1,458  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

     14,569       555  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

     33,131       1,820  

United Spirits Ltd.*

     83,569       587  

UPL Ltd.

     142,525       977  

Vedanta Ltd.

     531,237       986  

Wipro Ltd.

     327,917       1,399  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

     248,735       709  
     
               151,796  

Indonesia – 1.2%

    

Ace Hardware Indonesia Tbk PT

     1,968,700       210  

Adaro Energy Tbk PT

     4,130,720       316  

Astra International Tbk PT

     5,809,060       1,748  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

     2,830,192       5,165  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

     5,357,010       1,798  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     2,140,709       643  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     15,929,190       3,268  

Barito Pacific Tbk PT*

     7,663,900       408  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

     2,117,635       811  

Gudang Garam Tbk PT*

     138,015       372  

Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk PT

     2,555,900       241  

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Corp. Tbk PT

     785,000       476  

Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT

     422,503       296  

Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

     781,600       530  

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

     1,259,871       607  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

     6,194,480       647  

Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk PT

     2,244,412       140  

Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     973,255       602  

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     14,214,662       2,452  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

     2,189,640       1,195  

United Tractors Tbk PT

     481,671       741  

XL Axiata Tbk PT

     1,018,600       140  
     
               22,806  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 29 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Malaysia – 1.7%

    

AMMB Holdings Bhd.

     482,237         $349      

Axiata Group Bhd.

     788,903       562  

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd.

     44,400       221  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

     1,850,996       1,377  

Dialog Group Bhd.

     1,133,344       1,042  

DiGi.Com Bhd.

     892,500       867  

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd.

     43,100       334  

Gamuda Bhd.

     505,936       426  

Genting Bhd.

     611,900       470  

Genting Malaysia Bhd.

     852,000       428  

Genting Plantations Bhd.

     74,500       178  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd.

     172,600       297  

Hartalega Holdings Bhd.

     484,900       1,915  

Hong Leong Bank Bhd.

     186,598       678  

Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd.

     62,128       214  

IHH Healthcare Bhd.

     629,500       792  

IOI Corp. Bhd.

     721,440       774  

Kossan Rubber Industries

     183,700       613  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd.

     124,092       682  

Malayan Banking Bhd.

     1,129,059       1,967  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

     312,593       358  

Maxis Bhd.

     673,251       824  

MISC Bhd.

     389,860       703  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd.

     20,200       688  

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd.

     688,700       934  

Petronas Dagangan Bhd.

     87,600       418  

Petronas Gas Bhd.

     227,100       900  

PPB Group Bhd.

     183,700       842  

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd.

     405,600       504  

Public Bank Bhd.

     835,561       3,158  

QL Resources Bhd.

     209,500       495  

RHB Bank Bhd.

     449,546       495  

Sime Darby Bhd.

     781,128       469  

Sime Darby Plantation Bhd.

     597,928       729  

Supermax Corp. Bhd.*

     430,000       875  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

     326,586       326  

Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

     652,750       1,650  

Top Glove Corp. Bhd.

     1,365,900       2,759  

Westports Holdings Bhd.

     244,600       227  

YTL Corp. Bhd.

     957,095       156  
     
               31,696  

Mexico – 1.6%

    

Alfa S.A.B. de C.V., Class A

     870,480       539  

America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Series L

     9,657,135       6,032  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Mexico – 1.6%     continued

    

Arca Continental S.A.B. de C.V.

     126,484         $545      

Becle S.A.B. de C.V.

     157,200       320  

Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Series CPO

     4,344,152       1,648  

Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V.

     150,722       611  

Fibra Uno Administracion S.A. de C.V.

     906,401       716  

Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V., Series UBD

     558,143       3,135  

Gruma S.A.B. de C.V., Class B

     64,805       717  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico S.A.B. de C.V., Class B

     109,452       878  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S.A.B. de C.V., Series B*

     59,630       692  

Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V., Series A

     462,428       860  

Grupo Carso S.A.B. de C.V., Series A1

     135,273       276  

Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A.B. de C.V., Series O*

     744,688       2,573  

Grupo Financiero Inbursa S.A.B. de C.V., Series O*

     663,933       513  

Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., Series B

     893,639       2,275  

Grupo Televisa S.A.B., Series CPO*

     689,714       853  

Industrias Penoles S.A.B. de C.V.

     39,444       636  

Infraestructura Energetica Nova S.A.B. de C.V.

     157,200       473  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., Class A

     427,327       675  

Megacable Holdings S.A.B. de C.V., Series CPO

     83,551       242  

Orbia Advance Corp. S.A.B. de C.V.

     291,980       509  

Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura S.A.B. de C.V.*

     65,855       463  

Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V.

     1,503,283       3,597  
     
               29,778  

Pakistan – 0.0%

    

Habib Bank Ltd.

     161,400       128  

MCB Bank Ltd.

     125,000       131  

Oil & Gas Development Co. Ltd.

     176,600       111  
     
               370  

Peru – 0.2%

    

Cia de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ADR

     61,890       756  

Credicorp Ltd.

     19,456       2,412  

Southern Copper Corp.

     24,405       1,105  
     
               4,273  

Philippines – 0.7%

    

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

     570,189       543  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    30 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Philippines – 0.7%     continued

    

Aboitiz Power Corp.

     403,944       $213      

Ayala Corp.

     80,797         1,148  

Ayala Land, Inc.

     2,323,360       1,423  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

     258,686       342  

BDO Unibank, Inc.

     565,899       1,010  

Globe Telecom, Inc.

     9,555       410  

GT Capital Holdings, Inc.

     27,972       223  

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

     287,070       652  

JG Summit Holdings, Inc.

     822,251       1,021  

Jollibee Foods Corp.

     123,093       368  

Manila Electric Co.

     66,140       370  

Megaworld Corp.*

     3,482,700       213  

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

     3,895,400       280  

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.

     516,249       407  

PLDT, Inc.

     24,985       690  

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

     289,700       293  

Robinsons Land Corp.

     582,170       171  

SM Investments Corp.

     69,132       1,255  

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

     2,900,713       1,764  

Universal Robina Corp.

     253,020       699  
     
               13,495  

Poland – 0.6%

    

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.*

     52,727       685  

CD Projekt S.A.*

     19,309       2,087  

Cyfrowy Polsat S.A.*

     82,593       576  

Dino Polska S.A.*

     14,068       828  

Grupa Lotos S.A.

     26,527       236  

KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.*

     40,177       1,224  

LPP S.A.*

     372       631  

mBank S.A.*

     4,253       183  

Orange Polska S.A.*

     190,250       336  

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A.*

     241,467       400  

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN S.A.

     85,922       1,018  

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A.

     497,487       648  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski S.A.*

     251,112       1,375  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen S.A.*

     173,472       1,111  

Santander Bank Polska S.A.*

     10,254       377  
     
               11,715  

Qatar – 0.8%

    

Barwa Real Estate Co.

     558,073       538  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)      continued

 

Qatar – 0.8%     continued

    

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

     569,135         $637      

Industries Qatar QSC

     520,878       1,410  

Masraf Al Rayan QSC

     1,054,670       1,207  

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.

     1,261,905       722  

Ooredoo QPSC

     270,562       497  

Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC

     154,684       720  

Qatar Fuel QSC

     139,814       681  

Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC

     212,858       491  

Qatar Islamic Bank S.A.Q.

     332,281       1,510  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

     1,298,851       6,484  
     
               14,897  

Romania – 0.0%

    

NEPI Rockcastle PLC

     116,688       480  

Russia – 2.9%

    

Alrosa PJSC

     739,770       702  

Gazprom PJSC

     1,814,678       3,989  

Gazprom PJSC ADR

     816,297       3,551  

Inter RAO UES PJSC

     10,540,623       761  

LUKOIL PJSC

     59,858       3,449  

LUKOIL PJSC ADR

     59,399       3,434  

Magnit PJSC

     2,287       146  

Magnit PJSC GDR (Registered)

     92,947       1,387  

Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works PJSC

     653,100       324  

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC

     16,399       3,969  

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

     17,697       425  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ADR

     129,038       1,126  

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

     391,976       738  

Novatek PJSC GDR (Registered)

     26,141       3,577  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC

     343,990       760  

PhosAgro PJSC GDR (Registered)

     35,003       421  

Polymetal International PLC

     67,474       1,476  

Polyus PJSC

     9,632       2,015  

Rosneft Oil Co. PJSC

     178,275       879  

Rosneft Oil Co. PJSC GDR (Registered)

     157,036       770  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC*

     3,041,562       8,918  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC (Moscow Exchange)*

     56,000       165  

Severstal PAO

     49,527       632  

Severstal PAO GDR (Registered)

     10,645       135  

Surgutneftegas PJSC

     1,102,667       491  

Surgutneftegas PJSC ADR

     95,608       422  

Tatneft PJSC

     345,977       2,055  

Tatneft PJSC ADR

     1,663       60  

Tatneft PJSC ADR (London Exchange)

     8,388       300  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 31 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Russia – 2.9%     continued

    

VTB Bank PJSC*

     800,566,738       $355      

VTB Bank PJSC GDR(2) (5) *

     11,036         10  

VTB Bank PJSC GDR (Registered)*

     67,875       56  

X5 Retail Group N.V. GDR (Registered)

     35,071       1,303  

Yandex N.V., Class A*

     86,669       5,631  
     
               54,432  

Saudi Arabia – 2.7%

    

Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co.

     12,656       437  

Advanced Petrochemical Co.

     30,924       487  

Al Rajhi Bank

     356,891       6,255  

Alinma Bank*

     281,245       1,226  

Almarai Co. JSC

     71,746       1,012  

Arab National Bank

     172,191       931  

Bank AlBilad

     105,467       679  

Bank Al-Jazira

     115,310       431  

Banque Saudi Fransi

     169,450       1,460  

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co.*

     17,219       564  

Co for Cooperative Insurance (The)*

     17,476       405  

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co.*

     154,388       386  

Emaar Economic City*

     109,771       295  

Etihad Etisalat Co.*

     108,279       825  

Jarir Marketing Co.

     16,912       845  

National Commercial Bank

     421,868       4,181  

National Industrialization Co.*

     94,064       334  

Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co.*

     62,849       262  

Riyad Bank

     387,429       1,926  

Sahara International Petrochemical Co.

     120,516       532  

Samba Financial Group

     281,245       2,018  

Saudi Airlines Catering Co.

     11,114       245  

Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Co.

     58,592       1,280  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.*

     123,606       1,377  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.(2)

     632,304       6,054  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

     258,286       6,091  

Saudi British Bank (The)

     206,393       1,393  

Saudi Cement Co.

     21,013       326  

Saudi Electricity Co.

     239,150       1,098  

Saudi Industrial Investment Group

     51,505       320  

Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co.*

     210,996       660  

Saudi Telecom Co.

     172,191       4,615  

Savola Group (The)

     75,089       961  

Yanbu National Petrochemical Co.

     72,643       1,137  
     
               51,048  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)      continued

 

Singapore – 0.0%

    

BOC Aviation Ltd.(2)

     59,400       $405      

South Africa – 3.4%

    

Absa Group Ltd.

     206,798         1,100  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

     15,478       1,074  

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.

     119,345       3,118  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.*

     111,345       792  

Bid Corp. Ltd.

     96,256       1,483  

Bidvest Group (The) Ltd.

     83,005       683  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

     20,319       1,258  

Clicks Group Ltd.

     72,183       957  

Discovery Ltd.

     113,351       865  

Exxaro Resources Ltd.

     72,060       535  

FirstRand Ltd.

     1,368,363       3,362  

Gold Fields Ltd.

     253,503       3,101  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

     880,001       643  

Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd.*

     156,015       829  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

     229,310       1,990  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

     18,486       546  

Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd.

     416,640       425  

Momentum Metropolitan Holdings

     285,352       264  

Mr Price Group Ltd.

     73,990       582  

MTN Group Ltd.

     486,681       1,637  

MultiChoice Group

     126,994       734  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

     125,171       22,077  

Nedbank Group Ltd.

     106,985       642  

Northam Platinum Ltd.*

     102,409       1,039  

Old Mutual Ltd.

     1,351,284       835  

Pepkor Holdings Ltd.(2)

     232,419       155  

Rand Merchant Investment Holdings Ltd.

     216,879       376  

Reinet Investments S.C.A.

     42,243       732  

Remgro Ltd.

     151,877       851  

Sanlam Ltd.

     511,589       1,585  

Sasol Ltd.*

     161,690       1,239  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

     144,249       1,176  

Sibanye Stillwater Ltd.

     652,534       1,816  

SPAR Group (The) Ltd.

     55,976       633  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

     371,866       2,395  

Tiger Brands Ltd.

     46,303       527  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

     184,403       1,355  

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

     285,867       600  
     
               64,011  

South Korea – 11.1%

    

Alteogen, Inc.*

     5,229       805  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    32 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

South Korea – 11.1%     continued

    

Amorepacific Corp.

     9,227         $1,285      

AMOREPACIFIC Group

     8,413       349  

BGF retail Co. Ltd.

     2,232       235  

BNK Financial Group, Inc.

     79,507       342  

Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd.*

     19,516       1,462  

Celltrion Pharm, Inc.*

     4,752       458  

Celltrion, Inc.*

     27,070       5,956  

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.

     19,809       355  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

     2,376       802  

CJ Corp.

     4,605       318  

CJ ENM Co. Ltd.

     3,191       388  

CJ Logistics Corp.*

     2,659       401  

Coway Co. Ltd.*

     13,766       945  

Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd.

     7,989       528  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.*

     10,696       217  

DB Insurance Co. Ltd.

     14,222       554  

Doosan Bobcat, Inc.

     14,702       338  

Douzone Bizon Co. Ltd.

     5,535       497  

E-MART, Inc.

     5,599       671  

Fila Holdings Corp.

     16,763       521  

GS Engineering & Construction Corp.

     17,535       362  

GS Holdings Corp.

     14,665       393  

GS Retail Co. Ltd.

     7,937       229  

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

     86,165       2,051  

Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.

     21,330       569  

Hanmi Pharm Co. Ltd.

     1,869       437  

Hanon Systems

     53,657       566  

Hanwha Corp.

     11,199       241  

Hanwha Solutions Corp.

     30,122       1,006  

HLB, Inc.*

     12,716       1,142  

Hotel Shilla Co. Ltd.

     9,010       581  

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

     22,370       582  

Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd.

     5,380       673  

Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. Ltd.

     2,804       519  

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Ltd.

     17,225       329  

Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd.

     19,146       3,761  

Hyundai Motor Co.

     42,923       6,542  

Hyundai Steel Co.

     24,893       533  

Industrial Bank of Korea

     74,194       504  

Kakao Corp.

     16,436       5,116  

Kangwon Land, Inc.

     30,698       564  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

South Korea – 11.1%     continued

    

KB Financial Group, Inc.

     113,364         $3,656  

Kia Motors Corp.

     75,616       3,082  

KMW Co. Ltd.*

     7,542       506  

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.

     20,980       409  

Korea Electric Power Corp.*

     73,693       1,285  

Korea Gas Corp.

     7,741       162  

Korea Investment Holdings Co. Ltd.

     12,014       758  

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd.*

     11,170       801  

Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.

     2,436       793  

Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd.*

     23,042       367  

KT&G Corp.

     33,490       2,364  

Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd.

     5,344       497  

LG Chem Ltd.

     13,168       7,352  

LG Corp.

     27,236       1,724  

LG Display Co. Ltd.*

     66,747       875  

LG Electronics, Inc.

     30,526       2,422  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

     2,689       3,338  

LG Innotek Co. Ltd.

     4,140       548  

LG Uplus Corp.

     61,397       603  

Lotte Chemical Corp.

     4,918       825  

Lotte Corp.

     7,684       188  

Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.

     3,247       218  

Meritz Securities Co. Ltd.

     77,596       218  

Mirae Asset Daewoo Co. Ltd.

     83,441       615  

NAVER Corp.

     35,355       8,952  

NCSoft Corp.

     4,725       3,254  

Netmarble Corp.(2) *

     6,190       871  

NH Investment & Securities Co. Ltd.

     32,551       257  

Orion Corp.

     6,807       768  

Ottogi Corp.

     335       162  

Pan Ocean Co. Ltd.*

     76,849       223  

Pearl Abyss Corp.*

     1,730       298  

POSCO

     21,268       3,574  

POSCO Chemical Co. Ltd.

     5,998       429  

Posco International Corp.

     13,725       159  

S-1 Corp.

     4,958       371  

Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd.*

     4,747       2,799  

Samsung C&T Corp.

     24,497       2,197  

Samsung Card Co. Ltd.

     8,323       203  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

     16,076       1,908  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     1,372,624       69,161  

Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd.*

     45,663       411  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 33 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

South Korea – 11.1%     continued

 

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

     8,837         $1,374      

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.*

     135,600       617  

Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

     20,088       1,047  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

     15,787       5,844  

Samsung SDS Co. Ltd.

     9,992       1,447  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

     17,519       458  

Seegene, Inc.

     5,277       1,177  

Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.*

     8,375       905  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

     131,528       3,059  

Shinsegae, Inc.

     2,125       383  

SK Holdings Co. Ltd.

     10,096       1,712  

SK Hynix, Inc.

     156,694       11,243  

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.

     15,921       1,890  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

     11,161       2,270  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd. ADR

     1,900       43  

S-Oil Corp.

     12,923       570  

Woori Financial Group, Inc.

     155,460       1,141  

Yuhan Corp.

     13,315       726  
     
               209,636  

Taiwan – 12.4%

    

Accton Technology Corp.

     144,000       1,113  

Acer, Inc.

     837,800       722  

Advantech Co. Ltd.

     109,793       1,104  

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd.

     931,928       1,915  

Asia Cement Corp.

     626,567       901  

ASMedia Technology, Inc.

     7,000       355  

Asustek Computer, Inc.

     201,546       1,771  

AU Optronics Corp.*

     2,485,215       968  

Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.

     198,111       1,247  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     2,267,212       3,030  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

     356,615       1,620  

Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Ltd.

     1,490,026       893  

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. Ltd.

     511,184       652  

Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd.

     167,765       489  

China Development Financial Holding Corp.

     3,649,868       1,073  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

     780,002       535  

China Steel Corp.

     3,386,156       2,396  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

     1,090,493       4,022  

Compal Electronics, Inc.

     1,200,759       792  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     5,034,878       3,202  

Delta Electronics, Inc.

     558,343       3,661  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     3,239,886       2,866  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Taiwan – 12.4%     continued

    

Eclat Textile Co. Ltd.

     55,182       $688      

Eva Airways Corp.

     668,592         247  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.*

     689,891       378  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

     848,789       742  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

     457,345       964  

Feng TAY Enterprise Co. Ltd.

     115,928       698  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     2,946,691       2,096  

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp.

     1,008,499       2,360  

Formosa Petrochemical Corp.

     327,487       906  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

     1,095,682       2,976  

Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd.

     231,827       251  

Foxconn Technology Co. Ltd.

     264,131       471  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     1,908,025       2,770  

Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     85,483       808  

Globalwafers Co. Ltd.

     62,000       825  

Highwealth Construction Corp.

     226,039       336  

Hiwin Technologies Corp.

     72,776       718  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

     3,615,942       9,680  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

     85,900       1,917  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

     2,397,465       1,462  

Innolux Corp.*

     2,378,900       776  

Inventec Corp.

     720,314       560  

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

     29,835       3,486  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

     606,964       966  

MediaTek, Inc.

     433,334       9,138  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     3,121,543       2,999  

Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.

     193,000       892  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

     1,478,951       3,041  

Nanya Technology Corp.

     352,071       700  

Nien Made Enterprise Co. Ltd.

     47,000       560  

Novatek Microelectronics Corp.

     165,850       1,529  

Pegatron Corp.

     561,594       1,241  

Phison Electronics Corp.

     42,608       391  

Pou Chen Corp.

     686,093       622  

Powertech Technology, Inc.

     211,568       632  

President Chain Store Corp.

     163,220       1,484  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

     830,576       2,176  

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

     145,457       1,862  

Ruentex Development Co. Ltd.

     237,135       319  

Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank (The) Ltd.

     964,359       1,295  

Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     3,149,344       878  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

     2,910,792       1,094  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    34 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)     continued

 

Taiwan – 12.4%     continued

    

Standard Foods Corp.

     77,355         $163      

Synnex Technology International Corp.

     384,940       549  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     2,815,611       1,245  

Taiwan Business Bank

     1,585,699       523  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

     1,399,824       2,007  

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     2,678,604       1,805  

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.

     565,000       618  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

     473,076       1,579  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     7,079,749       106,328  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

     1,385,150       2,995  

United Microelectronics Corp.

     3,337,043       3,271  

Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.

     258,000       861  

Walsin Technology Corp.

     92,000       493  

Win Semiconductors Corp.

     97,000       965  

Winbond Electronics Corp.

     873,000       423  

Wistron Corp.

     814,449       843  

Wiwynn Corp.

     23,000       522  

WPG Holdings Ltd.

     461,290       620  

Ya Hsin Industrial Co. Ltd.(4) *

     121,548        

Yageo Corp.

     105,377       1,287  

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     2,785,846       1,719  

Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd.

     167,850       735  
     
               232,812  

Thailand – 1.7%

    

Advanced Info Service PCL (Registered)

     194,000       1,047  

Advanced Info Service PCL NVDR

     139,099       753  

Airports of Thailand PCL NVDR

     1,229,900       2,201  

Asset World Corp. PCL NVDR

     1,836,700       203  

B Grimm Power PCL NVDR (Registered)

     224,600       300  

Bangkok Bank PCL (Registered)

     90,100       274  

Bangkok Bank PCL NVDR

     75,300       229  

Bangkok Commercial Asset Management PCL NVDR (Registered)

     510,100       319  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL NVDR

     2,736,400       1,678  

Bangkok Expressway & Metro PCL NVDR (Registered)

     2,193,198       593  

Berli Jucker PCL NVDR

     344,900       401  

BTS Group Holdings PCL NVDR

     2,265,000       680  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL NVDR

     143,487       432  

Central Pattana PCL NVDR

     643,900       865  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)      continued

 

Thailand – 1.7%     continued

    

Central Retail Corp. PCL NVDR (Registered)*

     510,358         $420  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL NVDR

     1,112,057       986  

CP ALL PCL (Registered)

     905,200       1,721  

CP ALL PCL NVDR

     770,436       1,466  

Electricity Generating PCL NVDR

     83,000       490  

Energy Absolute PCL NVDR

     428,100       531  

Global Power Synergy PCL NVDR

     207,400       379  

Gulf Energy Development PCL NVDR (Registered)

     731,950       705  

Home Product Center PCL NVDR

     1,698,304       773  

Indorama Ventures PCL NVDR

     466,547       311  

Intouch Holdings PCL NVDR

     644,100       1,046  

IRPC PCL (Registered)

     1,860,900       113  

IRPC PCL NVDR

     1,364,481       83  

Kasikornbank PCL (Registered)

     151,500       369  

Kasikornbank PCL NVDR

     332,947       811  

Krung Thai Bank PCL (Registered)

     699,750       195  

Krung Thai Bank PCL NVDR

     302,893       85  

Krungthai Card PCL NVDR

     221,900       245  

Land & Houses PCL NVDR

     2,429,100       522  

Minor International PCL NVDR*

     892,330       565  

Muangthai Capital PCL NVDR (Registered)

     212,900       332  

Osotspa PCL NVDR

     213,900       237  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL (Registered)

     242,500       605  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL NVDR

     156,243       394  

PTT Global Chemical PCL (Registered)

     189,814       235  

PTT Global Chemical PCL NVDR

     468,476       587  

PTT PCL (Registered)

     1,835,000       1,853  

PTT PCL NVDR

     1,443,800       1,461  

Ratch Group PCL NVDR

     231,700       368  

Siam Cement (The) PCL (Registered)

     51,000       518  

Siam Cement (The) PCL NVDR

     173,098       1,761  

Siam Commercial Bank (The) PCL (Registered)

     232,700       477  

Siam Commercial Bank (The) PCL NVDR

     2,076       4  

Srisawad Corp. PCL NVDR

     215,700       332  

Thai Oil PCL (Registered)

     97,800       99  

Thai Oil PCL NVDR

     224,195       227  

Thai Union Group PCL NVDR

     1,060,000       469  

TMB Bank PCL NVDR

     7,051,563       198  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 35 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 95.5% (1)      continued

 

Thailand – 1.7%     continued

    

Total Access Communication PCL NVDR

     198,100         $203      

True Corp. PCL NVDR

     3,378,252       331  
     
               32,482  

Turkey – 0.4%

    

Akbank T.A.S.*

     895,393       597  

Anadolu Efes Biracilik Ve Malt Sanayii A.S.

     59,009       158  

Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.

     199,182       498  

BIM Birlesik Magazalar A.S.

     130,693       1,177  

Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari T.A.S.

     401,693       491  

Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.S.

     20,141       228  

Haci Omer Sabanci Holding A.S.

     276,836       298  

Is Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A.S.(6) *

     1        

KOC Holding A.S.

     214,067       406  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.S.*

     35,005       360  

Turk Hava Yollari A.O.*

     158,415       215  

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

     315,683       621  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.*

     668,602       614  

Turkiye Is Bankasi A.S., Class C*

     429,178       297  

Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari A.S.

     396,264       375  

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi A.S.*

     848,462       234  
     
               6,569  

United Arab Emirates – 0.6%

    

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

     798,665       1,229  

Aldar Properties PJSC

     1,105,664       606  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

     519,496       614  

Emaar Malls PJSC*

     746,982       303  

Emaar Properties PJSC*

     1,006,822       766  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

     726,183       2,114  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

     499,167       2,268  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

     783,469       2,400  
     
               10,300  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $1,160,610)

       1,799,883  
    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 2.0% (1)

 

Brazil – 1.1%

    

Banco Bradesco S.A., 8.80%(7)

     1,272,801       4,417  

Braskem S.A., Class A,
4.03%(7)

     53,041       197  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A., Class B, 5.89%(7)

     72,241       403  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 2.0% (1)      continued

 

Brazil – 1.1%     continued

    

Cia Energetica de MinasGerais, 2.36%(7)

     275,644         $495  

Cia Paranaense de Energia, Class B*

     29,400       326  

Gerdau S.A., 0.58%(7)

     312,361       1,162  

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A., 0.80%(7)

     1,390,639       5,601  

Itausa S.A., 0.90%(7)

     1,267,539       1,995  

Lojas Americanas S.A.*

     260,580       1,311  

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., 0.00%(7) (8)

     1,366,495       4,794  

Telefonica Brasil S.A., 6.17%(7)

     128,473       996  
     
               21,697  

Chile – 0.1%

    

Embotelladora Andina S.A., Class B, 5.10%(7)

     100,164       221  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., Class B, 2.77%(7)

     32,844       1,067  
     
               1,288  

Colombia – 0.0%

    

Bancolombia S.A., 4.66%(7)

     117,908       761  

Bancolombia S.A. ADR, 4.78%(7)

     2,352       60  
     
               821  

Russia – 0.1%

    

Surgutneftegas PJSC, 2.45%(7)

     1,989,237       1,006      

South Korea – 0.7%

    

Amorepacific Corp., 1.74%(7)

     2,625       131  

Hyundai Motor Co., 3.61%(7)

     6,640       479  

Hyundai Motor Co. (2nd Preferred), 3.51%(7)

     10,470       789  

LG Chem Ltd., 0.64%(7)

     2,206       603  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd., 1.56%(7)

     613       372  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., 2.81%(7)

     236,156       10,188  
     
               12,562  

Total Preferred Stocks

                

(Cost $40,004)

       37,374  
    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE    
(000S)    

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 0.0%

 

 

India – 0.0%

    

Britannia Industries Ltd.,
8.00%, 8/28/22 (INR)

     $747       $11  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                

(Cost $10)

       11  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    36 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

RIGHTS – 0.0%

    

China – 0.0%

    

Legend Holdings Corp., Class H(4) *

     17,469         $—      

Thailand – 0.0%

    

Siam Cement (The) PCL NVDR(4) *

     7,188        

Total Rights

                

(Cost $—)

        
             
     NUMBER
OF WARRANTS
 

VALUE    

(000S)    

WARRANTS – 0.0%

    

Srisawad Corp. PCL NVDR, Exp. 6/23/26, Strike $100.00*

     8,628       $3  

Total Warrants

                

(Cost $—)

       3  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.6%

 

 

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     100,000       $4,409  

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(9) (10)

     25,393,824       25,394  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $29,791)

       29,803      
    
     

Total Investments – 99.1%

                

(Cost $1,230,415)

       1,867,074  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.9%

             17,524  

Net Assets – 100.0%

       $1,884,598  

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

 

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(3) 

Level 3 asset.

 

(4) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(5) 

Restricted security that has been deemed illiquid. At September 30, 2020, the value of this restricted illiquid security amounted to approximately $10,000 or 0.0% of net assets. Additional information on this restricted illiquid security is as follows:

 

  SECURITY   

 

ACQUISITION

AND

ENFORCEABLE

DATE

     COST    
(000S)    

VTB Bank PJSC GDR

     5/11/07-10/28/09        $80  

 

(6) 

Value rounds to less than one thousand.

 

(7) 

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

(8) 

Current yield is less than 0.01%.

 

(9) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(10) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

CPO – Certificado de Participación Ordinario

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

NVDR – Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

PCL – Public Company Limited

PLC – Public Limited Company

INR - Indian Rupee

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

  COUNTERPARTY  

CONTRACTS

TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

   

AMOUNT

(LOCAL

CURRENCY)
(000S)

   

IN

EXCHANGE
FOR
CURRENCY

    AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
    SETTLEMENT
DATE
    UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)

Goldman Sachs

   
Brazilian
Real
 
 
    2,522      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    472       12/16/20       $24      

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    683      

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    5,300       12/16/20      
           

Subtotal Appreciation

 

                                    24  

Citibank

   
Indian
Rupee
 
 
    27,953      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    377       12/16/20      

Citibank

   
Korean
Won
 
 
    1,881,670      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,586       12/16/20       (28

Citibank

   
Taiwan
Dollar
 
 
    103,009      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    3,555       12/16/20       (44

Citibank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    137      
Brazilian
Real
 
 
    730       12/16/20       (7

Goldman Sachs

   

South
African
Rand
 
 
 
    6,293      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    370       12/17/20       (2

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    185      

South
African
Rand
 
 
 
    3,110       12/17/20       (1

UBS

   

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    16,974      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,189       12/16/20       (1
             

Subtotal Depreciation

                                            (83

 

Total

 

                                         

 

 

 

 

$(59

 

 

 

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 37 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

SEPTEMBER30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    CONTRACT
POSITION
    CONTRACT
EXP.
   

 

VALUE AND  
UNREALIZED  
APPRECIATION  
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)   

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (United States Dollar)     801     $ 43,594       Long       12/20     $ (133 )     
   

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

   INDUSTRY SECTOR

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM

INVESTMENTS

 

Communication Services

     12.7

Consumer Discretionary

     20.1  

Consumer Staples

     6.1  

Energy

     5.4  

Financials

     17.3  

Health Care

     4.3  

Industrials

     4.4  

Information Technology

     18.5  

Materials

     6.9  

Real Estate

     2.4  

Utilities

     1.9  

Total

     100.0

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

    CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY   

 

% OF LONG-TERM

INVESTMENTS

 

Hong Kong Dollar

     22.6

United States Dollar

     15.7  

Taiwan Dollar

     12.8  

Korean Won

     12.1  

Indian Rupee

     8.2  

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     5.0  

All other currencies less than 5%

     23.6  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest

rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS

   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

Common Stocks:

         

Argentina

   $ 2,265     $   —     $    —      $ 2,265  

Brazil

     62,370                    62,370    

Chile

     8,036                    8,036  

China

     261,795       452,366       225        714,386  

Colombia

     2,207                    2,207  

Hong Kong

     640       57,645              58,285  

India

     81       151,715              151,796  

Mexico

     29,778                    29,778  

Peru

     4,273                    4,273  

Russia

     1,291       53,141              54,432  

South Korea

     43       209,593              209,636  

All Other Countries(1)

           502,419              502,419  

Total Common Stocks

     372,779       1,426,879       225        1,799,883  

Preferred Stocks:

         

Russia

           1,006              1,006  

South Korea

           12,562              12,562  

All Other Countries(1)

     23,806                    23,806  

Total Preferred Stocks

     23,806       13,568              37,374  

Foreign Issuer Bonds(1)

           11              11  

Warrants

     3                    3  

Investment Companies

     29,803                    29,803  

Total Investments

   $ 426,391     $ 1,440,458     $ 225      $ 1,867,074  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                 

Assets

         

Forward Foreign

         

Currency Exchange

         

Contracts

   $     $ 24     $      $ 24  

Liabilities

         

Forward Foreign

         

Currency Exchange

         

Contracts

           (83            (83

Futures Contracts

     (133                  (133
         

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ (133   $ (59   $      $ (192

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    38 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)

    

Australia – 3.1%

    

Abacus Property Group

     298,219         $623      

Aventus Group

     284,173       483  

BGP Holdings PLC(2) *

     6,535,576        

BWP Trust

     392,247       1,137  

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd.

     52,949       218  

Centuria Industrial REIT

     340,571       761  

Centuria Office REIT

     329,064       481  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

     358,258       1,290  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

     423,024       1,021  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

     260,570       529  

Dexus

     885,544       5,651  

GDI Property Group

     408,160       308  

GPT Group (The)

     1,581,879       4,433  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

     229,819       553  

Ingenia Communities Group

     230,409       754  

Investec Australia Property Fund

     400,836       374  

Lifestyle Communities Ltd.

     72,371       511  

Mirvac Group

     3,198,230       5,009  

National Storage REIT

     798,368       1,040  

Scentre Group

     4,205,218       6,654  

Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group

     865,472       1,329  

Stockland

     1,930,274       5,243  

Vicinity Centres

     3,121,522       3,085  

Waypoint REIT

     571,582       1,112  
     
               42,599  

Austria – 0.2%

    

CA Immobilien Anlagen A.G.

     52,012       1,540  

IMMOFINANZ A.G.*

     63,150       999  

S IMMO A.G.*

     36,678       624  
     
               3,163  

Belgium – 0.9%

    

Aedifica S.A.

     21,702       2,649  

Befimmo S.A.

     18,668       835  

Cofinimmo S.A.

     19,823       2,977  

Intervest Offices & Warehouses N.V.

     16,285       431  

Montea - C.V.A.

     8,401       994  

Retail Estates N.V.

     8,069       526  

Warehouses De Pauw - C.V.A.

     105,420       3,836  
     
               12,248  

Brazil – 0.3%

    

Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers S.A.*

     112,400       476  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Brazil – 0.3%     continued

    

BR Malls Participacoes S.A.*

     658,813         $985      

BR Properties S.A.

     187,552       299  

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A.

     66,903       366  

Jereissati Participacoes S.A.

     32,700       120  

JHSF Participacoes S.A.

     228,963       285  

LOG Commercial Properties e Participacoes S.A.

     35,800       191  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios S.A.*

     229,372       796  
     
               3,518  

Canada – 1.3%

    

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

     48,908       1,317  

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust

     54,449       325  

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

     19,006       392  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

     67,713       2,362  

City Office REIT, Inc.

     37,562       282  

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, Class U

     74,001       408  

Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust

     35,360       350  

CT Real Estate Investment Trust

     43,351       455  

Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust

     48,049       408  

Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust

     21,818       297  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

     85,175       829  

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

     21,363       1,240  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

     114,228       830  

InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust

     54,095       512  

Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust

     39,605       516  

Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust

     14,560       200  

Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust

     18,120       197  

Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust

     22,272       71  

Northview Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust

     32,734       885  

NorthWest Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

     65,306       557  

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

     127,103       1,342  

Slate Grocery REIT

     15,896       125  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

     58,860       884  

Summit Industrial Income REIT

     57,505       555  
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 39 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Canada – 1.3%     continued

    

Tricon Residential, Inc.

     156,992         $1,302      

WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust

     35,085       446  
     
               17,087  

Chile – 0.1%

    

Cencosud Shopping S.A.

     401,010       575  

Parque Arauco S.A.

     479,332       671  
     
               1,246  

China – 4.4%

    

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

     983,226       1,292  

Beijing Capital Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     146,200       144  

Beijing Capital Land Ltd., Class H

     1,314,000       225  

Beijing North Star Co. Ltd., Class H

     674,000       127  

Central China Real Estate Ltd.

     666,000       306  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.

     932,000       956  

China Enterprise Co. Ltd., Class A

     226,400       130  

China Evergrande Group

     1,510,000       3,861  

China Fortune Land Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     201,240       449  

China Logistics Property Holdings Co. Ltd.*

     501,000       226  

China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     318,900       711  

China SCE Group Holdings Ltd.

     1,381,000       619  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

     485,740       2,005  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,391,141       4,268  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

     2,607,137       1,926  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.

     6,142,405       7,568  

DaFa Properties Group Ltd.

     243,000       216  

Dexin China Holdings Co. Ltd.*

     604,000       227  

Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.*

     1,071,000       209  

Financial Street Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     170,300       163  

Gemdale Corp., Class A

     218,300       467  

Grandjoy Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     160,800       110  

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

     633,000       195  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,065,402       1,376  

Guorui Properties Ltd.

     1,058,000       116  

Huijing Holdings Co. Ltd.

     734,000       210  

Jingrui Holdings Ltd.

     147,000       40  

Jinke Properties Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     284,000       378  

JY Grandmark Holdings Ltd.

     305,000       125  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

China – 4.4%     continued

    

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.*

     2,006,000         $1,030      

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.

     1,043,594       1,785  

Logan Group Co. Ltd.

     1,133,000       1,797  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.

     1,464,500       8,232  

Poly Developments and Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     576,800       1,347  

Redco Properties Group Ltd.

     906,000       384  

Redsun Properties Group Ltd.

     762,000       281  

RiseSun Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     194,300       218  

Ronshine China Holdings Ltd.*

     447,500       315  

Seazen Group Ltd.*

     1,786,000       1,523  

Seazen Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

     99,100       510  

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co. Ltd., Class B

     904,951       758  

Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     86,800       242  

Shui On Land Ltd.

     3,124,777       396  

Sichuan Languang Development Co. Ltd., Class A

     171,700       127  

Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd.

     2,393,000       483  

Skyfame Realty Holdings Ltd.

     1,800,000       228  

SOHO China Ltd.*

     1,662,256       449  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

     2,087,050       8,198  

Xinhu Zhongbao Co. Ltd., Class A

     485,900       241  

Xinji Shaxi Group Co. Ltd.

     351,000       112  

Yango Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     229,900       247  

Yincheng International Holding Co. Ltd.

     378,000       118  

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

     1,463,061       580  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.

     1,232,000       756  

Zhongtian Financial Group Co. Ltd., Class A*

     390,000       193  
     
               59,195  

Egypt – 0.1%

    

Heliopolis Housing

     331,796       124  

Medinet Nasr Housing

     661,369       135  

Palm Hills Developments S.A.E.*

     1,453,248       130  

Six of October Development & Investment

     173,518       138  

Talaat Moustafa Group

     716,052       288  
     
               815  

Finland – 0.0%

    

Citycon OYJ

     51,448       405  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    40 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

France – 1.3%

    

Carmila S.A.

     38,360         $348      

Covivio

     41,836       2,953  

Gecina S.A.

     36,960       4,890  

ICADE

     24,138       1,355  

Klepierre S.A.

     159,088       2,232  

Mercialys S.A.

     51,993       287  

Nexity S.A.

     34,732       1,057  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

     111,936       4,130  
     
               17,252  

Germany – 4.9%

    

ADO Properties S.A.*

     50,120       1,389  

alstria office REIT-A.G.

     130,311       1,813  

Aroundtown S.A.*

     809,119       4,067  

Deutsche EuroShop A.G.*

     40,645       505  

Deutsche Wohnen S.E.

     276,804       13,851  

DIC Asset A.G.

     38,864       467  

Grand City Properties S.A.

     88,476       2,138  

Hamborner REIT A.G.*

     53,121       543  

LEG Immobilien A.G.

     55,980       7,991  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

     774,224       728  

TAG Immobilien A.G.*

     119,549       3,608  

Vonovia S.E.

     417,153       28,666  
     
               65,766  

Greece – 0.0%

    

LAMDA Development S.A.*

     55,757       361  

Hong Kong – 7.7%

    

C&D International Investment Group Ltd.

     233,000       397  

Champion REIT

     1,661,846       825  

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

     4,608,000       2,551  

China Merchants Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

     578,000       174  

China Merchants Land Ltd.

     1,164,000       166  

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group Ltd.

     1,416,500       810  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

     3,129,042       7,891  

China Resources Land Ltd.

     2,610,155       11,871  

China South City Holdings Ltd.

     3,526,000       324  

China Vast Industrial Urban Development Co. Ltd.*

     315,000       132  

Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd.

     366,500       201  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     2,079,500       10,146  

Cosmopolitan International Holdings Ltd.*

     1,232,000       247  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)      continued

 

Hong Kong – 7.7%     continued

    

CSI Properties Ltd.

     1,780,000         $53      

Far East Consortium International Ltd.

     922,096       258  

Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,184,000       992  

Gemdale Properties & Investment Corp. Ltd.

     4,562,000       775  

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

     718,000       1,636  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

     1,659,452       4,232  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

     1,185,555       4,374  

HKC Holdings Ltd.

     149,000       79  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

     963,418       3,588  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

     513,045       1,535  

Jiayuan International Group Ltd.

     1,072,303       447  

K Wah International Holdings Ltd.

     996,802       480  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

     543,599       1,389  

Lai Sun Development Co. Ltd.

     141,187       127  

Langham Hospitality Investments and Langham Hospitality Investments Ltd.

     756,000       93  

Link REIT

     1,673,602       13,681  

LVGEM China Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

     772,000       263  

Poly Property Group Co. Ltd.

     1,622,000       453  

Prosperity REIT

     1,010,000       299  

Road King Infrastructure Ltd.

     172,000       206  

Shanghai Industrial Urban Development Group Ltd.

     1,786,000       171  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

     2,477,191       724  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

     1,003,869       4,172  

Silver Grant International Holdings Group Ltd.*

     482,000       61  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

     2,512,475       2,924  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

     1,050,425       13,466  

Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust

     805,000       362  

Swire Properties Ltd.

     921,600       2,435  

Wharf Holdings (The) Ltd.

     1,201,317       2,401  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

     1,367,317       5,597  

Yuexiu Property Co. Ltd.

     5,463,442       1,069  

Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,298,000       604  

Zhuguang Holdings Group Co. Ltd.*

     786,000       126  
     
               104,807  

India – 0.2%

    

DLF Ltd.

     480,191       999  

Godrej Properties Ltd.*

     48,824       573  

Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd.*

     165,598       116  

Oberoi Realty Ltd.*

     39,583       213  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 41 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

India – 0.2%     continued

    

Phoenix Mills (The) Ltd.

     70,103         $557      

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

     113,504       391  

Sunteck Realty Ltd.

     41,233       154  
     
               3,003  

Indonesia – 0.1%

    

Ciputra Development Tbk PT

     6,800,936       297  

Lippo Karawaci Tbk PT*

     26,091,410       209  

Pakuwon Jati Tbk PT*

     13,062,840       311  

Rimo International Lestari Tbk PT(3) *

     42,545,100       107  

Summarecon Agung Tbk PT*

     5,870,000       221  
     
               1,145  

Ireland – 0.1%

    

Hibernia REIT PLC

     562,032       657  

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

     363,899       601  
     
               1,258  

Israel – 0.5%

    

AFI Properties Ltd.*

     20,758       504  

Amot Investments Ltd.

     135,247       618  

Azrieli Group Ltd.

     34,840       1,552  

Bayside Land Corp.

     1,117       644  

Blue Square Real Estate Ltd.

     4,284       165  

Mega Or Holdings Ltd.

     19,314       466  

Melisron Ltd.

     17,639       567  

Mivne Real Estate KD Ltd.

     493,529       917  

Property & Building Corp. Ltd.

     2,078       142  

Reit 1 Ltd.

     146,492       537  

Summit Real Estate Holdings Ltd.

     28,944       250  

YH Dimri Construction & Development Ltd.

     6,280       184  
     
               6,546  

Italy – 0.0%

    

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ S.p.A.

     49,211       171  

Japan – 11.2%

    

Activia Properties, Inc.

     533       2,027  

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

     1,070       3,161  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

     83,266       1,171  

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

     1,247       1,439  

Comforia Residential REIT, Inc.

     498       1,456  

CRE Logistics REIT, Inc.

     260       386  

Daibiru Corp.

     37,800       439  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

     456,000       11,716  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

     1,610       4,123  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 11.2%     continued

    

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

     263         $1,509      

Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp.

     1,444       1,492  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

     385       1,313  

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

     553       717  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

     795       767  

GLP J-Reit

     2,950       4,554  

Goldcrest Co. Ltd.

     14,900       195  

Hankyu Hanshin REIT, Inc.

     457       531  

Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd.

     26,900       742  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT, Inc.

     713       790  

Hoshino Resorts REIT, Inc.

     175       881  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

     238,540       2,237  

Hulic Reit, Inc.

     973       1,289  

Ichigo Office REIT Investment Corp.

     998       729  

Ichigo, Inc.

     182,300       531  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

     1,374       2,354  

Invesco Office J-Reit, Inc.

     7,251       1,008  

Invincible Investment Corp.

     4,997       1,488  

Itochu Advance Logistics Investment Corp.

     365       511  

Japan Excellent, Inc.

     1,003       1,173  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

     3,618       1,786  

Japan Logistics Fund, Inc.

     699       2,005  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

     659       2,046  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

     1,072       5,481  

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

     2,121       3,284  

Katitas Co. Ltd.

     39,000       1,107  

Keihanshin Building Co. Ltd.

     24,700       401  

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

     349       2,095  

Kenedix Residential Next Investment Corp.

     745       1,319  

Kenedix Retail REIT Corp.

     420       844  

LaSalle Logiport REIT

     1,257       2,099  

Leopalace21 Corp.*

     94,800       172  

MCUBS MidCity Investment Corp.

     1,395       1,078  

Mirai Corp.

     1,259       476  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

     952,980       14,403  

Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp.

     231       955  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     749,562       13,056  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park, Inc.

     324       1,549  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

     1,312       1,704  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    42 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)      continued

 

Japan – 11.2%     continued

    

Mori Trust Hotel Reit, Inc.

     260         $270      

Mori Trust Sogo Reit, Inc.

     814       1,031  

Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc.

     358       2,067  

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

     1,034       5,870  

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

     1,702       5,747  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.

     366       1,249  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

     96,300       1,832  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

     3,450       4,338  

One REIT, Inc.

     180       428  

Orix JREIT, Inc.

     2,128       3,283  

Premier Investment Corp.

     1,085       1,266  

SAMTY Co. Ltd.

     23,700       356  

Samty Residential Investment Corp.

     276       267  

Sekisui House Reit, Inc.

     3,355       2,481  

Star Asia Investment Corp.

     1,184       494  

Starts Proceed Investment Corp.

     175       344  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

     248,325       7,347  

Sun Frontier Fudousan Co. Ltd.

     22,400       188  

Takara Leben Co. Ltd.

     48,300       143  

Takara Leben Real Estate Investment Corp.

     358       297  

TOC Co. Ltd.

     19,400       120  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

     154,700       1,893  

Tokyu REIT, Inc.

     673       944  

Tosei Corp.

     23,300       217  

United Urban Investment Corp.

     2,406       2,683  
     
               151,744  

Malaysia – 0.2%

    

Axis Real Estate Investment Trust

     905,800       471  

Eco World Development Group Bhd.*

     867,400       84  

IGB Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,251,400       549  

IOI Properties Group Bhd.

     1,037,400       226  

Mah Sing Group Bhd.

     964,900       155  

Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd.

     398,800       164  

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust

     581,000       215  

Sime Darby Property Bhd.

     1,924,900       270  

SP Setia Bhd. Group

     1,312,169       244  

Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,378,300       519  

UEM Sunrise Bhd.*

     1,290,300       114  

YTL Hospitality REIT

     562,600       99  
               3,110  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Mexico – 0.4%

    

Concentradora Fibra Danhos S.A. de C.V.

     264,353         $242      

Corp. Inmobiliaria Vesta S.A.B. de C.V.

     459,900       691  

Fibra Uno Administracion S.A. de C.V.

     2,553,009       2,016  

Macquarie Mexico Real Estate Management S.A. de C.V.

     619,789       759  

PLA Administradora Industrial S de RL de C.V.

     645,700       897  

Prologis Property Mexico S.A. de C.V.

     376,462       726  
     
               5,331  

Netherlands – 0.1%

    

Brack Capital Properties N.V.*

     2,516       187  

Eurocommercial Properties N.V. - C.V.A.

     32,289       373  

NSI N.V.

     15,083       530  

Vastned Retail N.V.

     9,700       259  

Wereldhave N.V.

     27,526       252  
     
               1,601  

New Zealand – 0.3%

    

Argosy Property Ltd.

     658,332       594  

Goodman Property Trust

     888,239       1,384  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

     1,249,391       880  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

     892,364       998  
     
               3,856  

Norway – 0.2%

    

Entra ASA

     139,941       1,972  

Selvaag Bolig ASA

     33,193       184  
     
               2,156  

Philippines – 0.8%

    

Ayala Land, Inc.

     6,445,881       3,949  

DoubleDragon Properties Corp.*

     349,700       101  

Filinvest Land, Inc.

     3,429,989       65  

Megaworld Corp.*

     8,837,001       541  

Robinsons Land Corp.

     1,648,396       485  

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

     8,070,653       4,908  

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.

     2,906,400       205  
     
               10,254  

Qatar – 0.2%

    

Barwa Real Estate Co.

     1,579,552       1,523  

United Development Co. QSC

     1,410,087       721  
     
               2,244  

Romania – 0.1%

    

NEPI Rockcastle PLC

     332,361       1,367  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 43 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Russia – 0.0%

    

LSR Group PJSC GDR

     206,644         $450      

Saudi Arabia – 0.2%

    

Arriyadh Development Co.

     69,614       311  

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co.*

     431,751       1,079  

Emaar Economic City*

     305,069       819  

Jadwa REIT Saudi Fund

     61,744       226  

Saudi Real Estate Co.*

     77,883       318  
     
               2,753  

Singapore – 3.3%

    

AIMS APAC REIT

     384,500       339  

ARA LOGOS Logistics Trust

     801,900       366  

Ascendas India Trust

     628,600       632  

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

     2,461,557       5,877  

Ascott Residence Trust

     1,586,314       1,042  

CapitaLand Commercial Trust

     2,135,971       2,586  

CapitaLand Mall Trust

     2,106,215       2,999  

CapitaLand Retail China Trust

     592,924       484  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

     654,892       508  

Chip Eng Seng Corp. Ltd.

     124,000       40  

City Developments Ltd.

     374,800       2,108  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,063,700       606  

ESR-REIT

     1,765,430       501  

Far East Hospitality Trust

     603,203       245  

First Real Estate Investment Trust

     420,451       134  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

     598,612       1,055  

Frasers Hospitality Trust

     566,000       178  

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

     1,866,246       1,903  

GuocoLand Ltd.

     267,000       294  

Keppel DC REIT

     1,072,834       2,293  

Keppel Pacific Oak U.S. REIT

     611,100       444  

Keppel REIT

     1,362,220       1,073  

Lendlease Global Commercial REIT

     633,800       317  

Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust

     1,721,300       101  

Manulife U.S. Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,195,303       888  

Mapletree Commercial Trust

     1,744,354       2,496  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

     1,219,836       2,881  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

     2,178,714       3,273  

Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust

     1,892,400       1,303  

OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,664,100       436  

OUE Ltd.

     262,900       228  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Singapore – 3.3%     continued

    

Oxley Holdings Ltd.

     760,369         $120      

Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust

     320,800       975  

Prime U.S. REIT

     389,100       322  

Sabana Shari’ah Compliant Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust

     729,300       196  

Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust

     418,300       236  

Soilbuild Business Space REIT

     689,780       253  

SPH REIT

     786,400       511  

Starhill Global REIT

     1,172,900       380  

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,534,891       1,643  

UOL Group Ltd.

     362,097       1,774  

Yanlord Land Group Ltd.

     481,700       401  
     
               44,441  

South Africa – 0.3%

    

Attacq Ltd.

     561,447       100  

Equites Property Fund Ltd.

     403,744       409  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

     2,489,403       1,818  

Investec Property Fund Ltd.

     429,880       235  

Redefine Properties Ltd.

     4,457,512       641  

Resilient REIT Ltd.

     259,316       570  

Stor-Age Property REIT Ltd.

     330,431       244  

Vukile Property Fund Ltd.

     655,637       190  
     
               4,207  

South Korea – 0.0%

    

Dongwon Development Co. Ltd.

     28,359       97  

LOTTE Reit Co. Ltd.

     71,424       316  

SK D&D Co. Ltd.

     6,124       219  
     
               632  

Spain – 0.4%

    

Aedas Homes S.A.*

     17,476       376  

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi S.A.

     225,138       1,860  

Lar Espana Real Estate Socimi S.A.

     50,623       233  

Merlin Properties Socimi S.A.

     304,444       2,535  
     
               5,004  

Sweden – 1.9%

    

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

     37,927       620  

Castellum AB

     188,052       4,277  

Catena AB

     19,791       875  

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

     19,531       357  

Dios Fastigheter AB

     72,063       511  

Fabege AB

     214,296       2,972  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B*

     81,838       4,157  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    44 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Sweden – 1.9%     continued

    

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

     90,540         $1,262      

John Mattson Fastighetsforetagen AB*

     14,629       250  

K-fast Holding AB*

     7,375       195  

Klovern AB, Class B

     381,976       703  

Kungsleden AB

     150,503       1,428  

Nyfosa AB*

     130,685       1,160  

Sagax AB, Class D

     94,403       345  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB

     648,710       1,966  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB, Class D

     87,380       307  

Wallenstam AB, Class B

     131,558       2,005  

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

     111,942       2,217  
     
               25,607  

Switzerland – 1.2%

    

Allreal Holding A.G. (Registered)

     11,791       2,542  

Intershop Holding A.G.

     1,021       659  

IWG PLC*

     616,481       2,055  

Mobimo Holding A.G. (Registered)*

     5,439       1,597  

PSP Swiss Property A.G. (Registered)

     35,478       4,291  

Swiss Prime Site A.G. (Registered)

     61,760       5,606  
     
               16,750  

Taiwan – 0.3%

    

Cathay Real Estate Development Co. Ltd.

     408,000       274  

Chong Hong Construction Co. Ltd.

     141,000       390  

Farglory Land Development Co. Ltd.

     189,000       297  

Highwealth Construction Corp.

     613,800       913  

Huaku Development Co. Ltd.

     200,000       596  

Hung Sheng Construction Ltd.

     363,760       222  

Kindom Development Co. Ltd.

     209,000       283  

Prince Housing & Development Corp.

     745,000       277  

Radium Life Tech Co. Ltd.

     468,420       163  

Ruentex Development Co. Ltd.

     683,500       919  

Shining Building Business Co. Ltd.*

     365,197       129  
     
               4,463  

Thailand – 0.5%

    

Amata Corp. PCL NVDR

     725,500       289  

AP Thailand PCL (Registered)

     441,405       80  

AP Thailand PCL NVDR

     1,109,404       202  

Central Pattana PCL (Registered)

     761,626       1,022  

Central Pattana PCL NVDR

     1,078,998       1,450  

Land & Houses PCL NVDR

     6,934,900       1,491  

Origin Property PCL NVDR

     578,900       115  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

Thailand – 0.5%     continued

    

Pruksa Holding PCL NVDR

     509,300         $174      

Quality Houses PCL NVDR

     6,681,400       464  

Sansiri PCL NVDR

     9,967,366       189  

SC Asset Corp. PCL (Registered)

     747,984       52  

SC Asset Corp. PCL NVDR

     332,924       23  

Siam Future Development PCL NVDR

     1,113,032       158  

Singha Estate PCL NVDR

     2,773,200       115  

Supalai PCL (Registered)

     280,445       137  

Supalai PCL NVDR

     917,700       449  

WHA Corp. PCL NVDR

     7,304,400       651  
     
               7,061  

United Arab Emirates – 0.2%

    

Aldar Properties PJSC

     3,155,352       1,728  

DAMAC Properties Dubai Co. PJSC*

     1,460,357       368  

Deyaar Development PJSC*

     1,336,219       104  

Emaar Malls PJSC*

     2,154,854       875  
     
               3,075  

United Kingdom – 3.6%

    

Assura PLC

     2,151,803       2,138  

Big Yellow Group PLC

     132,062       1,770  

BMO Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

     660,679       551  

British Land (The) Co. PLC

     712,364       3,097  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

     599,402       864  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

     505,492       687  

Custodian Reit PLC

     316,089       362  

Derwent London PLC

     85,723       2,846  

Empiric Student Property PLC

     468,443       369  

GCP Student Living PLC

     375,076       597  

Grainger PLC

     545,119       2,086  

Great Portland Estates PLC

     183,128       1,413  

Hammerson PLC*

     3,288,876       691  

Helical PLC

     90,045       344  

Land Securities Group PLC

     569,617       3,836  

LondonMetric Property PLC

     694,160       1,985  

LXI REIT PLC

     425,946       592  

Picton Property Income (The) Ltd.

     438,281       354  

Primary Health Properties PLC

     985,471       1,885  

RDI REIT PLC

     220,661       251  

Regional REIT Ltd.

     350,715       296  

Safestore Holdings PLC

     168,867       1,695  

Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Ltd.

     416,166       173  

Segro PLC

     962,843       11,574  

Shaftesbury PLC

     123,642       794  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 45 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

United Kingdom – 3.6%     continued

 

St. Modwen Properties PLC

     167,218         $672      

Standard Life Investment Property Income Trust Ltd.

     324,126       194  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

     1,377,423       2,757  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

     626,478       551  

UNITE Group (The) PLC*

     234,063       2,538  

Warehouse Reit PLC

     284,577       408  

Watkin Jones PLC

     172,733       315  

Workspace Group PLC

     109,280       758  
     
               49,443  

United States – 47.5%

    

Acadia Realty Trust

     68,656       721  

Agree Realty Corp.

     43,486       2,767  

Alexander’s, Inc.

     1,877       460  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

     102,132       16,341  

American Assets Trust, Inc.

     41,128       991  

American Campus Communities, Inc.

     111,285       3,886  

American Finance Trust, Inc.

     85,654       537  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

     218,448       6,221  

Americold Realty Trust

     162,078       5,794  

Apartment Investment and Management Co., Class A

     120,648       4,068  

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

     171,214       1,645  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     113,991       17,023  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     119,487       9,595  

Brandywine Realty Trust

     137,425       1,421  

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

     239,914       2,805  

Camden Property Trust

     78,846       7,016  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

     77,291       1,375  

Chatham Lodging Trust

     34,537       263  

Colony Capital, Inc.

     394,960       1,078  

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

     92,241       1,006  

Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.

     16,723       782  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

     30,686       3,648  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     90,904       2,156  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     120,242       3,438  

CubeSmart

     156,733       5,064  

CyrusOne, Inc.

     93,206       6,527  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

     163,153       827  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     217,158       31,870  

Diversified Healthcare Trust

     194,645       685  

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

     135,816       3,409  

Duke Realty Corp.

     298,074       10,999  

Eagle Hospitality Trust(3) *

     496,400       51  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

    VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

United States – 47.5%     continued

    

Easterly Government Properties, Inc.

     60,861         $1,364      

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     31,556       4,081  

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     118,668       726  

Equinix, Inc.

     71,634       54,451  

Equity Commonwealth

     98,284       2,617  

Equity Commonwealth - (Fractional Shares)(2)*

     75,000        

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.

     139,971       8,580  

Equity Residential

     301,373       15,469  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

     52,995       10,641  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     104,483       11,179  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

     58,182       4,273  

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

     102,751       4,090  

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

     57,559       1,473  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

     87,443       320  

Front Yard Residential Corp.

     41,557       363  

FRP Holdings, Inc.*

     5,139       214  

Getty Realty Corp.

     28,361       738  

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

     27,223       459  

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

     35,003       473  

Global Net Lease, Inc.

     72,149       1,147  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     109,751       3,306  

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A

     177,143       4,606  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

     435,608       11,827  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     84,142       2,825  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     570,297       6,154  

Howard Hughes (The) Corp.*

     33,354       1,921  

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

     123,955       2,718  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

     77,174       894  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

     53,032       1,160  

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.

     17,174       2,131  

Investors Real Estate Trust

     9,971       650  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

     439,946       12,314  

Iron Mountain, Inc.

     233,218       6,248  

JBG SMITH Properties

     97,558       2,609  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

     104,165       1,512  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

     83,851       4,357  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     350,106       3,942  

Kite Realty Group Trust

     67,895       786  

Lexington Realty Trust

     222,021       2,320  

Life Storage, Inc.

     37,974       3,998  

LTC Properties, Inc.

     31,598       1,102  

Macerich (The) Co.

     86,075       584  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    46 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

    VALUE    
(000S)    
 

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

United States – 47.5%     continued

 

 

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

     73,443         $927      

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

     427,638       7,539  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

     92,646       10,742  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

     76,269       1,056  

National Health Investors, Inc.

     36,009       2,170  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

     139,076       4,800  

National Storage Affiliates Trust

     55,078       1,802  

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.

     15,884       704  

Office Properties Income Trust

     39,832      
825
 

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

     183,555       5,496  

One Liberty Properties, Inc.

     13,306       218  

Paramount Group, Inc.

     142,813       1,011  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     190,403       1,902  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     105,706       1,325  

Physicians Realty Trust

     164,063       2,938  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     103,404       1,403  

Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc., Class A

     35,049       189  

Prologis, Inc.

     597,723       60,143  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

     16,770       2,052  

Public Storage

     127,317       28,356  

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     48,474       3,055  

Realty Income Corp.

     277,818       16,877  

Regency Centers Corp.

     137,441       5,226  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

     94,625       986  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A

     172,850       1,004  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     99,058       4,533  

RLJ Lodging Trust

     133,397       1,155  

RPT Realty

     65,553       357  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

     42,190       1,553  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     166,203       2,291  

Saul Centers, Inc.

     10,946       291  

Seritage Growth Properties, Class A*

     30,270       407  

Service Properties Trust

     133,177       1,059  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     247,386       16,001  

SITE Centers Corp.

     124,840       899  

SL Green Realty Corp.

     61,941       2,872  

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     83,185       2,808  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

     120,231       3,666  

STORE Capital Corp.

     187,811       5,152  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

     85,241       442  

Sun Communities, Inc.

     79,494       11,178  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

    VALUE    
(000S)    
 

COMMON STOCKS – 98.1% (1)     continued

 

United States – 47.5%     continued

 

 

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

     175,879         $1,396  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

     75,893       458  

Taubman Centers, Inc.

     49,872       1,660  

Terreno Realty Corp.

     54,743       2,998  

UDR, Inc.

     239,491       7,810  

UMH Properties, Inc.

     30,626       415  

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

     10,557       602  

Urban Edge Properties

     94,940       923  

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

     23,631       217  

Ventas, Inc.

     301,836       12,665  

VEREIT, Inc.

     871,956       5,668  

Vornado Realty Trust

     131,481       4,432  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

     67,335       1,355  

Weingarten Realty Investors

     99,198       1,682  

Welltower, Inc.

     337,778       18,608  

Whitestone REIT

     31,297       188  

WP Carey, Inc.

     139,636       9,099  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     91,580       804  
     
               643,481  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $1,140,358)

       1,329,615  
    

RIGHTS – 0.0%

    

Thailand – 0.0%

    

Amata Corp. PCL*

     56,435       1  

Total Rights

                

(Cost $—)

       1  
    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.0%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(4) (5)

     12,982,323       12,982  
     

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $12,982)

       12,982  
    
     

Total Investments – 99.1%

                

(Cost $1,153,340)

       1,342,598  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.9%

             12,500  

Net Assets – 100.0%

       $1,355,098  

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

(2) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(3) 

Level 3 asset.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 47 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND    continued

 

(4) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(5) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

NVDR – Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

PCL – Public Company Limited

PLC – Public Limited Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

S&P – Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

      COUNTERPARTY  

CONTRACTS

TO

DELIVER

CURRENCY

    AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
    IN
EXCHANGE
FOR
CURRENCY
    AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
    SETTLEMENT
DATE
    UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)

BNP

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    263      
Singapore
Dollar
 
 
    362       12/16/20       $    2      

JPMorgan Chase

   
Swiss
Franc
 
 
    120      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    133       12/16/20       2  

Morgan Stanley

   
Canadian
Dollar
 
 
    350      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    265       12/16/20       2  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,127      
British
Pound
 
 
    881       12/16/20       9  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,349      
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    142,980       12/16/20       9  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    358      
Swedish
Krona
 
 
    3,274       12/16/20       8  

UBS

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,071      

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    16,062       12/16/20       1  

Subtotal Appreciation

              33  

Citibank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    675      
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    926       12/16/20       (12

Goldman Sachs

   

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    10,606      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,368       12/16/20      

JPMorgan Chase

   
British
Pound
 
 
    654      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    832       12/16/20       (12

JPMorgan Chase

    Euro       613      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    714       12/16/20       (6

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    691       Euro       582       12/16/20       (8

Morgan Stanley

   
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    410      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    288       12/16/20       (6

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    112      
Swedish
Krona
 
 
    975       12/16/20       (2

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    72,300      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    684       12/16/20       (2

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   
Swiss
Franc
 
 
    140      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    152       12/16/20      

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    848      
Singapore
Dollar
 
 
    1,157       12/16/20      
             

Subtotal Depreciation

                                            (48

Total

                                            $  (15

* Amounts round to less than a thousand.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    CONTRACT
POSITION
    CONTRACT
EXP.
   

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini S&P 500 (United States Dollar)     80       $13,408       Long       12/20       $430      
E-Mini S&P MidCap 400 (United States Dollar)     17       3,155       Long       12/20       108  
MSCI EAFE Index (United States Dollar)     28       2,594       Long       12/20       19  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (United States Dollar)     67       3,646       Long       12/20       99  
S&P/TSX 60 Index (Canadian Dollar)     12       1,733       Long       12/20       25  

Total

                                    $681  

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

Specialized REITs

     12.4

Industrial REITs

     12.4  

Real Estate Operating Companies

     11.5  

Retail REITs

     10.5  

Residential REITs

     10.4  

Real Estate Development

     9.5  

Office REITs

     9.2  

Diversified REITs

     8.0  

Diversified Real Estate Activities

     7.8  

Health Care REITs

     6.4  

Other Industries less than 5%

     1.9  

Total

     100.0

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    48 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:    

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY      % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

United States Dollar

     48.9

Hong Kong Dollar

     11.4  

Japanese Yen

     11.4  

Euro

     8.0  

All other currencies less than 5%

     20.3  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

 

TOTAL    

(000S)    

Common Stocks:

       

Brazil

    $   3,518       $ —       $—       $ 3,518  

Canada

    17,087                   17,087  

Chile

    1,246                   1,246  

Indonesia

          1,038       107       1,145  

Mexico

    5,331                   5,331  

Switzerland

    1,597       15,153             16,750  

United States

    643,430             51       643,481  

All Other Countries(1)

          641,057             641,057  

Total Common Stocks

    672,209       657,248       158       1,329,615  

Rights(1)

          1             1  

Investment Companies

    12,982                   12,982      

Total Investments

    $  685,191       $  657,249       $  158       $  1,342,598  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                               

Assets

       

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

    $   —       $   33       $   —       $   33  
  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

 

TOTAL    
(000S)    

Futures Contracts

    $  681       $  —       $  —       $  681  

Liabilities

       

Forward Foreign

       

Currency Exchange Contracts

          (48           (48

Total Other Financial Instruments

    $  681       $  (15     $  —       $  666      
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 49 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)

 

Argentina – 0.2%

    

MercadoLibre, Inc.*

     1,859         $2,012      

Australia – 2.0%

    

APA Group

     49,393       366  

ASX Ltd.

     7,860       460  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

     82,294       251  

AusNet Services

     65,975       89  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

     118,372       1,465  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

     19,034       174  

Brambles Ltd.

     62,983       474  

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

     20,887       142  

Cochlear Ltd.

     2,735       389  

Coles Group Ltd.

     53,607       654  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     74,003       3,382  

Computershare Ltd.

     18,848       166  

Dexus

     48,481       309  

Evolution Mining Ltd.

     68,279       283  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

     70,700       828  

Goodman Group

     68,687       884  

GPT Group (The)

     87,913       246  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

     95,958       302  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

     25,488       202  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

     13,928       1,196  

Mirvac Group

     172,757       271  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

     133,600       1,705  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

     33,566       757  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

     30,774       303  

Orica Ltd.

     15,813       175  

Origin Energy Ltd.

     75,599       234  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

     7,383       350  

SEEK Ltd.

     12,954       198  

Stockland

     92,064       250  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

     54,915       334  

Sydney Airport

     51,053       215  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

     172,268       344  

Transurban Group

     114,063       1,156  

Vicinity Centres

     166,719       165  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

     40,903       517  
     
               19,236  

Austria – 0.1%

    

ANDRITZ A.G.

     2,577       79  

Erste Group Bank A.G.*

     11,819       247  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Austria – 0.1%     continued

    

OMV A.G.*

     6,300         $172  

voestalpine A.G.

     4,177       110  
     
               608      

Belgium – 0.2%

    

Colruyt S.A.

     2,115       137  

KBC Group N.V.

     10,223       512  

Solvay S.A., Class A

     3,354       288  

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

     1,748       68  

UCB S.A.

     5,104       580  

Umicore S.A.

     8,471       353  
     
               1,938  

Canada – 3.8%

    

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

     9,887       788  

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

     25,453       370  

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., Class B

     35,707       1,243  

Aurora Cannabis, Inc.(2) *

     1        

B2Gold Corp.

     45,447       296  

Bank of Montreal

     26,565       1,553  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The)

     49,912       2,074  

BlackBerry Ltd.*

     19,310       89  

CAE, Inc.

     10,299       151  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

     3,225       112  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     18,510       1,384  

Canadian National Railway Co.

     29,494       3,141  

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A

     2,278       229  

Canopy Growth Corp.*

     8,307       119  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

     39,790       155  

CGI, Inc.*

     9,841       668  

Cronos Group, Inc.*

     6,483       33  

Dollarama, Inc.

     12,432       476  

Empire Co. Ltd., Class A

     7,234       210  

Enbridge, Inc.

     84,103       2,457  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

     4,102       40  

Fortis, Inc.

     19,506       797  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

     7,781       1,087  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

     8,042       158  

Intact Financial Corp.

     5,860       627  

Keyera Corp.

     8,370       126  

Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

     7,859       412  

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*

     5,125       1,688  

Lundin Mining Corp.

     28,411       158  

Magna International, Inc.

     12,318       564  

Manulife Financial Corp.

     81,473       1,133  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    50 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Canada – 3.8%     continued

    

Metro, Inc.

     10,328         $496      

Nutrien Ltd.

     23,223       911  

Open Text Corp.

     11,390       481  

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.

     4,583       272  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

     14,492       575  

Shopify, Inc., Class A*

     4,453       4,554  

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

     24,293       990  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     62,456       763  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

     19,094       266  

TELUS Corp.

     17,349       305  

TELUS Corp.(2)

     6        

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

     75,408       3,491  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

     18,438       905  

WSP Global, Inc.

     4,811       316  
     
               36,663  

Denmark – 1.1%

    

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

     4,361       485  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

     4,817       762  

Demant A/S*

     4,411       139  

Genmab A/S*

     2,673       971  

GN Store Nord A/S

     5,651       428  

H Lundbeck A/S

     2,511       83  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     71,731       4,982  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

     8,878       558  

Orsted A/S(3)

     7,760       1,070  

Pandora A/S

     3,978       286  

Tryg A/S

     4,425       139  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     8,164       1,321  
     
               11,224  

Finland – 0.3%

    

Elisa OYJ

     5,978       352  

Neste OYJ

     17,640       928  

Orion OYJ, Class B

     4,191       190  

Stora Enso OYJ (Registered)

     24,768       388  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

     21,582       657  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

     16,444       129  
     
               2,644  

France – 3.0%

    

Accor S.A.*

     7,303       204  

Air Liquide S.A.

     19,671       3,121  

Amundi S.A.(3) *

     2,321       164  

Atos S.E.*

     4,275       344  

AXA S.A.

     80,870       1,493  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

France – 3.0%     continued

    

Bouygues S.A.

     9,467         $328      

Carrefour S.A.

     26,070       417  

Cie de Saint-Gobain*

     20,999       882  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin S.C.A.

     7,110       761  

CNP Assurances*

     5,963       75  

Covivio

     2,341       165  

Credit Agricole S.A.*

     48,223       422  

Danone S.A.

     25,399       1,643  

Dassault Systemes S.E.

     5,575       1,040  

Eiffage S.A.*

     3,843       313  

EssilorLuxottica S.A.*

     12,048       1,638  

Eurazeo S.E.*

     1,422       77  

Gecina S.A.

     1,749       231  

Getlink S.E.*

     17,174       233  

JCDecaux S.A.*

     2,996       52  

Kering S.A.

     3,103       2,062  

Klepierre S.A.

     7,642       107  

L’Oreal S.A.

     10,423       3,392  

Natixis S.A.*

     34,401       77  

Orange S.A.

     82,511       859  

Publicis Groupe S.A.

     10,124       328  

Schneider Electric S.E.

     22,756       2,824  

SEB S.A.

     868       141  

SES S.A.

     15,240       108  

Teleperformance

     2,405       741  

TOTAL S.E.

     102,898       3,533  

Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.*

     3,864       349  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

     5,324       196  

Valeo S.A.

     8,789       269  

Wendel S.E.

     1,085       98  
     
               28,687  

Germany – 2.9%

    

adidas A.G.*

     7,905       2,559  

Allianz S.E. (Registered)

     17,342       3,326  

BASF S.E.

     38,502       2,345  

Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G.

     13,945       1,013  

Beiersdorf A.G.

     4,085       464  

Commerzbank A.G.*

     37,711       185  

Delivery Hero S.E.(3) *

     5,367       617  

Deutsche Boerse A.G.

     7,799       1,370  

Deutsche Wohnen S.E.

     13,772       689  

Fraport A.G. Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide*

     1,731       68  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 51 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Germany – 2.9%     continued

    

HeidelbergCement A.G.

     6,386         $392      

Henkel A.G. & Co. KGaA

     4,395       412  

Merck KGaA

     5,262       768  

METRO A.G.

     6,335       63  

MTU Aero Engines A.G.

     2,181       363  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft A.G. in Muenchen (Registered)

     5,824       1,479  

SAP S.E.

     43,217       6,730  

Siemens A.G. (Registered)

     31,804       4,021  

Siemens Energy A.G.*

     15,902       429  

Symrise A.G.

     5,277       730  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding A.G.

     39,725       102  
     
               28,125  

Hong Kong – 0.6%

    

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

     12,600       129  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

     148,500       394  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

     68,806       641  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

     31,278       464  

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd.

     148,000       196  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

     432,822       622  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

     49,815       2,342  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

     68,126       338  

Pacific Century Premium Developments Ltd.*

     17,496       5  

PCCW Ltd.

     162,000       97  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

     18,000       87  

Swire Properties Ltd.

     42,678       113  
     
               5,428  

Ireland – 1.2%

    

Accenture PLC, Class A

     26,358       5,957  

Allegion PLC

     3,860       382  

Aptiv PLC

     10,888       998  

CRH PLC

     32,317       1,167  

DCC PLC

     4,144       319  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC*

     2,400       342  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

     6,657       855  

Kingspan Group PLC*

     6,493       590  

Perrigo Co. PLC

     5,678       261  

Trane Technologies PLC

     9,874       1,197  
     
               12,068  

Israel – 0.1%

    

Bank Hapoalim B.M.

     44,140       236  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Israel – 0.1%     continued

    

Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M.

     63,993         $281      

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

     4,911       87  
     
               604  

Italy – 0.5%

    

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A.

     45,275       638  

Enel S.p.A.

     336,330       2,920  

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.*

     674,756       1,267  

Pirelli & C S.p.A.(3) *

     15,383       66  

Tenaris S.A.

     18,723       93  
     
               4,984  

Japan – 8.2%

    

Aeon Co. Ltd.

     26,500       712  

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

     19,900       409  

ANA Holdings, Inc.*

     4,500       104  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

     53,800       470  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

     77,000       1,146  

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

     3,000       77  

Bridgestone Corp.

     21,600       682  

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

     8,700       140  

Central Japan Railway Co.

     6,000       861  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     27,530       1,235  

CyberAgent, Inc.

     4,400       272  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

     9,500       192  

Daicel Corp.

     8,800       63  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

     4,100       413  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

     44,100       622  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

     70,500       2,166  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

     10,400       1,918  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

     23,200       596  

Denso Corp.

     17,800       780  

East Japan Railway Co.

     12,700       783  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

     10,505       959  

ENEOS Holdings, Inc.

     132,700       474  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

     2,400       1,506  

Fujitsu Ltd.

     8,000       1,095  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

     9,900       318  

Hino Motors Ltd.

     10,200       66  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

     1,300       167  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

     5,000       181  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

     8,100       125  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

     67,300       1,588  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

     10,800       101  

Inpex Corp.

     45,600       244  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    52 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 8.2%     continued

    

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

     20,900         $183      

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

     106       164  

JFE Holdings, Inc.*

     21,600       151  

Kajima Corp.

     17,100       205  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

     7,200       179  

Kao Corp.

     19,800       1,486  

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.*

     5,300       72  

KDDI Corp.

     67,100       1,697  

Keio Corp.

     4,500       278  

Keyence Corp.

     7,600       3,542  

Kikkoman Corp.

     5,700       316  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     2,100       203  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

     2,400       132  

Komatsu Ltd.

     37,500       826  

Konami Holdings Corp.

     3,800       165  

Kubota Corp.

     42,400       758  

Kuraray Co. Ltd.

     12,100       118  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

     3,900       129  

Kyushu Railway Co.

     5,800       124  

Lawson, Inc.

     1,900       91  

Marubeni Corp.

     72,300       410  

Marui Group Co.Ltd.

     7,300       140  

Mazda Motor Corp.

     21,600       126  

Mercari, Inc.*

     3,300       152  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

     56,700       327  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

     49,800       753  

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

     4,300       85  

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. Ltd.

     20,730       96  

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

     7,100       172  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     39,400       686  

Miura Co. Ltd.

     3,400       166  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

     103,297       1,290  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

     18,600       504  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     24,345       1,571  

Nabtesco Corp.

     4,300       157  

Nagoya Railroad Co. Ltd.

     7,300       200  

NEC Corp.

     9,900       580  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

     10,100       144  

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.

     6,500       113  

Nikon Corp.

     11,800       80  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

     4,600       2,615  

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

     53       301  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

     2,800       163  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 8.2%     continued

    

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

     6,000         $617      

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

     89       301  

Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd.

     1,800       148  

Nippon Yusen K.K.

     5,500       95  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

     2,700       254  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

     3,400       707  

Nitto Denko Corp.

     6,600       430  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

     4,500       86  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

     190       239  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

     13,476       396  

NSK Ltd.

     13,600       104  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

     47,800       1,773  

Obayashi Corp.

     25,300       229  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

     11,600       292  

Omron Corp.

     7,700       600  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     15,200       477  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

     8,200       1,149  

ORIX Corp.

     53,800       670  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

     16,000       312  

Otsuka Corp.

     4,700       241  

Panasonic Corp.

     91,700       777  

Park24 Co. Ltd.

     4,400       71  

Rakuten, Inc.

     36,800       398  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

     52,100       2,067  

Resona Holdings, Inc.

     81,300       277  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

     4,000       309  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     16,900       347  

SCSK Corp.

     2,000       112  

Secom Co. Ltd.

     8,700       795  

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

     6,700       82  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

     16,200       259  

Sekisui House Ltd.

     28,000       495  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

     31,700       980  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

     6,700       348  

Sharp Corp.

     8,100       100  

Shimadzu Corp.

     8,700       265  

Shimizu Corp.

     21,000       157  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

     14,800       1,932  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

     10,900       583  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

     16,900       970  

Showa Denko K.K.

     4,900       90  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

     2,700       129  

Sompo Holdings, Inc.

     14,100       488  

Sony Corp.

     52,300       4,000  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 53 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 8.2%     continued

    

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

     5,733         $165      

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

     58,200       193  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

     9,100       282  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

     14,400       383  

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

     6,100       57  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     6,000       226  

Sysmex Corp.

     6,842       653  

T&D Holdings, Inc.

     24,800       245  

Taisei Corp.

     7,400       249  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     65,700       2,340  

TDK Corp.

     5,300       580  

Teijin Ltd.

     6,900       107  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

     7,400       229  

Tokyo Century Corp.

     1,700       93  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

     6,200       1,623  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

     15,200       347  

Tokyu Corp.

     21,900       284  

Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

     12,000       169  

Toray Industries, Inc.

     54,000       247  

TOTO Ltd.

     5,500       252  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

     3,700       196  

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

     2,600       60  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

     8,200       229  

Unicharm Corp.

     17,100       764  

USS Co. Ltd.

     8,800       157  

West Japan Railway Co.

     6,500       321  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

     4,700       261  

Yamada Holdings Co. Ltd.

     27,560       137  

Yamaha Corp.

     6,100       292  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

     10,600       154  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

     10,100       394  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

     8,900       141  

ZOZO, Inc.

     4,200       117  
     
               79,213  

Jordan – 0.0%

    

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     7,221       242  

Netherlands – 1.7%

    

Aegon N.V.

     79,887       208  

Akzo Nobel N.V.

     8,134       824  

ASML Holding N.V.

     17,679       6,519  

ING Groep N.V.*

     161,254       1,142  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.

     45,616       1,350  

Koninklijke DSM N.V.

     7,114       1,172  

Koninklijke KPN N.V.

     144,263       339  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

 

Netherlands – 1.7%     continued

    

Koninklijke Philips N.V.*

     37,981         $1,789      

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

     2,643       149  

NN Group N.V.

     13,027       489  

Prosus N.V.*

     20,002       1,845  

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

     11,501       982  
     
               16,808  

New Zealand – 0.1%

    

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

     49,023       237  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

     23,200       511  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

     25,535       86  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

     49,231       161  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

     15,624       146  
     
               1,141  

Norway – 0.2%

    

Equinor ASA

     40,727       575  

Mowi ASA

     18,089       321  

Norsk Hydro ASA*

     63,072       174  

Orkla ASA

     32,145       325  

Schibsted ASA, Class B*

     3,642       145  

Telenor ASA

     30,189       506  
     
               2,046  

Portugal – 0.1%

    

Banco Espirito Santo S.A. (Registered)(4) *

     29,034        

EDP - Energias de Portugal S.A.

     118,396       582  

Galp Energia SGPS S.A.

     19,238       178  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS S.A.

     9,867       159  
     
               919  

Singapore – 0.4%

    

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

     134,368       321  

CapitaLand Commercial Trust

     109,260       132  

CapitaLand Ltd.

     104,858       209  

CapitaLand Mall Trust

     118,900       169  

City Developments Ltd.

     21,300       120  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     75,233       1,107  

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

     3,844       51  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

     56,500       185  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

     52,100       133  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

     31,500       212  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

     340,500       531  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

     50,000       702  

UOL Group Ltd.

     16,482       81  
     
               3,953  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    54 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Spain – 0.7%

    

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

     283,567         $784      

Bankinter S.A.

     27,597       119  

CaixaBank S.A.

     146,428       311  

Iberdrola S.A.

     245,572       3,022  

Industria de Diseno Textil S.A.

     44,957       1,250  

Naturgy Energy Group S.A.

     12,673       254  

Red Electrica Corp. S.A.

     17,906       336  

Repsol S.A.

     62,397       417  

Telefonica S.A.

     205,357       704  
     
               7,197  

Sweden – 1.0%

    

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

     41,553       970  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

     27,587       1,313  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

     15,973       665  

Boliden AB

     11,825       352  

Electrolux AB, Class B

     10,256       239  

Essity AB, Class B*

     25,611       865  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

     32,934       568  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

     15,632       172  

ICA Gruppen AB

     3,850       196  

Investment AB Latour, Class B

     5,779       136  

Kinnevik AB, Class B

     10,547       427  

Sandvik AB*

     47,974       936  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A*

     66,375       588  

Skanska AB, Class B*

     13,117       276  

SKF AB, Class B

     16,064       331  

Svenska Cellulosa AB S.C.A., Class B*

     26,886       369  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A*

     63,159       530  

Tele2 AB, Class B

     20,990       296  

Telia Co. AB

     106,942       440  
     
               9,669  

Switzerland – 3.0%

    

ABB Ltd. (Registered)

     77,096       1,954  

Adecco Group A.G. (Registered)

     6,653       351  

Alcon, Inc.*

     20,220       1,148  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli A.G. (Participation Certificate)

     44       371  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli A.G. (Registered)

     4       356  

Chubb Ltd.

     18,761       2,178  

Cie Financiere Richemont S.A., Class A (Registered)

     21,657       1,451  

Clariant A.G. (Registered)

     7,210       142  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

Switzerland – 3.0%     continued

    

Coca-Cola HBC A.G. - CDI*

     7,885         $195      

Garmin Ltd.

     5,853       555  

Givaudan S.A. (Registered)

     380       1,638  

Kuehne + Nagel International A.G. (Registered)

     2,264       439  

Lonza Group A.G. (Registered)

     3,093       1,909  

Roche Holding A.G. (Genusschein)

     29,068       9,945  

SGS S.A. (Registered)

     245       657  

Sika A.G. (Registered)

     5,850       1,437  

Sonova Holding A.G. (Registered)*

     2,255       572  

Straumann Holding A.G. (Registered)

     426       429  

Swiss Re A.G.

     12,482       924  

Swisscom A.G. (Registered)

     1,086       576  

Zurich Insurance Group A.G.

     6,209       2,159  
     
               29,386  

United Kingdom – 4.7%

    

3i Group PLC

     40,722       523  

Amcor PLC

     64,461       712  

Associated British Foods PLC

     14,668       353  

Aviva PLC

     161,314       593  

Barratt Developments PLC

     39,054       239  

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) PLC

     5,420       295  

British Land (The) Co. PLC

     34,352       149  

BT Group PLC

     362,834       461  

Burberry Group PLC

     16,526       331  

CNH Industrial N.V.*

     43,039       334  

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC

     8,626       335  

Compass Group PLC

     73,764       1,107  

Croda International PLC

     5,410       437  

Ferguson PLC

     9,310       937  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     209,371       3,922  

IHS Markit Ltd.

     15,632       1,227  

Informa PLC*

     58,645       284  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC*

     7,291       383  

J Sainsbury PLC

     66,219       163  

JD Sports Fashion PLC

     16,890       177  

Johnson Matthey PLC

     7,398       224  

Kingfisher PLC

     92,674       354  

Land Securities Group PLC

     27,145       183  

Legal & General Group PLC

     250,645       607  

Liberty Global PLC, Class A*

     6,285       132  

Liberty Global PLC, Class C*

     17,316       356  

Linde PLC

     21,766       5,183  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

     12,936       1,480  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 55 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United Kingdom – 4.7%     continued

 

Mondi PLC

     20,280         $427      

National Grid PLC

     143,821       1,656  

Next PLC

     5,753       441  

Pearson PLC

     33,448       237  

Pentair PLC

     7,309       334  

Prudential PLC

     106,773       1,524  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

     29,588       2,885  

RELX PLC (London Exchange)

     79,433       1,758  

Rentokil Initial PLC*

     75,436       519  

RSA Insurance Group PLC*

     39,116       228  

Sage Group (The) PLC

     45,966       426  

Schroders PLC

     4,743       165  

Segro PLC

     49,694       597  

Smith & Nephew PLC

     36,100       703  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

     3,050       434  

SSE PLC

     43,613       679  

Standard Chartered PLC*

     111,402       511  

Standard Life Aberdeen PLC

     98,348       286  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

     151,394       211  

Tesco PLC

     406,348       1,114  

Unilever N.V.

     60,020       3,623  

Unilever PLC

     49,042       3,022  

Whitbread PLC

     8,354       228  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     5,266       1,100  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

     95,595       210  

WPP PLC

     53,951       421  
     
               45,220  

United States – 60.8%

    

3M Co.

     23,832       3,817  

AbbVie, Inc.

     73,144       6,407  

ABIOMED, Inc.*

     1,847       512  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     31,791       2,573  

Adobe, Inc.*

     19,946       9,782  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

     2,877       442  

AES (The) Corp.

     27,380       496  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     12,716       1,284  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

     5,222       836  

Align Technology, Inc.*

     3,112       1,019  

Alliant Energy Corp.

     10,102       522  

Allstate (The) Corp.

     13,000       1,224  

Ally Financial, Inc.

     16,238       407  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

     12,419       18,201  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C*

     12,531       18,416  

AMERCO

     373       133  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

 

 

American Express Co.

     28,196         $2,827      

American Financial Group, Inc.

     3,498       234  

American International Group, Inc.

     35,851       987  

American Tower Corp.

     18,371       4,441  

American Water Works Co., Inc.

     7,402       1,072  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     4,979       767  

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     6,244       605  

Amgen, Inc.

     24,397       6,201  

Aon PLC, Class A

     9,650       1,991  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     38,245       2,274  

Aramark

     8,727       231  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.*

     16,698       488  

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

     7,867       831  

Assurant, Inc.

     2,578       313  

Autodesk, Inc.*

     9,021       2,084  

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.*

     7,941       176  

Baker Hughes Co.

     26,670       354  

Ball Corp.

     13,427       1,116  

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.

     33,536       1,152  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     12,001       2,792  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     9,725       1,082  

Biogen, Inc.*

     6,763       1,919  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

     7,379       561  

BlackRock, Inc.

     6,295       3,548  

Booking Holdings, Inc.*

     1,699       2,906  

BorgWarner, Inc.

     9,130       354  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     6,109       491  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     93,436       5,633  

Bunge Ltd.

     5,927       271  

Burlington Stores, Inc.*

     2,753       567  

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

     5,467       559  

Cable One, Inc.

     195       368  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

     11,525       1,229  

Campbell Soup Co.

     7,571       366  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     11,850       556  

Carlyle Group (The), Inc.

     5,330       131  

CarMax, Inc.*

     6,686       615  

Caterpillar, Inc.

     22,407       3,342  

Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

     4,728       415  

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

     13,591       638  

Centene Corp.*

     24,000       1,400  

CenturyLink, Inc.

     39,100       395  

Cerner Corp.

     12,818       927  

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.

     47,356       1,716  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    56 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

    

Cheniere Energy, Inc.*

     9,459         $438      

Cigna Corp.

     15,272       2,587  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     175,271       6,904  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

     17,937       453  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

     4,814       663  

Clorox (The) Co.

     5,129       1,078  

CME Group, Inc.

     14,869       2,488  

CMS Energy Corp.

     11,582       711  

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

     168,573       8,322  

Cognex Corp.

     7,097       462  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     33,641       2,595  

Comerica, Inc.

     5,679       217  

ConocoPhillips

     44,340       1,456  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     13,636       1,061  

Copart, Inc.*

     8,678       913  

CSX Corp.

     31,735       2,465  

Cummins, Inc.

     6,181       1,305  

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     5,337       538  

DaVita, Inc.*

     3,777       323  

Deere & Co.

     12,364       2,740  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     6,139       188  

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

     9,239       404  

DexCom, Inc.*

     3,826       1,577  

Discover Financial Services

     12,676       732  

Discovery, Inc., Class A*

     6,347       138  

Discovery, Inc., Class C*

     14,765       289  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

     34,716       2,740  

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

     1,626       691  

Dover Corp.

     5,874       636  

DTE Energy Co.

     7,920       911  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     30,293       1,681  

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

     9,212       461  

East West Bancorp, Inc.

     6,152       201  

Eaton Corp. PLC

     16,450       1,678  

eBay, Inc.

     29,117       1,517  

Ecolab, Inc.

     10,445       2,087  

Edison International

     15,740       800  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

     25,949       2,071  

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

     11,992       1,564  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     24,395       877  

Equinix, Inc.

     3,663       2,784  

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     17,861       326  

Equity Residential

     15,468       794  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A

     1,001       211  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

    

Estee Lauder (The) Cos., Inc., Class A

     9,307         $2,031      

Eversource Energy

     13,936       1,164  

Expedia Group, Inc.

     5,655       519  

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

     6,954       629  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     1,557       521  

Fastenal Co.

     23,816       1,074  

Fifth Third Bancorp

     29,235       623  

First Republic Bank

     7,067       771  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

     5,816       503  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

     12,772       260  

General Mills, Inc.

     25,094       1,548  

Genuine Parts Co.

     5,951       566  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     52,272       3,303  

Hartford Financial Services Group (The), Inc.

     14,602       538  

Hasbro, Inc.

     5,447       451  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     11,069       1,380  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

     22,646       615  

Henry Schein, Inc.*

     5,903       347  

Hess Corp.

     11,260       461  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

     54,049       506  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

     11,593       989  

Hologic, Inc.*

     10,633       707  

Home Depot (The), Inc.

     44,524       12,365  

Hormel Foods Corp.

     11,853       579  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     27,550       297  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.

     15,045       252  

HP, Inc.

     58,605       1,113  

Humana, Inc.

     5,503       2,278  

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

     42,381       389  

IDEX Corp.

     3,149       574  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

     3,513       1,381  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

     12,986       2,509  

Intel Corp.

     175,312       9,078  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

     22,636       2,265  

International Business Machines Corp.

     36,780       4,475  

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

     3,527       432  

Intuit, Inc.

     10,769       3,513  

Invesco Ltd.

     15,036       172  

Iron Mountain, Inc.

     11,474       307  

Johnson & Johnson

     109,157       16,251  

Johnson Controls International PLC

     31,331       1,280  

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

     2,344       224
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 57 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

    

Kansas City Southern

     3,956         $715      

Kellogg Co.

     10,588       684  

KeyCorp

     40,906       488  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.*

     7,878       778  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     14,046       2,074  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     85,374       1,053  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     3,930       740  

Lam Research Corp.

     6,037       2,003  

Lennox International, Inc.

     1,503       410  

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C*

     4,600       657  

Lincoln National Corp.

     7,562       237  

LKQ Corp.*

     12,271       340  

Loews Corp.

     11,154       388  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     31,267       5,186  

M&T Bank Corp.

     5,398       497  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     26,675       783  

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

     1,579       760  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     20,920       2,400  

Masco Corp.

     10,881       600  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     36,991       12,509  

McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non Voting)

     5,094       989  

McDonald’s Corp.

     30,853       6,772  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     104,589       8,676  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     1,000       966  

Microsoft Corp.

     298,274       62,736  

Mohawk Industries, Inc.*

     2,356       230  

Moody’s Corp.

     7,040       2,041  

Mosaic (The) Co.

     15,320       280  

Nasdaq, Inc.

     4,743       582  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

     14,781       134  

Newell Brands, Inc.

     15,424       265  

Newmont Corp.

     33,395       2,119  

Nielsen Holdings PLC

     13,634       193  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

     51,329       6,444  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     10,717       2,293  

Northern Trust Corp.(5)

     8,049       628  

Nucor Corp.

     12,592       565  

NVIDIA Corp.

     25,453       13,776  

NVR, Inc.*

     147       600  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     36,065       361  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     8,834       437  

ONEOK, Inc.

     17,874       464  

Owens Corning

     4,159       286  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

    

PACCAR, Inc.

     14,163         $1,208      

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

     5,315       1,075  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

     16,945       175  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     57,486       7,968  

Phillips 66

     18,223       945  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

     4,700       350  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     6,825       587  

PNC Financial Services Group (The),

    

Inc.

     17,775       1,954  

PPG Industries, Inc.

     9,713       1,186  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     11,377       458  

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     102,428       14,236  

Progressive (The) Corp.

     24,127       2,284  

Prologis, Inc.

     30,679       3,087  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

     16,550       1,051  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     21,068       1,157  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     5,387       617  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     5,251       382  

Regions Financial Corp.

     40,197       463  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

     2,720       259  

ResMed, Inc.

     5,923       1,015  

Robert Half International, Inc.

     5,110       271  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

     4,770       1,053  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

     4,327       1,710  

Ross Stores, Inc.

     14,757       1,377  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

     7,263       470  

S&P Global, Inc.

     9,982       3,600  

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     37,256       9,363  

SBA Communications Corp.

     4,668       1,487  

Schlumberger N.V.

     57,806       899  

Sempra Energy

     12,147       1,438  

Sherwin-Williams (The) Co.

     3,402       2,370  

Snap-on, Inc.

     2,224       327  

Southern (The) Co.

     43,810       2,375  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

     6,341       1,029  

Starbucks Corp.

     48,591       4,175  

State Street Corp.

     14,638       868  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

     8,198       235  

STERIS PLC

     3,480       613  

SVB Financial Group*

     2,112       508  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

     9,430       1,209  

Target Corp.

     20,683       3,256  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

     11,282       442  

Teladoc Health, Inc.*

     2,929       642  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    58 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9% (1)     continued

 

United States – 60.8%     continued

    

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.*

     1,520         $472      

Tesla, Inc.*

     30,500       13,085  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     37,897       5,411  

Tiffany & Co.

     4,469       518  

TJX (The) Cos., Inc.

     50,054       2,785  

Tractor Supply Co.

     4,938       708  

Travelers (The) Cos., Inc.

     10,444       1,130  

Trimble, Inc.*

     10,383       506  

Truist Financial Corp.

     55,707       2,120  

U.S. Bancorp

     55,879       2,003  

UDR, Inc.

     12,857       419  

Ulta Beauty, Inc.*

     2,214       496  

Union Pacific Corp.

     28,135       5,539  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

     29,149       4,857  

United Rentals, Inc.*

     3,092       540  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

     1,708       365  

Valero Energy Corp.

     16,883       731  

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

     3,766       648  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     171,076       10,177  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,784       2,935  

VF Corp.

     13,922       978  

Visa, Inc., Class A

     69,882       13,974  

VMware, Inc., Class A*

     3,392       487  

Voya Financial, Inc.

     5,295       254  

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

     1,862       664  

Walt Disney (The) Co.

     74,706       9,270  

Waste Management, Inc.

     17,443       1,974  

Waters Corp.*

     2,557       500  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     12,905       1,250  

Welltower, Inc.

     17,057       940  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     3,100       852  

Western Union (The) Co.

     17,460       374  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

     30,764       877  

Whirlpool Corp.

     2,637       485  

Williams (The) Cos., Inc.

     50,257       988  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     21,583       1,489  

Xylem, Inc.

     7,375       620  

Zions Bancorp N.A.

     6,581       192  

Zoetis, Inc.

     19,675       3,254  
     
               589,493  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $734,109)

       939,508  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.1% (1)

 

Germany – 0.1%

    

Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G., 5.31%(6)

     2,173         $119      

Henkel A.G. & Co. KGaA, 2.06%(6) 

     7,356       770  

Sartorius A.G., 0.10%(6)

     1,460       600  
     
               1,489  

Total Preferred Stocks

                

(Cost $1,064)

       1,489  
    
    

NUMBER

OF WARRANTS

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

WARRANTS – 0.0%

 

Occidental Petroleum Corp. Exp. 7/6/27, Strike $22.00*

     4,308       $13  
     

Total Warrants

                

(Cost $—)

       13  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 2.1%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(7) (8)

     20,347,974       $20,348  
     

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $20,348)

       20,348  
    
     

Total Investments – 99.1%

                

(Cost $755,521)

       961,358  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.9%

 

    8,453  

Net Assets – 100.0%

       $969,811  

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors were provided by an independent evaluation service to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

 

(2) 

Value rounds to less than one thousand.

 

(3) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(4) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(5) 

Investment in affiliate.

 

(6) 

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

(7) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(8) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      59      EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

CDI     CREST Depository Interest
PLC     Public Limited Company
REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust
S&P     Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

      COUNTERPARTY  

 

CONTRACTS

TO

DELIVER

CURRENCY

   

AMOUNT

(LOCAL

CURRENCY)

(000S)

   

IN

EXCHANGE

FOR

CURRENCY

   

AMOUNT

(LOCAL

CURRENCY)

(000S)

   

SETTLEMENT

DATE

   

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

(000S)

 

BNP

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    488       Japanese Yen       51,553       12/16/20       $    1  

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    470       Japanese Yen       49,633       12/16/20       1  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    181       British Pound       141       12/16/20       2  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    479       Japanese Yen       50,769       12/16/20       3  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    246       British Pound       191       12/16/20       1  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    327      
Canadian
Dollar
 
 
    438       12/16/20       2  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    361       Swiss Franc       332       12/16/20       1  
           

Subtotal Appreciation

 

                                    11  

Citibank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    44      
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    60       12/16/20       (1

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,143       Euro       964       12/16/20       (11

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    165       Swiss Franc       149       12/16/20       (2

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    369      
Canadian
Dollar
 
 
    486       12/16/20       (3

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    74      
Swedish
Krona
 
 
    651       12/16/20       (2

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    35,850      
United States
Dollar
 
 
    340       12/16/20       (1

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    149       Danish Krone       930       12/16/20       (2

UBS

   

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    44      
United States
Dollar
 
 
    6       12/16/20      
         

Subtotal Depreciation

 

                            (22

Total

                                            $  (11

 

*

Amounts round to less than a thousand.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    CONTRACT
POSITION
    CONTRACT
EXP.
   

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

(000S)(1)

 

E-Mini S&P 500 (United States Dollar)

    106       $17,766       Long       12/20       $    61  

Euro Stoxx 50 (Euro)

    111       4,157       Long       12/20       (111

FTSE 100 Index (British Pound)

    13       980       Long       12/20       (16

S&P/TSX 60 Index (Canadian Dollar)

    6       867       Long       12/20       (1
TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
   

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

   

CONTRACT

POSITION

   

CONTRACT

EXP.

   

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  (DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)

 

SPI 200 Index (Australian Dollar)

    10     $ 1,039       Long       12/20     $ (19

Topix Index (Japanese Yen)

    11       1,695       Long       12/20       11  
           

Total

                                  $ (75

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR   % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

Communication Services

    8.3

Consumer Discretionary

    12.0  

Consumer Staples

    8.2  

Energy

    2.3  

Financials

    12.1  

Health Care

    13.4  

Industrials

    10.7  

Information Technology

    21.5  

Materials

    5.2  

Real Estate

    2.9  

Utilities

    3.4  
   

Total

    100.0

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY   % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

United States Dollar

    65.3

Euro

    10.6  

Japanese Yen

    8.4  

All other currencies less than 5%

    15.7  
   

Total

    100.0

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    60 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

LEVEL 1

(000S)

   

LEVEL 2

(000S)

   

LEVEL 3

(000S)

   

TOTAL    

(000S)    

Common Stocks:

       

Argentina

    $    2,012       $        —       $        —       $2,012    

Canada

    36,663                   36,663  

Germany

    429       27,696             28,125  

Ireland

    9,137       2,931             12,068  

Switzerland

    2,733       26,653             29,386  

United Kingdom

    9,379       35,841             45,220  

United States

    589,493                   589,493  

All Other Countries(1)

          196,541             196,541  
         

Total Common Stocks

    649,846       289,662             939,508  

Preferred Stocks(1)

          1,489             1,489  

Warrants

    13                   13  

Investment Companies

    20,348                   20,348  
         

Total Investments

    $670,207       $291,151       $        —       $961,358  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                               

Assets

       

Forward Foreign

       

Currency Exchange Contracts

    $         —       $11       $        —       $        11  

Futures Contracts

    72                   72  

Liabilities

       

Forward Foreign

       

Currency Exchange Contracts

          (22           (22

Futures Contracts

    (147                 (147
         

Total Other Financial Instruments

    $        (75     $        (11     $        —       $(86

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

            

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 61 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)

 

Australia – 6.5%

    

Afterpay Ltd.*

     68,273         $3,990      

AGL Energy Ltd.

     204,777       2,001  

AMP Ltd.

     1,125,922       1,060  

Ampol Ltd.

     83,170       1,430  

APA Group

     383,235       2,842  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

     185,908       4,009  

ASX Ltd.

     63,071       3,694  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

     631,243       1,926  

AusNet Services

     615,432       833  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

     917,352       11,357  

BGP Holdings PLC(2) *

     1,085,479        

BHP Group Ltd.

     946,538       24,357  

BHP Group PLC

     675,409       14,399  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

     160,774       1,468  

Brambles Ltd.

     482,513       3,632  

CIMIC Group Ltd.*

     31,589       421  

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

     154,904       1,056  

Cochlear Ltd.

     20,749       2,949  

Coles Group Ltd.

     426,088       5,197  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     569,062       26,009  

Computershare Ltd.

     150,137       1,318  

Crown Resorts Ltd.

     116,748       737  

CSL Ltd.

     146,130       30,109  

Dexus

     350,141       2,235  

Evolution Mining Ltd.

     533,418       2,215  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

     544,545       6,374  

Goodman Group

     530,949       6,833  

GPT Group (The)

     622,460       1,744  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

     737,089       2,320  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

     215,846       1,710  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

     108,520       9,322  

Magellan Financial Group Ltd.

     42,176       1,719  

Medibank Pvt Ltd.

     874,979       1,576  

Mirvac Group

     1,283,973       2,011  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

     1,033,254       13,184  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

     257,528       5,804  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

     243,188       2,391  

Oil Search Ltd.

     646,495       1,228  

Orica Ltd.

     127,119       1,409  

Origin Energy Ltd.

     557,901       1,725  

Qantas Airways Ltd.*

     278,173       810  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

     465,026       2,878  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

     57,943       2,749  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Australia – 6.5%     continued

    

REA Group Ltd.

     16,671         $1,317      

Santos Ltd.

     585,013       2,053  

Scentre Group

     1,660,204       2,627  

SEEK Ltd.

     104,303       1,596  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

     142,612       3,393  

South32 Ltd.

     1,592,579       2,335  

Stockland

     774,161       2,103  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

     415,200       2,522  

Sydney Airport

     445,510       1,875  

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd.

     724,103       1,738  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

     1,360,762       2,715  

TPG Telecom Ltd.*

     114,731       608  

Transurban Group

     868,830       8,805  

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

     238,937       1,533  

Vicinity Centres

     1,040,005       1,028  

Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd.

     34,737       586  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

     366,324       11,680  

Westpac Banking Corp.

     1,155,517       13,943  

WiseTech Global Ltd.

     47,156       887  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

     296,207       3,741  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

     404,041       10,563  
     
               292,679  

Austria – 0.2%

    

ANDRITZ A.G.

     24,345       750  

Erste Group Bank A.G.*

     90,538       1,893  

OMV A.G.*

     46,476       1,270  

Raiffeisen Bank International A.G.*

     48,100       735  

Verbund A.G.

     22,046       1,204  

voestalpine A.G.

     39,104       1,028  
     
               6,880  

Belgium – 0.9%

    

Ageas S.A./N.V.

     55,457       2,263  

Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A./N.V.

     246,353       13,298  

Colruyt S.A.

     18,827       1,222  

Elia Group S.A./N.V.

     9,981       997  

Galapagos N.V.*

     13,741       1,952  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert S.A.

     34,266       3,088  

KBC Group N.V.

     79,839       3,998  

Proximus S.A.DP

     51,340       937  

Sofina S.A.

     4,895       1,335  

Solvay S.A., Class A

     23,192       1,994  

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

     15,042       583  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    62 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Belgium – 0.9%     continued

    

UCB S.A.

     40,651         $4,616      

Umicore S.A.

     64,146       2,671  
     
               38,954  

Chile – 0.0%

    

Antofagasta PLC

     128,744       1,698  

China – 0.1%

    

BeiGene Ltd. ADR*

     12,635       3,619  

Microport Scientific Corp.

     232,000       928  

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd.

     794,366       579  
     
               5,126  

Denmark – 2.5%

    

Ambu A/S, Class B

     53,390       1,512  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

     1,004       1,467  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B

     2,152       3,412  

Carlsberg A.S., Class B

     33,245       4,476  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

     33,660       3,741  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

     37,984       6,007  

Danske Bank A/S*

     221,568       3,001  

Demant A/S*

     33,729       1,061  

DSV Panalpina A/S

     66,804       10,902  

Genmab A/S*

     20,992       7,622  

GN Store Nord A/S

     41,574       3,146  

H Lundbeck A/S

     22,078       728  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     551,431       38,303  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

     67,668       4,256  

Orsted A/S(3)

     60,694       8,372  

Pandora A/S

     31,837       2,291  

Tryg A/S

     37,739       1,189  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     62,961       10,188  
     
               111,674  

Finland – 1.2%

    

Elisa OYJ

     46,542       2,743  

Fortum OYJ

     140,967       2,853  

Kone OYJ, Class B

     108,658       9,553  

Neste OYJ

     136,777       7,192  

Nokia OYJ*

     1,832,622       7,183  

Nordea Bank Abp*

     1,037,846       7,906  

Orion OYJ, Class B

     34,192       1,548  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

     151,821       6,006  

Stora Enso OYJ (Registered)

     185,170       2,902  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

     171,879       5,231  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

     143,513       1,129  
     
               54,246  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

France – 10.3%

    

Accor S.A.*

     62,009         $1,734      

Aeroports de Paris

     9,143       910  

Air Liquide S.A.

     152,002       24,120  

Airbus S.E.*

     188,661       13,694  

Alstom S.A.*

     61,474       3,061  

Amundi S.A.(3) *

     19,295       1,360  

Arkema S.A.

     21,879       2,321  

Atos S.E.*

     30,972       2,495  

AXA S.A.

     619,888       11,443  

BioMerieux

     13,166       2,061  

BNP Paribas S.A.*

     360,684       13,066  

Bollore S.A.

     262,625       980  

Bouygues S.A.

     75,250       2,609  

Bureau Veritas S.A.*

     97,320       2,186  

Capgemini S.E.

     52,157       6,680  

Carrefour S.A.

     192,994       3,089  

Cie de Saint-Gobain*

     165,882       6,965  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin S.C.A.

     55,041       5,890  

CNP Assurances*

     54,298       679  

Covivio

     14,888       1,051  

Credit Agricole S.A.*

     371,695       3,249  

Danone S.A.

     197,684       12,786  

Dassault Aviation S.A.*

     777       660  

Dassault Systemes S.E.

     42,414       7,912  

Edenred

     78,121       3,505  

Eiffage S.A.*

     26,411       2,153  

Electricite de France S.A.

     195,513       2,068  

Engie S.A.*

     588,473       7,865  

EssilorLuxottica S.A.*

     90,943       12,367  

Eurazeo S.E.*

     13,777       746  

Eurofins Scientific S.E.*

     4,326       3,425  

Faurecia S.E.*

     24,604       1,063  

Gecina S.A.

     14,696       1,944  

Getlink S.E.*

     141,010       1,912  

Hermes International

     10,216       8,806  

ICADE

     10,130       569  

Iliad S.A.

     4,810       885  

Ingenico Group S.A.*

     19,337       2,992  

Ipsen S.A.

     12,382       1,299  

JCDecaux S.A.*

     29,434       510  

Kering S.A.

     24,304       16,147  

Klepierre S.A.

     63,233       887  

La Francaise des Jeux S.A.E.M(3)

     27,798       1,021  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 63 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

France – 10.3%     continued

    

Legrand S.A.

     84,108         $6,715      

L’Oreal S.A.

     80,691       26,257  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.

     89,359       41,775  

Natixis S.A.*

     328,403       738  

Orange S.A.

     639,752       6,657  

Orpea*

     16,423       1,865  

Pernod Ricard S.A.

     68,369       10,911  

Peugeot S.A.*

     188,809       3,404  

Publicis Groupe S.A.

     72,100       2,337  

Remy Cointreau S.A.

     6,924       1,264  

Renault S.A.*

     63,646       1,643  

Safran S.A.*

     102,803       10,116  

Sanofi

     363,716       36,469  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

     8,647       2,978  

Schneider Electric S.E.

     177,237       21,998  

SCOR S.E.*

     50,724       1,405  

SEB S.A.

     7,697       1,252  

SES S.A.

     121,841       862  

Societe Generale S.A.*

     259,994       3,440  

Sodexo S.A.

     28,765       2,048  

Suez S.A.

     114,484       2,119  

Teleperformance

     18,729       5,768  

Thales S.A.

     33,906       2,539  

TOTAL S.E.

     792,768       27,218  

Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.*

     29,543       2,670  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

     30,270       1,117  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield - CDI

     284,960       503  

Valeo S.A.

     75,023       2,293  

Veolia Environnement S.A.

     175,020       3,775  

Vinci S.A.

     165,050       13,767  

Vivendi S.A.

     268,025       7,470  

Wendel S.E.

     8,624       782  

Worldline S.A.(3) *

     44,707       3,666  
     
               458,986  

Germany – 8.8%

    

adidas A.G.*

     61,015       19,748  

Allianz S.E. (Registered)

     134,060       25,715  

Aroundtown S.A.*

     374,858       1,884  

BASF S.E.

     293,971       17,901  

Bayer A.G. (Registered)

     316,382       19,774  

Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G.

     106,853       7,759  

Beiersdorf A.G.

     32,957       3,748  

Brenntag A.G.

     48,795       3,105  

Carl Zeiss Meditec A.G. (Bearer)

     13,432       1,700  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Germany – 8.8%     continued

    

Commerzbank A.G.*

     333,978         $1,641      

Continental A.G.

     35,891       3,891  

Covestro A.G.(3)

     55,602       2,761  

Daimler A.G. (Registered)

     273,419       14,743  

Delivery Hero S.E.(3) *

     41,019       4,718  

Deutsche Bank A.G. (Registered)*

     630,209       5,313  

Deutsche Boerse A.G.

     61,350       10,774  

Deutsche Lufthansa A.G. (Registered)*

     78,128       673  

Deutsche Post A.G. (Registered)

     319,085       14,551  

Deutsche Telekom A.G. (Registered)

     1,067,197       17,878  

Deutsche Wohnen S.E.

     108,890       5,449  

E.ON S.E.

     721,001       7,966  

Evonik Industries A.G.

     67,876       1,758  

Fraport A.G. Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide*

     15,023       595  

Fresenius Medical Care A.G. & Co. KGaA

     69,392       5,859  

Fresenius S.E. & Co. KGaA

     133,426       6,074  

GEA Group A.G.

     50,311       1,773  

Hannover Rueck S.E.

     19,861       3,079  

HeidelbergCement A.G.

     48,335       2,965  

Henkel A.G. & Co. KGaA

     33,775       3,164  

HOCHTIEF A.G.

     7,372       574  

Infineon Technologies A.G.

     404,257       11,435  

KION Group A.G.

     21,474       1,844  

Knorr-Bremse A.G.

     23,292       2,751  

LANXESS A.G.

     27,548       1,581  

LEG Immobilien A.G.

     22,246       3,176  

Merck KGaA

     41,574       6,071  

METRO A.G.

     65,940       659  

MTU Aero Engines A.G.

     17,397       2,893  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft A.G. in Muenchen (Registered)

     45,206       11,478  

Nemetschek S.E.

     18,794       1,377  

Puma S.E.*

     25,966       2,340  

RWE A.G.

     207,224       7,769  

SAP S.E.

     334,948       52,159  

Scout24 A.G.(3)

     34,470       3,009  

Siemens A.G. (Registered)

     246,327       31,147  

Siemens Energy A.G.*

     123,163       3,321  

Siemens Healthineers A.G.(3)

     86,685       3,892  

Symrise A.G.

     40,948       5,665  

TeamViewer A.G.*

     42,532       2,100  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding A.G.

     332,822       854  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    64 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Germany – 8.8%     continued

    

thyssenkrupp A.G.*

     129,657         $655      

Uniper S.E.

     64,190       2,074  

United Internet A.G. (Registered)

     34,448       1,318  

Volkswagen A.G.

     10,320       1,804  

Vonovia S.E.

     164,803       11,325  

Zalando S.E.(3) *

     48,274       4,519  
     
               394,749  

Hong Kong – 3.1%

    

AIA Group Ltd.

     3,877,886       38,202  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

     97,300       995  

Bank of East Asia (The) Ltd.

     438,830       809  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

     1,182,108       3,136  

Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC Ltd.(3)

     564,700       1,650  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     832,638       4,062  

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

     865,638       5,248  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

     217,353       1,017  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

     528,514       4,926  

Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd.

     110,800       419  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

     691,148       4,678  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

     667,501       1,702  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

     242,379       3,598  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

     432,929       1,597  

HK Electric Investments & HK Electric Investments Ltd.

     855,227       883  

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd.

     1,253,220       1,660  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

     3,409,482       4,900  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

     387,596       18,219  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

     375,600       1,399  

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

     69,800       2,770  

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

     72,200       1,430  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

     233,703       597  

Link REIT

     660,927       5,403  

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. ADR

     71,716       1,194  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

     500,136       2,482  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

     483,111       2,352  

Pacific Century Premium Developments Ltd.*

     151,084       40  

PCCW Ltd.

     1,398,926       836  

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

     455,317       2,395  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

     1,010,174       1,176  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

     627,572       741  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

     417,758       5,356  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

     155,051       752  

Swire Properties Ltd.

     383,787       1,014  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Hong Kong – 3.1%     continued

    

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

     438,833         $5,770      

WH Group Ltd.(3)

     3,130,213       2,548  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

     541,766       2,218  
     
               138,174  

Ireland – 1.1%

    

AerCap Holdings N.V.*

     40,168       1,012  

CRH PLC

     251,213       9,072  

DCC PLC

     32,134       2,476  

Experian PLC

     293,432       10,980  

Flutter Entertainment PLC

     49,252       7,804  

Irish Bank Resolution Corp. Ltd.(2) *

     99,788        

James Hardie Industries PLC - CDI

     144,410       3,440  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

     51,724       6,640  

Kingspan Group PLC*

     48,714       4,431  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

     74,036       2,905  
     
               48,760  

Isle of Man – 0.1%

    

GVC Holdings PLC*

     185,117       2,330  

Israel – 0.6%

    

Azrieli Group Ltd.

     14,606       651  

Bank Hapoalim B.M.

     371,223       1,982  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M.

     461,937       2,032  

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

     36,562       4,400  

CyberArk Software Ltd.*

     11,909       1,232  

Elbit Systems Ltd.

     8,533       1,036  

ICL Group Ltd.

     227,703       804  

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Class A

     370,758       999  

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

     44,365       786  

Nice Ltd.*

     19,770       4,480  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR*

     351,151       3,164  

Wix.com Ltd.*

     16,515       4,209  
     
               25,775  

Italy – 2.0%

    

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A.

     352,973       4,971  

Atlantia S.p.A.*

     157,434       2,469  

Davide Campari-Milano N.V.

     180,713       1,975  

DiaSorin S.p.A.

     8,205       1,654  

Enel S.p.A.

     2,607,121       22,638  

Eni S.p.A.

     821,127       6,424  

Ferrari N.V.

     18,106       3,314  

Ferrari N.V. (New York Exchange)

     23,010       4,236  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 65 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Italy – 2.0%     continued

    

FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A.*

     192,298         $2,646      

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane S.p.A.(3) 

     74,074       821  

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.*

     5,333,800       10,015  

Leonardo S.p.A.

     136,815       800  

Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario S.p.A.

     198,017       1,553  

Moncler S.p.A.*

     63,253       2,591  

Nexi S.p.A.(3) *

     121,538       2,437  

Pirelli & C S.p.A.(3) *

     128,750       552  

Poste Italiane S.p.A.(3)

     170,499       1,510  

Prysmian S.p.A.

     76,353       2,220  

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica S.p.A.

     33,670       1,723  

Snam S.p.A.

     659,958       3,393  

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

     2,637,213       1,055  

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (RSP)

     1,985,718       804  

Tenaris S.A.

     148,437       740  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale S.p.A.

     457,985       3,209  

UniCredit S.p.A.*

     686,090       5,658  
     
               89,408  

Japan – 25.6%

    

ABC-Mart, Inc.

     10,800       562  

Acom Co. Ltd.

     127,500       552  

Advantest Corp.

     63,800       3,099  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

     210,500       5,659  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

     29,880       420  

AGC, Inc.

     63,400       1,857  

Air Water, Inc.

     58,469       791  

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

     51,900       1,659  

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

     153,100       3,147  

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

     61,400       1,343  

Amada Co. Ltd.

     107,000       1,003  

ANA Holdings, Inc.*

     34,700       804  

Aozora Bank Ltd.

     40,400       671  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

     145,800       5,078  

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

     63,300       1,988  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

     409,800       3,577  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

     600,900       8,945  

Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc.

     64,200       4,690  

Bank of Kyoto (The) Ltd.

     19,394       937  

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

     23,200       596  

Bridgestone Corp.

     169,300       5,348  

Brother Industries Ltd.

     72,600       1,153  

Calbee, Inc.

     28,100       926  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Canon, Inc.

     320,800         $5,325      

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

     64,800       1,046  

Central Japan Railway Co.

     46,200       6,628  

Chiba Bank (The) Ltd.

     181,400       1,001  

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

     210,800       2,564  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     214,665       9,633  

Chugoku Electric Power (The) Co., Inc.

     93,500       1,171  

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings, Inc.

     39,800       666  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

     316,300       1,103  

Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp.

     6,500       1,131  

CyberAgent, Inc.

     33,200       2,053  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

     80,900       1,639  

Daicel Corp.

     81,600       588  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

     33,300       3,352  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

     343,600       4,849  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

     547,500       16,824  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

     79,400       14,641  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

     21,100       1,871  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

     184,600       4,743  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

     633       1,621  

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

     473,800       1,989  

Denso Corp.

     139,000       6,089  

Dentsu Group, Inc.

     69,618       2,057  

Disco Corp.

     9,400       2,287  

East Japan Railway Co.

     96,012       5,916  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

     81,700       7,455  

Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.

     43,700       674  

ENEOS Holdings, Inc.

     974,897       3,481  

FamilyMart Co. Ltd.

     57,200       1,294  

FANUC Corp.

     61,400       11,779  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

     18,600       11,671  

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

     41,000       1,295  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

     115,600       5,696  

Fujitsu Ltd.

     63,100       8,640  

Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.

     58,400       983  

GLP J-Reit

     1,175       1,814  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

     13,300       1,430  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Inc.

     69,900       903  

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

     45,370       2,286  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

     73,800       2,374  

Hikari Tsushin, Inc.

     6,500       1,549  

Hino Motors Ltd.

     87,800       569  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

     10,528       1,355  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.

     16,700       853  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    66 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

     34,100         $1,235      

Hitachi Ltd.

     308,500       10,424  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

     69,000       1,061  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

     522,500       12,328  

Hoshizaki Corp.

     16,400       1,308  

Hoya Corp.

     119,700       13,493  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

     102,100       958  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

     64,688       1,378  

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

     50,064       1,012  

Inpex Corp.

     334,500       1,789  

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

     109,860       583  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

     177,800       1,558  

Ito En Ltd.

     17,600       1,256  

ITOCHU Corp.

     433,500       11,085  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

     31,500       1,199  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.*

     37,900       711  

Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd.

     15,900       702  

Japan Exchange Group, Inc.

     160,300       4,486  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

     129,800       1,014  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

     500,100       3,411  

Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd.

     76,300       1,201  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

     275       854  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

     429       2,193  

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

     888       1,375  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

     385,500       7,040  

JFE Holdings, Inc.*

     159,200       1,113  

JGC Holdings Corp.

     74,800       777  

JSR Corp.

     66,700       1,582  

JTEKT Corp.

     57,300       449  

Kajima Corp.

     144,900       1,735  

Kakaku.com, Inc.

     43,700       1,155  

Kamigumi Co. Ltd.

     32,400       638  

Kansai Electric Power (The) Co., Inc.

     220,800       2,140  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

     59,100       1,468  

Kao Corp.

     152,900       11,474  

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.*

     44,800       606  

KDDI Corp.

     516,000       13,053  

Keihan Holdings Co. Ltd.

     29,400       1,219  

Keikyu Corp.

     72,500       1,114  

Keio Corp.

     34,000       2,102  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

     42,500       1,201  

Keyence Corp.

     58,556       27,290  

Kikkoman Corp.

     45,800       2,542  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

     55,100         $2,351      

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

     262,000       4,921  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     16,100       1,558  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

     20,200       1,111  

Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     34,214       1,744  

Komatsu Ltd.

     277,800       6,116  

Konami Holdings Corp.

     28,500       1,235  

Kose Corp.

     11,000       1,345  

Kubota Corp.

     331,400       5,928  

Kuraray Co. Ltd.

     104,500       1,015  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

     31,500       1,040  

Kyocera Corp.

     102,700       5,868  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

     88,600       2,517  

Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.

     116,800       1,061  

Kyushu Railway Co.

     49,000       1,047  

Lasertec Corp.

     24,700       2,043  

Lawson, Inc.

     15,900       757  

LINE Corp.*

     11,700       596  

Lion Corp.

     72,400       1,489  

LIXIL Group Corp.

     85,200       1,713  

M3, Inc.

     141,300       8,774  

Makita Corp.

     71,300       3,401  

Marubeni Corp.

     523,400       2,970  

Marui Group Co. Ltd.

     61,300       1,176  

Maruichi Steel Tube Ltd.

     17,300       433  

Mazda Motor Corp.

     181,600       1,062  

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

     21,000       1,022  

Mebuki Financial Group, Inc.

     276,810       628  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

     60,200       1,205  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

     36,026       2,753  

Mercari, Inc.*

     27,800       1,285  

MINEBEA MITSUMI, Inc.

     118,900       2,243  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

     93,500       2,613  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

     421,100       2,431  

Mitsubishi Corp.

     427,800       10,234  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

     584,100       7,886  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

     374,900       5,666  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.

     50,600       939  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

     104,600       2,323  

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

     36,300       717  

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.*

     208,400       460  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

     3,943,995       15,651  

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. Ltd.

     132,200       611  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

     519,600       8,925  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 67 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

     60,400         $1,461      

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     295,400       5,145  

Miura Co. Ltd.

     28,800       1,408  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

     771,619       9,639  

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

     41,100       2,047  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

     140,643       3,809  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     182,691       11,788  

Nabtesco Corp.

     36,999       1,348  

Nagoya Railroad Co. Ltd.

     60,600       1,661  

NEC Corp.

     78,800       4,613  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

     154,100       3,827  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

     85,900       1,226  

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.

     45,100       787  

NH Foods Ltd.

     25,000       1,116  

Nidec Corp.

     144,000       13,392  

Nihon M&A Center, Inc.

     49,000       2,795  

Nikon Corp.

     98,600       666  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

     36,000       20,465  

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

     403       2,288  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

     24,100       1,403  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

     46,700       4,806  

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

     667       2,252  

Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd.

     14,200       1,171  

Nippon Steel Corp.*

     257,061       2,428  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

     415,512       8,501  

Nippon Yusen K.K.

     50,900       882  

Nissan Chemical Corp.

     40,700       2,171  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.*

     763,500       2,714  

Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc.

     65,705       1,048  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

     20,500       1,927  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

     25,600       5,325  

Nitto Denko Corp.

     50,100       3,266  

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

     1,004,600       4,583  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

     37,900       721  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

     1,345       1,691  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

     104,922       3,084  

NSK Ltd.

     119,600       915  

NTT Data Corp.

     204,900       2,627  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

     364,700       13,525  

Obayashi Corp.

     211,600       1,918  

Obic Co. Ltd.

     21,700       3,818  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

     92,400       2,325  

Oji Holdings Corp.

     282,800       1,298  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Olympus Corp.

     377,600         $7,838      

Omron Corp.

     59,300       4,619  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     115,100       3,613  

Oracle Corp. Japan

     12,600       1,366  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

     63,900       8,952  

ORIX Corp.

     422,300       5,257  

Orix JREIT, Inc.

     815       1,257  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

     122,000       2,377  

Otsuka Corp.

     34,800       1,781  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

     124,715       5,289  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

     127,900       2,979  

Panasonic Corp.

     705,100       5,973  

Park24 Co. Ltd.

     35,600       575  

PeptiDream, Inc.*

     31,200       1,466  

Persol Holdings Co. Ltd.

     57,800       940  

Pigeon Corp.

     37,800       1,689  

Pola Orbis Holdings, Inc.

     28,800       544  

Rakuten, Inc.

     278,600       3,010  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

     409,200       16,236  

Renesas Electronics Corp.*

     244,200       1,789  

Resona Holdings, Inc.

     663,110       2,260  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

     217,200       1,464  

Rinnai Corp.

     11,600       1,133  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

     28,900       2,231  

Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd.

     74,100       1,231  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     116,700       2,393  

SBI Holdings, Inc.

     75,560       1,955  

SCSK Corp.

     17,100       957  

Secom Co. Ltd.

     66,600       6,085  

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

     58,500       712  

Seibu Holdings, Inc.

     70,900       763  

Seiko Epson Corp.

     91,700       1,054  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

     117,000       1,870  

Sekisui House Ltd.

     203,900       3,606  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

     241,500       7,465  

Seven Bank Ltd.

     193,200       468  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

     52,500       2,729  

Sharp Corp.

     70,300       871  

Shimadzu Corp.

     69,600       2,123  

Shimamura Co. Ltd.

     6,900       674  

Shimano, Inc.

     24,100       4,745  

Shimizu Corp.

     181,000       1,357  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

     113,300       14,788  

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

     51,000       632  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    68 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

     84,100         $4,499      

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

     129,400       7,425  

Shizuoka Bank (The) Ltd.

     138,900       961  

Showa Denko K.K.

     45,400       832  

SMC Corp.

     18,500       10,296  

SoftBank Corp.

     922,000       10,331  

SoftBank Group Corp.

     502,900       31,053  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

     23,300       1,110  

Sompo Holdings, Inc.

     106,945       3,704  

Sony Corp.

     404,400       30,930  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

     29,900       1,988  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

     41,500       1,191  

Subaru Corp.

     196,100       3,807  

SUMCO Corp.

     87,100       1,225  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

     427,500       1,416  

Sumitomo Corp.

     376,900       4,519  

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd.

     58,700       773  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

     238,100       2,675  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     36,200       842  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

     75,600       2,340  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

     419,642       11,677  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

     104,819       2,789  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

     101,500       3,003  

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

     55,700       517  

Sundrug Co. Ltd.

     24,200       911  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     45,700       1,718  

Suzuken Co. Ltd.

     21,236       809  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

     117,800       5,046  

Sysmex Corp.

     53,298       5,086  

T&D Holdings, Inc.

     163,400       1,616  

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

     39,100       998  

Taisei Corp.

     62,600       2,109  

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd.

     8,600       567  

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.

     49,700       768  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     507,366       18,073  

TDK Corp.

     42,200       4,615  

Teijin Ltd.

     60,200       933  

Terumo Corp.

     208,100       8,291  

THK Co. Ltd.

     36,500       916  

TIS, Inc.

     73,400       1,560  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

     62,200       1,921  

Toho Co. Ltd.

     36,700       1,513  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Japan – 25.6%     continued

    

Toho Gas Co. Ltd.

     24,200         $1,200      

Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

     140,200       1,405  

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

     200,900       8,798  

Tokyo Century Corp.

     13,100       713  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings, Inc.*

     466,000       1,281  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

     48,200       12,615  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

     120,700       2,758  

Tokyu Corp.

     163,200       2,118  

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

     203,000       874  

Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

     82,700       1,165  

Toray Industries, Inc.

     440,900       2,016  

Toshiba Corp.

     125,800       3,202  

Tosoh Corp.

     87,000       1,415  

TOTO Ltd.

     46,100       2,115  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

     27,400       1,448  

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

     18,700       429  

Toyota Industries Corp.

     45,900       2,902  

Toyota Motor Corp.

     681,144       45,051  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

     70,500       1,969  

Trend Micro, Inc.

     43,800       2,673  

Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.

     11,800       1,670  

Unicharm Corp.

     128,900       5,758  

United Urban Investment Corp.

     982       1,095  

USS Co. Ltd.

     67,700       1,211  

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

     31,800       1,398  

West Japan Railway Co.

     51,600       2,550  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

     39,500       2,192  

Yamada Holdings Co. Ltd.

     237,790       1,186  

Yamaha Corp.

     44,000       2,106  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

     91,100       1,325  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

     98,500       2,593  

Yamazaki Baking Co. Ltd.

     39,405       688  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

     78,100       3,050  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

     72,200       1,147  

Yokohama Rubber (The) Co. Ltd.

     39,000       555  

Z Holdings Corp.

     863,300       5,768  

ZOZO, Inc.

     36,500       1,018  
     
               1,141,674  

Jordan – 0.0%

    

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     56,134       1,880  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 69 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Macau – 0.1%

    

Sands China Ltd.

     790,299         $3,075      

Wynn Macau Ltd.*

     522,546       837  
     
               3,912  

Netherlands – 4.5%

    

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. - C.V.A.*

     142,194       1,189  

Adyen N.V.(3) *

     5,842       10,766  

Aegon N.V.

     605,946       1,574  

Akzo Nobel N.V.

     62,283       6,308  

Altice Europe N.V.*

     194,759       933  

ArcelorMittal S.A.*

     233,124       3,109  

Argenx S.E.*

     14,392       3,791  

ASML Holding N.V.

     136,487       50,327  

EXOR N.V.

     34,142       1,858  

Heineken Holding N.V.

     36,213       2,818  

Heineken N.V.

     83,751       7,443  

ING Groep N.V.*

     1,248,959       8,844  

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V.*

     39,798       4,457  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.

     355,979       10,535  

Koninklijke DSM N.V.

     54,945       9,055  

Koninklijke KPN N.V.

     1,175,509       2,764  

Koninklijke Philips N.V.*

     293,544       13,829  

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

     22,420       1,263  

NN Group N.V.

     91,335       3,431  

Prosus N.V.*

     155,978       14,384  

QIAGEN N.V.*

     74,229       3,855  

Randstad N.V.*

     37,272       1,945  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     1,316,281       16,292  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

     1,190,465       14,401  

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

     86,800       7,410  
     
               202,581  

New Zealand – 0.3%

    

a2 Milk (The) Co. Ltd.*

     232,528       2,368  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

     391,059       1,895  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

     188,010       4,138  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

     212,645       718  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

     395,890       1,291  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

     135,481       1,267  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

     603,061       1,881  
     
               13,558  

Norway – 0.6%

    

Adevinta ASA*

     77,353       1,327  

DNB ASA*

     302,661       4,180  

Equinor ASA

     322,911       4,557  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

 

Norway – 0.6%     continued

    

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

     68,412         $1,389      

Mowi ASA

     143,543       2,546  

Norsk Hydro ASA*

     419,775       1,155  

Orkla ASA

     237,343       2,402  

Schibsted ASA, Class B*

     29,357       1,173  

Telenor ASA

     228,878       3,835  

Yara International ASA

     56,840       2,189  
     
               24,753  

Portugal – 0.2%

    

Banco Espirito Santo S.A. (Registered)(2) *

     882,815        

EDP - Energias de Portugal S.A.

     882,595       4,338  

Galp Energia SGPS S.A.

     165,272       1,532  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS S.A.

     84,168       1,352  
     
               7,222  

Russia – 0.0%

    

Evraz PLC

     159,261       710  

Singapore – 1.0%

    

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

     1,008,575       2,408  

CapitaLand Commercial Trust

     890,336       1,078  

CapitaLand Ltd.

     851,962       1,702  

CapitaLand Mall Trust

     838,800       1,194  

City Developments Ltd.

     156,800       882  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     577,270       8,491  

Genting Singapore Ltd.

     1,868,480       918  

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

     30,673       407  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

     471,750       1,547  

Mapletree Commercial Trust

     683,900       979  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

     872,200       1,310  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

     1,057,228       6,568  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

     426,335       1,090  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

     263,600       1,774  

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

     514,600       1,312  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

     2,543,225       3,967  

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust

     645,000       691  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

     375,649       5,273  

UOL Group Ltd.

     152,980       749  

Venture Corp. Ltd.

     89,300       1,266  

Wilmar International Ltd.

     605,100       1,960  
     
               45,566  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    70 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Spain – 2.2%

    

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios S.A.

     83,706         $1,897      

Aena S.M.E. S.A.*

     22,205       3,093  

Amadeus IT Group S.A.

     145,361       8,067  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

     2,135,212       5,901  

Banco Santander S.A.

     5,365,773       9,996  

Bankinter S.A.

     215,495       927  

CaixaBank S.A.

     1,126,403       2,388  

Cellnex Telecom S.A.(3) *

     102,591       6,235  

Enagas S.A.

     82,338       1,897  

Endesa S.A.

     104,132       2,785  

Ferrovial S.A.

     156,623       3,800  

Grifols S.A.

     95,510       2,753  

Iberdrola S.A.

     1,901,908       23,408  

Industria de Diseno Textil S.A.

     349,411       9,715  

Mapfre S.A.

     353,746       554  

Naturgy Energy Group S.A.

     96,837       1,942  

Red Electrica Corp. S.A.

     138,749       2,603  

Repsol S.A.

     455,909       3,045  

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A.

     76,255       2,055  

Telefonica S.A.

     1,562,187       5,358  
     
               98,419  

Sweden – 3.1%

    

Alfa Laval AB*

     102,253       2,257  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

     323,088       7,541  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

     215,933       10,277  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

     124,781       5,199  

Boliden AB

     86,489       2,571  

Electrolux AB, Class B

     71,380       1,664  

Epiroc AB, Class A

     216,191       3,138  

Epiroc AB, Class B

     119,262       1,659  

EQT AB

     77,832       1,506  

Essity AB, Class B*

     194,025       6,556  

Evolution Gaming Group AB

     41,664       2,754  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

     257,884       4,448  

Hexagon AB, Class B*

     90,839       6,865  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

     134,234       1,478  

ICA Gruppen AB

     32,571       1,656  

Industrivarden AB, Class C*

     50,947       1,358  

Investment AB Latour, Class B

     47,006       1,102  

Investor AB, Class B

     147,734       9,633  

Kinnevik AB, Class B

     76,446       3,095  

L E Lundbergforetagen AB, Class B*

     24,989       1,236  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Sweden – 3.1%     continued

    

Lundin Energy AB

     60,416         $1,197      

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B*

     101,014       2,604  

Sandvik AB*

     361,626       7,054  

Securitas AB, Class B*

     94,230       1,442  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A*

     519,080       4,595  

Skanska AB, Class B*

     110,208       2,322  

SKF AB, Class B

     123,110       2,537  

Svenska Cellulosa AB S.C.A., Class B*

     193,021       2,646  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A*

     496,279       4,168  

Swedbank AB, Class A*

     291,273       4,555  

Swedish Match AB

     52,353       4,271  

Tele2 AB, Class B

     156,656       2,212  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

     939,746       10,275  

Telia Co. AB

     804,036       3,306  

Volvo AB, Class B*

     478,457       9,190  
     
               138,367  

Switzerland – 10.5%

    

ABB Ltd. (Registered)

     593,878       15,052  

Adecco Group A.G. (Registered)

     50,262       2,656  

Alcon, Inc.*

     158,019       8,971  

Baloise Holding A.G. (Registered)

     14,629       2,152  

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (Registered)

     9,874       1,001  

Barry Callebaut A.G. (Registered)

     996       2,215  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli A.G. (Participation Certificate)

     347       2,929  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli A.G. (Registered)

     32       2,848  

Cie Financiere Richemont S.A., Class A (Registered)

     168,643       11,296  

Clariant A.G. (Registered)

     64,224       1,263  

Coca-Cola HBC A.G. - CDI*

     63,501       1,570  

Credit Suisse Group A.G. (Registered)

     787,126       7,878  

EMS-Chemie Holding A.G. (Registered)

     2,601       2,334  

Geberit A.G. (Registered)

     11,832       7,011  

Givaudan S.A. (Registered)

     2,959       12,753  

Glencore PLC*

     3,185,253       6,599  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

     70,971       3,026  

Kuehne + Nagel International A.G. (Registered)

     17,361       3,366  

LafargeHolcim Ltd. (Registered)*

     114,366       5,213  

LafargeHolcim Ltd. (Registered) (Euronext Exchange)*

     53,665       2,446  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 71 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

Switzerland – 10.5%     continued

    

Logitech International S.A. (Registered)

     52,204         $4,040      

Lonza Group A.G. (Registered)

     23,768       14,671  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

     955,037       113,305  

Novartis A.G. (Registered)

     712,314       61,901  

Partners Group Holding A.G.

     5,942       5,468  

Roche Holding A.G. (Genusschein)

     225,470       77,139  

Schindler Holding A.G. (Participation Certificate)

     13,319       3,637  

Schindler Holding A.G. (Registered)

     6,389       1,738  

SGS S.A. (Registered)

     1,940       5,200  

Sika A.G. (Registered)

     45,679       11,222  

Sonova Holding A.G. (Registered)*

     17,570       4,455  

STMicroelectronics N.V.

     204,244       6,243  

Straumann Holding A.G. (Registered)

     3,298       3,318  

Swatch Group (The) A.G. (Bearer)

     9,305       2,167  

Swatch Group (The) A.G. (Registered)

     17,903       804  

Swiss Life Holding A.G. (Registered)

     10,367       3,917  

Swiss Prime Site A.G. (Registered)

     25,308       2,297  

Swiss Re A.G.

     94,997       7,031  

Swisscom A.G. (Registered)

     8,233       4,367  

Temenos A.G. (Registered)

     21,443       2,888  

UBS Group A.G. (Registered)

     1,177,380       13,144  

Vifor Pharma A.G.

     14,269       1,942  

Zurich Insurance Group A.G.

     48,444       16,843  
     
               470,316  

United Kingdom – 12.4%

    

3i Group PLC

     310,634       3,988  

Admiral Group PLC

     62,797       2,118  

Anglo American PLC

     392,903       9,488  

Ashtead Group PLC

     143,771       5,151  

Associated British Foods PLC

     112,412       2,708  

AstraZeneca PLC

     421,267       45,851  

Auto Trader Group PLC(3)

     307,065       2,221  

AVEVA Group PLC

     21,941       1,357  

Aviva PLC

     1,266,702       4,658  

BAE Systems PLC

     1,033,598       6,393  

Barclays PLC*

     5,550,409       6,984  

Barratt Developments PLC

     331,361       2,026  

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) PLC

     39,707       2,160  

BP PLC

     6,523,397       18,940  

British American Tobacco PLC

     737,925       26,523  

British Land (The) Co. PLC

     278,430       1,211  

BT Group PLC

     2,895,841       3,680  

Bunzl PLC

     108,242       3,492  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

United Kingdom – 12.4%     continued

 

 

Burberry Group PLC

     131,002         $2,623      

CNH Industrial N.V.*

     326,709       2,539  

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC

     66,948       2,598  

Compass Group PLC

     570,470       8,563  

Croda International PLC

     42,100       3,399  

Diageo PLC

     749,347       25,671  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

     432,276       1,505  

Ferguson PLC

     72,018       7,246  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.*

     126,454       1,548  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (New York Exchange)*

     231,582       2,830  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     1,613,697       30,228  

Halma PLC

     122,847       3,703  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

     108,007       2,165  

HSBC Holdings PLC

     6,547,801       25,438  

Imperial Brands PLC

     302,888       5,339  

Informa PLC*

     479,720       2,326  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC*

     56,866       2,986  

Intertek Group PLC

     51,882       4,220  

J Sainsbury PLC

     597,489       1,469  

JD Sports Fashion PLC

     144,260       1,510  

Johnson Matthey PLC

     61,347       1,855  

Kingfisher PLC

     673,413       2,574  

Land Securities Group PLC

     224,023       1,509  

Legal & General Group PLC

     1,916,837       4,646  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC*

     22,486,963       7,631  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

     101,675       11,632  

M&G PLC

     829,704       1,698  

Melrose Industries PLC*

     1,555,964       2,296  

Mondi PLC

     153,883       3,239  

National Grid PLC

     1,125,132       12,952  

Natwest Group PLC*

     1,569,060       2,142  

Next PLC

     42,152       3,230  

Ocado Group PLC*

     149,074       5,268  

Pearson PLC

     247,467       1,750  

Persimmon PLC

     103,440       3,285  

Prudential PLC

     835,997       11,935  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

     228,398       22,267  

RELX PLC (London Exchange)

     619,289       13,708  

Rentokil Initial PLC*

     594,878       4,094  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

     118,338       8,012  

Rio Tinto PLC

     360,865       21,774  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC*

     626,979       1,040  

RSA Insurance Group PLC*

     338,978       1,972  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    72 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9% (1)     continued

 

United Kingdom – 12.4%     continued

 

 

Sage Group (The) PLC

     353,688         $3,276      

Schroders PLC

     41,409       1,443  

Segro PLC

     365,321       4,392  

Severn Trent PLC

     77,395       2,434  

Smith & Nephew PLC

     279,905       5,454  

Smiths Group PLC

     125,313       2,203  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

     24,141       3,432  

SSE PLC

     332,797       5,181  

St. James’s Place PLC

     168,147       2,009  

Standard Chartered PLC*

     873,294       4,004  

Standard Life Aberdeen PLC

     722,418       2,103  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

     1,109,922       1,544  

Tesco PLC

     3,155,030       8,650  

Unilever N.V.

     468,066       28,257  

Unilever PLC

     375,980       23,167  

United Utilities Group PLC

     214,609       2,373  

Vodafone Group PLC

     8,605,819       11,417  

Whitbread PLC

     66,367       1,810  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

     760,117       1,669  

WPP PLC

     398,580       3,113  
     
               555,295  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $3,363,645)

       4,373,692  

    

    

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.6% (1)

    

Germany – 0.6%

    

Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G.,
5.31%(4)

     16,990       931  

FUCHS PETROLUB S.E., 2.20%(4)

     21,600       1,099  

Henkel A.G. & Co. KGaA,
2.06%(4)

     56,676       5,935  

Porsche Automobil Holding S.E.*

     49,693       2,967  

Sartorius A.G., 0.10%(4)

     11,620       4,773  

Volkswagen A.G., 3.68%(4)

     59,370       9,555  
     
               25,260  

Total Preferred Stocks

                

(Cost $17,820)

       25,260  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.6%

 

 

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

     224,500         $14,289      

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio
(Shares), 0.00%(5) (6)

     13,119,724       13,120  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $27,410)

       27,409  

    

                

Total Investments – 99.1%

                

(Cost $3,408,875)

       4,426,361  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.9%

 

    41,046  

Net Assets – 100.0%

       $4,467,407  

 

(1)

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

(2)

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(3)

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(4)

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

(5)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(6)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt
CDI – CREST Depository Interest
EAFE – Europe, Australasia and the Far East
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International
PLC – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 73 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND    continued

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:    

 

      COUNTERPARTY

 

CONTRACTS

TO

DELIVER

CURRENCY

   

AMOUNT

(LOCAL

CURRENCY)

(000S)

   

IN

EXCHANGE

FOR
CURRENCY

    AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
   

SETTLEMENT

DATE

 

 

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

  (DEPRECIATION)  

(000S)

JPMorgan Chase

    Euro       1,600      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,880     12/16/20     $    1      

JPMorgan Chase

   
Swiss
Franc
 
 
    88      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    97     12/16/20     1  

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,136      
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    3,000     12/16/20     14  

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,156      
British
Pound
 
 
    900     12/16/20     6  

Morgan Stanley

   
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    3,071      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,239     12/16/20     39  

Morgan Stanley

    Euro       1,450      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,725     12/16/20     22      

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,467      
British
Pound
 
 
    1,146     12/16/20     12  

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    11,089      
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    1,175,642     12/16/20     71  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   
Danish
Krone
 
 
    1,361      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    218     12/16/20     3  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    784      
British
Pound
 
 
    610     12/16/20     4  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    674      
Swiss
Franc
 
 
    620     12/16/20     —*  

UBS

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    692      

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    5,366     12/16/20     —*  
             

Subtotal Appreciation

                                        173  

Citibank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    744      
Australian
Dollar
 
 
    1,021     12/16/20     (13

JPMorgan Chase

    Euro       975      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,136     12/16/20     (10

JPMorgan Chase

   
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    158,500      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,501     12/16/20     (3

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    5,536       Euro       4,664     12/16/20     (57

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    604      
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    63,210     12/16/20     (4

JPMorgan Chase

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    137      

New
Zealand
Dollar
 
 
 
    205     12/16/20     (1

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    221      
British
Pound
 
 
    170     12/16/20     (2

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,856       Euro       1,568     12/16/20     (14

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    1,428      
Swedish
Krona
 
 
    12,482     12/16/20     (33

Morgan Stanley

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    198      
Swiss
Franc
 
 
    180     12/16/20     (2

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   
Japanese
Yen
 
 
    647,370      

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    6,130     12/16/20     (15

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,479       Euro       2,110     12/16/20     (1

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    239      
Norwegian
Krone
 
 
    2,153     12/16/20     (8

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    46      
Singapore
Dollar
 
 
    63     12/16/20     —*  
             

Subtotal Depreciation

                                        (163

Total

                                        $    10  

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE    NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

CONTRACT

POSITION

    

CONTRACT

EXP.

    

 

VALUE AND

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

  (DEPRECIATION)  

(000S)(1)

Euro Stoxx 50

              

(Euro)

     581        $21,757        Long        12/20        $(734

FTSE 100

              

Index (British

              

Pound)

     129        9,723        Long        12/20        (233

Hang Seng

              

Index (Hong

              

Kong Dollar)

     14        2,116        Long        10/20        13  
TYPE   NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    CONTRACT
POSITION
   

CONTRACT

EXP.

   

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

  (DEPRECIATION)  

(000S)(1)

SPI 200 Index

         

(Australian

         

Dollar)

    48       $4,987       Long       12/20       $   (74

Topix Index

         

(Japanese

         

Yen)

    82       12,638       Long       12/20       141      

Total

                                    $ (887

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:    

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR   

 

% OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  

 

Communication Services

     5.5

Consumer Discretionary

     11.8  

Consumer Staples

     11.9  

Energy

     2.8  

Financials

     15.3  

Health Care

     14.3  

Industrials

     15.1  

Information Technology

     8.6  

Materials

     7.6  

Real Estate

     3.1  

Utilities

     4.0  
   

Total

     100.0

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY   

 

% OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  

 

Euro

     31.8

Japanese Yen

     25.9  

British Pound

     13.2  

Swiss Franc

     10.3  

Australian Dollar

     6.6  

All other currencies less than 5%

     12.2  

Total

     100.0

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    74 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

Common Stocks:

         

China

   $ 3,619     $ 1,507       $—      $ 5,126  

Germany

     3,321       391,428              394,749  

Hong Kong

     1,194       136,980              138,174  

Ireland

     1,012       47,748              48,760  

Israel

     13,005       12,770              25,775  

Italy

     4,236       85,172              89,408  

United Kingdom

     5,428       549,867              555,295  

All Other Countries(1)

           3,116,405              3,116,405  

Total Common Stocks

     31,815       4,341,877              4,373,692  

Preferred Stocks(1)

           25,260              25,260  

Investment Companies

     27,409                    27,409  

Total Investments

   $ 59,224     $ 4,367,137       $—      $ 4,426,361  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                 

Assets

         

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $     $ 173       $—      $ 173  

Futures Contracts

     154                    154  

Liabilities

         

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           (163            (163

Futures Contracts

     (1,041                  (1,041

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ (887   $ 10       $—      $ (877

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 75 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

MID CAP INDEX FUND

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 96.9%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 1.0%

    

Axon Enterprise, Inc.*

     71,622         $6,496      

Hexcel Corp.

     94,175       3,160  

Mercury Systems, Inc.*

     63,188       4,895  

Woodward, Inc.

     65,462       5,247  
     
               19,798  

Apparel & Textile Products – 1.1%

    

Carter’s, Inc.

     49,235       4,263  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

     34,333       2,986  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

     31,617       6,956  

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*

     153,794       4,648  

Urban Outfitters, Inc.*

     77,230       1,607  
     
               20,460  

Asset Management – 1.0%

    

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

     52,527       3,592  

Eaton Vance Corp.

     128,825       4,914  

Federated Hermes, Inc.

     107,392       2,310  

Janus Henderson Group PLC

     170,107       3,695  

Stifel Financial Corp.

     77,356       3,911  
     
               18,422  

Automotive – 1.9%

    

Adient PLC*

     105,932       1,836  

Dana, Inc.

     162,971       2,008  

Delphi Technologies PLC*

     97,400       1,628  

Fox Factory Holding Corp.*

     46,756       3,475  

Gentex Corp.

     277,321       7,141  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (The) Co.

     262,913       2,016  

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

     172,907       4,243  

ITT, Inc.

     97,488       5,757  

Lear Corp.

     61,549       6,712  

Visteon Corp.*

     31,386       2,172  
     
               36,988  

Banking – 5.4%

    

Associated Banc-Corp

     173,340       2,188  

BancorpSouth Bank

     108,789       2,108  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

     45,189       2,283  

Bank OZK

     136,355       2,907  

Cathay General Bancorp

     84,447       1,831  

CIT Group, Inc.

     111,081       1,967  

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

     113,261       6,375  

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

     62,965       4,027  

East West Bancorp, Inc.

     159,592       5,225  

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     160,229       4,472  

First Horizon National Corp.

     624,077       5,885  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Banking – 5.4%     continued

    

FNB Corp.

     364,683         $2,473      

Fulton Financial Corp.

     182,872       1,706  

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

     107,653       3,450  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

     97,434       1,833  

Home BancShares, Inc.

     171,494       2,600  

International Bancshares Corp.

     62,804       1,637  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

     523,307       4,328  

PacWest Bancorp

     131,733       2,250  

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

     85,577       3,046  

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

     104,519       5,417  

Signature Bank

     60,424       5,015  

Sterling Bancorp

     219,339       2,307  

Synovus Financial Corp.

     166,134       3,517  

TCF Financial Corp.

     171,770       4,012  

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     56,879       1,771  

Trustmark Corp.

     71,537       1,532  

UMB Financial Corp.

     48,768       2,390  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

     248,396       2,638  

United Bankshares, Inc.

     146,407       3,143  

Valley National Bancorp

     455,618       3,121  

Washington Federal, Inc.

     85,394       1,781  

Webster Financial Corp.

     101,709       2,686  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

     64,993       2,603  
     
               104,524  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 2.1%

 

 

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     115,419       4,970  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*

     50,759       5,245  

Exelixis, Inc.*

     348,650       8,525  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC*

     62,576       8,923  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     18,141       1,729  

Nektar Therapeutics*

     201,858       3,349  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.*

     56,630       2,062  

United Therapeutics Corp.*

     50,111       5,061  
     
               39,864  

Chemicals – 2.3%

    

Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.

     61,407       4,355  

Avient Corp.

     103,171       2,730  

Cabot Corp.

     63,677       2,294  

Chemours (The) Co.

     185,233       3,873  

Ingevity Corp.*

     46,573       2,303  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

     38,477       1,966  

NewMarket Corp.

     8,258       2,827  

Olin Corp.

     160,308       1,985  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    76 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

 

Chemicals – 2.3%     continued

    

RPM International, Inc.

     146,651         $12,148      

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     47,779       2,759  

Univar Solutions, Inc.*

     190,758       3,220  

Valvoline, Inc.

     208,708       3,974  
     
               44,434  

Commercial Services – 1.2%

    

ASGN, Inc.*

     59,218       3,764  

Brink’s (The) Co.

     57,004       2,342  

FTI Consulting, Inc.*

     41,291       4,376  

H&R Block, Inc.

     217,653       3,546  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     83,939       1,807  

Insperity, Inc.

     40,716       2,666  

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

     65,523       4,805  
     
               23,306  

Construction Materials – 2.0%

    

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

     61,584       7,536  

Eagle Materials, Inc.

     47,116       4,067  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

     126,719       3,740  

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

     226,183       5,089  

Owens Corning

     121,876       8,386  

Trex Co., Inc.*

     130,611       9,352  
     
               38,170  

Consumer Products – 3.1%

    

Boston Beer (The) Co., Inc., Class A*

     10,279       9,080  

Coty, Inc., Class A

     319,408       862  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

     182,746       6,584  

Edgewell Personal Care Co.*

     61,293       1,709  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

     65,713       2,572  

Flowers Foods, Inc.

     222,045       5,402  

Hain Celestial Group (The), Inc.*

     94,268       3,233  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

     28,573       5,530  

Ingredion, Inc.

     75,583       5,720  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

     22,050       3,943  

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     57,982       2,904  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*

     55,070       824  

Post Holdings, Inc.*

     71,045       6,110  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     22,327       2,634  

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

     19,692       609  

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*

     63,753       2,584  
     
               60,300  

Consumer Services – 1.2%

    

Aaron’s, Inc.

     75,757       4,292  

Adtalem Global Education, Inc.*

     58,533       1,437  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Consumer Services – 1.2%     continued

 

 

Graham Holdings Co., Class B

     4,680         $1,891      

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.*

     53,368       4,266  

Service Corp. International

     198,833       8,387  

Strategic Education, Inc.

     27,540       2,519  

WW International, Inc.*

     52,950       999  
     
               23,791  

Containers & Packaging – 1.1%

    

AptarGroup, Inc.

     72,748       8,235  

Greif, Inc., Class A

     29,826       1,080  

O-I Glass, Inc.

     177,098       1,876  

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

     88,832       3,266  

Sonoco Products Co.

     113,257       5,784  
     
               20,241  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 1.1%

 

 

Arrow Electronics, Inc.*

     87,589       6,890  

Avnet, Inc.

     111,399       2,878  

Jabil, Inc.

     152,908       5,239  

SYNNEX Corp.

     46,483       6,510  
     
               21,517  

Distributors - Discretionary – 1.3%

    

IAA, Inc.*

     151,139       7,870  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

     145,751       2,099  

Pool Corp.

     45,219       15,127  
     
               25,096  

Electrical Equipment – 4.1%

    

Acuity Brands, Inc.

     44,714       4,576  

Belden, Inc.

     50,230       1,563  

Cognex Corp.

     195,254       12,711  

Generac Holdings, Inc.*

     70,848       13,719  

Hubbell, Inc.

     61,187       8,373  

Lennox International, Inc.

     39,278       10,708  

Littelfuse, Inc.

     27,466       4,871  

National Instruments Corp.

     148,303       5,294  

nVent Electric PLC

     191,737       3,392  

Trimble, Inc.*

     282,326       13,749  
     
               78,956  

Engineering & Construction Services – 1.4%

 

 

AECOM*

     180,972       7,572  

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

     35,925       1,897  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     61,952       4,195  

Fluor Corp.

     140,765       1,240  

KBR, Inc.

     160,626       3,592  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    77 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

MID CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Engineering & Construction Services – 1.4%     continued

 

MasTec, Inc.*

     63,301          $2,671      

TopBuild Corp.*

     37,326        6,371  
     
                27,538  

Forest & Paper Products – 0.1%

     

Domtar Corp.

     62,255        1,635  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 4.2%

 

  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

     90,491        2,777  

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.*

     224,663        12,595  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

     32,484        2,792  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

     40,045        6,560  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

     26,726        3,064  

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

     92,832        7,604  

Jack in the Box, Inc.

     25,573        2,028  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     46,327        4,207  

Papa John’s International, Inc.

     37,025        3,047  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.*

     162,432        11,809  

Scientific Games Corp.*

     63,047        2,201  

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

     73,612        4,475  

Wendy’s (The) Co.

     202,033        4,504  

Wingstop, Inc.

     33,397        4,564  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.

     96,191        2,959  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     105,116        5,308  
     
                80,494  

Hardware – 1.2%

     

Ciena Corp.*

     173,361        6,881  

InterDigital, Inc.

     34,759        1,983  

Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*

     84,850        6,375  

NCR Corp.*

     144,878        3,207  

NetScout Systems, Inc.*

     81,753        1,785  

ViaSat, Inc.*

     72,356        2,488  
     
                22,719  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 4.5%

 

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

     100,325        2,958  

Amedisys, Inc.*

     36,634        8,661  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*

     56,054        12,693  

Chemed Corp.

     17,962        8,628  

Encompass Health Corp.

     112,208        7,291  

HealthEquity, Inc.*

     86,531        4,445  

LHC Group, Inc.*

     35,644        7,577  

MEDNAX, Inc.*

     96,339        1,568  

Medpace Holdings, Inc.*

     30,763        3,438  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

     66,910        12,247  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 4.5%     continued

 

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     97,847         $2,359      

PRA Health Sciences, Inc.*

     72,169       7,321  

Syneos Health, Inc.*

     78,770       4,187  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.*

     118,914       2,915  
     
               86,288  

Home & Office Products – 1.9%

 

 

Herman Miller, Inc.

     66,426       2,003  

HNI Corp.

     48,105       1,510  

KB Home

     99,360       3,814  

MSA Safety, Inc.

     40,803       5,475  

Scotts Miracle-Gro (The) Co.

     45,936       7,024  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.*

     146,339       3,598  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.*

     54,111       4,826  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

     129,562       6,305  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.*

     147,051       2,668  
     
               37,223  

Industrial Services – 0.6%

    

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A

     51,367       3,251  

Watsco, Inc.

     37,035       8,625  
     
               11,876  

Institutional Financial Services – 1.0%

 

 

Evercore, Inc., Class A

     45,800       2,998  

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

     89,197       4,311  

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

     243,678       4,386  

SEI Investments Co.

     137,201       6,959  
     
               18,654  

Insurance – 4.0%

    

Alleghany Corp.

     16,149       8,405  

American Financial Group, Inc.

     80,921       5,420  

Brighthouse Financial, Inc.*

     104,961       2,824  

Brown & Brown, Inc.

     264,859       11,990  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     159,906       2,565  

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*

     570,948       1,913  

Hanover Insurance Group (The), Inc.

     42,560       3,966  

Kemper Corp.

     69,292       4,631  

Mercury General Corp.

     29,982       1,240  

Old Republic International Corp.

     319,039       4,703  

Primerica, Inc.

     44,592       5,045  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

     76,654       7,297  

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

     57,790       9,809  

RLI Corp.

     44,635       3,737  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     67,488       3,475  
     
               77,020  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    78 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Iron & Steel – 1.0%

 

Commercial Metals Co.

     134,298         $2,683      

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     71,940       7,341  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

     225,493       6,456  

United States Steel Corp.

     248,432       1,824  

Worthington Industries, Inc.

     40,691       1,659  
     
               19,963  

Leisure Products – 1.1%

 

Brunswick Corp.

     89,321       5,262  

Mattel, Inc.*

     391,290       4,578  

Polaris, Inc.

     65,058       6,138  

Thor Industries, Inc.

     62,263       5,931  
     
               21,909  

Machinery – 3.9%

    

AGCO Corp.

     69,296       5,147  

Colfax Corp.*

     113,545       3,561  

Crane Co.

     55,652       2,790  

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

     46,913       4,375  

Graco, Inc.

     188,105       11,540  

Kennametal, Inc.

     93,524       2,707  

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

     66,987       6,165  

Middleby (The) Corp.*

     62,755       5,630  

Nordson Corp.

     60,899       11,682  

Oshkosh Corp.

     76,846       5,648  

Regal Beloit Corp.

     45,787       4,298  

Terex Corp.

     78,193       1,514  

Toro (The) Co.

     121,066       10,163  
     
               75,220  

Manufactured Goods – 0.4%

 

Timken (The) Co.

     76,262       4,135  

Valmont Industries, Inc.

     24,090       2,991  
     
               7,126  

Media – 2.0%

    

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*

     45,746       1,130  

Cable One, Inc.

     6,113       11,526  

GrubHub, Inc.*

     104,120       7,531  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

     49,273       1,562  

New York Times (The) Co., Class A

     162,907       6,971  

TEGNA, Inc.

     247,054       2,903  

TripAdvisor, Inc.

     108,428       2,124  

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A

     52,679       2,132  

Yelp, Inc.*

     77,566       1,558  
               37,437  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.2%

 

Avanos Medical, Inc.*

     53,970         $1,793      

Bio-Techne Corp.

     43,497       10,775  

Cantel Medical Corp.

     42,332       1,860  

Globus Medical, Inc., Class A*

     84,994       4,209  

Haemonetics Corp.*

     57,205       4,991  

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

     75,154       6,276  

ICU Medical, Inc.*

     21,971       4,015  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.*

     79,872       3,771  

LivaNova PLC*

     54,912       2,483  

Masimo Corp.*

     57,040       13,465  

NuVasive, Inc.*

     57,806       2,808  

Penumbra, Inc.*

     37,889       7,365  

Quidel Corp.*

     43,073       9,449  

Repligen Corp.*

     55,094       8,129  
     
               81,389  

Metals & Mining – 0.6%

 

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

     38,300       2,273  

Royal Gold, Inc.

     74,008       8,894  
     
               11,167  

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.3%

 

Antero Midstream Corp.

     322,655       1,733  

ChampionX Corp.*

     209,532       1,674  

Cimarex Energy Co.

     115,167       2,802  

CNX Resources Corp.*

     253,174       2,390  

EQT Corp.

     288,405       3,729  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

     458,691       3,881  

Murphy Oil Corp.

     162,912       1,453  

Murphy U.S.A., Inc.*

     30,618       3,927  

World Fuel Services Corp.

     71,638       1,518  

WPX Energy, Inc.*

     455,746       2,233  
     
               25,340  

Passenger Transportation – 0.2%

 

JetBlue Airways Corp.*

     307,387       3,483  

Real Estate – 0.3%

    

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

     58,426       5,589  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 8.7%

 

American Campus Communities, Inc.

     155,294       5,423  

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

     334,385       3,909  

Camden Property Trust

     109,895       9,778  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

     47,991       5,705  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     126,523       3,001  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     167,634       4,793  

CyrusOne, Inc.

     131,871       9,235  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 79 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

MID CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 8.7%     continued

 

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

     185,949         $4,667      

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     44,381       5,740  

EPR Properties

     84,187       2,315  

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

     143,487       5,711  

GEO Group (The), Inc.

     136,893       1,552  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     153,507       4,624  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     117,180       3,934  

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

     173,040       3,795  

JBG SMITH Properties

     126,806       3,391  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

     118,265       6,145  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A

     97,476       6,450  

Life Storage, Inc.

     52,939       5,573  

Macerich (The) Co.

     126,484       859  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

     596,694       10,520  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

     195,810       6,757  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

     256,098       7,668  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     265,743       2,655  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     147,659       1,850  

Physicians Realty Trust

     234,855       4,206  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

     75,520       3,179  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

     22,627       2,769  

Rayonier, Inc.

     154,031       4,073  

Rayonier, Inc. - (Fractional Shares)(1)

     50,000        

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     139,675       6,391  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     231,864       3,196  

Service Properties Trust

     185,625       1,476  

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     116,267       3,924  

STORE Capital Corp.

     257,372       7,060  

Taubman Centers, Inc.

     69,635       2,318  

Urban Edge Properties

     123,777       1,203  

Weingarten Realty Investors

     135,827       2,304  
     
               168,149  

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.2%

 

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

     120,701       1,207  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

     85,119       1,728  
     
               2,935  

Renewable Energy – 2.4%

 

EnerSys

     47,928       3,217  

Enphase Energy, Inc.*

     142,178       11,742  

First Solar, Inc.*

     95,568       6,327  

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.*

     56,551       13,479  

Sunrun, Inc.*

     143,178       11,035  
     
               45,800  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

 

Retail - Consumer Staples – 1.8%

 

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.*

     155,645         $6,467      

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

     41,643       7,398  

Five Below, Inc.*

     63,008       8,002  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.*

     94,054       3,698  

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.*

     64,176       5,606  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.*

     133,080       2,785  
     
               33,956  

Retail - Discretionary –2.4%

 

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

     168,065       2,489  

AutoNation, Inc.*

     65,933       3,490  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.*

     58,170       1,531  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.*

     131,702       4,296  

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

     73,494       4,254  

Foot Locker, Inc.

     117,610       3,885  

Kohl’s Corp.

     178,022       3,299  

Lithia Motors,Inc.,Class A

     25,321       5,772  

Nordstrom, Inc.

     122,349       1,458  

RH*

     17,413       6,662  

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*

     127,315       1,106  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

     87,780       7,939  
     
               46,181  

Semiconductors – 3.5%

 

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

     65,887       4,444  

CMC Materials, Inc.

     32,782       4,682  

Coherent, Inc.*

     27,357       3,035  

Cree, Inc.*

     123,756       7,888  

II-VI, Inc.*

     116,972       4,744  

MKS Instruments, Inc.

     62,199       6,794  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     47,636       13,319  

Semtech Corp.*

     73,524       3,894  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

     49,416       4,835  

Synaptics, Inc.*

     38,623       3,106  

Universal Display Corp.

     48,361       8,741  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     149,510       2,328  
     
               67,810  

Software – 3.1%

    

ACI Worldwide, Inc.*

     131,325       3,431  

Blackbaud, Inc.

     55,971       3,125  

CDK Global, Inc.

     137,138       5,978  

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.*

     146,478       12,106  

CommVault Systems, Inc.*

     52,346       2,136  

J2 Global, Inc.*

     50,492       3,495  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

     71,673       6,844  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    80 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Software – 3.1%     continued

    

Paylocity Holding Corp.*

     41,896         $6,763      

PTC, Inc.*

     117,918       9,754  

Qualys, Inc.*

     38,084       3,733  

Teradata Corp.*

     122,988       2,792  
     
               60,157  

Specialty Finance – 1.7%

    

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

     53,838       2,260  

Essent Group Ltd.

     126,850       4,695  

First American Financial Corp.

     125,830       6,406  

FirstCash, Inc.

     46,743       2,674  

GATX Corp.

     39,492       2,518  

LendingTree, Inc.*

     8,879       2,725  

Navient Corp.

     218,814       1,849  

SLM Corp.

     423,390       3,425  

WEX, Inc.*

     49,754       6,914  
     
               33,466  

Technology Services – 3.1%

    

CACI International, Inc., Class A*

     28,318       6,036  

CoreLogic, Inc.

     89,656       6,067  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     42,869       14,356  

Fair Isaac Corp.*

     32,720       13,918  

LiveRamp Holdings, Inc.*

     74,332       3,848  

MAXIMUS, Inc.

     69,159       4,731  

Perspecta, Inc.

     154,180       2,999  

Sabre Corp.

     351,596       2,289  

Science Applications International Corp.

     65,628       5,147  
     
               59,391  

Telecom – 0.1%

    

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

     112,317       2,071  

Transportation & Logistics – 1.4%

    

Kirby Corp.*

     67,721       2,450  

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings,

    

Inc.

     142,114       5,784  

Landstar System, Inc.

     43,304       5,434  

Ryder System, Inc.

     60,726       2,565  

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

     65,490       2,750  

XPO Logistics, Inc.*

     103,046       8,724  
     
               27,707  

Transportation Equipment – 0.1%

    

Trinity Industries, Inc.

     100,417       1,958  

Utilities – 3.4%

    

ALLETE, Inc.

     58,539       3,029  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

COMMON STOCKS - 96.9%     continued

 

Utilities – 3.4%     continued

    

Black Hills Corp.

     70,780         $3,786      

Essential Utilities, Inc.

     251,720       10,132  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

     123,192       4,095  

IDACORP, Inc.

     56,937       4,549  

National Fuel Gas Co.

     102,626       4,166  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

     108,241       2,925  

NorthWestern Corp.

     57,066       2,776  

OGE Energy Corp.

     225,858       6,773  

ONE Gas, Inc.

     59,712       4,121  

PNM Resources, Inc.

     89,847       3,713  

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

     63,091       3,981  

Spire, Inc.

     58,089       3,090  

UGI Corp.

     235,055       7,752  
     
               64,888  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 1.2%

 

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

     57,756       3,236  

Donaldson Co., Inc.

     142,315       6,606  

Stericycle, Inc.*

     103,223       6,509  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     60,803       5,807  
     
               22,158  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $1,536,924)

       1,864,564  

                    

    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 2.9%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(2) (3)

     56,403,969       56,404  

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $56,404)

       56,404  

                    

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE (000S)

SHORT—TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.3%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.11%,
1/28/21(4) (5)

     $5,565       $5,563  

Total Short-Term Investments

                

(Cost $5,563)

       5,563  

                    

 

Total Investments – 100.1%

                

(Cost $1,598,891)

       1,926,531  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.1%)

 

    (1,453

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $1,925,078  

 

(1)

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 81 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

MID CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

SEPTEMBER30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

(2)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(3) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(4)

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(5) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

S&P—Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE    NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
     NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     CONTRACT
POSITION
     CONTRACT
EXP.
     VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)
 

E-Mini S&P MidCap 400

     327        $60,688        Long        12/20        $912  
                                              

 

(1)

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

   INDUSTRY SECTOR

   % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

Communication Services

     1.8

Consumer Discretionary

     15.9  

Consumer Staples

     4.0  

Energy

     1.1  

Financials

     13.7  

Health Care

     11.1  

Industrials

     17.7  

Information Technology

     15.8  

Materials

     5.8  

Real Estate

     9.3  

Utilities

     3.8  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

   INVESTMENTS

   LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Common Stocks(1)

   $ 1,864,564      $        $—      $ 1,864,564  

Investment Companies

     56,404                      56,404  

Short-Term Investments

            5,563               5,563  
         

Total Investments

   $ 1,920,968      $ 5,563        $—      $ 1,926,531  
         

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                                   

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $ 912      $        $—      $ 912  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    82 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS – 97.9%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 0.7%

    

AAR Corp.

     19,451         $366      

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*

     42,560       1,698  

AeroVironment, Inc.*

     12,607       756  

American Outdoor Brands, Inc.*

     7,893       103  

Astronics Corp.*

     13,219       102  

Barnes Group, Inc.

     27,244       974  

Ducommun, Inc.*

     6,131       202  

Kaman Corp.

     16,154       629  

Moog, Inc., Class A

     17,247       1,096  

National Presto Industries, Inc.

     2,918       239  

Park Aerospace Corp.

     10,570       115  

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

     31,575       490  

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

     9,891       605  

Triumph Group, Inc.

     30,064       196  
     
               7,571  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.9%

 

 

Crocs, Inc.*

     38,721       1,654  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

     16,231       3,571  

Fossil Group, Inc.*

     27,330       157  

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

     30,152       730  

Lakeland Industries, Inc.*

     4,390       87  

Movado Group, Inc.

     9,319       93  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

     9,692       391  

Rocky Brands, Inc.

     4,067       101  

Steven Madden Ltd.

     47,796       932  

Superior Group of Cos., Inc.

     6,080       141  

Unifi, Inc.*

     7,526       97  

Urban Outfitters, Inc.*

     40,219       837  

Weyco Group, Inc.

     3,460       56  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

     46,308       1,196  
     
               10,043  

Asset Management – 1.1%

    

Artisan Partners Asset Management,

    

Inc., Class A

     31,911       1,244  

Assetmark Financial Holdings, Inc.*

     9,306       202  

Associated Capital Group, Inc., Class A

     975       35  

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

     11,001       276  

Blucora, Inc.*

     27,980       264  

Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.

     46,602       257  

Brightsphere Investment Group, Inc.

     36,565       472  

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

     14,227       793  

Columbia Financial, Inc.*

     28,005       311  

Community Bankers Trust Corp.

     11,072       56  

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

     1,796       227  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Asset Management – 1.1%     continued

 

Federated Hermes, Inc.

     55,937         $1,203      

First Western Financial, Inc.*

     3,562       46  

Focus Financial Partners, Inc., Class A*

     18,392       603  

GAMCO Investors, Inc., Class A

     3,259       38  

Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc.*

     12,333       95  

Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A

     17,425       1,125  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

     70,988       1,031  

Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc., Class A

     5,694       127  

PDL Community Bancorp*

     3,691       33  

Pzena Investment Management, Inc.,

    

Class A

     9,747       52  

Rafael Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     5,095       79  

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

     12,103       66  

Sculptor Capital Management, Inc.

     10,992       129  

Siebert Financial Corp.*

     6,930       22  

Silvercrest Asset Management Group,

    

Inc., Class A

     5,415       57  

Stifel Financial Corp.

     38,573       1,950  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

     4,310       598  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

     37,812       562  

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

     4,549       51  

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

     82,701       265  
     
               12,269  

Automotive – 1.0%

    

Adient PLC*

     51,293       889  

American Axle & Manufacturing

    

Holdings, Inc.*

     64,847       374  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

     29,343       930  

Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.*

     9,566       126  

Dana, Inc.

     83,762       1,032  

Dorman Products, Inc.*

     15,445       1,396  

Fox Factory Holding Corp.*

     23,990       1,783  

Gentherm, Inc.*

     18,908       773  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (The) Co.

     133,684       1,025  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

     21,200       604  

Miller Industries, Inc.

     6,477       198  

Modine Manufacturing Co.*

     29,278       183  

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*

     10,580       165  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

     12,300       549  

Telenav, Inc.*

     19,272       70  

Tenneco, Inc., Class A*

     29,106       202  

Visteon Corp.*

     16,062       1,112  

XPEL, Inc.*

     9,542       249  
               11,660  
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 83 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%

    

1st Constitution Bancorp

     5,567         $66      

1st Source Corp.

     9,301       287  

ACNB Corp.

     4,902       102  

Alerus Financial Corp.

     8,559       168  

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.

     10,775       252  

Altabancorp

     9,006       181  

Amalgamated Bank, Class A

     7,236       77  

American National Bankshares, Inc.

     5,954       125  

Ameris Bancorp

     38,561       878  

Ames National Corp.

     5,192       88  

Arrow Financial Corp.

     7,468       187  

Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     12,179       138  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.

     45,146       965  

Auburn National BanCorp, Inc.

     1,340       49  

Axos Financial, Inc.*

     33,572       783  

Banc of California, Inc.

     25,965       263  

BancFirst Corp.

     10,998       449  

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio

    

Exterior S.A., Class E

     18,193       221  

Bancorp (The), Inc.*

     30,094       260  

BancorpSouth Bank

     57,398       1,112  

Bank First Corp.

     3,586       210  

Bank of Commerce Holdings

     10,497       73  

Bank of Marin Bancorp

     7,506       217  

Bank of NT Butterfield & Son (The) Ltd.

     29,447       656  

Bank of Princeton (The)

     3,356       61  

Bank7 Corp.

     2,324       22  

BankFinancial Corp.

     6,870       50  

BankUnited, Inc.

     53,249       1,167  

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.

     3,891       55  

Banner Corp.

     20,021       646  

Bar Harbor Bankshares

     8,807       181  

BayCom Corp.*

     7,141       74  

BCB Bancorp, Inc.

     8,380       67  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

     25,670       260  

Bogota Financial Corp.*

     3,267       25  

Bridge Bancorp, Inc.

     10,002       174  

Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc.*

     12,673       120  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

     44,778       387  

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

     11,481       286  

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

     11,259       169  

Byline Bancorp, Inc.

     14,189       160  

C&F Financial Corp.

     1,933       57  

Cadence BanCorp

     71,539       615  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

California Bancorp, Inc.*

     4,314         $49      

Cambridge Bancorp

     3,833       204  

Camden National Corp.

     8,591       260  

Capital Bancorp, Inc.*

     4,642       44  

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

     7,511       141  

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.

     77,157       715  

Capstar Financial Holdings, Inc.

     9,240       91  

Carter Bank & Trust

     13,609       90  

Cathay General Bancorp

     43,859       951  

CB Financial Services, Inc.

     2,828       54  

CBTX, Inc.

     9,763       160  

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

     15,949       216  

Central Valley Community Bancorp

     6,294       78  

Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A

     1,672       110  

Chemung Financial Corp.

     1,888       54  

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.

     4,527       118  

CIT Group, Inc.

     57,206       1,013  

Citizens & Northern Corp.

     7,611       124  

Citizens Holding Co.

     2,687       60  

City Holding Co.

     9,221       531  

Civista Bancshares, Inc.

     9,477       119  

CNB Financial Corp.

     8,864       132  

Coastal Financial Corp.*

     5,225       64  

Codorus Valley Bancorp, Inc.

     5,252       69  

Colony Bankcorp, Inc.

     4,349       47  

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

     41,573       991  

Community Bank System, Inc.

     30,683       1,671  

Community Financial (The) Corp.

     2,863       61  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     8,798       249  

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

     21,121       297  

County Bancorp, Inc.

     2,863       54  

CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc.*

     27,128       236  

Customers Bancorp, Inc.*

     16,353       183  

CVB Financial Corp.

     74,973       1,247  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     16,374       185  

Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc.

     3,581       63  

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.

     18,852       505  

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.

     5,082       107  

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

     13,728       374  

Equity Bancshares, Inc., Class A*

     7,948       123  

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.*

     4,192       63  

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

     5,674       70  

Evans Bancorp, Inc.

     2,437       54  

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

     5,824       117  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    84 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

Farmers National Banc Corp.

     15,786         $172      

FB Financial Corp.

     17,839       448  

Fidelity D&D Bancorp, Inc.

     2,247       109  

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     9,419       145  

First Bancorp

     16,294       341  

First BanCorp (New York Exchange)

     126,370       660  

First Bancorp (The), Inc.

     6,081       128  

First Bancshares (The), Inc.

     11,957       251  

First Bank

     9,715       60  

First Busey Corp.

     29,287       465  

First Business Financial Services, Inc.

     4,893       70  

First Capital, Inc.

     1,897       106  

First Choice Bancorp

     6,356       84  

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

     56,089       434  

First Community Bankshares, Inc.

     10,132       183  

First Community Corp.

     4,082       56  

First Financial Bancorp

     56,781       682  

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     74,919       2,091  

First Financial Corp.

     7,840       246  

First Foundation, Inc.

     23,664       309  

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

     1,667       20  

First Internet Bancorp

     5,292       78  

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

     24,308       774  

First Merchants Corp.

     31,405       727  

First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

     8,166       204  

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

     66,012       712  

First Northwest Bancorp

     5,264       52  

First of Long Island (The) Corp.

     13,322       197  

First Savings Financial Group, Inc.

     1,061       58  

First United Corp.

     3,836       45  

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.

     24,784       734  

Flushing Financial Corp.

     15,706       165  

FNCB Bancorp, Inc.

     9,749       52  

Franklin Financial Services Corp.

     2,456       52  

FS Bancorp, Inc.

     2,153       88  

Fulton Financial Corp.

     92,119       859  

FVCBankcorp, Inc.*

     6,875       69  

German American Bancorp, Inc.

     14,306       388  

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

     55,578       1,781  

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     6,363       230  

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.

     32,382       403  

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.

     1,789       39  

Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

     3,789       94  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

     50,014       941  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

Hanmi Financial Corp.

     18,429         $151      

HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.

     30,117       243  

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

     3,604       68  

HBT Financial, Inc.

     6,001       67  

Heartland Financial U.S.A., Inc.

     20,154       605  

Heritage Commerce Corp.

     33,373       222  

Heritage Financial Corp.

     20,911       385  

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.

     42,012       865  

Hingham Institution For Savings (The)

     829       153  

Home Bancorp, Inc.

     4,398       106  

Home BancShares, Inc.

     88,658       1,344  

HomeStreet, Inc.

     12,902       332  

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

     8,956       122  

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

     68,069       516  

Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

     24,325       245  

Howard Bancorp, Inc.*

     6,922       62  

Independent Bank Corp.

     19,062       998  

Independent Bank Corp. (Berlin

    

Exchange)

     12,217       154  

Independent Bank Group, Inc.

     21,475       949  

International Bancshares Corp.

     31,132       811  

Investar Holding Corp.

     5,879       75  

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

     133,590       970  

Kearny Financial Corp.

     45,793       330  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

     27,804       277  

Lakeland Financial Corp.

     14,275       588  

Landmark Bancorp, Inc.

     2,161       46  

LCNB Corp.

     7,319       100  

Level One Bancorp, Inc.

     2,851       44  

Limestone Bancorp, Inc.*

     2,877       30  

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc.

     16,024       406  

Luther Burbank Corp.

     11,377       95  

Macatawa Bank Corp.

     15,374       100  

Mackinac Financial Corp.

     5,394       52  

MainStreet Bancshares, Inc.*

     4,276       52  

Mercantile Bank Corp.

     8,968       162  

Merchants Bancorp

     5,299       104  

Meridian Bancorp, Inc.

     28,239       292  

Meridian Corp.

     3,074       50  

Meta Financial Group, Inc.

     19,456       374  

Metrocity Bankshares, Inc.

     9,882       130  

Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.*

     3,865       108  

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc.

     3,960       69  

Middlefield Banc Corp.

     3,420       66  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 85 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

Midland States Bancorp, Inc.

     12,577         $162      

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

     8,323       149  

MVB Financial Corp.

     5,517       88  

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

     17,017       447  

National Bankshares, Inc.

     3,760       95  

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

     24,860       667  

Nicolet Bankshares, Inc.*

     5,418       296  

Northeast Bank

     4,472       82  

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

     27,814       254  

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

     3,613       92  

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

     68,804       633  

Norwood Financial Corp.

     3,600       88  

Oak Valley Bancorp

     3,882       44  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

     34,358       470  

Oconee Federal Financial Corp.

     595       13  

OFG Bancorp

     29,894       372  

Ohio Valley Banc Corp.

     2,423       50  

Old National Bancorp

     95,010       1,193  

Old Second Bancorp, Inc.

     16,090       121  

OP Bancorp

     7,271       42  

Origin Bancorp, Inc.

     12,475       266  

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.

     5,999       77  

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.

     46,393       934  

Park National Corp.

     8,365       686  

Parke Bancorp, Inc.

     5,798       69  

Partners Bancorp

     5,591       31  

PCB Bancorp

     7,249       64  

PCSB Financial Corp.

     8,668       105  

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp.

     10,999       167  

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.

     4,014       80  

Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina,

    

Inc.

     2,693       42  

Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

     11,465       219  

Peoples Financial Services Corp.

     4,104       143  

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.*

     7,086       63  

Plumas Bancorp

     2,655       52  

Preferred Bank

     8,218       264  

Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.

     7,638       82  

Premier Financial Corp.

     21,801       340  

Professional Holding Corp., Class A*

     6,682       90  

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

     4,670       36  

Provident Financial Holdings, Inc.

     3,421       41  

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     41,513       506  

Prudential Bancorp, Inc.

     5,103       54  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

QCR Holdings, Inc.

     8,508         $233      

RBB Bancorp

     9,121       103  

Red River Bancshares, Inc.

     2,732       117  

Reliant Bancorp, Inc.

     8,747       127  

Renasant Corp.

     31,881       724  

Republic Bancorp, Inc., Class A

     5,569       157  

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.*

     26,578       53  

Richmond Mutual BanCorp, Inc.

     8,099       86  

Riverview Bancorp, Inc.

     11,618       48  

S&T Bancorp, Inc.

     22,131       391  

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc.

     1,453       46  

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

     26,764       618  

SB Financial Group, Inc.

     4,065       55  

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida*

     30,072       542  

Select Bancorp, Inc.*

     8,573       62  

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.

     28,225       960  

Shore Bancshares, Inc.

     7,391       81  

Sierra Bancorp

     7,828       131  

Silvergate Capital Corp., Class A*

     8,795       127  

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

     62,810       996  

SmartFinancial, Inc.

     8,369       114  

South Plains Financial, Inc.

     6,571       82  

South State Corp.

     40,596       1,955  

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.*

     4,121       100  

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.

     4,345       102  

Southern National Bancorp of Virginia,

    

Inc.

     11,541       100  

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

     18,198       445  

Spirit of Texas Bancshares, Inc.*

     8,102       90  

Standard AVB Financial Corp.

     2,200       72  

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

     9,921       30  

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

     12,066       411  

Summit Financial Group, Inc.

     6,688       99  

Territorial Bancorp, Inc.

     4,551       92  

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     29,362       914  

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.

     4,670       84  

Tompkins Financial Corp.

     8,403       477  

Towne Bank

     38,803       636  

TriCo Bancshares

     15,301       375  

TriState Capital Holdings, Inc.*

     16,441       218  

Triumph Bancorp, Inc.*

     12,994       405  

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

     54,617       285  

Trustmark Corp.

     36,759       787  

UMB Financial Corp.

     25,259       1,238  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    86 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Banking – 7.7%     continued

    

United Bankshares, Inc.

     71,777         $1,541      

United Community Banks, Inc.

     45,358       768  

United Security Bancshares

     8,001       49  

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

     5,107       59  

Univest Financial Corp.

     16,203       233  

Valley National Bancorp

     230,468       1,579  

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

     28,275       482  

Washington Federal, Inc.

     43,748       913  

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     10,137       311  

Waterstone Financial, Inc.

     13,237       205  

WesBanco, Inc.

     37,837       808  

West BanCorp, Inc.

     8,963       142  

Westamerica BanCorp

     15,146       823  

Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

     13,407       75  

WSFS Financial Corp.

     29,146       786  
     
               86,558  

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%

 

89bio, Inc.*

     3,618       93  

Abeona Therapeutics, Inc.*

     33,545       34  

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     45,950       65  

ADMA Biologics, Inc.*

     34,324       82  

Aduro Biotech, Inc.*

     37,063       90  

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.*

     50,587       521  

Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc.*

     24,034       170  

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     20,939       246  

Affimed N.V.*

     48,090       163  

Agenus, Inc.*

     86,878       348  

Agile Therapeutics, Inc.*

     38,788       118  

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc.*

     27,151       935  

Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,368       170  

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.*

     83,765       210  

Akero Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,634       235  

Akouos, Inc.*

     8,159       187  

Albireo Pharma, Inc.*

     7,821       261  

Alector, Inc.*

     26,473       279  

Allakos, Inc.*

     14,156       1,153  

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.*

     31,340       1,182  

Allovir, Inc.*

     10,593       291  

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.*

     5,473       207  

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     17,349       163  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.*

     147,850       2,088  

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     56,672       220  

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     21,182       397  

AnaptysBio, Inc.*

     12,234       180  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Anavex Life Sciences Corp.*

     31,914         $145      

ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,496       155  

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,030       284  

Annexon, Inc.*

     8,226       249  

Antares Pharma, Inc.*

     97,674       264  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     34,953       1,055  

Applied Genetic Technologies Corp.*

     13,365       65  

Applied Molecular Transport, Inc.*

     7,079       225  

Applied Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,637       159  

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.*

     4,259       102  

Aptinyx, Inc.*

     14,052       47  

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.*

     11,340       55  

Aravive, Inc.*

     6,968       33  

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.*

     9,070       389  

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.*

     24,481       420  

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.*

     10,236       300  

Ardelyx, Inc.*

     41,811       220  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     33,816       2,529  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     58,282       2,510  

Arvinas, Inc.*

     17,288       408  

Aspira Women’s Health, Inc.*

     43,970       136  

Assembly Biosciences, Inc.*

     17,547       288  

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.*

     42,305       548  

Athenex, Inc.*

     36,308       439  

Athersys, Inc.*

     99,351       194  

Atreca, Inc., Class A*

     15,694       219  

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.*

     3,845       42  

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     11,169       66  

Avid Bioservices, Inc.*

     32,478       247  

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.*

     9,479       267  

Avrobio, Inc.*

     17,657       230  

Axcella Health, Inc.*

     9,285       43  

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.*

     16,099       1,147  

Aytu BioScience, Inc.*

     12,896       15  

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.*

     20,714       510  

Beyond Air, Inc.*

     7,435       39  

Beyondspring, Inc.*

     8,932       119  

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     103,709       356  

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.*

     50,762       189  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co. Ltd.*

     27,960       1,818  

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.*

     3,821       202  

Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,656       289  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 87 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,749         $325      

Blueprint Medicines Corp.*

     32,156       2,981  

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.*

     16,709       283  

Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.*

     42,286       1,587  

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.*

     7,362       80  

Calithera Biosciences, Inc.*

     37,588       130  

Cara Therapeutics, Inc.*

     23,515       299  

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     40,152       61  

Cassava Sciences, Inc.*

     13,321       153  

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,313       64  

Catalyst Biosciences, Inc.*

     13,450       58  

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     54,760       163  

CEL-SCI Corp.*

     19,843       253  

Centogene N.V.*

     4,245       40  

Cerecor, Inc.*

     22,208       51  

Champions Oncology, Inc.*

     4,137       38  

Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     2,440       28  

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.*

     24,916       67  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.*

     28,814       1,579  

Chiasma, Inc.*

     28,312       122  

Chimerix, Inc.*

     29,159       73  

ChromaDex Corp.*

     22,883       92  

Cidara Therapeutics, Inc.*

     19,127       55  

Clovis Oncology, Inc.*

     46,954       274  

Cohbar, Inc.*

     14,035       13  

Coherus Biosciences, Inc.*

     34,016       624  

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

     19,623       409  

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     16,895       166  

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     18,178       368  

ContraFect Corp.*

     13,438       71  

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.*

     47,470       85  

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.*

     55,743       970  

CorMedix, Inc.*

     18,483       111  

Cortexyme, Inc.*

     8,994       450  

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,470       242  

Cue Biopharma, Inc.*

     16,852       254  

Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     11,633       71  

Cymabay Therapeutics, Inc.*

     40,090       290  

Cytokinetics, Inc.*

     38,609       836  

CytomX Therapeutics, Inc.*

     25,690       171  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     21,759       1,116  

Denali Therapeutics, Inc.*

     36,543       1,309  

DermTech, Inc.*

     4,605       55  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     37,918       682  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Durect Corp.*

     113,217         $194      

Dyadic International, Inc.*

     11,055       84  

Dynavax Technologies Corp.*

     62,616       271  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,241       265  

Editas Medicine, Inc.*

     36,587       1,027  

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,194       124  

Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,305       40  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*

     25,900       2,676  

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     10,988       503  

Endo International PLC*

     130,534       431  

Enochian Biosciences, Inc.*

     9,788       35  

Epizyme, Inc.*

     52,407       625  

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     15,250       567  

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     8,409       66  

Evelo Biosciences, Inc.*

     10,744       57  

Evolus, Inc.*

     13,639       53  

Exagen, Inc.*

     3,087       33  

Exicure, Inc.*

     33,884       59  

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.*

     41,642       1,664  

Fennec Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     12,401       75  

FibroGen, Inc.*

     49,003       2,015  

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.*

     16,525       78  

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     25,949       270  

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.*

     9,469       472  

Fortress Biotech, Inc.*

     37,140       150  

Frequency Therapeutics, Inc.*

     14,225       273  

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,709       69  

G1 Therapeutics, Inc.*

     20,253       234  

Galectin Therapeutics, Inc.*

     23,370       62  

Galera Therapeutics, Inc.*

     4,994       45  

Generation Bio Co.*

     6,978       216  

Genprex, Inc.*

     16,244       55  

Geron Corp.*

     170,327       296  

GlycoMimetics, Inc.*

     19,406       60  

Gossamer Bio, Inc.*

     33,148       411  

Gritstone Oncology, Inc.*

     16,933       45  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.*

     79,049       2,077  

Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,055       103  

Harrow Health, Inc.*

     12,817       72  

Heron Therapeutics, Inc.*

     51,115       758  

Heska Corp.*

     4,055       401  

Homology Medicines, Inc.*

     19,417       208  

Hookipa Pharma, Inc.*

     6,614       63  

iBio, Inc.*

     35,196       71  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    88 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Ideaya Biosciences, Inc.*

     8,790         $110      

IGM Biosciences, Inc.*

     4,060       300  

IMARA, Inc.*

     2,831       58  

Immunic, Inc.*

     3,402       63  

ImmunoGen, Inc.*

     99,272       357  

Immunovant, Inc.*

     20,042       705  

Innoviva, Inc.*

     37,837       395  

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     91,097       1,057  

Inozyme Pharma, Inc.*

     4,393       115  

Insmed, Inc.*

     58,813       1,890  

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.*

     29,225       581  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,197       630  

Intersect ENT,Inc.*

     18,548       303  

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.*

     38,023       976  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     93,050       837  

iTeos Therapeutics, Inc.*

     5,979       148  

IVERIC bio, Inc.*

     44,980       254  

Jounce Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,436       77  

Kadmon Holdings, Inc.*

     101,334       397  

Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     22,632       170  

Kaleido Biosciences, Inc.*

     6,696       74  

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     8,381       106  

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,083       702  

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.*

     41,163       601  

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.*

     3,989       154  

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.*

     18,717       91  

Kindred Biosciences, Inc.*

     20,468       88  

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Class A*

     14,982       230  

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.*

     16,773       993  

Krystal Biotech, Inc.*

     7,667       330  

Kura Oncology, Inc.*

     30,871       946  

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co.*

     10,726       43  

Lannett Co., Inc.*

     18,521       113  

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     21,776       31  

Lifevantage Corp.*

     7,614       92  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     8,417       802  

Liquidia Technologies, Inc.*

     14,989       74  

LogicBio Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,816       62  

Lyra Therapeutics, Inc.*

     2,339       26  

MacroGenics, Inc.*

     30,716       774  

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,152       612  

Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,577       86  

Mallinckrodt PLC*

     49,987       49  

MannKind Corp.*

     129,986       244  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     14,047         $181      

Marker Therapeutics, Inc.*

     18,088       27  

MediciNova, Inc.*

     25,432       133  

MEI Pharma, Inc.*

     58,041       181  

MeiraGTx Holdings PLC*

     11,722       155  

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.*

     31,098       579  

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.*

     16,996       54  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*

     21,791       3,618  

Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     3,162       61  

Molecular Templates, Inc.*

     15,567       170  

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     68,443       3,592  

Morphic Holding, Inc.*

     7,823       214  

Mustang Bio, Inc.*

     17,536       55  

MyoKardia, Inc.*

     29,452       4,015  

NantKwest, Inc.*

     18,670       129  

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.*

     5,797       67  

Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc.*

     18,859       226  

Neubase Therapeutics, Inc.*

     9,912       75  

NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     2,406       14  

NextCure, Inc.*

     9,412       83  

NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     14,005       223  

Nkarta, Inc.*

     9,216       277  

Novavax, Inc.*

     35,777       3,876  

Nurix Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,309       220  

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.*

     35,797       272  

Odonate Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,473       100  

Omeros Corp.*

     34,975       353  

Oncocyte Corp.*

     38,426       53  

Optinose, Inc.*

     21,633       84  

Organogenesis Holdings, Inc.*

     11,481       44  

Orgenesis, Inc.*

     10,338       52  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     4,980       125  

Osmotica Pharmaceuticals PLC*

     6,916       37  

Ovid therapeutics, Inc.*

     24,514       141  

Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.*

     3,611       76  

Pacira BioSciences, Inc.*

     24,392       1,466  

Pandion Therapeutics, Inc.*

     3,957       45  

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     26,001       141  

Passage Bio, Inc.*

     7,766       102  

PDL BioPharma, Inc.*

     64,885       204  

PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     7,351       26  

Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,356       233  

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

     11,575       201  

Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     26,815       56  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 89 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,065         $137      

Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,298       65  

Precigen, Inc.*

     37,847       132  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.*

     29,219       1,064  

Prevail Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,180       83  

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.*

     17,276       338  

Protara Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,157       19  

Prothena Corp. PLC*

     17,605       176  

Provention Bio, Inc.*

     26,963       346  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.*

     36,026       1,684  

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.*

     17,146       173  

Radius Health, Inc.*

     25,792       292  

RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,269       202  

Recro Pharma, Inc.*

     12,106       25  

REGENXBIO, Inc.*

     19,950       549  

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.*

     18,866       804  

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,459       318  

Replimune Group, Inc.*

     11,824       272  

Retrophin, Inc.*

     28,547       527  

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.*

     36,610       920  

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.*

     22,459       782  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     19,206       416  

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     101,204       243  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     20,087       459  

Rockwell Medical, Inc.*

     41,337       44  

Rubius Therapeutics, Inc.*

     20,958       105  

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.*

     67,486       638  

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,256       20  

Savara, Inc.*

     26,572       29  

Scholar Rock Holding Corp.*

     12,974       230  

scPharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     3,053       23  

Selecta Biosciences, Inc.*

     38,753       96  

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.*

     30,882       874  

SIGA Technologies, Inc.*

     32,412       223  

Solid Biosciences, Inc.*

     14,592       30  

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.*

     128,664       1,435  

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     84,427       344  

Spero Therapeutics, Inc.*

     8,229       92  

SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,454       594  

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,983       234  

Strongbridge Biopharma PLC*

     19,026       40  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     28,566       595  

Sutro Biopharma, Inc.*

     14,606       147  

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     15,424       228  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 12.0%     continued

 

Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     23,745         $210      

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.*

     15,094       307  

Tela Bio, Inc.*

     4,071       67  

TG Therapeutics, Inc.*

     64,510       1,726  

TherapeuticsMD, Inc.*

     140,073       221  

Theravance Biopharma, Inc.*

     27,171       402  

Translate Bio, Inc.*

     39,892       543  

TransMedics Group, Inc.*

     14,768       204  

Tricida, Inc.*

     16,156       146  

Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc.*

     19,838       1,733  

Twist Bioscience Corp.*

     19,011       1,444  

Tyme Technologies, Inc.*

     42,626       42  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

     33,418       2,747  

UNITY Biotechnology, Inc.*

     18,827       65  

UroGen Pharma Ltd.*

     11,110       214  

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.*

     6,790       500  

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     30,836       298  

Vaxart, Inc.*

     29,312       195  

Vaxcyte, Inc.*

     10,666       527  

VBI Vaccines, Inc.*

     98,234       281  

Verastem, Inc.*

     93,528       113  

Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     7,422       57  

Veru, Inc.*

     28,404       74  

Viela Bio, Inc.*

     12,288       345  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.*

     37,185       216  

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.*

     31,131       1,069  

VolitionRX Ltd.*

     13,315       43  

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.*

     14,955       160  

vTv Therapeutics, Inc., Class A*

     6,173       11  

VYNE Therapeutics, Inc.*

     79,032       131  

WaVe Life Sciences Ltd.*

     14,061       119  

X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     9,385       64  

XBiotech, Inc.*

     8,180       156  

Xencor, Inc.*

     32,296       1,253  

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     25,567       152  

XOMA Corp.*

     3,490       66  

Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.*

     17,560       674  

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,711       219  

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.*

     121,834       307  

Zogenix, Inc.*

     32,440       582  
     
               134,119  

Chemicals – 1.8%

    

AdvanSix, Inc.*

     15,992       206  

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.*

     17,045       41  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    90 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Chemicals – 1.8%     continued

    

American Vanguard Corp.

     17,035         $224      

Amyris, Inc.*

     63,216       185  

Avient Corp.

     52,932       1,401  

Balchem Corp.

     18,663       1,822  

Codexis, Inc.*

     31,893       374  

Ferro Corp.*

     47,797       593  

GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.*

     28,516       597  

H.B. Fuller Co.

     29,723       1,361  

Hawkins, Inc.

     5,585       257  

Haynes International, Inc.

     6,893       118  

Ingevity Corp.*

     24,070       1,190  

Innospec, Inc.

     14,150       896  

Intrepid Potash, Inc.*

     5,613       47  

Koppers Holdings, Inc.*

     11,755       246  

Kraton Corp.*

     17,689       315  

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

     13,011       167  

Lydall, Inc.*

     9,646       160  

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.*

     37,982       46  

Materion Corp.

     11,893       619  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

     19,658       1,005  

Oil-Dri Corp. of America

     3,033       109  

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.

     35,206       440  

PQ Group Holdings, Inc.*

     22,869       235  

Quaker Chemical Corp.

     7,709       1,385  

Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.*

     35,328       113  

Rogers Corp.*

     10,818       1,061  

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     24,583       1,419  

Stepan Co.

     12,488       1,361  

Trecora Resources*

     14,431       89  

Trinseo S.A.

     22,307       572  

Tronox Holdings PLC, Class A

     52,208       411  

WD-40 Co.

     7,899       1,495  
     
               20,560  

Commercial Services – 2.3%

    

ABM Industries, Inc.

     38,845       1,424  

Acacia Research Corp.*

     26,114       91  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

     27,064       1,582  

ASGN, Inc.*

     29,525       1,877  

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

     4,272       224  

BG Staffing, Inc.

     5,083       43  

Brady Corp., Class A

     27,293       1,092  

BrightView Holdings, Inc.*

     23,743       271  

Brink’s (The) Co.

     29,143       1,197  

CBIZ, Inc.*

     29,810       682  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Commercial Services – 2.3%     continued

 

Cimpress PLC*

     10,359         $779      

Collectors Universe, Inc.

     5,377       266  

CorVel Corp.*

     5,196       444  

CRA International, Inc.

     4,267       160  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*

     21,506       139  

Deluxe Corp.

     24,476       630  

Emerald Holding, Inc.

     13,012       26  

Ennis, Inc.

     15,081       263  

Forrester Research, Inc.*

     6,174       202  

Franchise Group, Inc.

     12,692       322  

Franklin Covey Co.*

     7,142       127  

Genasys, Inc.*

     18,826       116  

GP Strategies Corp.*

     7,339       71  

Hackett Group (The), Inc.

     14,762       165  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     43,480       936  

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

     11,371       223  

HMS Holdings Corp.*

     51,100       1,224  

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*

     13,267       522  

Information Services Group, Inc.*

     18,189       38  

Insperity, Inc.

     21,040       1,378  

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A

     19,610       334  

Kforce, Inc.

     11,468       369  

Korn Ferry

     32,515       943  

National Research Corp.

     7,735       381  

NV5 Global, Inc.*

     6,245       329  

Quad/Graphics, Inc.

     17,100       52  

R1 RCM, Inc.*

     61,960       1,063  

Resources Connection, Inc.

     17,114       198  

ShotSpotter, Inc.*

     4,630       144  

SP Plus Corp.*

     13,406       241  

TriNet Group, Inc.*

     23,875       1,416  

TrueBlue, Inc.*

     20,476       317  

UniFirst Corp.

     8,726       1,652  

Vectrus, Inc.*

     6,685       254  

Viad Corp.

     11,777       245  

Vivint Smart Home, Inc.*

     42,277       722  

Willdan Group, Inc.*

     5,808       148  
     
               25,322  

Construction Materials – 1.0%

    

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

     32,228       2,012  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

     14,987       320  

Boise Cascade Co.

     22,789       910  

Forterra, Inc.*

     10,639       126  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

     65,404       1,930  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 91 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Construction Materials – 1.0%     continued

 

 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

     25,263         $2,454      

Summit Materials, Inc., Class A*

     66,497       1,100  

U.S. Concrete, Inc.*

     9,216       268  

UFP Industries, Inc.

     34,636       1,957  

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.

     1,164       105  
     
               11,182  

Consumer Products – 2.3%

    

Alico, Inc.

     2,916       83  

B&G Foods, Inc.

     37,105       1,030  

BellRing Brands, Inc., Class A*

     23,318       484  

Bridgford Foods Corp.*

     1,032       19  

Cadiz, Inc.*

     11,353       113  

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.*

     18,150       696  

Calyxt, Inc.*

     6,631       36  

Celsius Holdings, Inc.*

     20,212       459  

Central Garden & Pet Co.*

     5,601       224  

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A*

     22,965       830  

Clearwater Paper Corp.*

     9,271       352  

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

     2,735       658  

Craft Brew Alliance, Inc.*

     6,729       111  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

     93,291       3,361  

Edgewell Personal Care Co.*

     31,586       881  

elf Beauty, Inc.*

     26,196       481  

Farmer Bros. Co.*

     9,438       42  

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

     17,891       410  

Greenlane Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     5,688       13  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

     14,670       2,839  

Hostess Brands, Inc.*

     71,359       880  

Inter Parfums, Inc.

     10,314       385  

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

     8,671       1,131  

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

     5,195       392  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

     10,974       1,962  

Landec Corp.*

     14,756       143  

Limoneira Co.

     9,550       137  

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

     7,346       292  

Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

     1,596       82  

National Beverage Corp.*

     6,902       469  

NewAge, Inc.*

     53,669       93  

Primo Water Corp.

     90,588       1,286  

Quanex Building Products Corp.

     19,030       351  

Revlon, Inc., Class A*

     3,467       22  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     11,686       1,379  

Seneca Foods Corp., Class A*

     3,765       134  

Simply Good Foods (The) Co.*

     49,364       1,088  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Consumer Products – 2.3%     continued

 

 

Tejon Ranch Co.*

     12,428         $176      

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

     9,465       292  

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

     6,907       193  

Universal Corp.

     14,033       588  

Vector Group Ltd.

     80,891       784  

Vital Farms, Inc.*

     5,986       243  
     
               25,624  

Consumer Services – 0.8%

    

Aaron’s, Inc.

     39,110       2,216  

Adtalem Global Education, Inc.*

     30,209       741  

American Public Education, Inc.*

     8,482       239  

Aspen Group, Inc.*

     10,616       118  

Carriage Services, Inc.

     9,749       217  

K12, Inc.*

     23,269       613  

Laureate Education, Inc., Class A*

     62,758       833  

Medifast, Inc.

     6,548       1,077  

Perdoceo Education Corp.*

     40,016       490  

Regis Corp.*

     13,144       81  

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

     28,060       839  

Strategic Education, Inc.

     14,006       1,281  

Universal Technical Institute, Inc.*

     16,514       84  

WW International, Inc.*

     27,710       523  
     
               9,352  

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

    

Greif, Inc., Class A

     14,940       541  

Greif, Inc., Class B

     3,577       141  

Matthews International Corp., Class A

     17,910       401  

Myers Industries, Inc.

     21,132       280  

O-I Glass, Inc.

     90,781       961  

TriMas Corp.*

     25,354       578  

UFP Technologies, Inc.*

     3,988       165  
     
               3,067  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.4%

 

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

     21,004       423  

Fabrinet*

     21,300       1,343  

Plexus Corp.*

     16,639       1,175  

Sanmina Corp.*

     38,966       1,054  
     
               3,995  

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.5%

 

Andersons (The), Inc.

     17,935       344  

Calavo Growers, Inc.

     9,637       639  

Chefs’ Warehouse (The), Inc.*

     17,575       255  

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

     25,862       748  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    92 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.5%     continued

 

HF Foods Group, Inc.*

     20,279         $134      

Performance Food Group Co.*

     76,045       2,633  

United Natural Foods, Inc.*

     31,174       464  
     
               5,217  

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.2%

    

ePlus, Inc.*

     7,787       570  

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*

     25,316       332  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

     74,841       1,078  

PC Connection, Inc.

     6,368       261  

ScanSource, Inc.*

     14,927       296  

Veritiv Corp.*

     7,343       93  
     
               2,630  

Electrical Equipment – 1.8%

    

AAON, Inc.

     23,815       1,435  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*

     22,031       1,387  

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.*

     27,565       1,523  

Allied Motion Technologies, Inc.

     4,282       177  

API Group Corp.*

     81,178       1,155  

Argan, Inc.

     8,484       356  

Atkore International Group, Inc.*

     27,636       628  

Badger Meter, Inc.

     16,921       1,106  

Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B

     5,685       61  

Belden, Inc.

     25,647       798  

Bloom Energy Corp., Class A*

     51,433       924  

Chase Corp.

     4,336       414  

CompX International, Inc.

     879       13  

CyberOptics Corp.*

     4,018       128  

FARO Technologies, Inc.*

     10,439       637  

IntriCon Corp.*

     5,218       64  

Itron, Inc.*

     23,272       1,413  

Kimball Electronics, Inc.*

     13,985       162  

LSI Industries, Inc.

     14,670       99  

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

     2,753       701  

Napco Security Technologies, Inc.*

     6,956       163  

NL Industries, Inc.

     6,041       26  

nLight, Inc.*

     20,319       477  

Novanta, Inc.*

     19,859       2,092  

Orion Energy Systems, Inc.*

     15,247       115  

OSI Systems,Inc.*

     9,772       758  

Powell Industries, Inc.

     4,943       119  

Preformed Line Products Co.

     1,684       82  

Research Frontiers, Inc.*

     15,206       41  

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.*

     8,235       225  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Electrical Equipment – 1.8%     continued

 

 

SPX Corp.*

     24,924         $1,156      

Stoneridge, Inc.*

     15,062       277  

Transcat, Inc.*

     3,996       117  

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

     15,889       1,591  

Wrap Technologies, Inc.*

     6,473       44  
     
               20,464  

Engineering & Construction Services – 2.0%

 

 

Aegion Corp.*

     17,464       247  

Arcosa, Inc.

     28,137       1,241  

Comfort Systems U.S.A., Inc.

     20,806       1,072  

Concrete Pumping Holdings, Inc.*

     14,460       52  

Construction Partners, Inc., Class A*

     15,250       278  

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

     17,812       941  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     31,501       2,133  

Exponent, Inc.

     29,761       2,144  

Fluor Corp.

     82,162       724  

Granite Construction, Inc.

     27,165       478  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.*

     36,350       346  

IES Holdings, Inc.*

     4,831       153  

Installed Building Products, Inc.*

     13,256       1,349  

Iteris, Inc.*

     23,018       94  

KBR, Inc.

     82,617       1,847  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.*

     70,437       1,358  

MasTec, Inc.*

     32,876       1,387  

Mistras Group, Inc.*

     10,210       40  

MYR Group, Inc.*

     9,595       357  

Primoris Services Corp.

     28,256       510  

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

     16,210       229  

TopBuild Corp.*

     19,190       3,275  

Tutor Perini Corp.*

     23,720       264  

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.*

     92,947       1,550  
     
               22,069  

Forest & Paper Products – 0.2%

    

Domtar Corp.

     31,948       839  

Neenah, Inc.

     9,843       369  

P.H. Glatfelter Co.

     25,845       356  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

     17,978       546  

Verso Corp., Class A

     18,003       142  
     
               2,252  

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 3.7%

 

 

Accel Entertainment, Inc.*

     25,797       276  

BBX Capital Corp.*

     7,483       100  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 93 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 3.7%     continued

 

Biglari Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     49         $24      

Biglari Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     486       43  

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

     12,840       378  

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.

     50,581       772  

Bluegreen Vacations Corp.

     2,533       12  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

     47,185       1,448  

Brinker International, Inc.

     26,031       1,112  

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.*

     80,696       4,524  

Cannae Holdings, Inc.*

     50,085       1,866  

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     20,287       131  

Century Casinos, Inc.*

     14,726       81  

Cheesecake Factory (The), Inc.

     24,395       677  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

     22,047       3,612  

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.*

     11,464       224  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

     13,770       1,579  

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

     25,722       390  

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.*

     16,983       139  

Denny’s Corp.*

     36,254       363  

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

     8,915       487  

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.*

     10,118       164  

Everi Holdings, Inc.*

     48,036       396  

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     10,253       96  

GAN Ltd.*

     4,235       72  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.*

     9,614       133  

Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.*

     49,518       1,039  

International Game Technology PLC

     57,614       641  

Jack in the Box, Inc.

     13,155       1,043  

Kura Sushi U.S.A., Inc., Class A*

     1,478       19  

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.*

     14,703       125  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     23,500       2,134  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*

     7,214       322  

Noodles & Co.*

     17,837       123  

Papa John’s International, Inc.

     18,990       1,563  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.*

     88,228       6,414  

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*

     8,315       109  

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A

     38,541       659  

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

     18,924       209  

Scientific Games Corp.*

     33,157       1,158  

Shake Shack, Inc., Class A*

     20,405       1,316  

Target Hospitality Corp.*

     17,409       21  

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

     38,151       2,319  

Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

     10,749       282  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 3.7%     continued

 

Waitr Holdings, Inc.*

     48,598         $157      

Wingstop, Inc.

     17,195       2,350  
     
               41,102  

Hardware – 1.8%

    

3D Systems Corp.*

     66,487       326  

A10 Networks, Inc.*

     35,205       224  

Acacia Communications, Inc.*

     22,580       1,522  

ADTRAN, Inc.

     27,512       282  

Akoustis Technologies, Inc.*

     18,137       148  

Anterix, Inc.*

     6,356       208  

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.*

     12,619       142  

Arlo Technologies, Inc.*

     47,103       248  

CalAmp Corp.*

     19,202       138  

Casa Systems, Inc.*

     18,152       73  

Clearfield, Inc.*

     6,234       126  

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

     14,352       201  

Cubic Corp.

     18,359       1,068  

Daktronics, Inc.

     22,337       88  

Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.*

     40,002       305  

Digimarc Corp.*

     7,048       157  

DZS, Inc.*

     6,846       64  

ExOne (The) Co.*

     6,389       78  

Extreme Networks, Inc.*

     69,319       279  

Fitbit, Inc., Class A*

     141,670       986  

GoPro, Inc., Class A*

     76,580       347  

Harmonic, Inc.*

     54,272       303  

Infinera Corp.*

     93,452       576  

Inseego Corp.*

     40,275       415  

InterDigital, Inc.

     17,875       1,020  

Knowles Corp.*

     51,477       767  

Luna Innovations, Inc.*

     16,525       99  

Maxar Technologies, Inc.

     35,140       876  

NETGEAR, Inc.*

     17,099       527  

NetScout Systems, Inc.*

     40,346       881  

PAR Technology Corp.*

     9,177       372  

PCTEL, Inc.*

     10,118       57  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

     101,000       536  

Plantronics, Inc.

     19,281       228  

PlayAGS, Inc.*

     15,726       56  

Powerfleet, Inc.*

     15,555       87  

Quantum Corp.*

     16,667       77  

Resonant, Inc.*

     28,098       67  

Ribbon Communications, Inc.*

     38,928       151  

Sonos, Inc.*

     46,683       709  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    94 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Hardware – 1.8%     continued

    

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

     25,976         $686      

TTM Technologies, Inc.*

     57,626       657  

Turtle Beach Corp.*

     7,690       140  

Universal Electronics, Inc.*

     7,983       301  

Viavi Solutions, Inc.*

     132,804       1,558  

Vicor Corp.*

     11,166       868  

Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*

     7,016       178  

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

     18,454       537  

VOXX International Corp.*

     11,403       88  
     
               19,827  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.9%

 

 

Accolade, Inc.*

     6,908       268  

AdaptHealth Corp.*

     14,766       322  

Addus HomeCare Corp.*

     8,066       762  

American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc.*

     8,923       62  

Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.*

     11,462       206  

Avalon GloboCare Corp.*

     15,021       19  

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.*

     107,103       272  

Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc.*

     6,823       125  

Community Health Systems, Inc.*

     50,327       212  

Covetrus, Inc.*

     56,947       1,389  

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.*

     6,501       328  

Ensign Group (The), Inc.

     29,658       1,692  

Enzo Biochem, Inc.*

     24,956       53  

Evofem Biosciences, Inc.*

     45,341       107  

Five Star Senior Living, Inc.*

     10,742       54  

Fulgent Genetics, Inc.*

     5,525       221  

Hanger, Inc.*

     21,785       345  

HealthEquity, Inc.*

     43,725       2,246  

Independence Holding Co.

     2,904       109  

InfuSystem Holdings, Inc.*

     8,293       106  

Invitae Corp.*

     67,025       2,906  

Joint (The) Corp.*

     7,653       133  

LHC Group, Inc.*

     17,608       3,743  

Magellan Health, Inc.*

     13,688       1,037  

MEDNAX, Inc.*

     43,228       704  

Medpace Holdings, Inc.*

     15,872       1,774  

National HealthCare Corp.

     7,204       449  

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

     60,114       2,218  

OPKO Health, Inc.*

     232,183       857  

Option Care Health, Inc.*

     25,513       341  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     36,225       910  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     49,199       1,186  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS -97.9%     continued

 

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.9%     continued

 

Pennant Group (The), Inc.*

     15,020         $579      

Personalis, Inc.*

     14,013       304  

Progenity, Inc.*

     2,114       19  

Progyny, Inc.*

     15,510       456  

Providence Service (The) Corp.*

     7,070       657  

RadNet, Inc.*

     25,556       392  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.*

     62,954       1,311  

SI-BONE, Inc.*

     14,487       344  

Surgery Partners, Inc.*

     13,439       294  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.*

     60,588       1,485  

Tivity Health, Inc.*

     25,581       359  

Triple-S Management Corp., Class B*

     13,043       233  

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

     7,343       638  

Vapotherm, Inc.*

     11,554       335  

Viemed Healthcare, Inc.*

     19,649       170  
     
               32,732  

Home & Office Products – 2.3%

    

ACCO Brands Corp.

     54,762       318  

American Woodmark Corp.*

     9,887       776  

Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc.*

     16,879       223  

Caesarstone Ltd.

     12,876       126  

Casper Sleep, Inc.*

     15,307       110  

Cavco Industries, Inc.*

     5,328       961  

Century Communities, Inc.*

     17,136       725  

Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.*

     25,794       206  

Forestar Group, Inc.*

     9,389       166  

Green Brick Partners, Inc.*

     13,868       223  

Griffon Corp.

     24,903       487  

Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Class A

     4,214       82  

Herman Miller, Inc.

     34,229       1,032  

HNI Corp.

     24,847       780  

Hooker Furniture Corp.

     6,656       172  

Interface, Inc.

     32,991       202  

iRobot Corp.*

     16,000       1,214  

JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.*

     39,194       886  

KB Home

     51,161       1,964  

Kimball International, Inc., Class B

     21,412       226  

Knoll, Inc.

     29,097       351  

LGI Homes, Inc.*

     12,914       1,500  

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

     6,357       60  

M/I Homes, Inc.*

     16,308       751  

Masonite International Corp.*

     14,126       1,390  

MDC Holdings, Inc.

     29,418       1,386  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 95 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Home & Office Products – 2.3%     continued

 

 

Meritage Homes Corp.*

     21,532         $2,377      

Patrick Industries, Inc.

     13,019       749  

PGT Innovations, Inc.*

     33,067       579  

Purple Innovation, Inc.*

     12,829       319  

Skyline Champion Corp.*

     30,485       816  

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

     50,472       510  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.*

     73,156       1,799  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.*

     74,941       1,359  

Tupperware Brands Corp.*

     28,453       574  
     
               25,399  

Industrial Services – 0.9%

    

Alta Equipment Group, Inc.*

     9,696       76  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     22,318       1,230  

CAI International, Inc.

     9,406       259  

DXP Enterprises, Inc.*

     9,273       150  

EVI Industries, Inc.*

     3,045       81  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

     18,268       359  

Herc Holdings, Inc.*

     14,273       565  

Nesco Holdings, Inc.*

     7,432       31  

Resideo Technologies, Inc.*

     72,242       795  

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.*

     25,473       3,106  

Systemax, Inc.

     7,031       168  

Team, Inc.*

     18,334       101  

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.*

     30,615       433  

Titan Machinery, Inc.*

     10,954       145  

Triton International Ltd.

     28,920       1,176  

VSE Corp.

     5,378       165  

WESCO International, Inc.*

     28,423       1,251  
     
               10,091  

Institutional Financial Services – 0.5%

 

 

Amerant Bancorp, Inc.*

     12,942       121  

BGC Partners, Inc., Class A

     180,073       432  

Cowen, Inc., Class A

     15,232       248  

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

     8,245       94  

Houlihan Lokey, Inc.

     29,724       1,755  

Moelis & Co., Class A

     30,702       1,079  

Piper Sandler Cos.

     10,170       742  

PJT Partners, Inc., Class A

     13,723       832  

StoneX Group, Inc.*

     9,622       492  
     
               5,795  

Insurance – 2.5%

    

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.*

     25,867       330  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Insurance – 2.5%     continued

    

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     52,492         $1,154      

AMERISAFE, Inc.

     11,191       642  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

     18,663       643  

BRP Group, Inc., Class A*

     19,761       492  

Citizens, Inc.*

     28,167       156  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     81,683       1,310  

Crawford & Co., Class A

     8,545       56  

Donegal Group, Inc., Class A

     6,033       85  

eHealth, Inc.*

     14,791       1,168  

Employers Holdings, Inc.

     16,687       505  

Enstar Group Ltd.*

     6,972       1,126  

FBL Financial Group, Inc., Class A

     5,683       274  

FedNat Holding Co.

     7,477       47  

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*

     292,757       981  

Goosehead Insurance, Inc., Class A

     7,532       652  

Greenlight Capital Re Ltd., Class A*

     16,067       108  

GWG Holdings, Inc.*

     1,314       11  

HCI Group, Inc.

     3,472       171  

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     15,109       153  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     24,123       806  

James River Group Holdings Ltd.

     17,424       776  

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

     12,264       2,332  

MBIA, Inc.*

     30,939       188  

National General Holdings Corp.

     39,557       1,335  

National Western Life Group, Inc., Class A

     1,467       268  

NI Holdings, Inc.*

     5,597       95  

NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     47,741       850  

Palomar Holdings, Inc.*

     11,751       1,225  

ProAssurance Corp.

     31,014       485  

ProSight Global, Inc.*

     5,061       57  

Protective Insurance Corp., Class B

     4,905       64  

Radian Group, Inc.

     111,131       1,624  

RLI Corp.

     22,963       1,923  

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

     8,375       579  

Security National Financial Corp., Class A*

     5,475       35  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     34,291       1,766  

Selectquote, Inc.*

     18,494       375  

State Auto Financial Corp.

     10,238       141  

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.*

     46,050       320  

Tiptree, Inc.

     14,967       74  

Trean Insurance Group, Inc.*

     6,968       106  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    96 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Insurance – 2.5%     continued

    

Trupanion, Inc.*

     17,244         $1,361      

United Fire Group, Inc.

     11,957       243  

United Insurance Holdings Corp.

     11,596       70  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     15,973       221  

Vericity, Inc.

     1,395       14  

Watford Holdings Ltd.*

     10,119       232  
     
               27,629  

Iron & Steel – 0.7%

    

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.*

     73,104       637  

Arch Resources, Inc.

     8,694       369  

Carpenter Technology Corp.

     27,956       508  

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.

     229,497       1,473  

Commercial Metals Co.

     69,017       1,379  

Northwest Pipe Co.*

     5,621       149  

Olympic Steel, Inc.

     5,295       60  

Ryerson Holding Corp.*

     9,285       53  

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

     14,802       285  

SunCoke Energy, Inc.

     47,288       162  

TimkenSteel Corp.*

     27,297       97  

United States Steel Corp.

     127,330       935  

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.

     29,632       506  

Worthington Industries, Inc.

     21,206       865  
     
               7,478  

Leisure Products – 0.8%

    

Acushnet Holdings Corp.

     19,961       671  

Callaway Golf Co.

     54,176       1,037  

Camping World Holdings, Inc., Class A

     19,252       573  

Clarus Corp.

     13,511       191  

Escalade, Inc.

     5,997       110  

Funko, Inc., Class A*

     14,254       82  

Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A

     2,987       245  

LCI Industries

     14,268       1,516  

Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A*

     11,865       588  

Marine Products Corp.

     4,159       65  

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.*

     11,021       193  

Nautilus, Inc.*

     16,949       291  

OneWater Marine, Inc., Class A*

     2,620       54  

Vista Outdoor, Inc.*

     33,973       685  

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

     18,147       938  

YETI Holdings, Inc.*

     46,370       2,101  
     
               9,340  

Machinery – 2.1%

    

Alamo Group, Inc.

     5,690       615  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Machinery – 2.1%     continued

    

Albany International Corp., Class A

     17,848         $884      

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

     37,399       1,383  

Astec Industries, Inc.

     13,077       709  

Cactus, Inc., Class A

     28,037       538  

CIRCOR International, Inc.*

     11,749       321  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

     13,288       440  

CSW Industrials, Inc.

     7,927       612  

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

     13,251       453  

Eastman Kodak Co.*

     8,634       76  

Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

     31,555       594  

Federal Signal Corp.

     34,603       1,012  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

     26,689       1,570  

Gencor Industries, Inc.*

     5,124       56  

Gorman-Rupp (The) Co.

     10,556       311  

Graham Corp.

     6,074       78  

Helios Technologies, Inc.

     18,025       656  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

     42,884       1,216  

Hurco Cos., Inc.

     3,820       108  

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

     5,759       214  

Ichor Holdings Ltd.*

     12,668       273  

Intevac, Inc.*

     13,200       73  

John Bean Technologies Corp.

     18,166       1,669  

Kadant, Inc.

     6,683       733  

Kennametal, Inc.

     48,161       1,394  

Lindsay Corp.

     6,330       612  

Luxfer Holdings PLC

     16,295       204  

Manitowoc (The) Co., Inc.*

     19,940       168  

MTS Systems Corp.

     11,421       218  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

     90,907       945  

NN, Inc.*

     25,577       132  

Ranpak Holdings Corp.*

     16,579       158  

Rexnord Corp.

     70,735       2,111  

SPX FLOW, Inc.*

     24,683       1,057  

Tennant Co.

     10,704       646  

Terex Corp.

     39,339       762  

Welbilt, Inc.*

     76,217       469  
     
               23,470  

Manufactured Goods – 0.9%

    

AZZ, Inc.

     15,370       524  

Chart Industries, Inc.*

     20,946       1,472  

Eastern (The) Co.

     3,233       63  

EnPro Industries, Inc.

     11,979       676  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

     18,893       1,231  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

     10,590       198  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 97 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Manufactured Goods – 0.9%     continued

 

 

L.B. Foster Co., Class A*

     5,863         $79      

Lawson Products, Inc.*

     2,450       101  

Mayville Engineering Co., Inc.*

     4,554       42  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

     32,273       873  

Omega Flex, Inc.

     1,698       266  

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

     4,686       75  

Proto Labs, Inc.*

     15,513       2,009  

Raven Industries, Inc.

     20,482       441  

RBC Bearings, Inc.*

     14,298       1,733  

Standex International Corp.

     7,113       421  

Tredegar Corp.

     15,540       231  
     
               10,435  

Media – 1.6%

    

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*

     22,767       563  

Boingo Wireless, Inc.*

     25,110       256  

Boston Omaha Corp., Class A*

     6,986       112  

Cargurus, Inc.*

     50,149       1,085  

Cars.com, Inc.*

     39,698       321  

Central European Media Enterprises Ltd., Class A*

     51,001       214  

DHI Group, Inc.*

     29,635       67  

Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc.*

     39,141       225  

Entercom Communications Corp., Class A

     70,680       114  

Entravision Communications Corp., Class A

     34,384       52  

Eros STX Global Corp.*

     88,082       195  

Eventbrite, Inc., Class A*

     36,251       393  

EverQuote, Inc., Class A*

     8,020       310  

EW Scripps (The) Co., Class A

     32,886       376  

Fluent, Inc.*

     26,165       65  

Gannett Co., Inc.

     76,261       99  

Gray Television, Inc.*

     50,467       695  

Groupon, Inc.*

     13,482       275  

HealthStream, Inc.*

     14,736       296  

Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.*

     8,588       75  

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.*

     62,457       108  

iHeartMedia, Inc., Class A*

     34,265       278  

IMAX Corp.*

     28,271       338  

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class A*

     26,888       222  

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class C*

     90,038       733  

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     40,526       70  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Media – 1.6%     continued

    

LiveXLive Media, Inc.*

     27,133         $70      

Magnite, Inc.*

     60,896       423  

Meredith Corp.

     22,560       296  

MSG Networks, Inc., Class A*

     22,793       218  

National CineMedia, Inc.

     34,082       92  

QuinStreet, Inc.*

     27,050       428  

Quotient Technology, Inc.*

     49,086       362  

Saga Communications, Inc., Class A

     2,271       45  

Scholastic Corp.

     16,717       351  

Shutterstock, Inc.

     12,712       661  

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Class A

     25,663       493  

Stamps.com, Inc.*

     9,864       2,377  

TechTarget, Inc.*

     13,585       597  

TEGNA, Inc.

     127,372       1,497  

Tribune Publishing Co.

     9,256       108  

TrueCar, Inc.*

     63,006       315  

Tucows, Inc., Class A*

     5,455       376  

Upwork, Inc.*

     54,121       944  

WideOpenWest, Inc.*

     29,951       155  

Yelp, Inc.*

     41,048       825  
     
               18,170  

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.6%

 

 

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.*

     17,398       185  

Accuray, Inc.*

     49,581       119  

Acutus Medical, Inc.*

     5,557       166  

Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.*

     7,002       103  

Alphatec Holdings, Inc.*

     25,407       169  

AngioDynamics, Inc.*

     21,405       258  

Apyx Medical Corp.*

     19,268       91  

AtriCure, Inc.*

     25,382       1,013  

Atrion Corp.

     814       510  

Avanos Medical, Inc.*

     27,658       919  

Axogen, Inc.*

     21,509       250  

Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc.*

     17,563       896  

Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,979       20  

BioLife Solutions, Inc.*

     8,217       238  

BioSig Technologies, Inc.*

     15,203       75  

BioTelemetry, Inc.*

     19,488       888  

Cantel Medical Corp.

     22,018       967  

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.*

     22,494       885  

CareDx, Inc.*

     27,887       1,058  

Castle Biosciences, Inc.*

     6,859       353  

Cerus Corp.*

     95,144       596  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    98 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.6%     continued

 

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.*

     11,210         $54      

Co-Diagnostics, Inc.*

     14,817       201  

CONMED Corp.

     15,773       1,241  

CryoLife, Inc.*

     21,425       396  

Cutera, Inc.*

     9,602       182  

CytoSorbents Corp.*

     24,722       197  

Electromed, Inc.*

     3,991       42  

Fluidigm Corp.*

     41,630       309  

FONAR Corp.*

     3,602       75  

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.*

     40,858       580  

Glaukos Corp.*

     24,720       1,224  

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.*

     21,574       65  

iCAD, Inc.*

     11,501       101  

Inari Medical, Inc.*

     4,422       305  

Inogen, Inc.*

     10,869       315  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.*

     15,193       1,961  

Integer Holdings Corp.*

     18,978       1,120  

Invacare Corp.

     18,995       143  

iRadimed Corp.*

     3,303       71  

iRhythm Technologies, Inc.*

     15,912       3,789  

Lantheus Holdings, Inc.*

     38,315       485  

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

     9,689       315  

LivaNova PLC*

     28,366       1,282  

Luminex Corp.

     24,819       651  

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.*

     24,575       417  

Merit Medical Systems,Inc.*

     31,428       1,367  

Milestone Scientific, Inc.*

     20,125       28  

Misonix, Inc.*

     8,182       96  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.*

     41,737       544  

NanoString Technologies, Inc.*

     21,945       981  

Natera, Inc.*

     41,074       2,967  

Natus Medical, Inc.*

     19,148       328  

Nemaura Medical, Inc.*

     3,823       14  

Neogen Corp.*

     30,628       2,397  

Nevro Corp.*

     19,492       2,715  

NuVasive, Inc.*

     29,833       1,449  

Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp.*

     22,645       56  

OraSure Technologies, Inc.*

     41,238       502  

Orthofix Medical, Inc.*

     10,638       331  

OrthoPediatrics Corp.*

     7,609       349  

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.*

     96,923       957  

PAVmed, Inc.*

     20,402       36  

Precision BioSciences, Inc.*

     26,062       161  

Pulse Biosciences, Inc.*

     7,809       92  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 4.6%     continued

 

Quanterix Corp.*

     12,291         $415      

Quotient Ltd.*

     34,557       178  

Repro-Med Systems, Inc.*

     16,200       117  

Retractable Technologies, Inc.*

     7,646       51  

SeaSpine Holdings Corp.*

     14,938       214  

Shockwave Medical, Inc.*

     16,516       1,252  

Sientra, Inc.*

     26,345       90  

Silk Road Medical, Inc.*

     15,618       1,050  

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.*

     31,902       80  

Soliton, Inc.*

     4,794       37  

STAAR Surgical Co.*

     26,587       1,504  

Stereotaxis, Inc.*

     25,258       90  

Surgalign Holdings, Inc.*

     34,684       63  

Surmodics, Inc.*

     7,858       306  

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*

     10,632       389  

Utah Medical Products, Inc.

     1,972       157  

Varex Imaging Corp.*

     21,445       273  

Venus Concept, Inc.*

     10,332       24  

Veracyte, Inc.*

     33,359       1,084  

Vericel Corp.*

     25,973       481  

ViewRay, Inc.*

     65,505       229  

Wright Medical Group N.V.*

     74,695       2,281  

Zynex, Inc.*

     10,812       189  
     
               51,204  

Metals & Mining – 0.9%

    

Alcoa Corp.*

     108,605       1,263  

A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.

     2,820       95  

Arconic Corp.*

     57,686       1,099  

Caledonia Mining Corp. PLC

     6,364       108  

Century Aluminum Co.*

     29,581       211  

Coeur Mining, Inc.*

     140,443       1,036  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

     19,781       1,174  

Encore Wire Corp.

     11,893       552  

Energy Fuels, Inc.*

     75,893       127  

Ferroglobe Representation & Warranty

 

 

Insurance Trust(1) *

     38,340        

Gold Resource Corp.

     38,186       130  

Hecla Mining Co.

     302,662       1,538  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

     9,179       492  

Livent Corp.*

     85,628       768  

Novagold Resources, Inc.*

     137,910       1,640  

Uranium Energy Corp.*

     105,873       106  
     
               10,339  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 99 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.6%

    

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc.

     1,205         $24      

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

     9,652       39  

Antero Resources Corp.*

     142,268       391  

Archrock, Inc.

     76,265       410  

Berry Corp.

     39,082       124  

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.*

     11,091       209  

Brigham Minerals, Inc., Class A

     19,901       178  

ChampionX Corp.*

     107,762       861  

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.*

     76,116       189  

CNX Resources Corp.*

     129,058       1,218  

Comstock Resources, Inc.*

     14,110       62  

CONSOL Energy, Inc.*

     15,043       67  

Contango Oil & Gas Co.*

     50,744       68  

CVR Energy, Inc.

     16,967       210  

Delek U.S. Holdings, Inc.

     36,616       408  

DMC Global, Inc.

     8,242       271  

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

     20,451       506  

Earthstone Energy, Inc., Class A*

     14,084       36  

Evolution Petroleum Corp.

     14,092       32  

Exterran Corp.*

     15,908       66  

Falcon Minerals Corp.

     22,962       56  

Frank’s International N.V.*

     88,047       136  

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.*

     5,580       43  

Gulfport Energy Corp.*

     92,042       49  

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*

     83,884       202  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.

     238,725       233  

Liberty Oilfield Services, Inc., Class A

     37,833       302  

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A*

     72,002       372  

Matador Resources Co.*

     63,531       525  

Matrix Service Co.*

     14,469       121  

Montage Resources Corp.*

     12,151       53  

MRC Global, Inc.*

     45,622       195  

Murphy U.S.A., Inc.*

     15,981       2,050  

Nabors Industries Ltd.

     4,271       104  

NACCO Industries, Inc., Class A

     2,336       43  

National Energy Services Reunited Corp.*

     11,905       76  

Newpark Resources, Inc.*

     51,679       54  

NextDecade Corp.*

     14,833       44  

NexTier Oilfield Solutions, Inc.*

     93,712       173  

NOW, Inc.*

     63,146       287  

Oceaneering International, Inc.*

     58,720       207  

Oil States International, Inc.*

     35,122       96  

Ovintiv, Inc.

     151,855       1,239  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 1.6%     continued

    

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.*

     22,633         $153      

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

     108,087       308  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

     56,743       323  

PDC Energy, Inc.*

     57,554       713  

Peabody Energy Corp.

     37,457       86  

Penn Virginia Corp.*

     7,907       78  

PrimeEnergy Resources Corp.*

     304       20  

ProPetro Holding Corp.*

     46,725       190  

Range Resources Corp.

     124,154       822  

RPC, Inc.*

     33,757       89  

Select Energy Services, Inc., Class A*

     34,807       134  

SM Energy Co.

     63,169       100  

Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc., Class A

     16,064       102  

Southwestern Energy Co.*

     347,563       817  

Talos Energy, Inc.*

     6,105       39  

Tellurian, Inc.*

     102,884       82  

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.*

     18,593       209  

Tidewater, Inc.*

     22,617       152  

Transocean Ltd.*

     342,389       276  

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

     43,229       130  

W&T Offshore, Inc.*

     53,168       96  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.*

     717       12  

World Fuel Services Corp.

     36,438       772  
     
               17,732  

Passenger Transportation – 0.3%

    

Allegiant Travel Co.

     7,573       907  

Bristow Group, Inc.*

     3,911       83  

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

     26,145       337  

Mesa Air Group, Inc.*

     18,993       56  

SkyWest, Inc.

     28,568       853  

Spirit Airlines, Inc.*

     51,687       832  

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.

     4,732       99  
     
               3,167  

Real Estate – 0.7%

    

American Realty Investors, Inc.*

     1,627       15  

CTO Realty Growth, Inc.

     2,874       127  

Cushman & Wakefield PLC*

     64,561       679  

eXp World Holdings, Inc.*

     13,988       564  

Fathom Holdings, Inc.*

     3,089       49  

FRP Holdings, Inc.*

     3,968       165  

Griffin Industrial Realty, Inc.

     1,491       80  

Legacy Housing Corp.*

     4,741       65  

Marcus & Millichap, Inc.*

     13,561       373  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    100 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Real Estate – 0.7%     continued

 

Maui Land & Pineapple Co., Inc.*

     3,569         $39      

McGrath RentCorp

     14,068       838  

Newmark Group, Inc., Class A

     81,725       353  

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A

     10,159       332  

Realogy Holdings Corp.*

     66,768       630  

Redfin Corp.*

     56,238       2,808  

RMR Group (The), Inc., Class A

     8,675       238  

St. Joe (The) Co.*

     18,946       391  

Stratus Properties, Inc.*

     3,302       71  
     
               7,817  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 7.0%

 

Acadia Realty Trust

     48,854       513  

Agree Realty Corp.

     30,825       1,962  

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

     42,780       480  

Alexander’s, Inc.

     1,244       305  

Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc.

     3,865       60  

American Assets Trust, Inc.

     29,478       710  

American Finance Trust, Inc.

     62,463       392  

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

     56,397       92  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.

     86,478       779  

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

     61,648       707  

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.

     18,086       165  

Arlington Asset Investment Corp., Class A

     20,678       59  

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

     32,678       303  

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.

     36,475       347  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A

     80,137       1,761  

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

     13,686       104  

BRT Apartments Corp.

     5,693       67  

Capstead Mortgage Corp.

     56,662       318  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

     55,433       986  

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc., Class A

     28,231       252  

Chatham Lodging Trust

     27,812       212  

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corp.

     7,946       71  

Chimera Investment Corp.

     111,837       917  

CIM Commercial Trust Corp.

     5,844       58  

City Office REIT, Inc.

     26,892       202  

Clipper Realty, Inc.

     8,496       51  

Colony Capital, Inc.

     278,608       761  

Colony Credit Real Estate, Inc.

     48,139       236  

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

     66,381       724  

Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.

     12,372       579  
    

 

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 7.0%     continued

 

CoreCivic, Inc.

     70,136         $561      

CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.

     7,668       45  

CorePoint Lodging, Inc.

     23,382       127  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

     116,958       593  

Diversified Healthcare Trust

     138,789       489  

Dynex Capital, Inc.

     12,663       193  

Easterly Government Properties, Inc.

     46,390       1,040  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     22,412       2,899  

Ellington Financial, Inc.

     23,895       293  

Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT

     5,165       57  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

     53,273       976  

Farmland Partners, Inc.

     15,777       105  

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

     40,796       1,044  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

     59,149       216  

Front Yard Residential Corp.

     29,801       260  

GEO Group (The), Inc.

     68,883       781  

Getty Realty Corp.

     19,886       517  

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

     19,268       325  

Gladstone Land Corp.

     10,953       165  

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

     24,693       333  

Global Net Lease, Inc.

     52,002       827  

Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc.

     30,932       219  

Great Ajax Corp.

     11,772       98  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

     42,084       1,779  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     78,403       2,362  

Hersha Hospitality Trust

     20,869       116  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

     55,602       644  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

     37,489       820  

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.

     12,331       1,530  

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc.

     105,862       287  

Investors Real Estate Trust

     7,450       486  

iStar, Inc.

     42,276       499  

Jernigan Capital, Inc.

     12,618       216  

Kite Realty Group Trust

     48,561       562  

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc.

     16,336       270  

Ladder Capital Corp.

     61,774       440  

Lexington Realty Trust

     158,572       1,657  

LTC Properties, Inc.

     22,520       785  

Macerich (The) Co.

     86,930       590  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

     50,355       635  

MFA Financial, Inc.

     264,930       710  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

     55,491       769  

National Health Investors, Inc.

     24,957       1,504  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 101 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

VALUE    

(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 7.0%     continued

 

 

National Storage Affiliates Trust

     36,503         $1,194      

NETSTREIT Corp.

     6,979       127  

New Senior Investment Group, Inc.

     46,735       187  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

     217,807       555  

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.

     12,599       559  

Office Properties Income Trust

     27,891       578  

One Liberty Properties, Inc.

     9,263       152  

Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

     38,008       190  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     75,540       947  

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust

     57,603       926  

Physicians Realty Trust

     120,937       2,166  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     73,010       991  

Plymouth Industrial REIT, Inc.

     8,424       104  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

     37,991       1,599  

Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc., Class A

     28,071       152  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

     11,653       1,426  

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     35,503       2,237  

Ready Capital Corp.

     24,541       275  

Redwood Trust, Inc.

     65,839       495  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

     66,679       694  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A

     125,328       728  

Retail Value, Inc.

     9,428       119  

RLJ Lodging Trust

     95,258       825  

RPT Realty

     46,654       254  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

     29,281       1,078  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     119,185       1,643  

Safehold, Inc.

     10,193       633  

Saul Centers, Inc.

     6,657       177  

Seritage Growth Properties, Class A*

     19,366       260  

Service Properties Trust

     95,703       761  

SITE Centers Corp.

     89,631       645  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

     86,898       2,650  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

     59,046       306  

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

     124,742       990  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

     53,915       325  

Terreno Realty Corp.

     38,677       2,118  

TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc.

     34,281       290  

Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc.*

     612       15  

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

     159,739       813  

UMH Properties, Inc.

     21,589       292  

Uniti Group, Inc.

     112,131       1,181  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 7.0%     continued

 

 

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

     7,511         $428      

Urban Edge Properties

     68,036       661  

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

     16,472       152  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

     47,790       962  

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp.

     30,450       62  

Whitestone REIT

     23,255       140  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     66,343       583  
     
               77,642  

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.2%

 

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Class A

     29,295       138  

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

     62,488       625  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Braves, Class A*

     5,887       123  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Braves, Class C*

     21,516       452  

Marcus (The) Corp.

     12,892       99  

OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd.

     26,736       174  

RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.

     4,998       102  

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.*

     29,857       589  
     
               2,302  

Renewable Energy – 1.4%

    

Ameresco, Inc., Class A*

     14,422       482  

American Superconductor Corp.*

     12,664       183  

EnerSys

     24,523       1,646  

FuelCell Energy, Inc.*

     126,133       270  

FutureFuel Corp.

     15,255       173  

Green Plains, Inc.*

     19,878       308  

Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.*

     5,532       94  

Plug Power, Inc.*

     197,751       2,652  

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*

     22,166       1,184  

REX American Resources Corp.*

     3,264       214  

Sunnova Energy International, Inc.*

     30,810       937  

SunPower Corp.*

     44,259       554  

Sunrun, Inc.*

     69,028       5,320  

TPI Composites, Inc.*

     17,788       515  

Ultralife Corp.*

     5,150       30  

Vivint Solar, Inc.*

     28,537       1,209  
     
               15,771  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.6%

    

Big Lots, Inc.

     22,743       1,014  

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.*

     79,454       3,301  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

     8,344       317  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    102 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.6%     continued

 

 

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

     5,729         $57      

OptimizeRx Corp.*

     8,606       179  

PriceSmart, Inc.

     13,251       881  

Rite Aid Corp.*

     31,376       298  

SpartanNash Co.

     20,886       341  

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

     4,614       114  

Weis Markets, Inc.

     5,627       270  
     
               6,772  

Retail - Discretionary – 3.7%

    

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., Class A*

     14,367       358  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

     36,205       504  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

     87,461       1,295  

America’s Car-Mart, Inc.*

     3,676       312  

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*

     11,153       1,087  

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.*

     11,652       128  

At Home Group, Inc.*

     31,053       461  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.*

     30,669       807  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.*

     31,630       983  

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

     73,913       1,107  

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*

     39,010       1,671  

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*

     16,774       472  

Buckle (The), Inc.

     17,264       352  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.*

     67,087       2,188  

Caleres, Inc.

     22,371       214  

CarParts.com, Inc.*

     12,113       131  

Cato (The) Corp., Class A

     12,441       97  

Chico’s FAS,Inc.

     71,503       70  

Children’s Place (The), Inc.

     8,032       228  

Citi Trends, Inc.

     6,259       156  

Conn’s, Inc.*

     10,420       110  

Container Store Group (The), Inc.*

     12,017       75  

Designer Brands, Inc., Class A

     35,573       193  

Dillard’s, Inc., Class A

     4,312       158  

Duluth Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     6,331       77  

Envela Corp.*

     4,535       19  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

     13,189       179  

Express, Inc.*

     38,462       23  

Foundation Building Materials, Inc.*

     11,648       183  

Freshpet, Inc.*

     22,442       2,506  

Gaia, Inc.*

     7,560       74  

GameStop Corp., Class A*

     32,745       334  

Genesco, Inc.*

     8,221       177  

GMS, Inc.*

     24,380       588  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Retail - Discretionary – 3.7%     continued

 

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

     10,073         $890      

GrowGeneration Corp.*

     21,034       336  

Guess?, Inc.

     24,880       289  

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

     9,901       207  

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*

     90,748       101  

Hibbett Sports, Inc.*

     9,719       381  

Hudson Ltd., Class A*

     22,930       174  

Lands’ End, Inc.*

     7,281       95  

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

     26,026       823  

Liquidity Services, Inc.*

     15,514       116  

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

     12,935       2,948  

Lovesac (The) Co.*

     5,687       158  

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*

     16,653       367  

Macy’s, Inc.

     180,941       1,031  

MarineMax, Inc.*

     11,923       306  

Michaels (The) Cos., Inc.*

     43,970       425  

Monro, Inc.

     19,262       781  

National Vision Holdings, Inc.*

     46,674       1,785  

ODP (The) Corp.

     30,618       596  

Overstock.com, Inc.*

     24,748       1,798  

PetIQ, Inc.*

     12,208       402  

PetMed Express, Inc.

     11,442       362  

RealReal (The), Inc.*

     36,490       528  

RH*

     9,019       3,451  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     15,772       797  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class B

     2,455       109  

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*

     65,821       572  

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

     5,499       185  

Signet Jewelers Ltd.

     30,567       572  

Sleep Number Corp.*

     15,801       773  

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

     13,826       555  

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc.*

     24,934       357  

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A*

     32,648       886  

Tilly’s, Inc., Class A

     12,267       74  

Vera Bradley, Inc.*

     10,613       65  

Winmark Corp.

     1,684       290  

Zumiez, Inc.*

     11,974       333  
     
               41,235  

Semiconductors – 2.7%

    

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd.*

     12,095       155  

Ambarella, Inc.*

     19,236       1,004  

Amkor Technology, Inc.*

     58,246       652  

Atomera, Inc.*

     9,719       102  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 103 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Semiconductors – 2.7%     continued

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

     19,517         $429      

AXT, Inc.*

     22,111       135  

Brooks Automation, Inc.

     42,158       1,950  

CEVA, Inc.*

     12,602       496  

CMC Materials, Inc.

     16,847       2,406  

Cohu, Inc.

     23,901       411  

CTS Corp.

     18,510       408  

Diodes, Inc.*

     24,601       1,389  

DSP Group, Inc.*

     12,540       165  

FormFactor, Inc.*

     44,468       1,109  

GSI Technology, Inc.*

     10,140       57  

II-VI, Inc.*

     58,493       2,373  

Impinj, Inc.*

     9,691       255  

Intellicheck, Inc.*

     11,384       76  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.*

     78,010       2,259  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.*

     27,288       928  

MaxLinear, Inc.*

     39,048       907  

NeoPhotonics Corp.*

     27,542       168  

NVE Corp.

     2,754       135  

Onto Innovation, Inc.*

     27,570       821  

Photronics, Inc.*

     37,359       372  

Pixelworks, Inc.*

     21,446       44  

Power Integrations, Inc.

     34,199       1,895  

Rambus, Inc.*

     65,938       903  

Semtech Corp.*

     37,473       1,985  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

     25,176       2,463  

SiTime Corp.*

     5,328       448  

Synaptics, Inc.*

     19,735       1,587  

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*

     23,127       496  

Veeco Instruments, Inc.*

     28,852       337  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     77,203       1,202  
     
               30,522  

Software – 6.7%

    

1Life Healthcare, Inc.*

     45,622       1,294  

8x8, Inc.*

     60,431       940  

ACI Worldwide, Inc.*

     66,449       1,736  

Agilysys, Inc.*

     10,371       251  

Akerna Corp.*

     5,042       18  

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*

     93,876       764  

Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A*

     24,480       1,028  

American Software, Inc., Class A

     17,338       243  

Appfolio, Inc., Class A*

     9,459       1,341  

Appian Corp.*

     20,661       1,338  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Software – 6.7%     continued

    

Asure Software, Inc.*

     7,621         $58      

Avaya Holdings Corp.*

     48,007       730  

Avid Technology, Inc.*

     18,247       156  

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A*

     11,133       1,943  

Benefitfocus, Inc.*

     17,086       191  

Blackbaud, Inc.

     28,691       1,602  

Blackline, Inc.*

     29,123       2,610  

Bottomline Technologies DE, Inc.*

     25,116       1,059  

Box, Inc., Class A*

     80,511       1,398  

Brightcove, Inc.*

     22,965       235  

Calix, Inc.*

     30,548       543  

Cardlytics, Inc.*

     15,071       1,064  

Cerence, Inc.*

     21,322       1,042  

ChannelAdvisor Corp.*

     15,686       227  

Cloudera, Inc.*

     118,905       1,295  

CommVault Systems, Inc.*

     24,328       993  

Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.

     7,267       201  

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.*

     35,209       1,280  

Daily Journal Corp.*

     644       156  

Digi International, Inc.*

     16,956       265  

Digital Turbine, Inc.*

     47,786       1,564  

Domo, Inc., Class B*

     14,971       574  

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.*

     17,179       229  

Ebix, Inc.

     15,043       310  

eGain Corp.*

     12,265       174  

Envestnet, Inc.*

     30,795       2,376  

Evolent Health, Inc., Class A*

     44,136       548  

Glu Mobile, Inc.*

     84,782       651  

GTY Technology Holdings, Inc.*

     26,702       71  

Health Catalyst, Inc.*

     19,550       716  

IBEX Ltd.*

     2,139       33  

Immersion Corp.*

     9,861       70  

Inovalon Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     42,802       1,132  

Intelligent Systems Corp.*

     4,249       166  

J2 Global, Inc.*

     26,286       1,819  

Limelight Networks, Inc.*

     68,127       392  

LivePerson, Inc.*

     35,790       1,861  

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*

     4,479       674  

Mimecast Ltd.*

     33,222       1,559  

Mitek Systems, Inc.*

     23,569       300  

MobileIron, Inc.*

     55,728       391  

Model N, Inc.*

     19,935       703  

NantHealth, Inc.*

     15,483       36  

NextGen Healthcare, Inc.*

     32,241       411  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    104 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Software – 6.7%     continued

    

Omnicell, Inc.*

     24,659         $1,841      

OneSpan, Inc.*

     19,116       401  

Ontrak, Inc.*

     4,612       277  

Park City Group, Inc.*

     6,982       34  

PDF Solutions, Inc.*

     16,533       309  

Phreesia, Inc.*

     16,808       540  

Ping Identity Holding Corp.*

     21,249       663  

Progress Software Corp.

     26,129       958  

PROS Holdings, Inc.*

     22,939       733  

Q2 Holdings, Inc.*

     28,785       2,627  

QAD, Inc., Class A

     6,702       283  

Qualys, Inc.*

     19,745       1,935  

Rapid7, Inc.*

     29,232       1,790  

Red Violet, Inc.*

     3,693       68  

Rosetta Stone, Inc.*

     13,355       400  

Sailpoint Technologies Holdings, Inc.*

     51,076       2,021  

Sapiens International Corp. N.V.

     15,109       462  

Schrodinger, Inc.*

     16,935       805  

SeaChange International, Inc.*

     17,194       15  

SecureWorks Corp., Class A*

     4,725       54  

Simulations Plus, Inc.

     8,180       616  

Smith Micro Software, Inc.*

     19,081       71  

Sprout Social, Inc., Class A*

     15,832       610  

SPS Commerce, Inc.*

     20,369       1,586  

SVMK, Inc.*

     70,347       1,555  

SWK Holdings Corp.*

     2,015       28  

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*

     22,682       68  

Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.*

     12,014       490  

Tenable Holdings, Inc.*

     40,627       1,534  

Upland Software, Inc.*

     15,135       571  

Varonis Systems, Inc.*

     18,084       2,087  

Verint Systems, Inc.*

     37,205       1,793  

Veritone, Inc.*

     13,119       120  

Verra Mobility Corp.*

     78,057       754  

VirnetX Holding Corp.

     37,011       195  

Workiva, Inc.*

     22,721       1,267  

Xperi Holding Corp.

     62,602       719  

Yext, Inc.*

     58,737       892  

Zuora, Inc., Class A*

     57,476       594  
     
               74,527  

Specialty Finance – 1.7%

    

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.*

     2,248       28  

Atlanticus Holdings Corp.*

     2,898       35  

Broadmark Realty Capital, Inc.

     75,099       740  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

Specialty Finance – 1.7%     continued

 

Cardtronics PLC, Class A*

     21,264         $421      

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

     8,534       343  

Curo Group Holdings Corp.

     10,435       74  

Encore Capital Group, Inc.*

     18,089       698  

Enova International, Inc.*

     16,743       274  

Essent Group Ltd.

     64,007       2,369  

Evo Payments, Inc., Class A*

     23,930       595  

EZCORP, Inc., Class A*

     29,398       148  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

     5,249       334  

FirstCash, Inc.

     23,582       1,349  

GATX Corp.

     20,160       1,285  

General Finance Corp.*

     5,844       37  

Green Dot Corp., Class A*

     29,533       1,495  

GreenSky, Inc., Class A*

     35,464       157  

I3 Verticals, Inc., Class A*

     8,549       216  

International Money Express, Inc.*

     13,701       197  

Investors Title Co.

     711       92  

LendingClub Corp.*

     41,282       194  

Marlin Business Services Corp.

     4,756       34  

MMA Capital Holdings, Inc.*

     2,872       65  

MoneyGram International, Inc.*

     35,471       100  

Mr Cooper Group, Inc.*

     44,398       991  

Navient Corp.

     111,487       942  

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

     9,962       600  

Oportun Financial Corp.*

     11,094       131  

Paysign, Inc.*

     17,572       100  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

     24,625       1,431  

PRA Group, Inc.*

     26,147       1,045  

Regional Management Corp.*

     4,690       78  

Repay Holdings Corp.*

     34,528       811  

Stewart Information Services Corp.

     15,251       667  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

     16,481       874  

Willis Lease Finance Corp.*

     1,711       32  

World Acceptance Corp.*

     2,822       298  
     
               19,280  

Technology Services – 1.6%

    

comScore, Inc.*

     33,330       68  

Conduent, Inc.*

     94,186       299  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

     19,032       779  

EVERTEC, Inc.

     34,919       1,212  

ExlService Holdings, Inc.*

     19,483       1,285  

ICF International, Inc.

     10,619       653  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

     20,092       1,137  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 105 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Technology Services – 1.6%     continued

 

LiveRamp Holdings, Inc.*

     37,238         $1,928      

ManTech International Corp., Class A

     15,757       1,085  

Mastech Digital, Inc.*

     2,254       41  

MAXIMUS, Inc.

     35,427       2,424  

NIC, Inc.

     38,384       756  

PAE, Inc.*

     33,748       287  

Parsons Corp.*

     12,930       434  

Perficient, Inc.*

     18,995       812  

Perspecta, Inc.

     80,794       1,571  

PFSweb, Inc.*

     8,026       54  

Priority Technology Holdings, Inc.*

     6,494       20  

Rackspace Technology, Inc.*

     19,597       378  

Rimini Street, Inc.*

     12,907       42  

ServiceSource International, Inc.*

     49,706       73  

StarTek, Inc.*

     8,886       47  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

     22,443       768  

TTEC Holdings, Inc.

     10,627       580  

Unisys Corp.*

     36,590       390  

Value Line, Inc.

     669       16  

Virtusa Corp.*

     16,799       826  
     
               17,965  

Telecom – 0.7%

    

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.

     30,247       61  

ATN International, Inc.

     6,406       321  

Cambium Networks Corp.*

     3,162       53  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.*

     29,349       440  

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

     24,670       1,481  

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.*

     42,906       244  

Gogo, Inc.*

     32,222       298  

GTT Communications, Inc.*

     18,151       94  

HC2 Holdings, Inc.*

     25,020       61  

IDT Corp., Class B*

     7,960       52  

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

     68,304       1,747  

KVH Industries, Inc.*

     8,845       80  

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.

     7,569       139  

Ooma, Inc.*

     11,780       154  

ORBCOMM, Inc.*

     41,774       142  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

     27,961       1,242  

Spok Holdings, Inc.

     10,067       96  

Vonage Holdings Corp.*

     134,532       1,376  

Zix Corp.*

     32,312       189  
     
               8,270  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Transportation & Logistics – 1.3%

    

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*

     34,233         $858      

ArcBest Corp.

     14,642       455  

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

     17,774       63  

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*

     14,985       913  

Costamare, Inc.

     29,573       179  

Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.*

     7,382       129  

CryoPort, Inc.*

     19,931       945  

Daseke, Inc.*

     25,870       139  

DHT Holdings, Inc.

     63,812       329  

Diamond S Shipping, Inc.*

     15,752       108  

Dorian LPG Ltd.*

     21,914       176  

Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc.*

     3,578       59  

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*

     15,297       394  

Forward Air Corp.

     16,197       929  

Frontline Ltd.

     69,186       450  

Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd.

     9,745       67  

Golar LNG Ltd.*

     52,815       320  

Heartland Express, Inc.

     27,557       513  

Hub Group, Inc., Class A*

     19,034       955  

International Seaways, Inc.

     14,685       215  

Marten Transport Ltd.

     34,444       562  

Matson, Inc.

     24,904       998  

Nordic American Tankers Ltd.

     82,376       287  

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., Class A*

     37,401       80  

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.*

     1,148       43  

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.

     6,049       16  

Radiant Logistics, Inc.*

     23,522       121  

Safe Bulkers, Inc.*

     29,451       30  

Saia, Inc.*

     15,221       1,920  

Scorpio Bulkers, Inc.

     4,925       70  

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

     29,208       323  

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*

     10,999       320  

SFL Corp. Ltd.

     56,054       420  

U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc., Class A*

     13,137       109  

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

     35,253       1,480  
     
               14,975  

Transportation Equipment – 0.5%

    

Blue Bird Corp.*

     9,133       111  

Greenbrier (The) Cos., Inc.

     18,857       554  

Meritor, Inc.*

     40,379       845  

Navistar International Corp.*

     28,969       1,261  

REV Group, Inc.

     16,431       130  

Shyft Group (The), Inc.

     19,896       376  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    106 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

  VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

 

 

Transportation Equipment – 0.5%     continued

 

 

Wabash National Corp.

     30,169         $361      

Workhorse Group, Inc.*

     54,705       1,383  
     
               5,021  

Utilities – 3.1%

    

ALLETE, Inc.

     30,222       1,564  

American States Water Co.

     21,397       1,604  

Artesian Resources Corp., Class A

     4,679       161  

Atlantic Power Corp.*

     51,618       101  

Avista Corp.

     39,019       1,331  

Black Hills Corp.

     36,452       1,950  

Brookfield Infrastructure Corp., Class A

     18,858       1,045  

Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A

     39,644       2,323  

California Water Service Group

     28,743       1,249  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

     9,432       795  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class A

     20,462       505  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C

     46,886       1,264  

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.

     8,439       88  

Genie Energy Ltd., Class B

     8,034       64  

Global Water Resources, Inc.

     7,754       84  

MGE Energy, Inc.

     21,147       1,325  

Middlesex Water Co.

     9,847       612  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

     55,215       1,492  

Northwest Natural Holding Co.

     17,743       805  

NorthWestern Corp.

     29,379       1,429  

ONE Gas, Inc.

     30,389       2,097  

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

     23,219       1,372  

Otter Tail Corp.

     23,371       845  

PICO Holdings, Inc.*

     10,602       95  

PNM Resources, Inc.

     46,069       1,904  

PNM Resources, Inc. - (Fractional Shares)(1)

     50,000        

Portland General Electric Co.

     52,060       1,848  

Pure Cycle Corp.*

     11,213       101  

RGC Resources, Inc.

     4,263       100  

SJW Group

     15,289       931  

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

     58,424       1,126  

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

     32,486       2,050  

Spark Energy, Inc., Class A

     6,444       54  

Spire, Inc.

     29,094       1,548  

Unitil Corp.

     8,827       341  

York Water (The) Co.

     7,709       326  
     
               34,529  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.9%

 

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.*

     42,823       1,295  
    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

   VALUE    
(000S)    

COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%     continued

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment –0.9%      continued

 

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*

     26,667          $1,489      

CECO Environmental Corp.*

     18,572        135  

Covanta Holding Corp.

     69,280        537  

Energy Recovery, Inc.*

     23,495        193  

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

     14,852        1,197  

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.*

     52,971        1,124  

Harsco Corp.*

     45,608        634  

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.*

     8,564        114  

Montrose Environmental Group, Inc.*

     6,380        152  

Sharps Compliance Corp.*

     8,207        52  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     31,261        2,985  

U.S. Ecology, Inc.

     18,335        599  
     
                10,506  

Total Common Stocks

                 

(Cost $840,726)

        1,094,998  
     

RIGHTS – 0.0%

     

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 0.0%

 

  

Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(1) *

     3,681         

Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(1) *

     398         

Tobira Therapeutics, Inc. (Contingent Value Rights)(2) *

     5,175        39  
     
                39  

Total Rights

                 

(Cost $40)

        39  
     

OTHER – 0.0%

     

Escrow Calamos Asset Management, Inc.(1) *

     9,919         

Escrow DLB Oil & Gas(1) *

     1,200         

Escrow Position PetroCorp(1) *

     420         

Total Other

                 

(Cost $—)

         

    

     
    

 

NUMBER
OF WARRANTS

  

 

VALUE
(000S)

WARRANTS – 0.0%

     

Pulse Biosciences, Inc., Exp. 5/14/25, Strike $7.01*

     249        $1  

Total Warrants

                 

(Cost $—)

        1  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    
 107 
 
 
  EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

SMALL CAP INDEX FUND    continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.8%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(3) (4)

     20,359,722        $20,360      

Total Investment Companies

                 

(Cost $20,360)

        20,360  

    

     
    

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.2%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.11%, 1/28/21(5) (6)

     $2,155        $2,154  

Total Short-Term Investments

                 

(Cost $2,154)

        2,154  
     

Total Investments – 99.9%

                 

(Cost $863,280)

        1,117,552  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

              564  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $1,118,116  

 

(1) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(2) 

Level 3 asset.

(3) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(4) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(5) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(6)

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

PLC - Public Limited Company

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

      TYPE    NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
   NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   CONTRACT
POSITION
   CONTRACT
EXP.
  

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION    
(DEPRECIATION)    
(000S)
(1)

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

   323    $24,296    Long    12/20    $(57)
                          

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM  
INVESTMENTS  
 

Communication Services

     2.3

Consumer Discretionary

     13.5  

Consumer Staples

     3.4  

Energy

     1.9  

Financials

     14.8  

Health Care

     21.5  

Industrials

     15.2  

Information Technology

     13.5  

Materials

     4.0  

Real Estate

     6.6  

Utilities

     3.3  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
   

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

   

TOTAL    

(000S)    

 

Common Stocks:

       

Consumer Products

  $ 25,513     $ 111       $—     $ 25,624      

All Other Industries(1)

    1,069,374                   1,069,374  

Total Common Stocks

    1,094,887       111             1,094,998  

Rights(1)

                39       39  

Warrants

    1                   1  

Investment Companies

    20,360                   20,360  

Short-Term Investments

          2,154             2,154  

Total Investments

  $ 1,115,248     $ 2,265       $39     $ 1,117,552      
         

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                               

Liabilities

 

   

Futures Contracts

  $   (57)    $       $—     $ (57 )     
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    108 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

STOCK INDEX FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS – 99.5%

         

Aerospace & Defense – 1.6%

         

Boeing (The) Co.

       179,667        $29,692

General Dynamics Corp.

       78,657        10,889

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.

       132,801        2,220

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

       13,689        1,927

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

       73,197        12,432

Lockheed Martin Corp.

       83,300        31,927

Northrop Grumman Corp.

       52,498        16,563

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

       517,240        29,762

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.*

       12,470        3,868

Textron, Inc.

       77,982        2,814

TransDigm Group, Inc.

       18,352        8,719     
            150,813
     

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.7%

         

Hanesbrands, Inc.

       117,636        1,853

NIKE, Inc., Class B

       421,532        52,919

PVH Corp.

       23,954        1,429

Ralph Lauren Corp.

       16,233        1,103

Tapestry, Inc.

       93,734        1,465

Under Armour, Inc., Class A*

       63,705        715

Under Armour, Inc., Class C*

       65,766        647

VF Corp.

       108,207        7,602
            67,733
     

Asset Management – 0.7%

         

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

       40,727        6,276

BlackRock, Inc.

       48,019        27,061

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.

       392,700        14,227

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

       74,837        3,746

Franklin Resources, Inc.

       90,502        1,842

Invesco Ltd.

       127,264        1,452

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

       41,464        3,017

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

       76,867        9,856
            67,477
     

Automotive – 0.3%

         

Aptiv PLC

       91,437        8,383

BorgWarner, Inc.

       70,159        2,718

Ford Motor Co.

       1,323,175        8,812

General Motors Co.

       426,387        12,617
            32,530
     

Banking – 3.3%

         

Bank of America Corp.

       2,581,856        62,197

Citigroup, Inc.

       704,893        30,388

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

       144,302        3,648

Comerica, Inc.

       46,936        1,795
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

    

Banking – 3.3%    continued

         

Fifth Third Bancorp

       241,078        $5,140

First Republic Bank

       58,278        6,356

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

       344,894        3,163

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       1,032,034        99,354

KeyCorp

       329,933        3,936

M&T Bank Corp.

       43,370        3,994

People’s United Financial, Inc.

       143,573        1,480

PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.

       143,995        15,826

Regions Financial Corp.

       325,290        3,750

SVB Financial Group*

       17,520        4,216

Truist Financial Corp.

       456,308        17,362

U.S. Bancorp

       463,991        16,634

Wells Fargo & Co.

       1,394,972        32,796     

Zions Bancorp N.A.

       55,193        1,613
            313,648
 

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – 6.2%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

       597,638        52,347

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

       74,188        8,489

Amgen, Inc.

       198,333        50,408

Biogen, Inc.*

       53,611        15,208

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

       763,276        46,018

Eli Lilly and Co.

       268,828        39,792

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

       424,538        26,827

Incyte Corp.*

       62,929        5,647

Johnson & Johnson

       891,537        132,732

Merck & Co., Inc.

       856,628        71,057

Mylan N.V.*

       174,930        2,594

Perrigo Co. PLC

       46,359        2,128

Pfizer, Inc.

       1,881,729        69,060

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

       35,404        19,819

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

       88,210        24,004

Zoetis, Inc.

       160,886        26,606
            592,736
 

Chemicals – 2.2%

 

3M Co.

       195,051        31,243

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

       74,788        22,276

Albemarle Corp.

       35,985        3,213

Avery Dennison Corp.

       28,222        3,608

Celanese Corp.

       40,166        4,316

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

       72,313        2,221

Corteva, Inc.

       253,649        7,307

Dow, Inc.

       250,873        11,803

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

       249,005        13,815
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      109       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

STOCK INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Chemicals – 2.2%    continued

        

Eastman Chemical Co.

       45,748            $3,574

Ecolab, Inc.

       84,055       16,797

FMC Corp.

       43,831       4,642

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

       36,242       4,438

Linde PLC

       177,890       42,361

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

       86,973       6,131

Mosaic (The) Co.

       118,483       2,165

PPG Industries, Inc.

       79,848       9,748

Sherwin-Williams (The) Co.

       27,743       19,330     
           208,988
 

Commercial Services – 0.2%

 

Cintas Corp.

       29,439       9,798

Robert Half International, Inc.

       38,765       2,052

Rollins, Inc.

       49,934       2,706
           14,556
 

Construction Materials – 0.1%

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

       21,074       4,960

Vulcan Materials Co.

       44,840       6,078
           11,038
 

Consumer Products – 5.3%

 

Altria Group, Inc.

       629,229       24,313

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

       61,955       4,666

Campbell Soup Co.

       68,523       3,315

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

       83,699       7,843

Clorox (The) Co.

       42,740       8,983

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

       1,308,934       64,622

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

       290,712       22,428

Conagra Brands, Inc.

       165,379       5,906

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

       57,019       10,806

Estee Lauder (The) Cos., Inc., Class A

       76,257       16,643

General Mills, Inc.

       206,846       12,758

Hershey (The) Co.

       49,894       7,152

Hormel Foods Corp.

       95,251       4,657

J.M. Smucker (The) Co.

       38,747       4,476

Kellogg Co.

       85,864       5,546

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

       115,642       17,076

Kraft Heinz (The) Co.

       219,368       6,570

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

       49,193       3,260

McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non Voting)

       41,991       8,150

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B

       63,503       2,131

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

       483,546       27,780

Monster Beverage Corp.*

       124,969       10,023

PepsiCo, Inc.

       468,828       64,980
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Consumer Products – 5.3%    continued

 

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

       527,327            $39,544

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

       843,035       117,173

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

       99,584       5,923
           506,724
 

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

 

Amcor PLC

       530,979       5,868

Ball Corp.

       110,529       9,187

International Paper Co.

       132,854       5,386

Packaging Corp. of America

       32,216       3,513

Sealed Air Corp.

       52,643       2,043

Westrock Co.

       87,822       3,051     
           29,048
 

Distributors - Consumer Staples – 0.2%

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

       188,093       8,744

Sysco Corp.

       172,178       10,713
           19,457
 

Distributors - Discretionary – 0.1%

 

Copart, Inc.*

       69,952       7,356

LKQ Corp.*

       94,631       2,624
           9,980
 

Electrical Equipment – 2.0%

 

A.O. Smith Corp.

       45,931       2,425

Allegion PLC

       31,339       3,100

AMETEK, Inc.

       77,883       7,741

Amphenol Corp., Class A

       100,964       10,931

Carrier Global Corp.

       275,678       8,419

Eaton Corp. PLC

       135,430       13,818

Emerson Electric Co.

       202,299       13,265

Fortive Corp.

       114,080       8,694

General Electric Co.

       2,968,976       18,497

Honeywell International, Inc.

       237,616       39,114

Johnson Controls International PLC

       251,895       10,290

Keysight Technologies, Inc.*

       63,320       6,255

Otis Worldwide Corp.

       137,845       8,604

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

       39,269       8,666

Roper Technologies, Inc.

       35,458       14,010

TE Connectivity Ltd.

       111,977       10,945

Trane Technologies PLC

       81,040       9,826
                   194,600
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    110 
  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Engineering & Construction Services – 0.1%

 

   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

       44,206       $4,101

Quanta Services, Inc.

       46,826       2,475
           6,576
 

Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants – 1.6%

 

Carnival Corp.

       175,186       2,659

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*

       9,468            11,775

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

       44,336       4,466     

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

       13,325       5,667

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

       93,891       8,011

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

       111,227       5,190

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

       90,052       8,337

McDonald’s Corp.

       251,968       55,304

MGM Resorts International

       138,608       3,015

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.*

       93,249       1,595

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

       60,306       3,904

Starbucks Corp.

       395,832       34,010

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

       32,860       2,360

Yum! Brands, Inc.

       102,010       9,314
           155,607
 

Hardware – 7.9%

 

Apple, Inc.

       5,444,016       630,472

Arista Networks, Inc.*

       18,527       3,834

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       1,433,546       56,467

Corning, Inc.

       257,765       8,354

F5 Networks, Inc.*

       20,719       2,544

FLIR Systems, Inc.

       44,520       1,596

Garmin Ltd.

       50,466       4,787

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

       434,685       4,073

HP, Inc.

       464,950       8,829

Juniper Networks, Inc.

       112,421       2,417

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

       57,473       9,012

NetApp, Inc.

       75,135       3,294

Seagate Technology PLC

       75,522       3,721

Western Digital Corp.

       102,371       3,742

Xerox Holdings Corp.

       62,110       1,166

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

       18,053       4,558
           748,866
 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.8%

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

       49,756       4,822

Anthem, Inc.

       85,162       22,874

Cardinal Health, Inc.

       99,609       4,677

Catalent, Inc.*

       55,564       4,760

Centene Corp.*

       196,238       11,447
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Health Care Facilities & Services – 2.8%    continued

 

Cigna Corp.

       124,342       $21,065

CVS Health Corp.

       443,149       25,880     

DaVita, Inc.*

       27,235       2,333

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

       89,273            11,130

Henry Schein, Inc.*

       48,529       2,852

Humana, Inc.

       44,799       18,542

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.*

       64,761       10,208

Laboratory Corp. of America

        

Holdings*

       32,972       6,208

McKesson Corp.

       54,946       8,183

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

       45,466       5,205

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

       321,851       100,343

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

       26,273       2,812
           263,341
 

Home & Office Products – 0.6%

 

D.R. Horton, Inc.

       112,083       8,477

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

       46,758       4,046

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

       44,936       1,850

Lennar Corp., Class A

       92,963       7,593

Masco Corp.

       88,522       4,880

Mohawk Industries, Inc.*

       20,229       1,974

Newell Brands, Inc.

       127,768       2,192

NVR, Inc.*

       1,178       4,810

PulteGroup, Inc.

       90,781       4,202

Snap-on, Inc.

       18,466       2,717

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

       54,056       8,768

Whirlpool Corp.

       21,083       3,877
           55,386
 

Industrial Services – 0.2%

 

Fastenal Co.

       194,277       8,760

United Rentals, Inc.*

       24,404       4,259

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

       15,229       5,433
           18,452
 

Institutional Financial Services – 1.2%

 

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.

       275,886       9,474

Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

       36,792       3,228

CME Group, Inc.

       121,432       20,317

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.

       116,505       23,414

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

       190,034       19,013

Morgan Stanley

       405,755       19,618

Nasdaq, Inc.

       38,938       4,778
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      111       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

STOCKS INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Institutional Financial Services – 1.2%    continued

 

Northern Trust Corp.(1)

       70,440       $5,492

State Street Corp.

       119,530       7,092
           112,426
 

Insurance – 3.3%

 

Aflac, Inc.

       224,143       8,148

Allstate (The) Corp.

       105,698       9,950

American International Group, Inc.

       291,571            8,027

Aon PLC, Class A

       78,434       16,181

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

       64,789       6,840     

Assurant, Inc.

       20,431       2,478

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

       671,260       142,938

Chubb Ltd.

       153,098       17,778

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

       50,632       3,948

Everest Re Group Ltd.

       13,494       2,666

Globe Life, Inc.

       33,114       2,646

Hartford Financial Services Group

        

(The), Inc.

       121,186       4,467

Lincoln National Corp.

       61,414       1,924

Loews Corp.

       80,341       2,792

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

       171,473       19,668

MetLife, Inc.

       261,986       9,738

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

       86,578       3,486

Progressive (The) Corp.

       198,194       18,763

Prudential Financial, Inc.

       133,569       8,484

Travelers (The) Cos., Inc.

       85,988       9,303

Unum Group

       68,514       1,153

W.R. Berkley Corp.

       47,993       2,935

Willis Towers Watson PLC

       43,706       9,127
           313,440
 

Iron & Steel – 0.0%

 

Nucor Corp.

       102,203       4,585

Leisure Products – 0.0%

        

Hasbro, Inc.

       43,138       3,568

Machinery – 1.0%

        

Caterpillar, Inc.

       183,363       27,349

Deere & Co.

       106,104       23,516

Dover Corp.

       48,660       5,272

Flowserve Corp.

       43,911       1,198

IDEX Corp.

       25,593       4,668

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

       97,415       18,822

Ingersoll Rand, Inc.*

       125,658       4,473
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Machinery – 1.0%    continued

        

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

       43,523       $8,807

Xylem, Inc.

       61,084       5,138
           99,243
 

Media – 8.8%

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

       101,763       149,144

Alphabet, Inc., Class C*

       99,411            146,094     

Booking Holdings, Inc.*

       13,864       23,717

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*

       50,632       31,611

Comcast Corp., Class A

       1,543,384       71,397

Discovery, Inc., Class A*

       55,383       1,206

Discovery, Inc., Class C*

       103,370       2,026

DISH Network Corp., Class A*

       83,405       2,421

Expedia Group, Inc.

       46,012       4,219

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

       814,184       213,235

Fox Corp., Class A

       116,383       3,239

Fox Corp., Class B

       53,983       1,510

Interpublic Group of (The) Cos., Inc.

       131,512       2,192

Netflix, Inc.*

       149,343       74,676

News Corp., Class A

       133,592       1,873

News Corp., Class B

       43,258       605

Omnicom Group, Inc.

       72,740       3,600

Twitter, Inc.*

       267,790       11,917

VeriSign, Inc.*

       34,210       7,008

ViacomCBS, Inc., Class B

       190,776       5,344

Walt Disney (The) Co.

       611,859       75,919
           832,953
 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 5.1%

 

Abbott Laboratories

       599,523       65,246

ABIOMED, Inc.*

       15,241       4,223

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

       104,384       10,536

Align Technology, Inc.*

       24,276       7,947

Baxter International, Inc.

       171,378       13,782

Becton Dickinson and Co.

       98,154       22,838

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*

       7,240       3,732

Boston Scientific Corp.*

       484,292       18,505

Cooper (The) Cos., Inc.

       16,687       5,625

Danaher Corp.

       213,796       46,037

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

       74,436       3,255

DexCom, Inc.*

       32,422       13,365

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

       210,464       16,799

Hologic, Inc.*

       87,700       5,829

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

       28,795       11,320

Illumina, Inc.*

       49,436       15,280
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    112     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices – 5.1%    continued

 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

     39,626       $28,116  

Medtronic PLC

     455,137       47,298  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     8,118       7,840  

PerkinElmer, Inc.

     37,853       4,751  

ResMed, Inc.

     49,059       8,410      

STERIS PLC

     28,859       5,085  

Stryker Corp.

     110,627       23,051  

Teleflex, Inc.

     15,738       5,358  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     133,953           59,143  

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

     30,853       5,307  

Waters Corp.*

     20,957       4,101  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     24,994       6,871  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     70,214       9,559  
       479,209  
 

Metals & Mining – 0.3%

 

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     491,681       7,690  

Newmont Corp.

     271,972       17,257  
       24,947  
 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 2.0%

 

Apache Corp.

     127,639       1,209  

Baker Hughes Co.

     222,106       2,952  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     135,533       2,353  

Chevron Corp.

     632,261       45,523  

Concho Resources, Inc.

     66,381       2,929  

ConocoPhillips

     364,105       11,957  

Devon Energy Corp.

     128,906       1,219  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

     53,350       1,607  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     196,970       7,079  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     1,431,661       49,149  

Halliburton Co.

     297,334       3,583  

Hess Corp.

     92,495       3,786  

HollyFrontier Corp.

     50,286       991  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     658,650       8,121  

Marathon Oil Corp.

     265,770       1,087  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     220,283       6,463  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

     130,942       1,186  

Noble Energy, Inc.

     163,813       1,400  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     283,297       2,836  

ONEOK, Inc.

     150,378       3,907  

Phillips 66

     148,267       7,686  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     55,943       4,810  

Schlumberger N.V.

     469,269       7,302  

TechnipFMC PLC

     142,585       900  
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 2.0%    continued

 

Valero Energy Corp.

     138,016       $5,979  

Williams (The) Cos., Inc.

     410,777       8,072  
       194,086  
 

Passenger Transportation – 0.2%

 

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

     41,842       1,533  

American Airlines Group, Inc.

     172,216       2,117  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     215,939       6,603  

Southwest Airlines Co.

     199,731           7,490  

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.*

     98,501       3,423  
       21,166  
 

Real Estate – 0.1%

 

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

     113,508       5,332      

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.6%

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

     39,709       6,353  

American Tower Corp.

     150,206       36,309  

Apartment Investment and

    

Management Co., Class A

     50,220       1,693  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     47,604       7,109  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     47,904       3,847  

Crown Castle International Corp.

     142,110       23,661  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     91,095       13,369  

Duke Realty Corp.

     125,435       4,629  

Equinix, Inc.

     29,989       22,796  

Equity Residential

     115,808       5,944  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

     22,225       4,463  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     43,674       4,673  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

     23,252       1,708  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

     183,012       4,969  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     238,613       2,575  

Iron Mountain, Inc.

     97,507       2,612  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     146,223       1,646  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

     38,885       4,509  

Prologis, Inc.

     250,166       25,172  

Public Storage

     51,475       11,464  

Realty Income Corp.

     116,764       7,093  

Regency Centers Corp.

     53,309       2,027  

SBA Communications Corp.

     37,901       12,071  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     103,967       6,725  

SL Green Realty Corp.

     24,740       1,147  

UDR, Inc.

     99,516       3,245  

Ventas, Inc.

     126,299       5,299  

Vornado Realty Trust

     52,929       1,784  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      113       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

STOCKS INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.6%    continued

 

Welltower, Inc.

       141,247       $7,781

Weyerhaeuser Co.

       252,613       7,205
           243,878
 

Recreational Facilities & Services – 0.0%

 

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*

       48,263       2,600     

Retail - Consumer Staples – 2.0%

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

       149,483       53,067

Dollar General Corp.

       84,320            17,675

Dollar Tree, Inc.*

       80,337       7,338

Kroger (The) Co.

       263,325       8,929

Target Corp.

       169,517       26,685

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

       243,487       8,746

Walmart, Inc.

       470,138       65,777
           188,217
 

Retail - Discretionary – 7.5%

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

       23,583       3,620

Amazon.com, Inc.*

       144,177       453,974

AutoZone, Inc.*

       7,906       9,310

Best Buy Co., Inc.

       77,984       8,679

CarMax, Inc.*

       55,177       5,071

eBay, Inc.

       225,139       11,730

Etsy, Inc.*

       40,411       4,915

Gap (The), Inc.

       69,434       1,183

Genuine Parts Co.

       48,990       4,662

Home Depot (The), Inc.

       364,522       101,231

L Brands, Inc.

       78,986       2,513

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

       255,900       42,444

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

       25,071       11,560

Ross Stores, Inc.

       120,642       11,258

Tiffany & Co.

       36,570       4,237

TJX (The) Cos., Inc.

       406,004       22,594

Tractor Supply Co.

       39,345       5,640

Ulta Beauty, Inc.*

       19,064       4,270
           708,891
 

Semiconductors – 5.1%

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*

       397,584       32,598

Analog Devices, Inc.

       125,124       14,607

Applied Materials, Inc.

       309,305       18,388

Broadcom, Inc.

       136,190       49,617

Intel Corp.

       1,440,219       74,574

IPG Photonics Corp.*

       12,069       2,051

KLA Corp.

       52,656       10,201

Lam Research Corp.

       49,250       16,339
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Semiconductors – 5.1%    continued

 

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

       90,544       $6,122

Microchip Technology, Inc.

       85,470       8,783     

Micron Technology, Inc.*

       376,217       17,667

NVIDIA Corp.

       208,942       113,084

Qorvo, Inc.*

       38,678       4,990

QUALCOMM, Inc.

       382,066       44,961

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

       56,561            8,230

Teradyne, Inc.

       56,230       4,468

Texas Instruments, Inc.

       310,168       44,289

Xilinx, Inc.

       82,723       8,623
           479,592
 

Software – 9.7%

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

       261,384       21,159

Adobe, Inc.*

       162,434       79,663

Akamai Technologies, Inc.*

       55,112       6,092

ANSYS, Inc.*

       29,045       9,504

Autodesk, Inc.*

       74,252       17,153

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

       94,416       10,068

Cerner Corp.

       103,354       7,471

Citrix Systems, Inc.

       41,829       5,760

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

       97,803       12,754

Fortinet, Inc.*

       45,483       5,358

Intuit, Inc.

       88,657       28,921

Microsoft Corp.

       2,562,733       539,020

NortonLifeLock, Inc.

       200,137       4,171

Oracle Corp.

       654,672       39,084

Paycom Software, Inc.*

       16,578       5,161

salesforce.com, Inc.*

       308,155       77,446

ServiceNow, Inc.*

       64,952       31,502

Synopsys, Inc.*

       51,381       10,994

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*

       38,722       6,398

Tyler Technologies, Inc.*

       13,622       4,748
           922,427
 

Specialty Finance – 4.4%

 

American Express Co.

       220,818       22,137

Capital One Financial Corp.

       154,583       11,108

Discover Financial Services

       103,735       5,994

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

       209,615       30,858

Fiserv, Inc.*

       188,201       19,394

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*

       28,456       6,775

Global Payments, Inc.

       101,322       17,993

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

       26,025       4,232

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

       299,137       101,159
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    114     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Specialty Finance – 4.4%    continued

 

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

       397,324       $78,285

Synchrony Financial

       183,764       4,809

Visa, Inc., Class A

       570,927       114,168

Western Union (The) Co.

       139,113       2,981
           419,893
 

Technology Services – 2.5%

 

Accenture PLC, Class A

       215,436       48,686     

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

       145,570            20,306

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

       38,998       5,148

CDW Corp.

       48,336       5,778

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

       183,601       12,746

DXC Technology Co.

       86,246       1,539

Equifax, Inc.

       41,225       6,468

Gartner, Inc.*

       30,424       3,801

IHS Markit Ltd.

       126,313       9,917

International Business Machines Corp.

       301,573       36,692

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

       45,250       4,034

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

       12,877       6,201

Moody’s Corp.

       54,656       15,842

MSCI, Inc.

       28,322       10,105

Nielsen Holdings PLC

       120,416       1,708

Paychex, Inc.

       108,425       8,649

S&P Global, Inc.

       81,611       29,429

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

       54,984       10,189
           237,238
 

Telecom – 1.9%

 

AT&T, Inc.

       2,412,634       68,784

CenturyLink, Inc.

       334,172       3,372

T-Mobile U.S., Inc.*

       197,017       22,531

Verizon Communications, Inc.

       1,401,268       83,361
           178,048
 

Transportation & Logistics – 1.8%

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

       45,615       4,661

CSX Corp.

       259,086       20,123

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

       56,457       5,111

FedEx Corp.

       81,623       20,530

JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

       28,229       3,568

Kansas City Southern

       31,951       5,778

Norfolk Southern Corp.

       86,393       18,487

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

       32,590       5,896
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

   

Transportation & Logistics – 1.8%    continued

 

   

Union Pacific Corp.

       229,898       $45,260

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

       239,452       39,900
           169,314
 

Transportation Equipment – 0.3%

 

Cummins, Inc.

       49,994       10,557

PACCAR, Inc.

       117,207            9,996

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

       60,493       3,743
           24,296
 

Utilities – 3.0%

 

AES (The) Corp.

       225,062       4,076     

Alliant Energy Corp.

       84,782       4,379

Ameren Corp.

       83,846       6,630

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

       168,244       13,751

American Water Works Co., Inc.

       61,297       8,881

Atmos Energy Corp.

       41,645       3,981

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

       184,328       3,567

CMS Energy Corp.

       96,707       5,939

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

       113,185       8,806

Dominion Energy, Inc.

       284,448       22,451

DTE Energy Co.

       65,131       7,493

Duke Energy Corp.

       248,943       22,046

Edison International

       128,258       6,521

Entergy Corp.

       67,973       6,697

Evergy, Inc.

       77,388       3,933

Eversource Energy

       115,928       9,686

Exelon Corp.

       330,818       11,830

FirstEnergy Corp.

       183,522       5,269

NextEra Energy, Inc.

       165,800       46,019

NiSource, Inc.

       129,124       2,841

NRG Energy, Inc.

       82,549       2,537

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

       38,037       2,836

PPL Corp.

       260,132       7,078

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

       171,676       9,427

Sempra Energy

       97,912       11,589

Southern (The) Co.

       357,424       19,379

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

       106,719       10,341

Xcel Energy, Inc.

       177,775       12,268
           280,251
 

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.3%

 

Pentair PLC

       56,318       2,578
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      115       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    

STOCKS INDEX FUND    continued

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE        

(000S)        

COMMON STOCKS - 99.5%    continued

 

Waste & Environment Services &
Equipment – 0.3%    continued

 

Republic Services, Inc.

     71,114       $6,638  

Waste Management, Inc.

     131,588       14,892      
     
       24,108  
 

Total Common Stocks

 

   

(Cost $3,616,401)

 

    9,437,264  

    

    

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.2%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(2) (3)

     15,863,976           15,864  
 

Total Investment Companies

 

     

(Cost $15,864)

       15,864  

    

    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.2%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.11%, 1/28/21(4) (5)

     $20,485       $20,478  
     

Total Short-Term Investments

    
     

(Cost $20,477)

       20,478  

    

    
     

Total Investments – 99.9%

    
     

(Cost $3,652,742)

       9,473,606  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

 

    4,847  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $9,478,453  

 

(1) 

Investment in affiliate.

(2) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(3) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(5) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

EAFE - Europe, Australasia and the Far East

MSCI - Morgan Stanley Capital International

PLC - Public Limited Company

S&P - Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE  

NUMBER OF

CONTRACTS

 

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

CONTRACT

POSITION

 

CONTRACT

EXP.

 

 

VALUE AND

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

  (DEPRECIATION)  

(000S)(1)

E-Mini S&P

500

  228   $38,213   Long   12/20   $315
                     

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

    INDUSTRY SECTOR   

 

  % OF LONG-TERM    

INVESTMENTS    

Communication Services

   10.8%

Consumer Discretionary

   11.6  

Consumer Staples

   7.0  

Energy

   2.1  

Financials

   9.7  

Health Care

   14.2  

Industrials

   8.3  

Information Technology

   28.1  

Materials

   2.6  

Real Estate

   2.6  

Utilities

   3.0  
   

Total

   100.0%

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

LEVEL 1

(000S)

   

 

LEVEL 2

(000S)

   

LEVEL 3

(000S)

   

TOTAL

(000S)

 

Common Stocks(1)

    $9,437,264       $    —       $—       $9,437,264    

Investment Companies

    15,864                   15,864    

Short-Term Investments

          20,478             20,478    
         

Total Investments

    $9,453,128       $20,478       $—       $9,473,606    
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS    116     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

    

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

     INVESTMENTS   

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

 

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL    

(000S)    

 

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

           
         

  Assets
      Futures Contracts

   $ 315      $        $—      $ 315    
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      117       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index, International Equity Index, Mid Cap Index, Small Cap Index, and Stock Index Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust.

Each of the Funds is presented herein. Except for the Global Sustainability Index Fund, each Fund is authorized to issue one class of shares designated as the “Shares” class. Effective July 31, 2020, the Global Sustainability Index Fund is authorized to issue two classes of shares designated as Class K shares and Class I shares, which replaced the Fund’s Shares class. At September 30, 2020, the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, International Equity Index, Mid Cap Index, Small Cap Index, and Stock Index Funds had Shares outstanding; and the Global Sustainability Index Fund had Class K and Class I shares outstanding.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS Securities are valued at their fair value. Securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using an independent pricing service. Exchange-traded financial futures and options are valued at the settlement price as established by the exchange on which they are traded. The foregoing prices may be obtained from one or more independent pricing services or, as needed or applicable, independent broker-dealers. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by the Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by a Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

   118    

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) FUTURES CONTRACTS Certain Funds invest in long or short exchange-traded futures contracts for hedging purposes, to increase total return (i.e., for speculative purposes) or to maintain liquidity to meet potential shareholder redemptions, to invest cash balances or dividends or to minimize trading costs. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the fair value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio securities as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract as a hedge in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. A Fund bears the market risk arising from changes in the value of these financial instruments. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Futures are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular futures contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. The Statements of Operations include any realized gains or losses on closed futures contracts in Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts, and any unrealized gains or losses on open futures contracts in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

The contract position and investment strategy utilized during the six months ended September 30, 2020, was as follows:

 

     

 

CONTRACT

POSITION

  

      INVESTMENT      

STRATEGY

Emerging Markets Equity Index

   Long    Liquidity

Global Real Estate Index

   Long    Liquidity

Global Sustainability Index

   Long    Liquidity

International Equity Index

   Long    Liquidity

Mid Cap Index

   Long    Liquidity

Small Cap Index

   Long    Liquidity

Stock Index

   Long    Liquidity

At September 30, 2020, the aggregate fair value of securities pledged to cover margin requirements for open positions for the Mid Cap Index, Small Cap Index and Stock Index Funds was approximately $5,563,000, $2,154,000 and $20,478,000, respectively. At September 30, 2020, the aggregate fair value of cash and foreign currencies to cover margin requirements for

open positions for the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index and International Equity Index Funds was approximately $3,821,000, $1,803,000, $2,298,000, and $5,118,000, respectively. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10.

C) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The gains or losses, if any, on investments from original purchase date to subsequent sales trade date resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations in Net realized gains (losses) on investments and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The gains or losses, if any, on translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions are included in Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations in the Statements of Operations.

D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS Certain Funds are authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, or forward currency exchange contracts, for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a specified exchange rate on a future date as a hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions, or as a cross-hedge transaction or for speculative purposes. The objective of a Fund’s foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce the risk that the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s foreign currency denominated securities will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are “marked-to-market” daily at the applicable exchange rates. Any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations. Gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until the settlement date. Realized gains or losses, if any, are included in Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations.

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The Funds bear the market risk from changes in forward foreign currency exchange rates and the credit risk if the counterparty to the contract fails to perform. The institutions that deal in forward

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      119       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

foreign currency exchange contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10.

E) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent either the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on the date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income, if any, is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date, or as soon as the information is available. Distributions received from a Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are comprised of return of capital, capital gains and income. The actual character of the amounts received during the year is not known until the fiscal year-end. A Fund records the character of distributions received from the REITs during the year based on estimates available. A Fund’s characterization may be subsequently revised based on information received from the REITs after their tax reporting periods conclude.

The Funds allocate all income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on a daily basis to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of the value of shares outstanding of each class, if applicable.

F) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses arising in connection with a specific class of shares are charged to that class of shares. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

G) REDEMPTION FEES The Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index, and International Equity Index Funds charge a 2 percent redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 days or less. For the purpose of applying the fee, the Funds use a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest are treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest are treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is paid to the Fund from which the redemption is made and is intended to offset the trading, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the Funds. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption

transaction, through a separate billing. The Funds are authorized to waive the redemption fee for certain types of redemptions as described in the Funds’ prospectus.

Redemption fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were approximately $10,000, $2,000, $4,000 and less than $1,000 for the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index and International Equity Index Funds, respectively. Redemption fees were approximately $12,000, $3,000, $5,000 and $1,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, for the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index and International Equity Index Funds, respectively. These amounts are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 8—Capital Share Transactions. The impact from redemption fees paid to each Fund was less than $0.001 per share for both fiscal periods.

H) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid as follows:

 

     

 

DECLARATION AND

  PAYMENT FREQUENCY  

Emerging Markets Equity Index

   Annually

Global Real Estate Index

   Quarterly

Global Sustainability Index

   Annually

International Equity Index

   Annually

Mid Cap Index

   Annually

Small Cap Index

   Annually

Stock Index

   Quarterly

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Funds may periodically make reclassifications among certain of their capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. These reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses, Section 988 currency gains and losses, Passive Foreign Investment Companies (“PFICs”) gains and losses, recharacterization of dividends received from investments in REITs, expired capital loss carryforwards, and gains or losses on in-kind transactions. These reclassifications have no impact on the total net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds. At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

   120    

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

  Amounts in thousands  

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

ACCUMULATED

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET REALIZED

GAINS (LOSSES)

 

CAPITAL

STOCK

Emerging Markets Equity Index

      $  (39 )       $    39       $    –  

Global Real Estate Index

      1,682       5,802       (7,484 )  

Global Sustainability Index

      (73 )       73       –  

International Equity Index

      (1,477 )       1,188       289  

Small Cap Index

      692       (944 )       252  

Stock Index

      (64 )       (467 )       530  

I) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. The Funds may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which they invest. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are recorded. Taxes accrued on unrealized gains are reflected as a liability on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities under the caption Deferred foreign capital gains tax payable and as a reduction in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statements of Operations. When assets subject to capital gains tax are sold, accrued taxes are relieved, and the actual amount of the taxes paid is reflected on the Statements of Operations as a reduction in Net realized gains (losses) on Investments. The Funds seek to recover a portion of foreign withholding taxes applied to income earned in jurisdictions where favorable treaty rates for US investors are available. The portion of such taxes believed to be recoverable is reflected as an asset on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities under the caption Receivable for foreign tax reclaims.

For the period from November 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, the following Funds incurred net capital losses and/or Section 988 net currency losses which the Funds intend to treat as having been incurred in the following fiscal year:

 

 

  Amounts in thousands

 

Global Sustainability Index

     $  1,020    

Small Cap Index

     14,069    

Stock Index

     5,477    

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 can be carried forward for an unlimited period. However, capital losses

incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning before the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 with an expiration date may not be used to offset capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 without an expiration date have been utilized. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

  Amounts in thousands  

 

SHORT-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFORWARD

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFOWARD

Emerging Markets Equity Index

  $34,145   $400,105

International Equity Index*

  28,357   501,379

 

  *

Amounts include acquired capital loss carryovers which may be limited under current tax laws.

During the taxable year ended November 30, 2019, the Global Real Estate Index Fund utilized approximately $7,115,000 in capital loss carryforwards.

The Global Real Estate Index Fund had approximately $6,230,000 of capital loss carryforwards expire during the taxable year ended November 30, 2019.

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

   

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

   
  Amounts in thousands  

 

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

 

UNREALIZED

  GAINS (LOSSES)  

Emerging Markets Equity Index

    $ 6,833     $     $ 184,481

Global Sustainability Index

      3,528             12,160

International Equity Index

      22,771             (25,218 )

Mid Cap Index

      7,994       6,470       (117,597 )

Small Cap Index

      3,015       75       9,735

Stock Index

      4,896             3,578,137

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

The tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized losses at November 30, 2019, the Global Real Estate Index Fund’s last tax year end, were as follows:

 

    

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

    
  Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
  

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

  

UNREALIZED  

GAINS (LOSSES)  

Global Real Estate Index

     $ 53,178      $  –    $450,479

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands   

 

ORDINARY

INCOME*

  

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

Emerging Markets Equity Index

     $ 76,000        $      –   

Global Sustainability Index

       15,009        6,408

International Equity Index

       172,000       

Mid Cap Index

       34,000        20,750

Small Cap Index

       15,500        7,300

Stock Index

       173,198        68,627

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
   LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS

Emerging Markets Equity Index

     $ 64,999      $

Global Sustainability Index

       9,205        5,631   

International Equity Index

       170,000       

Mid Cap Index

       39,749        132,336

Small Cap Index

       21,348        94,784

Stock Index

       156,546        194,242

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Global Real Estate Index Fund’s tax years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 was designated for the purpose of the dividends paid deductions as follows:

    

 

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 AND

NOVEMBER 30, 2018
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands   

ORDINARY

INCOME*

  

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

Global Real Estate Index (2019)

     $ 53,911        $–

Global Real Estate Index (2018)

       87,381       

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The Global Real Estate Index Fund has a tax year end of November 30th. Therefore, the tax character of distributions paid for the period December 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020 will be determined at the end of its tax year.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

J) OTHER RISKS Certain Funds may invest in emerging market securities. Additional risks are involved when a Fund invests its assets in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. These countries generally are located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries. In general, the securities markets of these countries are less liquid, subject to greater price volatility and have smaller market capitalizations. As a result, the risks presented by investments in these countries are heightened.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Shares class of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers.

Effective July 31, 2020, Service Organizations may receive fees from Class I shares of the Global Sustainability Index Fund at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily NAV of Class I shares of the Fund beneficially owned by such clients. NTI has

 

 

    

 

 

 

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   122 
 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

contractually agreed to limit payments of service fees from Class I shares of the Global Sustainability Index Fund to an annual rate of 0.05% of the average NAV of the Class I shares of the Fund. There is no service fee payable by Class K shares of the Global Sustainability Index Fund.

There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Funds had borrowings with the average loan amounts and weighted average interest rates as disclosed below:

 

    Amounts in thousands   

DOLLAR

AMOUNT

   RATE    

Emerging Markets Equity Index

     $ 6,500        1.66 %

Global Real Estate Index

       3,600        1.17

Stock Index

       3,200        1.18

No other Funds had any borrowings or incurred any interest expense during the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, service fees for the Global Sustainability Index Fund (effective July 31, 2020), the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL

     

 

ANNUAL

MANAGEMENT FEES

 

EXPENSE

  LIMITATIONS  

Emerging Markets Equity Index

       0.21 %       0.30 %

Global Real Estate Index

       0.40 %       0.50 %

International Equity Index

       0.18 %       0.25 %

Mid Cap Index

       0.13 %       0.15 %

Small Cap Index

       0.13 %       0.15 %

Stock Index

       0.08 %       0.10 %

    

        
    

 

CONTRACTUAL

     

 

ANNUAL

  MANAGEMENT FEES  

 

EXPENSE

LIMITATIONS

Global Sustainability Index(1)

       0.18 %       0.25 %

 

  (1) 

Prior to July 31, 2020, the Global Sustainability Index Fund’s contractual expense limitation for the Shares class was based on an annual rate of 0.30%.

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

The contractual reimbursement arrangement is expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangement will continue automatically thereafter for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or, at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed-income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible

securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI and/or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specific conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Funds did not engage in any purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, International Equity Index Fund received reimbursements from The Northern Trust Company of approximately $69,000 in connection with an error. This reimbursement is included in Net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and in Net investment income in the Financial Highlights. The cash contribution represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund received reimbursements from The Northern Trust Company of approximately $151,000 in connection with an error. This reimbursement is included in Net investment income in the Statements of Operations and

 

 

    

 

 

 

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   124    

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets and in Net investment income in the Financial Highlights. The cash contribution represents less than $0.01 per share.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

   

 

PURCHASES

       SALES     
  Amounts in thousands  

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT

  OTHER   U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER

Emerging Markets Equity Index

      $–       $425,469       $–       $523,174

Global Real Estate Index

            73,491             643,517

Global Sustainability Index

            145,936             60,047

International Equity Index

            371,012             682,423

Mid Cap Index

            212,889             512,453

Small Cap Index

            192,241             239,620

Stock Index

            168,083             776,621

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain foreign currency contracts, the

deferral of post-October currency and capital losses for tax purposes and the timing of income recognition on investments in REITs and PFICs.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including the effects of foreign currency translation and derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

  Amounts in
  thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

 

NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

 

COST

BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Emerging Markets Equity Index

      $  735,262       $(149,968 )       $  585,294       $1,281,588

Global Real Estate Index

      245,986       (160,498 )       85,488       1,257,776

Global Sustainability Index

      247,720       (48,687 )       199,033       762,239

International Equity Index

      1,329,648       (527,959 )       801,689       3,623,795

Mid Cap Index

      519,766       (211,979 )       307,787       1,619,656

Small Cap Index

      367,141       (126,855 )       240,286       877,209

Stock Index

      5,950,483       (234,111 )       5,716,372       3,757,549
 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in Shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Emerging Markets Equity Index

      23,809       $268,178             $      –       (39,484 )       $  (414,287 )       (15,675 )       $(146,109 )

Global Real Estate Index

      20,352       178,252       582       5,150       (88,367 )       (764,042 )       (67,433 )       (580,640 )

Global Sustainability Index *

      9,922       142,839                   (65,056 )       (999,402 )       (55,134 )       (856,563 )

International Equity Index

      31,256       339,049                   (70,654 )       (755,717 )       (39,398 )       (416,668 )

Mid Cap Index

      15,925       252,770                   (32,010 )       (527,163 )       (16,085 )       (274,393 )

Small Cap Index

      15,178       165,020                   (19,195 )       (206,742 )       (4,017 )       (41,722 )

Stock Index

      13,435       459,107       423       15,239       (35,793 )       (1,263,267 )       (21,935 )       (788,921 )

 

  *

Shares class of the Global Sustainability Index Fund ceased operations on July 31, 2020.

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Emerging Markets Equity Index

      32,561     $   367,393       1,582     $ 19,112       (100,310 )     $ (1,115,107 )       (66,167 )     $ (728,602 )

Global Real Estate Index

      61,402       667,542       1,637       17,522       (35,685 )       (350,087 )       27,354       334,977

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Global Sustainability Index

      24,705     $ 363,542       892     $ 13,784       (16,165 )     $ (236,009 )       9,432     $ 141,317

International Equity Index

      64,405       748,418       1,923       24,345       (99,531 )       (1,124,552 )       (33,203 )       (351,789 )

Mid Cap Index

      26,990       473,955       1,540       29,630       (31,253 )       (530,071 )       (2,723 )       (26,486 )

Small Cap Index

      21,657       256,854       887       11,732       (20,463 )       (236,123 )       2,081       32,463

Stock Index

      40,154       1,370,565       2,734       96,446       (34,966 )       (1,195,902 )       7,922       271,109

Transactions in Class K shares for the period ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Global Sustainability Index*

      26,994 **     $ 418,504 **           $       (627 )     $ (10,001 )       26,367     $ 408,503

 

  *

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020.

  **

Amounts include shares of approximately 26,260,000 and proceeds of approximately $407,037,000 for the Global Sustainability Index Fund which was transferred due to the conversion of the Shares Class to Class K. The transfer was completed on July 31, 2020.

Transactions in Class I shares for the period ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

 

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Global Sustainability Index*

      36,387 **     $ 565,358 **           $       (1,772 )     $ (28,093 )       34,615     $ 537,265

 

  *

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020.

  **

Amounts include shares of approximately 33,292,000 and proceeds of approximately $516,131,000 for the Global Sustainability Index Fund which was transferred due to the conversion of the Shares Class to Class I. The transfer was completed on July 31, 2020.

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands
  except shares
  AFFILIATE  

VALUE, BEGINNING

OF PERIOD

  PURCHASES  

SALES

PROCEEDS

 

 

NET CHANGE

IN UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

NET
REALIZED

GAINS

(LOSSES)

 

DIVIDEND

INCOME

 

VALUE, END

OF PERIOD

 

SHARES, END

OF PERIOD

 

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Emerging Markets Equity Index

 

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

    $   9,549     $ 333,908     $ 318,063     $     $     $   12     $ 25,394       25,393,824
 

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Global Real Estate Index

 

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

      303       297,872       285,193                   6       12,982       12,982,323
 

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Global Sustainability     Index

 

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

      6,851       125,515       112,018                   3       20,348       20,347,974
  Northern Trust Corp.       577       72       40       34       (15 )       11       628       8,049
    Total     $   7,428     $ 125,587     $ 112,058     $   34     $ (15 )     $   14     $ 20,976       20,356,023   

 

    

 

 

 

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  Amounts in thousands
  except shares
       AFFILIATE  

VALUE, BEGINNING

OF PERIOD

    PURCHASES    

SALES

  PROCEEDS  

 

 

NET CHANGE

  IN UNREALIZED  

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

NET

  REALIZED  

GAINS

(LOSSES)

    DIVIDEND  
INCOME
    VALUE, END  
OF PERIOD
    SHARES, END  
OF PERIOD
   

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

International Equity Index

   

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

    $ 38,314     $ 279,925     $ 305,119     $     $     $ 8     $ 13,120       13,119,724
   

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Mid Cap Index

   

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

      14,663       255,264       213,523                   9       56,404       56,403,969
   

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Small Cap Index

   

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

      5,226       157,821       142,687                   6       20,360       20,359,722
   

Northern Institutional

Funds -

                               

Stock Index

   

U.S. Government

Portfolio (Shares)

      148,697       584,156       716,989                   70       15,864       15,863,976
    Northern Trust Corp.       5,616       29       355       178       24       102       5,492       70,440
        Total     $ 154,313     $ 584,185     $ 717,344     $ 178     $   24     $ 172     $ 21,356       15,934,416   

10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Information concerning the types of derivatives in which the Funds invest, the objectives for using them and their related risks can be found in Note 2.

Below are the types of derivatives by primary risk exposure as presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020:

 

       

 

ASSETS

            LIABILITIES       
  Amounts in thousands   CONTRACT TYPE  

 

STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS LOCATION

  VALUE       

STATEMENTS OF

LIABILITIES LOCATION

  VALUE  

Emerging Markets Equity Index    

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation   $    –     Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation   $ (133 )* 
  Foreign exchange contracts       Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   24     Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     (83

Global Real Estate Index

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation   681*     Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      
  Foreign exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   33     Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     (48

Global Sustainability Index

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation   72*     Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation     (147 )* 
  Foreign exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   11     Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     (22

International Equity Index

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation   154*     Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation     (1,041 )* 
  Foreign exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   173     Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     (163

Mid Cap Index

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation   912*     Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      

Small Cap Index

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation         Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation     (57 )* 
 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

         

 

ASSETS

           LIABILITIES        
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS LOCATION

   VALUE     

 

STATEMENTS OF

LIABILITIES LOCATION

   VALUE    

Stock Index                                       

   Equity contracts                       Net Assets - Net unrealized appreciation      $315*      Net Assets - Net unrealized depreciation      $    –    

 

  *

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts as reported in the Schedules of Investments’ footnotes. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, netting agreements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis. In the event of default where the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the defaulting party, realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited. In addition, the netting agreements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral.

As of September 30, 2020, gross amounts of assets and liabilities for forward foreign exchange contracts not offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, related collateral and net amounts after taking into account netting agreements, by counterparty, are as follows:

 

             

 

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE    
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES    

  Amounts in thousands    COUNTERPARTY   

GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS

PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

 

 

CASH

COLLATERAL

RECEIVED

  

NET

AMOUNT

Emerging Markets Equity Index

   Goldman Sachs        $  24       $  (2 )       $  –        $22
   Toronto-Dominion Bank        *                    *
   Total        $  24       $  (2 )       $  –        $22

Global Real Estate Index

   BNP        $2       $   –       $  –        $2
   JPMorgan Chase        2       (2 )             
   Morgan Stanley        28       (8 )              20
   UBS        1                    1
   Total        $  33       $(10 )       $  –        $23

Global Sustainability Index

   BNP        $    1       $   –       $  –        $1
   JPMorgan Chase        1       (1 )             
   Morgan Stanley        5       (5 )                
   Toronto-Dominion Bank                        4       (3 )              1
   Total        $  11       $  (9 )       $  –        $2

International Equity Index

   JPMorgan Chase        $  22       $(22 )       $  –        $–
   Morgan Stanley        144       (51 )              93
   Toronto-Dominion Bank        7       (7 )             
   UBS        *                    *
     Total        $173       $(80 )       $  –        $93
             

 

    GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES    

  Amounts in thousands    COUNTERPARTY   

GROSS AMOUNTS OF LIABILITIES

PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

 

 

CASH

COLLATERAL

PLEDGED

  

NET

AMOUNT

Emerging Markets Equity Index

   Citibank        $(79 )       $  –       $  –        $(79 )
   Goldman Sachs        (2 )       2             
     Morgan Stanley        (1 )                    (1 )

 

    

 

 

 

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

             

 

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE    

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES    

  Amounts in thousands    COUNTERPARTY   

  GROSS AMOUNTS OF LIABILITIES  

PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

  

CASH

COLLATERAL

PLEDGED

  

NET

AMOUNT

   UBS        $    (1 )       $  –        $  –        $(1 )
   Total        $ (83 )       $  2        $  –        $(81 )

Global Real Estate Index

   Citibank        $  (12 )       $  –        $  –        $(12 )
   Goldman Sachs        *                     *
   JPMorgan Chase        (26 )       2               (24 )
   Morgan Stanley        (8 )       8              
   Toronto-Dominion Bank        (2 )                     (2 )
   Total        $  (48 )       $ 10        $  –        $(38 )

Global Sustainability Index

   Citibank        $    (1 )       $  –        $  –        $(1 )
   JPMorgan Chase        (13 )       1               (12 )
   Morgan Stanley        (5 )       5              
   Toronto-Dominion Bank        (3 )       3              
   UBS        *                     *
   Total        $  (22 )       $  9        $  –        $(13 )

International Equity Index

   Citibank        $  (13 )       $  –        $  –        $(13 )
   JPMorgan Chase        (75 )       22               (53 )
   Morgan Stanley        (51 )       51              
   Toronto-Dominion Bank                        (24 )       7               (17 )
     Total        $(163 )       $80        $  –        $(83 )

 

  *

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Funds’ realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended September 30, 2020:

 

         

 

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION    VALUE  

Emerging Markets Equity Index    

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts    $ 15,578  
   Foreign exchange contracts        Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      98  

Global Real Estate Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      7,263  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      224  

Global Sustainability Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      3,562  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      25  

International Equity Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      20,196  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      1,416  

Mid Cap Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      7,770  

Small Cap Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      4,474  

Stock Index

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      34,036  
         

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION    VALUE  

Emerging Markets Equity Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts    $ (2,748
 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

         

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

   VALUE  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts    $ (247

Global Real Estate Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (200
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      (6

Global Sustainability Index            

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (360
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      19  

International Equity Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (10,703
   Foreign exchange contracts        Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      (294

Mid Cap Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (142

Small Cap Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (662

Stock Index

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      3,035  

Volume of derivative activity for the six months ended September 30, 2020*:

 

    

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

CONTRACTS

  

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

     

NUMBER

OF

TRADES

  

AVERAGE

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT**

  

NUMBER

OF

TRADES

  

AVERAGE

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT**

Emerging Markets Equity Index

       69      $  1,066        56      $  4,194

Global Real Estate Index

       55        982        217        1,974

Global Sustainability Index

       117        329        365        417

International Equity Index

       200        1,736        86        3,404

Mid Cap Index

                     43        7,547

Small Cap Index

                     39        3,253

Stock Index

                     22        27,617

 

  *

Activity for the period is measured by number of trades during the period and average notional amount for foreign currency exchange and futures equity contracts.

 

  **

Amounts in thousands.

 

11. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

12. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In 2007, the Stock Index Fund was a shareholder of the Tribune Company (“Tribune”). In December of 2007, as a part of a leveraged buy-out transaction (the “LBO”), Tribune was converted from a public company to a privately-held company. Tribune later filed for bankruptcy.

On December 7, 2010, Northern Funds was named as a defendant and a putative member of the proposed defendant class of shareholders named in an adversary proceeding (the “Committee Action”) brought by The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Company (the “Committee”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, in connection with Tribune’s bankruptcy proceeding. On June 2, 2011, a second suit was initiated by certain creditors of Tribune in the Delaware Superior Court with respect to claims related to the LBO (Niese et

 

 

    

 

 

 

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

al. v. A.G. Edwards, Inc. et al.), in which Northern Funds was named as a defendant. On June 2, 2011 the indenture trustees, on behalf of certain noteholders of Tribune, filed a third suit and named Northern Funds as a defendant in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Deutsche Bank Trust Co. et al. v. Ohlson Enterprises et al.) and a fourth suit named Northern Funds as a defendant in the U.S. District Count for the Southern District of New York (Deutsche Bank Trust Co. et al. v Sirius International Insurance Corp. et al.). Each of these cases, along with others brought by the indenture trustees and other individual creditors, has now been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation proceeding in the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”). The cases attempt to “clawback” the proceeds paid out in connection with the LBO. The Tribune bankruptcy plan was confirmed by the U.S Bankruptcy Court on July 23, 2012, and became effective on December 31, 2012.

The former shareholder defendants filed motions to dismiss, each of which were granted by the District Court. The District Court’s order dismissing the actions by the individual creditors was affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (the “Second Circuit Decision”). The Plaintiffs in the individual creditor actions filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari requesting review of the Second Circuit Decision by the United States Supreme Court; however, the Supreme Court issued a statement indicating a potential lack of a quorum and informing the parties that the Second Circuit or District Court could provide relief based on the Supreme Court decision in Merit Management Group, LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc. The Plaintiffs filed a motion with the Second Circuit to recall the mandate and vacate the Second Circuit decision, and the Second Circuit recalled the mandate on May 15, 2018. On December 19, 2019, the Second Circuit issued an amended decision that affirmed dismissal of the constructive fraudulent transfer claims, holding that the safe harbor of Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code applies. On February 6, 2020, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for a rehearing en banc. Plaintiffs filed a Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court on July 6, 2020 to seek review of the Second Circuit’s amended decision. Defendants filed an opposition brief on August 26, 2020, and plaintiffs filed a reply brief on September 8, 2020. On October 5, 2020, the Supreme Court invited the Acting Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the views of the United States.

The motion to dismiss the Committee Action was also granted by the District Court. The Plaintiff in the Committee Action also sought from the District Court leave to amend the complaint with an additional claim for constructive fraudulent transfer based upon the decision in Merit Management. The motion for leave to amend was denied on April 23, 2019. On June 13, 2019, the District Court entered a final judgment on the claim dismissed. On July 12, 2019, the Trustee filed a notice of appeal stating that it was appealing the final judgment and the April 23, 2019 decision

and related orders to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was fully briefed, and argument on the appeal took place on August 24, 2020. The Second Circuit has not yet issued a decision.

The value of the proceeds received by the Stock Index Fund in the LBO was approximately $790,000, which includes proceeds of approximately $372,000 received by the Northern Institutional Funds Equity Index Portfolio, which was acquired by the Stock Index Fund in 2012. The Fund cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, but an adverse decision could have a material impact on the Fund’s NAV. The Fund intends to vigorously defend these actions.

On or about February 14, 2020, Marc S. Kirschner, as Trustee for NWHI Litigation Trust (“Litigation Trustee”) and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as indenture Trustee (“Indenture Trustee”) for several series of notes issued by Nine West Holdings, Inc. (“Nine West”), filed separate complaints (docket nos. 20-cv-01129 and 20-cv-01136, respectively ) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against a group of defendants that includes three Northern Funds that had invested in The Jones Group Inc. (“Jones Group”) including the Small Cap Index Fund. The claim stems from a series of merger transactions (“Transactions”) entered into by Jones Group, Nine West and others in 2014 that allegedly rendered Jones Group insolvent. The matters in these proceedings have been transferred from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to centralize the litigation, and have been assigned to the Honorable Jed S. Rakoff for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings. The Fund allegedly received $683,610 as a result of the Transactions. The Litigation Trustee and Indenture Trustee seek to clawback these proceeds for the benefit of the Trust and the noteholders, respectively, on the basis that they were fraudulent conveyances. The Funds intend to vigorously defend themselves against this action.

13. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

14. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4—Bank Borrowings.

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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FUND EXPENSES

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, including redemption fees on certain exchanges and redemptions in the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index, and International Equity Index Funds; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. For example, the information does not reflect redemption fees (See page 120), if any, in the Emerging Markets Equity Index, Global Real Estate Index, Global Sustainability Index, and International Equity Index Funds. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements of advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 124), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the

hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX

 

 

  SHARES   

EXPENSE

RATIO

 

 

BEGINNING

ACCOUNT

VALUE

4/1/2020

  

ENDING

ACCOUNT

VALUE

9/30/2020

  

  EXPENSES  

PAID*

4/1/2020-

9/30/2020

Actual

       0.30 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,300.50      $ 1.73

Hypothetical

       0.30 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.50      $ 1.52

 

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX

 

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.49 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,126.10      $ 2.60

Hypothetical

       0.49 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.55      $ 2.48

 

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX

 

 

      EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Class K(1)

                                          

Actual

       0.24 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,026.40      $ 0.41

Hypothetical

       0.24 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.80      $ 1.21

Class I(1)

                                          

Actual

       0.29 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,025.80      $ 0.50

Hypothetical

       0.29 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.55      $ 1.47

 

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX

 

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.25 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,202.00      $ 1.38

Hypothetical

       0.25 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.75      $ 1.26

 

MID CAP INDEX

 

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.15 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,299.50      $ 0.86

Hypothetical

       0.15 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.25      $ 0.76

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FUND EXPENSES    continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

SMALL CAP INDEX

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.15 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,313.70      $ 0.87

Hypothetical

       0.15 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.25      $ 0.76

 

STOCK INDEX

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

       0.10 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,312.80      $ 0.58

Hypothetical

       0.10 %     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.50      $ 0.51

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

  (1) 

Commenced class operations on July 31, 2020. The actual expense example is based on the period since inception; the hypothetical example is based on the half-year beginning 4/1/2020.

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

   134    

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

 APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to

the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed herein, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued

 

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objectives, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. The Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks; and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of the Funds was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, with the exception of the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund and Global Real Estate Index Fund, which were each in the fourth quintile for the one-year period.

The Trustees took into account the portfolio managers’ discussions for the reasons for tracking differences of the Funds and considered that each of them was appropriately tracking its respective index. They also considered that none of the Funds was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues, if any. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming Funds. They noted that the quarterly in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in that regard.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory for most Funds, and that Northern was taking appropriate steps to address the performance of any underperforming Funds.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses. The Trustees also considered that, for those Funds that were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

   136    

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ actual management fees were equal to or lower than the Funds’ respective peer group and universe medians; and the Funds’ actual expenses, after reimbursement and fee waivers, were in the first quintile of their respective peer group and peer universe, except the International Equity Index Fund, which was in the second quintile of its peer group and universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for most of the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. They noted that there were not applicable comparisons for every Fund. For Funds where there were applicable comparisons, the Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated funds in which the Funds invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates.

They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. They agreed that breakpoints were not necessary with respect to the Funds at this time based on the level of management fees and the contractual expense reimbursements. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s other equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Fund’s asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

 

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

    

 

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   138    

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EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

    

    

 

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NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT      139       EQUITY INDEX FUNDS


 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

 

 

    

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

    

 

 

 

EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

   140    

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS      

     

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

2

   STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

4

   STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

6

   STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

8

   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

16

   SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

16

       CORE BOND FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NOCBX

27

       FIXED INCOME FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NOFIX

40

       HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NHFIX

52

       SHORT BOND FUND
         Ticker Symbol: BSBAX

62

       SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NSIUX

64

  

    TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND

         Ticker Symbol: NTAUX

84

       ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NUSFX

98

       U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
         Ticker Symbol: NOUGX

100

   NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

110

   FUND EXPENSES

112

   APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

116

   FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

                                                                                      

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

 
  NOT FDIC INSURED  
 
  May lose value / No bank guarantee  
   

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   1   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

 

    Amounts in thousands, except per share data    CORE
BOND
FUND
  FIXED
INCOME
FUND

ASSETS:

      
 

Investments, at value

   $ 235,966     $ 910,037  
 

Investments in affiliates, at value

     17,671       30,054  
 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $153)

            
 

Interest income receivable

     972       5,212  
 

Receivable for foreign tax reclaims

     14       21  
 

Receivable for securities sold

     463       5,046  
 

Receivable for fund shares sold

     80       197  
 

Receivable from investment adviser

     3       12  
 

Prepaid and other assets

     11       4  
 

Total Assets

     255,180       950,583  

LIABILITIES:

      
 

Payable for securities purchased

     2,533       5,511  
 

Payable for when-issued securities

     1,949       9,759  
 

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     39       715  
 

Distributions payable to shareholders

     63       325  
 

Payable to affiliates:

      
 

Management fees

     16       66  
 

Custody fees

     2       5  
 

Shareholder servicing fees

     1       26  
 

Transfer agent fees

     7       30  
 

Trustee fees

     4       15  
 

Accrued other liabilities

     7       9  
 

Total Liabilities

     4,621       16,461  

Net Assets

   $ 250,559     $ 934,122  
 

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

      
 

Capital stock

   $ 240,856     $ 909,172  
 

Distributable earnings

     9,703       24,950  
 

Net Assets

   $ 250,559     $ 934,122  

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

     22,852       86,908  
 

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

     $10.96       $10.75  
 

Investments, at cost

   $ 230,328     $ 890,911  
 

Investments in affiliates, at cost

     17,671         30,054    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   2   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

    

HIGH YIELD

FIXED INCOME

FUND

 

SHORT

BOND

FUND

 

SHORT-

INTERMEDIATE

U.S. GOVERNMENT

FUND

 

 

TAX-ADVANTAGED

ULTRA-SHORT

FIXED

INCOME FUND

 

ULTRA-SHORT

FIXED INCOME

FUND

 

U.S.

GOVERNMENT  

FUND

     
  $3,301,228       $406,142       $77,205       $4,619,345       $3,149,548       $55,332  
     
  51,727       6,979       779       48,868       202,827       384  
     
  152                                
     
  53,174       1,772       28       29,662       10,717       25  
     
  44                                
     
  56,450                   97,229             587  
     
  522       702             20,235       186,078       1  
     
  31       29       8       20       22       5  
     
  12       11       2       14       17       3  
     
  3,463,340       415,635       78,022       4,815,373       3,549,209       56,337  
     
  8,500       270             66,795       30,911        
     
  49,720                   137,377       21,989        
     
  1,194       46       20       4,254       6,796       5  
     
  3,280       117             541       502       1  
     
  427       26       5       167       119       3  
     
  28       2             21       5        
     
  62       1       2       7       9        
     
  112       14       3       145       104       2  
     
  21       4       8       9       6       3  
     
  28       7       23       20       27       18  
     
  63,372       487       61       209,336       60,468       32  
  $3,399,968       $415,148       $77,961       $4,606,037       $3,488,741       $56,305  
     
  $4,094,482       $420,303       $81,349       $4,570,580       $3,456,295       $54,504  
     
  (694,514     (5,155     (3,388     35,457       32,446       1,801  
     
  $3,399,968       $415,148       $77,961       $4,606,037       $3,488,741       $56,305  
     
  534,260       21,734       7,715       449,798       337,131       5,501  
     
  $6.36       $19.10       $10.11       $10.24       $10.35       $10.23  
     
  $3,471,078       $399,523       $76,987       $4,590,585       $3,122,490       $55,170  
     
  51,727           6,758         779           48,868           202,827           384      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   3   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

    Amounts in thousands    CORE  
BOND  
FUND  
  FIXED  
INCOME  
FUND  
  HIGH YIELD    
FIXED INCOME    
FUND

INVESTMENT INCOME:

          
   

Interest Income

     $1,929       $10,208       $112,409  
   

Dividend income

                 558  
   

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

     4       12       31  
   

Total Investment Income

     1,933       10,220       112,998  
   

EXPENSES:

          
   

Management fees

     396       1,868       12,988  
   

Custody fees

     12       37       128  
   

Transfer agent fees

     40       167       649  
   

Blue sky fees

     11       12       14  
   

Printing fees

     3       3       10  
   

Audit fees

     9       9       21  
   

Legal fees

     11       11       24  
   

Shareholder servicing fees

     2       48       120  
   

Trustee fees

     4       3       17  
   

Other

     7       7       20  
   

Total Expenses

     495       2,165       13,991  
   

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

     (72     (204     (816
   

Net Expenses

     423       1,961       13,175  
   

Net Investment Income

     1,510       8,259       99,823  
   

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

          
   

Net realized gains (losses) on:

          
   

Investments

     3,574       14,280       (63,447
   

Investments in affiliates

                  
   

Futures contracts

     39       80        
   

Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          
   

Investments

     5,976       32,950       488,478  
   

Investments in affiliates

                  
   

Futures contracts

     (32     (65      
   

Foreign currency translations

                 8  
   

Net Gains

     9,557       47,245       425,039  

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 11,067      $ 55,504       $ 524,862      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   4   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

    

        SHORT

        BOND

        FUND

   

SHORT-      

INTERMEDIATE      

U.S. GOVERNMENT      

FUND      

 

TAX-ADVANTAGED      

ULTRA-SHORT      

FIXED      

INCOME FUND      

 

ULTRA-SHORT      

FIXED INCOME      

FUND

 

U.S.        

GOVERNMENT            

FUND        

   
              $4,315       $165       $23,862       $20,279       $135  
   
                           
   
  69       25       82       69       15  
   
  4,384       190       23,944       20,348       150  
   
  755       139       4,557       3,071       93  
   
  16       4       142       88       4  
   
  76       14       787       523       9  
   
  11       13       16       16       9  
   
  3             7       3        
   
  9       9       15       15       9  
   
  11       11       17       17       11  
   
  1       4       9       23        
   
  3       3       11       11       4  
   
  7       7       13       14       7  
   
  892       204       5,574       3,781       146  
  (97     (55     (445     (369     (44
   
  795       149       5,129       3,412       102  
  3,589       41       18,815       16,936       48  
   
  996       522       3,441       1,510       666  
   
        57                   36  
   
        57                   54  
   
  9,465       (263     36,142       55,386       (420
   
  90       (18                 (12
   
        (28                 (26
   
                           
   
  10,551       327       39,583       56,896       298  
  $14,140         $368           $58,398           $73,832           $346      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   5   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


    FIXED INCOME FUNDS  

 

  STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    

 

CORE

BOND

FUND

   

FIXED

INCOME

FUND

   

HIGH YIELD

FIXED INCOME

FUND

   

SHORT

BOND

FUND

 
    Amounts in thousands    SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
    SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
   

SEP

30, 2020

    MAR 31,
2020
    SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
 
       

OPERATIONS:

                      
       

Net investment income

     $1,510       $4,929       $8,259       $22,368       $99,823       $230,896       $3,589       $9,428  
       

Net realized gains (losses)

     3,613       9,509       14,360       32,795       (63,447     (15,449     996       2,080  
       

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     5,944       (1,078     32,885       (14,232     488,486       (590,336     9,555       (3,586
       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     11,067       13,360       55,504       40,931       524,862       (374,889     14,140       7,922  
       

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

                      
       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     46,660       (68,244     46,834       (22,823     (180,336     (32,504     33,011       (51,241
       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     46,660       (68,244     46,834       (22,823     (180,336     (32,504     33,011       (51,241
       

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                      
       

Distributable earnings

     (2,002     (5,453     (10,042     (24,412     (97,805     (235,335     (3,806     (9,580
       

Total Distributions Paid

     (2,002     (5,453     (10,042     (24,412     (97,805     (235,335     (3,806     (9,580
       

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     55,725       (60,337     92,296       (6,304     246,721       (642,728     43,345       (52,899
       

NET ASSETS:

                      
       

Beginning of period

     194,834       255,171       841,826       848,130       3,153,247       3,795,975       371,803       424,702  
       

End of period

     $250,559       $194,834       $934,122       $841,826       $3,399,968       $3,153,247       $415,148       $371,803  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   6   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)    
OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020    

 

SHORT-
INTERMEDIATE
U.S. GOVERNMENT
FUND
  

TAX-ADVANTAGED

ULTRA-SHORT

FIXED

INCOME FUND

 

ULTRA-SHORT

FIXED INCOME

FUND

      

U.S.

GOVERNMENT

FUND

    SEP 30,    
  2020   
 

MAR 31,

2020    

      

SEP 30,

2020  

 

MAR 31,

2020    

     

SEP 30,

2020  

 

MAR 31,

2020    

      

SEP 30,

2020   

 

MAR 31,

2020   

     
$41    $807         $18,815    $59,395        $16,936    $56,611         $48    $512 
     
636    2,310         3,441    6,529        1,510    6,179         756    2,201 
     
(309)   391         36,142    (9,254)       55,386    (30,794)        (458)   375 
     
368    3,508         58,398    56,670        73,832    31,996         346    3,088 
     
19,170    (4,990)        828,896    (265,038)       1,242,851    (210,977)        16,653    817 
     
19,170    (4,990)        828,896    (265,038)       1,242,851    (210,977)        16,653    817 
     
(78)   (845)        (18,816)   (62,280)       (17,129)   (56,631)        (73)   (534)
     
(78)   (845)        (18,816)   (62,280)       (17,129)   (56,631)        (73)   (534)
19,460    (2,327)        868,478    (270,648)       1,299,554    (235,612)        16,926    3,371 
     
58,501    60,828         3,737,559    4,008,207        2,189,187    2,424,799         39,379    36,008 
     
$77,961        $58,501                $4,606,037          $3,737,559               $3,488,741          $2,189,187                $56,305          $39,379 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   7   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

  CORE BOND FUND

           
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.47       $10.08       $10.02       $10.15       $10.40       $10.62  
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           
           

Net investment income

    0.09       0.23       0.28       0.26       0.19       0.20  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.51       0.43       0.08       (0.11     (0.15     (0.10
           

Total from Investment Operations

    0.60       0.66       0.36       0.15       0.04       0.10  
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

           
           

From net investment income

    (0.11     (0.27     (0.30     (0.28     (0.22     (0.22
           

From net realized gains

                            (0.07     (0.10
           

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.11     (0.27     (0.30     (0.28     (0.29     (0.32
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $10.96       $10.47       $10.08       $10.02       $10.15       $10.40  
           

Total Return(1)

    5.69     6.57     3.75     1.45     0.36     1.00
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

           
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $250,559       $194,834       $255,171       $266,835       $259,951       $246,818  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

           
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    0.41     0.41     0.41     0.41     0.40     0.41
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.47     0.47     0.46     0.46     0.46     0.45
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    1.44     2.33     2.91     2.49     1.87     1.92
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.38     2.27     2.86     2.44     1.81  

 

1.88

           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    131.86 %          485.45 %          327.61 %          424.59 %          517.18 %          680.40 %     

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $7,000, $15,000, $11,000, $18,000, $57,000 and $32,000, which represent less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.01, 0.02 and less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   8   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

  FIXED INCOME FUND

           
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.18       $9.97       $9.94       $10.12       $10.23       $10.53  
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           
           

Net investment income

    0.10       0.27       0.32       0.31       0.24       0.25  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.59       0.24       0.06       (0.16     (0.08     (0.20
           

Total from Investment Operations

    0.69       0.51       0.38       0.15       0.16       0.05  
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

           
           

From net investment income(1)

    (0.12     (0.30     (0.35     (0.33     (0.27     (0.28
           

From net realized gains

                                  (0.07
           

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.12     (0.30     (0.35     (0.33     (0.27     (0.35
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $10.75       $10.18       $9.97       $9.94       $10.12       $10.23  
           

Total Return(2)

    6.82     5.11     3.98     1.38     1.58     0.53
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

           
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $934,122       $841,826       $848,130       $1,190,331       $1,180,510       $1,352,637  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

           
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

    0.45     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.45
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.50     0.49     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.47
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

    1.90     2.66     3.41     2.95     2.40     2.52
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.85     2.62     3.38     2.92     2.37     2.50
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    121.50 %          439.40 %          283.15 %          364.76 %          454.23 %          554.71 %     

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $20,000, $55,000, $32,000, $81,000, $207,000 and $148,000, which represent less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.01, 0.02 and less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   9   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

 

  HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND

 

     
  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $5.57       $6.60       $6.72       $6.84       $6.42       $7.12  
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           
           

Net investment income

    0.18       0.40       0.42       0.42       0.40       0.39  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.79       (1.02     (0.12     (0.12     0.42       (0.70
           

Total from Investment Operations

    0.97       (0.62     0.30       0.30       0.82       (0.31
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

           
           

From net investment income(1)

    (0.18     (0.41     (0.42     (0.42     (0.40     (0.39
           

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.18     (0.41     (0.42     (0.42     (0.40     (0.39
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $6.36       $5.57       $6.60       $6.72       $6.84       $6.42  
           

Total Return(2)

    17.30     (9.96 )%      4.64     4.32     13.07     (4.38 )% 
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

           
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $3,399,968       $3,153,247       $3,795,975       $3,556,517       $4,431,999       $5,124,426  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

           
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

    0.78     0.78     0.78     0.80     0.80     0.80
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.83     0.82     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

    5.92     6.10     6.34     6.00     5.98     5.83
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    5.87     6.06     6.31     5.99     5.97     5.82
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    33.91 %          47.65 %          52.19 %          95.52 %          117.53 %          80.15 %     

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $59,000, $94,000, $198,000, $196,000, $261,000 and $236,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   10   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

SHORT BOND FUND

                        
   Selected per share data   

 

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

      FISCAL YEAR      

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $18.59       $18.67       $18.60       $18.85       $18.86       $19.03
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                        
           

Net investment income

       0.18       0.45       0.49       0.34       0.27       0.24
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       0.51       (0.07 )       0.07       (0.25 )             (0.16 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       0.69       0.38       0.56       0.09       0.27       0.08
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                        
           

From net investment income

       (0.18 )       (0.46 )       (0.49 )       (0.34 )       (0.28 )       (0.25 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.18 )       (0.46 )       (0.49 )       (0.34 )       (0.28 )       (0.25 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $19.10       $18.59       $18.67       $18.60       $18.85       $18.86
           

Total Return(1)

       3.73 %       2.04 %       3.07 %       0.45 %       1.45 %       0.42 %
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                        
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $415,148       $371,803       $424,702       $487,524       $494,467       $560,650
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                        
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.40 %       0.40 %       0.40 %       0.40 %       0.40 %       0.40 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.45 %       0.44 %       0.43 %       0.43 %       0.43 %       0.42 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       1.81 %       2.40 %       2.65 %       1.79 %       1.43 %       1.25 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       1.76 %       2.36 %       2.62 %       1.76 %       1.40 %       1.23 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       31.41 %       95.09 %       125.76 %       158.65 %       242.73 %       268.41 %

 

(1)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $5,000, $10,000, $11,000, $13,000, $29,000 and $25,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   11   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

 

 

               
   Selected per share data   

 

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

      FISCAL YEAR      

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $10.06       $9.60       $9.61       $9.81       $9.97       $9.89
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                        
           

Net investment income

       0.01       0.14       0.21       0.13       0.07       0.06
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       0.05       0.47       0.02       (0.18 )       (0.15 )       0.08
           

Total from Investment Operations

       0.06       0.61       0.23       (0.05 )       (0.08 )       0.14
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                        
           

From net investment income

       (0.01 )       (0.15 )       (0.24 )       (0.15 )       (0.08 )       (0.06 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.01 )       (0.15 )       (0.24 )       (0.15 )       (0.08 )       (0.06 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $10.11       $10.06       $9.60       $9.61       $9.81       $9.97
           

Total Return(1)

       0.61 %       6.34 %       2.47 %       (0.55 )%       (0.74 )%       1.38 %
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                        
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $77,961       $58,501       $60,828       $113,917       $132,812       $166,362
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                        
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.41 %       0.42 %       0.42 %       0.41 %       0.41 %       0.41 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.55 %       0.62 %       0.57 %       0.51 %       0.49 %       0.47 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.11 %       1.41 %       2.30 %       1.32 %       0.71 %       0.55 %
           

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements and credits

       (0.03 )%       1.21 %       2.15 %       1.22 %       0.63 %       0.49 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       234.02 %       838.97 %       739.25 %       504.54 %       905.27 %       783.51 %

 

(1)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $4,000, $8,000, $8,000, $14,000, $31,000 and $16,000, which represent 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.02 and less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   12   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND

 

   Selected per share data   

 

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

      FISCAL YEAR      

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $10.14       $10.14       $10.09       $10.13       $10.12       $10.15
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                        
           

Net investment income

       0.05       0.16       0.15       0.10       0.08       0.07
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       0.10       0.01       0.05       (0.04 )       0.01       (0.03 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       0.15       0.17       0.20       0.06       0.09       0.04
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                        
           

From net investment income

       (0.05 )       (0.16 )       (0.15 )       (0.10 )       (0.08 )       (0.07 )
           

From net realized gains

             (0.01 )             (1)              (1) 
                   

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.05 )       (0.17 )       (0.15 )       (0.10 )       (0.08 )       (0.07 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $10.24       $10.14       $10.14       $10.09       $10.13       $10.12
           

Total Return(2)

       1.46 %       1.61 %       2.06 %       0.60 %       0.94 %       0.41 %
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                        
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $4,606,037       $3,737,559       $4,008,207       $3,908,876       $3,544,536       $3,370,160
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                        
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

       0.25 %(4)       0.25 %(4)       0.25 %(4)       0.25 %(4)       0.25 %(4)       0.25 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.27 %       0.27 %       0.26 %       0.26 %       0.26 %       0.26 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

       0.92 %(4)       1.52 %(4)       1.55 %(4)       1.00 %(4)       0.84 %(4)       0.66 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       0.90 %       1.50 %       1.54 %       0.99 %       0.83 %       0.65 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       32.33 %       70.19 %       62.06 %       54.39 %       51.98 %       52.48 %

 

(1)

Per share amounts were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $112,000, $175,000, $81,000, $72,000 and $64,000, which represent 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   13   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND

 

   Selected per share data   

 

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

    FISCAL YEAR    

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $10.10       $10.19       $10.15       $10.21       $10.18       $10.21
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                        
           

Net investment income

       0.07       0.24       0.23       0.15       0.12       0.09
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       0.25       (0.09 )       0.04       (0.06 )       0.03       (0.02 )
           

Total from Investment Operations

       0.32       0.15       0.27       0.09       0.15       0.07
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                        
           

From net investment income

       (0.07 )       (0.24 )       (0.23 )       (0.15 )       (0.12 )       (0.09 )
           

From net realized gains

                   (1)        (1)              (0.01 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.07 )       (0.24 )       (0.23 )       (0.15 )       (0.12 )       (0.10 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $10.35       $10.10       $10.19       $10.15       $10.21       $10.18
           

Total Return(2)

       3.14 %       1.45 %       2.75 %       0.96 %       1.45 %       0.70 %
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                        
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $3,488,741       $2,189,187       $2,424,799       $2,590,298       $2,207,740       $1,542,582
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                        
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

       0.25 %       0.25 %       0.25 %       0.25 %       0.25 %       0.25 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.28 %       0.28 %       0.27 %       0.26 %       0.26 %       0.26 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

       1.25 %       2.33 %       2.30 %       1.51 %       1.15 %       0.90 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       1.22 %       2.30 %       2.28 %       1.50 %       1.14 %       0.89 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       31.37 %       75.95 %       59.63 %       58.41 %       52.98 %       50.95 %

 

(1)

Per share amounts were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $112,000, $43,000, $44,000, $56,000 and $74,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and approximately $42,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   14   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

 

 

   Selected per share data   

 

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

      FISCAL YEAR      

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

       $10.17       $9.50       $9.43       $9.64       $9.87       $9.76
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                        
           

Net investment income

       0.01       0.14       0.21       0.14       0.09       0.08
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

       0.07       0.68       0.09       (0.20 )       (0.21 )       0.11
           

Total from Investment Operations

       0.08       0.82       0.30       (0.06 )       (0.12 )       0.19
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                        
           

From net investment income

       (0.02 )       (0.15 )       (0.23 )       (0.15 )       (0.11 )       (0.08 )
           

Total Distributions Paid

       (0.02 )       (0.15 )       (0.23 )       (0.15 )       (0.11 )       (0.08 )
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       $10.23       $10.17       $9.50       $9.43       $9.64       $9.87
           

Total Return(1)

       0.75 %       8.66 %       3.29 %       (0.62 )%       (1.26 )%       1.99 %
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                        
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

       $56,305       $39,379       $36,008       $22,927       $24,013       $25,826
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                        
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.42 %       0.43 %       0.47 %       0.47 %       0.45 %       0.44 %
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

       0.59 %       0.73 %       0.93 %       0.90 %       0.90 %       0.81 %
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

       0.19 %       1.43 %       2.33 %       1.41 %       0.94 %       0.83 %
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

       0.02 %       1.13 %       1.87 %       0.98 %       0.49 %       0.46 %
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       267.30 %       854.95 %       1,074.68 %       429.23 %       665.24 %       601.88 %

 

(1)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3)

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $2,000, $4,000, $4,000, $3,000, $4,000 and $2,000, which represent less than 0.01, less than 0.01, 0.01, less than 0.01, 0.02 and less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   15   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 3.4%

 

Automobile – 0.6%

    

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A3

    

1.96%, 12/16/24

     $1,565       $1,606  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 2.0%

 

BANK, Series 2019-BN16, Class A4

    

4.01%, 2/15/52

     1,000       1,180  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B2, Class A2

    

3.66%, 2/15/51

     765       800  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-GC27, Class A5

    

3.14%, 2/10/48

     920       995  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-JP5, Class A5

    

3.72%, 3/15/50

     1,370       1,566  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C9, Class A4

    

3.10%, 5/15/46

     100       105  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C25, Class A5

    

3.64%, 10/15/48

     375       414  
               5,060  

Other – 0.8%

    

CNH Equipment Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A3

    

2.01%, 12/16/24

     1,840       1,889  

Total Asset-Backed Securities

 

(Cost $8,134)

       8,555  
    

CORPORATE BONDS – 27.5%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.9%

 

Boeing (The) Co.,

    

2.95%, 2/1/30

     175       169  

3.95%, 8/1/59

     140       127  

Northrop Grumman Corp.,

    

5.25%, 5/1/50

     570       818  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.,

    

3.65%, 8/16/23

     114       123  

2.25%, 7/1/30

     135        143        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.9%     continued

 

4.63%, 11/16/48

     $500       $653  

3.13%, 7/1/50

     290       309  
               2,342  

Airlines – 0.1%

    

Southwest Airlines Co.,

    

4.75%, 5/4/23

     350       374  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.3%

 

VF Corp.,

    

2.40%, 4/23/25

     410       435  

2.95%, 4/23/30

     240       261  
               696  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,

    

2.70%, 8/20/27

     550       546  

Biotechnology – 0.7%

 

Amgen, Inc.,

    

3.13%, 5/1/25

     295       324  

2.30%, 2/25/31

     525       551  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,

    

2.50%, 9/1/23

     115       121  

2.60%, 10/1/40

     340       338  

2.80%, 10/1/50

     340       336  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,

    

2.80%, 9/15/50

     200       188  
               1,858  

Cable & Satellite – 0.5%

 

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,

    

5.13%, 7/1/49

     270       313  

Comcast Corp.,

    

4.70%, 10/15/48

     600       800  

Cox Communications, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 10/1/50 (1)

     205       197  
               1,310  

Chemicals – 0.5%

    

Avery Dennison Corp.,

    

2.65%, 4/30/30

     405       430  

PPG Industries, Inc.,

    

2.55%, 6/15/30

     450        479        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   16   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Chemicals – 0.5%     continued

 

RPM International, Inc.,

    

4.55%, 3/1/29

     $260       $304  
               1,213  

Commercial Finance – 0.5%

 

Air Lease Corp.,

    

3.00%, 2/1/30

     1,010       941  

GATX Corp.,

    

4.00%, 6/30/30

     185       213  
               1,154  

Communications Equipment – 0.4%

 

Corning, Inc.,

    

5.45%, 11/15/79

     275       350  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.,

    

2.30%, 11/15/30

     550       546  
               896  

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Carlisle Cos., Inc.,

    

2.75%, 3/1/30

     395       420  

Consumer Finance – 0.3%

    

Fiserv, Inc.,

    

3.20%, 7/1/26

     445       495  

Global Payments, Inc.,

    

4.15%, 8/15/49

     290       340  
               835  

Consumer Services – 0.1%

    

Block Financial LLC,

    

3.88%, 8/15/30

     275       277  

Containers & Packaging – 0.0%

 

Packaging Corp. of America,

    

3.40%, 12/15/27

     109       122  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.1%

 

Jabil, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 1/15/30

     245       261  

Diversified Banks – 1.0%

 

Bank of America Corp.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.66%),
4.30%, 1/28/25 (2) (3)

     595       577  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.15%),
2.59%, 4/29/31 (2)

     250       266  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.38%),
5.00%, 8/1/24 (2) (3)

     650        649        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Diversified Banks – 1.0%     continued

 

3.88%, 9/10/24

     $165       $183  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.13%),
4.60%, 2/1/25 (2) (3)

     415       406  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.85%),
2.08%, 4/22/26 (2)

     300       314  
               2,395  

Educational Services – 0.4%

 

Georgetown University (The),

    

2.94%, 4/1/50

     465       462  

University of Chicago (The),

    

2.76%, 4/1/45

     290       296  

William Marsh Rice University,

    

2.60%, 5/15/50

     190       193  
               951  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.6%

 

Carrier Global Corp.,

    

3.38%, 4/5/40 (1)

     280       293  

Emerson Electric Co.,

    

1.80%, 10/15/27

     75       78  

2.75%, 10/15/50

     95       97  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.,

    

4.55%, 10/30/24

     83       94  

3.00%, 10/30/29

     280       306  

Roper Technologies, Inc.,

    

3.85%, 12/15/25

     280       318  

3.80%, 12/15/26

     110       127  

2.00%, 6/30/30

     175       178  
               1,491  

Entertainment Content – 0.7%

 

Fox Corp.,

    

4.71%, 1/25/29

     490       587  

Walt Disney (The) Co.,

    

1.75%, 1/13/26

     255       265  

2.20%, 1/13/28

     255       269  

2.00%, 9/1/29

     405       418  

3.50%, 5/13/40

     190       215  
               1,754  

Exploration & Production – 0.8%

 

Hess Corp.,

    

7.13%, 3/15/33

     765       922  

Noble Energy, Inc.,

    

5.25%, 11/15/43

     485        643        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   17   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND     continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Exploration & Production – 0.8%     continued

 

Ovintiv, Inc.,

    

8.13%, 9/15/30

     $450       $459  
               2,024  

Financial Services – 1.8%

 

Ares Capital Corp.,

    

4.25%, 3/1/25

     215       222  

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.58%),
5.00%, 12/1/27 (2) (3)

     185       190  

FMR LLC,

    

6.45%, 11/15/39 (1)

     675       1,031  

FS KKR Capital Corp.,

    

4.13%, 2/1/25

     635       631  

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.,

    

3.75%, 2/10/25

     195       204  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.,

    

5.25%, 7/27/21

     195       203  

3.50%, 4/1/25

     310       342  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,

    

2.65%, 9/15/40

     300       300  

Jefferies Group LLC,

    

2.75%, 10/15/32

     225       225  

Morgan Stanley,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.85%),
3.74%, 4/24/24 (2)

     275       296  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.99%),
2.19%, 4/28/26 (2)

     275       288  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.14%),
2.70%, 1/22/31 (2)

     540       575  

State Street Corp.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.65%),
3.15%, 3/30/31 (1) (2)

     95       108  
               4,615  

Food & Beverage – 1.5%

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,

    

3.65%, 2/1/26

     515       577  

4.90%, 2/1/46

     415       512  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,

    

4.15%, 1/23/25

     190       215  

Cargill, Inc.,

    

1.38%, 7/23/23 (1)

     290        297        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Food & Beverage – 1.5%     continued

 

Coca-Cola (The) Co.,

    

7.38%, 7/29/93

     $110       $214  

Constellation Brands, Inc.,

    

2.88%, 5/1/30

     195       211  

Hormel Foods Corp.,

    

1.80%, 6/11/30

     165       170  

Kellogg Co.,

    

2.10%, 6/1/30

     420       430  

Pernod Ricard International Finance LLC,

    

1.25%, 4/1/28 (1)

     355       352  

1.63%, 4/1/31 (1)

     355       349  

Tyson Foods, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 6/15/22

     130       137  

4.35%, 3/1/29

     155       188  
               3,652  

Hardware – 1.0%

    

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,

    

5.45%, 6/15/23 (1)

     215       236  

5.85%, 7/15/25 (1)

     560       652  

5.30%, 10/1/29 (1)

     385       441  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.,

    

4.40%, 10/15/22

     300       321  

4.45%, 10/2/23

     240       264  

4.65%, 10/1/24

     235       266  

HP, Inc.,

    

6.00%, 9/15/41

     290       355  
               2,535  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.5%

 

Advocate Health & Hospitals Corp.,

    

3.39%, 10/15/49

     290       323  

CVS Health Corp.,

    

3.70%, 3/9/23

     166       178  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.,

    

2.80%, 6/30/31

     285       307  

RWJ Barnabas Health, Inc.,

    

3.48%, 7/1/49

     365       380  
               1,188  

Homebuilders – 0.2%

    

D.R. Horton, Inc.,

    

5.75%, 8/15/23

     335        378        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   18   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Life Insurance – 0.4%

 

Protective Life Corp.,

    

8.45%, 10/15/39

     $430       $675  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.,

    

4.70%, 9/15/23

     369       408  
               1,083  

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.4%

 

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,

    

1.88%, 1/15/26

     615       614  

IDEX Corp.,

    

3.00%, 5/1/30

     90       99  

Xylem, Inc.,

    

2.25%, 1/30/31

     255       271  
               984  

Managed Care – 0.4%

 

Anthem, Inc.,

    

2.38%, 1/15/25

     175       186  

4.65%, 1/15/43

     380       479  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,

    

3.13%, 5/15/60

     300       322  
               987  

Mass Merchants – 0.3%

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.,

    

1.38%, 6/20/27

     240       246  

1.75%, 4/20/32

     195       200  

Dollar General Corp.,

    

3.50%, 4/3/30

     235       267  
               713  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.7%

 

Alcon Finance Corp.,

    

2.60%, 5/27/30 (1)

     210       222  

Becton Dickinson and Co.,

    

3.79%, 5/20/50

     580       649  

Boston Scientific Corp.,

    

1.90%, 6/1/25

     185       193  

Stryker Corp.,

    

4.38%, 5/15/44

     465       577  
               1,641  

Metals & Mining – 0.2%

 

Glencore Funding LLC,

    

4.13%, 3/12/24 (1)

     275       298  

3.88%, 10/27/27 (1)

     115        125  
               423        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.4%

 

Baker Hughes a GE Co. LLC/Baker Hughes Co-Obligor, Inc.,

    

2.77%, 12/15/22

     $210       $220  

4.08%, 12/15/47

     235       235  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 12/1/29

     255       248  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.,

    

3.95%, 2/1/28

     275       212  
               915  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%

 

AbbVie, Inc.,

    

3.38%, 11/14/21

     120       124  

2.85%, 5/14/23

     105       110  

2.60%, 11/21/24 (1)

     330       350  

3.20%, 11/21/29 (1)

     295       325  

Merck & Co., Inc.,

    

2.45%, 6/24/50

     190       191  

Mylan, Inc.,

    

5.20%, 4/15/48

     520       643  

Pfizer, Inc.,

    

2.70%, 5/28/50

     300       313  
               2,056  

Pipeline – 0.6%

    

Boardwalk Pipelines L.P.,

    

4.80%, 5/3/29

     240       262  

Energy Transfer Operating L.P.,

    

4.20%, 9/15/23

     205       216  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,

    

3.95%, 1/31/60

     285       281  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P.,

    

3.90%, 7/15/26

     435       447  

Western Midstream Operating L.P.,

    

6.25%, 2/1/50

     375       347  
               1,553  

Power Generation – 0.2%

 

Liberty Utilities Finance GP 1,

    

2.05%, 9/15/30(1)

     510       503  

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.2%

 

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.,

    

1.85%, 3/12/30

     160        167        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   19   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND     continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.2%     continued

 

Brown & Brown, Inc.,

    

2.38%, 3/15/31

   $ 270     $ 272  
               439  

Real Estate – 2.2%

    

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

2.85%, 2/1/30

     249       252  

American Tower Corp.,

    

3.13%, 1/15/27

     810       885  

Boston Properties L.P.,

    

3.20%, 1/15/25

     405       439  

Brixmor Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

4.05%, 7/1/30

     145       155  

EPR Properties,

    

4.50%, 4/1/25

     505       494  

4.50%, 6/1/27

     410       378  

Equinix, Inc.,

    

3.20%, 11/18/29

     247       272  

Essex Portfolio L.P.,

    

2.65%, 3/15/32

     580       613  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.,

    

2.40%, 3/15/30

     435       441  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.,

    

3.25%, 7/15/26

     165       184  

National Retail Properties, Inc.,

    

3.10%, 4/15/50

     550       491  

Ventas Realty L.P.,

    

4.40%, 1/15/29

     305       346  

VEREIT Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

3.40%, 1/15/28

     90       94  

Weyerhaeuser Co.,

    

4.00%, 11/15/29

     415       487  
               5,531  

Restaurants – 0.2%

    

Starbucks Corp.,

    

1.30%, 5/7/22

     80       81  

2.00%, 3/12/27

     160       169  

3.50%, 11/15/50

     190       203  
               453  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 1.3%

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 10/1/27

     230        229        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 1.3%     continued

 

Amazon.com, Inc.,

    

2.70%, 6/3/60

   $ 285     $ 296  

Best Buy Co., Inc.,

    

1.95%, 10/1/30

     305       303  

eBay, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 6/5/27

     195       220  

2.70%, 3/11/30

     820       870  

Home Depot (The), Inc.,

    

2.50%, 4/15/27

     160       174  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 3/15/31

     275       272  

Ross Stores, Inc.,

    

4.60%, 4/15/25

     260       299  

5.45%, 4/15/50

     500       655  
               3,318  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.2%

 

Sysco Corp.,

    

3.30%, 2/15/50

     485       455  

Semiconductors – 0.5%

 

Applied Materials, Inc.,

    

2.75%, 6/1/50

     195       205  

Broadcom, Inc.,

    

3.15%, 11/15/25

     300       325  

KLA Corp.,

    

5.65%, 11/1/34

     115       154  

3.30%, 3/1/50

     270       285  

Lam Research Corp.,

    

2.88%, 6/15/50

     290       300  
               1,269  

Software & Services – 1.3%

 

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.,

    

2.90%, 12/1/29

     236       256  

Citrix Systems, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 12/1/27

     535       613  

Equifax, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 12/15/25

     235       251  

3.10%, 5/15/30

     270       294  

Infor, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 7/15/25 (1)

     210       216  

Leidos, Inc.,

    

3.63%, 5/15/25 (1)

     95       105  

Moody’s Corp.,

    

4.25%, 2/1/29

     415        497        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   20   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Software & Services – 1.3%     continued

 

Oracle Corp.,

    

3.60%, 4/1/50

     $500       $563  

ServiceNow, Inc.,

    

1.40%, 9/1/30

     95       93  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.,

    

3.63%, 5/15/50

     95       108  

Vmware, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 8/21/22

     200       208  
               3,204  

Tobacco – 0.1%

    

Reynolds American, Inc.,

    

5.85%, 8/15/45

     310       377  

Transportation & Logistics – 0.5%

 

Cummins, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 9/1/50

     100       98  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P./PTL Finance Corp.,

    

4.00%, 7/15/25 (1)

     490       552  

Ryder System, Inc.,

    

2.90%, 12/1/26

     610       658  
               1,308  

Utilities – 1.8%

    

American Electric Power Co., Inc.,

    

3.25%, 3/1/50

     570       595  

Avangrid, Inc.,

    

3.80%, 6/1/29

     500       578  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 3/1/30

     415       455  

Dominion Energy, Inc.,

    

3.07%, 8/15/24

     165       178  

Duke Energy Corp.,

    

4.20%, 6/15/49

     185       227  

East Ohio Gas (The) Co.,

    

3.00%, 6/15/50 (1)

     490       497  

Entergy Texas, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 3/15/31

     290       288  

Exelon Corp.,

    

5.63%, 6/15/35

     380       505  

PPL Capital Funding, Inc.,

    

4.00%, 9/15/47

     410       469  

San Diego Gas & Electric Co.,

    

1.70%, 10/1/30

     200        199        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.5%     continued

 

Utilities – 1.8%     continued

 

Xcel Energy, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 12/1/29

     $450       $486  
               4,477  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 1.5%

 

AT&T, Inc.,

    

3.80%, 2/15/27

     540       609  

6.55%, 6/15/34

     560       756  

5.35%, 12/15/43

     265       330  

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.,

    

3.50%, 4/15/25 (1)

     490       538  

2.55%, 2/15/31 (1)

     300       310  

2/15/51 (1) (4)

     340       337  

Verizon Communications, Inc.,

    

4.40%, 11/1/34

     570       710  

5.01%, 8/21/54

     175       254  
               3,844  

Total Corporate Bonds

                

(Cost $65,452)

       68,820  
    

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 5.7%

 

Banks – 1.7%

    

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.29%),
2.95%, 7/22/30 (1) (2)

     445       461  

BPCE S.A.,

    

3.50%, 10/23/27 (1)

     435       478  

Deutsche Bank A.G.,

    

3.30%, 11/16/22

     340       352  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.16%),
2.22%, 9/18/24 (2)

     396       399  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.10%),
1.33%, 6/15/23 (2)

     475       478  

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.00%),
2.44%, 2/5/26 (2)

     190       197  

National Australia Bank Ltd.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.88%),
3.93%, 8/2/34 (1) (2)

     505        561        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   21   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND     continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 5.7%     continued

 

Banks – 1.7%     continued

 

Nationwide Building Society,

    

1.00%, 8/28/25 (1)

     $520       $515  

Westpac Banking Corp.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.35%),
2.89%, 2/4/30 (2)

     495       513  

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 2.00%),
4.11%, 7/24/34 (2)

     270       304  
               4,258  

Biotechnology – 0.2%

 

Royalty Pharma PLC,

    

1.75%, 9/2/27 (1)

     205       206  

3.30%, 9/2/40 (1)

     205       203  
               409  

Commercial Finance – 0.3%

 

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust,

    

4.63%, 10/15/27

     585       567  

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd.,

    

3.25%, 2/15/27 (1)

     295       263  
               830  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.2%

 

Flex Ltd.,

    

4.75%, 6/15/25

     375       422  

Diversified Banks – 0.7%

    

BNP Paribas S.A.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 2.94%),
4.50%, 2/25/30 (1) (2) (3)

     520       499  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.51%),
3.05%, 1/13/31 (1) (2)

     350       375  

Credit Agricole S.A.,

    

3.25%, 1/14/30 (1)

     250       268  

Societe Generale S.A.,

    

2.63%, 10/16/24 (1)

     500       518  
               1,660  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

Johnson Controls International PLC,

    

4.63%, 7/2/44

     440       550  

5.13%, 9/14/45

     34        45        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 5.7%     continued

 

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.3%     continued

 

Johnson Controls International PLC/Tyco Fire & Security Finance S.C.A.,

    

1.75%, 9/15/30

     $275       $277  
               872  

Financial Services – 0.5%

 

Credit Suisse Group A.G.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.04%),
2.19%, 6/5/26 (1) (2)

     565       582  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.73%),
4.19%, 4/1/31 (1) (2)

     485       560  
               1,142  

Food & Beverage – 0.1%

 

Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V.,

    

1.85%, 9/1/32

     205       206  

Integrated Oils – 0.2%

 

Cenovus Energy, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 11/15/39

     185       186  

Shell International Finance B.V.,

    

4.38%, 5/11/45

     250       307  
               493  

Internet Media – 0.1%

    

Tencent Holdings Ltd.,

    

2.99%, 1/19/23(1)

     305       318  

Metals & Mining – 0.2%

    

Anglo American Capital PLC,

    

3.75%, 4/10/22(1)

     460       476  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.3%

    

GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC,

    

3.00%, 6/1/24

     190       205  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC,

    

3.20%, 9/23/26

     105       117  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.,

    

3.18%, 7/9/50

     450       457  
               779  

Pipeline – 0.1%

    

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.21%),
2.49%, 5/15/67(5)

     215        150        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   22   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 5.7%     continued

 

Semiconductors – 0.2%

    

NXP B.V./NXP Funding LLC/NXP U.S.A., Inc.,

    

2.70%, 5/1/25 (1)

     $95       $101  

3.40%, 5/1/30 (1)

     465       509  
               610  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.4%

 

Waste Connections, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 2/1/30

     805       866  

3.05%, 4/1/50

     165       172  
               1,038  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

British Telecommunications PLC,

    

5.13%, 12/4/28

     430       518  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                

(Cost $13,648)

       14,181  
    

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 22.6% (6)

 

Fannie Mae – 16.4%

    

Pool #535714,

    

7.50%, 1/1/31

     4       4  

Pool #555599,

    

7.00%, 4/1/33

     12       14  

Pool #712130,

    

7.00%, 6/1/33

     6       7  

Pool #AL5119,

    

4.00%, 4/1/34

     238       265  

Pool #AL6041,

    

4.00%, 8/1/33

     1,419       1,561  

Pool #AL8352,

    

3.00%, 10/1/44

     1,798       1,915  

Pool #AQ5150,

    

2.50%, 11/1/42

     1,286       1,370  

Pool #AS3655,

    

4.50%, 10/1/44

     336       369  

Pool #AS5722,

    

3.50%, 9/1/45

     204       218  

Pool #AS6520,

    

3.50%, 1/1/46

     673       716  

Pool #AS6730,

    

3.50%, 2/1/46

     943       1,007  

Pool #AS7088,

    

2.50%, 5/1/31

     226        236        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 22.6% (6)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 16.4%     continued

 

Pool #AS7568,

    

4.50%, 7/1/46

     $1,219       $1,334  

Pool #AS7694,

    

2.50%, 8/1/31

     786       842  

Pool #AS8699,

    

4.00%, 1/1/47

     477       512  

Pool #AS8984,

    

4.50%, 3/1/47

     277       302  

Pool #BD7081,

    

4.00%, 3/1/47

     1,098       1,179  

Pool #BE3619,

    

4.00%, 5/1/47

     1,132       1,215  

Pool #BH4092,

    

4.50%, 10/1/47

     675       735  

Pool #BH6175,

    

3.50%, 7/1/47

     213       226  

Pool #BJ0686,

    

4.00%, 4/1/48

     516       551  

Pool #BK4740,

    

4.00%, 8/1/48

     1,262       1,347  

Pool #BM4413,

    

4.50%, 12/1/47

     901       979  

Pool #BM5168,

    

2.50%, 6/1/46

     541       576  

Pool #BM5969,

    

3.00%, 11/1/46

     1,624       1,730  

Pool #BM5984,

    

5.00%, 5/1/49

     217       238  

Pool #BM5996,

    

5.00%, 12/1/48

     156       171  

Pool #BP6499,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     619       649  

Pool #BP6675,

    

9/1/40(4)

     695       729  

Pool #CA6422,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     854       896  

Pool #FM0057,

    

2.50%, 5/1/32

     1,925       2,055  

Pool #FM1303,

    

3.00%, 1/1/48

     848       915  

Pool #FM1472,

    

3.50%, 3/1/34

     185        196        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   23   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND     continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 22.6% (6)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 16.4%     continued

 

Pool #FM1572,

    

3.00%, 9/1/48

     $281       $296  

Pool #FM2053,

    

3.50%, 8/1/44

     1,412       1,526  

Pool #FM2076,

    

3.00%, 3/1/45

     1,055       1,131  

Pool #FM2483,

    

3.50%, 2/1/33

     1,018       1,090  

Pool #FM3173,

    

3.50%, 7/1/47

     841       911  

Pool #FM3201,

    

3.50%, 4/1/34

     365       388  

Pool #FM3523,

    

3.00%, 11/1/34

     921       977  

Pool #FM3727,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     624       655  

Pool #FM4172,

    

3.50%, 12/1/36

     1,781       1,914  

Pool #MA2864,

    

3.50%, 1/1/47

     802       855  

Pool #MA3088,

    

4.00%, 8/1/47

     693       741  

Pool #MA3183,

    

4.00%, 11/1/47

     1,345       1,444  

Pool #MA3184,

    

4.50%, 11/1/47

     1,174       1,278  

Pool #MA3211,

    

4.00%, 12/1/47

     1,384       1,483  

Pool #MA3448,

    

5.00%, 8/1/48

     399       438  

Pool #MA4186,

    

10/1/35(4)

     293       308  

Pool TBA,

    

10/1/50(4)

     550       569  
               41,063  

Freddie Mac – 2.8%

    

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series K730, Class A2,

    

3.59%, 1/25/25

     460       511  

Pool #1B3575,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.80%, 1.80% Floor, 11.39% Cap),
2.46%, 9/1/37(5)

     4        4        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 22.6% (6)     continued

 

Freddie Mac – 2.8%     continued

 

Pool #1G2296,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 2.09%, 2.09% Floor, 11.34% Cap),
4.21%, 11/1/37(5)

     $10       $10  

Pool #RA2484,

    

3.00%, 6/1/50

     1,213       1,275  

Pool #RD5026,

    

3.00%, 4/1/30

     156       164  

Pool #SB0084,

    

3.00%, 2/1/32

     296       316  

Pool #SB0216,

    

3.00%, 12/1/32

     206       217  

Pool #SB0328,

    

3.00%, 6/1/34

     730       766  

Pool #SB0329,

    

3.00%, 9/1/32

     923       976  

Pool #SD0033,

    

3.00%, 12/1/47

     289       312  

Pool #ZK7457,

    

3.50%, 2/1/29

     321       347  

Pool #ZS4687,

    

2.50%, 11/1/46

     317       337  

Pool #ZT0714,

    

5.00%, 10/1/48

     418       459  

Pool #ZT1333,

    

2.50%, 10/1/31

     1,183       1,265  
               6,959  

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.8%

 

Pool #G16396,

    

3.50%, 2/1/33

     186       197  

Pool #G60948,

    

3.00%, 1/1/47

     298       321  

Pool #G61670,

    

3.00%, 5/1/47

     1,595       1,710  

Pool #Q15842,

    

3.00%, 2/1/43

     574       616  

Pool #Q42460,

    

4.00%, 6/1/46

     137       149  

Pool #Q44452,

    

3.00%, 11/1/46

     1,085       1,140  

Pool #Q63667,

    

4.50%, 5/1/49

     258        279  
               4,412        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   24   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 22.6% (6)     continued

 

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.2%

 

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-95, Class QG,

    

2.50%, 8/20/46

     $548       $571  

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.3%

 

Pool #604183,

    

5.50%, 4/15/33

     2       3  

Pool #633627,

    

5.50%, 9/15/34

     3       3  

Pool #757013,

    

3.50%, 12/15/40

     649       691  
               697  

Government National Mortgage Association II – 1.1%

 

Pool #784801,

    

3.50%, 6/20/47

     696       750  

Pool #784832,

    

2.50%, 10/20/45

     878       928  

Pool #MA0782,

    

3.00%, 2/20/43

     716       755  

Pool #MA0850,

    

2.50%, 3/20/43

     407       430  
               2,863  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $55,298)

       56,565  
    

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 34.3%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds – 6.2%

    

1.13%, 8/15/40

     8,492       8,350  

1.25%, 5/15/50

     7,521       7,150  
               15,500  

U.S. Treasury Notes – 28.1%

    

0.13%, 8/31/22

     25,895       25,894  

0.13%, 8/15/23

     24,197       24,178  

0.25%, 8/31/25

     17,333       17,319  

0.63%, 8/15/30

     3,081        3,066  
               70,457  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $86,001)

       85,957        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.7%

 

California – 0.3%

    

University of California Regents Medical Center Pooled Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series N,

    

3.26%, 5/15/60

     $370       $404  

3.71%, 5/15/20(7)

     370       392  
               796  

New Jersey – 0.1%

    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds,

    

4.13%, 6/15/42

     380       362  

New York – 0.2%

    

New York State Thruway Authority Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series M,

    

3.50%, 1/1/42

     390       407  

Texas – 0.1%

    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Taxable Revenue Bonds, North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project,

    

3.92%, 12/31/49

     285       323  

Total Municipal Bonds

 

(Cost $1,795)

       1,888  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 7.0%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

    

0.00%(8) (9)

     17,670,987         $17,671  

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $17,671)

       17,671  
                  

Total Investments – 101.2%

 

(Cost $247,999)

       253,637  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (1.2%)

 

    (3,078

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $250,559        

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   25   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CORE BOND FUND     continued

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

(2) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(3) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

(4) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(5) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(6) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(7) 

Century bond maturing in 2120.

(8) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(9) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

5Y - 5 Year

CMT - Constant Maturity

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

PLC - Public Limited Company

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TBA - To be announced

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

Asset-Backed Securities(1)

   $      $ 8,555        $—      $ 8,555  

Corporate Bonds(1)

            68,820               68,820  

Foreign Issuer Bonds

            14,181               14,181  

U.S. Government Agencies(1)

            56,565               56,565  

U.S. Government

           

Obligations(1)

            85,957               85,957  

Municipal Bonds(1)

            1,888               1,888  

Investment Companies

     17,671                      17,671  

Total Investments

   $ 17,671      $ 235,966        $—      $ 253,637   
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   26   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS    

          

FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 3.6%

 

Automobile – 0.8%

    

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A3

    

1.96%, 12/16/24

     $6,750       $6,926  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 2.0%

 

BANK, Series 2019-BN16, Class A4

    

4.01%, 2/15/52

     3,900       4,603  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-GC27, Class A5

    

3.14%, 2/10/48

     5,805       6,277  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-C5, Class A5

    

3.69%, 3/15/50

     2,400       2,739  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C25, Class A5

    

3.64%, 10/15/48

     4,910       5,419  
               19,038  

Other – 0.8%

    

CNH Equipment Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A3

    

2.01%, 12/16/24

     7,565       7,768  

Total Asset-Backed Securities

                

(Cost $31,747)

       33,732  
    

CORPORATE BONDS – 35.8%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 1.1%

 

Boeing (The) Co.,

    

2.95%, 2/1/30

     730       707  

3.95%, 8/1/59

     595       539  

Northrop Grumman Corp.,

    

5.25%, 5/1/50

     2,465       3,536  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.,

    

3.65%, 8/16/23

     489       528  

2.25%, 7/1/30

     545       576  

4.63%, 11/16/48

     2,055       2,684  

3.13%, 7/1/50

     1,185       1,264  
               9,834  

Airlines – 0.2%

    

Southwest Airlines Co.,

    

4.75%, 5/4/23

     1,530        1,635        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.3%

 

VF Corp.,

    

2.40%, 4/23/25

     $1,750       $1,856  

2.95%, 4/23/30

     1,045       1,138  
               2,994  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 0.5%

 

Ford Motor Co.,

    

9.00%, 4/22/25

     2,520       2,889  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,

    

2.70%, 8/20/27

     2,235       2,219  
               5,108  

Banks – 0.1%

    

CIT Bank N.A.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.72%),
2.97%, 9/27/25(1)

     750       744  

Biotechnology – 0.8%

 

Amgen, Inc.,

    

3.13%, 5/1/25

     1,255       1,378  

2.30%, 2/25/31

     2,220       2,329  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,

    

2.50%, 9/1/23

     500       525  

2.60%, 10/1/40

     1,295       1,287  

2.80%, 10/1/50

     1,295       1,280  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,

    

2.80%, 9/15/50

     820       773  
               7,572  

Cable & Satellite – 0.6%

 

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,

    

5.13%, 7/1/49

     1,180       1,368  

Comcast Corp.,

    

4.70%, 10/15/48

     2,420       3,228  

Cox Communications, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 10/1/50 (2)

     845       813  
               5,409  

Casinos & Gaming – 0.3%

 

Boyd Gaming Corp.,

    

4.75%, 12/1/27

     2,470       2,424  

Chemicals – 0.5%

    

Avery Dennison Corp.,

    

2.65%, 4/30/30

     1,780        1,889        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   27   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Chemicals – 0.5%     continued

 

PPG Industries, Inc.,

    

2.55%, 6/15/30

     $1,835       $1,954  

RPM International, Inc.,

    

4.55%, 3/1/29

     895       1,047  
               4,890  

Commercial Finance – 0.1%

 

GATX Corp.,

    

4.00%, 6/30/30

     760       875  

Communications Equipment – 0.4%

 

Corning, Inc.,

    

5.45%, 11/15/79

     1,200       1,527  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.,

    

2.30%, 11/15/30

     2,245       2,229  
               3,756  

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Carlisle Cos., Inc.,

    

2.75%, 3/1/30

     1,740       1,849  

Consumer Finance – 0.6%

 

Fiserv, Inc.,

    

3.20%, 7/1/26

     1,920       2,133  

Global Payments, Inc.,

    

4.15%, 8/15/49

     1,215       1,426  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.,

    

5.38%, 10/15/25 (2)

     2,040       2,066  
               5,625  

Consumer Services – 0.1%

 

Block Financial LLC,

    

3.88%, 8/15/30

     1,130       1,139  

Containers & Packaging – 0.5%

 

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc.,

    

7.88%, 7/15/26 (2)

     1,830       1,862  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.,

    

7.25%, 4/15/25 (2)

     2,805       2,640  

Packaging Corp. of America,

    

3.40%, 12/15/27

     585       654  
               5,156  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.1%

 

Jabil, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 1/15/30

     1,020        1,086        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Diversified Banks – 1.1%

 

Bank of America Corp.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.93%),
5.88%, 3/15/28 (1) (3)

     $910       $981  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.15%),
2.59%, 4/29/31 (1)

     1,095       1,165  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.38%),
5.00%, 8/1/24 (1) (3)

     2,470       2,466  

3.88%, 9/10/24

     1,940       2,152  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.13%),
4.60%, 2/1/25 (1) (3)

     1,770       1,735  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.85%),
2.08%, 4/22/26 (1)

     1,275       1,333  
               9,832  

Educational Services – 0.4%

 

Georgetown University (The),

    

2.94%, 4/1/50

     2,015       2,000  

University of Chicago (The),

    

2.76%, 4/1/45

     1,230       1,257  

William Marsh Rice University,

    

2.60%, 5/15/50

     830       845  
               4,102  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.7%

 

Carrier Global Corp.,

    

3.38%, 4/5/40 (2)

     1,240       1,299  

Emerson Electric Co.,

    

1.80%, 10/15/27

     345       360  

2.75%, 10/15/50

     410       417  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.,

    

4.55%, 10/30/24

     409       462  

3.00%, 10/30/29

     1,190       1,301  

Roper Technologies, Inc.,

    

3.85%, 12/15/25

     1,280       1,453  

3.80%, 12/15/26

     456       526  

2.00%, 6/30/30

     690       704  
               6,522  

Entertainment Content – 0.5%

 

Walt Disney (The) Co.,

    

1.75%, 1/13/26

     1,045       1,088  

2.20%, 1/13/28

     1,045       1,100  

2.00%, 9/1/29

     1,755       1,812  

3.50%, 5/13/40

     805        910  
               4,910        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   28   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Exploration & Production – 1.3%

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,

    

11.50%, 1/1/25 (2) (4)

     $1,253       $169  

EQT Corp.,

    

8.75%, 2/1/30

     1,632       1,926  

Hess Corp.,

    

7.13%, 3/15/33

     1,000       1,205  

Murphy Oil Corp.,

    

6.38%, 12/1/42

     1,760       1,382  

Noble Energy, Inc.,

    

5.25%, 11/15/43

     1,995       2,645  

Ovintiv, Inc.,

    

8.13%, 9/15/30

     1,675       1,710  

SM Energy Co.,

    

5.63%, 6/1/25

     1,665       749  

WPX Energy, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 1/15/30

     2,455       2,413  
               12,199  

Financial Services – 2.4%

 

Ares Capital Corp.,

    

4.25%, 3/1/25

     925       957  

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.58%),
5.00%, 12/1/27 (1) (3)

     693       711  

FMR LLC,

    

6.45%, 11/15/39 (2)

     3,265       4,985  

FS KKR Capital Corp.,

    

4.13%, 2/1/25

     2,620       2,604  

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.,

    

3.75%, 2/10/25

     830       866  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.,

    

5.25%, 7/27/21

     825       858  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.87%),
5.00%, 11/10/22 (1) (3)

     1,795       1,714  

3.50%, 4/1/25

     1,320       1,457  

Icahn Enterprises L.P./Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.,

    

4.75%, 9/15/24

     2,000       2,025  

5.25%, 5/15/27

     1,465       1,526  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,

    

2.65%, 9/15/40

     1,235       1,234  

Jefferies Group LLC,

    

2.75%, 10/15/32

     840        840        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Financial Services – 2.4%     continued

 

Morgan Stanley,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.85%),
3.74%, 4/24/24 (1)

     $1,180       $1,270  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.99%),
2.19%, 4/28/26 (1)

     1,160       1,215  

State Street Corp.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.65%),
3.15%, 3/30/31 (1) (2)

     405       462  
               22,724  

Food & Beverage – 1.8%

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,

    

3.65%, 2/1/26

     2,085       2,337  

4.90%, 2/1/46

     1,685       2,078  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,

    

4.15%, 1/23/25

     830       939  

Cargill, Inc.,

    

1.38%, 7/23/23 (2)

     1,265       1,294  

Coca-Cola (The) Co.,

    

7.38%, 7/29/93

     470       916  

Constellation Brands, Inc.,

    

2.88%, 5/1/30

     850       918  

Hormel Foods Corp.,

    

1.80%, 6/11/30

     670       691  

Kellogg Co.,

    

2.10%, 6/1/30

     1,740       1,782  

NBM U.S. Holdings, Inc.,

    

7.00%, 5/14/26

     1,825       1,932  

Pernod Ricard International Finance LLC,

    

1.25%, 4/1/28 (2)

     1,265       1,255  

1.63%, 4/1/31 (2)

     1,265       1,243  

Tyson Foods, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 6/15/22

     525       555  

4.35%, 3/1/29

     635       770  
               16,710  

Hardware – 1.2%

    

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,

    

5.45%, 6/15/23 (2)

     1,235       1,354  

5.85%, 7/15/25 (2)

     2,435       2,837  

5.30%, 10/1/29 (2)

     1,410       1,617  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.,

    

4.40%, 10/15/22

     1,195        1,277        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   29   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Hardware – 1.2%     continued

 

4.45%, 10/2/23

     $1,015       $1,116  

4.65%, 10/1/24

     1,000       1,131  

HP, Inc.,

    

6.00%, 9/15/41

     1,210       1,483  

NCR Corp.,

    

8.13%, 4/15/25 (2)

     620       685  
               11,500  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.9%

 

Advocate Health & Hospitals Corp.,

    

3.39%, 10/15/49

     1,185       1,322  

CVS Health Corp.,

    

3.70%, 3/9/23

     673       721  

DaVita, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 6/1/30 (2)

     3,000       3,073  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.,

    

2.80%, 6/30/31

     1,215       1,309  

RWJ Barnabas Health, Inc.,

    

3.48%, 7/1/49

     1,480       1,540  
               7,965  

Industrial Other – 0.2%

 

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,

    

5.63%, 9/1/25

     1,550       1,616  

Life Insurance – 0.9%

    

Ohio National Financial Services, Inc.,

    

5.55%, 1/24/30 (2)

     3,095       2,918  

Protective Life Corp.,

    

8.45%, 10/15/39

     3,475       5,455  
               8,373  

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.4%

 

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,

    

1.88%, 1/15/26

     2,285       2,282  

IDEX Corp.,

    

3.00%, 5/1/30

     360       396  

Xylem, Inc.,

    

2.25%, 1/30/31

     1,115       1,182  
               3,860  

Managed Care – 0.6%

    

Anthem, Inc.,

    

3.50%, 8/15/24

     1,500       1,645  

2.38%, 1/15/25

     715       760  

Centene Corp.,

    

4.63%, 12/15/29

     1,870        2,017        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Managed Care – 0.6%     continued

 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,

    

3.13%, 5/15/60

     $1,230       $1,320  
               5,742  

Mass Merchants – 0.3%

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.,

    

1.38%, 6/20/27

     1,050       1,076  

1.75%, 4/20/32

     820       841  

Dollar General Corp.,

    

3.50%, 4/3/30

     1,015       1,155  
               3,072  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.7%

 

Alcon Finance Corp.,

    

2.60%, 5/27/30 (2)

     750       794  

Becton Dickinson and Co.,

    

3.79%, 5/20/50

     2,165       2,421  

Boston Scientific Corp.,

    

1.90%, 6/1/25

     750       784  

Stryker Corp.,

    

4.38%, 5/15/44

     2,010       2,493  
               6,492  

Metals & Mining – 0.5%

 

Glencore Funding LLC,

    

4.13%, 3/12/24 (2)

     845       916  

3.88%, 10/27/27 (2)

     630       687  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.,

    

4.63%, 3/1/28 (2)

     1,795       1,674  

Novelis Corp.,

    

4.75%, 1/30/30 (2)

     1,000       982  
               4,259  

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.2%

 

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 12/1/29

     1,040       1,010  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.,

    

3.95%, 2/1/28

     1,070       827  
               1,837  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.9%

 

AbbVie, Inc.,

    

3.38%, 11/14/21

     515       532  

2.85%, 5/14/23

     386       406  

2.60%, 11/21/24 (2)

     1,375       1,457  

3.20%, 11/21/29 (2)

     1,240        1,366        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   30   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.9%     continued

 

Merck & Co., Inc.,

    

2.45%, 6/24/50

     $835       $838  

Mylan, Inc.,

    

5.20%, 4/15/48

     2,150       2,659  

Pfizer, Inc.,

    

2.70%, 5/28/50

     1,230       1,285  
               8,543  

Pipeline – 0.7%

    

Boardwalk Pipelines L.P.,

    

4.80%, 5/3/29

     965       1,051  

Energy Transfer Operating L.P.,

    

4.20%, 9/15/23

     1,005       1,061  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,

    

3.95%, 1/31/60

     1,195       1,179  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P.,

    

3.90%, 7/15/26

     1,685       1,730  

Western Midstream Operating L.P.,

    

6.25%, 2/1/50

     1,590       1,473  
               6,494  

Power Generation – 0.7%

    

Calpine Corp.,

    

4.50%, 2/15/28 (2)

     2,185       2,238  

Liberty Utilities Finance GP 1,

    

2.05%, 9/15/30 (2)

     2,150       2,119  

Pattern Energy Operations L.P./Pattern Energy Operations, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 8/15/28 (2)

     660       685  

Terraform Global Operating LLC,

    

6.13%, 3/1/26 (2)

     1,035       1,053  
               6,095  

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.2%

 

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.,

    

1.85%, 3/12/30

     695       727  

Brown & Brown, Inc.,

    

2.38%, 3/15/31

     1,155       1,162  
               1,889  

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.3%

 

Entercom Media Corp.,

    

7.25%, 11/1/24 (2)

     1,645        1,398        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.3%     continued

 

TEGNA, Inc.,

    

5.00%, 9/15/29 (2)

     $1,850       $1,827  
               3,225  

Real Estate – 2.5%

    

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

2.85%, 2/1/30

     1,044       1,057  

American Tower Corp.,

    

3.13%, 1/15/27

     3,270       3,571  

Brixmor Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

4.05%, 7/1/30

     600       642  

EPR Properties,

    

4.50%, 4/1/25

     1,500       1,467  

4.50%, 6/1/27

     2,215       2,042  

Equinix, Inc.,

    

3.20%, 11/18/29

     1,015       1,119  

Essex Portfolio L.P.,

    

2.65%, 3/15/32

     2,545       2,687  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.,

    

2.40%, 3/15/30

     1,860       1,885  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.,

    

3.25%, 7/15/26

     655       731  

Iron Mountain, Inc.,

    

4.88%, 9/15/27 (2)

     1,765       1,800  

iStar, Inc.,

    

4.75%, 10/1/24

     1,700       1,645  

National Retail Properties, Inc.,

    

3.10%, 4/15/50

     2,410       2,153  

Ventas Realty L.P.,

    

4.40%, 1/15/29

     1,600       1,818  

VEREIT Operating Partnership L.P.,

    

3.40%, 1/15/28

     375       392  
               23,009  

Refining & Marketing – 0.4%

 

CVR Energy, Inc.,

    

5.75%, 2/15/28 (2)

     2,995       2,546  

Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc.,

    

4.75%, 9/15/29

     1,000       1,065  
               3,611  

Restaurants – 0.4%

    

Golden Nugget, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 10/15/24 (2)

     1,920        1,603        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   31   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Restaurants – 0.4%     continued

 

Starbucks Corp.,

    

1.30%, 5/7/22

     $345       $350  

2.00%, 3/12/27

     695       735  

3.50%, 11/15/50

     815       868  
               3,556  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 1.5%

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 10/1/27

     860       858  

Amazon.com, Inc.,

    

2.70%, 6/3/60

     1,215       1,259  

Best Buy Co., Inc.,

    

1.95%, 10/1/30

     1,140       1,132  

eBay, Inc.,

    

3.60%, 6/5/27

     790       892  

2.70%, 3/11/30

     3,565       3,781  

Home Depot (The), Inc.,

    

2.50%, 4/15/27

     690       750  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 3/15/31

     1,135       1,122  

Ross Stores, Inc.,

    

4.60%, 4/15/25

     1,100       1,266  

5.45%, 4/15/50

     2,055       2,693  
               13,753  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.2%

 

Sysco Corp.,

    

3.30%, 2/15/50

     2,085       1,956  

Semiconductors – 0.5%

    

Applied Materials, Inc.,

    

2.75%, 6/1/50

     800       841  

Broadcom, Inc.,

    

3.15%, 11/15/25

     1,270       1,376  

KLA Corp.,

    

3.30%, 3/1/50

     1,205       1,273  

Lam Research Corp.,

    

2.88%, 6/15/50

     1,230       1,271  
               4,761  

Software & Services – 1.6%

 

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.,

    

2.90%, 12/1/29

     996       1,079  

Citrix Systems, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 12/1/27

     1,700        1,948        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Software & Services – 1.6%     continued

 

Equifax, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 12/15/25

     $1,030       $1,100  

3.10%, 5/15/30

     1,150       1,253  

Infor, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 7/15/25 (2)

     865       890  

Leidos, Inc.,

    

3.63%, 5/15/25 (2)

     430       477  

Moody’s Corp.,

    

4.25%, 2/1/29

     1,630       1,951  

Oracle Corp.,

    

3.60%, 4/1/50

     2,055       2,316  

ServiceNow, Inc.,

    

1.40%, 9/1/30

     380       371  

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.,

    

10.50%, 3/1/24 (2)

     2,535       2,649  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.,

    

3.63%, 5/15/50

     400       454  

Vmware, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 8/21/22

     800       833  
               15,321  

Tobacco – 0.2%

    

Reynolds American, Inc.,

    

5.85%, 8/15/45

     1,172       1,424  

Transportation & Logistics – 0.6%

 

Cummins, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 9/1/50

     410       402  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P./PTL Finance Corp.,

    

4.00%, 7/15/25 (2)

     2,090       2,354  

Ryder System, Inc.,

    

2.90%, 12/1/26

     2,285       2,466  
               5,222  

Utilities – 1.8%

    

American Electric Power Co., Inc.,

    

3.25%, 3/1/50

     2,490       2,599  

Avangrid, Inc.,

    

3.80%, 6/1/29

     2,070       2,395  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.,

    

2.95%, 3/1/30

     1,785       1,956  

Dominion Energy, Inc.,

    

3.07%, 8/15/24

     660       710  

East Ohio Gas (The) Co.,

    

3.00%, 6/15/50 (2)

     2,070        2,100        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   32   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

CORPORATE BONDS - 35.8%     continued

 

Utilities – 1.8%     continued

 

Entergy Texas, Inc.,

    

1.75%, 3/15/31

     $1,075       $1,066  

Exelon Corp.,

    

5.63%, 6/15/35

     1,480       1,966  

PPL Capital Funding, Inc.,

    

4.00%, 9/15/47

     1,535       1,757  

San Diego Gas & Electric Co.,

    

1.70%, 10/1/30

     765       762  

Xcel Energy, Inc.,

    

2.60%, 12/1/29

     1,840       1,988  
               17,299  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.1%

 

Stericycle, Inc.,

    

5.38%, 7/15/24(2)

     1,255       1,303  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 2.5%

 

AT&T, Inc.,

    

3.80%, 2/15/27

     1,725       1,946  

6.55%, 6/15/34

     2,357       3,181  

5.35%, 12/15/43

     905       1,126  

Sprint Capital Corp.,

    

6.88%, 11/15/28

     2,540       3,175  

Sprint Corp.,

    

7.88%, 9/15/23

     2,860       3,285  

7.13%, 6/15/24

     1,705       1,962  

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.,

    

3.50%, 4/15/25 (2)

     2,095       2,299  

2.55%, 2/15/31 (2)

     1,250       1,293  

2/15/51 (2) (5)

     1,285       1,273  

Verizon Communications, Inc.,

    

4.40%, 11/1/34

     2,400       2,992  

5.01%, 8/21/54

     755       1,095  
               23,627  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 9/15/27(2)

     1,850        1,901  

Total Corporate Bonds

                

(Cost $321,556)

       334,800        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 8.1%

 

Banks – 1.9%

    

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.29%),
2.95%, 7/22/30 (1) (2)

     $2,200       $2,280  

BPCE S.A.,

    

3.50%, 10/23/27 (2)

     1,575       1,731  

Deutsche Bank A.G.,

    

3.30%, 11/16/22

     1,465       1,515  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.16%),
2.22%, 9/18/24 (1)

     1,818       1,831  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.10%),
1.33%, 6/15/23 (1)

     2,005       2,017  

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.00%),
2.44%, 2/5/26 (1)

     800       829  

National Australia Bank Ltd.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.88%),
3.93%, 8/2/34 (1) (2)

     2,040       2,268  

Nationwide Building Society,

    

1.00%, 8/28/25 (2)

     2,200       2,177  

Westpac Banking Corp.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 1.35%),
2.89%, 2/4/30 (1)

     2,130       2,207  

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 2.00%),
4.11%, 7/24/34 (1)

     1,070       1,207  
               18,062  

Biotechnology – 0.2%

    

Royalty Pharma PLC,

    

1.75%, 9/2/27 (2)

     845       847  

3.30%, 9/2/40 (2)

     845       838  
               1,685  

Cable & Satellite – 0.8%

    

Altice Financing S.A.,

    

7.50%, 5/15/26 (2)

     3,550       3,758  

LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC,

    

6.75%, 10/15/27 (2)

     600       627  

UPC Holding B.V.,

    

5.50%, 1/15/28 (2)

     2,625        2,707  
               7,092        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   33   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 8.1%     continued

 

Commercial Finance – 0.3%

 

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust,

    

4.63%, 10/15/27

     $2,260       $2,189  

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd.,

    

3.25%, 2/15/27 (2)

     1,220       1,088  
               3,277  

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.2%

 

Flex Ltd.,

    

4.75%, 6/15/25

     1,625       1,828  

Diversified Banks – 0.9%

 

BNP Paribas S.A.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 2.94%),
4.50%, 2/25/30 (1) (2) (3)

     2,265       2,172  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.51%),
3.05%, 1/13/31 (1) (2)

     1,270       1,362  

Credit Agricole S.A.,

    

3.25%, 1/14/30 (2)

     1,000       1,074  

Deutsche Bank A.G.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 4.52%),
6.00%, 10/30/25 (1) (3)

     1,800       1,552  

Societe Generale S.A.,

    

2.63%, 10/16/24 (2)

     1,825       1,891  
               8,051  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.4%

 

Johnson Controls International PLC,

    

4.63%, 7/2/44

     1,670       2,088  

5.13%, 9/14/45

     115       152  

Johnson Controls International PLC/Tyco Fire & Security Finance S.C.A.,

    

1.75%, 9/15/30

     1,125       1,132  
               3,372  

Financial Services – 0.5%

 

Credit Suisse Group A.G.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.04%),
2.19%, 6/5/26 (1) (2)

     2,340       2,410  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.73%),
4.19%, 4/1/31 (1) (2)

     2,115       2,442  
               4,852  

Food & Beverage – 0.4%

 

Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V.,

    

1.85%, 9/1/32

     845        847        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 8.1%     continued

 

Food & Beverage – 0.4%     continued

 

JBS U.S.A. LUX S.A./JBS U.S.A. Food Co./JBS U.S.A. Finance, Inc.,

    

5.50%, 1/15/30 (2)

     $1,575       $1,714  

MARB BondCo PLC,

    

6.88%, 1/19/25 (2)

     1,040       1,077  
               3,638  

Integrated Oils – 0.1%

    

Cenovus Energy, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 11/15/39

     765       769  

Internet Media – 0.1%

    

Tencent Holdings Ltd.,

    

2.99%, 1/19/23(2)

     925       965  

Metals & Mining – 0.5%

    

Anglo American Capital PLC,

    

3.75%, 4/10/22 (2)

     1,985       2,056  

New Gold, Inc.,

    

6.38%, 5/15/25 (2)

     1,115       1,151  

Teck Resources Ltd.,

    

6.25%, 7/15/41

     1,620       1,873  
               5,080  

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.0%

 

Noble Holding International Ltd.,

    

7.88%, 2/1/26(2) (4) (6)

     1,360       328  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.5%

    

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,

    

6.13%, 4/15/25 (2)

     1,530       1,566  

GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC,

    

3.00%, 6/1/24

     830       898  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC,

    

3.20%, 9/23/26

     440       489  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.,

    

3.18%, 7/9/50

     2,060       2,093  
               5,046  

Pipeline – 0.1%

    

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.21%),
2.49%, 5/15/67(7)

     1,236       864  

Refining & Marketing – 0.3%

 

Parkland Corp.,

    

6.00%, 4/1/26(2)

     2,535        2,655        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   34   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 8.1%     continued

 

Semiconductors – 0.3%

    

NXP B.V./NXP Funding LLC/NXP U.S.A., Inc.,

    

2.70%, 5/1/25 (2)

     $410       $434  

3.40%, 5/1/30 (2)

     2,025       2,217  
               2,651  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.1%

 

Waste Connections, Inc.,

    

3.05%, 4/1/50

     705       737  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.3%

 

Altice France S.A.,

    

7.38%, 5/1/26 (2)

     1,000       1,048  

Connect Finco S.a.r.l./Connect U.S. Finco LLC,

    

6.75%, 10/1/26 (2)

     1,685       1,690  
               2,738  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

British Telecommunications PLC,

    

5.13%, 12/4/28

     1,575       1,898  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                

(Cost $74,516)

       75,588  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

COMMON STOCKS – 0.2%

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 0.2%

    

Denbury, Inc.*

     48,395       $852  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.*

     37,358       646  
               1,498  

Total Common Stocks

                

(Cost $3,819)

       1,498  
    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 25.0% (8)

 

Fannie Mae – 15.9%

    

Pool #256883,

    

6.00%, 9/1/37

     $8       $9  

Pool #535714,

    

7.50%, 1/1/31

     14       16  

Pool #545003,

    

8.00%, 5/1/31

     1       1  

Pool #545437,

    

7.00%, 2/1/32

     31        37        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 25.0% (8)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 15.9%     continued

 

Pool #545556,

    

7.00%, 4/1/32

     $19       $22  

Pool #555189,

    

7.00%, 12/1/32

     113       132  

Pool #581806,

    

7.00%, 7/1/31

     43       50  

Pool #585617,

    

7.00%, 5/1/31(9)

            

Pool #725228,

    

6.00%, 3/1/34

     92       111  

Pool #AB9546,

    

3.50%, 6/1/28

     128       139  

Pool #AL3063,

    

3.50%, 1/1/28

     475       511  

Pool #AL5119,

    

4.00%, 4/1/34

     1,563       1,736  

Pool #AL8352,

    

3.00%, 10/1/44

     4,684       4,990  

Pool #AO2961,

    

4.00%, 5/1/42

     338       374  

Pool #AQ9360,

    

2.50%, 1/1/28

     133       141  

Pool #AS1991,

    

3.50%, 3/1/29

     620       671  

Pool #AS3655,

    

4.50%, 10/1/44

     1,263       1,389  

Pool #AS6520,

    

3.50%, 1/1/46

     2,936       3,123  

Pool #AS7088,

    

2.50%, 5/1/31

     2,640       2,763  

Pool #AS7568,

    

4.50%, 7/1/46

     1,869       2,046  

Pool #AS7694,

    

2.50%, 8/1/31

     6,808       7,294  

Pool #AS8699,

    

4.00%, 1/1/47

     2,942       3,163  

Pool #AS8984,

    

4.50%, 3/1/47

     1,819       1,984  

Pool #BH4092,

    

4.50%, 10/1/47

     2,229       2,428  

Pool #BH6175,

    

3.50%, 7/1/47

     1,157        1,225        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   35   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 25.0% (8)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 15.9%     continued

 

Pool #BJ0686,

    

4.00%, 4/1/48

     $2,063       $2,204  

Pool #BJ3524,

    

4.00%, 11/1/47

     3,196       3,426  

Pool #BK4740,

    

4.00%, 8/1/48

     5,002       5,336  

Pool #BM1948,

    

6.00%, 7/1/41

     275       333  

Pool #BM3428,

    

3.50%, 1/1/33

     1,820       1,950  

Pool #BM4413,

    

4.50%, 12/1/47

     2,990       3,249  

Pool #BM5168,

    

2.50%, 6/1/46

     963       1,025  

Pool #BM5969,

    

3.00%, 11/1/46

     7,470       7,958  

Pool #BM5984,

    

5.00%, 5/1/49

     391       429  

Pool #BM5996,

    

5.00%, 12/1/48

     281       308  

Pool #BP6499,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     3,096       3,247  

Pool #BP6675,

    

9/1/40(5)

     2,562       2,689  

Pool #CA6422,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     3,443       3,611  

Pool #FM0057,

    

2.50%, 5/1/32

     6,081       6,492  

Pool #FM1303,

    

3.00%, 1/1/48

     3,612       3,897  

Pool #FM1438,

    

3.00%, 8/1/38

     1,032       1,086  

Pool #FM1472,

    

3.50%, 3/1/34

     145       153  

Pool #FM1572,

    

3.00%, 9/1/48

     1,452       1,528  

Pool #FM2076,

    

3.00%, 3/1/45

     3,588       3,846  

Pool #FM2483,

    

3.50%, 2/1/33

     2,462       2,637  

Pool #FM3173,

    

3.50%, 7/1/47

     3,541        3,836        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 25.0% (8)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 15.9%     continued

 

Pool #FM3201,

    

3.50%, 4/1/34

     $1,983       $2,109  

Pool #FM3308,

    

3.00%, 4/1/32

     1,905       2,001  

Pool #FM3523,

    

3.00%, 11/1/34

     3,727       3,953  

Pool #FM3727,

    

3.00%, 7/1/50

     3,122       3,274  

Pool #FM4172,

    

3.50%, 12/1/36

     7,334       7,882  

Pool #MA0878,

    

4.00%, 10/1/31

     816       890  

Pool #MA2522,

    

3.50%, 2/1/46

     3,688       3,934  

Pool #MA2642,

    

3.50%, 6/1/46

     4,119       4,387  

Pool #MA2864,

    

3.50%, 1/1/47

     2,251       2,400  

Pool #MA3004,

    

4.00%, 5/1/37

     868       939  

Pool #MA3088,

    

4.00%, 8/1/47

     2,143       2,292  

Pool #MA3183,

    

4.00%, 11/1/47

     5,331       5,724  

Pool #MA3184,

    

4.50%, 11/1/47

     3,896       4,241  

Pool #MA3211,

    

4.00%, 12/1/47

     5,535       5,931  

Pool #MA3448,

    

5.00%, 8/1/48

     1,722       1,888  

Pool #MA4186,

    

10/1/35(5)

     1,075       1,130  

Pool TBA,

    

10/1/50(5)

     2,250       2,326  
               148,896  

Freddie Mac – 3.5%

    

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series K730, Class A2,

    

3.59%, 1/25/25

     1,790       1,987  

Pool #1B3575,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.80%, 1.80% Floor, 11.39% Cap),
2.46%, 9/1/37(7)

     54        54        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   36   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 25.0% (8)    continued

 

Freddie Mac – 3.5%    continued

 

Pool #1G2296,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 2.09%, 2.09% Floor, 11.34% Cap),
4.21%, 11/1/37(7)

     $108        $109        

Pool #RA2484,

     

3.00%, 6/1/50

     5,181        5,449  

Pool #RD5026,

     

3.00%, 4/1/30

     1,030        1,085  

Pool #SB0084,

     

3.00%, 2/1/32

     1,819        1,943  

Pool #SB0216,

     

3.00%, 12/1/32

     1,166        1,226  

Pool #SB0328,

     

3.00%, 6/1/34

     2,956        3,104  

Pool #SB0329,

     

3.00%, 9/1/32

     4,030        4,262  

Pool #SD0033,

     

3.00%, 12/1/47

     1,298        1,401  

Pool #ZK7457,

     

3.50%, 2/1/29

     3,758        4,061  

Pool #ZS4687,

     

2.50%, 11/1/46

     1,099        1,171  

Pool #ZT0714,

     

5.00%, 10/1/48

     1,805        1,980  

Pool #ZT1333,

     

2.50%, 10/1/31

     4,279        4,573  
             

 

 

 

32,405

 

 

Freddie Mac Gold – 2.6%

     

Pool #A87842,

     

4.50%, 8/1/39

     436        490  

Pool #C00910,

     

7.50%, 1/1/30

     107        126  

Pool #G05935,

     

6.00%, 3/1/36

     155        184  

Pool #G07068,

     

5.00%, 7/1/41

     548        630  

Pool #G08731,

     

2.50%, 11/1/46

     2,344        2,497  

Pool #G15612,

     

3.50%, 12/1/29

     145        153  

Pool #G16396,

     

3.50%, 2/1/33

     2,178        2,314  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 25.0% (8)    continued

 

Freddie Mac Gold – 2.6%    continued

 

Pool #G18643,

     

2.50%, 5/1/32

     $183        $192        

Pool #G60948,

     

3.00%, 1/1/47

     526        567  

Pool #G61670,

     

3.00%, 5/1/47

     6,839        7,332  

Pool #G61723,

     

3.50%, 1/1/43

     154        173  

Pool #Q15842,

     

3.00%, 2/1/43

     2,459        2,639  

Pool #Q42460,

     

4.00%, 6/1/46

     551        597  

Pool #Q44452,

     

3.00%, 11/1/46

     5,392        5,665  

Pool #Q63667,

     

4.50%, 5/1/49

     855        925  
             

 

 

 

24,484

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.2%

 

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-95, Class QG,

     

2.50%, 8/20/46

     2,323        2,420  

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.3%

 

Pool #757013,

     

3.50%, 12/15/40

     2,594        2,762  

Government National Mortgage Association II – 2.5%

 

Pool #784801,

     

3.50%, 6/20/47

     1,423        1,534  

Pool #784832,

     

2.50%, 10/20/45

     11,585        12,249  

Pool #MA0782,

     

3.00%, 2/20/43

     5,343        5,636  

Pool #MA0850,

     

2.50%, 3/20/43

     1,752        1,851  

Pool #MA4008,

     

5.50%, 10/20/46

     155        183  

Pool #MA6870,

     

5.00%, 9/20/50

     1,413        1,564  
                23,017  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $228,984)

        233,984  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   37   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 23.8%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds – 4.8%

 

1.13%, 8/15/40

     $23,467        $23,075        

1.25%, 5/15/50

     22,819        21,692  
                44,767  

U.S. Treasury Notes – 19.0%

 

0.13%, 8/31/22

     79,779        79,776  

0.13%, 8/15/23

     59,294        59,247  

0.25%, 8/31/25

     38,666        38,636  
                177,659  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $222,674)

        222,426  

    

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.9%

 

California – 0.4%

     

University of California Regents Medical Center Pooled Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series N,

     

3.26%, 5/15/60

     1,610        1,756  

3.71%, 5/15/20(10)

     1,610        1,707  
                3,463  

New Jersey – 0.2%

     

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds,
4.13%, 6/15/42

     1,610        1,535  

New York – 0.2%

     

New York State Thruway Authority Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series M,
3.50%, 1/1/42

     1,585        1,653  

Texas – 0.1%

     

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Taxable Revenue Bonds, North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project,
3.92%, 12/31/49

     1,200        1,358  

Total Municipal Bonds

 

(Cost $7,615)

        8,009  
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE
(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.2%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(11) (12)

     30,054,197        $30,054        

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $30,054)

        30,054  
     

Total Investments – 100.6%

 

(Cost $920,965)

        940,091  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.6%)

 

     (5,969

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $934,122  

 

(1) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(3) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

(4) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation. Income is not being accrued.

(5) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(6) 

Restricted security that has been deemed illiquid. At September 30, 2020, the value of this restricted illiquid security amounted to approximately $328,000 or 0.0% of net assets. Additional information on this restricted illiquid security is as follows:

 

  SECURITY   

 

ACQUISITION
AND
ENFORCEABLE
DATE

   COST    
(000S)    
 

Noble Holding International Ltd., 7.88%, 2/1/26

   1/17/18      $1,360  

 

(7) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(8) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(9) 

Principal Amount and Value rounds to less than one thousand.

(10) 

Century bond maturing in 2120.

(11) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(12) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

5Y - 5 Year

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   38   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

CMT - Constant Maturity

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

PLC - Public Limited Company

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TBA - To be announced

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    TOTAL 
(000S) 

Asset-Backed Securities(1)

  $     $ 33,732       $—     $ 33,732     

Corporate Bonds(1)

          334,800             334,800  

Foreign Issuer Bonds(1)

          75,588             75,588  

Common Stocks(1)

    1,498                   1,498  

U.S. Government Agencies(1)

          233,984             233,984  

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

          222,426             222,426  

Municipal Bonds(1)

          8,009             8,009  

Investment Companies

    30,054                   30,054  

Total Investments

  $ 31,552     $ 908,539       $—     $ 940,091  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   39   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS – 76.5%

 

Advertising & Marketing – 0.3%

 

Terrier Media Buyer, Inc.,

     

8.88%, 12/15/27(1)

     $11,350        $11,435        

Aerospace & Defense – 1.3%

 

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.,

     

6.88%, 5/1/25

     5,625        6,216  

SSL Robotics LLC,

     

9.75%, 12/31/23 (1)

     11,900        13,107  

TransDigm, Inc.,

     

5.50%, 11/15/27

     9,225        8,866  

Triumph Group, Inc.,

     

8.88%, 6/1/24 (1)

     4,125        4,393  

7.75%, 8/15/25

     16,750        10,741  
             

 

 

 

43,323

 

 

Airlines – 0.6%

     

American Airlines Group, Inc.,

     

3.75%, 3/1/25 (1)

     6,600        3,346  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.,

     

7.00%, 5/1/25 (1)

     7,950        8,729  

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd.,
6.50%, 6/20/27 (1)

     8,350        8,695  
             

 

 

 

20,770

 

 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.6%

 

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,

     

6.88%, 7/1/28

     3,150        3,055  

Dana, Inc.,

     

5.63%, 6/15/28

     8,750        9,040  

Meritor, Inc.,

     

6.25%, 6/1/25 (1)

     8,950        9,353  
             

 

 

 

21,448

 

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 2.5%

 

Ford Motor Co.,

     

8.50%, 4/21/23

     6,600        7,194  

9.00%, 4/22/25

     6,575        7,538  

9.63%, 4/22/30

     1,825        2,357  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC,

     

3.81%, 10/12/21

     2,750        2,757  

4.25%, 9/20/22

     2,775        2,799  

5.58%, 3/18/24

     4,628        4,814  

3.66%, 9/8/24

     4,275        4,183  

4.06%, 11/1/24

     3,800        3,795  

5.13%, 6/16/25

     2,000        2,063  

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%    continued

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 2.5%    continued

 

4.13%, 8/4/25

     $8,200        $8,121        

4.39%, 1/8/26

     8,725        8,625  

4.13%, 8/17/27

     13,000        12,643  

5.11%, 5/3/29

     5,318        5,451  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,

     

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.60%),
5.75%, 9/30/27 (2) (3)

     11,975        11,409  
             

 

 

 

83,749

 

 

Cable & Satellite – 4.0%

 

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,
5.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     32,387        34,006  

CSC Holdings LLC,

     

6.50%, 2/1/29 (1)

     18,600        20,623  

5.75%, 1/15/30 (1)

     8,425        8,952  

4.63%, 12/1/30 (1)

     9,800        9,874  

DISH DBS Corp.,

     

7.75%, 7/1/26

     22,917        25,194  

GCI LLC,
10/15/28 (1) (4)

     12,000        12,150  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.,
6.63%, 8/1/26

     9,030        9,772  

Midcontinent Communications/Midcontinent Finance Corp.,
5.38%, 8/15/27 (1)

     7,350        7,552  

Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc.,

     

4.50%, 9/15/26 (1)

     4,000        3,999  

6.50%, 9/15/28 (1)

     4,000        4,099  
                136,221  

Casinos & Gaming – 2.5%

 

Boyd Gaming Corp.,

     

4.75%, 12/1/27

     11,350        11,137  

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.,

     

6.25%, 7/1/25 (1)

     5,100        5,331  

8.13%, 7/1/27 (1)

     5,975        6,334  

Caesars Resort Collection LLC/CRC Finco, Inc.,

     

5.75%, 7/1/25 (1)

     6,250        6,445  

5.25%, 10/15/25 (1)

     12,975        12,553  

MGM Resorts International,

     

6.00%, 3/15/23

     6,661        6,910  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   40   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%    continued

 

Casinos & Gaming – 2.5%    continued

 

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

    

8.25%, 3/15/26 (1)

     $15,060       $15,724        

Station Casinos LLC,

    

4.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     12,125       11,155  

Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 6/1/27 (1)

     8,025       7,984  
            

 

 

 

83,573

 

 

Chemicals – 1.2%

    

CVR Partners L.P./CVR Nitrogen Finance Corp.,

    

9.25%, 6/15/23 (1)

     15,110       13,977  

Element Solutions, Inc.,

    

3.88%, 9/1/28 (1)

     6,600       6,476  

Illuminate Buyer LLC/Illuminate Holdings IV, Inc.,

    

9.00%, 7/1/28 (1)

     5,650       6,074  

Univar Solutions U.S.A., Inc.,

    

5.13%, 12/1/27 (1)

     8,250       8,467  

WR Grace & Co.-Conn,

    

4.88%, 6/15/27 (1)

     4,325        4,466  
            

 

 

 

39,460

 

 

Coal Operations – 0.4%

 

Alliance Resource Operating Partners L.P./Alliance Resource Finance Corp.,

    

7.50%, 5/1/25(1)

     18,092       12,845  

Commercial Finance – 0.7%

 

Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC,

    

6.75%, 3/15/22 (1)

     6,961       6,857  

9.75%, 8/1/27 (1)

     9,375       10,037  

Voyager Aviation Holdings LLC/Voyager Finance Co.,

    

8.50%, 8/15/21 (1)

     17,225       8,569  
            

 

 

 

25,463

 

 

Communications Equipment – 1.1%

 

Avaya, Inc.,

    

6.13%, 9/15/28 (1)

     5,475       5,583  

CommScope, Inc.,

    

6.00%, 3/1/26 (1)

     10,500       10,946  

7.13%, 7/1/28 (1)

     5,750       5,908  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%    continued

 

Communications Equipment – 1.1%    continued

 

ViaSat, Inc.,

    

5.63%, 4/15/27 (1)

     $6,575       $6,764        

6.50%, 7/15/28 (1)

     7,775       7,786  
            

 

 

 

36,987

 

 

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.6%

 

Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp.,

    

6.50%, 7/15/25 (1)

     4,775       5,045  

Standard Industries, Inc.,

    

3.38%, 1/15/31 (1)

     5,825       5,749  

Summit Materials LLC/Summit Materials Finance Corp.,

    

6.50%, 3/15/27 (1)

     8,683        9,248  
            

 

 

 

20,042

 

 

Consumer Finance – 3.3%

 

Credit Acceptance Corp.,

    

6.63%, 3/15/26

     12,213       12,610  

Curo Group Holdings Corp.,

    

8.25%, 9/1/25 (1)

     15,240       12,763  

Discover Financial Services,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.08%),
5.50%, 10/30/27 (2) (3)

     8,825       8,402  

Enova International, Inc.,

    

8.50%, 9/15/25 (1)

     10,800       10,206  

FirstCash, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 9/1/28 (1)

     8,400       8,558  

Freedom Mortgage Corp.,

    

8.13%, 11/15/24 (1)

     8,848       8,826  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp.,

    

4.25%, 2/1/27 (1)

     10,100       8,737  

Navient Corp.,

    

5.00%, 3/15/27

     13,100       12,301  

OneMain Finance Corp.,

    

6.88%, 3/15/25

     4,175       4,633  

5.38%, 11/15/29

     12,225       12,714  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.,

    

5.38%, 10/15/25 (1)

     6,175       6,252  

Provident Funding Associates L.P./PFG Finance Corp.,

    

6.38%, 6/15/25 (1)

     5,197       5,028  
            

 

 

 

111,030

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   41   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Consumer Products – 0.4%

    

Edgewell Personal Care Co.,

    

5.50%, 6/1/28 (1)

     $3,800       $3,998  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.,

    

7.75%, 1/15/27 (1)

     6,300       6,883  

4.38%, 3/31/29 (1)

     3,500       3,535  
     
               14,416  

Consumer Services – 1.1%

    

Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp.,

    

6.63%, 7/15/26 (1)

     10,275       10,943  

APX Group, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 2/15/27 (1)

     9,335       9,685  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc.,

    

6.25%, 1/15/28 (1)

     16,375        16,580  
     
               37,208        

Containers & Packaging – 1.0%

 

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc.,

    

7.88%, 7/15/26 (1)

     5,924       6,028  

Graham Packaging Co., Inc.,

    

7.13%, 8/15/28 (1)

     9,100       9,475  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.,

    

7.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     11,642       10,958  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.,

    

6.63%, 5/13/27 (1)

     4,535       4,912  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer (Luxembourg),

    

10/15/27 (1) (4)

     3,925       3,954  
     
               35,327  

Department Stores – 0.3%

    

Macy’s, Inc.,

    

8.38%, 6/15/25(1)

     10,225       10,572  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.6%

 

 

Sensata Technologies, Inc.,

    

3.75%, 2/15/31 (1)

     4,150       4,124  

Vertical U.S. Newco, Inc.,

    

5.25%, 7/15/27 (1)

     5,600       5,820  

WESCO Distribution, Inc.,

    

7.13%, 6/15/25 (1)

     5,475       5,964  

7.25%, 6/15/28 (1)

     4,100       4,492  
     
               20,400  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Entertainment Content – 0.9%

 

Allen Media LLC/Allen Media Co-Issuer, Inc.,

    

10.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     $12,435       $12,000  

Diamond Sports Group LLC/Diamond Sports Finance Co.,

    

5.38%, 8/15/26 (1)

     10,775       7,623  

6.63%, 8/15/27 (1)

     18,925       9,853  
     
               29,476  

Entertainment Resources – 0.4%

 

Powdr Corp.,

    

6.00%, 8/1/25(1)

     14,400        14,724        

Exploration & Production – 6.1%

 

Apache Corp.,

    

4.88%, 11/15/27

     5,700       5,387  

4.38%, 10/15/28

     8,000       7,320  

4.25%, 1/15/30

     4,000       3,604  

Berry Petroleum Co. LLC,

    

7.00%, 2/15/26 (1)

     17,600       13,684  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,

    

11.50%, 1/1/25 (1) (5)

     9,100       1,229  

Endeavor Energy Resources L.P./EER Finance, Inc.,

    

6.63%, 7/15/25 (1)

     4,000       4,110  

Energy Ventures Gom LLC/EnVen Finance Corp.,

    

11.00%, 2/15/23 (1)

     17,900       13,425  

EQT Corp.,

    

8.75%, 2/1/30

     12,505       14,756  

Gulfport Energy Corp.,

    

6.38%, 1/15/26

     20,690       12,724  

Hilcorp Energy I L.P./Hilcorp Finance Co.,

    

6.25%, 11/1/28 (1)

     8,742       7,955  

Indigo Natural Resources LLC,

    

6.88%, 2/15/26 (1)

     9,595       9,339  

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.,

    

9.50%, 1/15/25

     17,240       10,274  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.,

    

3.13%, 2/15/22

     4,100       3,875  

2.70%, 8/15/22

     7,600       7,101  

2.70%, 2/15/23

     9,568       8,755  

6.95%, 7/1/24

     6,625       6,412  

2.90%, 8/15/24

     7,177       6,089  

3.50%, 6/15/25

     1,628       1,351  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   42   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Exploration & Production – 6.1%     continued

 

8.00%, 7/15/25

     $3,950       $3,975  

5.55%, 3/15/26

     12,050       10,916  

3.40%, 4/15/26

     10,420       8,310  

3.50%, 8/15/29

     14,375       11,014  

6.63%, 9/1/30

     11,375       10,493  

SM Energy Co.,

    

5.63%, 6/1/25

     12,210       5,494  

Southwestern Energy Co.,

    

6.45%, 1/23/25

     12,663        12,267  

WPX Energy, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 1/15/30

     8,775       8,627  
     
               208,486  

Financial Services – 1.1%

    

Advisor Group Holdings, Inc.,

    

10.80%, 8/1/27 (1)

     9,875       10,122  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.,

    

6.00%, 1/15/27 (1)

     7,875       8,027  

NFP Corp.,

    

6.88%, 8/15/28 (1)

     10,110       10,235  

PRA Group, Inc.,

    

7.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     8,325       8,682        
     
               37,066  

Food & Beverage – 2.6%

    

Dole Food Co., Inc.,

    

7.25%, 6/15/25 (1)

     10,380       10,328  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co.,

    

4.63%, 1/30/29

     6,175       6,875  

5.00%, 7/15/35

     4,075       4,692  

5.00%, 6/4/42

     17,505       19,170  

5.20%, 7/15/45

     16,900       18,476  

4.38%, 6/1/46

     2,350       2,415  

NBM U.S. Holdings, Inc.,

    

7.00%, 5/14/26

     10,525       11,141  

Simmons Foods, Inc.,

    

5.75%, 11/1/24 (1)

     14,790       14,805  
     
               87,902  

Forest & Paper Products Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.,

    

6.88%, 10/1/26(1)

     10,050       10,603  

Hardware – 1.3%

    

Everi Payments, Inc.,

    

7.50%, 12/15/25 (1)

     13,927       13,648  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Hardware – 1.3%    continued

 

 

NCR Corp.,

    

6.13%, 9/1/29 (1)

     $17,490       $18,521  

5.25%, 10/1/30 (1)

     2,000        2,000  

TTM Technologies, Inc.,

    

5.63%, 10/1/25 (1)

     9,605       9,797  
     
               43,966  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 4.1%

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.,

    

4/15/29 (1) (4)

     1,775       1,799  

AdaptHealth LLC,

    

6.13%, 8/1/28 (1)

     4,025       4,167  

AMN Healthcare, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 10/1/27 (1)

     6,375       6,534  

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.,

    

6.63%, 2/15/25 (1)

     22,410       21,682  

DaVita, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 6/1/30 (1)

     11,750       12,035  

Encompass Health Corp.,

    

4.63%, 4/1/31

     8,500       8,500  

HCA, Inc.,

    

5.88%, 2/1/29

     19,830       23,102  

LifePoint Health, Inc.,

    

4.38%, 2/15/27 (1)

     10,425       10,438  

MEDNAX, Inc.,

    

6.25%, 1/15/27 (1)

     9,315       9,664  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 7/1/25 (1)

     4,350       4,328  

10.00%, 4/15/27 (1)

     4,350       4,633  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

    

4.88%, 1/1/26 (1)

     11,525       11,734  

6.13%, 10/1/28 (1)

     16,525       16,071  

West Street Merger Sub, Inc.,

    

6.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     6,064       6,184  
     
               140,871  

Home & Office Products Manufacturing – 0.7%

 

CD&R Smokey Buyer, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 7/15/25 (1)

     6,560       6,921  

Newell Brands, Inc.,

    

5.88%, 4/1/36

     13,750       15,749        
     
               22,670  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   43   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Home Improvement – 0.9%

 

Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.,

    

8.00%, 4/15/26 (1)

     $5,843       $6,135  

Griffon Corp.,

    

5.75%, 3/1/28

     6,615       6,905  

Patrick Industries, Inc.,

    

7.50%, 10/15/27 (1)

     5,025       5,452  

PGT Innovations, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 8/1/26 (1)

     10,455       11,135  
     
               29,627  

Homebuilders – 1.2%

    

Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc.,

    

5.88%, 10/15/27

     9,600        9,720  

Century Communities, Inc.,

    

5.88%, 7/15/25

     8,540       8,877  

Forestar Group, Inc.,

    

5.00%, 3/1/28 (1)

     8,250       8,332  

LGI Homes, Inc.,

    

6.88%, 7/15/26 (1)

     9,548       9,978  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc.,

    

5.13%, 8/1/30 (1)

     4,425       4,713  
     
               41,620  

Industrial Other – 0.5%

    

Ahern Rentals, Inc.,

    

7.38%, 5/15/23 (1)

     15,175       8,043  

Capitol Investment Merger Sub 2 LLC,

 

 

10.00%, 8/1/24 (1)

     8,918       9,341  
     
               17,384  

Internet Media – 1.3%

    

GrubHub Holdings, Inc.,

    

5.50%, 7/1/27 (1)

     7,850       8,144  

Netflix, Inc.,

    

6.38%, 5/15/29

     11,425       14,053  

TripAdvisor, Inc.,

    

7.00%, 7/15/25 (1)

     10,235       10,670  

Uber Technologies, Inc.,

    

6.25%, 1/15/28 (1)

     10,075       10,349  
     
               43,216  

Investment Companies – 0.5%

 

 

Icahn Enterprises L.P./Icahn Enterprises

 

 

Finance Corp.,

    

5.25%, 5/15/27

     15,350       15,992        
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Leisure Products Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Mattel, Inc.,

    

5.88%, 12/15/27

     $7,650       $8,233  

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Amsted Industries, Inc.,

    

5.63%, 7/1/27(1)

     6,850       7,287  

Manufactured Goods – 0.4%

    

FXI Holdings, Inc.,

    

12.25%, 11/15/26(1)

     11,625       12,410  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

Avantor Funding, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 7/15/28(1)

     8,550        8,871  

Metals & Mining – 2.4%

    

Arconic Corp.,

    

6.13%, 2/15/28 (1)

     6,050       6,213  

Carpenter Technology Corp.,

    

6.38%, 7/15/28

     6,575       6,881  

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.,

    

9.88%, 10/17/25 (1)

     5,325       5,944  

Commercial Metals Co.,

    

5.75%, 4/15/26

     15,048       15,650  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.,

    

5.45%, 3/15/43

     14,960       16,587  

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc.,

    

8.50%, 8/1/28 (1)

     5,900       6,210  

Novelis Corp.,

    

4.75%, 1/30/30 (1)

     11,150       10,952  

United States Steel Corp.,

    

6.88%, 8/15/25

     20,300       14,922  
     
               83,359        

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.6%

 

Oceaneering International, Inc.,

    

6.00%, 2/1/28

     20,495       12,820  

U.S.A. Compression Partners
L.P./U.S.A. Compression Finance
Corp.,

 

 

6.88%, 4/1/26

     9,466       9,383  
     
               22,203  

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%

    

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.,

    

8.50%, 1/31/27 (1)

     17,415       19,135  

Horizon Therapeutics U.S.A., Inc.,

    

5.50%, 8/1/27 (1)

     10,450       11,090  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   44   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%    continued

 

 

JPR Royalty Sub LLC,

 

 

14.00%, 12/31/20 (1) (5) (6) (7)

     $8,000       $—  

Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.,

 

 

7.50%, 4/1/27 (1)

     8,813       9,233  
   
        39,458  

Pipeline – 4.8%

 

 

American Midstream Partners L.P./American Midstream Finance Corp.,

    

9.50%, 12/15/21 (1)

     12,623       12,528  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.,

 

 

4.63%, 10/15/28 (1)

     4,075       4,182  

Crestwood Midstream Partners L.P./Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.,

    

5.63%, 5/1/27 (1)

     9,075       8,106  

DCP Midstream Operating L.P.,

 

 

5.63%, 7/15/27

     10,983       11,236  

EnLink Midstream Partners L.P.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.11%), 6.00%, 12/15/22 (2) (3)

     19,300        7,720  

EQM Midstream Partners L.P.,

 

 

6.00%, 7/1/25 (1)

     7,250       7,477  

Genesis Energy L.P./Genesis Energy Finance Corp.,

    

6.00%, 5/15/23

     14,084       12,781  

Global Partners L.P./GLP Finance Corp.,

 

 

7.00%, 8/1/27

     6,135       6,252  

1/15/29 (1) (4)

     5,800       5,858  

Harvest Midstream I L.P.,

 

 

7.50%, 9/1/28 (1)

     4,110       4,090  

Holly Energy Partners L.P./Holly Energy Finance Corp.,

    

5.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     5,325       5,192  

Martin Midstream Partners L.P./Martin Midstream Finance Corp.,

    

11.50%, 2/28/25 (1)

     6,802       6,122  

NGL Energy Partners L.P./NGL Energy Finance Corp.,

    

7.50%, 11/1/23

     11,882       7,916  

7.50%, 4/15/26

     6,625       4,157  

NuStar Logistics L.P.,

 

 

6.00%, 6/1/26

     6,580       6,599        
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%    continued

 

Pipeline – 4.8%    continued

 

 

PBF Logistics L.P./PBF Logistics Finance Corp.,

    

6.88%, 5/15/23

     $13,866       $13,034  

Plains All American Pipeline L.P.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.11%),
6.13%, 11/15/22 (2) (3)

     12,100       7,676  

Rattler Midstream L.P.,

    

5.63%, 7/15/25 (1)

     8,325       8,387  

Targa Resources Partners L.P./Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.,

    

6.50%, 7/15/27

     7,025        7,324  

Western Midstream Operating L.P.,

    

4.10%, 2/1/25

     6,150       5,858  

4.65%, 7/1/26

     5,800       5,641  

4.75%, 8/15/28

     4,665       4,485  

5.05%, 2/1/30

     2,385       2,321  
     
               164,942        

Power Generation – 1.2%

    

Calpine Corp.,

    

5.13%, 3/15/28

     15,662       16,210  

5.00%, 2/1/31 (1)

     3,350       3,415  

NRG Energy, Inc.,

    

5.75%, 1/15/28

     8,470       9,137  

Pattern Energy Operations L.P./Pattern Energy Operations, Inc.,

    

4.50%, 8/15/28 (1)

     3,125       3,242  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC,

    

5.63%, 2/15/27 (1)

     8,625       9,101  
     
               41,105  

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.7%

 

Acrisure LLC/Acrisure Finance, Inc.,

    

7.00%, 11/15/25 (1)

     9,395       9,229  

NMI Holdings, Inc.,

    

7.38%, 6/1/25 (1)

     6,300       6,733  

USI, Inc.,

    

6.88%, 5/1/25 (1)

     8,154       8,256  
     
               24,218  

Publishing & Broadcasting – 2.6%

    

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

    

9.25%, 2/15/24

     5,402       5,237  

5.13%, 8/15/27 (1)

     10,475       10,059  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   45   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 2.6%     continued

 

Cumulus Media New Holdings, Inc.,

     

6.75%, 7/1/26 (1)

     $8,785        $8,126  

Entercom Media Corp.,

     

7.25%, 11/1/24 (1)

     16,050        13,642  

Gray Television, Inc.,

     

7.00%, 5/15/27 (1)

     7,450        8,077  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.,

     

5.25%, 8/15/27 (1)

     5,500        5,362  

Meredith Corp.,

     

6.88%, 2/1/26

     13,025        10,876  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.,

     

5.63%, 7/15/27 (1)

     8,850        9,296  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.,

     

5.50%, 7/1/29 (1)

     6,450        6,918  

TEGNA, Inc.,

     

5.00%, 9/15/29 (1)

     10,250        10,122  
     
                87,715  

Real Estate – 1.4%

     

ESH Hospitality, Inc.,

     

4.63%, 10/1/27 (1)

     10,625        10,426  

HAT Holdings I LLC/HAT Holdings II LLC,

     

6.00%, 4/15/25 (1)

     7,425        7,910  

Howard Hughes (The) Corp.,

     

5.38%, 8/1/28 (1)

     5,500        5,497  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership L.P./MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc.,

     

4.63%, 6/15/25 (1)

     3,975        4,055  

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer,

     

7.50%, 6/1/25 (1)

     9,400        10,009  

Uniti Group L.P./Uniti Fiber Holdings, Inc./CSL Capital LLC,

     

7.88%, 2/15/25 (1)

     7,100        7,524  

XHR L.P.,

     

6.38%, 8/15/25 (1)

     4,025        4,015  
     
                49,436  

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 0.3%

 

iStar, Inc.,

     

4.75%, 10/1/24

     10,150        9,820        
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Refining & Marketing – 1.1%

 

CITGO Petroleum Corp.,

     

7.00%, 6/15/25 (1)

     $7,850        $7,742  

CVR Energy, Inc.,

     

5.75%, 2/15/28 (1)

     15,540        13,209  

PBF Holding Co LLC/PBF Finance Corp.,

     

6.00%, 2/15/28 (1)

     12,125        8,137  

Sunoco L.P./Sunoco Finance Corp.,

     

5.50%, 2/15/26

     6,876        6,867  
     
                35,955  

Restaurants – 0.8%

     

Golden Nugget, Inc.,

     

6.75%, 10/15/24 (1)

     19,910        16,625  

IRB Holding Corp.,

     

6.75%, 2/15/26 (1)

     9,773        9,773  
     
                26,398  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 3.1%

 

Carvana Co.,

     

10/1/28 (1) (4)

     6,250        6,172  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.,

     

4.00%, 8/15/28 (1)

     3,175        3,119  

Ken Garff Automotive LLC,

     

4.88%, 9/15/28 (1)

     13,225        13,010  

L Brands, Inc.,

     

6.88%, 7/1/25 (1)

     3,667        3,960  

9.38%, 7/1/25 (1)

     1,700        1,951  

5.25%, 2/1/28

     3,100        2,999  

6.63%, 10/1/30 (1)

     6,125        6,232  

Lithia Motors, Inc.,

     

4.63%, 12/15/27 (1)

     10,950        11,306  

Michaels Stores, Inc.,

     

4.75%, 10/1/27 (1)

     2,950        2,924  

Party City Holdings, Inc.,

     

6.63%, 8/1/26

     18,785        5,636  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,

     

3.50%, 9/1/25

     6,100        6,075  

PetSmart, Inc.,

     

7.13%, 3/15/23 (1)

     14,825        14,955  

Sonic Automotive, Inc.,

     

6.13%, 3/15/27

     9,956        10,280  

Staples, Inc.,

     

7.50%, 4/15/26 (1)

     16,896        15,615  
     
                104,234        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   46   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.2%

 

U.S. Foods, Inc.,

    

6.25%, 4/15/25(1)

     $7,050       $7,464        

Software & Services – 2.7%

 

Banff Merger Sub, Inc.,

    

9.75%, 9/1/26 (1)

     11,225       11,866  

Castle U.S. Holding Corp.,

    

9.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     8,280       7,897  

Logan Merger Sub, Inc.,

    

5.50%, 9/1/27 (1)

     3,950       3,996  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC,

    

7.13%, 6/1/24 (1)

     9,331       9,586  

Open Text Holdings, Inc.,

    

4.13%, 2/15/30 (1)

     5,900       6,068  

Refinitiv U.S. Holdings, Inc.,

    

8.25%, 11/15/26 (1)

     12,125       13,277  

Sabre GLBL, Inc.,

    

9.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     8,075       8,887  

7.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     4,900       4,949  

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.,

    

10.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     10,014       10,465  

Sophia L.P./Sophia Finance, Inc.,

    

9.00%, 9/30/23 (1)

     5,380       5,383  

Verscend Escrow Corp.,

    

9.75%, 8/15/26 (1)

     7,910       8,600  
     
               90,974  

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.3%

 

Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons L.P./Albertsons LLC,

    

7.50%, 3/15/26(1)

     10,100       11,080  

Technology – 0.6%

    

Iron Mountain, Inc.,

    

4.88%, 9/15/29 (1)

     10,814       11,003  

5.25%, 7/15/30 (1)

     8,700        9,070  
     
               20,073  

Transportation & Logistics – 1.9%

 

Allison Transmission, Inc.,

    

5.88%, 6/1/29 (1)

     8,025       8,679  

Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.,

    

4.75%, 2/1/28 (1)

     12,275       12,396  

Navistar International Corp.,

    

6.63%, 11/1/25 (1)

     16,263       16,629  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Transportation & Logistics – 1.9%     continued

 

Western Global Airlines LLC,

    

10.38%, 8/15/25 (1)

     $15,675       $15,988  

XPO Logistics, Inc.,

    

6.75%, 8/15/24 (1)

     5,125       5,428  

6.25%, 5/1/25 (1)

     3,725       3,981  
     
               63,101  

Travel & Lodging – 0.6%

 

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.,

    

5.38%, 5/1/25 (1)

     2,700       2,820  

5.75%, 5/1/28 (1)

     8,400       8,851  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.,

    

6.63%, 7/31/26 (1)

     7,475        7,831  
     
               19,502        

Utilities – 0.6%

    

PG&E Corp.,

    

5.00%, 7/1/28

     4,350       4,219  

Talen Energy Supply LLC,

    

6.63%, 1/15/28 (1)

     15,875       15,379  
     
               19,598  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.2%

 

Covanta Holding Corp.,

    

5.00%, 9/1/30

     7,125       7,191  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 1.3%

 

Sprint Capital Corp.,

    

6.88%, 11/15/28

     14,853       18,566  

8.75%, 3/15/32

     13,200       19,323  

Trilogy International Partners LLC/Trilogy International Finance, Inc.,

    

8.88%, 5/1/22 (1)

     7,173       6,599  
     
               44,488  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 2.4%

 

Cablevision Lightpath LLC,

    

5.63%, 9/15/28 (1)

     9,875       10,020  

CenturyLink, Inc.,

    

5.13%, 12/15/26 (1)

     11,050       11,353  

4.00%, 2/15/27 (1)

     6,050       6,146  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.,

    

7.00%, 7/15/24 (1)

     11,925       12,275  

Consolidated Communications, Inc.,

    

10/1/28 (1) (4)

     8,542       8,713  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   47   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 76.5%     continued

 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 2.4%     continued

 

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,

    

4.63%, 9/15/27 (1)

     $8,225       $8,451  

Switch Ltd.,

    

3.75%, 9/15/28 (1)

     4,550       4,595  

Windstream Escrow LLC/Windstream Escrow Finance Corp.,

    

7.75%, 8/15/28 (1)

     10,125       9,948  

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.,

    

6.13%, 3/1/28 (1)

     10,825        11,174  
               82,675        

Total Corporate Bonds

 

       

(Cost $2,679,465)

       2,599,662  
    

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 18.3%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.8%

 

Bombardier, Inc.,

    

7.50%, 12/1/24 (1)

     17,257       13,244  

TransDigm UK Holdings PLC,

    

6.88%, 5/15/26

     13,650       13,717  
     
               26,961  

Airlines – 0.3%

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd.,

    

4.75%, 10/20/28 (1)

     8,350       8,670  

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd.,

    

7.88%, 10/15/21 (1)

     25,450       2,290  
     
               10,960  

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.4%

 

Clarios Global L.P.,

    

6.75%, 5/15/25 (1)

     2,100       2,210  

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH,

    

6.00%, (100% Cash),
5/15/27 (1) (8)

     9,400       9,917  
     
               12,127  

Banks – 0.1%

    

ING Groep N.V.,

    

(Variable, USD Swap 5Y + 4.45%),

    

6.50%, 4/16/25(2) (3)

     3,546       3,752  

Cable & Satellite – 1.7%

 

Altice Financing S.A.,

    

7.50%, 5/15/26 (1)

     10,470       11,083  

5.00%, 1/15/28 (1)

     8,850       8,596  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 18.3%     continued

 

Cable & Satellite – 1.7%     continued

 

LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC,

    

6.75%, 10/15/27 (1)

     $10,565       $11,040  

Telenet Finance Luxembourg Notes S.a.r.l.,

    

5.50%, 3/1/28 (1)

     5,150       5,427  

UPC Holding B.V.,

    

5.50%, 1/15/28 (1)

     9,000       9,281  

Ziggo Bond Co. B.V.,

    

6.00%, 1/15/27 (1)

     11,775        12,172  
               57,599        

Casinos & Gaming – 0.8%

 

International Game Technology PLC,

    

5.25%, 1/15/29 (1)

     7,525       7,610  

Melco Resorts Finance Ltd.,

    

5.63%, 7/17/27 (1)

     9,325       9,671  

Wynn Macau Ltd.,

    

5.50%, 10/1/27 (1)

     10,982       10,652  
               27,933  

Chemicals – 0.2%

 

Methanex Corp.,

    

5.13%, 10/15/27

     5,625       5,597  

Commercial Finance – 0.2%

    

AerCap Holdings N.V.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 4.54%),
5.88%, 10/10/79(2)

     10,375       7,956  

Consumer Finance – 0.4%

 

Fairstone Financial, Inc.,

    

7.88%, 7/15/24(1)

     14,122       14,475  

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

 

ARD Finance S.A.,

    

6.50%, (100% Cash),
6/30/27(1) (8)

     11,175        11,117  

Diversified Banks – 1.3%

 

Barclays PLC,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 5.67%),
8.00%, 6/15/24 (2) (3)

     12,575       13,392  

BNP Paribas S.A.,

    

(Variable, USD Swap 5Y + 5.15%),
7.38%, 8/19/25 (1) (2) (3)

     6,450       7,184  

Credit Agricole S.A.,

    

(Variable, USD Swap 5Y + 4.90%),
7.88%, 1/23/24 (1) (2) (3)

     5,168       5,711  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   48   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 18.3%     continued

 

Diversified Banks – 1.3%     continued

 

Credit Suisse Group A.G.,

    

(Variable, USD Swap 5Y + 4.60%),

    

7.50%, 7/17/23 (1) (2) (3)

     $8,125       $8,574  

Deutsche Bank A.G.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 4.52%),
6.00%, 10/30/25 (2) (3)

     12,500        10,781  
     
               45,642        

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Vertical Holdco GmbH,

    

7.63%, 7/15/28(1)

     6,625       7,002  

Financial Services – 0.8%

 

Altice France Holding S.A.,

    

10.50%, 5/15/27 (1)

     11,175       12,418  

VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/XO Management Holding, Inc.,

    

10.50%, 6/1/24 (1)

     14,425       13,534  
     
               25,952  

Food & Beverage – 0.7%

 

JBS U.S.A. LUX S.A./JBS U.S.A. Food Co./JBS U.S.A. Finance, Inc.,

    

6.50%, 4/15/29 (1)

     10,125       11,239  

5.50%, 1/15/30 (1)

     5,000       5,442  

Sigma Holdco B.V.,

    

7.88%, 5/15/26

     6,630       6,746  
     
               23,427  

Integrated Oils – 0.2%

 

Cenovus Energy, Inc.,

    

4.25%, 4/15/27

     7,825       7,074  

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Husky III Holding Ltd.,

    

13.00%, (100% Cash),

    

2/15/25(1) (8)

     7,140       7,390  

Metals & Mining – 1.4%

 

Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V.,

    

5.50%, 12/15/27 (1)

     6,325       6,592  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.,

    

7.25%, 4/1/23 (1)

     7,975       7,965  

6.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     7,750       7,430  

New Gold, Inc.,

    

6.38%, 5/15/25 (1)

     13,911       14,363  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 18.3%     continued

 

Metals & Mining – 1.4%     continued

 

Northwest Acquisitions ULC/Dominion Finco, Inc.,

     

7.13%, 11/1/22 (1) (5)

     $14,891        $238  

Vedanta Resources Ltd.,

     

6.38%, 7/30/22 (1)

     11,510        9,266  
     
                45,854  

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.3%

 

Nabors Industries Ltd.,

     

7.25%, 1/15/26 (1)

     9,900        4,876  

Noble Holding International Ltd.,

     

7.88%, 2/1/26 (1) (5) (6)

     7,350        1,774  

Transocean Pontus Ltd.,

     

6.13%, 8/1/25 (1)

     5,595        5,003  
     
                11,653  

Pharmaceuticals – 1.7%

 

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,

     

5.00%, 1/30/28 (1)

     8,500        8,256  

5.25%, 1/30/30 (1)

     16,725        16,474  

Endo Dac/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc.,

     

9.50%, 7/31/27 (1)

     8,277        8,650  

6.00%, 6/30/28 (1)

     11,705        8,603  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III B.V.,

     

7.13%, 1/31/25

     8,625        9,056  

6.75%, 3/1/28

     5,780        6,040  
     
                57,079  

Power Generation – 0.3%

 

Drax Finco PLC,

     

6.63%, 11/1/25(1)

     11,102        11,546  

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.3%

 

Ardonagh Midco 2 PLC,

     

11.50%, 1/15/27(1)

     9,375        9,469  

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.2%

     

Clear Channel International B.V.,

     

6.63%, 8/1/25(1)

     6,575        6,725  

Refining & Marketing – 0.8%

 

eG Global Finance PLC,

     

6.75%, 2/7/25 (1)

     10,660        10,913  

Parkland Corp.,

     

6.00%, 4/1/26 (1)

     13,758        14,412  
     
                25,325  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   49   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 18.3%     continued

 

Restaurants – 0.3%

 

1011778 B.C. ULC/New Red Finance, Inc.,

     

10/15/30(1) (4)

     $8,350        $8,414  

Semiconductors – 0.3%

     

ams A.G.,

     

7.00%, 7/31/25(1)

     10,350        10,955  

Technology – 0.4%

 

Sixsigma Networks Mexico S.A. de
C.V.,

7.50%, 5/2/25(1)

     15,525        13,916  

Travel & Lodging – 0.6%

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,

     

9.13%, 6/15/23 (1)

     6,250        6,625  

Viking Cruises Ltd.,

     

13.00%, 5/15/25 (1)

     3,865        4,474  

5.88%, 9/15/27 (1)

     11,176        8,689  
     
                19,788  

Trucking & Leasing – 0.4%

 

Fly Leasing Ltd.,

 

5.25%, 10/15/24

     15,615        12,872  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 2.4%

 

Altice France S.A.,

 

  

7.38%, 5/1/26 (1)

     24,012        25,162  

C&W Senior Financing DAC,

     

6.88%, 9/15/27 (1)

     9,451        9,817  

Connect Finco S.a.r.l./Connect
U.S. Finco LLC,

     

6.75%, 10/1/26 (1)

     12,275        12,314  

Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd.,

     

10.00%, 4/1/24 (8)

     10,431        7,993  

Millicom International Cellular S.A.,

     

5.13%, 1/15/28 (1)

     4,175        4,335  

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC,
6.50%, 10/15/27 (1)

     13,000        13,094  

Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC,

     

4.25%, 1/31/31 (1)

     10,200        10,378  
     
                83,093  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.3%

 

Telecom Italia Capital S.A.,

     

6.38%, 11/15/33

     9,451        11,247  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                 

(Cost $671,299)

        622,900  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

TERM LOANS – 1.4% (9)

 

Consumer Services – 0.2%

     

TruGreen L.P., Initial Refinancing Term Loan,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 3.75%),
3.90%, 3/19/26

     $4,872        $4,819  

Department Stores – 0.2%

     

J.C. Penney Corp., Inc., Loan,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
4.25%, 1.00% Floor),
5.25%, 6/23/23(10)

     24,577        7,568  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.5%

 

Alvogen Pharma U.S., Inc., January 2020 Loan,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
5.25%, 1.00% Floor),
6.25%, 12/31/23

     19,033        18,303  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.5%

 

Bass Pro Group LLC, Initial Term Loan,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.00%, 0.75% Floor),
5.75%, 9/25/24

     16,216        16,043  

Total Term Loans

                 

(Cost $64,509)

        46,733  
     
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

    

VALUE

(000S)

COMMON STOCKS – 0.4%

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 0.4%

     

Denbury, Inc.*

     574,466        $10,111  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.*

     319,081        5,517  
                15,628  

Total Common Stocks

                 

(Cost $40,236)

        15,628  
     

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.5%

 

Banks – 0.5%

 

GMAC Capital Trust I, (Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.79%),
6.07%(9)

     652,459        16,305  

Total Preferred Stocks

                 

(Cost $15,569)

        16,305  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   50   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

    

VALUE

(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.5%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(11) (12)

     51,726,888        $51,727        

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $51,727)

        51,727  
     

Total Investments – 98.6%

 

(Cost $3,522,805)

        3,352,955  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 1.4%

 

     47,013  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $3,399,968  

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.    

(2) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(3) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

(4) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(5) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation. Income is not being accrued.

(6) 

Restricted security that has been deemed illiquid. At September 30, 2020, the value of these restricted illiquid securities amounted to approximately $1,774,000 or 0.1% of net assets. Additional information on these restricted illiquid securities is as follows:

 

    SECURITY    ACQUISITION
AND
ENFORCEABLE
DATE
   COST
(000S)
 

JPR Royalty Sub LLC, 14.00%, 12/31/20

   3/10/11    $ 8,000  

Noble Holding International Ltd., 7.88%, 2/1/26

   1/17/18      7,350  

 

(7)

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(8)

Security is a payment in-kind bond (PIK), distributions received in-kind unless otherwise noted in the description.

(9)

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(10) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation.

(11)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(12)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

3M - 3 Month

5Y - 5 Year

CMT - Constant Maturity

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

PLC - Public Limited Company

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

TOTAL

(000S)

Corporate Bonds(1)

  $       $2,599,662       $–       $2,599,662    

Foreign Issuer Bonds(1)

          622,900             622,900  

Term Loans(1)

          46,733             46,733  

Common Stocks(1)

    15,628                   15,628  

Preferred Stocks(1)

          16,305             16,305  

Investment Companies

    51,727                   51,727  

Total Investments

  $ 67,355       $3,285,600       $–       $3,352,955  
(1)

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   51   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT BOND FUND

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 17. 0%

 

Automobile – 2.7%

    

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3
1.89%, 12/16/24

     $560        $575        

Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2
1.99%, 12/15/22

     212       213  

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC, Series 2020-1, Class A3
1.86%, 12/22/25(1)

     2,250       2,310  

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A3
1.85%, 3/15/23

     1,200       1,219  

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3
1.67%, 12/20/22

     490       497  

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3
1.84%, 9/16/24

     790       809  

Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A3
1.95%, 7/17/23(1)

     3,000       3,059  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A2A
0.62%, 5/15/23

     1,500       1,502  

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2A
0.93%, 12/20/22

     1,000       1,004  
     
               11,188  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 6.8%

 

BANK, Series 2018-BN14, Class A2
4.13%, 9/15/60

     3,880       4,204  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B2, Class A2
3.66%, 2/15/51

     2,355       2,464  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B6, Class A2
4.20%, 10/10/51

     3,710       3,981  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-C28, Class A4
3.23%, 10/15/48

     4,090       4,442  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C12, Class A4
4.26%, 10/15/46

     575       621  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 17.0%    continued

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 6.8% continued

 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C7, Class A4
2.92%, 2/15/46

     $2,200        $2,284        

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C3, Class A4
3.09%, 8/10/49

     4,970       5,146  

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C10, Class A3
2.88%, 12/15/45

     4,960       5,103  
     
               28,245  

Credit Card – 4.8%

    

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2018-8, Class A
3.18%, 4/15/24

     5,200       5,346  

BA Credit Card Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
1.74%, 1/15/25

     880       905  

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
2.84%, 12/15/24

     1,005       1,040  

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2018-A5, Class A5
3.32%, 3/15/24

     1,415       1,457  

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
3.04%, 7/15/24

     3,700       3,834  

Golden Credit Card Trust, Series 2019-2A, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.35%, 0.35% Floor),
0.50%, 10/15/23(2)

     1,000       1,002  

Master Credit Card Trust II, Series 2020-1A, Class A
1.99%, 9/21/24(1)

     2,200       2,282  

Synchrony Card Funding LLC, Series 2019-A1, Class A
2.95%, 3/15/25

     3,210       3,321  

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A
2.21%, 7/15/26

     1,000       1,028  
     
               20,215  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   52   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 17.0%    continued

 

Other – 2.7%

    

CNH Equipment Trust, Series 2018-A, Class A3
3.12%, 7/17/23

     $1,710        $1,738        

CNH Equipment Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A3
3.01%, 4/15/24

     2,900       2,976  

CNH Equipment Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A3
2.52%, 8/15/24

     2,540       2,600  

John Deere Owner Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A3
2.91%, 7/17/23

     2,175       2,224  

Verizon Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A1A
1.85%, 7/22/24

     1,550       1,590  
     
               11,128  

Total Asset-Backed Securities

 

(Cost $68,799)

       70,776  
    

CORPORATE BONDS – 27.8%

 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.7%

 

Boeing (The) Co.,
4.51%, 5/1/23

     1,000       1,054  

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.80%),
1.05%, 6/15/21 (2)

     1,830       1,731  
     
               2,785  

Airlines – 0.5%

    

American Airlines Group, Inc.,
3.75%, 3/1/25 (1)

     1,100       558  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.,
3.40%, 4/19/21

     1,530       1,524  
     
               2,082  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.3%

 

VF Corp.,
2.05%, 4/23/22

     1,000       1,025  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 1.5%

 

American Honda Finance Corp.,
0.88%, 7/7/23

     1,790       1,805  

BMW U.S. Capital LLC,
3.80%, 4/6/23 (1)

     800       862  

General Motors Co.,
5.40%, 10/2/23

     1,000       1,102  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%    continued

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 1.5%    continued

 

Hyundai Capital America,
2.85%, 11/1/22 (1)

     $530        $548        

1.25%, 9/18/23 (1)

     410       409  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
1.15%, 5/26/22

     1,000       1,013  

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC,
3.13%, 5/12/23 (1)

     630       665  
     
               6,404  

Banks – 0.9%

    

CIT Bank N.A.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.72%),
2.97%, 9/27/25 (3)

     450       447  

Discover Bank,
3.20%, 8/9/21

     805       821  

Fifth Third Bancorp,
2.38%, 1/28/25

     265       281  

KeyBank N.A.,
1.25%, 3/10/23

     600       611  

PNC Bank N.A.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.67%, 12/9/22 (2)

     1,000       1,003  

Synchrony Bank,
3.65%, 5/24/21

     580       589  
     
               3,752  

Biotechnology – 0.2%

    

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,
0.75%, 9/29/23

     940       942  

Chemicals – 0.9%

    

Albemarle Corp.,
(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.05%), 1.33%, 11/15/22 (2)

     350       349  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.,
4.21%, 11/15/23

     890       977  

Eastman Chemical Co.,
3.50%, 12/1/21

     1,110       1,144  

Mosaic (The) Co.,
3.75%, 11/15/21

     1,124       1,153  
     
               3,623  

Commercial Finance – 0.3%

    

Air Lease Corp.,
3.50%, 1/15/22

     986       1,012  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   53   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT BOND FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%    continued

 

Consumer Finance – 1.9%

 

Ally Financial, Inc.,
3.88%, 5/21/24

     $1,000        $1,066        

American Express Co.,
2.50%, 7/30/24

     1,000       1,064  

Capital One Financial Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.95%),
1.19%, 3/9/22 (2)

     1,120       1,128  

Fiserv, Inc.,
2.75%, 7/1/24

     260       278  

Global Payments, Inc.,
2.65%, 2/15/25

     500       531  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp.,
4.25%, 2/1/27 (1)

     1,100       951  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.,
1.35%, 6/1/23

     1,050       1,073  

2.40%, 10/1/24

     660       699  

Quicken Loans LLC/Quicken Loans Co-Issuer, Inc.,
3.63%, 3/1/29 (1)

     1,000       991  

Synchrony Financial,
2.85%, 7/25/22

     230       237  
     
               8,018  

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

 

Graphic Packaging International LLC,
4.75%, 7/15/27(1)

     1,180       1,277  

Diversified Banks – 1.1%

 

Bank of America Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.96%),
1.22%, 7/23/24 (2)

     995       1,007  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.76%),
1.01%, 9/15/26 (2)

     895       887  

Citigroup, Inc.,
2.70%, 3/30/21

     725       734  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.69%),
0.93%, 10/27/22 (2)

     1,010       1,015  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.70%),
3.21%, 4/1/23 (3)

     1,035       1,075  
     
               4,718  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.8%

 

Amphenol Corp.,
2.05%, 3/1/25

     780       818  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%    continued

 

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.8%    continued

 

Carrier Global Corp.,
1.92%, 2/15/23 (1)

     $200        $206        

Keysight Technologies, Inc.,
4.55%, 10/30/24

     850       960  

Otis Worldwide Corp.,
2.06%, 4/5/25

     500       526  

Roper Technologies, Inc.,
0.45%, 8/15/22

     120       120  

2.35%, 9/15/24

     470       497  
     
               3,127  

Exploration & Production – 0.3%

 

EQT Corp.,
7.88%, 2/1/25

     1,100       1,219  

Financial Services – 1.3%

    

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.,
3.00%, 3/22/22

     710       737  

Ares Capital Corp.,
4.20%, 6/10/24

     950       990  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.05%),
1.30%, 6/5/23 (2)

     1,255       1,263  

Icahn Enterprises L.P./Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.,
4.75%, 9/15/24

     950       962  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,
0.70%, 6/15/23

     230       230  

Morgan Stanley,
5.50%, 7/28/21

     1,005       1,047  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 1.15%),
2.72%, 7/22/25 (3)

     230       244  
     
               5,473  

Food & Beverage – 0.6%

 

Cargill, Inc.,
1.38%, 7/23/23 (1)

     1,020       1,043  

Hershey (The) Co.,
0.90%, 6/1/25

     590       593  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.,
4.88%, 5/15/28 (1)

     660       713  
     
               2,349  

Hardware – 0.5%

    

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,
5.45%, 6/15/23 (1)

     460       504  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   54   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%    continued

 

Hardware – 0.5%     continued

    

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., 4.40%, 10/15/22

     $555        $593        

4.45%, 10/2/23

     1,000       1,099  
     
               2,196  

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.6%

 

 

Cigna Corp.,
(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.65%),
0.90%, 9/17/21 (2)

     1,000       1,000  

CVS Health Corp.,
2.63%, 8/15/24

     610       650  

McKesson Corp.,
3.65%, 11/30/20

     690       694  
     
               2,344  

Homebuilders – 0.6%

    

D.R. Horton, Inc.,
2.55%, 12/1/20

     1,535       1,540  

Forestar Group, Inc.,
5.00%, 3/1/28 (1)

     1,100       1,111  
     
               2,651  

Industrial Other – 0.2%

    

WW Grainger, Inc.,
1.85%, 2/15/25

     650       681  

Integrated Oils – 0.6%

    

Chevron Corp.,
1.14%, 5/11/23

     160       163  

Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.20%),
0.46%, 8/11/23 (2)

     1,350       1,350  

Exxon Mobil Corp.,
1.57%, 4/15/23

     1,100       1,131  
     
               2,644  

Internet Media – 0.3%

    

Expedia Group, Inc.,
3.60%, 12/15/23(1)

     1,000       1,022  

Life Insurance – 0.8%

    

MassMutual Global Funding II,
2.25%, 7/1/22 (1)

     1,880       1,944  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I,
0.90%, 6/8/23 (1)

     340       343  

Principal Life Global Funding II,
2.25%, 11/21/24 (1)

     930       985  
     
               3,272  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%    continued

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.5%

 

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,
1.95%, 7/2/23

     $210        $214        

4.20%, 1/15/24

     730       784  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.,
2.70%, 6/14/24

     900       964  
     
               1,962  

Managed Care – 0.6%

 

Anthem, Inc.,
2.38%, 1/15/25

     1,180       1,255  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,
2.38%, 8/15/24

     1,170       1,246  
     
               2,501  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

Alcon Finance Corp.,
2.75%, 9/23/26(1)

     400       435  

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.1%

 

Baker Hughes a GE Co. LLC/Baker Hughes Co-Obligor, Inc.,
2.77%, 12/15/22

     430       450  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.7%

 

GlaxoSmithKline Capital, Inc.,
3.38%, 5/15/23

     1,300       1,400  

Horizon Therapeutics U.S.A., Inc.,
5.50%, 8/1/27 (1)

     1,000       1,061  

Upjohn, Inc.,
1.13%, 6/22/22 (1)

     600       604  
     
               3,065  

Pipeline – 0.4%

 

Energy Transfer Partners L.P./Regency
Energy Finance Corp.,
5.88%, 3/1/22

     690       721  

ONEOK, Inc.,
2.20%, 9/15/25

     500       493  

Plains All American Pipeline L.P.,
(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.11%),
6.13%, 11/15/22 (3) (4)

     525       333  
     
               1,547  

Power Generation – 0.4%

    

Calpine Corp.,
4.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     900       922  

NRG Energy, Inc.,
3.75%, 6/15/24 (1)

     300       320  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   55   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT BOND FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%     continued

 

  

Power Generation – 0.4%     continued

 

  

Terraform Global Operating LLC,
6.13%, 3/1/26 (1)

     $395        $402  
                1,644  

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.1%

 

  

Entercom Media Corp.,
7.25%, 11/1/24(1)

     695        591  

Real Estate – 3.2%

     

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership L.P.,
3.75%, 4/15/23

     1,210        1,273  

American Tower Corp.,
2.40%, 3/15/25

     945        999  

1.30%, 9/15/25

     940        950  

Corporate Office Properties L.P.,
2.25%, 3/15/26

     400        405  

Crown Castle International Corp.,
3.15%, 7/15/23

     2,075        2,207  

1.35%, 7/15/25

     400        404  

Equinix, Inc.,
2.63%, 11/18/24

     975        1,037  

ESH Hospitality, Inc.,
4.63%, 10/1/27 (1) 

     1,130        1,109  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.,
3.25%, 7/15/26

     1,150        1,284  

Iron Mountain, Inc.,
4.88%, 9/15/27 (1)

     480        489  

iStar, Inc.,
4.75%, 10/1/24

     540        522  

MPT Operating Partnership L.P./MPT Finance Corp.,
4.63%, 8/1/29

     1,100        1,144  

Simon Property Group L.P.,
2.00%, 9/13/24

     870        897  

Welltower, Inc.,
3.63%, 3/15/24

     650        703  
     
                13,423  

Refining & Marketing – 1.7%

 

  

CVR Energy, Inc.,
5.25%, 2/15/25 (1)

     1,100        957  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.,
5.13%, 3/1/21

     500        509  

Phillips 66,
3.70%, 4/6/23

     300        321  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8%     continued

 

  

Refining & Marketing – 1.7%     continued

 

  

3.85%, 4/9/25

     $1,900        $2,110  

Valero Energy Corp.,
2.70%, 4/15/23

     390        404  

1.20%, 3/15/24

     2,890        2,878  
     
                7,179  

Restaurants – 0.1%

     

Starbucks Corp.,
1.30%, 5/7/22

     360        365  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.3%

 

  

eBay, Inc.,
1.90%, 3/11/25

     1,300        1,355  

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.3%

 

  

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp.,
1.63%, 8/17/25

     1,310        1,316  

Software & Services – 0.8%

     

Intuit, Inc.,
0.65%, 7/15/23

     1,110        1,115  

PTC, Inc.,
4.00%, 2/15/28 (1)

     1,190        1,223  

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.,
10.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     1,035        1,082  
     
                3,420  

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.4%

 

  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.,
3.30%, 11/18/21

     1,600        1,641  

Transportation & Logistics – 0.8%

 

  

Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.,
4.75%, 2/1/28 (1)

     1,200        1,212  

PACCAR Financial Corp.,
0.80%, 6/8/23

     120        121  

0.35%, 8/11/23

     590        589  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P./PTL Finance Corp.,
3.65%, 7/29/21 (1)

     1,250        1,279  
     
                3,201  

Utilities – 1.2%

     

Ameren Corp.,
2.50%, 9/15/24

     420        445  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.,
3.65%, 12/1/21

     665        688  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.,
3.60%, 11/1/21

     995        1,028  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   56   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 27.8% continued

 

  

Utilities – 1.2%     continued

     

Dominion Energy, Inc.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.53%), 0.78%, 9/15/23 (2)

     $400        $401  

DTE Energy Co.,
1.05%, 6/1/25

     1,660        1,659  

Xcel Energy, Inc.,
0.50%, 10/15/23

     860        859  
     
                5,080  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.3%

 

Republic Services, Inc.,
2.50%, 8/15/24

     570        607  

Stericycle, Inc.,
5.38%, 7/15/24 (1)

     630        654  
     
                1,261  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.3%

 

  

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.,
3.50%, 4/15/25(1)

     1,100        1,207  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.3%

 

  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,
4.63%, 9/15/27(1)

     1,100        1,130  

Total Corporate Bonds

                 

(Cost $113,640)

        115,389  
     

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 14.8%

 

  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.,
3.04%, 9/15/23(1)

     1,000        1,014  

Banks – 5.1%

     

Bank of New Zealand,
2.00%, 2/21/25 (1)

     1,170        1,225  

Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel S.A.,
2.13%, 11/21/22 (1)

     600        619  

Barclays Bank PLC,
1.70%, 5/12/22

     580        590  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,

 

  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.79%),
2.61%, 7/22/23 (3)

     1,000        1,037  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA,

     

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.00%),
1.34%, 6/24/26 (1) (3)

     1,950        1,974  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
    
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 14.8% continued

 

  

Banks – 5.1%     continued

     

Credit Suisse A.G.,
2.80%, 4/8/22

     $300        $311  

Federation des Caisses Desjardins du Quebec,
2.05%, 2/10/25 (1)

     1,500        1,566  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,

     

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.00%),
2.44%, 2/5/26 (3)

     1,110        1,150  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.,
2.30%, 1/22/25 (1)

     1,000        1,059  

National Bank of Canada,
2.10%, 2/1/23

     1,400        1,447  

Nordea Bank Abp,
1.00%, 6/9/23 (1)

     250        253  

0.75%, 8/28/25 (1)

     2,600        2,586  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB,
3.05%, 3/25/22 (1)

     1,050        1,090  

2.20%, 12/12/22 (1)

     200        207  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB,
0.63%, 6/30/23 (1)

     600        602  

Swedbank AB,
1.30%, 6/2/23 (1)

     500        510  

0.60%, 9/25/23 (1)

     800        798  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The),
0.75%, 6/12/23

     800        805  

0.45%, 9/11/23

     2,000        1,996  

Westpac Banking Corp.,
2.35%, 2/19/25

     1,170        1,249  
     
                21,074  

Central Bank – 0.1%

     

Bank of England Euro Note,
0.50%, 4/28/23(1)

     600        603  

Commercial Finance – 0.5%

     

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust,
3.15%, 2/15/24

     1,050        1,040  

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd.,
2.88%, 2/15/25 (1)

     1,000        916  

Fly Leasing Ltd.,
5.25%, 10/15/24

     370        305  
     
                2,261  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   57   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT BOND FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 14.8%    continued

 

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

 

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings U.S.A., Inc., 5.25%, 8/15/27(1)

     $1,000        $1,019        

Diversified Banks – 2.3%

    

Bank of Nova Scotia (The),
1.63%, 5/1/23

     1,000       1,026  

BNP Paribas S.A.,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.11%),
2.82%, 11/19/25 (1) (3)

     1,110       1,170  

Credit Agricole S.A.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.02%),
1.28%, 4/24/23 (1) (2)

     1,045       1,053  

HSBC Holdings PLC,

    

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.06%),
3.26%, 3/13/23 (3)

     1,000       1,034  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.,
2.80%, 7/18/24

     1,000       1,068  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.61%),
0.86%, 9/8/24 (2)

     1,500       1,496  

Royal Bank of Canada,
1.95%, 1/17/23

     700       724  

1.15%, 6/10/25

     600       608  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.,
2.45%, 9/27/24

     1,200       1,268  
     
               9,447  

Exploration & Production – 0.4%

 

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2018 Ltd.,
2.50%, 11/12/24(1)

     1,495       1,564  

Financial Services – 0.9%

    

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd.,
0.80%, 9/12/23 (1)

     1,500       1,502  

UBS Group A.G.,

    

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 0.83%),
1.01%, 7/30/24 (1) (3)

     2,150       2,155  
     
               3,657  

Food & Beverage – 0.6%

    

JBS U.S.A. LUX S.A./JBS U.S.A. Food Co./JBS U.S.A. Finance, Inc.,
5.50%, 1/15/30 (1)

     725       789  

MARB BondCo PLC,
6.88%, 1/19/25 (1)

     440       455  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 14.8%    continued

 

Food & Beverage – 0.6%     continued

 

Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands B.V.,
2.13%, 9/19/22 (1)

     $920        $949        

Pernod Ricard S.A.,
5.75%, 4/7/21 (1)

     312       321  
     
               2,514  

Government Agencies – 0.3%

    

Kommunalbanken AS,
2.00%, 6/19/24 (1)

     300       318  

0.38%, 9/11/25 (1)

     1,100       1,095  
     
               1,413  

Government Development Banks – 0.3%

 

BNG Bank N.V.,
0.75%, 4/17/23 (1)

     600       607  

Japan Bank for International Cooperation,
1.63%, 10/17/22

     800       820  
     
               1,427  

Government Local – 0.3%

    

Japan Finance Organization for Municipalities,
1.75%, 9/5/24(1)

     1,020       1,064  

Government Regional – 0.1%

    

Kommuninvest I Sverige AB,
0.50%, 2/2/22(1)

     400       401  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

DH Europe Finance II S.a.r.l.,
2.20%, 11/15/24

     840       888  

Pharmaceuticals – 1.9%

    

AstraZeneca PLC,
0.70%, 4/8/26

     4,470       4,413  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,
6.13%, 4/15/25 (1)

     1,035       1,060  

GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC,
0.53%, 10/1/23

     270       270  

Mylan N.V.,
3.15%, 6/15/21

     1,510       1,534  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC,
2.40%, 9/23/21

     405       412  
     
               7,689  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   58   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 14.8%    continued

 

Pipeline – 0.1%

    

Enbridge, Inc.,
2.50%, 1/15/25

     $510        $537        

Power Generation – 0.3%

    

Drax Finco PLC,
6.63%, 11/1/25(1)

     1,200       1,248  

Software & Services – 0.3%

    

Open Text Corp.,
3.88%, 2/15/28(1)

     1,100       1,113  

Supranationals – 0.4%

    

Nordic Investment Bank,
0.38%, 5/19/23

     1,600       1,605  

Travel & Lodging – 0.0%

    

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,
5.25%, 11/15/22

     176       157  

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

Altice France Holding S.A.,
6.00%, 2/15/28(1)

     1,000       954  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                

(Cost $60,732)

       61,649  

    

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 13.0% (5)

 

Fannie Mae – 6.5%

    

Pool #555649,
7.50%, 10/1/32

     13       15  

Pool #AD0915,
5.50%, 12/1/38

     30       35  

Pool #AI3471,
5.00%, 6/1/41

     102       117  

Pool #AL1746,
3.50%, 3/1/27

     727       770  

Pool #AL2049,
3.50%, 11/1/26

     348       369  

Pool #BA6574,
3.00%, 1/1/31

     1,297       1,363  

Pool #BC0266,
3.50%, 2/1/31

     916       992  

Pool #BC1465,
2.50%, 7/1/31

     659       690  

Pool #BM1239,
3.50%, 2/1/32

     1,150       1,224  

Pool #BM4386,
2.50%, 8/1/30

     1,409       1,473  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 13.0% (5)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 6.5%     continued

    

Pool #BM4485,
3.00%, 9/1/30

     $2,218        $2,332        

Pool #BM5017,
3.00%, 3/1/30

     1,089       1,159  

Pool #BM5525,
4.00%, 3/1/31

     430       457  

Pool #BM5706,
2.00%, 6/1/30

     683       713  

Pool #BM5708,
3.00%, 12/1/29

     182       191  

Pool #FM1454,
2.50%, 9/1/28

     1,213       1,273  

Pool #FM1472,
3.50%, 3/1/34

     1,356       1,436  

Pool #FM1551,
3.00%, 6/1/27

     177       186  

Pool #FM1773,
3.00%, 12/1/31

     1,059       1,113  

Pool #FM1842,
3.50%, 6/1/34

     945       999  

Pool #FM1849,
3.50%, 12/1/33

     1,163       1,237  

Pool #FM1852,
3.00%, 7/1/33

     1,194       1,275  

Pool #FM1897,
3.00%, 9/1/32

     981       1,055  

Pool #FM3022,
3.50%, 9/1/32

     1,782       1,887  

Pool #FM3308,
3.00%, 4/1/32

     3,418       3,590  

Pool #MA2709,
2.50%, 8/1/31

     917       958  
     
               26,909  

Freddie Mac – 5.1%

    

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
0.13%, 7/25/22

     1,000       999  

0.25%, 8/24/23

     4,300       4,303  

Pool #1B3617,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.92%, 1.92% Floor, 11.11% Cap),
3.66%, 10/1/37(2)

     80       82  

Pool #SB0084,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     3,311       3,537  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   59   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT BOND FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 13.0% (5)    continued

 

Freddie Mac – 5.1%    continued

    

Pool #SB0215,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     $1,206        $1,268        

Pool #SB0216,
3.00%, 12/1/32

     1,977       2,079  

Pool #SB0329,
3.00%, 9/1/32

     2,636       2,788  

Pool #ZA2807,
2.50%, 2/1/28

     179       189  

Pool #ZK2807,
3.50%, 12/1/25

     1,119       1,186  

Pool #ZK2834,
3.50%, 12/1/25

     341       361  

Pool #ZK4449,
2.50%, 9/1/27

     160       167  

Pool #ZS7325,
2.50%, 7/1/29

     1,123       1,175  

Pool #ZS7735,
2.00%, 1/1/32

     877       916  

Pool #ZS8598,
3.00%, 2/1/31

     1,453       1,529  

Pool #ZS8610,
2.50%, 5/1/31

     772       808  
     
               21,387  

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.1%

    

Pool #A92650,
5.50%, 6/1/40

     108       124  

Pool #E04232,
2.50%, 2/1/28

     868       917  

Pool #E04360,
2.50%, 4/1/28

     684       722  

Pool #E09021,
2.50%, 2/1/28

     1,243       1,301  

Pool #G16618,
2.50%, 1/1/30

     1,349       1,413  
     
               4,477  

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.3%

 

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-95, Class QG,

    

2.50%, 8/20/46

     1,029       1,072  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $52,685)

       53,845  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 23.8%

 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 5.4%

 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.12%),
0.22%, 1/31/21(2)

     $1,500        $1,501        

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.11%),
0.21%, 4/30/22(2)

     21,000       21,020  
     
               22,521  

U.S. Treasury Notes – 18.4%

 

2.38%, 3/15/21

     9,000       9,093  

2.38%, 4/15/21

     7,170       7,258  

2.25%, 4/30/21

     5,019       5,082  

2.63%, 5/15/21

     14,341       14,563  

2.13%, 5/31/21

     8,000       8,106  

1.63%, 6/30/21

     7,507       7,590  

0.13%, 4/30/22

     15,000       15,001  

1.38%, 10/15/22

     699       717  

1.38%, 2/15/23

     2,700       2,779  

0.13%, 5/15/23

     6,000       5,997  
     
               76,186  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $97,972)

       98,707  

    

    

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 1.4%

    

California – 0.2%

    

California State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Bid Group B,
2.50%, 10/1/22

     910       947  

Florida – 0.5%

    

Florida State Board of Administration Finance Corp. Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A,
1.26%, 7/1/25

     1,100       1,117  

Miami-Dade County Taxable Capital Asset Acquisition Special Obligation Revenue Bonds,
0.38%, 4/1/23

     1,035       1,033  
     
               2,150  

New York – 0.7%

    

New York State Thruway Authority Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series M,
2.12%, 1/1/24

     640       650  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   60   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    


PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT
(000S)

 

 
 

   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 1.4%     continued

 

New York – 0.7%     continued

    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series AAA, 1.09%, 7/1/23

     $2,000        $2,029        
               2,679  

Total Municipal Bonds

                

(Cost $5,695)

       5,776  
    
    
NUMBER
OF SHARES
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.7%

 

FlexShares® Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund(6)

     202,000       $4,881  

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(6) (7)

     2,097,961       2,098  

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $6,758)

       6,979  
    

Total Investments – 99.5%

 

(Cost $406,281)

       413,121  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.5%

 

    2,027  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

     $ 415,148  

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(2) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(3) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

 

(4) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

 

(5) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

 

(6) 

Investment in affiliated fund. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds and FlexShares Trust.

 

(7) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

CMT - Constant Maturity

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

G.O. - General Obligation

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MBS - Mortgage Backed Securities

MMY - Money Market Yield

PLC - Public Limited Company

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    TOTAL
(000S)

Asset-Backed Securities(1)

    $  —       $ 70,776       $—       $ 70,776     

Corporate Bonds(1)

          115,389             115,389  

Foreign Issuer
Bonds(1)

          61,649             61,649  

U.S. Government Agencies(1)

          53,845             53,845  

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

          98,707             98,707  

Municipal Bonds(1)

          5,776             5,776  

Investment Companies

    6,979                   6,979  

Total Investments

    $6,979       $406,142       $—       $413,121  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Statement of Investments

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   61   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 9.6% (1)

 

Fannie Mae – 6.9%

    

Pool #555649,
7.50%, 10/1/32

     $25        $28        

Pool #AS4186,
2.50%, 1/1/30

     293       310  

Pool #AS8597,
2.50%, 1/1/32

     300       317  

Pool #BH9277,
3.50%, 2/1/48

     380       402  

Pool #BM1239,
3.50%, 2/1/32

     215       229  

Pool #BM5017,
3.00%, 3/1/30

     248       264  

Pool #FM1454,
2.50%, 9/1/28

     276       290  

Pool #FM1472,
3.50%, 3/1/34

     370       392  

Pool #FM1842,
3.50%, 6/1/34

     215       227  

Pool #FM1849,
3.50%, 12/1/33

     727       773  

Pool #FM1852,
3.00%, 7/1/33

     272       290  

Pool #FM1897,
3.00%, 9/1/32

     731       786  

Pool #FM3308,
3.00%, 4/1/32

     251       264  

Pool #MA2709,
2.50%, 8/1/31

     683       714  

Pool #MA3027,
4.00%, 6/1/47

     115       123  
     
               5,409  

Freddie Mac – 1.8%

    

Pool #SB0084,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     473       505  

Pool #SB0215,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     275       289  

Pool #SB0216,
3.00%, 12/1/32

     288       303  

Pool #ZS7325,
2.50%, 7/1/29

     256       268  

Pool #ZS7735,
2.00%, 1/1/32

     6       6  
               1,371  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 9.6% (1)     continued

 

Freddie Mac Gold – 0.4%

    

Pool #E09021,
2.50%, 2/1/28

     $283         $296        

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.4%

 

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-95, Class QG,
2.50%, 8/20/46

     263       274  

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.1%

 

Pool #676682,

    

4.50%, 6/15/25

     55       58  

Pool #782618,

    

4.50%, 4/15/24

     23       24  

Pool #783245,

    

5.00%, 9/15/24

     24       24  

Pool #783489,

    

5.00%, 6/15/25

     11       12  
               118  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $7,271)

       7,468  
    

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 89.4%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 89.4%

 

0.13%, 8/31/22

     28,907       28,906  

0.13%, 8/15/23

     27,530       27,508  

0.25%, 8/31/25

     13,333       13,323  
               69,737  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $69,716)

       69,737  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES


 

   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.0%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(2) (3)

     778,744     $ 779  

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $779)

       779  
    

Total Investments – 100.0%

 

(Cost $77,766)

       77,984  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.0%)

 

    (23

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

     $ 77,961  

 

(1) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   62   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

(2) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(3) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    TOTAL
(000S)

U.S. Government
Agencies(1)

    $ —     $ 7,468       $—     $ 7,468     

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

          69,737             69,737  

Investment Companies

    779                   779  

Total Investments

    $779     $ 77,205       $—     $ 77,984  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   63   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

COMMERCIAL PAPER – 0.4%

 

Chemicals – 0.4%

    

EI du Pont de Nemours and Co.,
0.85%, 12/3/20(1) (2)

     $20,000        $19,993        

Total Commercial Paper

                

(Cost $19,970)

       19,993  
    

CORPORATE BONDS – 12.0%

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 3.3%

 

American Honda Finance Corp.,
1.95%, 5/20/22

     5,000       5,121  

0.88%, 7/7/23

     30,000       30,247  

BMW U.S. Capital LLC,
3.80%, 4/6/23 (1)

     8,900       9,589  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,
1.70%, 8/18/23

     10,000       10,025  

Hyundai Capital America,
1.25%, 9/18/23 (1)

     22,720       22,669  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.13%),
0.38%, 8/13/21 (3)

     10,000       10,007  

1.15%, 5/26/22

     30,000       30,380  

0.45%, 7/22/22

     20,000       20,042  

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC,
3.13%, 5/12/23 (1)

     11,850       12,509  
     
               150,589  

Banks – 1.7%

    

Capital One N.A.,
2.15%, 9/6/22

     12,500       12,848  

Citibank N.A.,
3.40%, 7/23/21

     15,000       15,346  

M&T Bank Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.68%),
0.92%, 7/26/23 (3)

     12,708       12,814  

Truist Bank,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.59%),
0.84%, 8/2/22 (3)

     11,200       11,239  

U.S. Bank N.A.,
1.80%, 1/21/22

     10,000       10,191  

2.65%, 5/23/22

     15,000       15,553  
     
               77,991  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 12.0%    continued

 

Biotechnology – 0.2%

    

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.52%),
0.74%, 9/29/23(3)

     $10,900        $10,913        

Chemicals – 0.3%

 

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.,
2.17%, 5/1/23

     12,600       12,730  

Consumer Finance – 0.5%

 

American Express Co.,
3.70%, 11/5/21

     11,413       11,793  

Capital One Financial Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.72%),
0.99%, 1/30/23 (3)

     5,000       5,002  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.,
2.20%, 9/26/22

     5,000       5,168  
     
               21,963  

Diversified Banks – 0.4%

    

Bank of America Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.38%),
0.64%, 1/23/22 (3)

     10,000       10,008  

Citigroup, Inc.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 0.87%),
2.31%, 11/4/22 (4)

     10,000       10,183  
     
               20,191  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.5%

 

Honeywell International, Inc.,
0.48%, 8/19/22

     20,000       20,033  

Otis Worldwide Corp., (Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.45%),
0.23%, 4/5/23 (3)

     2,400       2,401  
     
               22,434  

Entertainment Content – 0.1%

 

Fox Corp.,
3.67%, 1/25/22

     2,900       3,024  

Financial Services – 0.3%

    

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.,
1.85%, 1/27/23

     10,000       10,317  

Morgan Stanley,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.40%),
1.67%, 4/21/21 (3)

     2,000       2,014  
               12,331  

Food & Beverage – 0.4%

    

Mondelez International, Inc.,
0.63%, 7/1/22

     12,200       12,243  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   64   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 12.0%    continued

 

Food & Beverage – 0.4%     continued

 

2.13%, 4/13/23

     $2,630        $2,729        

PepsiCo, Inc.,
0.75%, 5/1/23

     2,920        2,950  
     
                17,922  

Hardware – 0.1%

     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.68%),
0.93%, 3/12/21(3)

     5,000        5,010  

Integrated Oils – 0.3%

 

BP Capital Markets America, Inc.,
2.94%, 4/6/23

     3,400        3,596  

Chevron Corp.,
1.14%, 5/11/23

     2,000        2,039  

Exxon Mobil Corp.,
1.57%, 4/15/23

     10,000        10,286  
     
                15,921  

Machinery Manufacturing – 1.5%

 

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.22%),
0.45%, 1/6/22 (3)

     9,620        9,629  

0.95%, 5/13/22

     29,250        29,519  

0.45%, 9/14/23

     10,000        9,996  

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,
1.95%, 7/2/23

     7,900        8,048  

John Deere Capital Corp.,
0.55%, 7/5/22

     10,700        10,755  
     
                67,947  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.0%

 

AbbVie, Inc.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.46%),
0.73%, 11/19/21(1) (3)

     1,600        1,604  

Refining & Marketing – 1.2%

 

Phillips 66,
3.70%, 4/6/23

     5,500        5,888  

Valero Energy Corp.,
2.70%, 4/15/23

     4,920        5,098  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.15%),
1.40%, 9/15/23 (3)

     43,000        42,852  
                53,838  

Restaurants – 0.1%

     

Starbucks Corp.,
1.30%, 5/7/22

     3,330        3,375  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 12.0%    continued

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.1%

 

Amazon.com, Inc.,
0.40%, 6/3/23

     $5,000        $5,022        

Tobacco – 0.2%

     

Altria Group, Inc.,
3.49%, 2/14/22

     6,000        6,240  

Philip Morris International, Inc.,
1.13%, 5/1/23

     4,540        4,610  
     
                10,850  

Transportation & Logistics – 0.1%

 

PACCAR Financial Corp.,
0.80%, 6/8/23

     4,960        4,995  

Utilities – 0.7%

 

Florida Power & Light Co.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.38%),
0.64%, 7/28/23 (3)

     9,380        9,387  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.,
2.40%, 9/1/21

     18,800        19,157  

2.90%, 4/1/22

     5,000        5,177  
                33,721  

Total Corporate Bonds

 

(Cost $544,623)

        552,371  
     

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 7.8%

 

Banks – 4.2%

     

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
3.40%, 8/27/21 (1)

     5,600        5,753  

ANZ New Zealand International Ltd.,
1.90%, 2/13/23 (1)

     20,000        20,597  

Barclays Bank PLC,
1.70%, 5/12/22

     13,600        13,835  

Credit Suisse A.G.,
2.80%, 4/8/22

     3,400        3,521  

1.00%, 5/5/23

     26,500        26,778  

ING Groep N.V.,

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.15%),
1.37%, 3/29/22 (3)

     10,030        10,127  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.00%),
1.23%, 10/2/23 (3)

     5,900        5,975  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,

     

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.10%),
1.33%, 6/15/23 (4)

     5,500        5,532  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   65   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.8%     continued

 

Banks – 4.2%     continued

 

 

National Australia Bank Ltd.,
1.88%, 12/13/22

     $5,000        $5,164  

Nordea Bank Abp,
1.00%, 6/9/23 (1)

     7,000       7,094  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.94%), 1.20%, 8/30/23 (1) (3)

     5,800       5,807  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB,
0.63%, 6/30/23 (1)

     5,000       5,017  

Swedbank AB,
1.30%, 6/2/23 (1)

     7,100       7,236  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The),
0.75%, 6/12/23

     40,000       40,260  

0.45%, 9/11/23

     20,000       19,963  

Westpac Banking Corp.,
2.00%, 1/13/23

     8,000       8,293  
   
        190,952  

Diversified Banks – 2.3%

 

 

Bank of Nova Scotia (The),

 

 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.55%),
0.63%, 9/15/23 (3)

     45,000       45,026  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.,
2.62%, 7/18/22

     14,000       14,508  

Royal Bank of Canada,
1.95%, 1/17/23

     15,000       15,516  

1.60%, 4/17/23

     24,800       25,451  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.,

 

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.68%),
1.92%, 3/9/21 (3)

     7,000       7,048  
   
        107,549  

Financial Services – 0.6%

 

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd.,
0.80%, 9/12/23(1)

     27,400       27,441        

Food & Beverage – 0.2%

 

 

Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands B.V.,
2.13%, 9/19/22(1)

     9,000       9,288  

Government Regional – 0.2%

 

 

Province of Ontario Canada,
1.75%, 1/24/23

     10,000       10,314  

Integrated Oils – 0.2%

 

 

Shell International Finance B.V.,
0.38%, 9/15/23

     10,000       9,963  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.8%     continued

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.1%

 

 

GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC,
0.53%, 10/1/23

     $5,000        $5,008  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

 

       

(Cost $355,402)

 

    360,515  
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 0.7%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 0.7%

 

 

1.50%, 9/30/21

     13,000       13,177  

1.63%, 12/31/21

     20,000       20,372  
        33,549  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

       

(Cost $32,984)

 

    33,549  
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 60.4%

 

 

Alabama – 2.3%

 

 

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Prepay Revenue Bonds, Series-B-2,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.62%),
0.73%, 12/1/23(3) (5)

     60,000       60,065  

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 7/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     11,125       11,751  

South East Alabama State Gas Supply District Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series C, SIFMA Index-Project No. 1,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.65%),
0.76%, 4/1/24(3) (5)

     26,000       26,039  

University of Alabama University
General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     5,760       6,233  
   
        104,088        

Arizona – 0.2%

 

 

Maricopa County IDA Variable

 

 

Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

 

 

Banner Health,

 

 

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap
Index Yield + 0.57%),
0.68%, 10/18/24(3) (5)

     8,270       8,194  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   66   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

Arizona – 0.2%     continued

    

Pinal County Revenue Obligations Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     $2,000        $2,080  
     
               10,274        

California – 3.8%

    

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Index Rate Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Francisco Bridge,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.55%),
0.71%, 4/1/21(3) (5)

     10,000       10,000  

California State Department of Water Resources Central Valley Project Water System Variable Revenue Bonds, Series AT,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.37%),
0.48%, 12/1/22(3) (5)

     25,000       25,079  

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
2.00%, 11/1/22

     7,000       7,265  

California State G.O. Unlimited Floating Rate Bonds, Series B,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.38%),
0.49%, 12/1/22(3) (5)

     20,000       19,997  

California State Index Floating Rate G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.43%),
0.54%, 12/1/23(3) (5)

     30,000       30,005  

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, California Academy of Sciences,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.38%),
0.48%, 8/1/21(3) (5)

     4,000       3,987  

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, J. Paul Getty Trust,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.20%),
0.30%, 4/1/21(3) (5)

     30,000       30,002  

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Notes, Series C,
4.00%, 7/15/21

     5,750       5,923  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

California – 3.8%     continued

    

Los Angeles Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B-1, Election of 2016,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     $10,000        $10,399  

Los Angeles Municipal Improvement Corp. Lease Revenue Bonds, Series A, Capital Equipment,
5.00%, 11/1/21

     2,195       2,311  

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series RYQ,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     6,000       6,217  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     15,000       16,266  

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
7/1/22(7)

     5,165       5,598  
     
               173,049  

Colorado – 0.7%

    

Colorado State COPS, Series A,
5.00%, 12/15/21

     2,000       2,116  

5.00%, 12/15/22

     2,250       2,488  

Denver City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,
5.00%, 8/1/22

     20,000       21,776  

E-470 Public Highway Authority Senior Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Libor Index,

 

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 1.05%),
1.15%, 9/1/21(3) (5)

     6,000       6,017  
     
               32,397  

Connecticut – 1.7%

    

Connecticut State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,
3.00%, 6/1/22

     1,000       1,046  

Connecticut State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 2/15/21

     11,200       11,399  

5.00%, 1/15/22

     5,000       5,308  

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 2014A,
1.10%, 2/7/23(3) (5) (6)

     10,000       10,182        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   67   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

 

Connecticut – 1.7%     continued

 

 

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series U-2, Yale University Issue,
2.00%, 2/8/22(3) (5) (6)

     $10,000        $10,245  

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1, Yale University,
1.45%, 7/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     21,000       21,464  

Connecticut State HFA Housing Finance Mortgage Program Revenue Bonds, Series E-E2 (HUD Sector 8 Program),
1.40%, 11/15/21

     2,525       2,549  

1.40%, 5/15/22

     1,685       1,707  

New Canaan Housing Authority MFH Revenue Bonds,
0.44%, 3/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     12,500       12,497  
   
        76,397  

Delaware – 1.0%

 

 

Delaware State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 2/1/22

     10,000       10,647  

Delaware State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 1/1/22

     13,000       13,789  

5.00%, 1/1/23

     15,000       16,636  

University of Delaware Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 11/1/20

     1,450       1,456  

5.00%, 11/1/21

     1,600       1,683  
   
        44,211        

District of Columbia – 1.0%

 

 

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency MFH Revenue Bonds, The Strand Residences Project,
1.45%, 8/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     1,500       1,528  

District of Columbia Income Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     1,450       1,479  

District of Columbia Income Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Series C,
5.00%, 5/1/23

     1,250       1,405  

District of Columbia Income Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     21,000       22,019  

5.00%, 10/1/22

     13,195       14,474  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

 

District Of Columbia – 1.0%     continued

 

 

District of Columbia Revenue Bonds, Federal Highway Grant Anticipation,
5.00%, 12/1/21

     $2,000        $2,112  

5.00%, 12/1/22

     4,230       4,654  
   
        47,671        

Florida – 5.0%

 

 

Alachua County Facilities School Board COPS,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     1,000       1,036  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,350       1,462  

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Senior Secured Revenue Bonds, Series A-1,
5.00%, 6/1/22

     9,160       9,855  

Florida Development Finance Corp. Surface Transportation Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds (AMT), Virgin Trains U.S.A. Pass, Prerefunded,
0.55%, 1/28/21(3) (6) (8)

     100,000       100,000  

Florida State Board of Education G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 6/1/21

     35,000       36,123  

5.00%, 6/1/22

     2,000       2,160  

Florida State Board of Education G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,
5.00%, 6/1/23

     20,965       23,645  

Florida State Board of Education Public Education Capital Outlay G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 6/1/22

     1,480       1,599  

Florida State Board of Education Public Education Capital Outlay G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series D,
5.00%, 6/1/21

     4,505       4,650  

5.00%, 6/1/22

     4,385       4,737  

Florida State Department Transportation G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     13,000       13,469  

Florida State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue Bonds, Series 1 (GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC Insured),
1.35%, 1/1/22

     1,035       1,045  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   68   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

Florida – 5.0%     continued

    

Florida State Turnpike Authority Turnpike Revenue Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     $3,000        $3,252  

Florida State Turnpike Authority Turnpike Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     5,415       5,610  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     5,680       6,156  

Hillsborough County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Environmental Lands Acquisition & Protection Program,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,000       1,085  

Jacksonville Special Revenue Refunding

 

 

Bonds, Series A,

5.00%, 10/1/22

     3,570       3,908  

Jacksonville Special Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 10/1/22

     2,225       2,436  

Polk County School District Sales TRB,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     1,750       1,833  

Tampa Bay Water Regional Water Supply Authority Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Prerefunded,
5.00%, 10/1/20(8)

     1,150       1,150  

Volusia County School Board COPS,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     3,750       3,899  

5.00%, 8/1/22

     2,905       3,158  
     
               232,268  

Georgia – 2.4%

    

Atlanta Urban Residential Finance Authority MFH Revenue Bonds, London Townhomes,
0.44%, 3/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     10,000       10,000  

Brookhaven Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,000       1,081        

Cobb County Water & Sewerage Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     2,000       2,170  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

Georgia – 2.4%     continued

    

Gainesville & Hall County Hospital Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc., Project,
5.00%, 2/15/22

     $3,000        $3,178  

5.00%, 2/15/23

     3,750       4,133  

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-Group
1, 5.00%, 8/1/22

     30,550       33,269  

5.00%, 8/1/23

     45,515       51,745  

Henry County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),
5.00%, 8/1/21

     3,580       3,724  

Private Colleges & Universities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Emory University,
5.00%, 9/1/22

     3,000       3,277  
     
               112,577  

Illinois – 0.4%

    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT), Senior Lien,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     5,000       5,049  

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.75%),
0.86%, 7/1/23(3) (5)

     1,535       1,536  

Illinois State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Northpoint Illinois Preservation,
0.33%, 8/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     10,000       9,997  

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Senior Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     1,000       1,011  
     
               17,593        

Indiana – 0.4%

    

Indiana State Finance Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Indiana University Health Obligated Group,
1.65%, 7/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     5,000       5,081  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   69   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

Indiana – 0.4%     continued

    

Indiana State Finance Authority Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Series L, Indiana University Health,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.28%),
0.39%, 7/2/21(3) (5)

     $5,500        $5,493        

Indiana State Finance Authority State Revolving Funds Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,
5.00%, 2/1/21

     8,500       8,637  

Ivy Technology Community College Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series W, Student Fee,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     600       650  
     
               19,861  

Iowa – 0.1%

    

Iowa State Finance Authority SFM Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B (GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC Insured), (Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.30%),
0.41%, 5/3/21(3) (5)

     5,000       5,000  

Kansas – 0.3%

    

Johnson County Unified School District No. 229 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
3.00%, 10/1/21

     13,560       13,946  

Kentucky – 0.1%

    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B, Gas Supply,
4.00%, 7/1/21

     3,725       3,819  

Louisiana – 0.1%

    

East Baton Rouge Parish Capital Improvements District MovEBR Sales TRB,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     1,270       1,321  

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     5,000       5,342  
     
               6,663  

Maryland – 1.6%

    

Anne Arundel County G.O. Limited Bonds,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     5,000       5,243  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

Maryland – 1.6%     continued

    

Anne Arundel County G.O. Limited Bonds, Consolidated General Improvements,
5.00%, 4/1/22

     $2,000       $2,145  

Anne Arundel County G.O. Limited Bonds, Consolidated Water and Sewer,
5.00%, 10/1/22

     2,470       2,709  

Baltimore County Consolidated Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     4,500       4,809  

Baltimore County Consolidated Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     5,000       5,202  

Baltimore County Metropolitan District G.O. Unlimited BANS,
4.00%, 3/22/21

     20,000        20,365        

Maryland State Department of Transportation Consolidated Transportation Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 10/1/22

     5,500       6,032  

Montgomery County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 11/1/20

     10,000       10,040  

Prince George’s County Consolidated Public Improvement G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/15/21

     4,610       4,787  

Washington Suburban Sanitary District Revenue Refunding Bonds (County Gtd.),
5.00%, 6/1/22

     9,365       10,121  
     
               71,453  

Massachusetts – 0.7%

    

Boston G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     3,455       3,693  

Massachusetts State Consolidated Loan G.O. Limited Bonds, Series E,
5.00%, 11/1/20

     17,400       17,469  

Massachusetts State HFA Variable Revenue Bonds, Chestnut Park Project,
2.40%, 12/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     3,000       3,075  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   70   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 60.4%     continued

 

Massachusetts – 0.7%     continued

 

Massachusetts State HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 196 (GNMA/FNMA/FHLMC Insured),

     

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.35%),
0.45%, 6/1/21(3) (5)

     $2,275        $2,275  

Worcester G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 2/1/23

     3,955        4,304  
     
                30,816  

Michigan – 0.7%

     

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes, Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),
4.00%, 8/20/21

     7,000        7,234  

Michigan State Trunk Line Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 11/15/22

     1,250        1,378  

University of Michigan General Revenue Refunding Bonds, University Revenues SIFMA,

     

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.27%),
0.38%, 4/1/22(3) (5)

     18,705        18,715  

West Bloomfield School District Building and Site G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),
3.00%, 5/1/22

     3,100        3,232  

3.00%, 5/1/23

     1,000        1,062  
                31,621  

Minnesota – 2.1%

     

Hennepin County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 12/15/20

     6,050        6,110  

5.00%, 12/15/21

     6,350        6,722  

Minneapolis G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
12/1/21(7)

     15,000        15,497  

12/1/22(7)

     11,695        12,403  

Minneapolis Improvement & Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
4.00%, 12/1/20

     4,200        4,227  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 60.4%     continued

 

Minnesota – 2.1%     continued

 

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Residential Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds (GNMA/FNMA/FHLMC Insured), (Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.55%),
0.66%, 12/12/23(3) (5)

     $5,000        $5,011  

Minnesota State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     10,000        10,403  

5.00%, 8/1/22

     8,000        8,709  

Minnesota State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,
2.00%, 8/1/23

     21,500        22,610  

Mounds View Independent School District No. 621 G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A (Minnesota School District Credit Program),
5.00%, 2/1/22

     4,295        4,573  

Osseo Independent School District No. 279 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C, Alternative Facilities (School District Credit Program),
5.00%, 2/1/21

     1,480        1,504  
     
                97,769  

Missouri – 0.5%

     

Missouri State Board of Public Buildings Special Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 10/1/22

     4,000        4,388  

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority Water Pollution Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     9,000        9,327  

Missouri State Highways & Transit Commission State Road Federal Reimbursement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S, GARVEE Lien,
5.00%, 5/1/22

     9,000        9,689  
     
                23,404  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   71   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 60.4%     continued

 

Nebraska – 0.4%

     

Douglas County School District No. 1 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 12/15/21

     $7,000        $7,408  

Nebraska State Investment Finance Authority Single Family Housing Revenue Bonds, Series C,
2.05%, 3/1/22

     1,450        1,479  

University of Nebraska Facilities Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
4.00%, 10/1/22

     9,500        10,215  
                19,102  

Nevada – 1.0%

     

Humboldt County PCR Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sierra Pacific Power Company,
1.85%, 4/15/22(3) (5) (6)

     10,000        10,201  

Las Vegas Valley Water District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 6/1/21

     5,355        5,527  

5.00%, 6/1/22

     6,200        6,698  

Nevada State G.O. Limited Refunding Capital Improvement Bonds,
5.00%, 5/1/21

     12,000        12,335  

5.00%, 5/1/22

     7,050        7,584  

Reno Capital Improvement G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 6/1/21

     1,200        1,237  

Washoe County School District G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 4/1/22

     1,000        1,070  
                44,652  

New Hampshire – 0.0%

     

Manchester Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 6/15/23

     1,000        1,102  

New Jersey – 0.9%

     

Monmouth County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, General Improvement,
5.00%, 7/15/21

     3,075        3,193  

Monmouth County Improvement Authority Governmental Pooled Loan Revenue Bonds, Series C (County Gtd.),
5.00%, 12/1/21

     1,000        1,057  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 60.4%     continued

 

New Jersey – 0.9%     continued

 

Monmouth County Improvement Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B (County Gtd.),
5.00%, 12/1/21

     $2,775        $2,932  

5.00%, 12/1/22

     3,250        3,588  

New Jersey State Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency Multifamily Conduit Variable Revenue Bonds, Georgia King Project (Housing and Urban Development Sector 8 Program),
2.45%, 10/1/21(3) (6)

     4,500        4,500  

North Brunswick Township G.O. Unlimited BANS, Series A,
2.00%, 7/19/21

     27,475        27,852  
                43,122  

New Mexico – 1.5%

     

Albuquerque G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     6,080        6,300  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     6,035        6,543  

Albuquerque G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series D,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     12,500        13,553  

Farmington Pollution Control Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Public Service Company of New Mexico San Juan,
1.10%, 6/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     9,000        9,042  

New Mexico State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     19,000        19,378  

5.00%, 3/1/22

     11,000        11,747  
                66,563  

New York – 3.9%

     

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue BANS, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     30,000        31,328  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Subseries D-2, (Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.45%),
0.56%, 11/15/22(3) (5)

     20,275        19,268  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority TRANS, Series F,
5.00%, 11/15/22

     25,045        25,969  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   72   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

New York – 3.9%     continued

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A-2,
5.00%, 11/15/22(3) (5) (6)

     $1,000       $1,040  

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp. Revenue Bonds, University of Rochester Project,
5.00%, 7/1/22 2,000

 

    2,167  

5.00%, 7/1/23

     1,000       1,129  

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Series G, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds,
2.00%, 12/31/21(3) (5) (6)

     3,420       3,422  

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second General Resolution,
5.00%, 6/15/21

     6,000       6,205  

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 11/1/22

     10,500       11,529  

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series J, Subseries J-8,
4.00%, 8/1/21

     5,000       5,158  

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series J,
5.00%, 8/1/22

     17,000       18,490  

New York State Dormitory Authority

    

Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Group
1, 5.00%, 3/15/22

     10,000       10,703  

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D,
3.00%, 2/15/21

     5,000       5,053  

4.00%, 2/15/22

     4,000       4,211  

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Personal Income Tax,
5.00%, 3/15/22

     3,000       3,211  

5.00%, 3/15/23

     4,000       4,464  

New York State Urban Development Corp. Taxable General Personal Income TRB,
0.72%, 3/15/23

     6,000        5,993        
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE      

(000S)      

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%     continued

 

New York – 3.9%     continued

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series AAA,
1.09%, 7/1/23

     $20,000       $20,286  
     
               179,626  

North Carolina – 2.4%

    

Charlotte Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     3,000       3,254  

5.00%, 7/1/23

     3,000       3,400  

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Health Care System Variable Revenue Bonds, Series D, Atrium Health,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.60%),
0.71%, 12/1/23(3) (5)

     42,000       42,021  

Forsyth County Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     4,540       4,632  

5.00%, 3/1/22

     1,000       1,069  

North Carolina State Eastern Municipal Power Agency System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (NATL, IBC Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,
6.00%, 1/1/22

     5,000       5,354  

North Carolina State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Connect NC Bonds,
5.00%, 6/1/22

     3,955       4,276  

North Carolina State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series D,
4.00%, 6/1/21

     4,000       4,103  

North Carolina State Grant Anticipation Vehicle Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     8,000       8,158  

5.00%, 3/1/22

     7,010       7,482  

North Carolina State HFA MFH Revenue Bonds, Weaver Investment Company Rural Development Portfolio,
2.00%, 1/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     11,235       11,280  

North Carolina State Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series A, Build NC Bonds,
5.00%, 5/1/21

     13,025        13,394        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   73   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

North Carolina – 2.4%    continued

 

Wake County Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 9/1/21

     $3,250        $3,395  
     
               111,818        

Ohio – 1.6%

    

American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 2/15/22

     6,000       6,387  

Cincinnati G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 12/1/21

     2,285       2,414  

5.00%, 12/1/22

     1,000       1,103  

Franklin County Hospital Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B, OhioHealth Corp.,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.43%),
0.54%, 11/15/21(3) (5)

     10,000       9,994  

Hamilton County Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds, Christ Hospital Project, Prerefunded,
5.50%, 6/1/22(8)

     6,000       6,526  

Ohio State Adult Correctional Capital Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lease Appropriation,
4.00%, 10/1/20

     2,750       2,750  

Ohio State HFA MFH Revenue Bonds, Series A (GNMA/FHA Insured),
0.40%, 9/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     3,970       3,974  

Ohio State Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Cleveland Clinic Health,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.40%),
0.51%, 6/1/23(3) (5)

     35,000       34,861  

Ohio State Major New Infrastructure Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2019-1,
4.00%, 12/15/21

     2,000       2,091  

5.00%, 12/15/22

     2,000       2,211  
     
               72,311  

Oklahoma – 0.1%

    

Canadian County Independent School District No. 27, Combined Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Yukon Public Schools,
2.00%, 10/1/20

     3,040       3,040  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Oklahoma – 0.1%    continued

 

Oklahoma HFA Collateralized Variable Revenue Bonds, Sooner Haven Apartments,
0.30%, 10/1/21(9)

     $2,500        $2,500        
     
               5,540  

Oregon – 1.1%

    

Lane County School District No. 4J Eugene G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),
5.00%, 6/15/21

     2,450       2,533  

Oregon Business Development Commission Economic Development Revenue Bonds (AMT),
5.00%, 3/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     43,400       45,944  

Oregon State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 5/1/21

     1,400       1,440  

Oregon State Health & Science University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     600       621  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     850       919  
     
               51,457  

Pennsylvania – 2.9%

    

Delaware County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     1,000       1,048  

Geisinger Authority Health System Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 4/1/22

     3,500       3,740  

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Series A (Waste Management, Inc., Project,
2.15%, 11/1/21(9)

     2,250       2,286  

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Waste Management Project,
2.80%, 12/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     2,500       2,572  

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, First Series 2020,
5.00%, 5/1/22

     6,000       6,451  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   74   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Pennsylvania – 2.9%    continued

 

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D-2,
5.00%, 8/15/22

     $1,500        $1,633  

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/15/21

     10,000       10,375        

Pennsylvania State Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series AV-1,
5.00%, 6/15/21

     5,985       6,182  

Pennsylvania State Housing Finance Agency SFM Floating Revenue Bonds, Series 127 C,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.57%),
0.67%, 10/1/23(3) (5)

     7,000       6,993  

Pennsylvania State Housing Finance Agency SFM Variable Revenue Bonds, Series 126B,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.60%),
0.70%, 6/1/23(3) (5)

     26,250       26,272  

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Turnpike Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.60%),
0.71%, 12/1/23(3)

     15,000       15,067  

Pittsburgh & Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority Sale Revenue Refunding Bonds, (AGM Insured),
4.00%, 2/1/22

     1,200       1,260  

4.00%, 2/1/23

     1,775       1,926  

University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education Variable Revenue Bonds, Pitt Asset Notes,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.36%),
0.47%, 2/15/24(3)

     48,000       48,040  
     
               133,845  

Rhode Island – 0.1%

    

Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,
3.00%, 1/15/21

     2,500       2,521  

4.00%, 1/15/22

     2,000       2,099  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Rhode Island – 0.1%    continued

 

Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series E,
3.00%, 1/15/21

     $300        $302  

4.00%, 1/15/22

     1,000       1,050        
     
               5,972  

South Carolina – 0.2%

    

Charleston County School District G.O. Unlimited BANS, Phase IV Sales Tax Project (SCSDE Insured),
5.00%, 5/12/21

     10,000       10,294  

Tennessee – 1.2%

    

Memphis G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 5/1/21

     1,500       1,543  

5.00%, 5/1/22

     22,000       23,687  

Memphis Health Educational & Housing Facility Board MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Burkle & Main Apartment,
1.40%, 5/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     2,500       2,538  

Memphis Sanitary Sewerage System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
10/1/21(7)

     2,035       2,131  

10/1/22(7)

     1,435       1,572  

10/1/23(7)

     1,100       1,256  

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County G.O. Unlimited & Improvement Bonds,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     13,245       13,724  

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Bonds, Oakwood Flats Apartments,
2.10%, 4/1/21(3) (6)

     7,350       7,350  
     
               53,801  

Texas – 10.1%

    

Alamo Community College District G.O. Limited Bonds, Maintenance Tax Notes,
3.00%, 2/15/21

     9,000       9,093  

4.00%, 2/15/22

     4,250       4,471  

Allen G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
4.00%, 8/15/21

     1,000       1,034  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   75   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Texas – 10.1%    continued

 

Alvin Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
0.45%, 8/15/23(3) (5) (6)

     $4,000        $3,996        

Alvin Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.), 1.25%, 8/15/22(3) (5) (6)

     7,500       7,636  

Austin G.O. Limited Refunding & Improvement Bonds,
9/1/22(7)

     2,005       2,190  

9/1/23(7)

     1,000       1,139  

Bexar County G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 6/15/21

     710       734  

5.00%, 6/15/22

     800       866  

Clear Creek Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
1.35%, 8/15/22(3) (5) (6)

     19,000       19,379  

Clear Creek Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),
0.50%, 8/15/23(3) (5) (6)

     5,000       4,998  

Clifton Higher Education Finance Corp. Education Revenue Bonds, Idea Public Schools (PSF, Gtd.),
5.00%, 8/15/21

     1,120       1,166  

5.00%, 8/15/22

     1,715       1,867  

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B-1 (PSF, Gtd.),
1.25%, 8/15/22(3) (5) (6)

     4,500       4,581  

Dallas County Community College District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 2/15/21

     5,610       5,709  

Deer Park Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),
1.55%, 10/1/42(3) (6)

     4,000       4,000  

Denton County Permanent Improvement G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/15/21

     1,635       1,697  

Fort Bend County Certificates of Obligation G.O. Limited Bonds,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     875       934  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Texas – 10.1%    continued

    

Fort Worth G.O. Limited Bonds,
4.00%, 3/1/23

     $2,000        $2,183        

Fort Worth G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
4.00%, 3/1/23

     9,175       10,014  

Fort Worth Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 2/15/23

     10,755       11,980  

Garland Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 2/15/21

     3,000       3,054  

Harris County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp. Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Memorial Hermann,
5.00%, 12/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     2,500       2,756  

Harris County G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
10/1/21(7)

     29,565       30,958  

10/1/22(7)

     4,615       5,056  

10/1/23(7)

     8,060       9,205  

Harris County Hospital District Certificates of Obligation G.O. Limited Bonds,
5.00%, 2/15/23

     1,000       1,108  

Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority Sales & Use Tax Contractual Obligations Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 11/1/22

     1,000       1,097  

Houston Independent School District G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),
5.00%, 2/15/21

     1,350       1,374  

Houston Independent School District Public Facilities Corp. Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 9/15/22

     1,500       1,642  

Houston Independent School District Variable G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A-2 (PSF, Gtd.),
2.25%, 6/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     14,000       14,458  

Houston Public Improvement G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     4,045       4,126  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   76   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Texas – 10.1%    continued

    

Houston Utility System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C, First Lien,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.36%),
0.46%, 8/1/21(3) (5)

     $5,000        $4,988        

Humble Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
5.00%, 2/15/22

     4,060       4,330  

Katy Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 2015C (PSF, Gtd.),

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.28%),
0.38%, 8/16/21(3) (5)

     5,800       5,781  

Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Contract Revenue Refunding Bonds, LCRA Transmission Services,
5.00%, 5/15/21

     2,750       2,831  

5.00%, 5/15/21

            

5.00%, 5/15/22

     1,000       1,077  

Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1 Variable Revenue Bonds (AMT), Central Power & Light Company Project,
0.90%, 9/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     4,250       4,232  

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, First Tier,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     2,000       2,023  

5.00%, 1/1/22

     1,850       1,958  

Odessa Housing Finance Corp. MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Vera in Odessa Apartments (FHA Insured),
0.35%, 3/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     16,000       15,996  

Plano City G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
3.00%, 9/1/22

     1,065       1,123  

San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Brookwood Senior Apartments,
1.55%, 5/1/21(9)

     10,000       10,002  

San Antonio Tax Notes G.O. Limited Bonds,
5.00%, 8/1/23

     11,490       13,045  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Texas – 10.1%    continued

    

Sherman Tax Independent School District School Building Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
2.00%, 8/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     $13,000        $13,588  

Tarrant Regional Water District Water Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Prerefunded,
5.00%, 3/1/22(8)

     21,040       22,447  

5.00%, 3/1/22(8)

            

Texas State PFA G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     5,000       5,242  

Texas State TRANS,
4.00%, 8/26/21

     96,790       100,106  

Texas State Transportation Commission Highway Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 4/1/21

     8,410       8,613        

Texas State Transportation Commission Highway Improvement G.O. Unlimited, Prerefunded,
5.00%, 4/1/22(8)

     22,000       23,592  

Texas State Water Development Board Revenue Bonds,
5.00%, 10/15/21

     1,875       1,970  

5.00%, 4/15/22

     1,450       1,558  

5.00%, 10/15/22

     2,700       2,967  

Texas State Water Development Board Revenue Bonds, Master Trust,
10/15/21(7)

     2,000       2,059  

4/15/22(7)

     1,000       1,043  

10/15/22(7)

     2,000       2,115  

4/15/23(7)

     985       1,080  

10/15/23(7)

     2,000       2,231  

Travis County Housing Finance Corp. Variable Revenue Bonds, Cascades at Onion Creek Apartments,
0.35%, 2/1/23(3) (5) (6)

     22,000       21,970  

University of North Texas Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 4/15/22

     2,500       2,682  

5.00%, 4/15/23

     1,850       2,069  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   77   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Texas – 10.1%    continued

 

Waco G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 2/1/21

     $5,505        $5,593        

5.00%, 2/1/22

     2,000       2,128  
     
               464,940  

Utah – 0.7%

    

Alpine School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (School Board Guaranty Program),
5.00%, 3/15/22

     12,825       13,729  

Salt Lake County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 12/15/21

     3,350       3,546  

5.00%, 12/15/22

     3,975       4,399  

Utah State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 7/1/21

     2,000       2,058  

Utah State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     2,500       2,591  

5.00%, 7/1/22

     3,500       3,797  
     
               30,120  

Virginia – 3.5%

    

Arlington County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.00%, 6/15/21

     4,370       4,519  

5.00%, 6/15/22

     4,595       4,975  

Arlington County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,
5.00%, 2/15/21(8)

     4,000       4,072  

Fairfax County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),
4.00%, 10/1/21

     18,880       19,608  

4.00%, 10/1/22

     10,000       10,770  

Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission Revenue BANS, Series A,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     41,800       45,244  

Loudoun County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),
5.00%, 12/1/20

     5,000       5,040  

5.00%, 12/1/21

     9,000       9,510  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Virginia – 3.5%    continued

 

Louisa IDA Variable PCR Bonds, Virginia Electric,
1.80%, 4/1/22(3) (5) (6)

     $3,750        $3,825        

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, 21st Century College & Equipment,
5.00%, 2/1/22

     2,000       2,129  

5.00%, 2/1/23

     2,000       2,225  

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, 21st Century College Program,
5.00%, 2/1/22

     5,690       6,058  

Virginia State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 6/1/22

     7,025       7,592  

Virginia State Public Building Authority Public Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 8/1/22

     2,000       2,178  

Virginia State Public Building Authority Public Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 8/1/21

     4,000       4,162  

5.00%, 8/1/22

     4,000       4,355  

Virginia State Public School Authority School Technology & Security Notes Revenue Bonds, Series VIII,
5.00%, 4/15/23

     5,970       6,702  

Virginia State Public School Authority Special Obligation Prince Revenue Bonds (State Aid Withholding),
10/1/21(7)

     5,330       5,528  

10/1/22(7)

     5,275       5,672  

10/1/23(7)

     5,325       5,921  
     
               160,085  

Washington – 2.4%

    

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Variable Sales & Use TRB, Green Bonds, Series S-2A,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.30%),
0.41%, 11/1/21(3) (5)

     10,000       10,001  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   78   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Washington – 2.4%     continued

    

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Variable Sales & Use TRB, Green Bonds, Series S-2B,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.45%),
0.56%, 11/1/23(3) (5)

     $12,500        $12,534        

King County School District No. 405 Bellevue G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),
5.00%, 12/1/20

     7,150       7,207  

Seattle Municipal Light & Power Improvement Revenue Bonds,

    

5.00%, 4/1/21

     3,250       3,329  

5.00%, 4/1/22

     3,420       3,668  

Seattle Municipal Light & Power Improvement Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 2/1/22

     11,400       12,136  

Snohomish County School District No. 15 Edmonds G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),
5.00%, 12/1/20

     2,630       2,651  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     20,450       21,193  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series D, Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax,
5.00%, 6/1/21

     3,770       3,892  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2020A,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     2,390       2,419  

5.00%, 1/1/22

     3,500       3,712  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2020B,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     7,650       7,742  

5.00%, 1/1/22

     2,750       2,917  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited
Refunding Bonds, Series R-2020C,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     3,465       3,759  

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2020D,
5.00%, 7/1/22

     10,405       11,287  
               108,447  
    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT

(000S)

 

VALUE

(000S)

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 60.4%    continued

 

Wisconsin – 1.3%

    

Kenosha County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
3.00%, 6/1/22

     $1,000        $1,047        

Madison G.O. Unlimited Refunding Promissory Notes, Series A,
10/1/22(7)

     10,895       11,714  

10/1/23(7)

     7,100       7,899  

PFA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Renown Regional Medical Center Project,
5.00%, 6/1/22

     275       296  

5.00%, 6/1/23

     345       386  

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 5/1/21

     6,000       6,170  

5.00%, 5/1/22

     8,500       9,152  

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 2,
5.00%, 11/1/21

     6,210       6,536  

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Advocate Aurora Health,

    

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.35%), 0.46%,
7/28/21(3) (5)

     9,000       8,993  

(Floating, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.65%),
0.76%, 7/31/24(3) (5)

     5,000       5,006  

Wisconsin State Transportation Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1, 0.42%, 7/1/23

     4,385       4,384  
               61,583  

Total Municipal Bonds

 

       

(Cost $2,765,673)

       2,779,257  
    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.1%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(10) (11)

     48,867,972       $48,868  

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $48,868)

       48,868  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   79   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 18.9%

 

Alamo Heights Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
3.00%, 2/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     $2,700        $2,724        

Atlanta Urban Residential Finance Authority MFH Revenue Bonds, Creekside at Adamsville Place,
1.95%, 5/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     7,500       7,568  

Austin G.O. Limited Refunding & Improvement Bonds,
9/1/21(7)

     2,000       2,088  

Broward County School District Revenue TANS,
2.00%, 6/30/21

     20,000       20,269  

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),
0.45%, 7/1/21(1) (3) (5) (6)

     20,000       20,000  

California State Municipal Finance Authority Solid Waste Disposal Variable Revenue Bonds, Waste Management, Inc. Project (AMT),
0.23%, 12/1/20(3) (5) (6)

     21,000       21,000  

California State Pollution Control Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT), Republic Services,
0.50%, 11/2/20(1) (3) (5) (6)

     16,000       16,004  

California State School Cash Reserve Program Authority Revenue Notes, Series D,
2.00%, 5/3/21

     30,000       30,316  

Charlotte Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5.00%, 7/1/21

     4,000       4,145  

Clear Creek Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
2.15%, 8/16/21(3) (5) (6)

     9,500       9,656  

Colorado State Educational Loan Program TRANS, Series A,
4.00%, 6/29/21

     75,000       77,119  

Colorado State General Fund TRANS,
4.00%, 6/25/21

     59,000       60,642  

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A-3, Yale University,
1.80%, 2/9/21(3) (5) (6)

     12,500       12,571  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 18.9%    continued

 

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series X-2, Yale University,
1.80%, 2/9/21(3) (5) (6)

     $12,000        $12,069        

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
2.05%, 7/12/21(3) (5) (6)

     10,000       10,145  

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Riverside Park Phase,
2.00%, 4/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     7,000       7,056  

Deer Park Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),
10/1/21(3) (5) (6) (7)

     3,000       3,000  

Delaware State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     12,000       12,144  

Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),
0.50%, 7/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     5,000       5,000  

District of Columbia Revenue Bonds, Federal Highway Grant Anticipation,
5.00%, 12/1/20

     4,855       4,894  

Escambia County Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Gulf Power Company Project,
1.80%, 11/19/20(3) (5) (6)

     13,000       13,022  

Fairfax County IDA Health Care Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S, Inova Health System,
5.00%, 5/15/21(3) (5) (6)

     15,000       15,349  

Franklin County Health & Educational Facilities Board Collateralized MFH Revenue Bonds, BTT Development Village Associates,
2.40%, 12/1/20(3) (5) (6)

     3,750       3,763  

Gainesville & Hall County Hospital Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc., Project,
5.00%, 2/15/21

     3,275       3,328  

Goose Creek Texas Consolidated Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),
1.30%, 8/16/21(3) (5) (6)

     13,800       13,924  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   80   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 18.9%    continued

 

Granite City Revenue Bonds (AMT), Waste Management, Inc. Project,
2.45%, 5/3/21(3) (5) (6)

     $3,000        $3,032        

Harris County Road G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 10/1/20

     4,325       4,325  

Houston Independent School District Variable G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),
2.40%, 6/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     4,000       4,056  

Illinois State Housing Development Authority MFH Revenue Bonds, Heather Ridge,
1.90%, 10/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     4,500       4,570  

Ivy Technology Community College Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series W, Student Fee,
4.00%, 1/1/21

     520       525  

Ivy Technology Community College Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series W, Student Fee,
4.00%, 7/1/21

     650       669  

Kentucky State Housing Corp. Variable Revenue Bonds, Beecher Phase I Project,
2.00%, 9/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     6,000       6,089  

King County School District No. 403 Renton G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),
4.00%, 12/1/20

     3,000       3,019  

Lawrence Township School Building Corp. Revenue Bonds (State Intercept Program),
4.00%, 7/15/21

     1,000       1,029  

Los Angeles TRANS,
4.00%, 6/24/21

     71,690       73,683  

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 3/1/21

     8,000       8,160  

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,
5.00%, 11/15/20

     62,220       62,581  

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Government Environmental Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Louisville Gas & Electric,
1.65%, 6/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     7,250       7,295  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 18.9%    continued

 

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Government Environmental Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Louisville Gas & Electric,
1.65%, 6/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     $13,250        $13,331        

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Government PCR Variable Refunding Bonds, Louisville Gas,
1.85%, 4/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     12,200       12,268  

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Bonds, Trevecca Towers,
2.00%, 1/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     12,000       12,048  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A-1,
5.00%, 11/15/20(3) (5) (6)

     14,000       14,026  

Miami-Dade County Seaport Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,
4.50%, 10/1/20

     7,100       7,100  

Michigan State Trunk Line Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 11/15/20

     2,200       2,213  

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority Water Pollution Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 1/1/21

     9,105       9,215  

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds,
0.85%, 4/29/21(3) (5) (6)

     8,000       8,001  

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Series G,
0.20%, 3/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     35,000       34,994  

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Personal Income Tax,
5.00%, 3/15/21

     8,500       8,687  

Ohio State HFA MFH Revenue Bonds, Sutter View Apartments,
1.62%, 7/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     8,500       8,579  

Oregon State Department of Transportation Highway User Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C, Senior Lien,
5.00%, 11/15/20

     1,000       1,006  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   81   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 18.9%    continued

 

Oregon State Housing & Community Department Housing Development Revenue Bonds, Series I, Ya Po Ah Terrace Project (Housing and Urban Development Sector 8 Program),
2.20%, 5/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     $10,450        $10,560        

Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District G.O. Unlimited TANS (State Aid Withholding),
3.00%, 6/25/21

     24,000       24,474  

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT), Waste Management, Inc. Project,
0.70%, 8/2/21(3) (5) (6)

     7,000       7,006  

Philadelphia School District Revenue TRANS, Series A,
4.00%, 6/30/21

     13,000       13,364  

Pittsburgh & Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority Sale Revenue Refunding Bonds, (AGM Insured),
3.00%, 2/1/21

     1,450       1,463  

Rye City School District G.O. Unlimited BANS (State Aid Withholding),
1.75%, 7/1/21

     18,150       18,346  

Southern California State Public Power Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Canyon Power Project,
2.25%, 5/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     20,000       20,035  

Spring Branch Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Schoolhouse (PSF, Gtd.),
1.55%, 6/15/21(3) (5) (6)

     6,000       6,025  

Texas State Transportation Commission State Highway Fund Revenue Refunding Bonds, First Tier, Series B,
4.00%, 10/1/21(3) (5) (6)

     3,035       3,147  

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.13%, 10/1/20(2)

     50,000       50,000  

University of Alaska Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series W (AGM Insured),
1.50%, 10/1/20

     700       700  

University of North Texas Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.00%, 4/15/21

     1,850       1,897  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 

VALUE

(000S)

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 18.9%    continued

 

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, 21st Century College & Equipment,
5.00%, 2/1/21

     $3,300        $3,353        

Westerville City School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
3.00%, 12/1/20

     10,075       10,122  

Worcester G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,
4.00%, 2/1/21

     4,810       4,871  

Total Short-Term Investments

 

(Cost $871,933)

       873,660  
                  

Total Investments – 101.3%

 

(Cost $4,639,453)

       4,668,213  

Liabilities less Other Assets – (1.3%)

 

    (62,176

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $4,606,037  

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(2) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(5) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(6) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(7) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(8) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

(9) 

Security has converted to a fixed rate as of July 1, 2008, and will continue at a fixed rate going forward.

(10) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(11) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   82   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

BANS - Bond Anticipation Notes

CMT - Constant Maturity

COPS - Certificates of Participation

FHA - Federal Housing Administration

FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. - General Obligation

GNMA - Government National Mortgage Association

Gtd. - Guaranteed

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

HUD - Housing and Urban Development

IBC - Insured Bond Certificates

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

LCRA - Lower Colorado River Authority

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC - Letter of Credit

MFH - Multi-Family Housing

NATL - National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

PCR - Pollution Control Revenue

PFA - Public Finance Authority

PLC - Public Limited Company

PSF - Permanent School Fund

SCSDE - South Carolina State Department of Education

SFM - Single Family Mortgage

SIFMA - Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TANS - Tax Anticipation Notes

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

TOTAL

(000S)

Commercial Paper

  $     $ 19,993       $—     $ 19,993    

Corporate Bonds(1)

          552,371             552,371  

Foreign Issuer
Bonds(1)

          360,515             360,515  

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

          33,549             33,549  

Municipal Bonds(1)

          2,779,257             2,779,257  

Investment Companies

    48,868                   48,868  

Short-Term Investments

          873,660             873,660  

Total Investments

  $ 48,868     $ 4,619,345       $—     $ 4,668,213  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   83   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 9.0%

 

Auto Floor Plan – 0.5%

    

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A
2.84%, 3/15/24

     $4,300       $4,446  

NextGear Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2017-2A, Class A2
2.56%, 10/17/22(1)

     1,000       1,001  

NextGear Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2018-1A, Class A1

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.64%),
0.79%, 2/15/23(1) (2)

     2,250       2,251  

Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables, Series 2019-B, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.43%),
0.58%, 11/15/23(2)

     9,100       9,116  
     
               16,814  

Automobile – 3.8%

    

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A2A
2.43%, 9/19/22

     763       766  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A2A
0.60%, 12/18/23

     4,000       4,008  

BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A2
0.39%, 2/27/23

     7,150       7,154  

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-3, Class A2A
0.49%, 6/15/23

     9,200       9,213  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2017-2A, Class A2

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.45%, 0.45% Floor),
0.60%, 5/15/29(1) (2)

     304       304  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2017-3A, Class A1
1.91%, 8/15/29(1)

     588       589  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2017-4A, Class A1
2.12%, 11/15/29(1)

     999       1,007  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2018-1A, Class A2

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.45%),
0.60%, 4/15/30(1) (2)

     1,996       2,001  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2019-1A, Class A1
2.94%, 4/15/31(1)

     3,664        3,760        
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.0%     continued

 

Automobile – 3.8% continued

    

Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2
1.99%, 12/15/22

     $2,440       $2,451  

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC, Series 2017-3, Class A2
2.13%, 5/22/23(1)

     25       25  

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC, Series 2018-2, Class A2
3.14%, 2/20/24(1)

     926       935  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A2
1.03%, 10/15/22

     1,400       1,405  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A2
0.50%, 2/15/23

     22,200       22,231  

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A2A
2.09%, 10/20/21

     760       763  

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3
1.67%, 12/20/22

     2,720       2,761  

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A2A
1.50%, 3/16/23

     756       761  

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A2
0.74%, 11/15/22

     7,000       7,019  

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A2
1.51%, 4/17/23

     6,300       6,356  

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A2
0.38%, 3/15/23

     12,600       12,609  

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A2
0.31%, 2/15/23(3)

     4,500       4,499  

Mercedes-Benz Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2
0.46%, 3/15/23

     2,900       2,903  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A2A
2.28%, 2/15/22

     158       158  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2A
2.07%, 1/17/23

     2,535        2,552        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   84   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.0%     continued

 

Automobile – 3.8%     continued

    

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A2A
0.62%, 5/15/23

     $5,000       $5,006  

Santander Retail Auto Lease Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A2
2.72%, 1/20/22(1)

     4,200       4,224  

Tesla Auto Lease Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A2
0.55%, 5/22/23(1)

     2,000       2,003  

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A2
1.38%, 12/15/22

     3,900       3,925  

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-C, Class A2
0.36%, 2/15/23

     13,800       13,808  

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A2A
0.93%, 12/20/22

     7,500       7,526  

Wheels SPV, Series 2018-1A, Class A2
3.06%, 4/20/27(1)

     185       186  

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A2
2.63%, 6/15/22(1)

     1,531       1,537  
     
               134,445  

Credit Card – 3.7%

    

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2017-5, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.38%),
0.53%, 2/18/25(2)

     2,000       2,005  

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A
2.87%, 10/15/24

     4,600       4,777  

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A
2.67%, 11/15/24

     9,300       9,650  

BA Credit Card Trust, Series 2018-A1, Class A1
2.70%, 7/17/23

     3,000       3,028  

BA Credit Card Trust, Series 2018-A2, Class A2
3.00%, 9/15/23

     1,000       1,015  

Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A
1.96%, 5/15/25

     3,500        3,598        
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.0%     continued

 

Credit Card – 3.7%     continued

    

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
2.84%, 12/15/24

     $2,000       $2,070  

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2019-A2, Class A2
1.72%, 8/15/24

     9,100       9,349  

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2012-A7, Class A7
2.16%, 9/15/24

     1,000       1,037  

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2017-A2, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.40%),
0.55%, 3/15/24(2)

     1,545       1,551  

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2018-A1, Class A1

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.20%),
0.35%, 4/17/23(2)

     3,000       3,003  

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2019-A3, Class A
1.89%, 10/15/24

     15,000       15,500  

Golden Credit Card Trust, Series 2018-1A, Class A
2.62%, 1/15/23(1)

     5,000       5,033  

Golden Credit Card Trust, Series 2018-3A, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.32%, 0.32% Floor),
0.47%, 5/15/23(1) (2)

     5,000       5,003  

Golden Credit Card Trust, Series
2019-2A, Class A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.35%, 0.35% Floor),
0.50%, 10/15/23(2)

     17,000       17,030  

Synchrony Card Funding LLC, Series 2019-A1, Class A
2.95%, 3/15/25

     11,500       11,898  

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2017-C, Class A
2.31%, 8/15/24

     3,000        3,002        

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2018-A, Class A
3.07%, 12/16/24

     7,000       7,065  

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A
3.14%, 12/15/25

     12,745       13,166  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   85   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.0%     continued

 

Credit Card – 3.7%     continued

    

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A
2.49%, 4/15/26

     $4,000       $4,123  

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A
2.21%, 7/15/26

     6,000       6,167  
     
               129,070  

Other – 0.9%

    

CCG Receivables Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A2
3.09%, 12/15/25

     1,314       1,330  

Dell Equipment Finance Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A2
2.78%, 8/23/21(1)

     1,424       1,430  

Dell Equipment Finance Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A2
1.95%, 12/22/21(1)

     7,364       7,416  

HPEFS Equipment Trust, Series 2019-1A, Class A3
2.21%, 9/20/29(1)

     1,250       1,270  

John Deere Owner Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A2
0.41%, 3/15/23

     5,400       5,404  

Verizon Owner Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A1A
2.93%, 9/20/23

     4,250       4,355  

Verizon Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A1A
1.85%, 7/22/24

     8,500       8,718  
     
               29,923  

Whole Loan – 0.1%

    

Gosforth Funding PLC, Series 2017-1A,
Class A1A

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.47%),
0.70%, 12/19/59(1) (2)

     418       418  

Holmes Master Issuer PLC, Series 2018-1A, Class A2

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.36%),
0.64%, 10/15/54(1) (2)

     823        823        
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.0%     continued

 

Whole Loan – 0.1%     continued

    

Permanent Master Issuer PLC, Series
2018-1A, Class 1A1

 

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.38%),
0.66%, 7/15/58(1) (2)

     $1,500       $1,500  
     
               2,741  

Total Asset-Backed Securities

                

(Cost $309,391)

       312,993  
    

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT – 0.1%

 

Institutional Financial Services – 0.1%

 

Credit Suisse Group A.G., 2.00%

     5,000,000       5,008  

Total Certificates Of Deposit

                

(Cost $5,000)

       5,008  
    

COMMERCIAL PAPER – 1.6%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 0.5%

    

Boeing (The) Co.,
2.24%, 10/29/20(4)

     18,000       17,984  

Banks – 0.1%

    

DNB Bank ASA,
0.15%, 11/30/20(1) (4)

     5,000       4,999  

Chemicals – 0.3%

    

EI du Pont de Nemours and Co.,
0.85%, 12/3/20(1) (4)

     8,500       8,497  

Integrated Oils – 0.3%

    

BP Capital Markets PLC,
1.35%, 10/20/20(4)

     8,500       8,499  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.4%

    

AstraZeneca PLC,
2.00%, 11/2/20(4)

     15,000       14,995  

Total Commercial Paper

                

(Cost $54,922)

       54,974  
    

CORPORATE BONDS – 38.0%

    

Aerospace & Defense – 0.4%

    

Boeing (The) Co.,
2.30%, 8/1/21

     7,190       7,285  

Northrop Grumman Corp.,
2.55%, 10/15/22

     725       755  

Raytheon Co.,
3.13%, 10/15/20

     7,192        7,199  
     
               15,239        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   86   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Airlines – 0.4%

    

Southwest Airlines Co.,
2.65%, 11/5/20

     $14,536       $14,539  

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.3%

 

VF Corp.,
2.05%, 4/23/22

     8,450        8,663  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 4.8%

 

American Honda Finance Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.35%),
0.60%, 11/5/21 (2)

     12,550       12,574  

2.20%, 6/27/22

     5,800       5,978  

0.88%, 7/7/23

     26,790       27,010        

BMW U.S. Capital LLC,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.41%),
0.68%, 4/12/21 (1) (2)

     4,200       4,206  

3.40%, 8/13/21 (1)

     1,935       1,985  

3.80%, 4/6/23 (1)

     6,700       7,219  

Daimler Finance North America LLC,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.45%),
0.71%, 2/22/21 (1) (2)

     9,228       9,231  

3.00%, 2/22/21 (1)

     4,535       4,579  

2.88%, 3/10/21 (1)

     6,006       6,068  

3.35%, 5/4/21 (1)

     1,000       1,016  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.45%, 1/14/22

     7,272       7,458  

Hyundai Capital America,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.82%),
1.07%, 3/12/21 (1) (2)

     3,600       3,600  

2.85%, 11/1/22 (1)

     5,830       6,029  

1.25%, 9/18/23 (1)

     18,180       18,140  

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
3.65%, 9/21/21 (1)

     1,348       1,375  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.89%),
1.16%, 1/13/22 (1) (2)

     3,000       2,965  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.29%),
0.57%, 10/7/21 (2)

     1,000       1,002  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.69%),
0.96%, 1/11/22 (2)

     1,500       1,511  

2.65%, 4/12/22

     6,970       7,209  

1.15%, 5/26/22

     20,000       20,253  

Volkswagen Group of America

    

Finance LLC,

3.88%, 11/13/20 (1)

     4,675       4,693  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 4.8%     continued  

2.90%, 5/13/22 (1)

     $5,000       $5,169  

3.13%, 5/12/23 (1)

     5,880       6,207  
     
               165,477  

Banks – 3.5%

    

Capital One N.A.,
2.15%, 9/6/22

     2,500       2,570  

Citibank N.A.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.57%),
0.83%, 7/23/21 (2)

     6,000       6,023  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.53%),
3.17%, 2/19/22 (5)

     9,500       9,603  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.60%),
0.85%, 5/20/22 (2)

     7,500       7,520  

Citizens Bank N.A.,
3.25%, 2/14/22

     6,150       6,374  

PNC Bank N.A.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.25%),
0.51%, 1/22/21 (2)

     7,730       7,736  

2.50%, 1/22/21

     5,000       5,025  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.67%, 12/9/22 (2)

     7,500       7,524  

Truist Bank,
2.63%, 1/15/22

     1,180       1,213  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.59%),
0.87%, 5/17/22 (2)

     4,808       4,839  

Truist Financial Corp.,
2.05%, 5/10/21

     5,678       5,731  

3.05%, 6/20/22

     13,000       13,548  

U.S. Bank N.A.,
3.00%, 2/4/21

     5,000       5,035  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.18%),
0.45%, 1/21/22 (2)

     22,094       22,124  

Wells Fargo & Co.,
4.60%, 4/1/21

     2,000       2,042  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.93%),
1.18%, 2/11/22 (2)

     7,000       7,017  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.11%),
1.37%, 1/24/23 (2)

     2,000       2,015  

3.07%, 1/24/23

     4,863       5,016  
     
               120,955  

Biotechnology – 0.3%

    

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,
0.75%, 9/29/23

     11,030        11,053        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   87   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Cable & Satellite – 0.0%

    

Comcast Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.63%),
0.91%, 4/15/24(2)

     $1,300       $1,309  

Chemicals – 0.7%

    

3M Co.,
2.00%, 6/26/22

     715       736  

Albemarle Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.05%),
1.33%, 11/15/22 (2)

     6,570       6,546  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.,
3.77%, 11/15/20

     8,600       8,635  

2.17%, 5/1/23

     7,480        7,557  

Ecolab, Inc.,
3.25%, 1/14/23

     712       754  
     
               24,228        

Commercial Finance – 0.1%

    

Air Lease Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.67%),
0.92%, 6/3/21(2)

     1,800       1,787  

Communications Equipment – 0.4%

 

Apple, Inc.,
0.75%, 5/11/23

     11,990       12,112  

Consumer Finance – 1.3%

    

American Express Co.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.53%),
0.81%, 5/17/21 (2)

     10,400       10,426  

Capital One Bank U.S.A. N.A.,

    

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 0.62%),
2.01%, 1/27/23 (5)

     12,480       12,692  

Capital One Financial Corp.,
2.40%, 10/30/20

     470       470  

Fiserv, Inc.,
4.75%, 6/15/21

     2,878       2,963  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.,
2.20%, 9/26/22

     8,090       8,362  

1.35%, 6/1/23

     10,500       10,725  
     
               45,638  

Consumer Products – 0.1%

    

Clorox (The) Co.,
3.80%, 11/15/21

     500       519  

Unilever Capital Corp.,
0.38%, 9/14/23

     4,200       4,208  
     
               4,727  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Diversified Banks – 2.4%

    

Bank of America Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.42%),
1.69%, 4/19/21 (2)

     $7,000       $7,052  

2.63%, 4/19/21

     2,497       2,529  

5.00%, 5/13/21

     2,000       2,058  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.65%),
0.95%, 10/1/21 (2)

     3,330       3,330  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.38%),
0.64%, 1/23/22 (2)

     9,950       9,958  

3.30%, 1/11/23

     7,141       7,580  

Citigroup, Inc., 2.70%, 3/30/21

     2,000       2,024  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.07%),
1.32%, 12/8/21 (2)

     5,000       5,046  

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 0.87%), 2.31%, 11/4/22 (5)

     5,100       5,193  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.48%),
1.73%, 3/1/21 (2)

     1,830       1,839  

2.55%, 3/1/21

     278       280  

4.63%, 5/10/21

     600       616  

2.40%, 6/7/21

     7,039       7,127  

3.25%, 9/23/22

     10,061       10,634  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.70%),
3.21%, 4/1/23 (5)

     13,300       13,820  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.94%),
2.78%, 4/25/23 (5)

     1,000       1,034  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.89%),
1.15%, 7/23/24 (2)

     2,100       2,117  
     
               82,237  

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.7%

 

 

Honeywell International, Inc.,
1.85%, 11/1/21

     300       305  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.23%),
0.50%, 8/19/22 (2)

     12,100       12,109  

Otis Worldwide Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.45%),
0.23%, 4/5/23 (2)

     6,200       6,204  

Roper Technologies, Inc.,
3.00%, 12/15/20

     3,600       3,611  

0.45%, 8/15/22

     3,160        3,158  
     
               25,387        

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   88   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Entertainment Content – 0.1%

 

Fox Corp.,
3.67%, 1/25/22

     $3,054       $3,185  

Financial Services – 2.6%

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.,
3.00%, 3/22/22

     5,350       5,552  

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.,
1.95%, 8/23/22

     4,100       4,228  

1.85%, 1/27/23

     3,375       3,482  

BlackRock, Inc.,
4.25%, 5/24/21

     789       809  

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.77%),
2.02%, 2/25/21 (2)

     550       554  

2.35%, 11/15/21

     5,366       5,378  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.75%),
1.01%, 2/23/23 (2)

     7,160       7,183  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.00%),
1.26%, 7/24/23 (2)

     2,000       2,011  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,
0.70%, 6/15/23

     11,460       11,481  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.65%),
0.90%, 6/15/23 (2)

     9,700       9,715  

Morgan Stanley,
2.50%, 4/21/21

     1,900       1,923  

5.50%, 7/28/21

     4,500       4,688  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.18%),
1.45%, 1/20/22 (2)

     10,000       10,029  

2.75%, 5/19/22

     3,050       3,160  

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.70%),
0.79%, 1/20/23 (2)

     18,600       18,638  

3.13%, 1/23/23

     1,800       1,903  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.,
2.95%, 4/1/22

     563       582  
     
               91,316  

Food & Beverage – 0.9%

    

Cargill, Inc.,
1.38%, 7/23/23 (1)

     1,500       1,534  

General Mills, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.01%),
1.28%, 10/17/23 (2)

     670       677  

JM Smucker (The) Co.,
3.50%, 10/15/21

     2,000       2,062  

3.00%, 3/15/22

     4,000        4,148        
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%     continued

 

Food & Beverage – 0.9%     continued

 

Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc.,
3.55%, 5/25/21

     $685       $699  

Mondelez International, Inc.,
0.63%, 7/1/22

     13,290       13,337  

Tyson Foods, Inc.,
2.25%, 8/23/21

     9,480       9,630  
     
               32,087  

Forest & Paper Products Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC,
5.40%, 11/1/20(1)

     4,686       4,704  

Hardware – 0.3%

    

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,
4.42%, 6/15/21 (1)

     2,198       2,250  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.68%),
0.93%, 3/12/21 (2)

     4,690       4,700  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.72%),
0.95%, 10/5/21 (2)

     1,495       1,495  

2.25%, 4/1/23

     2,600        2,681  
     
               11,126        

Health Care Facilities & Services – 1.4%

 

Cigna Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.65%),
0.90%, 9/17/21 (2)

     7,000       7,001  

3.40%, 9/17/21

     3,166       3,258  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.89%),
1.17%, 7/15/23 (2)

     6,300       6,365  

CVS Health Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.72%),
0.96%, 3/9/21 (2)

     19,201       19,249  

3.35%, 3/9/21

     797       808  

2.13%, 6/1/21

     2,159       2,182  

3.50%, 7/20/22

     1,250       1,311  

2.75%, 12/1/22

     2,500       2,607  

3.70%, 3/9/23

     451       483  

McKesson Corp.,
3.65%, 11/30/20

     5,322       5,351  
     
               48,615  

Home Improvement – 0.3%

    

Whirlpool Corp.,
4.85%, 6/15/21

     11,108       11,454  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   89   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%    continued

 

Homebuilders – 0.1%

    

D.R. Horton, Inc.,
2.55%, 12/1/20

     $1,560        $1,565      

Integrated Oils – 1.3%

    

BP Capital Markets America, Inc.,
2.94%, 4/6/23

     2,200       2,327  

Chevron Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.48%),
0.73%, 3/3/22 (2)

     3,485       3,505  

1.14%, 5/11/23

     13,162       13,417  

Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.20%),
0.46%, 8/11/23 (2)

     26,867       26,862  

Exxon Mobil Corp.,
1.90%, 8/16/22

     400       412  

1.57%, 4/15/23

     55       57  
               46,580  

Life Insurance – 2.4%

    

MassMutual Global Funding II, (Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.15%),
0.43%, 1/7/22 (1) (2)

     25,000       25,020  

0.85%, 6/9/23 (1)

     11,000       11,116  

MetLife, Inc.,
3.05%, 12/15/22

     3,500       3,699  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I,
0.90%, 6/8/23 (1)

     12,900       13,039  

New York Life Global Funding,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.28%),
0.53%, 1/28/21 (1) (2)

     1,000       1,001  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.28%),
0.55%, 1/21/22 (1) (2)

     16,680       16,723  

1.10%, 5/5/23 (1)

     11,260       11,450  

Prudential Financial, Inc.,
4.50%, 11/15/20

     2,717       2,731  
               84,779  

Machinery Manufacturing – 1.7%

 

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.23%),
0.48%, 3/15/21 (2)

     300       300  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.28%),
0.53%, 9/7/21 (2)

     20,115       20,153  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.22%),
0.45%, 1/6/22 (2)

     11,340       11,350  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.59%),
3.20%, 6/6/22 (2)

     1,650       1,660  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%    continued

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 1.7%    continued

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.51%),
0.79%, 5/15/23 (2)

   $ 1,300      $ 1,309      

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,
4.88%, 4/1/21

     654       667  

3.88%, 10/15/21

     3,438       3,532  

1.95%, 7/2/23

     3,750       3,820  

John Deere Capital Corp.,
3.20%, 1/10/22

     6,690       6,934  

0.55%, 7/5/22

     7,500       7,539  
               57,264  

Managed Care – 0.3%

    

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.07%),
0.35%, 10/15/20(2)

     10,305       10,305  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

Abbott Laboratories,
2.55%, 3/15/22

     500       517  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%

    

AbbVie, Inc.,
2.30%, 11/21/22 (1)

     10,000       10,347  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.,
2.88%, 2/19/21

     6,320       6,382  

Upjohn, Inc.,
1.13%, 6/22/22 (1)

     12,400       12,496  
               29,225  

Pipeline – 0.6%

    

Energy Transfer Operating L.P.,
4.65%, 6/1/21

     3,529       3,584  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,
2.80%, 2/15/21

     14,300       14,429  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P.,
4.40%, 4/1/21

     1,640       1,664  
               19,677  

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.3%

 

Allstate (The) Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.65%, 3/29/21 (2)

     3,000       3,006  

Aon Corp.,
2.20%, 11/15/22

     5,540       5,732  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.,
3.50%, 12/29/20

     2,300       2,317  
               11,055  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   90   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%    continued

 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.2%

 

NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.40%),
0.63%, 4/1/21(1) (2)

     $8,165        $8,179      

Railroad – 0.8%

    

Union Pacific Corp.,
3.20%, 6/8/21

     28,760       29,329  

Real Estate – 0.1%

    

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership L.P.,
3.75%, 4/15/23

     2,290       2,408  

Refining & Marketing – 1.7%

 

Phillips 66,
4.30%, 4/1/22

     4,335       4,572  

3.70%, 4/6/23

     4,000       4,282  

Valero Energy Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.15%),
1.40%, 9/15/23 (2)

     50,100       49,928  
               58,782  

Restaurants – 0.2%

    

McDonald’s Corp.,
2.75%, 12/9/20

     510       511  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.68%, 10/28/21 (2)

     2,803       2,811  

Starbucks Corp.,
1.30%, 5/7/22

     2,040       2,068  
               5,390  

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.2%

 

Amazon.com, Inc.,
0.40%, 6/3/23

     4,420       4,440  

eBay, Inc.,
2.60%, 7/15/22

     1,000       1,033  
               5,473  

Semiconductors – 0.1%

    

Intel Corp.,
3.10%, 7/29/22

     2,370       2,491  

Software & Services – 0.8%

    

Equifax, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.87%),
1.15%, 8/15/21 (2)

     1,700       1,707  

IBM Credit LLC,
2.65%, 2/5/21

     1,500       1,512  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%    continued

 

Software & Services – 0.8%    continued

 

 

International Business Machines Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.40%),
0.65%, 5/13/21 (2)

     $21,264        $21,317      

1.88%, 8/1/22

     2,600       2,678  

Microsoft Corp.,
2.65%, 11/3/22

     2,000       2,093  
               29,307  

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.4%

 

Kroger (The) Co.,
3.30%, 1/15/21

     11,928       12,001  

2.60%, 2/1/21

     1,250       1,257  
               13,258  

Transportation & Logistics – 1.0%

 

PACCAR Financial Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.20%),
0.45%, 11/13/20 (2)

     500       500  

3.15%, 8/9/21

     395       405  

2.65%, 5/10/22

     5,500       5,700  

2.00%, 9/26/22

     3,260       3,360  

2.65%, 4/6/23

     4,000       4,217  

0.80%, 6/8/23

     3,060       3,082  

0.35%, 8/11/23

     16,090       16,067  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P./PTL Finance Corp.,
3.65%, 7/29/21 (1)

     2,400       2,456  

Ryder System, Inc.,
2.88%, 6/1/22

     279       289  
               36,076  

Travel & Lodging – 0.2%

    

Marriott International, Inc.,
2.88%, 3/1/21

     2,930       2,948  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.65%),
0.90%, 3/8/21 (2)

     3,200       3,187  
               6,135  

Utilities – 3.3%

    

Ameren Corp.,
2.70%, 11/15/20

     4,330       4,334  

Dominion Energy Gas Holdings LLC,
2.80%, 11/15/20

     1,450       1,452  

Dominion Energy, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.53%),
0.78%, 9/15/23 (2)

     16,600       16,627  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   91   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

CORPORATE BONDS - 38.0%    continued

 

Utilities – 3.3%    continued

 

DTE Energy Co.,
11/1/22 (6)

     $22,000        $21,994      

2.25%, 11/1/22

     4,200       4,342  

Duke Energy Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.50%),
0.76%, 5/14/21 (1) (2)

     15,150       15,186  

3.55%, 9/15/21

     1,317       1,346  

Duke Energy Progress LLC,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.18%),
0.43%, 2/18/22 (2)

     17,500       17,495  

Florida Power & Light Co.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.38%),
0.64%, 7/28/23 (2)

     7,030       7,035  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.,
2.40%, 9/1/21

     5,830       5,941  

2.90%, 4/1/22

     14,000       14,496  

PPL Electric Utilities Corp.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.25%),
0.47%, 9/28/23 (2)

     6,150       6,151  
               116,399  

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.0%

 

Waste Management, Inc.,
4.60%, 3/1/21

     565       569  

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.4%

 

AT&T, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.95%),
1.23%, 7/15/21 (2)

     11,450       11,527  

Verizon Communications, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.00%),
1.24%, 3/16/22 (2)

     3,600       3,641  
               15,168  

Total Corporate Bonds

 

(Cost $1,316,580)

       1,325,769  
    

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 29.8%

 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

Toyota Industries Corp.,
3.11%, 3/12/22(1)

     1,900       1,961  

Automobiles Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

Toyota Motor Corp.,
2.16%, 7/2/22

     3,400       3,506  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Banks – 16.6%

    

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
2.65%, 1/19/21 (1)

     $2,105        $2,120      

ANZ New Zealand International Ltd.,
1.90%, 2/13/23 (1)

     11,500       11,844  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.32%),
0.56%, 11/9/20 (1) (2)

     300       300  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.46%), 0.74%, 5/17/21 (1) (2)

     2,370       2,377  

2.30%, 6/1/21

     25,500       25,841  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.87%),
1.13%, 11/23/21 (1) (2)

     765       772  

2.55%, 11/23/21

     1,219       1,251  

2.63%, 5/19/22

     14,000       14,525  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.58%),
0.82%, 11/9/22 (1) (2)

     4,193       4,229  

2.05%, 11/21/22

     12,700       13,146  

Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel S.A.,
2.13%, 11/21/22 (1)

     13,700       14,139  

Barclays Bank PLC,
2.65%, 1/11/21

     10,700       10,744  

1.70%, 5/12/22

     5,770       5,870  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,

    

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.80%), 0.88%, 3/17/23 (2)

     19,500       19,644  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.83%),
1.08%, 9/6/21 (1) (2)

     9,604       9,673  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.70%),
0.95%, 3/10/22 (1) (2)

     10,145       10,225  

Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A.,
2.50%, 1/19/21

     5,200       5,235  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.67%, 4/26/21 (2)

     5,575       5,587  

3.13%, 4/26/21

     1,120       1,138  

3.88%, 2/8/22

     1,000       1,048  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.48%),
0.75%, 1/10/23 (2)

     12,000       12,063  

Credit Suisse A.G.,
3.00%, 10/29/21

     4,165       4,282  

2.10%, 11/12/21

     4,300       4,381  

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.45%),
0.53%, 2/4/22 (2)

     20,650       20,692  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   92   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 
 
 
   
VALUE
(000S)
 
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Banks – 16.6%    continued

 

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd.,
3.45%, 4/16/21

     $3,550        $3,609      

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.,
2.85%, 4/16/22 (1)

     7,600       7,841  

DNB Bank ASA,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.37%),
0.67%, 10/2/20 (1) (2)

     2,500       2,500  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.07%),
1.31%,6/2/21 (1) (2)

     10,000       10,068  

2.38%, 6/2/21 (1)

     8,000       8,113  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.62%),
0.86%, 12/2/22 (1) (2)

     8,600       8,664  

2.15%, 12/2/22 (1)

     5,535       5,729  

ING Groep N.V.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.15%),
1.37%, 3/29/22 (2)

     7,040       7,108  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,
3.00%, 1/11/22

     400       412  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.25%),
2.86%, 3/17/23 (5)

     18,900       19,427  

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 1Y + 1.10%),
1.33%, 6/15/23 (5)

     4,100       4,124  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.,
2.10%, 10/17/22 (1)

     6,000       6,193  

National Australia Bank Ltd.,
3.38%, 9/20/21

     2,600       2,672  

3.70%, 11/4/21

     3,560       3,687  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.89%),
1.16%, 1/10/22 (1) (2)

     12,914       13,035  

2.80%, 1/10/22

     3,531       3,644  

1.88%, 12/13/22

     9,500       9,811  

National Bank of Canada,
2.10%, 2/1/23

     500       517  

Nordea Bank Abp,
1.00%, 6/9/23 (1)

     13,685       13,868  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.94%),
1.20%, 8/30/23 (1) (2)

     1,400       1,402  

Santander UK Group Holdings PLC,
2.88%, 8/5/21

     39,909       40,712  

Santander UK PLC,
3.40%, 6/1/21

     1,000       1,021  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB,
2.63%, 3/15/21

     5,990       6,054  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Banks – 16.6%    continued

 

3.25%, 5/17/21 (1)

     $10,000        $10,178      

1.88%, 9/13/21

     364       370  

3.05%, 3/25/22 (1)

     15,350       15,926  

2.20%, 12/12/22 (1)

     5,400       5,592  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.32%),
0.57%, 9/1/23 (1) (2)

     16,800       16,797  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB,
2.45%, 3/30/21

     1,015       1,026  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.47%),
0.73%, 5/24/21 (2)

     1,000       1,003  

3.35%, 5/24/21

     3,000       3,060  

1.88%, 9/7/21

     13,360       13,557  

0.63%, 6/30/23 (1)

     19,400       19,467  

Swedbank AB,
2.80%, 3/14/22 (1)

     4,600       4,753  

1.30%, 6/2/23 (1)

     4,100       4,178  

0.60%, 9/25/23 (1)

     22,800       22,750  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The),
2.50%, 12/14/20

     5,674       5,700  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.27%),
0.52%, 3/17/21 (2)

     10,000       10,013  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.43%),
0.68%, 6/11/21 (2)

     10,512       10,539  

0.45%, 9/11/23

     21,000       20,961  

Westpac Banking Corp.,
2.65%, 1/25/21

     500       504  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.85%),
1.12%, 1/11/22 (2)

     9,000       9,085  

2.80%, 1/11/22

     935       965  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.39%),
0.66%, 1/13/23 (2)

     16,375       16,429  

2.00%, 1/13/23

     5,040       5,225  
               579,415  

Central Bank – 0.1%

    

Bank of England Euro Note,
0.50%, 4/28/23(1)

     4,700       4,727  

Commercial Finance – 0.4%

 

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust,
5.00%, 10/1/21

     5,000       5,154  

4.45%, 12/16/21

     6,900       7,050  

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd.,
5.25%, 8/15/22 (1)

     1,000       1,004  
     
               13,208  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   93   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Diversified Banks – 6.0%

    

Bank of Montreal,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.79%),
1.04%, 8/27/21 (2)

     $14,581        $14,681      

1.90%, 8/27/21

     3,080       3,127  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.57%),
0.80%, 3/26/22 (2)

     1,627       1,636  

2.90%, 3/26/22

     14,320       14,857  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The),
2.35%, 10/21/20

     8,105       8,114  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.42%),
0.66%, 1/25/21 (2)

     3,520       3,524  

3.13%, 4/20/21

     12,000       12,185  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.64%),
0.89%, 3/7/22 (2)

     1,923       1,938  

1.95%, 2/1/23

     4,000       4,134  

1.63%, 5/1/23

     2,800       2,873  

BNP Paribas S.A.,
2.95%, 5/23/22 (1)

     6,100       6,321  

HSBC Holdings PLC,
2.95%, 5/25/21

     900       915  

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.06%),
3.26%, 3/13/23 (5)

     7,900       8,167  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.,
3.54%, 7/26/21

     6,800       6,978  

3.22%, 3/7/22

     6,200       6,435  

2.62%, 7/18/22

     26,330       27,285  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.14%),
1.39%, 9/13/21 (2)

     5,000       5,045  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.61%),
0.86%, 9/8/24 (2)

     23,600       23,545  

Royal Bank of Canada,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.73%),
0.98%, 2/1/22 (2)

     10,000       10,091  

2.75%, 2/1/22

     4,000       4,133  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.47%),
0.74%, 4/29/22 (2)

     9,800       9,851  

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.36%),
0.63%, 1/17/23 (2)

     2,500       2,508  

1.95%, 1/17/23

     8,050       8,327  

1.60%, 4/17/23

     12,790       13,126  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.,

    

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.68%),
1.92%, 3/9/21 (2)

     5,000       5,034  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Diversified Banks – 6.0%    continued

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.11%),
1.38%, 7/14/21 (2)

     $800        $806        

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.14%),
1.41%, 10/19/21 (2)

     1,330       1,344  

2.78%, 10/18/22

     2,261       2,360  
               209,340  

Financial Services – 2.1%

 

GE Capital International Funding Co. Unlimited Co.,
2.34%, 11/15/20

     10,921       10,946  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd.,
0.80%, 9/12/23 (1)

     25,200       25,237  

UBS A.G.,
1.75%, 4/21/22 (1)

     17,850       18,174  

UBS Group A.G.,
3.49%, 5/23/23 (1)

     17,776       18,539  
               72,896  

Food & Beverage – 0.6%

 

Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands B.V.,
2.00%, 10/28/21 (1)

     3,100       3,149  

2.13%, 9/19/22 (1)

     17,590       18,152  
               21,301  

Government Development Banks – 0.9%

 

BNG Bank N.V.,
0.75%, 4/17/23 (1)

     9,200       9,304  

Japan Bank for International Cooperation,
1.63%, 10/17/22

     4,400       4,511  

1.75%, 1/23/23

     6,400       6,598  

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau,
2.38%, 3/24/21

     411       415  

Nederlandse Waterschapsbank N.V.,
1.50%, 8/27/21 (1)

     3,000       3,033  

Svensk Exportkredit AB,
0.75%, 4/6/23

     6,300       6,363  
               30,224  

Government Regional – 0.1%

 

Kommuninvest I Sverige AB,
0.50%, 2/2/22(1)

     2,800       2,808  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   94   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
 

VALUE

(000S)

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 29.8%    continued

 

Integrated Oils – 1.4%

    

BP Capital Markets PLC,

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.25%),
0.51%, 11/24/20 (2)

     $10,975        $10,979        

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.87%),
1.11%, 9/16/21 (2)

     5,433       5,466  

Shell International Finance B.V.,
0.38%, 9/15/23

     16,050       15,991  

Total Capital International S.A.,
2.22%, 7/12/21

     15,200       15,399  
     
               47,835  

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

DH Europe Finance II S.a.r.l.,
2.05%, 11/15/22

     2,400       2,474  

Pharmaceuticals – 0.7%

    

AstraZeneca PLC,
2.38%, 11/16/20

     3,171       3,179  

GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC,

 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.35%),
0.61%, 5/14/21 (2)

     2,000       2,004  

3.13%, 5/14/21

     1,020       1,038  

0.53%, 10/1/23

     13,600       13,621  

Sanofi,
4.00%, 3/29/21

     4,524       4,608  
     
               24,450  

Supranationals – 0.7%

    

European Investment Bank,

 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.28%),
0.36%, 3/5/24 (1) (2)

     18,400       18,387  

Nordic Investment Bank,
0.38%, 5/19/23

     7,500       7,522  
     
               25,909  

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

 

(Cost $1,030,261)

       1,040,054  

    

    

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 4.4% (7)

 

Fannie Mae – 1.9%

    

2.25%, 4/12/22

     6,705       6,922  

2.38%, 1/19/23

     5,000       5,245  

0.25%, 7/10/23

     20,000       19,996  

Federal National Mortgage Association,
0.25%, 5/22/23

     20,000       20,014  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 4.4% (7)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 1.9%    continued

 

Pool #FM3019,
3.50%, 2/1/35

     $6,706        $7,097        

Pool #MA3932,
3.50%, 2/1/35

     6,459       6,858  
     
               66,132  

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 0.3%

 

0.25%, 5/6/22

     10,000       10,016  

Freddie Mac – 2.2%

    

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
0.13%, 7/25/22

     10,530       10,520  

0.38%, 5/5/23

     20,240       20,327  

0.25%, 8/24/23

     20,380       20,394  

Freddie Mac,
0.38%, 4/20/23

     20,000       20,106  

Pool #ZS8641,
2.50%, 2/1/32

     7,074       7,406  
     
               78,753  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $154,229)

       154,901  

    

    

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 6.8%

 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 2.6%

 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.11%),
0.21%, 4/30/22(2)

     62,000       62,060  

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.06%),
0.16%, 7/31/22(2)

     29,000       28,998  
     
               91,058  

U.S. Treasury Notes – 4.2%

    

1.13%, 8/31/21

     25,000       25,225  

2.63%, 12/15/21

     9,000       9,269  

1.38%, 1/31/22

     9,585       9,744  

2.13%, 5/15/22

     10,000       10,324  

1.75%, 7/15/22

     5,000       5,145  

0.13%, 7/31/22

     255       255  

1.50%, 8/15/22

     18,000       18,464  

1.63%, 11/15/22

     7,000       7,221  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   95   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND    continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

VALUE

(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 6.8%    continued

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 4.2%     continued

 

1.63%, 12/15/22

     $50,000         $51,645        

1.38%, 2/15/23

     7,300        7,513  
     
                144,805  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $232,281)

        235,863  

    

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.6%

 

Florida – 0.2%

     

Miami-Dade County Taxable Capital Asset Acquisition Special Obligation Revenue Bonds,

     

0.38%, 4/1/23

     7,830        7,811  

Michigan – 0.1%

     

West Bloomfield School District Building and Site G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),

     

3.00%, 5/1/21

     2,000        2,032  

New York – 0.3%

     

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series AAA,

     

1.09%, 7/1/23

     10,000        10,143  

Total Municipal Bonds

 

(Cost $19,826)

        19,986  

    

     
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  

VALUE

(000S)

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 5.8%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(8) (9)

     202,827,361        $202,827  

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $202,827)

        202,827  

    

     

Total Investments – 96.1%

 

(Cost $3,325,317)

        3,352,375  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 3.9%

 

     136,366  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $3,488,741  

 

(1)

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(2)

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(3)

Level 3 asset.

(4)

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(5)

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(6)

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(7) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(8)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(9)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

CMT - Constant Maturity

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

G.O. - General Obligation

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MMY - Money Market Yield

PLC - Public Limited Company

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   96   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
   

TOTAL

(000S)

Asset-Backed Securities:

 

     

Automobile

    $         —     $ 129,946       $4,499     $ 134,445      

All Other Industries(1)

          178,548             178,548  

Total Asset-Backed Securities

          308,494       4,499       312,993  

Certificates Of Deposit

          5,008             5,008  

Commercial Paper

          54,974             54,974  

Corporate Bonds

          1,325,769             1,325,769  

Foreign Issuer Bonds

          1,040,054             1,040,054  

U.S. Government Agencies

          154,901             154,901  

U.S. Government Obligations

          235,863             235,863  

Municipal Bonds

          19,986             19,986  

Investment Companies

 

   

 

202,827

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

202,827

 

 

 

Total Investments

    $202,827     $ 3,145,049       $4,499     $ 3,352,375  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   97   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE      
(000S)      

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 9.8% (1)

 

Fannie Mae – 7.4%

    

Pool #555649,
7.50%, 10/1/32

     $26        $29        

Pool #AS4186,
2.50%, 1/1/30

     555       587  

Pool #AS8597,
2.50%, 1/1/32

     568       600  

Pool #BH9277,
3.50%, 2/1/48

     371       392  

Pool #BM1239,
3.50%, 2/1/32

     136       145  

Pool #BM5017,
3.00%, 3/1/30

     146       155  

Pool #FM1454,
2.50%, 9/1/28

     162       171  

Pool #FM1472,
3.50%, 3/1/34

     216       228  

Pool #FM1842,
3.50%, 6/1/34

     127       134  

Pool #FM1849,
3.50%, 12/1/33

     436       464  

Pool #FM1852,
3.00%, 7/1/33

     160       171  

Pool #FM1897,
3.00%, 9/1/32

     459       493  

Pool #FM3308,
3.00%, 4/1/32

     148       156  

Pool #MA2709,
2.50%, 8/1/31

     428       448  
     
               4,173  

Freddie Mac – 1.5%

    

Pool #SB0084,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     315       337  

Pool #SB0215,
3.00%, 2/1/32

     162       170  

Pool #SB0216,
3.00%, 12/1/32

     185       195  

Pool #ZS7325,
2.50%, 7/1/29

     151       158  

Pool #ZS7735,
2.00%, 1/1/32

     3       3  
     
               863  
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  VALUE
(000S)

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 9.8% (1)     continued

 

Freddie Mac Gold – 0.3%

    

Pool #E09021,
2.50%, 2/1/28

     $167        $175        

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.4%

 

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-95, Class QG,

    

2.50%, 8/20/46

     198       206  

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.2%

 

Pool #676682,
4.50%, 6/15/25

     55       58  

Pool #782618,
4.50%, 4/15/24

     23       24  

Pool #783245,
5.00%, 9/15/24

     24       24  

Pool #783489,
5.00%, 6/15/25

     11       12  
     
               118  

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

(Cost $5,387)

       5,535  

    

    

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 88.5%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 88.5%

    

0.13%, 8/31/22

     14,168       14,167  

0.13%, 8/15/23

     13,656       13,645  

0.25%, 8/31/25

     11,659       11,650  

0.50%, 8/31/27

     7,460       7,481  

0.63%, 8/15/30

     2,868       2,854  
     
               49,797  

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

(Cost $49,783)

       49,797  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   98   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  VALUE      
(000S)      

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.7%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(2) (3)

     384,334        $384        

Total Investment Companies

                

(Cost $384)

       384  

    

    

Total Investments – 99.0%

                

(Cost $55,554)

       55,716  

Other Assets less Liabilities – 1.0%

 

    589  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

             $56,305  

 

(1)

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(2)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(3)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

     LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

TOTAL

(000S)

U.S. Government Agencies(1)

     $  —        $  5,535        $—        $  5,535      

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

            49,797               49,797  

Investment Companies

     384                      384  

Total Investments

     $384        $55,332        $—        $55,716  
(1)

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   99   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Core Bond, Fixed Income, High Yield Fixed Income, Short Bond, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income, Ultra-Short Fixed Income and U.S. Government Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS Securities are valued at their fair value. Equity securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed

income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, prepayment speeds, credit risks, cash flows, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using an independent pricing service. Exchange-traded financial futures and options are valued at the settlement price as established by the exchange on which they are traded. Over-the-counter options are valued at broker-provided prices, as are swaps, caps, collars and floors. The foregoing prices may be obtained from one or more independent pricing services or, as needed or applicable, independent broker-dealers. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by a Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   100   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

B) FUTURES CONTRACTS Certain Funds invest in long or short exchange-traded futures contracts for hedging purposes, to increase total return (i.e., for speculative purposes) or to maintain liquidity to meet potential shareholder redemptions, to invest cash balances or dividends or to minimize trading costs. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the fair value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio securities as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract as a hedge in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. A Fund bears the market risk arising from changes in the value of these financial instruments. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Futures are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular futures contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. The Statements of Operations include any realized gains or losses on closed futures contracts in Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts, and any unrealized gains or losses on open futures contracts in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

The contract positions and investment strategies utilized during the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

     

CONTRACT

POSITION

   INVESTMENT
STRATEGY

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

   Long and Short    Hedging/Liquidity

U.S. Government

   Long and Short    Hedging/Liquidity

C) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE at generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE at generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The gains or losses, if any, on investments from original purchase date to subsequent sales trade date resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations in Net realized gains (losses) on investments and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The gains or losses, if any, on translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions are included in Net realized gains (losses)

on foreign currency transactions and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations in the Statements of Operations.

D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS Certain Funds are authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date as a hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions, or as a cross-hedge transaction or for speculative purposes. The objective of a Fund’s foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce the risk that the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s foreign currency denominated securities will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable exchange rates. Any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations. A Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward foreign currency exchange contract is offset by entering into a closing transaction with the same counterparty or is extinguished by delivery of the currency. Realized gains or losses, if any, are included in Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations.

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. A Fund bears the market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the credit risk if the counterparty to the contract fails to perform. The institutions that deal in forward foreign currency exchange contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. No forward foreign currency exchange contracts were held by the Funds during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

E) WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES Certain Funds purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time a Fund enters into the commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the commitment is reflected in the NAV. The value of the commitment may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to a Fund until settlement takes place. At the time a Fund enters into this type of transaction, it is required to segregate collateral of cash or liquid assets having a fair value at least equal to the amount of the commitment. The Funds identify securities as segregated with a value that meets or exceeds the value of the commitments. When-issued securities at September 30, 2020, if any, are noted in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments and in aggregate as Payable for when-issued securities, in each Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   101   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

On January 6, 2014, certain Funds entered into Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“MSFTA”) with certain counterparties, pursuant to which each party has agreed to pledge cash and/or securities as collateral to secure the repayment of its obligations to the other party under the MSFTA. No collateral has been pledged to or received by the Funds as of September 30, 2020.

F) MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS Certain Funds enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which a Fund sells securities for delivery in the future (generally within 30 days) and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase other mortgage securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, a Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, a Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase.

For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale.

G) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The Funds’ income may be subject to certain state and local taxes.

H) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

I) REDEMPTION FEES The High Yield Fixed Income Fund charges a 2 percent redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 days or less. For the purpose of applying the fee, the Fund uses a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest are treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest are treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is paid to the Fund and is intended to offset the trading, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the Fund. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption

transaction, through a separate billing. The redemption fee does not apply to certain types of redemptions as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

Redemption fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were approximately $20,000 and $25,000, respectively, for the High Yield Fixed Income Fund. These amounts are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 8 - Capital Share Transactions. The impact from redemption fees paid to the Fund was less than $0.001 per share for both periods.

J) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid as follows:

 

          DECLARATION
FREQUENCY
   PAYMENT
FREQUENCY
 

Core Bond

   Daily    Monthly
 

Fixed Income

   Daily    Monthly

    

 

High Yield Fixed Income

   Daily    Monthly
 

Short Bond

   Daily    Monthly
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

   Daily    Monthly
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

   Daily    Monthly
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

   Daily    Monthly
 

U.S. Government

   Daily    Monthly

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Funds may periodically make reclassifications among certain of their capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. The reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications relate to net operating losses, Section 988 currency gains and losses, and paydowns. These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds.

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   102   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

        Amounts in thousands   UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
 

ACCUMULATED

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET REALIZED
GAINS (LOSSES)

  CAPITAL    
STOCK    
 

Core Bond

    $ 549     $ (549     $

    

 

Fixed Income

      1,960       (1,915 )       (45 )
 

High Yield Fixed Income

      1,119       (1,119 )      
 

Short Bond

      107       (107 )      
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

      38       (38 )      
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      19       (19 )      
 

U.S. Government

      22       (22 )      

K) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, and for the Core Bond Fund and the Short Bond Fund, the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or November 30, 2012, as applicable, can be carried forward for an unlimited period. However, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning before the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or November 30, 2012, as applicable, with an expiration date may not be used to offset capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or November 30, 2012, as applicable, without an expiration date have been utilized. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Core Bond, Fixed Income, Short Bond, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income, Ultra-Short Fixed Income and U.S. Government Funds utilized approximately $7,806,000, $30,993,000, $1,936,000, $2,216,000, $166,000, $2,054,000 and $1,326,000, respectively, in capital loss carryforwards.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

        SHORT-TERM   LONG-TERM    
        CAPITAL LOSS   CAPITAL LOSS    
        Amounts in thousands   CARRYFORWARD   CARRYFOWARD    
 

Fixed Income

    $     $ 5,602
 

High Yield Fixed Income

      139,794       314,220

    

 

Short Bond

      3,094       9,451
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

      2,749       1,389

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

        UNDISTRIBUTED    
        TAX-EXEMPT   ORDINARY   LONG-TERM   UNREALIZED
        Amounts in thousands   INCOME   INCOME*   CAPITAL GAINS   GAINS (LOSSES)
 

Core Bond

    $     $ 1,248     $     $ (525
 

Fixed Income

                        (14,497 )

    

 

High Yield Fixed Income

            4,241             (667,457 )
 

Short Bond

            4             (2,789 )
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

            9             459
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      689       3,086       596       (7,382 )
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

            3,259       1,634       (28,335 )
 

U.S. Government

            986             549

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

         DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
         TAX-EXEMPT    ORDINARY    LONG-TERM
        Amounts in thousands
   INCOME    INCOME*    CAPITAL GAINS

    

 

Core Bond

     $      $ 5,492      $
 

Fixed Income

              24,458       
 

High Yield Fixed Income

              234,921       
 

Short Bond

              9,601       
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

              863       
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

       42,812        19,399        80
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

       -        56,840        -
 

U.S. Government

              543       
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   103   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

        DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
        TAX-EXEMPT   ORDINARY   LONG-TERM
    Amounts in thousands   INCOME   INCOME*   CAPITAL GAINS
 

Core Bond

    $     $ 8,361     $
 

Fixed Income

            41,378      

    

 

High Yield Fixed Income

            236,381      
 

Short Bond

            13,035      
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

            2,240      
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      39,264       18,604      
 

Ultra–Short Fixed Income

            52,938       426
 

U.S. Government

            734      

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third–party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. NTI has also contractually agreed to reimburse acquired fund fees and expenses related to investments in non–money market mutual funds or exchange traded funds managed by NTI for the Short Bond, Short–Intermediate U.S. Government and U.S. Government

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   104   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

Funds. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

        CONTRACTUAL ANNUAL    
        MANAGEMENT FEES    
                    CONTRACTUAL    
        FIRST   NEXT   OVER   EXPENSE    
         $1.5 BILLION   $1 BILLION   $2.5 BILLION   LIMITATIONS    

    

 

Core Bond

      0.38 %       0.369 %       0.358 %       0.40 %
 

Fixed Income

      0.43 %       0.417 %       0.404 %       0.45 %
 

High Yield Fixed Income

      0.79 %       0.766 %       0.743 %       0.78 %
 

Short Bond

      0.38 %       0.369 %       0.358 %       0.40 %
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

      0.38 %       0.369 %       0.358 %       0.40 %
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      0.23 %       0.223 %       0.216 %       0.25 %
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      0.23 %       0.223 %       0.216 %       0.25 %
 

U.S. Government

      0.38 %       0.369 %       0.358 %       0.40 %

The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one-year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations. This

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   105   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Fund engaged in purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity:

 

    Amount in thousands    PURCHASES    SALES*

        

  Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income      $ -      $ 1,000

 

  *

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the realized gains (losses) associated with these transactions were zero.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

         PURCHASES    SALES
    Amounts in thousands    U.S. GOVERNMENT OTHER    U.S. GOVERNMENT    OTHER
 

Core Bond

       $250,565      $ 49,382      $ 235,410      $ 29,003
 

Fixed Income

       846,149        213,556        900,995        124,630

        

 

High Yield Fixed Income

              1,096,423               1,301,720
 

Short Bond

       52,054        90,611        69,699        52,821
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

       180,848               154,234        2,342
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

       129,796        1,965,328        183,587        926,927
        PURCHASES   SALES
    Amounts in thousands     U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER   U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER

        

 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

    $ 202,984     $ 1,203,451     $ 68,219     $ 666,752
 

U.S. Government

      142,687             122,942       1,476

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain foreign currency contracts, the deferral of post-October currency and capital losses for tax purposes, and the timing of income recognition on investments in real estate investment trusts and passive foreign investment companies.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

   

Amounts in

thousands

  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

NET
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

COST

BASIS OF

INVESTMENTS

 

Core Bond

    $ 6,476     $ (1,025     $ 5,451     $ 248,186

        

 

Fixed Income

      30,238       (11,688 )       18,550       921,541
 

High Yield Fixed Income

      114,936       (292,805 )       (177,869 )       3,530,824
 

Short Bond

      8,500       (1,690 )       6,810       406,311
 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

      180       (2 )       178       77,806
 

Tax-Advantaged
Ultra-Short
Fixed Income

      31,727       (2,967 )       28,760       4,639,453
 

Ultra-Short Fixed
Income

      27,805       (747 )       27,058       3,325,317
 

U.S. Government

      121       (5 )       116       55,600
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

        

  Amounts in thousands
  

SHARES

SOLD

  

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

  

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

  

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

  

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES
REDEEMED

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET    

INCREASE    

(DECREASE)    

IN NET ASSETS    

  Core Bond        7,381      $ 80,799        55      $ 597        (3,195 )     $ (34,736 )       4,241     $ 46,660
  Fixed Income        16,145        171,694        214        2,272        (12,150 )       (127,132 )       4,209       46,834
  High Yield Fixed Income        117,988        715,223        1,764        10,847        (151,166 )       (906,406 )       (31,414 )       (180,336 )
  Short Bond        3,405        64,652        66        1,239        (1,733 )       (32,880 )       1,738       33,011

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   106   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

    

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES
REDEEMED

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET    

INCREASE    

(DECREASE)    

IN NET ASSETS    

 

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

      2,766     $ 27,894       2     $ 23       (866 )     $ (8,747 )       1,902     $ 19,170
 

Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      188,008       1,921,482       358       3,652       (107,313 )       (1,096,238 )       81,053       828,896
 

Ultra-Short Fixed Income

      182,849       1,887,609       796       8,209       (63,361 )       (652,967 )       120,284       1,242,851
 

U.S. Government

      2,104       21,491       4       40       (477 )       (4,878 )       1,631       16,653

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

    

  Amounts in thousands  

SHARES

SOLD

 

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

 

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

 

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

 

SHARES

REDEEMED

 

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES
REDEEMED

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

 

NET    

INCREASE    

(DECREASE)    

IN NET ASSETS    

  Core Bond       7,012     $ 73,237       168     $ 1,743       (13,873 )     $ (143,224 )       (6,693 )     $ (68,244 )
  Fixed Income       17,342       178,912       592       6,074       (20,342 )       (207,809 )       (2,408 )       (22,823 )
  High Yield Fixed Income       151,872       985,597       3,454       22,449       (165,215 )       (1,040,550 )       (9,889 )       (32,504 )
  Short Bond       5,891       111,014       140       2,624       (8,789 )       (164,879 )       (2,758 )       (51,241 )
  Short-Intermediate U.S. Government       1,203       11,816       22       220       (1,746 )       (17,026 )       (521 )       (4,990 )
  Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income       236,399       2,404,938       1,457       14,815       (264,438 )       (2,684,791 )       (26,582 )       (265,038 )
  Ultra-Short Fixed Income       186,429       1,908,793       2,607       26,641       (210,050 )       (2,146,411 )       (21,014 )       (210,977 )
  U.S. Government       1,012       9,934       34       332       (966 )       (9,449 )       80       817

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

      

Amounts in thousands

except shares

  AFFILIATE   VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  PURCHASES   SALES
PROCEEDS
 

NET CHANGE IN

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

NET

REALIZED

GAINS

(LOSSES)

 

DIVIDEND

INCOME

 

VALUE, END

OF PERIOD

 

SHARES, END    

OF PERIOD    

    Northern Institutional                                
    Funds -                                
    U.S. Government                                
  Core Bond   Portfolio (Shares)     $ 3,047     $   115,467     $   100,843     $     $     $ 4     $   17,671       17,670,987
    Northern Institutional                                
    Funds -                                
    U.S. Government                                
  Fixed Income   Portfolio (Shares)       3,804       391,481       365,231                   12       30,054       30,054,197
    Northern Institutional                                
    Funds -                                
    U.S. Government                                
  High Yield Fixed Income   Portfolio (Shares)       24,246       870,275       842,794                   31       51,727       51,726,888
    FlexShares® Disciplined                                
    Duration MBS Index                                
  Short Bond   Fund       4,791                   90             65       4,881       202,000
    Northern Institutional                                
    Funds -                                
    U.S. Government                                
    Portfolio (Shares)       2,157       100,655       100,714                   4       2,098       2,097,961
    Total     $ 6,948     $ 100,655     $ 100,714     $ 90     $     $ 69     $ 6,979       2,299,961
    FlexShares® Disciplined                                
  Short-Intermediate U.S. Government   Duration MBS Index Fund       2,303             2,342       (18 )       57       21            

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   107   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

 

  Amounts in thousands
  except shares
  AFFILIATE    VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD 
   PURCHASES    SALES
PROCEEDS
  

NET CHANGE

IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

  NET
REALIZED
GAINS )
(LOSSES)
   DIVIDEND
INCOME
   VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
   SHARES, END
OF PERIOD
  Northern Institutional                                       
  Funds -                                       
  U.S. Government                                       
  Portfolio (Shares)      $ 5,263      $ 62,548      $ 67,032      $     $      $ 4      $ 779        778,744     
  Total      $ 7,566      $ 62,548      $ 69,374      $ (18 )     $ 57      $ 25      $ 779        778,744
  Northern Institutional                                       

Tax-Advantaged

  Funds -                                       

    Ultra-Short Fixed

  U.S. Government                                       

    Income

  Portfolio (Shares)        177,309        1,701,315        1,829,756                     82        48,868        48,867,972
  Northern Institutional                                       
  Funds -                                       

Ultra-Short Fixed

  U.S. Government                                       

    Income

  Portfolio (Shares)        74,350        1,401,999        1,273,522                     69        202,827        202,827,361
  FlexShares® Disciplined                                       
  Duration MBS Index                                       

U.S. Government

  Fund        1,452               1,476        (12 )       36        13              
  Northern Institutional                                       
  Funds -                                       
  U.S. Government                                       
  Portfolio (Shares)        1,704        47,535        48,855                     2        384        384,334
    Total      $ 3,156      $ 47,535      $ 50,331      $ (12 )     $ 36      $ 15      $ 384        384,334

10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Information concerning the types of derivatives in which the Funds invest, the objectives for using them and their related risks can be found in Note 2.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Funds’ realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended September 30, 2020:

 

         

 

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 

       
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

   VALUE  

Core Bond

   Interest rate contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      $39     

Fixed Income

   Interest rate contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      80     

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

   Interest rate contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      57     

U.S. Government

   Interest rate contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      54     
         

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION)

ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 

       
  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

   VALUE  

Core Bond

   Interest rate contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      $(32)    

Fixed Income

   Interest rate contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (65)    

Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

   Interest rate contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (28)    

U.S. Government

   Interest rate contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (26)    

Volume of derivative activity for the six months ended September 30, 2020*:

 

    

 

INTEREST RATE        
CONTRACTS        

     

NUMBER

OF
TRADES

  AVERAGE  
NOTIONAL  
AMOUNT**  

  Short-Intermediate U.S. Government

   2   $3,892

 

    

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   108   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

    

    

 

        INTEREST RATE        
         CONTRACTS        

     

NUMBER

OF
TRADES

  AVERAGE  
NOTIONAL  
AMOUNT**  

  U.S. Government

   2   $3,641

 

*

Activity for the period is measured by number of trades during the period and average notional amount for futures interest rate contracts.

 

**

Amounts in thousands.

 

11. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

12. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

13. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may

adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4—Bank Borrowings.

 
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   109   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FUND EXPENSES

 

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, including redemption fees on certain exchanges and redemptions in the High Yield Fixed Income Fund; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. For example, the information does not reflect redemption fees (See page 102), if any, in the High Yield Fixed Income Fund. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements of advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 105), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

CORE BOND           
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.41%   $1,000.00    $1,056.90    $2.11

 Hypothetical

   0.41%   $1,000.00    $1,022.95    $2.07
FIXED INCOME
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,068.20    $2.33

 Hypothetical

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,022.75    $2.28
HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.78%   $1,000.00    $1,173.00    $4.24

 Hypothetical

   0.78%   $1,000.00    $1,021.10    $3.94
SHORT BOND
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.40%   $1,000.00    $1,037.30    $2.04

 Hypothetical

   0.40%   $1,000.00    $1,023.00    $2.02
SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.41%   $1,000.00    $1,006.10    $2.06

 Hypothetical

   0.41%   $1,000.00    $1,022.95    $2.07
TAX-ADVANTAGED ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.25%   $1,000.00    $1,014.60    $1.26

 Hypothetical

   0.25%   $1,000.00    $1,023.75    $1.26

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

    

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   110   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

    

ULTRA - SHORT FIXED IN COME
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.25%   $1,000.00    $1,031.40    $1.27

 Hypothetical

   0.25%   $1,000.00    $1,023.75    $1.26
U.S. GOVERNMENT
 SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES  
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

 Actual

   0.42%   $1,000.00    $1,007.50    $2.11

 Hypothetical

   0.42%   $1,000.00    $1,022.90    $2.12

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   111   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and stress testing, credit research, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications

of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed below, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

 

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FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes, including with respect to the Funds’ regular reporting on stress testing. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objective, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. For Funds that had been in existence for the applicable periods, the Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of the Funds was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, with the exception of:

 

    the U.S. Government Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods; and

 

    the Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the one- and five-year periods and in the fifth quintile for the three-year period.

They also considered that all of the Funds underperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, except for the Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund, which outperformed its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods.

They also considered that none of the Funds was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. They also considered the Funds’ investment performance relative to the investor base the Funds are intended to serve. The Trustees noted the potential impact on performance of the relative risk parameters of the different Funds. Specifically, they took into consideration that Northern’s more risk averse investment strategies may cause certain Funds to underperform against their peers during certain market environments. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming Funds. They noted that the quarterly in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in that regard.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory for most Funds, and that Northern was taking appropriate steps to address the performance of any underperforming Funds.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   113   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued

 

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses. The Trustees also considered that, for those Funds that were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted, with respect to the Funds:

 

    actual management fees were equal to or lower than the medians of their respective peer groups and universes, with the exception of the High Yield Fixed Income Fund, whose actual management fees were higher than its respective group and universe medians, the Fixed Income Fund, Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund, whose actual management fees were higher than their respective expense universe medians; and

 

    all of the Funds’ actual expenses, after reimbursement and fee waivers, were in the first quintile of their respective peer group and peer universe, with the exception of the High Yield Fixed Income Fund, which was in the second quintile of its peer group and universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for most of the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. They noted that there were not applicable comparisons for every Fund. For Funds where there were applicable comparisons, the Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light

of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated funds in which the Funds invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. The Trustees considered that the Funds had breakpoints, thus ensuring that as these Funds grew, shareholders would receive reduced fee rates. Materials provided to the Trustees indicated that the High Yield Fixed Income Fund, Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund had the specified asset levels as of January 31, 2020 at which one or more breakpoints on their management fees

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   114   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

were triggered. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Funds’ asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   115   FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS   116   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO

    

NORTHERN FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of Northern Funds shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from Northern Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (northerntrust.com) and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you have already elected to receive your shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from Northern Funds electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if your account is held directly with Northern Funds, by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111 or by sending an e-mail request to: northern-funds@ntrs.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with Northern Funds, you can inform Northern Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111 or by sending an e-mail request to: northern-funds@ntrs.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Northern Funds you hold in your account at the financial intermediary or through an account with Northern Funds. You must provide separate instructions to each of your financial intermediaries.


    

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS      

 

 

    

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

    

 

  2   

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  3   

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  4   

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  5   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  7   

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

  7   

BOND INDEX FUND

    

Ticker Symbol: NOBOX

  86   

U.S. TREASURY INDEX FUND

    

Ticker Symbol: BTIAX

  90   

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  97   

FUND EXPENSES

  98   

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

  104   

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

 

    

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

 

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

 

 

 

May lose value / No bank guarantee

 

         

    

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     1     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

    Amounts in thousands, except per share data   

BOND            

INDEX            

FUND            

    

U.S. TREASURY        

INDEX        

FUND        

 
   

ASSETS:

       
   

Investments, at value

     $3,463,988                    $121,314              
   

Investments in affiliates, at value

          154,966                             774              
   

Interest income receivable

            17,210                             456              
   

Receivable for securities sold

            26,106                          2,838              
   

Receivable for fund shares sold

              1,365                               94              
   

Receivable from investment adviser

                   28                                 2              
   

Prepaid and other assets

                   10                               15              
   

Total Assets

       3,663,673                      125,493              
   

LIABILITIES:

       
   

Payable for securities purchased

            35,865                          2,790              
   

Payable for when-issued securities

          133,690                               —              
   

Payable for fund shares redeemed

              3,729                               99              
   

Distributions payable to shareholders

              1,222                               27              
   

Payable to affiliates:

       
   

Management fees

                   74                                 3              
   

Custody fees

                   11                                 1              
   

Shareholder servicing fees

                   18                               —              
   

Transfer agent fees

                 113                                 4              
   

Trustee fees

                   12                                 4              
   

Accrued other liabilities

                   37                                 7              
   

Total Liabilities

          174,771                          2,935              
   

Net Assets

     $3,488,902                    $122,558              
   

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

       
   

Capital stock

     $3,235,735                    $114,452              
   

Distributable earnings

          253,167                          8,106              
   

Net Assets

     $3,488,902                    $122,558              
   

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

          309,286                          5,172              
   

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

            $11.28                        $23.70              
   

Investments, at cost

     $3,241,771                    $112,833              
   

Investments in affiliates, at cost

          154,966                             774              

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     2     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

     STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

    Amounts in thousands   

BOND

INDEX

FUND

  

U.S. TREASURY

INDEX

FUND

    

INVESTMENT INCOME:

         
   

Interest Income

   $34,933    $956  
   

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

            43         —  
   

Total Investment Income

     34,976      956    
   

EXPENSES:

         
   

Management fees

       2,084        78  
   

Custody fees

          128          6  
   

Transfer agent fees

          617        23  
   

Blue sky fees

            25        10  
   

Printing fees

            9         3  
   

Audit fees

            18          9  
   

Legal fees

            21        11  
   

Shareholder servicing fees

            52         —  
   

Trustee fees

            14          3  
   

Other

            16          6    
   

Total Expenses

       2,984      149  
   

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

         (558)       (55)  
   

Net Expenses

       2,426        94    
   

Net Investment Income

     32,550      862    
   

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

         
   

Net realized gains on:

         
   

Investments

     28,511      399  
   

Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

         
   

Investments

     38,052       (917)  
   

Net Gains (Losses)

     66,563       (518)    
   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $99,113      $344    

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     3     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

 

 

    

BOND

INDEX

FUND

   

U.S. TREASURY

INDEX

FUND

     
    Amounts in thousands   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

     

OPERATIONS:

            
   

Net investment income

     $32,550       $79,101       $862       $1,866    
   

Net realized gains

     28,511       35,532       399       539    
   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     38,052       145,919       (917     8,676    
   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     99,113       260,552       344       11,081      
   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

            
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     490,277       (253,114     20,030       9,021    
   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     490,277       (253,114     20,030       9,021      
   

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            
   

Distributable earnings

     (36,560     (91,564     (861     (1,866  
   

Total Distributions Paid

     (36,560     (91,564     (861     (1,866    
   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     552,830       (84,126     19,513       18,236    
   

NET ASSETS:

            
   

Beginning of period

     2,936,072       3,020,198       103,045       84,809    
   

End of period

     $3,488,902       $2,936,072       $122,558       $103,045      

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     4     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS       

 

 

    BOND INDEX FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  

ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  

(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $11.05       $10.45       $10.31       $10.47       $10.74       $10.84    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    0.12       0.28       0.28       0.26       0.25       0.25    
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.24       0.65       0.15       (0.14     (0.24     (0.06  
           

Total from Investment Operations

    0.36       0.93       0.43       0.12       0.01       0.19          
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.30     (0.29     (0.28     (0.27     (0.27  
           

From net realized gains

          (0.03                 (0.01     (0.02  
           

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.13     (0.33     (0.29     (0.28     (0.28     (0.29        
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $11.28       $11.05       $10.45       $10.31       $10.47       $10.74          
           

Total Return(1)

    3.25     9.01     4.33     1.13     0.14     1.90  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $3,488,902       $2,936,072       $3,020,198       $2,769,946       $2,496,618       $2,630,015    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.19     0.18     0.17     0.17     0.17     0.17  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    2.04     2.63     2.78     2.50     2.35     2.40  
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    2.00     2.60     2.76     2.48     2.33     2.38  
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    40.80     53.74     70.72     44.51     65.28     88.99        

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $73,000, $83,000, $109,000, $97,000, $126,000 and $87,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, and less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     5     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued                 

 

 

    U.S. TREASURY INDEX FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  

ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  

(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $23.79       $21.43       $21.03       $21.35       $22.13       $22.17    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    0.17       0.45       0.43       0.38       0.34       0.32    
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.09     2.36       0.40       (0.32     (0.70     0.16    
           

Total from Investment Operations

    0.08       2.81       0.83       0.06       (0.36     0.48          
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (0.17     (0.45     (0.43     (0.38     (0.34     (0.32  
           

From net realized gains

                            (0.08     (0.20  
           

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.17     (0.45     (0.43     (0.38     (0.42     (0.52        
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $23.70       $23.79       $21.43       $21.03       $21.35       $22.13          
           

Total Return(1)

    0.34     13.29     4.03     0.24     (1.63 )%      2.25  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $122,558       $103,045       $84,809       $81,477       $108,599       $123,516    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    0.16     0.16     0.18     0.17     0.16     0.16  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.25     0.28     0.32     0.28     0.25     0.26  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(3)

    1.44     2.04     2.08     1.74     1.53     1.47  
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.35     1.92     1.94     1.63     1.44     1.37  
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    26.03     50.28     37.64     34.21     38.93     68.57        

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, $1,000, $1,000, $1,000 and $1,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, and less than $1,000, which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     6     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

    

 

     BOND INDEX FUND   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%

 

 
 

Auto Floor Plan – 0.0%

 

    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A

       
 

3.17%, 3/15/25

     $50        $53    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2018-3, Class A1

       
 

3.52%, 10/15/23

     200        207    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2018-4, Class A

       
 

4.06%, 11/15/30

     100        114    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A

       
 

2.84%, 3/15/24

     200        207    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A

       
 

3.06%, 4/15/26

     150        162    
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Series 2019-4, Class A

       
 

2.44%, 9/15/26

     400        425    
 

 

          1,168    
 

 

 

Automobile – 0.2%

 

 
 

Ally Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2018-3, Class A4

       
 

3.12%, 7/17/23

     100        103    
 

Ally Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-4, Class A3

       
 

1.84%, 6/17/24

     100        102    
 

Ally Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-4, Class A4

       
 

1.92%, 1/15/25

     100        103    
 

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2017-2, Class D

       
 

3.42%, 4/18/23

     100        103    
 

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2018-3, Class B

       
 

3.58%, 10/18/24

     100        104    
 

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2018-3, Class C

       
 

3.74%, 10/18/24

     100        106    
 

BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A3

       
 

0.48%, 10/25/24

     100        100    
 

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3

       
 

1.60%, 11/15/24

     100        102    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Automobile – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A4

       
 

1.63%, 8/15/25

     $100        $103    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2017-4, Class A4

       
 

2.33%, 5/15/23

     100        102    
 

Carmax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2018-4, Class A4

       
 

3.48%, 2/15/24

     500        528    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A3

       
 

2.68%, 3/15/24

     200        206    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A4

       
 

2.77%, 12/16/24

     200        210    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A3

       
 

2.18%, 8/15/24

     100        103    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A4

       
 

2.30%, 4/15/25

     100        105    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3

       
 

1.89%, 12/16/24

     150        154    
 

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2020-2, Class A3

       
 

1.70%, 11/15/24

     285        292    
 

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A4

       
 

2.27%, 11/15/22

     100        102    
 

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2017-C, Class B

       
 

2.35%, 4/15/23

     100        101    
 

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2017-C, Class C

       
 

2.50%, 5/15/24

     100        101    
 

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A4

       
 

2.24%, 10/15/24

     100        104    
 

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A3 1.67%, 12/20/22

     100        101    
 

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2020-1, Class A4

       
 

1.70%, 12/20/23

     100        102    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     7     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Automobile – 0.2%    continued

 

    
 

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, Series 2020-3, Class A3

       
 

0.45%, 8/21/23(1)

     $100        $100    
 

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A4

       
 

2.71%, 8/16/24

     100        105    
 

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A3

       
 

2.18%, 4/16/24

     100        102    
 

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2019-4, Class A3

       
 

1.75%, 7/16/24

     100        102    
 

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2020-3, Class A3

       
 

0.45%, 4/16/25

     200        200    
 

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2018-4, Class A4

       
 

3.30%, 7/15/25

     100        105    
 

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-2, Class A3

       
 

2.52%, 6/21/23

     200        205    
 

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A4

       
 

1.85%, 8/15/25

     100        103    
 

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-3, Class A3

       
 

0.37%, 10/18/24

     150        150    
 

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A3

       
 

2.00%, 10/17/22

     100        102    
 

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A3

       
 

0.40%, 11/15/23(1)

     150        150    
 

Mercedes-Benz Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A3

       
 

1.94%, 3/15/24

     100        102    
 

Nissan Auto Lease Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A4

       
 

2.29%, 4/15/25

     100        102    
 

Nissan Auto Lease Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A3

       
 

0.43%, 10/16/23(1)

     150        150    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Automobile – 0.2%    continued

 

    
 

Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A3

       
 

2.50%, 11/15/23

     $100        $102    
 

Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A4

       
 

1.95%, 5/15/26

     100        104    
 

Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-B, Class A3

       
 

0.55%, 7/15/24

     250        251    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2018-3, Class D

       
 

4.07%, 8/15/24

     50        52    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-1, Class D

       
 

3.65%, 4/15/25

     50        52    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-3, Class A3

       
 

0.52%, 7/15/24

     100        100    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-3, Class B

       
 

0.69%, 3/17/25

     100        100    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-3, Class C

       
 

1.12%, 1/15/26

     100        100    
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-3, Class D

       
 

1.64%, 11/16/26

     75        75    
 

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2017-D, Class A4

       
 

2.12%, 2/15/23

     100        101    
 

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A3

       
 

2.57%, 8/15/23

     100        103    
 

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2019-D, Class A4

       
 

1.99%, 2/18/25

     100        104    
 

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A3

       
 

1.66%, 5/15/24

     100        102    
 

USAA Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A4

       
 

2.14%, 11/15/24

     50        51    
 

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A3

       
 

1.96%, 12/16/24

     100        103    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     8     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Automobile – 0.2%    continued

 

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A4

       
 

2.03%, 12/15/25

     $100        $104    
 

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A3

       
 

1.70%, 1/17/23

     100        102    
 

World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2020-C, Class A3

       
 

0.48%, 11/17/25

     200        200    
 

World Omni Automobile Lease Securitization Trust, Series 2019-B, Class A3

       
 

2.03%, 11/15/22

     100        102    
 

 

          7,023    
 

 

  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%

 

 
 

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-UB10, Class A4

       
 

3.17%, 7/15/49

     300        328    
 

BANK, Series 2017-BNK7, Class A5

       
 

3.44%, 9/15/60

     250        284    
 

BANK, Series 2017-BNK9, Class A4

       
 

3.54%, 11/15/54

     250        285    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN10, Class A5

       
 

3.69%, 2/15/61

     100        115    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN11, Class A3

       
 

4.05%, 3/15/61

     200        235    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN12, Class A4

       
 

4.26%, 5/15/61

     300        355    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN13, Class A5

       
 

4.22%, 8/15/61

     100        118    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN14, Class A2

       
 

4.13%, 9/15/60

     100        108    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN14, Class A4

       
 

4.23%, 9/15/60

     200        238    
 

BANK, Series 2018-BN15, Class A4

       
 

4.41%, 11/15/61

     300        360    
 

BANK, Series 2019-BN18, Class A3

       
 

3.33%, 5/15/62

     200        227    
 

BANK, Series 2019-BN19, Class A3

       
 

3.18%, 8/15/61

     300        340    
 

BANK, Series 2019-BN20, Class A3

       
 

3.01%, 9/15/62

     250        280    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

BANK, Series 2020-BN25, Class A5

       
 

2.65%, 1/15/63

     $200        $219    
 

BANK, Series 2020-BN26, Class A4

       
 

2.40%, 3/15/63

     400        429    
 

BANK, Series 2020-BN27, Class A5

       
 

2.14%, 4/15/63

     1,000        1,050    
 

BANK, Series 2020-BN28, Class A4

       
 

1.84%, 3/15/63

     500        513    
 

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C3, Class A4

       
 

3.58%, 5/15/52

     200        231    
 

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C4, Class A5

       
 

2.92%, 8/15/52

     100        111    
 

BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C2, Class A5

       
 

4.31%, 12/15/51

     150        179    
 

BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-C6, Class A4

       
 

2.64%, 2/15/53

     200        219    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B1, Class A2

       
 

3.57%, 1/15/51

     250        260    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B2, Class A5

       
 

3.88%, 2/15/51

     150        175    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B3, Class A2

       
 

3.85%, 4/10/51

     500        531    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B3, Class A5

       
 

4.03%, 4/10/51

     100        118    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B4, Class A2

       
 

3.98%, 7/15/51

     100        107    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B5, Class A2

       
 

4.08%, 7/15/51

     100        108    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B5, Class A4

       
 

4.21%, 7/15/51

     200        239    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B6, Class A2

       
 

4.20%, 10/10/51

     400        429    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     9     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B7, Class A2

       
 

4.38%, 5/15/53

     $300        $326    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B7, Class A4

       
 

4.51%, 5/15/53

     783        956    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B8, Class A5

       
 

4.23%, 1/15/52

     100        120    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-B12, Class A5

       
 

3.12%, 8/15/52

     125        141    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-B16, Class A5

       
 

2.73%, 2/15/53

     200        220    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-B17, Class A5

       
 

2.29%, 3/15/53

     200        212    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-B18, Class A5

       
 

1.93%, 7/15/53

     500        518    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-B19, Class A5

       
 

1.85%, 9/15/53

     500        514    
 

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-IG1, Class A3

       
 

2.69%, 9/15/43

     100        110    
 

CD Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-CD4, Class A4

       
 

3.51%, 5/10/50

     250        282    
 

CD Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-CD5, Class A4

       
 

3.43%, 8/15/50

     250        282    
 

CD Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-CD6, Class A5

       
 

3.46%, 11/13/50

     200        226    
 

CD Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-CD7, Class A4

       
 

4.28%, 8/15/51

     200        239    
 

CD Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-CD8, Class A4

       
 

2.91%, 8/15/57

     150        166    
 

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C3, Class A3

       
 

3.87%, 1/10/48

     300        336    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C4, Class A4

       
 

3.28%, 5/10/58

     $250        $271    
 

CGMS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-B1, Class A4

       
 

3.46%, 8/15/50

     250        283    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-GC8, Class A4

       
 

3.02%, 9/10/45

     383        392    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-GC15, Class A4

       
 

4.37%, 9/10/46

     350        383    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-GC15, Class AS

       
 

4.65%, 9/10/46

     100        109    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-GC25, Class A4

       
 

3.64%, 10/10/47

     100        109    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-GC27, Class A5

       
 

3.14%, 2/10/48

     200        216    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-P1, Class A5

       
 

3.72%, 9/15/48

     200        223    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C1, Class A4

       
 

3.21%, 5/10/49

     250        276    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C3, Class A4

       
 

3.15%, 11/15/49

     150        166    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-GC36, Class A5

       
 

3.62%, 2/10/49

     300        336    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-GC37, Class A4

       
 

3.31%, 4/10/49

     250        276    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-P3, Class A4

       
 

3.33%, 4/15/49

     250        275    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-P8, Class A4

       
 

3.47%, 9/15/50

     250        284    
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B2, Class A4

       
 

4.01%, 3/10/51

     100        116    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     10     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

  
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C5, Class A4

        
 

4.23%, 6/10/51

     $200        $236     
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C6, Class A4

        
 

4.41%, 11/10/51

     200        240     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-CR2, Class A4

        
 

3.15%, 8/15/45

     335        346     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-CR10, Class A4

        
 

4.21%, 8/10/46

     100        108     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-CR12, Class A4

        
 

4.05%, 10/10/46

     300        326     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-LC6, Class A4

        
 

2.94%, 1/10/46

     120        125     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR14, Class A3

        
 

3.96%, 2/10/47

     420        452     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR19, Class A5

        
 

3.80%, 8/10/47

     300        329     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-UBS5, Class A4

        
 

3.84%, 9/10/47

     500        550     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-UBS6, Class A5

        
 

3.64%, 12/10/47

     250        274     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-CR24, Class A5

        
 

3.70%, 8/10/48

     500        559     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-DC1, Class A5

        
 

3.35%, 2/10/48

     200        218     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-LC19, Class A4

        
 

3.18%, 2/10/48

     500        542     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-PC1, Class A5

        
 

3.90%, 7/10/50

     200        222     
 

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-COR3, Class A3

        
 

4.23%, 5/10/51

     200        238     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

  
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C1, Class A4

        
 

3.51%, 4/15/50

     $225        $246     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C3, Class A4

        
 

3.72%, 8/15/48

     500        551     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C6, Class A5

        
 

3.09%, 1/15/49

     100        109     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C7, Class A5

        
 

3.50%, 11/15/49

     200        222     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C14, Class A4

        
 

4.42%, 11/15/51

     300        360     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-CX11, Class A5

        
 

4.03%, 4/15/51

     100        117     
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-C19, Class A3

        
 

2.56%, 3/15/53

     200        215     
 

DBJPM Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C6, Class A5

        
 

3.33%, 6/10/50

     250        281     
 

DBJPM Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-C9, Class A5

        
 

1.93%, 9/15/53

     100        104     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2013-GC10, Class A5

        
 

2.94%, 2/10/46

     100        104     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2012-GCJ9, Class A3

        
 

2.77%, 11/10/45

     171        176     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2013-GC12, Class A4

        
 

3.14%, 6/10/46

     100        104     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2013-GC13, Class A5

        
 

4.19%, 7/10/46(2) (3)

     200        214     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2013-GC14, Class A5

        
 

4.24%, 8/10/46

     150        162     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-GC20, Class A5

        
 

4.00%, 4/10/47

     100        109     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     11     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

  
 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-GC24, Class A5

        
 

3.93%, 9/10/47

     $300        $329     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-GC26, Class A5

        
 

3.63%, 11/10/47

     250        273     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-GC30, Class A4

        
 

3.38%, 5/10/50

     200        219     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-GS2, Class A4

        
 

3.05%, 5/10/49

     100        108     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-GS3, Class A4

        
 

2.85%, 10/10/49

     200        217     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-GS7, Class A4

        
 

3.43%, 8/10/50

     250        283     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-GS8, Class A4

        
 

3.47%, 11/10/50

     200        228     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2018-GS9, Class A4

        
 

3.99%, 3/10/51

     150        175     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2019-GC40, Class A4

        
 

3.16%, 7/10/52

     150        169     
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2020-GC45, Class A5

        
 

2.91%, 2/13/53

     300        336     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2013-C10, Class AS

        
 

3.37%, 12/15/47

     50        52     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C19, Class A4

        
 

4.00%, 4/15/47

     500        547     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C20, Class A5

        
 

3.80%, 7/15/47

     500        546     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C24, Class A5

        
 

3.64%, 11/15/47

     200        219     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C25, Class A5

        
 

3.67%, 11/15/47

     $150        $165     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-C30, Class A5

        
 

3.82%, 7/15/48

     200        225     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-C2, Class A4

        
 

3.14%, 6/15/49

     100        110     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-C4, Class A3

        
 

3.14%, 12/15/49

     150        166     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-JP3, Class A5

        
 

2.87%, 8/15/49

     200        218     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-JP3, Class AS

        
 

3.14%, 8/15/49

     100        108     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-C5, Class A5

        
 

3.69%, 3/15/50

     300        342     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-C7, Class A5

        
 

3.41%, 10/15/50

     200        227     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-JP5, Class A5

        
 

3.72%, 3/15/50

     350        400     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-JP7, Class A5

        
 

3.45%, 9/15/50

     100        113     
 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2018-C8, Class A2

        
 

4.03%, 6/15/51

     500        532     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     12     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

 

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2019-COR5, Class A4

        
 

3.39%, 6/13/52

     $200        $228     
 

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2020-COR7, Class A5

        
 

2.18%, 5/13/53

     1,000        1,051     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C11, Class A4

        
 

4.30%, 8/15/46(2) (3)

     200        215     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C12, Class A4

        
 

4.26%, 10/15/46

     825        891     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C9, Class A4

        
 

3.10%, 5/15/46

     200        209     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2014-C14, Class A5

        
 

4.06%, 2/15/47

     200        218     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C26, Class A5

        
 

3.53%, 10/15/48

     100        111     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2016-C29, Class A4

        
 

3.33%, 5/15/49

     250        277     
 

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2016-C30, Class A5

        
 

2.86%, 9/15/49

     100        108     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2018-H3, Class A5

        
 

4.18%, 7/15/51

     150        178     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2018-H4, Class A4

        
 

4.31%, 12/15/51

     100        119     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2018-L1, Class A4

        
 

4.41%, 10/15/51

     200        240     

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2019-H7, Class A4

        
 

3.26%, 7/15/52

     $250        $282     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2020-HR8, Class A4

        
 

2.04%, 7/15/53

     500        519     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2020-L4, Class A3

        
 

2.70%, 2/15/53

     200        219     
 

Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2017-HR2, Class A4

        
 

3.59%, 12/15/50

     200        227     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C1, Class A4

        
 

3.46%, 6/15/50

     250        278     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C2, Class A4

        
 

3.49%, 8/15/50

     250        282     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C3, Class A4

        
 

3.43%, 8/15/50

     175        197     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C6, Class A5

        
 

3.58%, 12/15/50

     100        114     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C7, Class A4

        
 

3.68%, 12/15/50

     150        173     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C10, Class A4

        
 

4.31%, 5/15/51

     200        235     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C11, Class A5

        
 

4.24%, 6/15/51

     150        176     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C13, Class A4

        
 

4.33%, 10/15/51

     200        235     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C14, Class A4

        
 

4.45%, 12/15/51

     100        121     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C8, Class A4

        
 

3.98%, 2/15/51

     150        174     
 

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C9, Class A4

        
 

4.12%, 3/15/51

     100        116     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     13     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
  ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

 

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C6, Class A4

        
 

3.24%, 4/10/46

     $250        $262     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-LC5, Class A3

        
 

2.92%, 10/15/45

     132        137     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C26, Class A4

        
 

3.17%, 2/15/48

     100        108     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C30, Class A4

        
 

3.66%, 9/15/58

     250        279     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-LC20, Class A5

        
 

3.18%, 4/15/50

     200        216     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-NXS2, Class A5

        
 

3.77%, 7/15/58

     300        334     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-NXS4, Class A4

        
 

3.72%, 12/15/48

     300        336     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C32, Class A4

        
 

3.56%, 1/15/59

     200        222     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C33, Class A4

        
 

3.43%, 3/15/59

     250        278     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C35, Class A4

        
 

2.93%, 7/15/48

     100        108     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C36, Class A4

        
 

3.07%, 11/15/59

     250        274     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-LC24, Class A4

        
 

2.94%, 10/15/49

     200        218     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-NXS6, Class A4

        
 

2.92%, 11/15/49

     150        162     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C39, Class A5

        
 

3.42%, 9/15/50

     250        283     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C40, Class A4

        
 

3.58%, 10/15/50

     100        114     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
  ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%     continued

 

  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 1.3%    continued

 

 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C42, Class A4

        
 

3.59%, 12/15/50

     $100        $115     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C43, Class A4

        
 

4.01%, 3/15/51

     150        175     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C44, Class A5

        
 

4.21%, 5/15/51

     155        182     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C48, Class A5

        
 

4.30%, 1/15/52

     100        119     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C50, Class A5

        
 

3.73%, 5/15/52

     200        231     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-C55, Class A5

        
 

2.73%, 2/15/53

     100        110     
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-C56, Class A5

        
 

2.45%, 6/15/53

     500        538     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C12, Class AS

        
 

3.56%, 3/15/48

     50        52     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C12, Class ASB

        
 

2.84%, 3/15/48

     205        210     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C13, Class A4

        
 

3.00%, 5/15/45

     500        524     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C14, Class A5

        
 

3.34%, 6/15/46

     150        158     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-C16, Class A5

        
 

4.42%, 9/15/46

     250        269     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C25, Class A5

        
 

3.63%, 11/15/47

     250        272     
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-LC14, Class A5

        
 

4.05%, 3/15/47

     100        109     
 

 

 
          44,288     
 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     14     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%    continued

 

 
 

Credit Card – 0.2%

 

 
 

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2017-7, Class A
2.35%, 5/15/25

     $100        $104    
 

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A
3.01%, 10/15/25

     150        160    
 

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A
2.87%, 10/15/24

     250        260    
 

BA Credit Card Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
1.74%, 1/15/25

     200        206    
 

Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A
1.96%, 5/15/25

     100        103    
 

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2017-A3, Class A3
2.43%, 1/15/25

     200        206    
 

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2017-A6, Class A6
2.29%, 7/15/25

     200        208    
 

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2019-A2, Class A2
1.72%, 8/15/24

     200        205    
 

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2019-A3, Class A3
2.06%, 8/15/28

     250        269    
 

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2012-A7, Class A7
2.16%, 9/15/24

     200        207    
 

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2020-A1, Class A1
1.53%, 1/15/25

     200        206    
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2007-A3, Class A3
6.15%, 6/15/39

     150        220    
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2016-A2, Class A2
2.19%, 11/20/23

     100        102    
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2018-A3, Class A3
3.29%, 5/23/25

     100        108    
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2018-A6, Class A6
3.21%, 12/7/24

     150        159    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%    continued

 

 
 

Credit Card – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2018-A7, Class A7
3.96%, 10/13/30

     $200        $242    
 

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2017-A2, Class A2
2.39%, 7/15/24

     150        154    
 

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2018-A1, Class A1
3.03%, 8/15/25

     200        212    
 

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2019-A1, Class A1
3.04%, 7/15/24

     200        207    
 

Synchrony Card Funding LLC, Series 2019-A1, Class A
2.95%, 3/15/25

     200        207    
 

Synchrony Card Funding LLC, Series 2019-A2, Class A
2.34%, 6/15/25

     200        206    
 

Synchrony Card Issuance Trust, Series 2018-A1, Class A
3.38%, 9/15/24

     200        206    
 

Synchrony Credit Card Master Note Trust, Series 2017-2, Class A
2.62%, 10/15/25

     100        104    
 

Synchrony Credit Card Master Note Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A
3.47%, 5/15/26

     100        107    
 

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2016-A, Class A
2.03%, 4/15/25

     100        101    
 

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-A, Class A
3.14%, 12/15/25

     125        129    
 

World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A
2.21%, 7/15/26

     200        205    
 

 

          4,803    
 

 

 

Other – 0.0%

 

 
 

AEP Texas Central Transition Funding lll LLC, Series 2012-1, Class A3
2.84%, 3/1/26

     100        105    
 

CenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Co. LLC, Series 2009-1, Class A3
4.24%, 8/15/23

     48        50    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     15     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.7%    continued

 

 
 

Other – 0.0%    continued

 

 
 

CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Co. IV LLC, Series 2012-1, Class A3

       
 

3.03%, 10/15/25

     $150        $158    
 

Entergy Texas Restoration Funding LLC, Series 2009-A, Class A3

       
 

4.38%, 11/1/23

     49        51    
 

PSNH Funding LLC 3, Series 2018-1, Class A3

       
 

3.81%, 2/1/35

     100        120    
 

 

          484    

 

  Total Asset-Backed Securities        

 

  (Cost $54,146)         57,766    
         
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 22.8%

 

 
 

Advertising & Marketing – 0.0%

 

 
 

Interpublic Group of (The) Cos., Inc.,

       
 

4.20%, 4/15/24

     150        166    
 

Omnicom Group, Inc./Omnicom Capital, Inc.,

       
 

3.60%, 4/15/26

     525        592    
 

 

          758    
 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.6%

 

 
 

Boeing (The) Co.,

       
 

4.51%, 5/1/23

     1,000        1,054    
 

7.95%, 8/15/24

     1,400        1,672    
 

2.85%, 10/30/24

     110        111    
 

4.88%, 5/1/25

     300        326    
 

2.25%, 6/15/26

     250        243    
 

6.13%, 2/15/33

     135        160    
 

3.30%, 3/1/35

     55        52    
 

6.63%, 2/15/38

     100        120    
 

5.88%, 2/15/40

     75        85    
 

3.50%, 3/1/45

     500        441    
 

5.81%, 5/1/50

     2,000        2,420    
 

General Dynamics Corp.,

       
 

2.25%, 11/15/22

     500        518    
 

2.13%, 8/15/26

     350        376    
 

4.25%, 4/1/40

     1,000        1,258    
 

3.60%, 11/15/42

     155        183    
 

Hexcel Corp.,
4.70%, 8/15/25

     150        167    
 

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.,
4.40%, 6/15/28

     449        535    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Aerospace & Defense – 0.6%     continued

 

 
 

Lockheed Martin Corp.,
3.55%, 1/15/26

     $600        $682    
 

3.60%, 3/1/35

     135        162    
 

4.07%, 12/15/42

     868        1,084    
 

3.80%, 3/1/45

     230        273    
 

4.09%, 9/15/52

     20        26    
 

Northrop Grumman Corp.,
3.25%, 1/15/28

     1,000        1,124    
 

5.05%, 11/15/40

     250        335    
 

4.75%, 6/1/43

     250        326    
 

4.03%, 10/15/47

     60        73    
 

Precision Castparts Corp.,
2.50%, 1/15/23

     500        521    
 

3.90%, 1/15/43

     100        116    
 

4.38%, 6/15/45

     350        436    
 

Raytheon Technologies Corp.,
3.50%, 3/15/27 (4)

     500        562    
 

4.13%, 11/16/28

     750        888    
 

7.50%, 9/15/29

     100        145    
 

6.05%, 6/1/36

     600        852    
 

6.13%, 7/15/38

     175        251    
 

5.70%, 4/15/40

     500        706    
 

4.70%, 12/15/41

     100        123    
 

4.50%, 6/1/42

     450        568    
 

3.75%, 11/1/46

     750        859    
 

 

          19,833    
 

 

 

Airlines – 0.0%

 

 
 

Southwest Airlines Co. Pass Through Trust, Series 2007-1,
6.15%, 8/1/22

     140        140    
 

United Airlines Pass Through Trust, Series 2019-1, Class AA,
4.15%, 8/25/31

     1,731        1,727    
 

 

          1,867    
 

 

 

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.0%

 

 
 

NIKE, Inc.,
2.38%, 11/1/26

     250        272    
 

3.63%, 5/1/43

     75        88    
 

3.38%, 11/1/46

     500        566    
 

 

          926    
 

 

 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

 
 

Aptiv Corp.,
4.15%, 3/15/24

     300        330    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     16     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT
(000S)

    

VALUE
(000S)

     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.0%    continued

 

 
 

BorgWarner, Inc.,
4.38%, 3/15/45

     $170        $201    
 

 

          531    
 

 

 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

 
 

American Honda Finance Corp.,
2.60%, 11/16/22

     125        131    
 

3.63%, 10/10/23

     500        545    
 

Daimler Finance North America LLC,
8.50%, 1/18/31

     175        271    
 

General Motors Co.,
6.13%, 10/1/25

     1,000        1,162    
 

5.00%, 4/1/35

     500        542    
 

6.25%, 10/2/43

     1,050        1,244    
 

6.75%, 4/1/46

     145        178    
 

5.40%, 4/1/48

     267        295    
 

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,
3.45%, 4/10/22

     50        51    
 

3.70%, 5/9/23

     1,050        1,097    
 

4.00%, 10/6/26

     750        804    
 

5.65%, 1/17/29

     150        175    
 

Harley-Davidson, Inc.,
4.63%, 7/28/45

     670        723    
 

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
2.70%, 1/11/23

     625        656    
 

2.90%, 3/30/23

     3,000        3,181    
 

2.25%, 10/18/23

     545        572    
 

 

          11,627    
 

 

 

Banks – 1.1%

 

 
 

Bank of America N.A.,
6.00%, 10/15/36

     250        359    
 

Discover Bank,
2.70%, 2/6/30

     250        262    
 

Fifth Third Bancorp,
3.65%, 1/25/24

     570        622    
 

8.25%, 3/1/38

     275        449    
 

Fifth Third Bank N.A.,
2.88%, 10/1/21

     250        256    
 

HSBC Bank U.S.A. N.A.,
7.00%, 1/15/39

     350        517    
 

HSBC U.S.A., Inc.,
3.50%, 6/23/24

     1,000        1,079    
 

Huntington National Bank (The),
3.55%, 10/6/23

     1,000        1,088    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Banks – 1.1%    continued

 

 
 

KeyBank N.A.,
1.25%, 3/10/23

     $1,500        $1,528    
 

3.30%, 6/1/25

     250        279    
 

M&T Bank Corp.,
3.55%, 7/26/23

     100        108    
 

MUFG Americas Holdings Corp.,
3.50%, 6/18/22

     150        157    
 

PNC Bank N.A.,
2.63%, 2/17/22

     750        773    
 

2.70%, 11/1/22

     750        784    
 

2.95%, 1/30/23

     500        526    
 

3.80%, 7/25/23

     1,000        1,089    
 

PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.,
3.30%, 3/8/22

     150        156    
 

2.85%, 11/9/22

     100        105    
 

3.15%, 5/19/27

     1,000        1,114    
 

Regions Financial Corp.,
2.75%, 8/14/22

     250        260    
 

Synchrony Bank,
3.00%, 6/15/22

     250        258    
 

Truist Bank,
3.00%, 2/2/23

     1,361        1,434    
 

2.75%, 5/1/23

     350        369    
 

3.63%, 9/16/25

     250        282    
 

4.05%, 11/3/25

     600        694    
 

3.80%, 10/30/26

     250        289    
 

Truist Financial Corp.,
2.75%, 4/1/22

     150        155    
 

2.85%, 10/26/24

     1,000        1,084    
 

U.S. Bancorp,
2.63%, 1/24/22

     115        118    
 

3.00%, 3/15/22

     75        78    
 

2.95%, 7/15/22

     1,700        1,775    
 

3.60%, 9/11/24

     350        388    
 

2.38%, 7/22/26

     1,000        1,090    
 

U.S. Bank N.A.,
2.80%, 1/27/25

     250        272    
 

Wells Fargo & Co.,
2.63%, 7/22/22

     2,000        2,074    
 

3.07%, 1/24/23

     480        495    
 

3.45%, 2/13/23

     125        132    
 

4.13%, 8/15/23

     200        218    
 

3.30%, 9/9/24

     1,095        1,193    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     17     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
  Banks – 1.1%    continued

 

 
 

3.00%, 2/19/25

     $655        $708    
 

3.00%, 4/22/26

     1,365        1,486    
 

3.00%, 10/23/26

     600        656    
 

4.30%, 7/22/27

     110        126    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.31%), 3.58%, 5/22/28 (5)

     585        655    
 

5.38%, 2/7/35

     425        581    
 

5.95%, 12/15/36

     100        131    
 

3.90%, 5/1/45

     950        1,111    
 

4.40%, 6/14/46

     850        1,015    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
4.24%), 5.01%, 4/4/51 (5)

     3,500        4,790    
 

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.,
(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +

0.61%), 2.90%, 5/27/22 (5)

     1,020        1,036    
 

5.85%, 2/1/37

     250        341    
 

6.60%, 1/15/38

     300        441    
 

 

          36,986    
 

 

  Biotechnology – 0.3%

 

 
 

Amgen, Inc.,
3.88%, 11/15/21

     207        213    
 

2.70%, 5/1/22

     1,000        1,034    
 

3.20%, 11/2/27

     250        280    
 

5.15%, 11/15/41

     126        167    
 

4.40%, 5/1/45

     250        310    
 

4.66%, 6/15/51

     1,000        1,302    
 

2.77%, 9/1/53 (4)

     1,876        1,801    
 

Baxalta, Inc.,
4.00%, 6/23/25

     225        255    
 

Biogen, Inc.,
4.05%, 9/15/25

     95        108    
 

5.20%, 9/15/45

     100        134    
 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.,
3.25%, 9/1/22

     145        152    
 

3.50%, 2/1/25

     250        277    
 

3.65%, 3/1/26

     2,000        2,254    
 

4.60%, 9/1/35

     1,000        1,286    
 

4.80%, 4/1/44

     245        316    
 

4.50%, 2/1/45

     150        188    
 

4.75%, 3/1/46

     210        274    
 

 

          10,351    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
  Cable & Satellite – 0.6%

 

 
 

Charter Communications
Operating LLC/Charter
Communications Operating Capital,
4.91%, 7/23/25

     $625        $723    
 

3.75%, 2/15/28

     1,790        1,979    
 

5.05%, 3/30/29

     305        366    
 

2.80%, 4/1/31

     715        744    
 

4.80%, 3/1/50

     1,500        1,706    
 

Comcast Corp.,
3.38%, 2/15/25

     145        160    
 

2.35%, 1/15/27

     570        611    
 

3.30%, 2/1/27

     1,335        1,506    
 

4.15%, 10/15/28

     1,450        1,747    
 

3.40%, 4/1/30

     1,000        1,154    
 

4.25%, 1/15/33

     1,550        1,926    
 

7.05%, 3/15/33

     140        214    
 

5.65%, 6/15/35

     1,005        1,431    
 

4.75%, 3/1/44

     385        507    
 

4.60%, 8/15/45

     380        490    
 

4.00%, 8/15/47

     40        48    
 

4.70%, 10/15/48

     44        59    
 

4.00%, 11/1/49

     30        36    
 

2.45%, 8/15/52

     110        103    
 

4.05%, 11/1/52

     694        852    
 

4.95%, 10/15/58

     930        1,333    
 

TCI Communications, Inc.,
7.88%, 2/15/26

     755        1,020    
 

Time Warner Cable LLC,
6.55%, 5/1/37

     68        90    
 

7.30%, 7/1/38

     705        998    
 

6.75%, 6/15/39

     130        176    
 

5.50%, 9/1/41

     75        91    
 

Time Warner Entertainment Co. L.P.,
8.38%, 7/15/33

     260        398    
 

 

          20,468    
 

 

  Chemicals – 0.4%

 

 
 

3M Co.,
2.75%, 3/1/22

     111        115    
 

3.25%, 2/14/24

     456        497    
 

3.05%, 4/15/30

     2,000        2,286    
 

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.,
3.00%, 11/3/21

     300        308    
 

2.75%, 2/3/23

     250        264    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     18     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Chemicals – 0.4%    continued

 

 
 

Airgas, Inc.,
2.90%, 11/15/22

     $150        $157    
 

3.65%, 7/15/24

     70        77    
 

Dow Chemical (The) Co.,
4.55%, 11/30/25

     55        64    
 

7.38%, 11/1/29

     100        141    
 

4.25%, 10/1/34

     670        783    
 

9.40%, 5/15/39

     300        512    
 

5.25%, 11/15/41

     400        492    
 

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.,
4.73%, 11/15/28

     580        697    
 

5.32%, 11/15/38

     208        264    
 

5.42%, 11/15/48

     2,000        2,674    
 

Eastman Chemical Co.,
4.80%, 9/1/42

     200        237    
 

4.65%, 10/15/44

     100        117    
 

Ecolab, Inc.,
3.25%, 1/14/23

     65        69    
 

2.70%, 11/1/26

     70        78    
 

5.50%, 12/8/41

     455        655    
 

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.,
5.00%, 9/26/48

     67        83    
 

Linde, Inc.,
2.45%, 2/15/22

     422        432    
 

2.20%, 8/15/22

     150        154    
 

2.70%, 2/21/23

     250        262    
 

Lubrizol (The) Corp.,
6.50%, 10/1/34

     50        78    
 

LYB International Finance III LLC,
3.38%, 5/1/30

     240        261    
 

Mosaic (The) Co.,
3.25%, 11/15/22

     36        38    
 

5.45%, 11/15/33

     250        291    
 

4.88%, 11/15/41

     100        105    
 

PPG Industries, Inc.,
3.20%, 3/15/23

     500        531    
 

RPM International, Inc.,
3.75%, 3/15/27

     100        110    
 

Sherwin-Williams (The) Co.,
3.45%, 6/1/27

     205        230    
 

2.95%, 8/15/29

     795        875    
 

4.55%, 8/1/45

     30        36    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Chemicals – 0.4%    continued

 

 
 

Westlake Chemical Corp.,
3.60%, 7/15/22

     $65        $68    
 

3.60%, 8/15/26

     950        1,044    
 

 

          15,085    
 

 

 

Commercial Finance – 0.2%

 

 
 

Air Lease Corp.,
3.50%, 1/15/22

     214        220    
 

2.75%, 1/15/23

     125        128    
 

3.00%, 9/15/23

     245        249    
 

4.25%, 9/15/24

     485        507    
 

3.25%, 3/1/25

     145        147    
 

4.63%, 10/1/28

     255        264    
 

3.25%, 10/1/29

     500        474    
 

GATX Corp.,
3.50%, 3/15/28

     500        546    
 

5.20%, 3/15/44

     35        43    
 

GE Capital Funding LLC,
4.40%, 5/15/30 (4)

     3,000        3,222    
 

International Lease Finance Corp.,
5.88%, 8/15/22

     250        268    
 

 

          6,068    
 

 

 

Communications Equipment – 0.5%

 

 
 

Apple, Inc.,
2.10%, 9/12/22

     665        687    
 

2.40%, 5/3/23

     5        5    
 

3.00%, 2/9/24

     1,320        1,422    
 

2.85%, 5/11/24

     1,570        1,694    
 

2.75%, 1/13/25

     1,265        1,370    
 

2.50%, 2/9/25

     55        59    
 

2.45%, 8/4/26

     225        245    
 

3.35%, 2/9/27

     370        423    
 

3.20%, 5/11/27

     540        614    
 

2.90%, 9/12/27

     1,625        1,822    
 

3.00%, 11/13/27

     1,000        1,130    
 

3.85%, 5/4/43

     230        287    
 

4.45%, 5/6/44

     75        102    
 

3.45%, 2/9/45

     55        64    
 

4.38%, 5/13/45

     195        261    
 

4.65%, 2/23/46

     250        349    
 

3.75%, 9/12/47

     150        185    
 

3.75%, 11/13/47

     25        31    
 

2.95%, 9/11/49

     500        547    
 

2.65%, 5/11/50

     2,000        2,096    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     19     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Communications Equipment – 0.5%     continued

 

 
 

Cisco Systems, Inc.,
2.20%, 9/20/23

     $750        $788    
 

2.95%, 2/28/26

     375        418    
 

5.90%, 2/15/39

     690        1,031    
 

Corning, Inc.,
5.75%, 8/15/40

     170        228    
 

5.35%, 11/15/48

     500        675    
 

Juniper Networks, Inc.,
5.95%, 3/15/41

     100        127    
 

 

          16,660    
 

 

 

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

 
 

Carlisle Cos., Inc.,
2.75%, 3/1/30

     500        531    
 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.,
3.45%, 6/1/27

     500        555    
 

Owens Corning,
3.40%, 8/15/26

     400        431    
 

3.88%, 6/1/30

     500        566    
 

 

          2,083    
 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.6%

 

 
 

American Express Co.,
2.50%, 8/1/22

     325        337    
 

2.65%, 12/2/22

     632        662    
 

3.70%, 8/3/23

     500        543    
 

3.00%, 10/30/24

     220        239    
 

3.63%, 12/5/24

     1,125        1,243    
 

3.13%, 5/20/26

     500        558    
 

Capital One Financial Corp.,
3.20%, 1/30/23

     400        422    
 

3.75%, 4/24/24

     1,000        1,088    
 

3.30%, 10/30/24

     1,050        1,138    
 

3.75%, 7/28/26

     505        550    
 

3.75%, 3/9/27

     250        278    
 

Discover Financial Services,
4.50%, 1/30/26

     500        570    
 

Fiserv, Inc.,
3.85%, 6/1/25

     45        51    
 

3.50%, 7/1/29

     1,500        1,710    
 

4.40%, 7/1/49

     500        627    
 

Mastercard, Inc.,
2.00%, 11/21/21

     130        132    
 

3.35%, 3/26/30

     3,000        3,518    
 

3.80%, 11/21/46

     500        613    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 
 

Consumer Finance – 0.6%    continued

 

 
 

PayPal Holdings, Inc.,
2.85%, 10/1/29

     $1,500        $1,651    
 

Synchrony Financial,
4.25%, 8/15/24

     570        619    
 

3.95%, 12/1/27

     635        683    
 

Visa, Inc.,
3.15%, 12/14/25

     1,250        1,399    
 

4.15%, 12/14/35

     1,000        1,295    
 

3.65%, 9/15/47

     125        153    
 

Western Union (The) Co.,
6.20%, 6/21/40

     120        141    
 

 

          20,220    
 

 

 

Consumer Products – 0.2%

 

 
 

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.,
3.95%, 8/1/47

     100        118    
 

Clorox (The) Co.,
3.05%, 9/15/22

     250        261    
 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.,
2.25%, 11/15/22

     1,150        1,197    
 

1.95%, 2/1/23

     100        104    
 

2.10%, 5/1/23

     400        417    
 

Estee Lauder (The) Cos., Inc.,
2.35%, 8/15/22

     50        52    
 

6.00%, 5/15/37

     100        144    
 

4.38%, 6/15/45

     150        196    
 

4.15%, 3/15/47

     70        88    
 

Kimberly-Clark Corp.,
2.40%, 3/1/22

     50        51    
 

6.63%, 8/1/37

     350        557    
 

3.70%, 6/1/43

     100        116    
 

3.20%, 7/30/46

     125        144    
 

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.,
2.30%, 2/6/22

     215        221    
 

3.10%, 8/15/23

     250        269    
 

3.00%, 3/25/30

     1,500        1,740    
 

3.60%, 3/25/50

     340        431    
 

Unilever Capital Corp.,
2.00%, 7/28/26

     1,000        1,069    
 

5.90%, 11/15/32

     125        184    
 

 

          7,359    
 

 

 

Consumer Services – 0.0%

 

 
 

Cintas Corp. No. 2,
2.90%, 4/1/22

     85        88    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     20     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

 
 

Containers & Packaging – 0.1%

 

 
 

International Paper Co.,
5.00%, 9/15/35

     $445        $579    
 

7.30%, 11/15/39

     45        66    
 

6.00%, 11/15/41

     480        660    
 

5.15%, 5/15/46

     250        327    
 

Packaging Corp. of America,
4.50%, 11/1/23

     100        111    
 

3.65%, 9/15/24

     250        274    
 

Sonoco Products Co.,
4.38%, 11/1/21

     25        26    
 

5.75%, 11/1/40

     150        194    
 

WestRock MWV LLC,
7.95%, 2/15/31

     100        142    
 

WRKCo, Inc.,
4.90%, 3/15/29

     350        430    
 

 

          2,809    
 

 

 

Department Stores – 0.0%

 

 
 

Kohl’s Corp.,
3.25%, 2/1/23

     100        100    
 

4.75%, 12/15/23

     69        72    
 

Nordstrom, Inc.,
4.00%, 10/15/21

     150        149    
 

7.00%, 1/15/38

     26        22    
 

 

          343    
 

 

 

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.0%

 

 
 

Arrow Electronics, Inc.,
3.88%, 1/12/28

     250        277    
 

 

 

Diversified Banks – 1.7%

 

 
 

Bank of America Corp.,
5.70%, 1/24/22

     1,000        1,069    
 

3.30%, 1/11/23

     2,000        2,123    
 

4.10%, 7/24/23

     100        109    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.79%), 3.00%, 12/20/23 (5)

     1,379        1,448    
 

4.13%, 1/22/24

     100        111    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.78%), 3.55%, 3/5/24 (5)

     250        266    
 

4.00%, 4/1/24

     165        183    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.94%), 3.86%, 7/23/24 (5)

     1,000        1,083    
 

4.20%, 8/26/24

     280        312    
 

4.00%, 1/22/25

     1,595        1,777    
 

3.95%, 4/21/25

     1,375        1,527    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

 
 

Diversified Banks – 1.7%     continued

 

 
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.81%), 3.37%, 1/23/26 (5)

     $1,000        $1,091    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.64%), 2.02%, 2/13/26 (5)

     760        788    
 

4.45%, 3/3/26

     500        577    
 

4.25%, 10/22/26

     100        116    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.04%), 3.42%, 12/20/28 (5)

     1,200        1,335    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.31%), 4.27%, 7/23/29 (5)

     1,000        1,173    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.99%), 2.50%, 2/13/31 (5)

     5,000        5,257    
 

6.11%, 1/29/37

     150        212    
 

7.75%, 5/14/38

     275        455    
 

5.00%, 1/21/44

     955        1,319    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.99%), 4.44%, 1/20/48 (5)

     500        651    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.52%), 4.33%, 3/15/50 (5)

     190        242    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
3.15%), 4.08%, 3/20/51 (5)

     810        1,003    
 

Citigroup, Inc.,
4.50%, 1/14/22

     735        772    
 

4.05%, 7/30/22

     90        96    
 

3.38%, 3/1/23

     150        159    
 

3.88%, 10/25/23

     200        219    
 

3.75%, 6/16/24

     909        1,003    
 

3.88%, 3/26/25

     1,730        1,906    
 

5.50%, 9/13/25

     350        415    
 

4.60%, 3/9/26

     205        235    
 

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.75%),
3.11%, 4/8/26 (5)

     2,000        2,165    
 

3.20%, 10/21/26

     505        557    
 

4.30%, 11/20/26

     825        945    
 

4.45%, 9/29/27

     170        197    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.39%), 3.67%, 7/24/28 (5)

     710        798    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.15%),3.52%,10/27/28 (5)

     750        836    
 

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.91%), 4.41%, 3/31/31 (5)

     3,000        3,596    
 

6.63%, 6/15/32

     100        140    
 

6.00%, 10/31/33

     350        471    
 

6.13%, 8/25/36

     125        168    
 

8.13%, 7/15/39

     680        1,184    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     21     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

  
 

Diversified Banks – 1.7%     continued

 

  
 

5.88%, 1/30/42

     $30        $44     
 

4.75%, 5/18/46

     1,530        1,920     
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

        
 

3.25%, 9/23/22

     210        222     
 

3.20%, 1/25/23

     611        649     
 

3.88%, 9/10/24

     2,250        2,496     
 

3.90%, 7/15/25

     755        854     
 

7.75%, 7/15/25

     54        69     
 

3.20%, 6/15/26

     500        555     
 

2.95%, 10/1/26

     485        534     
 

8.00%, 4/29/27

     750        1,035     
 

3.63%, 12/1/27

     1,250        1,400     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.34%), 3.78%, 2/1/28(5)

     500        565     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.95%), 3.51%, 1/23/29(5)

     500        562     
 

6.40%, 5/15/38

     1,054        1,609     
 

5.60%, 7/15/41

     405        594     
 

5.40%, 1/6/42

     100        144     
 

5.63%, 8/16/43

     150        216     
 

4.85%, 2/1/44

     215        290     
 

4.95%, 6/1/45

     500        678     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.58%), 4.26%, 2/22/48(5)

     285        359     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.38%), 3.96%, 11/15/48(5)

     740        899     
 

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 2.44%),
3.11%, 4/22/51(5)

     3,000        3,219     
 

 

          59,002     
 

 

 

Educational Services – 0.1%

        
 

California Institute of Technology,

        
 

4.70%, 11/1/11(6)

     110        150     
 

Duke University,

        
 

2.68%, 10/1/44

     200        209     
 

Emory University,

        
 

2.97%, 9/1/50

     500        548     
 

Johns Hopkins University,

        
 

4.08%, 7/1/53

     100        135     
 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

        
 

5.60%, 7/1/11(6)

     190        329     
 

4.68%, 7/1/14(7)

     15        22     
 

3.89%, 7/1/16(8)

     300        378     
 

Northwestern University,

        
 

4.64%, 12/1/44

     50        68     

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

  
 

Educational Services – 0.1%     continued

 

President and Fellows of Harvard
College,

        
 

2.52%, 10/15/50

     $1,000        $1,038     
 

University of Pennsylvania,

        
 

4.67%, 9/1/12(9)

     100        140     
 

University of Southern California,

        
 

2.81%, 10/1/50

     500        529     
 

 

          3,546     
 

 

 

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

     
 

ABB Finance U.S.A., Inc.,

        
 

4.38%, 5/8/42

     250        322     
 

Carrier Global Corp.,

        
 

2.72%, 2/15/30 (4)

     1,000        1,046     
 

Emerson Electric Co.,

        
 

2.63%, 12/1/21

     310        318     
 

General Electric Co.,

        
 

3.10%, 1/9/23

     500        525     
 

3.45%, 5/15/24

     520        559     
 

3.45%, 5/1/27

     625        662     
 

6.75%, 3/15/32

     150        189     
 

6.15%, 8/7/37

     150        180     
 

5.88%, 1/14/38

     400        468     
 

6.88%, 1/10/39

     300        385     
 

4.50%, 3/11/44

     1,000        1,033     
 

Honeywell International, Inc.,

        
 

3.35%, 12/1/23

     260        284     
 

2.50%, 11/1/26

     780        860     
 

3.81%, 11/21/47

     125        157     
 

Otis Worldwide Corp.,

        
 

3.36%, 2/15/50

     500        549     
 

Rockwell Automation, Inc.,

        
 

6.25%, 12/1/37

     150        219     
 

4.20%, 3/1/49

     100        131     
 

Roper Technologies, Inc.,

        
 

1.00%, 9/15/25

     2,000        2,004     
 

3.85%, 12/15/25

     220        250     
 

3.80%, 12/15/26

     235        271     
 

 

          10,412     
 

 

 

Entertainment Content – 0.4%

        
 

Fox Corp.,

        
 

5.58%, 1/25/49

     2,000        2,763     
 

ViacomCBS, Inc.,

        
 

3.88%, 4/1/24

     245        267     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     22     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

Entertainment Content – 0.4%     continued

 

3.70%, 8/15/24

     $565        $618     
 

4.75%, 5/15/25

     260        299     
 

4.95%, 1/15/31

     1,000        1,202     
 

4.38%, 3/15/43

     490        521     
 

5.85%, 9/1/43

     300        381     
 

5.25%, 4/1/44

     30        35     
 

Walt Disney (The) Co.,

        
 

2.55%, 2/15/22

     295        304     
 

2.45%, 3/4/22

     555        571     
 

3.70%, 9/15/24

     915        1,013     
 

6.40%, 12/15/35

     31        47     
 

4.13%, 12/1/41

     105        125     
 

3.70%, 12/1/42

     395        447     
 

4.95%, 10/15/45

     500        652     
 

2.75%, 9/1/49

     1,000        975     
 

3.60%, 1/13/51

     2,000        2,254     
 

 

          12,474     
 

 

 

Exploration & Production – 0.2%

        
 

Burlington Resources LLC,

        
 

7.40%, 12/1/31

     120        178     
 

5.95%, 10/15/36

     125        171     
 

Cimarex Energy Co.,

        
 

4.38%, 3/15/29

     200        207     
 

CNOOC Finance 2015 U.S.A. LLC,

 

  
 

3.75%, 5/2/23

     500        533     
 

Concho Resources, Inc.,

        
 

4.88%, 10/1/47

     1,000        1,105     
 

ConocoPhillips,

        
 

5.90%, 5/15/38

     280        385     
 

ConocoPhillips Co.,

        
 

4.95%, 3/15/26

     120        143     
 

6.95%, 4/15/29

     465        646     
 

Devon Energy Corp.,

        
 

5.85%, 12/15/25

     660        740     
 

EOG Resources, Inc.,

        
 

2.63%, 3/15/23

     670        698     
 

3.15%, 4/1/25

     145        158     
 

Hess Corp.,

        
 

7.13%, 3/15/33

     690        831     
 

Marathon Oil Corp.,

        
 

2.80%, 11/1/22

     260        266     
 

6.80%, 3/15/32

     175        188     
 

5.20%, 6/1/45

     1,000        938     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

Exploration & Production – 0.2%     continued

 

Noble Energy, Inc.,

        
 

5.25%, 11/15/43

     $1,000        $1,326     
 

Ovintiv, Inc.,

        
 

6.63%, 8/15/37

     180        165     
 

 

          8,678     
 

 

 

Financial Services – 1.1%

        
 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.,

        
 

4.00%, 10/15/23

     250        276     
 

3.70%, 10/15/24

     500        558     
 

2.88%, 9/15/26

     435        478     
 

Bank of New York Mellon (The) Corp.,

        
 

2.20%, 8/16/23

     285        299     
 

3.25%, 5/16/27

     500        568     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.07%), 3.44%, 2/7/28(5)

     1,000        1,147     
 

BlackRock, Inc.,

        
 

3.50%, 3/18/24

     250        276     
 

2.40%, 4/30/30

     500        545     
 

1.90%, 1/28/31

     220        228     
 

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.,

        
 

2.65%, 1/25/23

     175        184     
 

3.45%, 2/13/26

     280        316     
 

3.20%, 3/2/27

     500        561     
 

CME Group, Inc.,

        
 

3.75%, 6/15/28

     300        351     
 

5.30%, 9/15/43

     45        67     
 

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc.,

        
 

5.75%, 1/24/22

     360        385     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.82%), 2.88%, 10/31/22(5)

     1,000        1,024     
 

3.63%, 1/22/23

     325        347     
 

3.50%, 1/23/25

     55        60     
 

3.75%, 5/22/25

     2,690        2,990     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.20%), 3.27%, 9/29/25(5)

     500        541     
 

3.75%, 2/25/26

     2,575        2,898     
 

3.50%, 11/16/26

     500        553     
 

5.95%, 1/15/27

     80        98     
 

3.85%, 1/26/27

     125        141     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.51%),3.69%,6/5/28(5)

     1,000        1,121     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.16%), 3.81%, 4/23/29(5)

     70        80     
 

6.75%, 10/1/37

     615        894     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     23     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

  Financial Services – 1.1%     continued

 

  
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.43%), 4.41%, 4/23/39(5)

     $1,020        $1,245     
 

6.25%, 2/1/41

     300        448     
 

4.80%, 7/8/44

     350        458     
 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,

        
 

2.35%, 9/15/22

     500        518     
 

2.65%, 9/15/40

     1,620        1,618     
 

Jefferies Group LLC,

        
 

5.13%, 1/20/23

     315        343     
 

Legg Mason, Inc.,

        
 

5.63%, 1/15/44

     269        372     
 

Morgan Stanley,

        
 

2.63%, 11/17/21

     945        969     
 

2.75%, 5/19/22

     2,500        2,590     
 

4.10%, 5/22/23

     580        628     
 

3.88%, 4/29/24

     680        750     
 

3.70%, 10/23/24

     310        344     
 

4.00%, 7/23/25

     2,000        2,261     
 

3.13%, 7/27/26

     980        1,085     
 

6.25%, 8/9/26

     100        127     
 

3.63%, 1/20/27

     190        215     
 

3.95%, 4/23/27

     1,190        1,349     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
1.34%), 3.59%, 7/22/28(5)

     1,000        1,125     
 

6.38%, 7/24/42

     300        469     
 

4.30%, 1/27/45

     1,095        1,388     
 

State Street Corp.,

        
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.64%), 2.65%, 5/15/23(5)

     1,000        1,035     
 

3.10%, 5/15/23

     225        240     
 

3.70%, 11/20/23

     340        375     
 

3.30%, 12/16/24

     330        365     
 

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.,

        
 

2.95%, 4/1/22

     80        83     
 

3.63%, 4/1/25

     250        280     
 

 

          37,666     
 

 

 

Food & Beverage – 1.0%

        
 

Anheuser-Busch Cos.

        
 

LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev

Worldwide, Inc.,

        
 

4.90%, 2/1/46

     2,910        3,588     
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc.,

 

  
 

4.00%, 1/17/43

     150        164     
 

4.63%, 2/1/44

     250        294     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
      
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

Food & Beverage – 1.0%     continued

 

  
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,

 

  
 

4.75%, 1/23/29

     $1,000        $1,220     
 

3.50%, 6/1/30

     3,000        3,413     
 

8.20%, 1/15/39

     750        1,219     
 

5.45%, 1/23/39

     190        246     
 

8.00%, 11/15/39

     310        500     
 

3.75%, 7/15/42

     65        69     
 

4.60%, 4/15/48

     500        596     
 

4.44%, 10/6/48

     89        104     
 

4.75%, 4/15/58

     215        262     
 

Brown-Forman Corp.,

        
 

3.75%, 1/15/43

     50        58     
 

4.50%, 7/15/45

     200        262     
 

Campbell Soup Co.,

        
 

2.50%, 8/2/22

     205        213     
 

3.65%, 3/15/23

     86        92     
 

Coca-Cola (The) Co.,

        
 

2.50%, 4/1/23

     275        289     
 

3.20%, 11/1/23

     100        109     
 

1.75%, 9/6/24

     80        84     
 

2.88%, 10/27/25

     3,000        3,329     
 

2.55%, 6/1/26

     770        842     
 

Conagra Brands, Inc.,

        
 

3.25%, 9/15/22

     55        58     
 

4.30%, 5/1/24

     135        151     
 

7.00%, 10/1/28

     200        268     
 

5.30%, 11/1/38

     1,000        1,289     
 

Constellation Brands, Inc.,

        
 

2.65%, 11/7/22

     625        647     
 

4.40%, 11/15/25

     188        219     
 

3.60%, 2/15/28

     250        283     
 

4.65%, 11/15/28

     480        578     
 

5.25%, 11/15/48

     167        225     
 

General Mills, Inc.,

        
 

3.15%, 12/15/21

     500        513     
 

2.60%, 10/12/22

     140        146     
 

3.65%, 2/15/24

     75        82     
 

2.88%, 4/15/30

     1,050        1,151     
 

5.40%, 6/15/40

     70        96     
 

Hershey (The) Co.,

        
 

2.30%, 8/15/26

     365        393     
 

Ingredion, Inc.,

        
 

3.20%, 10/1/26

     250        276     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     24     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Food & Beverage – 1.0%    continued

 

 
 

JM Smucker (The) Co.,
3.50%, 3/15/25

     $500        $562    
 

4.38%, 3/15/45

     250        302    
 

Kellogg Co.,
2.75%, 3/1/23

     350        364    
 

4.50%, 4/1/46

     750        937    
 

Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc.,
3.13%, 12/15/23

     85        91    
 

2.55%, 9/15/26

     95        103    
 

4.42%, 12/15/46

     450        554    
 

McCormick & Co., Inc.,
2.70%, 8/15/22

     160        167    
 

Molson Coors Beverage Co.,
3.00%, 7/15/26

     170        181    
 

5.00%, 5/1/42

     575        651    
 

Mondelez International, Inc.,
3.63%, 2/13/26

     171        195    
 

PepsiCo, Inc.,
1.70%, 10/6/21

     45        45    
 

2.75%, 3/5/22

     385        398    
 

2.75%, 4/30/25

     500        545    
 

2.38%, 10/6/26

     355        387    
 

3.00%, 10/15/27

     110        124    
 

2.63%, 7/29/29

     90        100    
 

3.60%, 8/13/42

     50        59    
 

4.25%, 10/22/44

     355        459    
 

4.60%, 7/17/45

     75        103    
 

3.45%, 10/6/46

     45        52    
 

3.38%, 7/29/49

     1,000        1,155    
 

3.63%, 3/19/50

     2,000        2,425    
 

Tyson Foods, Inc.,
4.50%, 6/15/22

     300        317    
 

5.15%, 8/15/44

     455        604    
 

 

          34,208    
 

 

 

Forest & Paper Products Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

 
 

Georgia-Pacific LLC,
8.00%, 1/15/24

     500        613    
 

7.75%, 11/15/29

     500        747    
 

 

          1,360    
 

 

 

Hardware – 0.2%

 

 
 

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,
5.45%, 6/15/23 (4)

     730        800    
 

5.85%, 7/15/25 (4)

     2,000        2,330    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Hardware – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

6.02%, 6/15/26 (4)

     $210        $247    
 

8.35%, 7/15/46 (4)

     900        1,189    
 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.,
4.40%, 10/15/22

     830        887    
 

4.65%, 10/1/24

     1,475        1,668    
 

6.35%, 10/15/45

     200        255    
 

HP, Inc.,
4.05%, 9/15/22

     25        27    
 

6.00%, 9/15/41

     275        337    
 

NetApp, Inc.,
3.30%, 9/29/24

     160        174    
 

 

          7,914    
 

 

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.7%

 

 
 

AHS Hospital Corp.,
5.02%, 7/1/45

     100        135    
 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.,
3.25%, 3/1/25

     135        148    
 

4.25%, 3/1/45

     60        69    
 

4.30%, 12/15/47

     1,000        1,164    
 

Ascension Health,
2.53%, 11/15/29

     750        813    
 

Cardinal Health, Inc.,
3.20%, 6/15/22

     150        156    
 

3.75%, 9/15/25

     250        279    
 

4.60%, 3/15/43

     35        38    
 

4.50%, 11/15/44

     710        770    
 

Cigna Corp.,
4.38%, 10/15/28

     3,300        3,926    
 

4.80%, 7/15/46

     580        727    
 

CommonSpirit Health,
3.82%, 10/1/49

     1,000        1,094    
 

CVS Health Corp.,
2.75%, 12/1/22

     850        887    
 

3.70%, 3/9/23

     11        12    
 

3.38%, 8/12/24

     250        272    
 

4.10%, 3/25/25

     481        543    
 

3.88%, 7/20/25

     308        347    
 

4.30%, 3/25/28

     1,185        1,387    
 

3.25%, 8/15/29

     1,330        1,463    
 

4.78%, 3/25/38

     170        207    
 

5.30%, 12/5/43

     750        959    
 

5.13%, 7/20/45

     1,560        1,971    
 

5.05%, 3/25/48

     155        198    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     25     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 

 
 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.7%    continued

 

 
 

Dignity Health,
5.27%, 11/1/64

     $200        $238    
 

HCA, Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 2/15/27

     1,780        1,999    
 

4.13%, 6/15/29

     250        283    
 

5.25%, 6/15/49

     500        612    
 

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings,
4.70%, 2/1/45

     300        382    
 

McKesson Corp.,

       
 

2.70%, 12/15/22

     120        125    
 

3.80%, 3/15/24

     160        175    
 

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,
4.13%, 7/1/52

     100        129    
 

NYU Langone Hospitals,
4.37%, 7/1/47

     500        581    
 

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.,

       
 

3.45%, 6/1/26

     115        130    
 

5.75%, 1/30/40

     28        38    
 

Sutter Health,
4.09%, 8/15/48

     500        592    
 

 

          22,849    
 

 

 

Home & Office Products Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

    
 

Leggett & Platt, Inc.,
3.50%, 11/15/27

     818        864    
 

 

 

Home Improvement – 0.0%

       
 

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.,

       
 

3.40%, 12/1/21

     265        272    
 

2.90%, 11/1/22

     65        68    
 

Whirlpool Corp.,

       
 

4.70%, 6/1/22

     100        106    
 

3.70%, 3/1/23

     100        107    
 

3.70%, 5/1/25

     250        280    
 

4.50%, 6/1/46

     60        71    
 

 

          904    
 

 

 

Industrial Other – 0.0%

       
 

WW Grainger, Inc.,
4.60%, 6/15/45

     300        386    

 

 

Integrated Oils – 0.3%

       
 

BP Capital Markets America, Inc.,

       
 

3.22%, 11/28/23

     680        731    
 

3.80%, 9/21/25

     605        682    
 

3.12%, 5/4/26

     535        591    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 

 
 

Integrated Oils – 0.3%    continued

 

    
 

3.02%, 1/16/27

     $790        $867    
 

3.54%, 4/6/27

     300        336    
 

Chevron Corp.,

       
 

2.50%, 3/3/22

     545        561    
 

2.36%, 12/5/22

     270        280    
 

2.57%, 5/16/23

     170        179    
 

2.90%, 3/3/24

     60        64    
 

3.33%, 11/17/25

     140        157    
 

2.95%, 5/16/26

     1,465        1,633    
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.,

       
 

2.44%, 8/16/29

     965        1,036    
 

3.00%, 8/16/39

     200        212    
 

3.57%, 3/6/45

     590        639    
 

4.11%, 3/1/46

     485        576    
 

4.33%, 3/19/50

     1,500        1,878    
 

3.45%, 4/15/51

     1,665        1,829    
 

 

          12,251    
 

 

 

Internet Media – 0.1%

 

    
 

Alphabet, Inc.,
2.05%, 8/15/50

     2,000        1,872    
 

 

 

Leisure Products Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

    
 

Hasbro, Inc.,
6.35%, 3/15/40

     250        295    
 

 

 

Life Insurance – 0.3%

       
 

Aflac, Inc.,

       
 

3.60%, 4/1/30

     1,000        1,173    
 

6.45%, 8/15/40

     15        22    
 

Equitable Holdings, Inc.,
5.00%, 4/20/48

     1,000        1,182    
 

Globe Life, Inc.,
3.80%, 9/15/22

     420        446    
 

Lincoln National Corp.,

       
 

3.63%, 12/12/26

     265        299    
 

6.30%, 10/9/37

     100        131    
 

MetLife, Inc.,

       
 

3.05%, 12/15/22

     280        296    
 

3.00%, 3/1/25

     830        919    
 

6.38%, 6/15/34

     485        737    
 

6.40%, 12/15/36

     150        186    
 

4.13%, 8/13/42

     460        558    
 

4.72%, 12/15/44

     370        489    
 

Primerica, Inc.,
4.75%, 7/15/22

     100        107    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS      26     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 

 
 

Life Insurance – 0.3%    continued

 

    
 

Principal Financial Group, Inc.,
4.63%, 9/15/42

     $40        $49    
 

Protective Life Corp.,
8.45%, 10/15/39

     425        667    
 

Prudential Financial, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 5/15/24

     85        94    
 

5.70%, 12/14/36

     200        287    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.04%), 5.20%, 3/15/44 (5)

     275        291    
 

3.91%, 12/7/47

     344        383    
 

3.94%, 12/7/49

     335        380    
 

Voya Financial, Inc.,
4.80%, 6/15/46

     1,000        1,220    
 

 

          9,916    
 

 

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

 
 

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.,

       
 

3.75%, 11/24/23

     1,000        1,104    
 

2.15%, 11/8/24

     210        223    
 

Caterpillar, Inc.,

       
 

3.40%, 5/15/24

     790        864    
 

3.80%, 8/15/42

     445        545    
 

4.30%, 5/15/44

     235        306    
 

3.25%, 9/19/49

     220        246    
 

Deere & Co.,

       
 

2.60%, 6/8/22

     125        129    
 

5.38%, 10/16/29

     250        331    
 

8.10%, 5/15/30

     100        153    
 

3.75%, 4/15/50

     1,500        1,880    
 

Dover Corp.,
2.95%, 11/4/29

     10        11    
 

Eaton Corp.,
3.10%, 9/15/27

     250        279    
 

IDEX Corp.,
4.20%, 12/15/21

     200        207    
 

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 3/1/24

     250        274    
 

3.90%, 9/1/42

     700        873    
 

John Deere Capital Corp.,

       
 

3.15%, 10/15/21

     250        257    
 

2.80%, 3/6/23

     500        529    
 

3.05%, 1/6/28

     250        278    
 

Parker-Hannifin Corp.,
3.30%, 11/21/24

     500        549    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 

 
 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.3%    continued

 

 
 

3.25%, 6/14/29

     $500        $560    
 

4.20%, 11/21/34

     200        244    
 

4.45%, 11/21/44

     500        613    
 

Trane Technologies Global Holding Co. Ltd.,
5.75%, 6/15/43

     150        208    
 

 

          10,663    
 

 

 

Managed Care – 0.4%

 

 
 

Aetna, Inc.,

       
 

2.75%, 11/15/22

     400        416    
 

6.63%, 6/15/36

     40        57    
 

6.75%, 12/15/37

     150        218    
 

4.50%, 5/15/42

     100        119    
 

3.88%, 8/15/47

     143        160    
 

Anthem, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 8/15/24

     545        597    
 

2.38%, 1/15/25

     755        803    
 

6.38%, 6/15/37

     500        716    
 

4.63%, 5/15/42

     525        659    
 

3.13%, 5/15/50

     300        306    
 

Humana, Inc.,

       
 

3.95%, 3/15/27

     85        97    
 

8.15%, 6/15/38

     280        440    
 

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals,
3.27%, 11/1/49

     500        559    
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,

       
 

3.35%, 7/15/22

     1,255        1,323    
 

3.50%, 2/15/24

     40        44    
 

3.75%, 7/15/25

     655        748    
 

3.45%, 1/15/27

     1,500        1,707    
 

2.88%, 8/15/29

     160        178    
 

5.80%, 3/15/36

     250        362    
 

6.63%, 11/15/37

     640        1,012    
 

6.88%, 2/15/38

     170        274    
 

4.75%, 7/15/45

     500        682    
 

3.13%, 5/15/60

     1,000        1,073    
 

 

          12,550    
 

 

 

Mass Merchants – 0.3%

 

 
 

Costco Wholesale Corp.,
2.75%, 5/18/24

     750        809    
 

Dollar General Corp.,
3.25%, 4/15/23

     900        955    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     27     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Mass Merchants – 0.3%    continued

 

 
 

Dollar Tree, Inc.,
3.70%, 5/15/23

     $165        $177    
 

Target Corp.,

       
 

2.90%, 1/15/22

     515        533    
 

3.63%, 4/15/46

     500        631    
 

3.90%, 11/15/47

     225        298    
 

Walmart, Inc.,

       
 

2.35%, 12/15/22

     500        521    
 

3.30%, 4/22/24

     625        682    
 

3.55%, 6/26/25

     180        204    
 

3.25%, 7/8/29

     1,000        1,166    
 

2.38%, 9/24/29

     2,185        2,412    
 

3.95%, 6/28/38

     500        627    
 

5.00%, 10/25/40

     275        387    
 

4.30%, 4/22/44

     145        192    
 

3.63%, 12/15/47

     70        86    
 

 

          9,680    
 

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.3%

 

Abbott Laboratories,

       
 

2.95%, 3/15/25

     1,000        1,093    
 

3.75%, 11/30/26

     564        655    
 

4.75%, 11/30/36

     555        743    
 

4.75%, 4/15/43

     650        887    
 

Agilent Technologies, Inc.,

       
 

3.20%, 10/1/22

     225        235    
 

3.88%, 7/15/23

     250        271    
 

Baxter International, Inc.,
3.50%, 8/15/46

     350        399    
 

Becton Dickinson and Co.,

       
 

3.13%, 11/8/21

     150        154    
 

3.30%, 3/1/23

     130        137    
 

4.69%, 12/15/44

     239        296    
 

4.67%, 6/6/47

     1,000        1,235    
 

Boston Scientific Corp.,

       
 

3.85%, 5/15/25

     128        145    
 

7.38%, 1/15/40

     540        867    
 

Medtronic, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 3/15/25

     334        376    
 

4.38%, 3/15/35

     913        1,219    
 

4.63%, 3/15/45

     406        559    
 

Stryker Corp.,
3.38%, 11/1/25

     250        279    
 

4.10%, 4/1/43

     50        59    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    

VALUE

(000S)

     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.3%     continued

 

4.38%, 5/15/44

     $200        $248    
 

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.,

       
 

4.15%, 2/1/24

     100        110    
 

2.95%, 9/19/26

     155        173    
 

4.50%, 3/25/30

     1,000        1,237    
 

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

3.38%, 11/30/21

     250        256    
 

3.15%, 4/1/22

     500        517    
 

3.55%, 4/1/25

     120        133    
 

 

          12,283    
 

 

 

Metals & Mining – 0.2%

 

Barrick North America Finance LLC,
5.70%, 5/30/41

     500        706    
 

Newmont Corp.,

       
 

5.88%, 4/1/35

     100        143    
 

4.88%, 3/15/42

     150        203    
 

Nucor Corp.,

       
 

4.00%, 8/1/23

     250        272    
 

6.40%, 12/1/37

     150        217    
 

5.20%, 8/1/43

     125        168    
 

4.40%, 5/1/48

     1,000        1,299    
 

Southern Copper Corp.,

       
 

3.88%, 4/23/25

     100        110    
 

7.50%, 7/27/35

     300        439    
 

6.75%, 4/16/40

     90        130    
 

5.88%, 4/23/45

     1,500        2,036    
 

 

          5,723    
 

 

 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.0%

 

Baker Hughes a GE Co. LLC/Baker Hughes Co-Obligor, Inc.,
4.08%, 12/15/47

     210        210    
 

Halliburton Co.,

       
 

3.80%, 11/15/25

     123        134    
 

4.85%, 11/15/35

     275        292    
 

6.70%, 9/15/38

     780        937    
 

7.45%, 9/15/39

     160        206    
 

4.75%, 8/1/43

     15        15    
 

 

          1,794    
 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%

 

AbbVie, Inc.,

       
 

3.38%, 11/14/21

     500        517    
 

3.25%, 10/1/22 (4)

     1,000        1,046    
 

3.85%, 6/15/24 (4)

     1,000        1,096    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     28     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%    continued

 

 
 

3.80%, 3/15/25 (4)

     $750        $832    
 

3.60%, 5/14/25

     225        249    
 

3.20%, 5/14/26

     250        275    
 

4.25%, 11/14/28

     300        356    
 

4.40%, 11/6/42

     415        494    
 

4.70%, 5/14/45

     4,340        5,344    
 

Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC,

       
 

5.50%, 8/15/25 (4)

     50        60    
 

4.40%, 7/15/44 (4)

     250        283    
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.,

       
 

2.00%, 8/1/22

     600        618    
 

3.63%, 5/15/24

     500        551    
 

2.90%, 7/26/24

     900        974    
 

3.88%, 8/15/25

     765        872    
 

3.90%, 2/20/28

     840        996    
 

5.25%, 8/15/43

     85        120    
 

5.00%, 8/15/45

     500        703    
 

4.35%, 11/15/47

     900        1,189    
 

Eli Lilly and Co.,
2.25%, 5/15/50

     2,000        1,884    
 

GlaxoSmithKline Capital, Inc.,

       
 

3.38%, 5/15/23

     1,000        1,077    
 

3.88%, 5/15/28

     1,000        1,188    
 

5.38%, 4/15/34

     150        212    
 

6.38%, 5/15/38

     530        818    
 

4.20%, 3/18/43

     20        26    
 

Johnson & Johnson,

       
 

2.45%, 3/1/26

     500        547    
 

0.95%, 9/1/27

     4,000        4,018    
 

4.38%, 12/5/33

     250        327    
 

5.95%, 8/15/37

     100        153    
 

4.85%, 5/15/41

     400        559    
 

3.70%, 3/1/46

     970        1,214    
 

Merck & Co., Inc.,

       
 

2.35%, 2/10/22

     1,000        1,030    
 

2.75%, 2/10/25

     805        875    
 

3.40%, 3/7/29

     1,000        1,165    
 

3.60%, 9/15/42

     25        31    
 

3.70%, 2/10/45

     60        72    
 

2.45%, 6/24/50

     1,000        1,004    
 

Mylan, Inc.,
5.40%, 11/29/43

     585        735    
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%    continued

 

 
 

Novartis Capital Corp.,

       
 

2.40%, 5/17/22

     $170        $176    
 

2.40%, 9/21/22

     40        42    
 

3.40%, 5/6/24

     250        276    
 

2.20%, 8/14/30

     1,500        1,619    
 

4.40%, 5/6/44

     250        336    
 

Pfizer, Inc.,

       
 

2.20%, 12/15/21

     90        92    
 

2.95%, 3/15/24

     250        270    
 

3.40%, 5/15/24

     150        165    
 

2.63%, 4/1/30

     2,000        2,236    
 

7.20%, 3/15/39

     700        1,161    
 

4.13%, 12/15/46

     750        959    
 

Pharmacia LLC,
6.60%, 12/1/28

     125        173    
 

Wyeth LLC,
5.95%, 4/1/37

     725        1,075    
 

Zoetis, Inc.,

       
 

3.25%, 2/1/23

     500        527    
 

4.70%, 2/1/43

     40        53    
 

3.95%, 9/12/47

     450        554    
 

 

          43,224    
 

 

 

Pipeline – 0.8%

 

    
 

Boardwalk Pipelines L.P.,
4.45%, 7/15/27

     1,650        1,777    
 

El Paso Natural Gas Co. LLC,
8.63%, 1/15/22

     360        394    
 

Enable Midstream Partners L.P.,

       
 

4.40%, 3/15/27

     90        86    
 

4.15%, 9/15/29

     115        107    
 

Enbridge Energy Partners L.P.,
7.50%, 4/15/38

     50        70    
 

Energy Transfer Operating L.P.,

       
 

4.05%, 3/15/25

     25        26    
 

4.20%, 4/15/27

     560        579    
 

5.50%, 6/1/27

     266        293    
 

5.25%, 4/15/29

     255        274    
 

6.63%, 10/15/36

     900        973    
 

7.50%, 7/1/38

     310        367    
 

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,

       
 

3.35%, 3/15/23

     110        117    
 

3.90%, 2/15/24

     820        894    
 

3.95%, 2/15/27

     500        573    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     29     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued
 

Pipeline – 0.8%   continued

 

    
 

4.15%, 10/16/28

     $1,134        $1,326    
 

3.13%, 7/31/29

     575        627    
 

2.80%, 1/31/30

     300        319    
 

6.88%, 3/1/33

     50        67    
 

7.55%, 4/15/38

     515        722    
 

5.95%, 2/1/41

     40        51    
 

4.20%, 1/31/50

     1,000        1,063    
 

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P.,
4.30%, 5/1/24

     170        188    
 

7.30%, 8/15/33

     175        238    
 

6.55%, 9/15/40

     205        258    
 

7.50%, 11/15/40

     305        411    
 

6.38%, 3/1/41

     35        43    
 

5.63%, 9/1/41

     310        356    
 

5.40%, 9/1/44

     250        290    
 

Magellan Midstream Partners L.P.,
5.00%, 3/1/26

     500        583    
 

5.15%, 10/15/43

     20        23    
 

MPLX L.P.,
4.13%, 3/1/27

     1,355        1,490    
 

4.70%, 4/15/48

     1,000        1,015    
 

ONEOK Partners L.P.,
3.38%, 10/1/22

     30        31    
 

4.90%, 3/15/25

     40        44    
 

6.65%, 10/1/36

     80        90    
 

6.20%, 9/15/43

     20        21    
 

ONEOK, Inc.,
4.55%, 7/15/28

     35        37    
 

7.15%, 1/15/51

     1,000        1,188    
 

Phillips 66 Partners L.P.,
3.61%, 2/15/25

     76        81    
 

3.55%, 10/1/26

     470        495    
 

Plains All American Pipeline L.P./PAA Finance Corp.,
4.50%, 12/15/26

     1,330        1,414    
 

6.65%, 1/15/37

     80        88    
 

5.15%, 6/1/42

     130        123    
 

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC,
5.63%, 3/1/25

     340        389    
 

5.00%, 3/15/27

     1,055        1,190    
 

Southern Union Co.,
8.25%, 11/15/29

     25        32    
 

Spectra Energy Partners L.P.,
3.38%, 10/15/26

     360        396    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued      
 

Pipeline – 0.8%   continued

 

    
 

5.95%, 9/25/43

     $300        $377    
 

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P.,
5.95%, 12/1/25

     175        200    
 

3.90%, 7/15/26

     125        128    
 

4.95%, 1/15/43

     1,000        889    
 

5.30%, 4/1/44

     15        14    
 

5.35%, 5/15/45

     80        74    
 

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC,
7.00%, 3/15/27

     505        623    
 

7.00%, 10/15/28

     545        698    
 

8.38%, 6/15/32

     215        296    
 

7.63%, 4/1/37

     5        7    
 

Williams (The) Cos., Inc.,
3.60%, 3/15/22

     800        827    
 

4.55%, 6/24/24

     2,000        2,216    
 

6.30%, 4/15/40

     995        1,230    
 

5.80%, 11/15/43

     200        235    
 

 

          29,033    
 

 

 

Power Generation – 0.1%

 

    
 

Exelon Generation Co. LLC,
4.25%, 6/15/22

     250        264    
 

6.25%, 10/1/39

     1,000        1,240    
 

5.75%, 10/1/41

     430        494    
 

System Energy Resources, Inc.,
4.10%, 4/1/23

     160        172    
 

 

          2,170    
 

 

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.5%

 

    
 

Alleghany Corp.,
4.95%, 6/27/22

     55        58    
 

Allstate (The) Corp.,
5.20%, 1/15/42

     225        273    
 

4.50%, 6/15/43

     45        57    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.12%), 6.50%, 5/15/57 (5)

     225        296    
 

American International Group, Inc.,
3.75%, 7/10/25

     895        1,002    
 

4.20%, 4/1/28

     460        533    
 

3.40%, 6/30/30

     485        537    
 

4.50%, 7/16/44

     30        35    
 

4.80%, 7/10/45

     15        19    
 

4.38%, 6/30/50

     1,000        1,170    
 

4.38%, 1/15/55

     105        120    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     30     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 22.8%      continued

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.5%    continued

 

Assurant, Inc.,

       
 

4.90%, 3/27/28

     $215        $238      
 

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.75%, 1/15/40

     255        390    
 

4.40%, 5/15/42

     100        127    
 

4.30%, 5/15/43

     440        572    
 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.,

       
 

2.75%, 3/15/23

     30        32    
 

3.13%, 3/15/26

     1,445        1,613    
 

Chubb (The) Corp.,

       
 

6.00%, 5/11/37

     50        75    
 

6.50%, 5/15/38

     85        133    
 

Chubb INA Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

3.15%, 3/15/25

     295        326    
 

3.35%, 5/3/26

     1,000        1,133    
 

6.70%, 5/15/36

     50        78    
 

4.15%, 3/13/43

     100        127    
 

Hanover Insurance Group (The), Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 4/15/26

     200        227    
 

Hartford Financial Services Group (The), Inc.,

       
 

5.95%, 10/15/36

     285        391    
 

Loews Corp.,

       
 

2.63%, 5/15/23

     250        262    
 

4.13%, 5/15/43

     75        87    
 

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 6/3/24

     75        82    
 

3.50%, 3/10/25

     385        425    
 

3.75%, 3/14/26

     75        85    
 

4.38%, 3/15/29

     260        315    
 

5.88%, 8/1/33

     880        1,239    
 

Progressive (The) Corp.,

       
 

2.45%, 1/15/27

     250        270    
 

4.20%, 3/15/48

     500        648    
 

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

8.00%, 11/30/39

     70        110    
 

Travelers (The) Cos., Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 6/15/37

     375        569    
 

5.35%, 11/1/40

     10        14    
 

4.60%, 8/1/43

     75        98    
 

4.00%, 5/30/47

     1,015        1,239    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.5%    continued

 

Willis North America, Inc.,

       
 

2.95%, 9/15/29

     $2,000        $2,155    
 

 

          17,160    
 

 

 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.1%

 

Discovery Communications LLC,

       
 

2.95%, 3/20/23

     58        61    
 

3.95%, 6/15/25

     230        258    
 

3.95%, 3/20/28

     485        552    
 

3.63%, 5/15/30

     975        1,083    
 

5.20%, 9/20/47

     200        242    
 

NBCUniversal Media LLC,

       
 

5.95%, 4/1/41

     275        411    
 

4.45%, 1/15/43

     650        833    
 

 

          3,440    
 

 

 

Railroad – 0.4%

 

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC,

       
 

3.75%, 4/1/24

     355        391    
 

3.40%, 9/1/24

     80        88    
 

3.00%, 4/1/25

     325        357    
 

3.65%, 9/1/25

     200        227    
 

6.20%, 8/15/36

     455        675    
 

5.75%, 5/1/40

     225        325    
 

4.38%, 9/1/42

     975        1,230    
 

5.15%, 9/1/43

     280        384    
 

4.70%, 9/1/45

     870        1,166    
 

CSX Corp.,

       
 

3.40%, 8/1/24

     500        547    
 

3.35%, 11/1/25

     50        56    
 

2.60%, 11/1/26

     270        294    
 

6.00%, 10/1/36

     100        142    
 

6.15%, 5/1/37

     190        276    
 

6.22%, 4/30/40

     365        537    
 

5.50%, 4/15/41

     50        68    
 

3.95%, 5/1/50

     1,000        1,227    
 

Norfolk Southern Corp.,

       
 

2.90%, 2/15/23

     625        657    
 

2.90%, 6/15/26

     100        110    
 

3.95%, 10/1/42

     20        24    
 

4.45%, 6/15/45

     275        349    
 

3.94%, 11/1/47

     524        629    
 

3.16%, 5/15/55

     137        146    
 

Union Pacific Corp.,

       
 

4.16%, 7/15/22

     437        462    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     31     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

Railroad – 0.4%    continued

 

3.50%, 6/8/23

     $80        $86      
 

3.65%, 2/15/24

     524        571    
 

3.25%, 1/15/25

     35        39    
 

2.75%, 3/1/26

     300        329    
 

3.80%, 10/1/51

     1,500        1,782    
 

 

          13,174    
 

 

 

Real Estate – 0.8%

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.,

       
 

3.95%, 1/15/28

     2,000        2,302    
 

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership L.P.,

       
 

3.75%, 4/15/23

     250        263    
 

4.13%, 7/1/24

     100        108    
 

American Tower Corp.,

       
 

3.50%, 1/31/23

     210        223    
 

4.00%, 6/1/25

     115        129    
 

3.38%, 10/15/26

     125        138    
 

3.13%, 1/15/27

     185        202    
 

3.80%, 8/15/29

     1,500        1,717    
 

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.,

       
 

2.95%, 9/15/22

     50        52    
 

4.35%, 4/15/48

     500        648    
 

Boston Properties L.P.,

       
 

3.85%, 2/1/23

     60        64    
 

3.13%, 9/1/23

     135        143    
 

3.80%, 2/1/24

     910        986    
 

3.65%, 2/1/26

     90        100    
 

Brandywine Operating Partnership L.P.,

       
 

4.55%, 10/1/29

     235        249    
 

Camden Property Trust,

       
 

2.95%, 12/15/22

     150        156    
 

Corporate Office Properties L.P.,

       
 

3.60%, 5/15/23

     90        94    
 

5.25%, 2/15/24

     100        109    
 

Crown Castle International Corp.,

       
 

3.15%, 7/15/23

     200        213    
 

4.30%, 2/15/29

     1,000        1,167    
 

5.20%, 2/15/49

     500        658    
 

CubeSmart L.P.,

       
 

3.13%, 9/1/26

     250        271    
 

Digital Realty Trust L.P.,

       
 

3.60%, 7/1/29

     500        574    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

Real Estate – 0.8%    continued

 

Duke Realty L.P.,

       
 

1.75%, 7/1/30

     $500        $498    
 

EPR Properties,

       
 

4.75%, 12/15/26

     1,000        952    
 

Equinix, Inc.,

       
 

2.15%, 7/15/30

     2,000        2,025    
 

ERP Operating L.P.,

       
 

4.63%, 12/15/21

     111        115    
 

3.50%, 3/1/28

     1,000        1,131    
 

4.50%, 6/1/45

     55        71    
 

Essex Portfolio L.P.,

       
 

3.25%, 5/1/23

     50        53    
 

3.88%, 5/1/24

     200        219    
 

4.00%, 3/1/29

     300        347    
 

Federal Realty Investment Trust,

       
 

3.00%, 8/1/22

     25        26    
 

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.,

       
 

2.40%, 3/15/30

     255        259    
 

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.,

       
 

4.25%, 11/15/23

     3        3    
 

3.88%, 8/15/24

     230        255    
 

3.40%, 2/1/25

     200        219    
 

3.25%, 7/15/26

     630        703    
 

Highwoods Realty L.P.,

       
 

3.63%, 1/15/23

     100        104    
 

Host Hotels & Resorts L.P.,

       
 

4.00%, 6/15/25

     215        223    
 

Kilroy Realty L.P.,

       
 

4.38%, 10/1/25

     200        221    
 

Kimco Realty Corp.,

       
 

4.25%, 4/1/45

     759        806    
 

Mid-America Apartments L.P.,

       
 

3.75%, 6/15/24

     100        109    
 

National Retail Properties, Inc.,

       
 

3.30%, 4/15/23

     100        105    
 

Office Properties Income Trust,

       
 

4.50%, 2/1/25

     150        152    
 

Piedmont Operating Partnership L.P.,

       
 

4.45%, 3/15/24

     100        106    
 

Realty Income Corp.,

       
 

3.25%, 10/15/22

     265        278    
 

4.65%, 8/1/23

     185        204    
 

3.00%, 1/15/27

     240        261    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     32     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Real Estate – 0.8%    continued

 

 
 

Simon Property Group L.P.,

       
 

2.75%, 2/1/23

     $30        $31    
 

3.38%, 10/1/24

     90        97    
 

3.30%, 1/15/26

     70        76    
 

3.38%, 6/15/27

     585        627    
 

2.45%, 9/13/29

     1,865        1,847    
 

6.75%, 2/1/40

     690        967    
 

Ventas Realty L.P.,

       
 

3.75%, 5/1/24

     60        64    
 

3.50%, 2/1/25

     150        162    
 

5.70%, 9/30/43

     100        119    
 

Ventas Realty L.P./Ventas Capital Corp.,
3.25%, 8/15/22

     320        333    
 

Welltower, Inc.,

       
 

4.00%, 6/1/25

     315        354    
 

4.13%, 3/15/29

     600        681    
 

5.13%, 3/15/43

     150        165    
 

Weyerhaeuser Co.,

       
 

4.63%, 9/15/23

     185        206    
 

6.88%, 12/15/33

     740        1,018    
 

 

          26,758    
 

 

 

Refining & Marketing – 0.1%

 

 
 

Marathon Petroleum Corp.,

       
 

3.63%, 9/15/24

     305        326    
 

5.13%, 12/15/26

     210        244    
 

6.50%, 3/1/41

     466        568    
 

Phillips 66,

       
 

4.65%, 11/15/34

     395        472    
 

5.88%, 5/1/42

     140        184    
 

4.88%, 11/15/44

     165        196    
 

Valero Energy Corp.,
7.50%, 4/15/32

     765        1,038    
 

 

          3,028    
 

 

 

Restaurants – 0.2%

 

 
 

McDonald’s Corp.,

       
 

2.63%, 1/15/22

     1,000        1,029    
 

3.63%, 5/1/43

     209        234    
 

4.88%, 12/9/45

     542        703    
 

4.45%, 3/1/47

     350        436    
 

4.20%, 4/1/50

     400        487    
 

Starbucks Corp.,

       
 

3.85%, 10/1/23

     200        218    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Restaurants – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

4.30%, 6/15/45

     $200        $235    
 

3.50%, 11/15/50

     2,000        2,130    
 

 

          5,472    
 

 

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.5%

 

 
 

Amazon.com, Inc.,

       
 

2.50%, 11/29/22

     150        156    
 

2.40%, 2/22/23

     500        524    
 

2.80%, 8/22/24

     1,000        1,082    
 

5.20%, 12/3/25

     500        609    
 

4.80%, 12/5/34

     1,050        1,448    
 

4.95%, 12/5/44

     255        363    
 

4.25%, 8/22/57

     500        683    
 

AutoZone, Inc.,

       
 

3.70%, 4/15/22

     55        57    
 

3.13%, 7/15/23

     135        144    
 

3.75%, 6/1/27

     250        284    
 

eBay, Inc.,

       
 

2.60%, 7/15/22

     500        516    
 

2.75%, 1/30/23

     110        115    
 

3.60%, 6/5/27

     500        564    
 

4.00%, 7/15/42

     235        263    
 

Home Depot (The), Inc.,

       
 

2.63%, 6/1/22

     25        26    
 

2.13%, 9/15/26

     275        296    
 

2.50%, 4/15/27

     495        538    
 

3.30%, 4/15/40

     2,000        2,272    
 

5.40%, 9/15/40

     680        967    
 

5.95%, 4/1/41

     405        612    
 

4.88%, 2/15/44

     405        553    
 

3.13%, 12/15/49

     155        173    
 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.,

       
 

3.80%, 11/15/21

     500        516    
 

3.12%, 4/15/22

     500        518    
 

3.13%, 9/15/24

     550        598    
 

4.50%, 4/15/30

     1,000        1,241    
 

4.65%, 4/15/42

     50        63    
 

4.25%, 9/15/44

     75        90    
 

4.55%, 4/5/49

     35        45    
 

5.13%, 4/15/50

     2,000        2,760    
 

TJX (The) Cos., Inc.,

       
 

2.50%, 5/15/23

     205        215    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     33     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.5%    continued

 

 
 

2.25%, 9/15/26

     $105        $112    
 

3.88%, 4/15/30

     395        469    
 

 

          18,872    
 

 

 

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.1%

 

 
 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.,

       
 

2.50%, 8/11/26

     305        331    
 

4.50%, 3/15/49

     250        350    
 

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp.,
3.25%, 8/15/26

     615        663    
 

Sysco Corp.,

       
 

2.60%, 6/12/22

     95        98    
 

3.75%, 10/1/25

     1,000        1,099    
 

3.30%, 7/15/26

     120        131    
 

5.38%, 9/21/35

     250        307    
 

 

          2,979    
 

 

 

Semiconductors – 0.5%

 

 
 

Altera Corp.,

       
 

4.10%, 11/15/23

     1,340        1,489    
 

Applied Materials, Inc.,

       
 

3.90%, 10/1/25

     500        574    
 

1.75%, 6/1/30

     500        515    
 

5.85%, 6/15/41

     100        148    
 

Broadcom, Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 4/15/29

     1,285        1,497    
 

4.15%, 11/15/30

     2,270        2,550    
 

Intel Corp.,

       
 

2.70%, 12/15/22

     80        84    
 

3.70%, 7/29/25

     815        926    
 

4.00%, 12/15/32

     50        62    
 

4.80%, 10/1/41

     80        108    
 

3.73%, 12/8/47

     578        690    
 

4.75%, 3/25/50

     1,000        1,377    
 

3.10%, 2/15/60

     220        239    
 

4.95%, 3/25/60

     255        372    
 

KLA Corp.,
4.65%, 11/1/24

     300        343    
 

Lam Research Corp.,
1.90%, 6/15/30

     1,000        1,038    
 

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.,
3.38%, 3/15/23

     50        53    
 

NVIDIA Corp.,
3.50%, 4/1/50

     1,000        1,170    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
    CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued      
 

Semiconductors – 0.5%    continued

 

    
 

QUALCOMM, Inc.,

       
 

3.25%, 5/20/27

     $720        $808    
 

4.80%, 5/20/45

     795        1,073    
 

Texas Instruments, Inc.,
2.90%, 11/3/27

     1,000        1,119    
 

 

          16,235    
 

 

 

Software & Services – 0.9%

 

    
 

Adobe, Inc.,

       
 

1.90%, 2/1/25

     250        264    
 

2.15%, 2/1/27

     265        284    
 

Autodesk, Inc.,
3.50%, 6/15/27

     500        567    
 

CA, Inc.,
4.50%, 8/15/23

     250        265    
 

Citrix Systems, Inc.,
4.50%, 12/1/27

     200        229    
 

DXC Technology Co.,
4.45%, 9/18/22

     200        210    
 

Equifax, Inc.,
3.30%, 12/15/22

     365        383    
 

IBM Credit LLC,
3.00%, 2/6/23

     980        1,042    
 

International Business Machines Corp.,

       
 

2.88%, 11/9/22

     235        248    
 

3.63%, 2/12/24

     170        187    
 

3.00%, 5/15/24

     2,000        2,166    
 

7.00%, 10/30/25

     385        501    
 

3.45%, 2/19/26

     435        494    
 

6.50%, 1/15/28

     100        134    
 

1.95%, 5/15/30

     715        738    
 

4.00%, 6/20/42

     320        385    
 

4.25%, 5/15/49

     500        627    
 

Microsoft Corp.,

       
 

3.63%, 12/15/23

     335        367    
 

2.88%, 2/6/24

     645        694    
 

3.13%, 11/3/25

     130        145    
 

2.40%, 8/8/26

     2,670        2,917    
 

3.30%, 2/6/27

     1,375        1,571    
 

4.20%, 11/3/35

     40        53    
 

3.50%, 11/15/42

     150        184    
 

3.70%, 8/8/46

     630        791    
 

2.53%, 6/1/50

     870        910    
 

3.95%, 8/8/56

     1,178        1,552    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     34     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 
 

Software & Services – 0.9%    continued

 

    
 

2.68%, 6/1/60

     $723        $763    
 

Moody’s Corp.,
4.88%, 2/15/24

     250        283    
 

Oracle Corp.,

       
 

2.50%, 10/15/22

     210        219    
 

2.63%, 2/15/23

     65        68    
 

2.40%, 9/15/23

     30        32    
 

3.40%, 7/8/24

     320        350    
 

2.95%, 11/15/24

     60        65    
 

2.95%, 5/15/25

     885        964    
 

2.65%, 7/15/26

     3,100        3,385    
 

3.25%, 11/15/27

     1,965        2,223    
 

3.80%, 11/15/37

     5        6    
 

5.38%, 7/15/40

     590        823    
 

4.13%, 5/15/45

     365        435    
 

4.00%, 7/15/46

     330        391    
 

3.60%, 4/1/50

     1,000        1,127    
 

4.38%, 5/15/55

     25        31    
 

3.85%, 4/1/60

     1,000        1,180    
 

 

          30,253    
 

 

 

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.1%

 

    
 

Kroger (The) Co.,

       
 

2.95%, 11/1/21

     660        677    
 

3.40%, 4/15/22

     400        415    
 

2.65%, 10/15/26

     1,135        1,237    
 

7.50%, 4/1/31

     200        287    
 

6.90%, 4/15/38

     100        147    
 

5.40%, 7/15/40

     400        516    
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.,

       
 

3.45%, 6/1/26

     375        410    
 

4.50%, 11/18/34

     50        57    
 

4.65%, 6/1/46

     635        676    
 

 

          4,422    
 

 

 

Tobacco – 0.3%

 

    
 

Altria Group, Inc.,

       
 

2.85%, 8/9/22

     100        104    
 

2.95%, 5/2/23

     50        53    
 

3.80%, 2/14/24

     222        243    
 

4.40%, 2/14/26

     200        231    
 

2.63%, 9/16/26

     95        102    
 

4.80%, 2/14/29

     450        534    
 

4.25%, 8/9/42

     575        619    
 

4.50%, 5/2/43

     250        274    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%      continued

 

 
 

Tobacco – 0.3%    continued

 

    
 

5.38%, 1/31/44

     $370        $460    
 

5.95%, 2/14/49

     220        295    
 

6.20%, 2/14/59

     280        383    
 

BAT Capital Corp.,

       
 

3.22%, 8/15/24

     2,000        2,140    
 

3.56%, 8/15/27

     330        356    
 

4.91%, 4/2/30

     160        189    
 

4.54%, 8/15/47

     435        466    
 

Philip Morris International, Inc.,

       
 

2.90%, 11/15/21

     300        308    
 

2.50%, 11/2/22

     250        260    
 

2.63%, 3/6/23

     100        105    
 

3.38%, 8/11/25

     250        278    
 

3.88%, 8/21/42

     150        170    
 

4.13%, 3/4/43

     405        474    
 

4.88%, 11/15/43

     100        128    
 

4.25%, 11/10/44

     350        423    
 

Reynolds American, Inc.,

       
 

4.45%, 6/12/25

     1,465        1,648    
 

7.25%, 6/15/37

     250        330    
 

6.15%, 9/15/43

     65        82    
 

5.85%, 8/15/45

     795        966    
 

 

          11,621    
 

 

 

Transportation & Logistics – 0.2%

 

    
 

Cummins, Inc.,

       
 

1.50%, 9/1/30

     500        497    
 

4.88%, 10/1/43

     90        123    
 

FedEx Corp.,

       
 

3.40%, 2/15/28

     780        874    
 

3.90%, 2/1/35

     100        113    
 

4.10%, 4/15/43

     50        57    
 

4.10%, 2/1/45

     50        57    
 

4.95%, 10/17/48

     1,000        1,279    
 

JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.,
3.85%, 3/15/24

     95        104    
 

Ryder System, Inc.,
3.35%, 9/1/25

     500        548    
 

United Parcel Service, Inc.,

       
 

2.35%, 5/16/22

     165        170    
 

2.50%, 4/1/23

     2,000        2,101    
 

5.20%, 4/1/40

     30        42    
 

3.63%, 10/1/42

     105        121    
 

3.40%, 11/15/46

     290        326    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     35     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 

 
  Transportation & Logistics – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

4.25%, 3/15/49

     $130        $166    
 

5.30%, 4/1/50

     500        742    
 

 

          7,320    
 

 

  Travel & Lodging – 0.0%        
 

Marriott International, Inc.,

       
 

3.13%, 10/15/21

     750        760    
 

3.13%, 2/15/23

     150        153    
 

3.13%, 6/15/26

     130        130    
 

 

          1,043    
 

 

  Utilities – 2.1%        
 

AEP Transmission Co. LLC,

       
 

4.00%, 12/1/46

     200        243    
 

3.65%, 4/1/50

     500        583    
 

Alabama Power Co.,

       
 

6.13%, 5/15/38

     50        73    
 

5.50%, 3/15/41

     150        205    
 

4.10%, 1/15/42

     730        856    
 

3.85%, 12/1/42

     60        71    
 

Ameren Illinois Co.,

       
 

2.70%, 9/1/22

     500        518    
 

3.25%, 3/1/25

     500        550    
 

American Water Capital Corp.,

 

    
 

3.40%, 3/1/25

     35        39    
 

2.95%, 9/1/27

     1,000        1,106    
 

6.59%, 10/15/37

     125        190    
 

4.30%, 12/1/42

     75        92    
 

4.30%, 9/1/45

     500        626    
 

Appalachian Power Co.,

       
 

7.00%, 4/1/38

     75        112    
 

Arizona Public Service Co.,

       
 

4.50%, 4/1/42

     230        288    
 

4.70%, 1/15/44

     100        125    
 

4.20%, 8/15/48

     250        309    
 

Atmos Energy Corp.,

       
 

4.15%, 1/15/43

     250        311    
 

4.13%, 10/15/44

     75        93    
 

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.,

       
 

3.50%, 11/15/21

     275        282    
 

2.40%, 8/15/26

     130        141    
 

3.75%, 8/15/47

     475        558    
 

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.,

 

    
 

5.15%, 11/15/43

     500        684    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 

 
  Utilities – 2.1%    continued        
 

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC,

 

 
 

2.25%, 8/1/22

     $105        $108    
 

2.40%, 9/1/26

     50        54    
 

3.00%, 2/1/27

     150        165    
 

3.55%, 8/1/42

     40        46    
 

4.25%, 2/1/49

     500        646    
 

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.,

 

 
 

6.63%, 11/1/37

     50        72    
 

5.85%, 1/15/41

     50        68    
 

CMS Energy Corp.,

       
 

3.00%, 5/15/26

     40        44    
 

3.45%, 8/15/27

     500        560    
 

4.88%, 3/1/44

     500        655    
 

Commonwealth Edison Co.,

 

    
 

6.45%, 1/15/38

     200        303    
 

3.80%, 10/1/42

     90        106    
 

4.60%, 8/15/43

     100        128    
 

Connecticut Light and Power (The) Co.,

 

 
 

2.50%, 1/15/23

     420        437    
 

4.00%, 4/1/48

     250        317    
 

Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc.,

 

 
 

3.30%, 12/1/24

     185        203    
 

5.30%, 3/1/35

     150        202    
 

5.85%, 3/15/36

     100        137    
 

6.20%, 6/15/36

     200        282    
 

6.75%, 4/1/38

     100        152    
 

5.50%, 12/1/39

     85        118    
 

5.70%, 6/15/40

     450        629    
 

4.20%, 3/15/42

     2,763        3,283    
 

3.95%, 3/1/43

     120        140    
 

4.45%, 3/15/44

     100        124    
 

3.85%, 6/15/46

     100        117    
 

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.,

 

 
 

6.05%, 1/15/38

     265        384    
 

5.10%, 6/1/65

     50        75    
 

Dominion Energy, Inc.,

       
 

4.25%, 6/1/28

     1,000        1,178    
 

5.25%, 8/1/33

     250        318    
 

5.95%, 6/15/35

     750        1,004    
 

7.00%, 6/15/38

     20        30    
 

4.90%, 8/1/41

     35        45    
 

4.05%, 9/15/42

     100        117    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     36     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 

 
  Utilities – 2.1%    continued        
 

DTE Electric Co.,

       
 

2.65%, 6/15/22

     $160        $165    
 

6.63%, 6/1/36

     200        292    
 

5.70%, 10/1/37

     50        68    
 

3.95%, 6/15/42

     100        116    
 

4.05%, 5/15/48

     500        630    
 

DTE Energy Co.,

       
 

6.38%, 4/15/33

     50        70    
 

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC,

       
 

6.45%, 10/15/32

     106        151    
 

6.10%, 6/1/37

     150        220    
 

4.25%, 12/15/41

     210        261    
 

3.75%, 6/1/45

     350        414    
 

Duke Energy Corp.,

       
 

3.75%, 4/15/24

     100        110    
 

2.65%, 9/1/26

     2,000        2,164    
 

3.75%, 9/1/46

     120        137    
 

Duke Energy Florida LLC,

       
 

6.35%, 9/15/37

     340        515    
 

3.40%, 10/1/46

     290        326    
 

Duke Energy Indiana LLC,

       
 

6.12%, 10/15/35

     500        703    
 

6.35%, 8/15/38

     25        37    
 

6.45%, 4/1/39

     225        343    
 

4.90%, 7/15/43

     1,000        1,328    
 

Duke Energy Progress LLC,

       
 

4.10%, 3/15/43

     200        244    
 

Entergy Arkansas LLC,

       
 

3.05%, 6/1/23

     250        264    
 

Entergy Louisiana LLC,

       
 

5.40%, 11/1/24

     150        177    
 

3.05%, 6/1/31

     950        1,086    
 

Entergy Texas, Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 3/30/39

     250        312    
 

Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.,

       
 

4.13%, 3/1/42

     275        332    
 

4.63%, 9/1/43

     150        190    
 

Evergy Metro, Inc.,

       
 

5.30%, 10/1/41

     50        67    
 

Evergy, Inc.,

       
 

5.29%, 6/15/22

     220        234    
 

Eversource Energy,

       
 

2.80%, 5/1/23

     105        110    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%    continued

 

 

 
  Utilities – 2.1%    continued        
 

3.15%, 1/15/25

     $100        $109    
 

3.30%, 1/15/28

     165        184    
 

Exelon Corp.,

       
 

5.63%, 6/15/35

     75        100    
 

5.10%, 6/15/45

     100        130    
 

FirstEnergy Corp.,

       
 

7.38%, 11/15/31

     500        701    
 

Florida Power & Light Co.,

       
 

5.65%, 2/1/37

     335        478    
 

5.95%, 2/1/38

     150        222    
 

5.96%, 4/1/39

     250        373    
 

5.69%, 3/1/40

     30        44    
 

4.13%, 2/1/42

     250        312    
 

4.05%, 6/1/42

     100        124    
 

3.99%, 3/1/49

     1,000        1,280    
 

Georgia Power Co.,

       
 

2.85%, 5/15/22

     100        104    
 

2.65%, 9/15/29

     910        975    
 

4.30%, 3/15/42

     60        72    
 

4.30%, 3/15/43

     100        119    
 

Indiana Michigan Power Co.,

       
 

6.05%, 3/15/37

     200        283    
 

Interstate Power and Light Co.,

       
 

4.70%, 10/15/43

     50        64    
 

ITC Holdings Corp.,

       
 

3.35%, 11/15/27

     200        224    
 

MidAmerican Energy Co.,

       
 

3.50%, 10/15/24

     100        111    
 

4.80%, 9/15/43

     100        134    
 

4.40%, 10/15/44

     150        190    
 

3.15%, 4/15/50

     2,000        2,216    
 

National Fuel Gas Co.,

       
 

4.90%, 12/1/21

     150        155    
 

3.75%, 3/1/23

     250        259    
 

National Grid U.S.A.,

       
 

5.80%, 4/1/35

     425        554    
 

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp.,

 

 
 

3.05%, 2/15/22

     35        36    
 

2.85%, 1/27/25

     1,000        1,089    
 

8.00%, 3/1/32

     50        80    
 

4.30%, 3/15/49

     125        162    
 

Nevada Power Co.,

       
 

6.65%, 4/1/36

     100        148    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     37     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

Utilities – 2.1%    continued

 

 
 

5.45%, 5/15/41

     $35        $47    
 

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.,
2.25%, 6/1/30

     2,000        2,071    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.13%), 2.38%, 6/15/67 (3)

     25        21    
 

NiSource, Inc.,
5.95%, 6/15/41

     77        108    
 

5.25%, 2/15/43

     100        131    
 

4.80%, 2/15/44

     580        725    
 

Northern States Power Co.,
5.35%, 11/1/39

     1,065        1,500    
 

4.13%, 5/15/44

     200        252    
 

NSTAR Electric Co.,
2.38%, 10/15/22

     100        103    
 

Oglethorpe Power Corp.,
5.38%, 11/1/40

     150        181    
 

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co.,

       
 

4.55%, 3/15/44

     65        80    
 

4.15%, 4/1/47

     200        236    
 

Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC,

       
 

4.10%, 6/1/22

     250        262    
 

7.50%, 9/1/38

     145        239    
 

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.,

       
 

4.55%, 7/1/30

     3,000        3,257    
 

4.50%, 7/1/40

     1,000        1,017    
 

PacifiCorp,

       
 

2.95%, 2/1/22

     100        103    
 

5.25%, 6/15/35

     50        70    
 

6.10%, 8/1/36

     200        283    
 

5.75%, 4/1/37

     540        741    
 

6.25%, 10/15/37

     275        399    
 

6.00%, 1/15/39

     60        86    
 

4.13%, 1/15/49

     50        62    
 

Potomac Electric Power Co.,

       
 

3.60%, 3/15/24

     150        164    
 

PPL Capital Funding, Inc.,

       
 

4.20%, 6/15/22

     50        53    
 

3.50%, 12/1/22

     1,035        1,091    
 

5.00%, 3/15/44

     100        125    
 

PPL Electric Utilities Corp.,
6.25%, 5/15/39

     275        403    
 

5.20%, 7/15/41

     35        46    
 

4.13%, 6/15/44

     100        122    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

Utilities – 2.1%    continued

 

 
 

Progress Energy, Inc.,

       
 

7.75%, 3/1/31

     $50        $73    
 

PSEG Power LLC,

       
 

8.63%, 4/15/31

     565        814    
 

Public Service Co. of Colorado,

       
 

2.25%, 9/15/22

     100        103    
 

2.50%, 3/15/23

     150        155    
 

Public Service Co. of Oklahoma,

       
 

6.63%, 11/15/37

     125        180    
 

Public Service Electric and Gas Co.,

       
 

3.00%, 5/15/25

     500        546    
 

5.38%, 11/1/39

     250        349    
 

3.95%, 5/1/42

     50        61    
 

3.65%, 9/1/42

     30        35    
 

Puget Energy, Inc.,

       
 

3.65%, 5/15/25

     500        535    
 

Puget Sound Energy, Inc.,

       
 

5.48%, 6/1/35

     25        33    
 

6.27%, 3/15/37

     75        108    
 

5.64%, 4/15/41

     340        482    
 

San Diego Gas & Electric Co.,

       
 

3.60%, 9/1/23

     200        216    
 

6.13%, 9/15/37

     50        67    
 

4.50%, 8/15/40

     150        183    
 

4.30%, 4/1/42

     150        176    
 

Sempra Energy,

       
 

2.88%, 10/1/22

     60        62    
 

2.90%, 2/1/23

     500        524    
 

3.55%, 6/15/24

     250        271    
 

3.25%, 6/15/27

     150        165    
 

6.00%, 10/15/39

     250        345    
 

Sierra Pacific Power Co.,

       
 

3.38%, 8/15/23

     160        172    
 

Southern (The) Co.,

       
 

4.40%, 7/1/46

     2,000        2,366    
 

Southern California Edison Co.,

       
 

2.40%, 2/1/22

     180        184    
 

6.65%, 4/1/29

     300        372    
 

6.00%, 1/15/34

     100        132    
 

5.35%, 7/15/35

     586        753    
 

5.55%, 1/15/37

     275        339    
 

5.95%, 2/1/38

     710        898    
 

6.05%, 3/15/39

     50        65    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     38     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

 
  Utilities – 2.1%    continued

 

 
 

5.50%, 3/15/40

     $150        $187    
 

3.90%, 3/15/43

     150        155    
 

4.13%, 3/1/48

     90        99    
 

Southern California Gas Co.,

       
 

5.75%, 11/15/35

     150        203    
 

3.75%, 9/15/42

     250        284    
 

4.30%, 1/15/49

     125        159    
 

Southern Co. Gas Capital Corp.,

       
 

5.88%, 3/15/41

     600        827    
 

4.40%, 5/30/47

     250        302    
 

Southern Power Co.,

       
 

5.25%, 7/15/43

     60        70    
 

Southwest Gas Corp.,

       
 

3.80%, 9/29/46

     250        276    
 

Southwestern Electric Power Co.,

       
 

3.55%, 2/15/22

     150        155    
 

2.75%, 10/1/26

     130        140    
 

4.10%, 9/15/28

     250        291    
 

6.20%, 3/15/40

     200        275    
 

Southwestern Public Service Co.,

       
 

6.00%, 10/1/36

     100        134    
 

Tampa Electric Co.,

       
 

2.60%, 9/15/22

     220        227    
 

4.10%, 6/15/42

     50        60    
 

Union Electric Co.,

       
 

3.90%, 9/15/42

     50        60    
 

4.00%, 4/1/48

     250        307    
 

Virginia Electric and Power Co.,

       
 

2.95%, 1/15/22

     95        97    
 

6.00%, 1/15/36

     37        52    
 

6.00%, 5/15/37

     15        22    
 

8.88%, 11/15/38

     300        554    
 

4.65%, 8/15/43

     150        199    
 

4.45%, 2/15/44

     75        98    
 

3.80%, 9/15/47

     125        152    
 

WEC Energy Group, Inc.,

       
 

3.55%, 6/15/25

     280        314    
 

Wisconsin Electric Power Co.,

       
 

5.70%, 12/1/36

     150        211    
 

Wisconsin Power and Light Co.,

       
 

2.25%, 11/15/22

     300        308    
 

4.10%, 10/15/44

     100        117    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

 
  Utilities – 2.1%    continued

 

    
 

Wisconsin Public Service Corp.,

       
 

4.75%, 11/1/44

     $100        $130    
 

Xcel Energy, Inc.,

       
 

6.50%, 7/1/36

     100        147    
 

 

          73,754    
 

 

  Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.1%

 

 
 

Republic Services, Inc.,

       
 

3.55%, 6/1/22

     100        104    
 

3.20%, 3/15/25

     290        318    
 

3.38%, 11/15/27

     556        632    
 

Waste Management, Inc.,

       
 

3.13%, 3/1/25

     1,130        1,238    
 

3.90%, 3/1/35

     125        152    
 

4.10%, 3/1/45

     500        611    
 

 

          3,055    
 

 

  Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.9%

 

    
 

AT&T, Inc.,

       
 

3.40%, 5/15/25

     835        924    
 

3.60%, 7/15/25

     215        240    
 

7.13%, 3/15/26

     435        553    
 

3.80%, 2/15/27

     165        186    
 

4.35%, 3/1/29

     1,525        1,795    
 

4.30%, 2/15/30

     3,235        3,835    
 

2.75%, 6/1/31

     880        928    
 

6.35%, 3/15/40

     455        633    
 

5.35%, 9/1/40

     153        193    
 

6.38%, 3/1/41

     385        550    
 

6.25%, 3/29/41

     175        240    
 

5.55%, 8/15/41

     90        117    
 

5.38%, 10/15/41

     500        639    
 

5.15%, 3/15/42

     55        69    
 

5.35%, 12/15/43

     1,135        1,412    
 

4.35%, 6/15/45

     165        185    
 

4.75%, 5/15/46

     120        141    
 

5.15%, 11/15/46

     1,292        1,619    
 

4.50%, 3/9/48

     2,000        2,295    
 

3.65%, 6/1/51

     1,000        1,009    
 

3.85%, 6/1/60

     230        234    
 

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

3.88%, 4/15/30 (4)

     1,000        1,135    
 

4.50%, 4/15/50 (4)

     2,000        2,399    
 

Verizon Communications, Inc.,

       
 

4.15%, 3/15/24

     385        428    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     39     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

CORPORATE BONDS - 22.8%     continued

 

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.9%    continued

 

  
 

2.63%, 8/15/26

     $1,635        $1,787     
 

4.33%, 9/21/28

     2,190        2,655     
 

4.02%, 12/3/29

     810        970     
 

5.25%, 3/16/37

     80        111     
 

5.50%, 3/16/47

     1,155        1,740     
 

4.52%, 9/15/48

     2,000        2,620     
 

 

 
          31,642     

 

 
  Total Corporate Bonds         

 

 
  (Cost $728,496)         796,284     
          
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 7.2%

        
 

Advertising & Marketing – 0.0%

 

  
 

WPP Finance 2010,

        
 

3.75%, 9/19/24

     150        165     
 

 

 
 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

  
 

Aptiv PLC,

        
 

4.25%, 1/15/26

     1,000        1,144     
 

 

 
 

Banks – 0.6%

 

  
 

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.,

        
 

2.55%, 11/23/21

     250        256     
 

BPCE S.A.,

        
 

4.00%, 4/15/24

     250        277     
 

Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A.,

        
 

3.88%, 2/8/22

     1,750        1,833     
 

3.95%, 11/9/22

     250        266     
 

2.75%, 1/10/23

     1,000        1,052     
 

3.38%, 5/21/25

     500        562     
 

5.75%, 12/1/43

     250        356     
 

Credit Suisse A.G.,

        
 

3.00%, 10/29/21

     1,250        1,285     
 

3.63%, 9/9/24

     750        830     
 

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd.,

        
 

4.55%, 4/17/26

     650        758     
 

4.88%, 5/15/45

     500        668     
 

Deutsche Bank A.G.,

        
 

4.25%, 10/14/21

     2,000        2,059     
 

ING Groep N.V.,

        
 

3.15%, 3/29/22

     500        519     
 

Lloyds Banking Group PLC,
(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +

        
 

1.25%), 2.86%, 3/17/23 (5)

     680        699     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%     continued

 

  
 

Banks – 0.6%    continued

 

  
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.81%), 2.91%, 11/7/23 (5)

     $105        $109     
 

4.58%, 12/10/25

     2,095        2,303     
 

4.34%, 1/9/48

     500        588     
 

National Australia Bank Ltd.,

        
 

3.00%, 1/20/23

     1,000        1,058     
 

3.38%, 1/14/26

     1,000        1,131     
 

Santander UK PLC,

        
 

4.00%, 3/13/24

     250        276     
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.,

        
 

3.00%, 1/18/23

     210        221     
 

3.65%, 7/23/25

     500        560     
 

Svenska Handelsbanken AB,

        
 

3.90%, 11/20/23

     250        276     
 

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The),

        
 

3.25%, 3/11/24

     500        542     
 

Westpac Banking Corp.,

        
 

2.85%, 5/13/26

     1,000        1,110     
 

2.70%, 8/19/26

     1,000        1,097     
 

3.35%, 3/8/27

     500        574     
 

 

 
          21,265     
 

 

 
 

Cable & Satellite – 0.0%

 

  
 

Grupo Televisa S.A.B.,

        
 

6.63%, 1/15/40

     570        752     
 

 

 
 

Casinos & Gaming – 0.0%

 

  
 

Sands China Ltd.,

        
 

5.40%, 8/8/28

     1,000        1,112     
 

 

 
 

Chemicals – 0.1%

 

  
 

LYB International Finance B.V.,

        
 

4.00%, 7/15/23

     185        200     
 

5.25%, 7/15/43

     565        691     
 

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.,

        
 

4.63%, 2/26/55

     35        40     
 

Nutrien Ltd.,

        
 

3.15%, 10/1/22

     200        209     
 

3.00%, 4/1/25

     180        195     
 

7.13%, 5/23/36

     100        140     
 

5.88%, 12/1/36

     50        64     
 

5.63%, 12/1/40

     250        324     
 

6.13%, 1/15/41

     100        133     
 

 

 
          1,996     
 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     40     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued

 

Commercial Finance – 0.0%

 

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust,

       
 

3.95%, 2/1/22

     $250        $253    
 

3.50%, 1/15/25

     389        379    
 

 

          632    
 

 

 

Design, Manufacturing & Distribution – 0.0%

 

Flex Ltd.,

       
 

5.00%, 2/15/23

     572        623    
 

 

 

Diversified Banks – 1.1%

 

Banco Santander S.A.,

       
 

3.31%, 6/27/29

     1,600        1,740    
 

Bank of Montreal,

       
 

2.90%, 3/26/22

     500        519    
 

2.35%, 9/11/22

     1,000        1,040    
 

2.55%, 11/6/22

     300        313    
 

Bank of Nova Scotia (The),

       
 

2.70%, 8/3/26

     1,000        1,095    
 

Barclays PLC,

       
 

3.68%, 1/10/23

     250        258    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.40%), 4.61%, 2/15/23 (5)

     2,000        2,093    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.36%), 4.34%, 5/16/24 (5)

     800        859    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.61%),3.93%,5/7/25 (5)

     705        759    
 

4.38%, 1/12/26

     355        398    
 

5.20%, 5/12/26

     345        382    
 

5.25%, 8/17/45

     730        962    
 

BNP Paribas S.A.,

       
 

3.25%, 3/3/23

     250        267    
 

HSBC Holdings PLC,

       
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.21%), 3.80%, 3/11/25 (5)

     4,000        4,322    
 

4.30%, 3/8/26

     2,000        2,255    
 

6.50%, 9/15/37

     300        407    
 

6.80%, 6/1/38

     150        211    
 

5.25%, 3/14/44

     1,000        1,266    
 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.,

       
 

2.19%, 2/25/25

     2,000        2,095    
 

3.29%, 7/25/27

     750        837    
 

3.74%, 3/7/29

     1,500        1,723    
 

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.,

       
 

2.60%, 9/11/22

     200        208    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued
 

Diversified Banks – 1.1%   continued

 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.00%), 3.92%, 9/11/24 (5)

     $3,000        $3,262    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.07%), 2.59%, 5/25/31 (5)

     1,000        1,049    
 

Natwest Group PLC,

       
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.55%), 4.52%, 6/25/24 (5)

     500        539    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.76%), 4.27%, 3/22/25 (5)

     250        272    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 1.75%), 4.89%, 5/18/29 (5)

     2,000        2,326    
 

Royal Bank of Canada,

       
 

3.70%, 10/5/23

     500        546    
 

4.65%, 1/27/26

     600        708    
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.,

       
 

2.70%, 7/16/24

     2,000        2,128    
 

2.63%, 7/14/26

     1,000        1,078    
 

3.54%, 1/17/28

     1,250        1,400    
 

 

          37,317    
 

 

 

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

Johnson Controls International PLC,

       
 

4.63%, 7/2/44

     105        131    
 

5.13%, 9/14/45

     35        46    
 

4.95%, 7/2/64

     110        143    
 

Tyco Electronics Group S.A.,

       
 

3.50%, 2/3/22

     125        129    
 

7.13%, 10/1/37

     50        75    
 

 

          524    
 

 

 

Exploration & Production – 0.1%

 

Burlington Resources LLC,

       
 

7.20%, 8/15/31

     320        463    
 

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.,

       
 

3.85%, 6/1/27

     1,695        1,825    
 

7.20%, 1/15/32

     15        19    
 

6.45%, 6/30/33

     135        165    
 

6.75%, 2/1/39

     200        253    
 

CNOOC Finance 2013 Ltd.,

       
 

3.00%, 5/9/23

     250        262    
 

CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC,

       
 

7.88%, 3/15/32

     75        117    
 

5.88%, 3/10/35

     210        300    
 

6.40%, 5/15/37

     390        577    
 

 

          3,981    
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     41     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued

 

Financial Services – 0.1%

 

Brookfield Finance, Inc.,

       
 

4.35%, 4/15/30

     $2,000        $2,335    
 

GE Capital International Funding Co. Unlimited Co.,

       
 

3.37%, 11/15/25

     205        219    
 

4.42%, 11/15/35

     1,000        1,056    
 

Invesco Finance PLC,

       
 

4.00%, 1/30/24

     100        109    
 

3.75%, 1/15/26

     1,000        1,124    
 

 

          4,843    
 

 

 

Food & Beverage – 0.0%

 

Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V.,

       
 

5.25%, 11/26/43

     150        203    
 

Diageo Capital PLC,

       
 

3.88%, 4/29/43

     175        210    
 

 

          413    
 

 

 

Government Agencies – 0.1%

 

FMS Wertmanagement,

       
 

2.75%, 3/6/23

     1,500        1,590    
 

 

 

Government Development Banks – 0.7%

 

Export Development Canada,

       
 

2.75%, 3/15/23

     1,000        1,060    
 

Export-Import Bank of Korea,

       
 

2.63%, 5/26/26

     1,000        1,093    
 

Japan Bank for International Cooperation,

       
 

2.38%, 11/16/22

     1,000        1,042    
 

2.50%, 5/23/24

     2,000        2,146    
 

2.75%, 11/16/27

     2,000        2,266    
 

3.50%, 10/31/28

     750        902    
 

Korea Development Bank (The),

       
 

3.00%, 9/14/22

     215        225    
 

3.38%, 3/12/23

     300        319    
 

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau,

       
 

2.63%, 1/25/22

     900        928    
 

2.13%, 6/15/22

     1,000        1,032    
 

2.00%, 10/4/22

     250        259    
 

2.13%, 1/17/23

     1,000        1,043    
 

2.63%, 2/28/24

     1,000        1,079    
 

1.38%, 8/5/24

     3,000        3,122    
 

0.38%, 7/18/25

     1,500        1,497    
 

2.88%, 4/3/28

     1,215        1,414    
 

0.00%, 4/18/36 (10)

     500        411    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued

 

Government Development Banks – 0.7%   continued

 

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank,

       
 

2.00%, 1/13/25

     $1,000        $1,068    
 

2.38%, 6/10/25

     1,000        1,090    
 

Oesterreichische Kontrollbank A.G.,

       
 

2.38%, 10/1/21

     1,000        1,021    
 

Svensk Exportkredit AB,

       
 

0.75%, 4/6/23

     2,000        2,020    
 

 

          25,037    
 

 

 

Government Regional – 0.4%

 

Province of Alberta Canada,

       
 

3.35%, 11/1/23

     2,000        2,174    
 

Province of British Columbia Canada,

       
 

2.00%, 10/23/22

     300        311    
 

7.25%, 9/1/36

     175        298    
 

Province of Manitoba Canada,

       
 

2.10%, 9/6/22

     100        103    
 

Province of Nova Scotia Canada,

       
 

8.25%, 7/30/22

     350        397    
 

Province of Ontario Canada,

       
 

2.45%, 6/29/22

     500        518    
 

3.40%, 10/17/23

     2,000        2,180    
 

3.20%, 5/16/24

     4,000        4,394    
 

2.50%, 4/27/26

     500        548    
 

Province of Quebec Canada,

       
 

2.63%, 2/13/23

     875        921    
 

7.50%, 7/15/23

     300        357    
 

7.13%, 2/9/24

     100        122    
 

2.50%, 4/9/24

     91        98    
 

2.88%, 10/16/24

     250        273    
 

7.50%, 9/15/29

     375        576    
 

Province of Saskatchewan Canada,

       
 

8.50%, 7/15/22

     200        228    
 

 

          13,498    
 

 

 

Hardware – 0.0%

 

Seagate HDD Cayman,

       
 

4.88%, 6/1/27

     187        209    
 

4.09%, 6/1/29 (4)

     200        218    
 

5.75%, 12/1/34

     142        162    
 

 

          589    
 

 

 

Integrated Oils – 0.4%

 

BP Capital Markets PLC,

       
 

3.99%, 9/26/23

     30        33    
 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     42     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued

 

 
 

Integrated Oils – 0.4%   continued

 

3.28%, 9/19/27

     $595        $661    
 

CNOOC Finance 2014 ULC,

       
 

4.25%, 4/30/24

     300        331    
 

Ecopetrol S.A.,

       
 

4.13%, 1/16/25

     1,000        1,050    
 

Equinor ASA,

       
 

2.75%, 11/10/21

     145        148    
 

2.45%, 1/17/23

     280        292    
 

7.75%, 6/15/23

     350        413    
 

3.25%, 11/10/24

     125        137    
 

3.13%, 4/6/30

     2,000        2,252    
 

2.38%, 5/22/30

     370        391    
 

4.25%, 11/23/41

     350        419    
 

Husky Energy, Inc.,

       
 

4.40%, 4/15/29

     85        89    
 

Shell International Finance B.V.,

       
 

2.25%, 1/6/23

     345        359    
 

2.88%, 5/10/26

     100        111    
 

2.50%, 9/12/26

     1,335        1,455    
 

2.38%, 11/7/29

     25        26    
 

4.13%, 5/11/35

     1,010        1,216    
 

5.50%, 3/25/40

     225        315    
 

3.63%, 8/21/42

     200        219    
 

4.55%, 8/12/43

     60        75    
 

4.38%, 5/11/45

     390        478    
 

3.75%, 9/12/46

     230        257    
 

3.13%, 11/7/49

     290        297    
 

Suncor Energy, Inc.,

       
 

7.15%, 2/1/32

     200        262    
 

5.95%, 12/1/34

     50        61    
 

5.95%, 5/15/35

     430        532    
 

6.80%, 5/15/38

     130        170    
 

Total Capital International S.A.,

       
 

2.88%, 2/17/22

     200        207    
 

3.70%, 1/15/24

     415        455    
 

3.75%, 4/10/24

     330        365    
 

2.83%, 1/10/30

     2,000        2,214    
 

 

          15,290    
 

 

 

Internet Media – 0.0%

 

Baidu, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 11/28/22

     200        210    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%      continued

 

 
 

Life Insurance – 0.0%

 

AXA S.A.,

       
 

8.60%, 12/15/30

     $75        $115    
 

 

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

Trane Technologies Luxembourg Finance S.A.,

       
 

3.50%, 3/21/26

     250        280    
 

4.65%, 11/1/44

     35        43    
 

 

          323    
 

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

DH Europe Finance II S.a.r.l.,

       
 

2.60%, 11/15/29

     2,000        2,174    
 

Koninklijke Philips N.V.,

       
 

6.88%, 3/11/38

     225        344    
 

5.00%, 3/15/42

     100        131    
 

 

          2,649    
 

 

 

Metals & Mining – 0.1%

 

BHP Billiton Finance U.S.A. Ltd.,

       
 

4.13%, 2/24/42

     600        750    
 

Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 12/15/33

     100        146    
 

5.75%, 6/1/35

     100        143    
 

Rio Tinto Finance U.S.A. PLC,

       
 

4.75%, 3/22/42

     150        204    
 

4.13%, 8/21/42

     300        386    
 

 

          1,629    
 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.1%

 

AstraZeneca PLC,

       
 

3.13%, 6/12/27

     100        111    
 

1.38%, 8/6/30

     1,000        973    
 

6.45%, 9/15/37

     450        684    
 

4.00%, 9/18/42

     250        307    
 

Mylan N.V.,

       
 

3.95%, 6/15/26

     285        321    
 

Sanofi,

       
 

3.63%, 6/19/28

     250        293    
 

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC,

       
 

2.88%, 9/23/23

     250        265    
 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.,

       
 

4.40%, 11/26/23

     300        333    
 

3.18%, 7/9/50

     204        207    
 

 

          3,494    
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     43     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
 

Pipeline – 0.1%

       
 

Enbridge, Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 6/10/44

     $40        $45    
 

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.,

       
 

5.85%, 3/15/36

     200        262    
 

6.20%, 10/15/37

     445        595    
 

4.75%, 5/15/38

     1,003        1,180    
 

6.10%, 6/1/40

     375        496    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
2.21%), 2.49%, 5/15/67 (3)

     100        70    
 

 

          2,648    
 

 

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.1%

 

 
 

Aon PLC,

       
 

3.50%, 6/14/24

     500        546    
 

Arch Capital Group Ltd.,

       
 

3.64%, 6/30/50

     500        538    
 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.,

       
 

4.65%, 11/15/23

     270        292    
 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.,

       
 

4.85%, 4/17/28

     250        274    
 

XLIT Ltd.,

       
 

4.45%, 3/31/25

     210        237    
 

5.25%, 12/15/43

     250        348    
 

 

          2,235    
 

 

 

Railroad – 0.1%

       
 

Canadian National Railway Co.,

       
 

2.85%, 12/15/21

     85        87    
 

2.75%, 3/1/26

     250        275    
 

6.90%, 7/15/28

     25        34    
 

6.25%, 8/1/34

     15        23    
 

6.20%, 6/1/36

     40        60    
 

6.38%, 11/15/37

     20        31    
 

3.50%, 11/15/42

     150        169    
 

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.,

       
 

5.95%, 5/15/37

     710        1,043    
 

 

          1,722    
 

 

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.1%

 

 
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.,

       
 

3.40%, 12/6/27

     335        375    
 

4.40%, 12/6/57

     2,000        2,693    
 

 

          3,068    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
 

Semiconductors – 0.1%

       
 

Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd.,

       
 

2.65%, 1/15/23

     $80        $83    
 

3.13%, 1/15/25

     310        330    
 

3.88%, 1/15/27

     2,090        2,316    
 

NXP B.V./NXP Funding LLC/NXP U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

3.40%, 5/1/30 (4)

     2,000        2,189    
 

 

          4,918    
 

 

 

Software & Services – 0.0%

       
 

Thomson Reuters Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 8/15/35

     150        195    
 

5.65%, 11/23/43

     285        372    
 

 

          567    
 

 

 

Sovereigns – 1.1%

       
 

Canada Government International Bond,

       
 

2.00%, 11/15/22

     500        519    
 

Chile Government International Bond,

       
 

3.13%, 1/21/26

     500        554    
 

3.63%, 10/30/42

     200        230    
 

Colombia Government International Bond,

       
 

4.50%, 1/28/26

     500        554    
 

7.38%, 9/18/37

     350        493    
 

6.13%, 1/18/41

     250        321    
 

5.63%, 2/26/44

     500        622    
 

5.00%, 6/15/45

     1,500        1,747    
 

4.13%, 5/15/51

     1,000        1,042    
 

Hungary Government International Bond,

       
 

5.75%, 11/22/23

     2,000        2,292    
 

5.38%, 3/25/24

     390        447    
 

Indonesia Government International Bond,

       
 

3.50%, 1/11/28

     500        546    
 

5.35%, 2/11/49

     1,000        1,323    
 

Israel Government International Bond,

       
 

4.00%, 6/30/22

     250        265    
 

4.50%, 1/30/43

     200        261    
 

3.88%, 7/3/50

     1,500        1,800    
 

Korea International Bond,

       
 

3.88%, 9/11/23

     200        219    
 

2.75%, 1/19/27

     200        220    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     44     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
    Sovereigns – 1.1%    continued                  
 

3.50%, 9/20/28

     $500        $588    
 

Mexico Government International Bond,

       
 

4.00%, 10/2/23

     150        163    
 

3.75%, 1/11/28

     1,000        1,077    
 

3.25%, 4/16/30

     2,000        2,049    
 

7.50%, 4/8/33

     100        138    
 

6.75%, 9/27/34

     750        1,006    
 

6.05%, 1/11/40

     820        1,026    
 

4.75%, 3/8/44

     1,000        1,090    
 

5.55%, 1/21/45

     500        603    
 

4.60%, 1/23/46

     500        538    
 

4.35%, 1/15/47

     500        519    
 

Panama Government International Bond,

       
 

4.00%, 9/22/24

     575        629    
 

3.75%, 3/16/25

     500        546    
 

3.88%, 3/17/28

     500        567    
 

6.70%, 1/26/36

     550        798    
 

4.50%, 5/15/47

     250        313    
 

4.50%, 4/1/56

     1,000        1,252    
 

Peruvian Government International Bond,

       
 

7.35%, 7/21/25

     500        640    
 

6.55%, 3/14/37

     500        756    
 

5.63%, 11/18/50

     600        955    
 

Philippine Government International Bond,

       
 

4.20%, 1/21/24

     1,000        1,110    
 

10.60%, 3/16/25

     500        711    
 

5.50%, 3/30/26

     200        247    
 

7.75%, 1/14/31

     500        760    
 

6.38%, 10/23/34

     500        723    
 

5.00%, 1/13/37

     500        651    
 

3.70%, 2/2/42

     500        579    
 

Republic of Italy Government International Bond,

       
 

2.88%, 10/17/29

     2,000        2,070    
 

5.38%, 6/15/33

     175        221    
 

Republic of Poland Government International Bond,

       
 

3.00%, 3/17/23

     1,000        1,060    
 

4.00%, 1/22/24

     150        167    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
    Sovereigns – 1.1%    continued                  
 

Uruguay Government International Bond,

       
 

7.63%, 3/21/36

     $250        $389    
 

4.13%, 11/20/45

     400        474    
 

5.10%, 6/18/50

     750        1,009    
 

 

          38,879    
 

 

 

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.0%

       
 

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.,

       
 

5.70%, 10/1/40

     116        165    
 

 

 

Supranationals – 1.4%

       
 

African Development Bank,

       
 

3.00%, 9/20/23

     750        810    
 

Asian Development Bank,

       
 

2.13%, 11/24/21

     100        102    
 

0.63%, 4/7/22

     2,000        2,012    
 

2.50%, 11/2/27

     500        563    
 

1.88%, 1/24/30

     5,000        5,459    
 

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (The),

       
 

0.50%, 5/28/25

     2,000        2,003    
 

Corp. Andina de Fomento,

       
 

4.38%, 6/15/22

     613        645    
 

European Bank for Reconstruction & Development,

       
 

2.75%, 3/7/23

     500        530    
 

European Investment Bank,

       
 

2.13%, 10/15/21

     200        204    
 

2.25%, 3/15/22

     250        257    
 

2.50%, 3/15/23

     2,500        2,638    
 

0.25%, 9/15/23

     2,000        1,999    
 

3.25%, 1/29/24

     250        275    
 

2.63%, 3/15/24

     2,000        2,160    
 

2.25%, 6/24/24

     2,000        2,145    
 

2.50%, 10/15/24

     1,000        1,087    
 

2.13%, 4/13/26

     1,500        1,637    
 

4.88%, 2/15/36

     200        302    
 

Inter-American Development Bank,

       
 

1.75%, 9/14/22

     400        412    
 

2.50%, 1/18/23

     5,000        5,256    
 

3.00%, 2/21/24

     150        163    
 

2.13%, 1/15/25

     500        536    
 

2.00%, 6/2/26

     1,000        1,081    
 

3.13%, 9/18/28

     1,000        1,185    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     45     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
 

Supranationals – 1.4%    continued

       
 

3.88%, 10/28/41

     $200        $280    
 

International Bank for Reconstruction & Development,

       
 

2.00%, 1/26/22

     235        240    
 

1.63%, 2/10/22

     1,000        1,019    
 

2.50%, 11/25/24

     600        653    
 

2.13%, 3/3/25

     700        753    
 

0.63%, 4/22/25

     3,000        3,028    
 

0.38%, 7/28/25

     5,000        4,987    
 

2.50%, 7/29/25

     500        550    
 

4.75%, 2/15/35

     25        37    
 

International Finance Corp.,

       
 

2.88%, 7/31/23

     2,000        2,147    
 

Nordic Investment Bank,

       
 

2.25%, 5/21/24

     1,000        1,070    
 

 

          48,225    
 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

 
 

America Movil S.A.B. de C.V.,

       
 

3.13%, 7/16/22

     295        306    
 

6.13%, 11/15/37

     505        714    
 

Orange S.A.,

       
 

9.00%, 3/1/31

     610        994    
 

Rogers Communications, Inc.,

       
 

3.00%, 3/15/23

     80        84    
 

3.63%, 12/15/25

     1,000        1,132    
 

4.50%, 3/15/43

     45        55    
 

5.45%, 10/1/43

     130        178    
 

Vodafone Group PLC,

       
 

3.75%, 1/16/24

     420        458    
 

4.13%, 5/30/25

     895        1,021    
 

7.88%, 2/15/30

     15        22    
 

6.15%, 2/27/37

     1,065        1,468    
 

4.38%, 2/19/43

     95        110    
 

5.25%, 5/30/48

     135        175    
 

 

          6,717    
 

 

 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.1%

 

 
 

Bell Canada, Inc.,

       
 

4.46%, 4/1/48

     500        615    
 

British Telecommunications PLC,

       
 

9.63%, 12/15/30

     100        160    
 

Deutsche Telekom International Finance B.V.,

       
 

8.75%, 6/15/30

     400        622    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 7.2%    continued

 

     
 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.1%    continued

 

 
 

Telefonica Emisiones S.A.,

       
 

4.57%, 4/27/23

     $240        $263    
 

4.10%, 3/8/27

     1,010        1,149    
 

5.21%, 3/8/47

     150        178    
 

4.90%, 3/6/48

     80        92    
 

5.52%, 3/1/49

     500        623    
 

 

                    3,702      
   

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                     
 

(Cost $234,755)

        252,037    
              
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES – 29.4% (11)

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%

       
 

2.25%, 4/12/22

     3,000        3,097    
 

0.25%, 7/10/23

     1,000        1,000    
 

2.88%, 9/12/23

     1,500        1,617    
 

1.75%, 7/2/24

     2,000        2,111    
 

2.63%, 9/6/24

     1,000        1,093    
 

0.50%, 6/17/25

     4,000        4,018    
 

2.13%, 4/24/26

     1,000        1,092    
 

7.13%, 1/15/30

     1,500        2,322    
 

6.63%, 11/15/30

     200        307    
 

5.63%, 7/15/37

     500        804    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2012-M17, Class A2,

       
 

2.18%, 11/25/22

     120        123    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2012-M2, Class A2,

       
 

2.72%, 2/25/22

     74        76    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2012-M4, Class 1A2,

       
 

2.98%, 4/25/22

     52        53    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2012-M5, Class A2,

       
 

2.72%, 2/25/22

     82        84    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2012-M9, Class A2,

       
 

2.48%, 4/25/22

     101        102    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2013-M14, Class A2,

       
 

3.33%, 10/25/23

     141        149    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2013-M6, Class 2A,

       
 

2.62%, 3/25/23(2) (3)

     85        89    

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     46     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

        PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

     
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2013-M9, Class A2,

      
 

2.39%, 1/25/23

    $65        $68    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2014-M13, Class A2,

      
 

3.02%, 8/25/24

    95        102    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2014-M3, Class A2,

      
 

3.50%, 1/25/24

    252        273    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2014-M9, Class A2,

      
 

3.10%, 7/25/24

    335        364    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2015-M1, Class A2,

      
 

2.53%, 9/25/24

    143        151    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2015-M11, Class A2,

      
 

2.92%, 4/25/25(2) (3)

    500        540    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2015-M3, Class A2,

      
 

2.72%, 10/25/24

    231        247    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2016-M3, Class A2,

      
 

2.70%, 2/25/26

    99        107    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2016-M4, Class A2,

      
 

2.58%, 3/25/26

    100        109    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2016-M5, Class A2,

      
 

2.47%, 4/25/26

    250        272    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2016-M7, Class AV2,

      
 

2.16%, 10/25/23

    234        241    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2016-M9, Class A2,

      
 

2.29%, 6/25/26

    100        106    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M1, Class A2,

      
 

2.50%, 10/25/26(2) (3)

    100        109    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M11, Class A2,

      
 

2.98%, 8/25/29

    125        143    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M14, Class A2,

      
 

2.97%, 11/25/27(2) (3)

    250        282    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

     
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M2, Class A2,

       
 

2.89%, 2/25/27(2) (3)

     $100        $111    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M4, Class A2,

       
 

2.67%, 12/25/26(2) (3)

     150        163    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M5, Class A2,

       
 

3.29%, 4/25/29(2) (3)

     125        144    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2017-M8, Class A2,

       
 

3.06%, 5/25/27

     300        339    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M1, Class A2,

       
 

3.08%, 12/25/27(2) (3)

     250        282    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M10, Class A2,

       
 

3.48%, 7/25/28(2) (3)

     200        233    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M12, Class A2,

       
 

3.78%, 8/25/30(2) (3)

     110        133    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M13, Class A2,

       
 

3.82%, 9/25/30(2) (3)

     200        244    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M14, Class A2,

       
 

3.70%, 8/25/28(2) (3)

     700        826    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M2, Class A2,

       
 

3.00%, 1/25/28(2) (3)

     125        142    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M3, Class A2,

       
 

3.19%, 2/25/30(2) (3)

     100        115    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M4, Class A2,

       
 

3.15%, 3/25/28(2) (3)

     100        114    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2018-M8, Class A2,

       
 

3.44%, 6/25/28(2) (3)

     100        116    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2019-M1, Class A2,

       
 

3.67%, 9/25/28(2) (3)

     650        771    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2019-M18, Class A2,

       
 

2.47%, 8/25/29

     200        221    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     47     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

     
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2019-M4, Class A2,

       
 

3.61%, 2/25/31

     $150        $179    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2019-M7, Class A2,

       
 

3.14%, 4/25/29

     200        231    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2019-M9, Class A2,

       
 

2.94%, 4/25/29

     200        226    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2020-M1, Class A2,

       
 

2.44%, 10/25/29

     150        161    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2020-M20, Class A2,

       
 

1.44%, 10/25/29

     500        512    
 

Fannie Mae-Aces, Series 2020-M29, Class A2,

       
 

1.49%, 5/25/30

     500        517    
 

Federal National Mortgage Association,

       
 

0.25%, 5/22/23

     3,000        3,002    
 

Pool #256792,

       
 

6.50%, 6/1/22

     5        5    
 

Pool #256925,

       
 

6.00%, 10/1/37

     12        14    
 

Pool #256959,

       
 

6.00%, 11/1/37

     73        85    
 

Pool #257042,

       
 

6.50%, 1/1/38

     153        180    
 

Pool #257106,

       
 

4.50%, 1/1/28

     2        2    
 

Pool #257237,

       
 

4.50%, 6/1/28

     17        19    
 

Pool #707791,

       
 

5.00%, 6/1/33

     79        90    
 

Pool #725425,

       
 

5.50%, 4/1/34

     30        36    
 

Pool #730811,

       
 

4.50%, 8/1/33

     70        77    
 

Pool #735222,

       
 

5.00%, 2/1/35

     18        20    
 

Pool #735358,

       
 

5.50%, 2/1/35

     74        87    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
   

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #735502,

       
 

6.00%, 4/1/35

     $11        $13    
 

Pool #737853,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/33

     149        168    
 

Pool #745336,

       
 

5.00%, 3/1/36

     369        424    
 

Pool #745418,

       
 

5.50%, 4/1/36

     27        31    
 

Pool #745754,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/34

     214        246    
 

Pool #745826,

       
 

6.00%, 7/1/36

     90        106    
 

Pool #747383,

       
 

5.50%, 10/1/33

     60        66    
 

Pool #755632,

       
 

5.00%, 4/1/34

     57        65    
 

Pool #772730,

       
 

5.00%, 4/1/34

     69        79    
 

Pool #790406,

       
 

6.00%, 9/1/34

     41        48    
 

Pool #793666,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/34

     44        50    
 

Pool #796250,

       
 

5.50%, 11/1/34

     39        45    
 

Pool #800471,

       
 

5.50%, 10/1/34

     159        186    
 

Pool #817795,

       
 

6.00%, 8/1/36

     20        23    
 

Pool #826057,

       
 

5.00%, 7/1/35

     45        52    
 

Pool #826585,

       
 

5.00%, 8/1/35

     83        95    
 

Pool #828523,

       
 

5.00%, 7/1/35

     34        39    
 

Pool #831676,

       
 

6.50%, 8/1/36

     10        12    
 

Pool #833067,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/35

     122        142    
 

Pool #833163,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/35

     49        57    
 

Pool #840577,

       
 

5.00%, 10/1/20(12)

               
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     48     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #844909,
4.50%, 10/1/20(12)

     $—        $—    
 

Pool #845425,
6.00%, 2/1/36

     39        45    
 

Pool #847921,
5.50%, 11/1/20

     1        1    
 

Pool #864435,
4.50%, 12/1/20

     1        1    
 

Pool #868435,
6.00%, 4/1/36

     88        104    
 

Pool #869710,
6.00%, 4/1/36

     31        37    
 

Pool #871135,
6.00%, 1/1/37

     32        37    
 

Pool #880505,
6.00%, 8/1/21

     1        1    
 

Pool #881818,
6.50%, 8/1/36

     51        60    
 

Pool #885769,
6.00%, 6/1/36

     5        6    
 

Pool #885866,
6.00%, 6/1/36

     71        82    
 

Pool #888100,
5.50%, 9/1/36

     123        144    
 

Pool #888152,
5.00%, 5/1/21(12)

               
 

Pool #888205,
6.50%, 2/1/37

     26        31    
 

Pool #888447,
4.00%, 5/1/21(12)

               
 

Pool #889224,
5.50%, 1/1/37

     137        161    
 

Pool #889390,
6.00%, 3/1/23

     5        5    
 

Pool #889401,
6.00%, 3/1/38

     62        73    
 

Pool #889415,
6.00%, 5/1/37

     279        330    
 

Pool #889579,
6.00%, 5/1/38

     130        153    
 

Pool #889630,
6.50%, 3/1/38

     17        19    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #889970,
5.00%, 12/1/36

     $101        $116    
 

Pool #890234,
6.00%, 10/1/38

     64        75    
 

Pool #890329,
4.00%, 4/1/26

     525        557    
 

Pool #890796,
3.50%, 12/1/45

     2,386        2,572    
 

Pool #893363,
5.00%, 6/1/36

     35        40    
 

Pool #893366,
5.00%, 4/1/35

     45        51    
 

Pool #898417,
6.00%, 10/1/36

     16        18    
 

Pool #899079,
5.00%, 3/1/37

     34        39    
 

Pool #902414,
5.50%, 11/1/36

     74        86    
 

Pool #906090,
5.50%, 1/1/37

     88        102    
 

Pool #910147,
5.00%, 3/1/22

     5        5    
 

Pool #912414,
4.50%, 1/1/22

     6        6    
 

Pool #918515,
5.00%, 6/1/37

     47        53    
 

Pool #923123,
5.00%, 4/1/36

     9        10    
 

Pool #923166,
7.50%, 1/1/37

     6        6    
 

Pool #928261,
4.50%, 3/1/36

     58        64    
 

Pool #928584,
6.50%, 8/1/37

     206        237    
 

Pool #928909,
6.00%, 12/1/37

     1        1    
 

Pool #928915,
6.00%, 11/1/37

     8        9    
 

Pool #930606,
4.00%, 2/1/39

     351        387    
 

Pool #931195,
4.50%, 5/1/24

     49        52    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     49     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

          PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

  

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
  

Pool #932023,
5.00%, 1/1/38

     $53        $61    
  

Pool #932741,
4.50%, 4/1/40

     249        281    
  

Pool #934466,
5.50%, 9/1/23

     20        21    
  

Pool #940623,
5.50%, 8/1/37

     18        20    
  

Pool #943388,
6.00%, 6/1/37

     111        130    
  

Pool #943617,
6.00%, 8/1/37

     52        62    
  

Pool #945876,
5.50%, 8/1/37

     5        6    
  

Pool #947216,
6.00%, 10/1/37

     34        40    
  

Pool #949391,
5.50%, 8/1/22

     1        1    
  

Pool #953018,
6.50%, 10/1/37

     47        54    
  

Pool #953910,
6.00%, 11/1/37

     29        34    
  

Pool #955771,
6.50%, 10/1/37

     35        40    
  

Pool #959604,
6.50%, 11/1/37

     8        9    
  

Pool #959880,
5.50%, 11/1/37

     15        17    
  

Pool #962687,
5.00%, 4/1/38

     76        87    
  

Pool #963735,
4.50%, 6/1/23

     21        22    
  

Pool #965389,
6.00%, 10/1/23

     16        16    
  

Pool #966660,
6.00%, 12/1/37

     1        1    
  

Pool #968037,
6.00%, 1/1/38

     26        29    
  

Pool #969632,
6.50%, 1/1/38

     17        19    
  

Pool #970013,
4.50%, 6/1/38

     75        81    

 

          PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

  

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
  

Pool #972452,

       
  

5.50%, 3/1/38

     $99        $115    
  

Pool #975365,

       
  

5.00%, 6/1/23

     10        10    
  

Pool #976963,

       
  

5.50%, 2/1/38

     869        1,012    
  

Pool #981704,

       
  

5.00%, 6/1/23

     29        30    
  

Pool #981854,

       
  

5.50%, 7/1/38

     42        48    
  

Pool #984075,

       
  

4.50%, 6/1/23

     9        9    
  

Pool #986760,

       
  

5.50%, 7/1/38

     198        229    
  

Pool #992472,

       
  

6.00%, 10/1/38

     9        10    
  

Pool #992491,

       
  

4.50%, 10/1/23

     13        14    
  

Pool #993055,

       
  

5.50%, 12/1/38

     12        13    
  

Pool #995018,

       
  

5.50%, 6/1/38

     43        50    
  

Pool #995203,

       
  

5.00%, 7/1/35

     304        349    
  

Pool #995266,

       
  

5.00%, 12/1/23

     79        83    
  

Pool #995879,

       
  

6.00%, 4/1/39

     59        70    
  

Pool #AA0649,

       
  

5.00%, 12/1/38

     205        236    
  

Pool #AA2939,

       
  

4.50%, 4/1/39

     366        414    
  

Pool #AA4482,

       
  

4.00%, 4/1/39

     291        322    
  

Pool #AA4562,

       
  

4.50%, 9/1/39

     340        386    
  

Pool #AA8978,

       
  

4.50%, 7/1/39

     89        100    
  

Pool #AA9357,

       
  

4.50%, 8/1/39

     271        303    
  

Pool #AB1048,

       
  

4.50%, 5/1/40

     360        399    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     50     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #AB2067,

       
 

3.50%, 1/1/41

     $622        $686    
 

Pool #AB2092,

       
 

4.00%, 1/1/41

     319        355    
 

Pool #AB2272,

       
 

4.50%, 2/1/41

     430        492    
 

Pool #AB2693,

       
 

4.50%, 4/1/41

     315        354    
 

Pool #AB2768,

       
 

4.50%, 4/1/41

     328        368    
 

Pool #AB3035,

       
 

5.00%, 5/1/41

     512        589    
 

Pool #AB3246,

       
 

5.00%, 7/1/41

     118        136    
 

Pool #AB4057,

       
 

4.00%, 12/1/41

     1,107        1,220    
 

Pool #AB4293,

       
 

3.50%, 1/1/42

     723        781    
 

Pool #AB5049,

       
 

4.00%, 4/1/42

     1,120        1,229    
 

Pool #AB6016,

       
 

3.50%, 8/1/42

     518        560    
 

Pool #AB6293,

       
 

3.50%, 9/1/27

     726        774    
 

Pool #AB6472,

       
 

2.00%, 10/1/27

     325        343    
 

Pool #AB7076,

       
 

3.00%, 11/1/42

     1,840        1,962    
 

Pool #AB7503,

       
 

3.00%, 1/1/43

     802        855    
 

Pool #AB7733,

       
 

3.00%, 1/1/43

     1,609        1,713    
 

Pool #AB8787,

       
 

2.00%, 3/1/28

     715        747    
 

Pool #AB9019,

       
 

3.00%, 4/1/43

     708        760    
 

Pool #AB9136,

       
 

2.50%, 4/1/43

     80        86    
 

Pool #AB9363,

       
 

3.50%, 5/1/43

     1,871        2,043    
 

Pool #AB9990,

       
 

3.00%, 7/1/33

     162        172    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #AC2947,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/39

     $349        $390    
 

Pool #AC2969,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/39

     1,260        1,450    
 

Pool #AC3263,

       
 

4.50%, 9/1/29

     107        117    
 

Pool #AC3312,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/39

     645        725    
 

Pool #AC4861,

       
 

4.50%, 11/1/24

     110        116    
 

Pool #AC5040,

       
 

4.00%, 10/1/24

     64        68    
 

Pool #AC6118,

       
 

4.50%, 11/1/39

     163        183    
 

Pool #AC6742,

       
 

4.50%, 1/1/40

     688        774    
 

Pool #AC8518,

       
 

5.00%, 12/1/39

     245        282    
 

Pool #AC9581,

       
 

5.50%, 1/1/40

     651        747    
 

Pool #AD0119,

       
 

6.00%, 7/1/38

     161        189    
 

Pool #AD0585,

       
 

4.50%, 12/1/39

     341        392    
 

Pool #AD0639,

       
 

6.00%, 12/1/38

     54        63    
 

Pool #AD0969,

       
 

5.50%, 8/1/37

     223        262    
 

Pool #AD5241,

       
 

4.50%, 7/1/40

     172        194    
 

Pool #AD5525,

       
 

5.00%, 6/1/40

     241        278    
 

Pool #AD5556,

       
 

4.00%, 6/1/25

     51        54    
 

Pool #AD7859,

       
 

5.00%, 6/1/40

     147        167    
 

Pool #AE0949,

       
 

4.00%, 2/1/41

     676        745    
 

Pool #AE0971,

       
 

4.00%, 5/1/25

     38        41    
 

Pool #AE0981,

       
 

3.50%, 3/1/41

     528        570    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     51     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #AE1807,

       
 

4.00%, 10/1/40

     $817        $896    
 

Pool #AE3873,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/40

     142        159    
 

Pool #AE5436,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/40

     153        174    
 

Pool #AE7758,

       
 

3.50%, 11/1/25

     89        94    
 

Pool #AH0525,

       
 

4.00%, 12/1/40

     713        785    
 

Pool #AH1295,

       
 

3.50%, 1/1/26

     188        200    
 

Pool #AH3226,

       
 

5.00%, 2/1/41

     52        60    
 

Pool #AH4158,

       
 

4.00%, 1/1/41

     131        145    
 

Pool #AH4450,

       
 

3.00%, 1/1/26

     98        102    
 

Pool #AH5573,

       
 

4.00%, 2/1/41

     629        699    
 

Pool #AH5614,

       
 

3.50%, 2/1/26

     179        190    
 

Pool #AH8854,

       
 

4.50%, 4/1/41

     199        224    
 

Pool #AI1247,

       
 

4.00%, 4/1/26

     84        89    
 

Pool #AI3470,

       
 

4.50%, 6/1/41

     224        251    
 

Pool #AI4361,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.80%, 1.80% Floor, 8.11% Cap), 3.58%, 9/1/41(3)

     8        8    
 

Pool #AI4380,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.80%, 1.80% Floor, 7.88% Cap), 3.93%, 11/1/41(3)

     10        10    
 

Pool #AI5603,

       
 

4.50%, 7/1/41

     145        163    
 

Pool #AI7743,

       
 

4.00%, 8/1/41

     129        141    
 

Pool #AI9137,

       
 

2.50%, 11/1/27

     900        941    
 

Pool #AI9555,

       
 

4.00%, 9/1/41

     384        424    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U. S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #AI9828,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.82%, 1.82% Floor, 7.99% Cap),
3.82%, 11/1/41(3)

     $13        $14    
 

Pool #AJ2001,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y + 1.80%, 1.80% Floor, 8.02% Cap),
3.68%, 10/1/41(3)

     8        9    
 

Pool #AJ4093,
3.50%, 10/1/26

     44        47    
 

Pool #AJ4408,
4.50%, 10/1/41

     98        111    
 

Pool #AJ6086,
3.00%, 12/1/26

     143        150    
 

Pool #AJ9152,
3.50%, 12/1/26

     589        624    
 

Pool #AJ9218,
4.00%, 2/1/42

     533        588    
 

Pool #AJ9326,
3.50%, 1/1/42

     938        1,044    
 

Pool #AJ9355,
3.00%, 1/1/27

     318        334    
 

Pool #AK4813,
3.50%, 3/1/42

     372        403    
 

Pool #AK4945,
3.50%, 2/1/42

     387        419    
 

Pool #AK7766,
2.50%, 3/1/27

     388        406    
 

Pool #AK9444,
4.00%, 3/1/42

     117        129    
 

Pool #AL0442,
5.50%, 6/1/40

     67        78    
 

Pool #AL0766,
4.00%, 9/1/41

     873        972    
 

Pool #AL1449,
4.00%, 1/1/42

     972        1,074    
 

Pool #AL1849,
6.00%, 2/1/39

     276        324    
 

Pool #AL1939,
3.50%, 6/1/42

     993        1,096    
 

Pool #AL2243,
4.00%, 3/1/42

     866        954    
 

Pool #AL2303,
4.50%, 6/1/26

     67        71    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     52     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #AL2326,
4.50%, 4/1/42

     $1,674        $1,884    
 

Pool #AL2397,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1Y +
1.73%, 1.73% Floor, 7.77% Cap),
2.57%, 8/1/42(3)

     38        39    
 

Pool #AL2438,
3.00%, 9/1/27

     787        835    
 

Pool #AL2893,
3.50%, 12/1/42

     2,369        2,637    
 

Pool #AL3396,
2.50%, 3/1/28

     365        386    
 

Pool #AL3803,
3.00%, 6/1/28

     660        693    
 

Pool #AL4408,
4.50%, 11/1/43

     1,032        1,162    
 

Pool #AL4462,
2.50%, 6/1/28

     666        697    
 

Pool #AL4908,
4.00%, 2/1/44

     774        859    
 

Pool #AL5167,
3.50%, 1/1/34

     205        221    
 

Pool #AL5254,
3.00%, 11/1/27

     467        491    
 

Pool #AL5377,
4.00%, 6/1/44

     2,271        2,548    
 

Pool #AL5734,
3.50%, 9/1/29

     641        693    
 

Pool #AL5785,
4.00%, 9/1/44

     1,292        1,462    
 

Pool #AL6488,
3.50%, 8/1/43

     485        534    
 

Pool #AL7807,
3.00%, 11/1/30

     1,785        1,925    
 

Pool #AL8469,
3.50%, 4/1/31

     308        336    
 

Pool #AL8908,
3.00%, 8/1/46

     687        742    
 

Pool #AL8951,
3.00%, 8/1/46

     601        642    
 

Pool #AL9582,
3.00%, 12/1/31

     823        881    
 

Pool #AO0752,
3.00%, 4/1/42

     504        536    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #AO0800,
3.00%, 4/1/27

     $312        $328    
 

Pool #AO2973,
3.50%, 5/1/42

     1,176        1,324    
 

Pool #AO4136,

       
 

3.50%, 6/1/42

     664        718    
 

Pool #AO7970,

       
 

2.50%, 6/1/27

     209        220    
 

Pool #AO8031,

       
 

3.50%, 7/1/42

     1,907        2,067    
 

Pool #AO8629,

       
 

3.50%, 7/1/42

     303        328    
 

Pool #AP6273,

       
 

3.00%, 10/1/42

     542        578    
 

Pool #AQ6784,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/42

     574        622    
 

Pool #AQ8185,

       
 

2.50%, 1/1/28

     132        139    
 

Pool #AQ8647,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/42

     894        970    
 

Pool #AR1706,

       
 

2.50%, 1/1/28

     2,002        2,096    
 

Pool #AR3054,

       
 

3.00%, 1/1/28

     498        530    
 

Pool #AR3792,

       
 

3.00%, 2/1/43

     453        483    
 

Pool #AR8151,

       
 

3.00%, 3/1/43

     955        1,018    
 

Pool #AR9188,

       
 

2.50%, 3/1/43

     124        133    
 

Pool #AR9582,

       
 

3.00%, 3/1/43

     327        357    
 

Pool #AS0018,

       
 

3.00%, 7/1/43

     1,957        2,083    
 

Pool #AS0275,

       
 

3.00%, 8/1/33

     205        217    
 

Pool #AS3294,

       
 

4.00%, 9/1/44

     1,251        1,357    
 

Pool #AS3600,

       
 

3.00%, 10/1/29

     1,098        1,173    
 

Pool #AS3657,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/44

     774        852    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     53     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #AS4085,

       
 

4.00%, 12/1/44

     $426        $478    
 

Pool #AS4306,

       
 

3.00%, 1/1/45

     758        799    
 

Pool #AS4458,

       
 

3.50%, 2/1/45

     2,595        2,827    
 

Pool #AS4715,

       
 

3.00%, 4/1/45

     762        817    
 

Pool #AS5090,

       
 

2.50%, 6/1/30

     266        283    
 

Pool #AS5324,

       
 

2.50%, 7/1/30

     601        628    
 

Pool #AS5500,

       
 

3.00%, 7/1/35

     283        297    
 

Pool #AS5666,

       
 

4.00%, 8/1/45

     748        811    
 

Pool #AS5892,

       
 

3.50%, 10/1/45

     1,003        1,069    
 

Pool #AS6192,

       
 

3.50%, 11/1/45

     2,184        2,358    
 

Pool #AS6262,

       
 

3.50%, 11/1/45

     1,199        1,279    
 

Pool #AS6332,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/45

     1,316        1,403    
 

Pool #AS6398,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/45

     892        951    
 

Pool #AS6730,

       
 

3.50%, 2/1/46

     1,571        1,678    
 

Pool #AS6887,

       
 

2.50%, 3/1/31

     549        583    
 

Pool #AS7149,

       
 

3.00%, 5/1/46

     1,125        1,221    
 

Pool #AS7157,

       
 

3.00%, 5/1/46

     598        629    
 

Pool #AS7247,

       
 

4.00%, 5/1/46

     352        380    
 

Pool #AS7343,

       
 

3.00%, 6/1/46

     586        616    
 

Pool #AS7480,

       
 

2.00%, 7/1/31

     154        161    
 

Pool #AS7580,

       
 

3.00%, 7/1/46

     701        736    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #AS8067,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     $1,161        $1,246    
 

Pool #AS8074,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     564        593    
 

Pool #AS8178,
3.00%, 10/1/36

     180        190    
 

Pool #AS8194,
2.50%, 10/1/31

     1,903        2,031    
 

Pool #AS8424,
3.00%, 12/1/36

     271        285    
 

Pool #AS8483,
3.00%, 12/1/46

     946        999    
 

Pool #AS8591,
2.00%, 1/1/32

     312        326    
 

Pool #AS8614,
3.50%, 1/1/32

     208        228    
 

Pool #AS8699,
4.00%, 1/1/47

     2,261        2,431    
 

Pool #AS8787,
2.00%, 2/1/32

     168        175    
 

Pool #AS8960,
4.00%, 3/1/47

     552        606    
 

Pool #AS9505,
3.00%, 4/1/32

     572        605    
 

Pool #AS9615,
4.50%, 5/1/47

     651        709    
 

Pool #AT0666,
3.50%, 4/1/43

     397        438    
 

Pool #AT2720,
3.00%, 5/1/43

     905        977    
 

Pool #AT3164,
3.00%, 4/1/43

     1,523        1,623    
 

Pool #AT3180,
3.00%, 5/1/43

     1,918        2,045    
 

Pool #AT5026,
3.00%, 5/1/43

     1,608        1,714    
 

Pool #AU1657,
2.50%, 7/1/28

     320        338    
 

Pool #AU1689,
3.50%, 8/1/43

     2,051        2,249    
 

Pool #AU1808,
3.00%, 8/1/43

     1,610        1,713    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     54     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
        
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

  
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

  
 

Pool #AU3164,

        
 

3.00%, 8/1/33

     $186        $201     
 

Pool #AU5918,

        
 

3.00%, 9/1/43

     1,341        1,425     
 

Pool #AU5919,

        
 

3.50%, 9/1/43

     875        944     
 

Pool #AV0691,

        
 

4.00%, 12/1/43

     1,744        1,943     
 

Pool #AV2339,

        
 

4.00%, 12/1/43

     376        418     
 

Pool #AW8167,

        
 

3.50%, 2/1/42

     432        467     
 

Pool #AW8595,

        
 

3.00%, 8/1/29

     279        300     
 

Pool #AX2163,

        
 

3.50%, 11/1/44

     484        517     
 

Pool #AX4413,

        
 

4.00%, 11/1/44

     934        1,025     
 

Pool #AX4839,

        
 

3.50%, 11/1/44

     921        984     
 

Pool #AX6139,

        
 

4.00%, 11/1/44

     1,333        1,474     
 

Pool #AY0544,

        
 

2.50%, 8/1/27

     863        902     
 

Pool #AY3062,

        
 

3.00%, 11/1/26

     310        330     
 

Pool #AY9555,

        
 

3.00%, 5/1/45

     1,165        1,231     
 

Pool #AZ1449,

        
 

3.00%, 7/1/45

     767        810     
 

Pool #AZ2936,

        
 

3.00%, 9/1/45

     414        437     
 

Pool #AZ2947,

        
 

4.00%, 9/1/45

     842        913     
 

Pool #AZ4775,

        
 

3.50%, 10/1/45

     607        648     
 

Pool #AZ6684,

        
 

3.00%, 2/1/31

     615        655     
 

Pool #BA2911,

        
 

3.00%, 11/1/30

     262        275     
 

Pool #BC0326,

        
 

3.50%, 12/1/45

     441        470     
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

 

 
 

Pool #BC0822,

       
 

3.50%, 4/1/46

     $3,942        $4,206    
 

Pool #BC1105,

       
 

3.50%, 2/1/46

     1,585        1,688    
 

Pool #BC1510,

       
 

3.00%, 8/1/46

     522        549    
 

Pool #BC9096,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/46

     685        728    
 

Pool #BE3171,

       
 

2.50%, 2/1/32

     616        657    
 

Pool #BH1130,

       
 

3.50%, 4/1/32

     496        536    
 

Pool #BH5784,

       
 

3.00%, 11/1/32

     2,145        2,309    
 

Pool #BH7032,

       
 

3.50%, 12/1/47

     421        446    
 

Pool #BH7106,

       
 

3.50%, 1/1/48

     923        974    
 

Pool #BH9215,

       
 

3.50%, 1/1/48

     1,580        1,670    
 

Pool #BJ0648,

       
 

3.50%, 3/1/48

     917        969    
 

Pool #BJ9181,

       
 

5.00%, 5/1/48

     672        739    
 

Pool #BJ9260,

       
 

4.00%, 4/1/48

     787        841    
 

Pool #BJ9977,

       
 

4.00%, 5/1/48

     421        454    
 

Pool #BK0276,

       
 

4.00%, 9/1/48

     330        353    
 

Pool #BK0920,

       
 

4.00%, 7/1/48

     1,457        1,552    
 

Pool #BK0922,

       
 

4.50%, 7/1/48

     253        274    
 

Pool #BK4740,

       
 

4.00%, 8/1/48

     456        486    
 

Pool #BK4764,

       
 

4.00%, 8/1/48

     430        457    
 

Pool #BK4816,

       
 

4.00%, 9/1/48

     815        870    
 

Pool #BM1687,

       
 

4.00%, 1/1/47

     2,275        2,458    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     55     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #BM1787,
4.00%, 9/1/47

     $1,427        $1,571    
 

Pool #BM2001,
3.50%, 12/1/46

     237        253    
 

Pool #BM3286,
4.50%, 11/1/47

     144        157    
 

Pool #BM4151,
2.50%, 6/1/32

     1,963        2,055    
 

Pool #BM5288,
3.50%, 1/1/34

     497        525    
 

Pool #BM5466,
2.50%, 10/1/43

     707        753    
 

Pool #BM5804,
5.00%, 1/1/49

     1,024        1,122    
 

Pool #BN1176,
4.50%, 11/1/48

     408        441    
 

Pool #BN1628,
4.50%, 11/1/48

     289        312    
 

Pool #BN5947,
3.50%, 6/1/49

     436        464    
 

Pool #BN6097,
4.00%, 6/1/49

     2,671        2,848    
 

Pool #BN6683,
3.50%, 6/1/49

     907        956    
 

Pool #BO1012,
3.50%, 8/1/49

     489        515    
 

Pool #BO1021,
3.50%, 8/1/49

     524        552    
 

Pool #BO1169,
3.50%, 7/1/49

     287        302    
 

Pool #BO1444,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     483        512    
 

Pool #BO1461,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     259        275    
 

Pool #BO3181,
2.50%, 10/1/49

     1,123        1,179    
 

Pool #BO4708,
3.00%, 11/1/49

     1,121        1,174    
 

Pool #BO8620,
3.00%, 12/1/49

     942        989    
 

Pool #BP4660,
2.50%, 5/1/50

     263        276    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #BP6496,
2.00%, 7/1/35

     $1,275        $1,326    
 

Pool #BP6626,
2.00%, 8/1/50

     1,165        1,205    
 

Pool #BP6683,
2.50%, 9/1/50

     880        924    
 

Pool #BP7273,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     523        549    
 

Pool #BP7585,
2.00%, 9/1/50

     3,835        3,966    
 

Pool #BQ0202,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     769        809    
 

Pool #BQ1147,
10/1/50(13)

     910        962    
 

Pool #BQ1351,
8/1/50(13)

     908        959    
 

Pool #CA0110,
3.50%, 8/1/47

     984        1,037    
 

Pool #CA0619,
4.00%, 10/1/47

     243        260    
 

Pool #CA0620,
4.00%, 10/1/47

     2,700        2,889    
 

Pool #CA0656,
3.50%, 11/1/47

     1,676        1,809    
 

Pool #CA0859,
3.50%, 12/1/47

     1,432        1,517    
 

Pool #CA0917,
3.50%, 12/1/47

     1,007        1,079    
 

Pool #CA1370,
4.00%, 3/1/48

     610        661    
 

Pool #CA1378,
4.00%, 3/1/48

     572        611    
 

Pool #CA1564,
4.50%, 4/1/48

     270        293    
 

Pool #CA1711,
4.50%, 5/1/48

     798        864    
 

Pool #CA1902,
4.50%, 6/1/48

     841        918    
 

Pool #CA1909,
4.50%, 6/1/48

     375        406    
 

Pool #CA1951,
4.00%, 7/1/48

     536        572    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     56     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #CA1952,
4.50%, 6/1/48

     $249        $269    
 

Pool #CA2056,
4.50%, 7/1/48

     332        359    
 

Pool #CA2208,
4.50%, 8/1/48

     255        275    
 

Pool #CA2256,
3.50%, 8/1/33

     523        558    
 

Pool #CA2366,
3.50%, 9/1/48

     378        399    
 

Pool #CA2375,
4.00%, 9/1/48

     1,433        1,529    
 

Pool #CA2559,
4.00%, 11/1/33

     512        548    
 

Pool #CA2616,
3.50%, 11/1/48

     1,430        1,547    
 

Pool #CA2729,
4.50%, 11/1/48

     1,465        1,584    
 

Pool #CA3640,
6/1/49(13)

     1,036        1,118    
 

Pool #CA4029,
4.00%, 8/1/49

     2,486        2,653    
 

Pool #CA4143,
3.00%, 9/1/49

     8,608        9,100    
 

Pool #CA4420,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     828        878    
 

Pool #CA4792,
3.00%, 12/1/49

     628        658    
 

Pool #CA5020,
3.50%, 1/1/50

     1,772        1,868    
 

Pool #CA5452,
3.00%, 3/1/50

     1,989        2,084    
 

Pool #CA5508,
3.00%, 4/1/50

     2,658        2,786    
 

Pool #CA6072,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     761        801    
 

Pool #CA6074,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     1,077        1,131    
 

Pool #CA6144,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     1,158        1,216    
 

Pool #CA6290,
7/1/50(13)

     993        1,042    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #CA6305,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     $2,048        $2,150    
 

Pool #CA6339,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     1,929        2,025    
 

Pool #CA6346,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     960        1,010    
 

Pool #CA6563,
2.50%, 8/1/35

     986        1,030    
 

Pool #CA6601,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     766        805    
 

Pool #CA6951,
9/1/50(13)

     608        641    
 

Pool #CA6962,
2.50%, 9/1/50

     875        930    
 

Pool #CA7019,
9/1/50(13)

     1,668        1,725    
 

Pool #CA7216,
10/1/50(13)

     3,340        3,468    
 

Pool #CA7232,
10/1/50(13)

     1,820        1,911    
 

Pool #FM1496,
3.50%, 9/1/49

     6,331        6,672    
 

Pool #FM1708,
3.00%, 12/1/45

     433        467    
 

Pool #FM1742,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     514        547    
 

Pool #FM1938,
4.50%, 9/1/49

     1,647        1,781    
 

Pool #FM2305,
3.50%, 2/1/50

     1,739        1,862    
 

Pool #FM2715,
3.00%, 3/1/50

     374        393    
 

Pool #FM2778,
3.00%, 3/1/50

     2,047        2,168    
 

Pool #FM2963,
3.00%, 2/1/50

     9,165        9,737    
 

Pool #FM3225,
3.00%, 5/1/50

     1,124        1,196    
 

Pool #FM3747,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     1,534        1,616    
 

Pool #FM3969,
2.50%, 8/1/43

     663        706    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     57     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #FM4149,
3.00%, 9/1/50

     $5,500        $5,836    
 

Pool #FM4193,
2.50%, 9/1/50

     980        1,036    
 

Pool #MA0361,
4.00%, 3/1/30

     99        107    
 

Pool #MA0667,
4.00%, 3/1/31

     278        303    
 

Pool #MA0706,
4.50%, 4/1/31

     322        355    
 

Pool #MA0711,
3.50%, 4/1/31

     173        184    
 

Pool #MA0804,
4.00%, 7/1/31

     181        197    
 

Pool #MA0976,
3.50%, 2/1/32

     389        420    
 

Pool #MA1107,
3.50%, 7/1/32

     497        537    
 

Pool #MA1138,
3.50%, 8/1/32

     273        295    
 

Pool #MA1141,
3.00%, 8/1/32

     141        149    
 

Pool #MA1200,
3.00%, 10/1/32

     770        809    
 

Pool #MA1239,
3.50%, 11/1/32

     373        403    
 

Pool #MA1432,
3.00%, 5/1/33

     793        838    
 

Pool #MA1511,
2.50%, 7/1/33

     242        255    
 

Pool #MA1764,
4.00%, 1/1/34

     335        365    
 

Pool #MA2320,
3.00%, 7/1/35

     669        704    
 

Pool #MA2473,
3.50%, 12/1/35

     262        282    
 

Pool #MA2489,
2.50%, 12/1/30

     923        966    
 

Pool #MA2512,
4.00%, 1/1/46

     389        424    
 

Pool #MA2670,
3.00%, 7/1/46

     1,624        1,706    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #MA2672,
3.00%, 7/1/36

     $353        $371    
 

Pool #MA2705,
3.00%, 8/1/46

     1,164        1,224    
 

Pool #MA2737,
3.00%, 9/1/46

     531        558    
 

Pool #MA2738,
3.00%, 9/1/36

     513        540    
 

Pool #MA2771,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     576        606    
 

Pool #MA2775,
2.50%, 10/1/31

     314        329    
 

Pool #MA2781,
2.50%, 10/1/46

     393        418    
 

Pool #MA2804,
3.00%, 11/1/36

     649        680    
 

Pool #MA2817,
2.50%, 11/1/36

     282        297    
 

Pool #MA2841,
2.50%, 12/1/36

     117        124    
 

Pool #MA2863,
3.00%, 1/1/47

     8,811        9,262    
 

Pool #MA2895,
3.00%, 2/1/47

     517        543    
 

Pool #MA2929,
3.50%, 3/1/47

     2,535        2,686    
 

Pool #MA3028,
3.50%, 6/1/37

     533        566    
 

Pool #MA3057,
3.50%, 7/1/47

     1,193        1,262    
 

Pool #MA3058,
4.00%, 7/1/47

     434        465    
 

Pool #MA3059,
3.50%, 7/1/37

     96        102    
 

Pool #MA3073,
4.50%, 7/1/47

     889        968    
 

Pool #MA3127,
3.00%, 9/1/37

     224        234    
 

Pool #MA3150,
4.50%, 10/1/47

     482        525    
 

Pool #MA3181,
3.50%, 11/1/37

     164        173    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     58     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #MA3182,
3.50%, 11/1/47

     $1,340        $1,417    
 

Pool #MA3184,
4.50%, 11/1/47

     146        159    
 

Pool #MA3185,
3.00%, 11/1/37

     277        292    
 

Pool #MA3188,
3.00%, 11/1/32

     810        850    
 

Pool #MA3211,
4.00%, 12/1/47

     259        277    
 

Pool #MA3239,
4.00%, 1/1/48

     1,094        1,172    
 

Pool #MA3276,
3.50%, 2/1/48

     1,148        1,214    
 

Pool #MA3281,
4.00%, 2/1/38

     568        614    
 

Pool #MA3334,
4.50%, 4/1/48

     867        942    
 

Pool #MA3385,
4.50%, 6/1/48

     335        364    
 

Pool #MA3412,
3.50%, 7/1/38

     293        309    
 

Pool #MA3413,
4.00%, 7/1/38

     114        123    
 

Pool #MA3443,
4.00%, 8/1/48

     333        355    
 

Pool #MA3444,
4.50%, 8/1/48

     314        341    
 

Pool #MA3467,
4.00%, 9/1/48

     322        343    
 

Pool #MA3492,
4.00%, 10/1/38

     95        101    
 

Pool #MA3547,
3.00%, 12/1/33

     538        564    
 

Pool #MA3590,
4.00%, 2/1/39

     97        103    
 

Pool #MA3685,
3.00%, 6/1/49

     537        562    
 

Pool #MA3692,
3.50%, 7/1/49

     442        465    
 

Pool #MA3695,
3.00%, 7/1/34

     216        227    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #MA3744,
3.00%, 8/1/49

     $601        $629    
 

Pool #MA3765,
2.50%, 9/1/49

     981        1,030    
 

Pool #MA3870,
2.50%, 12/1/49

     426        447    
 

Pool #MA3871,
3.00%, 12/1/49

     528        553    
 

Pool #MA3896,
2.50%, 1/1/35

     2,836        2,962    
 

Pool #MA3898,
3.50%, 1/1/35

     1,145        1,213    
 

Pool #MA3902,
2.50%, 1/1/50

     427        448    
 

Pool #MA3934,
3.00%, 2/1/40

     345        361    
 

Pool #MA3958,
3.00%, 3/1/40

     352        368    
 

Pool #MA4013,
2.50%, 5/1/35

     562        588    
 

Pool #MA4014,
3.00%, 5/1/35

     945        997    
 

Pool #MA4016,
2.50%, 5/1/40

     1,044        1,096    
 

Pool #MA4042,
2.00%, 6/1/35

     970        1,009    
 

Pool #MA4053,
2.50%, 6/1/35

     1,924        2,010    
 

Pool #MA4071,
2.00%, 7/1/40

     492        509    
 

Pool #MA4072,
2.50%, 7/1/40

     493        517    
 

Pool #MA4074,
2.00%, 7/1/35

     1,465        1,524    
 

Pool #MA4076,
3.00%, 7/1/35

     1,946        2,045    
 

Pool #MA4078,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     2,695        2,829    
 

Pool #MA4093,
2.00%, 8/1/40

     247        256    
 

Pool #MA4094,
2.50%, 8/1/40

     495        520    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     59     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Fannie Mae – 13.7%    continued

       
 

Pool #MA4096,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     $1,600        $1,679    
 

Pool #MA4099,
2.50%, 8/1/35

     1,489        1,560    
 

Pool #MA4100,
2.00%, 8/1/50

     2,493        2,578    
 

Pool #MA4119,
2.00%, 9/1/50

     2,783        2,878    
 

Pool #MA4122,
1.50%, 9/1/35

     498        509    
 

Pool #MA4123,
2.00%, 9/1/35

     1,987        2,067    
 

Pool #MA4128,
2.00%, 9/1/40

     698        722    
 

Pool #MA4129,
2.50%, 9/1/40

     500        525    
 

Pool #MA4154,
10/1/35(13)

     500        512    
 

Pool #MA4155,
10/1/35(13)

     2,000        2,081    
 

Pool #MA4176,
10/1/40(13)

     700        724    
 

Pool TBA,
9/1/50(13)

     1,575        1,649    
 

10/1/50(13)

     68,100        71,769    
 

 

          477,296    
 

 

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 0.1%

       
 

0.26%, 6/22/22

     2,000        2,004    
 

1.38%, 10/11/22

     1,000        1,024    
 

0.73%, 5/27/25

     2,000        2,002    
 

 

          5,030    
 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank – 0.4%

       
 

3.00%, 10/12/21

     3,000        3,089    
 

1.63%, 12/20/21

     4,000        4,073    
 

2.13%, 6/10/22

     1,000        1,033    
 

1.38%, 2/17/23

     3,500        3,598    
 

5.50%, 7/15/36

     500        778    
 

 

          12,571    
 

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%

       
 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,

       
 

0.13%, 7/25/22

     1,000        999    
 

0.38%, 5/5/23

     2,000        2,009    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

       
 

0.25%, 6/26/23

     $1,000        $1,001    
 

0.25%, 8/24/23

     2,500        2,502    
 

0.70%, 9/2/25

     3,000        3,001    
 

0.38%, 9/23/25

     2,000        1,993    
 

Freddie Mac,

       
 

2.38%, 1/13/22

     1,500        1,543    
 

2.75%, 6/19/23

     1,000        1,068    
 

6.75%, 3/15/31

     1,200        1,874    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K020, Class A2,

       
 

2.37%, 5/25/22

     150        154    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K023, Class A2,

       
 

2.31%, 8/25/22

     350        361    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K024, Class A2,

       
 

2.57%, 9/25/22

     200        208    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K028, Class A2,

       
 

3.11%, 2/25/23

     300        316    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K029, Class A2,

       
 

3.32%, 2/25/23

     250        265    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K030, Class A2,

       
 

3.25%, 4/25/23

     300        318    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K031, Class A2,

       
 

3.30%, 4/25/23

     227        242    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K032, Class A2,

       
 

3.31%, 5/25/23

     365        390    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K033, Class A2,

       
 

3.06%, 7/25/23

     350        372    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     60     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K036, Class A2,

       
 

3.53%, 10/25/23

     $1,000        $1,085    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K038, Class A2,

       
 

3.39%, 3/25/24

     295        321    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K040, Class A2,

       
 

3.24%, 9/25/24

     300        329    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K041, Class A2,

       
 

3.17%, 10/25/24

     300        329    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K042, Class A2,

       
 

2.67%, 12/25/24

     200        216    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K043, Class A2,

       
 

3.06%, 12/25/24

     200        219    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K046, Class A2,

       
 

3.21%, 3/25/25

     250        277    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K047, Class A2,

       
 

3.33%, 5/25/25

     500        558    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K051, Class A2,

       
 

3.31%, 9/25/25

     300        336    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K053, Class A2,

       
 

3.00%, 12/25/25

     300        332    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K054, Class A2,

       
 

2.75%, 1/25/26

     250        275    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K055, Class A2,

       
 

2.67%, 3/25/26

     $500        $548    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K056, Class A2,

       
 

2.53%, 5/25/26

     400        436    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K058, Class A2,

       
 

2.65%, 8/25/26

     250        276    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K059, Class A2,

       
 

3.12%, 9/25/26

     100        112    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K065, Class A2,

       
 

3.24%, 4/25/27

     350        400    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K066, Class A2,

       
 

3.12%, 6/25/27

     350        397    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K067, Class A2,

       
 

3.19%, 7/25/27

     250        285    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K068, Class A2,

       
 

3.24%, 8/25/27

     150        173    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K069, Class A2,

       
 

3.19%, 9/25/27

     200        230    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K070, Class A2,

       
 

3.30%, 11/25/27

     150        173    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K072, Class A2,

       
 

3.44%, 12/25/27

     150        175    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     61     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K073, Class A2,

       
 

3.35%, 1/25/28

     $150        $174    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K074, Class A2,

       
 

3.60%, 1/25/28

     150        176    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K075, Class A2,

       
 

3.65%, 2/25/28

     150        176    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K076, Class A2,

       
 

3.90%, 4/25/28

     200        240    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K077, Class A2,

       
 

3.85%, 5/25/28

     200        239    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K078, Class A2,

       
 

3.85%, 6/25/28

     150        179    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K079, Class A2,

       
 

3.93%, 6/25/28

     200        240    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K080, Class A2,

       
 

3.93%, 7/25/28

     200        240    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K081, Class A2,

       
 

3.90%, 8/25/28

     200        241    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K082, Class A2,

       
 

3.92%, 9/25/28

     350        423    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K083, Class A2,

       
 

4.05%, 9/25/28

     200        245    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K086, Class A2,

       
 

3.86%, 11/25/28

     $200        $241    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K088, Class A2,

       
 

3.69%, 1/25/29

     100        119    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K090, Class A2,

       
 

3.42%, 2/25/29

     500        590    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K091, Class A2,

       
 

3.51%, 3/25/29

     150        177    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K092, Class A2,

       
 

3.30%, 4/25/29

     300        350    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K093, Class A2,

       
 

2.98%, 5/25/29

     200        229    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K094, Class A2,

       
 

2.90%, 6/25/29

     300        343    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K102, Class A2,

       
 

2.54%, 10/25/29

     250        279    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K104, Class A2,

       
 

2.25%, 1/25/30

     250        274    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K105, Class A2,

       
 

1.87%, 1/25/30

     200        213    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K109, Class A2,

       
 

1.56%, 4/25/30

     500        520    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     62     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

       
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K110, Class A2,

       
 

1.48%, 4/25/30

     $500        $517    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K111, Class A2,

       
 

1.35%, 5/25/30

     500        512    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K112, Class A2,

       
 

1.31%, 5/25/30

     500        511    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K113, Class A2,

       
 

1.34%, 6/25/30

     500        512    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1510, Class A2,

       
 

3.72%, 1/25/31

     100        120    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1510, Class A3,

       
 

3.79%, 1/25/34

     100        125    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1511, Class A2,

       
 

3.47%, 3/25/31

     100        119    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1511, Class A3,

       
 

3.54%, 3/25/34

     100        121    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1512, Class A2,

       
 

2.99%, 5/25/31

     100        115    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1512, Class A3,

       
 

3.06%, 4/25/34

     100        118    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1515, Class A2,

       
 

1.94%, 2/25/35

     100        105    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

       
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K-1517, Class A2,

       
 

1.72%, 7/25/35

     $200        $206    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K154, Class A2,

       
 

3.42%, 4/25/32

     100        118    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K155, Class A3,

       
 

3.75%, 4/25/33

     100        122    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K157, Class A2,

       
 

3.99%, 5/25/33

     100        124    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K157, Class A3,

       
 

3.99%, 8/25/33

     100        125    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K718, Class A2,

       
 

2.79%, 1/25/22

     250        256    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K719, Class A2,

       
 

2.73%, 6/25/22

     40        41    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K721, Class A2,

       
 

3.09%, 8/25/22

     250        260    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K722, Class A2,

       
 

2.41%, 3/25/23

     250        260    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K723, Class A2,

       
 

2.45%, 8/25/23

     250        262    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K729, Class A2,

       
 

3.14%, 10/25/24

     200        218    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     63     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K730, Class A2,

       
 

3.59%, 1/25/25

     $200        $222    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K731, Class A2,

       
 

3.60%, 2/25/25

     150        165    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K732, Class A2,

       
 

3.70%, 5/25/25

     400        447    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K733, Class A2,

       
 

3.75%, 8/25/25

     500        565    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K734, Class A2,

       
 

3.21%, 2/25/26

     200        223    
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series
K735, Class A2,
2.86%, 5/25/26

     150        166    
 

Pool #QA0127,
3.50%, 6/1/49

     1,726        1,835    
 

Pool #QA1132,
3.50%, 7/1/49

     728        767    
 

Pool #QA1263,
3.50%, 7/1/49

     801        856    
 

Pool #QA1752,
3.50%, 8/1/49

     3,407        3,591    
 

Pool #QA1883,
8/1/49(13)

     1,147        1,241    
 

Pool #QA3149,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     597        637    
 

Pool #QA4699,
3.00%, 11/1/49

     613        642    
 

Pool #QA8043,
3.00%, 3/1/50

     3,318        3,521    
 

Pool #QB0211,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     908        953    
 

Pool #QB2516,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     711        746    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #QB2682,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     $680        $714    
 

Pool #QB2966,
2.50%, 9/1/50

     225        236    
 

Pool #QB3199,
2.00%, 9/1/50

     1,015        1,050    
 

Pool #QN0818,
2.50%, 10/1/34

     769        803    
 

Pool #RA1196,
4.00%, 8/1/49

     3,046        3,247    
 

Pool #RA1343,
3.00%, 9/1/49

     5,542        5,874    
 

Pool #RA1493,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     9,279        9,856    
 

Pool #RA1501,
3.00%, 10/1/49

     553        580    
 

Pool #RA2010,
3.50%, 1/1/50

     846        891    
 

Pool #RA2117,
3.00%, 2/1/50

     649        691    
 

Pool #RA2386,
3.00%, 4/1/50

     1,765        1,867    
 

Pool #RA2457,
4/1/50(13)

     999        1,065    
 

Pool #RA2730,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     457        485    
 

Pool #RA2790,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     887        931    
 

Pool #RA2853,
2.50%, 6/1/50

     1,111        1,166    
 

Pool #RA2959,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     1,114        1,170    
 

Pool #RA3086,
2.50%, 7/1/50

     911        957    
 

Pool #RA3306,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     588        619    
 

Pool #RA3524,
9/1/50(13)

     2,692        2,801    
 

Pool #RA3563,
9/1/50(13)

     1,415        1,466    
 

Pool #RA3578,
9/1/50(13)

     1,890        1,954    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     64     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Pool #RA3662,
10/1/50(13)

     $1,020        $1,071    
 

Pool #RA3663,
10/1/50(13)

     960        1,017    
 

Pool #RA3765,
10/1/50(13)

     1,020        1,071    
 

Pool #RB5032,
2.50%, 2/1/40

     221        232    
 

Pool #RB5033,
3.00%, 2/1/40

     848        888    
 

Pool #RB5043,
2.50%, 4/1/40

     450        472    
 

Pool #RB5048,
2.50%, 5/1/40

     191        200    
 

Pool #RB5059,
2.50%, 7/1/40

     197        206    
 

Pool #RB5066,
2.50%, 8/1/40

     495        520    
 

Pool #RB5072,
2.50%, 9/1/40

     500        525    
 

Pool #RB5076,
2.00%, 8/1/40

     940        972    
 

Pool #RB5085,
10/1/40(13)

     700        724    
 

Pool #SB0048,
3.00%, 8/1/34

     1,314        1,390    
 

Pool #SB0330,
2.00%, 5/1/35

     726        755    
 

Pool #SB8045,
2.50%, 5/1/35

     469        490    
 

Pool #SB8046,
3.00%, 5/1/35

     935        983    
 

Pool #SB8049,
2.50%, 6/1/35

     1,439        1,504    
 

Pool #SB8052,
2.00%, 7/1/35

     976        1,015    
 

Pool #SB8057,
2.00%, 8/1/35

     1,181        1,229    
 

Pool #SB8058,
2.50%, 8/1/35

     1,474        1,543    
 

Pool #SB8061,
2.00%, 9/1/35

     1,986        2,066    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Pool #SB8062,
2.50%, 9/1/35

     $1,000        $1,045    
 

Pool #SB8067,
1.50%, 9/1/35

     497        509    
 

Pool #SB8068,
10/1/35(13)

     500        512    
 

Pool #SB8069,
10/1/35(13)

     1,500        1,560    
 

Pool #SD0163,
3.00%, 12/1/49

     1,444        1,539    
 

Pool #SD0261,
3.00%, 2/1/50

     625        658    
 

Pool #SD0262,
3.50%, 2/1/50

     889        954    
 

Pool #SD0410,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     1,946        2,055    
 

Pool #SD0414,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     410        434    
 

Pool #SD7512,
3.00%, 2/1/50

     994        1,057    
 

Pool #SD8019,
4.50%, 10/1/49

     1,253        1,355    
 

Pool #SD8023,
2.50%, 11/1/49

     822        863    
 

Pool #SD8029,
2.50%, 12/1/49

     860        903    
 

Pool #SD8037,
2.50%, 1/1/50

     868        912    
 

Pool #SD8083,
2.50%, 8/1/50

     1,431        1,502    
 

Pool #SD8090,
2.00%, 9/1/50

     3,485        3,604    
 

Pool #SD8097,
2.00%, 8/1/50

     3,272        3,384    
 

Pool #ZA1036,
4.50%, 2/1/40

     168        188    
 

Pool #ZA1159,
3.50%, 4/1/42

     425        473    
 

Pool #ZA1165,
3.50%, 4/1/42

     791        854    
 

Pool #ZA1254,
3.00%, 10/1/42

     1,969        2,098    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     65     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

 

Pool #ZA1334,
3.50%, 7/1/42

     $275        $297    
 

Pool #ZA1361,
3.50%, 5/1/43

     360        389    
 

Pool #ZA1375,
4.00%, 9/1/44

     259        284    
 

Pool #ZA1378,
3.50%, 10/1/44

     369        395    
 

Pool #ZA2773,
2.50%, 8/1/27

     145        152    
 

Pool #ZA3862,
2.50%, 5/1/31

     527        561    
 

Pool #ZA4194,
3.00%, 4/1/43

     367        400    
 

Pool #ZA4214,
3.00%, 5/1/43

     586        638    
 

Pool #ZA4715,
4.00%, 9/1/46

     1,801        1,991    
 

Pool #ZA5107,
4.00%, 11/1/47

     547        586    
 

Pool #ZA5642,
4.00%, 9/1/48

     1,127        1,202    
 

Pool #ZA5950,
4.50%, 11/1/48

     2,147        2,321    
 

Pool #ZI6135,
5.00%, 9/1/34

     618        712    
 

Pool #ZI6854,
4.50%, 12/1/37

     50        55    
 

Pool #ZI7645,
5.00%, 6/1/38

     214        245    
 

Pool #ZI8519,
4.50%, 2/1/39

     36        40    
 

Pool #ZI9157,
4.50%, 9/1/39

     992        1,115    
 

Pool #ZI9349,
4.50%, 10/1/39

     586        659    
 

Pool #ZI9657,
4.50%, 1/1/40

     522        587    
 

Pool #ZI9862,
4.50%, 3/1/40

     317        362    
 

Pool #ZI9939,
4.50%, 4/1/40

     214        241    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

 

 
 

Pool #ZJ0631,
4.50%, 10/1/40

     $313        $352    
 

Pool #ZJ1046,
4.00%, 1/1/41

     355        394    
 

Pool #ZJ1052,
4.00%, 1/1/41

     271        300    
 

Pool #ZJ1228,
4.00%, 2/1/41

     546        600    
 

Pool #ZJ1359,
4.50%, 3/1/41

     221        246    
 

Pool #ZK5468,
2.00%, 5/1/28

     672        702    
 

Pool #ZK7259,
2.50%, 4/1/30

     616        655    
 

Pool #ZK7533,
2.50%, 7/1/30

     387        404    
 

Pool #ZL1714,
4.50%, 7/1/41

     321        362    
 

Pool #ZL1806,
4.50%, 8/1/41

     871        981    
 

Pool #ZL1922,
4.00%, 9/1/41

     147        161    
 

Pool #ZL2350,
3.50%, 11/1/41

     188        203    
 

Pool #ZL3211,
3.50%, 6/1/42

     578        639    
 

Pool #ZL3245,
4.00%, 6/1/42

     1,075        1,189    
 

Pool #ZL3535,
3.50%, 8/1/42

     931        1,048    
 

Pool #ZL3551,
3.50%, 8/1/42

     879        954    
 

Pool #ZL4634,
3.00%, 1/1/43

     2,866        3,052    
 

Pool #ZL4709,
3.00%, 1/1/43

     621        662    
 

Pool #ZL5074,
3.00%, 2/1/43

     273        291    
 

Pool #ZL5915,
3.50%, 5/1/43

     1,437        1,559    
 

Pool #ZL5927,
3.00%, 5/1/43

     311        339    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     66     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Pool #ZL6381,
3.00%, 6/1/43

     $689        $734    
 

Pool #ZL6467,
3.00%, 7/1/43

     514        548    
 

Pool #ZL6676,
3.00%, 8/1/43

     889        947    
 

Pool #ZL6920,
3.50%, 8/1/43

     268        287    
 

Pool #ZL7780,
4.00%, 2/1/44

     538        599    
 

Pool #ZL8299,
3.50%, 7/1/44

     1,758        1,908    
 

Pool #ZL8300,
4.00%, 7/1/44

     1,307        1,435    
 

Pool #ZL8709,
4.00%, 11/1/44

     503        556    
 

Pool #ZM0489,
4.00%, 11/1/45

     556        601    
 

Pool #ZM0617,
3.50%, 12/1/45

     516        563    
 

Pool #ZM1194,
3.00%, 6/1/46

     761        801    
 

Pool #ZM1933,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     768        808    
 

Pool #ZM2167,
3.00%, 11/1/46

     1,135        1,193    
 

Pool #ZM2286,
3.50%, 12/1/46

     2,096        2,230    
 

Pool #ZM3525,
3.50%, 6/1/47

     253        273    
 

Pool #ZM3933,
3.50%, 8/1/47

     975        1,054    
 

Pool #ZM4305,
3.50%, 9/1/47

     1,091        1,155    
 

Pool #ZM4601,
3.50%, 10/1/47

     1,856        1,968    
 

Pool #ZM4711,
4.00%, 11/1/47

     2,391        2,564    
 

Pool #ZM4736,
3.50%, 11/1/47

     471        499    
 

Pool #ZM4908,
3.50%, 11/1/47

     936        990    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

       
 

Pool #ZM5133,
3.50%, 12/1/47

     $388        $410    
 

Pool #ZM5397,
3.50%, 1/1/48

     1,011        1,069    
 

Pool #ZM5659,
3.50%, 2/1/48

     827        875    
 

Pool #ZM5917,
4.00%, 3/1/48

     638        682    
 

Pool #ZM6682,
4.50%, 5/1/48

     587        636    
 

Pool #ZM7370,
4.00%, 7/1/48

     442        472    
 

Pool #ZM7378,
5.00%, 7/1/48

     413        454    
 

Pool #ZM7849,
4.00%, 8/1/48

     280        298    
 

Pool #ZM8045,
4.00%, 9/1/48

     695        740    
 

Pool #ZM8575,
4.50%, 10/1/48

     497        537    
 

Pool #ZN1506,
3.50%, 11/1/48

     1,193        1,302    
 

Pool #ZN3447,
3.50%, 2/1/49

     422        452    
 

Pool #ZS0932,
4.50%, 8/1/34

     18        20    
 

Pool #ZS0971,
5.00%, 12/1/35

     177        203    
 

Pool #ZS1567,
5.00%, 8/1/37

     21        25    
 

Pool #ZS2391,
5.00%, 9/1/38

     43        49    
 

Pool #ZS2499,
5.00%, 3/1/38

     99        114    
 

Pool #ZS2533,
4.50%, 2/1/39

     111        124    
 

Pool #ZS2827,
4.50%, 11/1/39

     292        331    
 

Pool #ZS2905,
4.50%, 4/1/40

     352        396    
 

Pool #ZS3554,
3.50%, 7/1/42

     424        458    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     67     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

Pool #ZS3596,
4.00%, 6/1/42

     $1,162      $ 1,284    
 

Pool #ZS3613,
4.00%, 8/1/42

     664        734    
 

Pool #ZS3792,
2.50%, 7/1/43

     516        549    
 

Pool #ZS4078,
3.50%, 1/1/45

     630        692    
 

Pool #ZS4100,
3.50%, 3/1/45

     1,238        1,344    
 

Pool #ZS4127,
4.50%, 7/1/44

     320        359    
 

Pool #ZS4472,
3.50%, 2/1/42

     500        541    
 

Pool #ZS4522,
3.00%, 7/1/43

     1,688        1,798    
 

Pool #ZS4536,
3.50%, 10/1/43

     658        711    
 

Pool #ZS4584,
3.00%, 9/1/44

     256        271    
 

Pool #ZS4590,
3.00%, 11/1/44

     2,795        2,958    
 

Pool #ZS4600,
4.00%, 1/1/45

     781        853    
 

Pool #ZS4607,
3.50%, 3/1/45

     1,028        1,097    
 

Pool #ZS4617,
3.00%, 6/1/45

     486        513    
 

Pool #ZS4618,
3.50%, 6/1/45

     829        885    
 

Pool #ZS4621,
3.00%, 7/1/45

     1,188        1,254    
 

Pool #ZS4627,
4.00%, 8/1/45

     269        293    
 

Pool #ZS4629,
3.00%, 9/1/45

     3,582        3,774    
 

Pool #ZS4630,
3.50%, 9/1/45

     609        649    
 

Pool #ZS4634,
4.00%, 10/1/45

     344        373    
 

Pool #ZS4639,
4.00%, 11/1/45

     334        364    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%     continued

 

Pool #ZS4642,
3.50%, 12/1/45

     $1,192      $ 1,272    
 

Pool #ZS4655,
3.50%, 3/1/46

     604        648    
 

Pool #ZS4667,
3.00%, 6/1/46

     803        845    
 

Pool #ZS4671,
3.00%, 8/1/46

     1,752        1,843    
 

Pool #ZS4677,
3.00%, 9/1/46

     491        516    
 

Pool #ZS4682,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     649        683    
 

Pool #ZS4703,
3.00%, 2/1/47

     445        467    
 

Pool #ZS4722,
3.50%, 6/1/47

     630        667    
 

Pool #ZS4730,
3.50%, 8/1/47

     243        257    
 

Pool #ZS4740,
4.00%, 10/1/47

     1,040        1,114    
 

Pool #ZS4743,
3.50%, 11/1/47

     1,537        1,627    
 

Pool #ZS4745,
4.50%, 11/1/47

     989        1,075    
 

Pool #ZS4747,
3.50%, 12/1/47

     412        436    
 

Pool #ZS4748,
4.00%, 12/1/47

     1,108        1,186    
 

Pool #ZS4749,
4.50%, 12/1/47

     328        357    
 

Pool #ZS4752,
4.00%, 1/1/48

     923        990    
 

Pool #ZS4759,
3.50%, 3/1/48

     959        1,013    
 

Pool #ZS4769,
4.00%, 5/1/48

     583        624    
 

Pool #ZS4773,
4.50%, 6/1/48

     176        191    
 

Pool #ZS4781,
4.50%, 7/1/48

     414        448    
 

Pool #ZS4785,
4.00%, 8/1/48

     455        485    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     68     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac – 7.3%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #ZS6948,
2.50%, 11/1/28

     $383        $405    
 

Pool #ZS8023,
2.00%, 8/1/32

     105        110    
 

Pool #ZS8495,
2.50%, 8/1/28

     1,505        1,576    
 

Pool #ZS8628,
2.00%, 11/1/31

     173        181    
 

Pool #ZS8639,
2.00%, 1/1/32

     59        62    
 

Pool #ZS9449,
3.50%, 8/1/45

     680        740    
 

Pool #ZS9495,
3.50%, 10/1/45

     1,007        1,110    
 

Pool #ZS9580,
3.50%, 12/1/45

     941        1,014    
 

Pool #ZS9618,
3.50%, 3/1/46

     1,698        1,855    
 

Pool #ZS9805,
3.00%, 9/1/46

     974        1,038    
 

Pool #ZS9813,
3.00%, 9/1/46

     964        1,034    
 

Pool #ZS9827,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     760        821    
 

Pool #ZS9828,
3.00%, 10/1/46

     765        821    
 

Pool #ZT0000,
3.00%, 1/1/47

     2,983        3,212    
 

Pool #ZT0074,
3.50%, 3/1/47

     3,113        3,359    
 

Pool #ZT0495,
4.50%, 8/1/48

     216        233    
 

Pool #ZT0524,
4.50%, 9/1/48

     798        871    
 

Pool #ZT0712,
4.00%, 10/1/48

     669        713    
 

Pool #ZT0787,
4.00%, 10/1/48

     711        758    
 

Pool #ZT1702,
4.00%, 1/1/49

     1,330        1,417    
 

Pool #ZT2091,
3.00%, 6/1/34

     271        285    
 

 

          256,545    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%

 

    
 

Pool #A16753,
5.00%, 11/1/33

     $32        $36    
 

Pool #A17665,
5.00%, 1/1/34

     39        45    
 

Pool #A27950,
5.50%, 11/1/34

     166        194    
 

Pool #A31136,
5.50%, 1/1/35

     185        210    
 

Pool #A39306,
5.50%, 11/1/35

     86        101    
 

Pool #A46224,
5.00%, 7/1/35

     15        17    
 

Pool #A48104,
5.00%, 1/1/36

     52        60    
 

Pool #A51296,
6.00%, 8/1/36

     6        7    
 

Pool #A56110,
5.50%, 12/1/36

     112        125    
 

Pool #A57604,
5.00%, 3/1/37

     94        107    
 

Pool #A58718,
5.50%, 3/1/37

     12        13    
 

Pool #A59081,
5.50%, 4/1/37

     90        102    
 

Pool #A61560,
5.50%, 10/1/36

     184        214    
 

Pool #A61597,

5.50%, 12/1/35

     32        35    
 

Pool #A64474,
5.50%, 9/1/37

     12        14    
 

Pool #A67116,
7.00%, 10/1/37

     15        18    
 

Pool #A68761,
5.50%, 9/1/37

     119        133    
 

Pool #A69303,
6.00%, 11/1/37

     16        18    
 

Pool #A73778,
5.00%, 2/1/38

     62        72    
 

Pool #A74134,
7.00%, 2/1/38

     20        22    
 

Pool #A81606,
6.00%, 9/1/38

     16        18    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     69     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #A83008,
5.50%, 11/1/38

     $173        $200    
 

Pool #A91541,
5.00%, 3/1/40

     141        161    
 

Pool #C91009,
5.00%, 11/1/26

     8        8    
 

Pool #C91247,
5.00%, 4/1/29

     75        83    
 

Pool #C91354,
4.00%, 1/1/31

     277        298    
 

Pool #C91370,
4.50%, 5/1/31

     140        154    
 

Pool #C91388,
3.50%, 2/1/32

     171        185    
 

Pool #C91402,
4.00%, 10/1/31

     230        250    
 

Pool #C91408,
3.50%, 11/1/31

     168        179    
 

Pool #C91485,
3.50%, 8/1/32

     259        280    
 

Pool #C91811,
4.00%, 1/1/35

     128        140    
 

Pool #C91826,
3.00%, 5/1/35

     213        224    
 

Pool #C91858,
3.00%, 12/1/35

     223        235    
 

Pool #C91879,
3.00%, 6/1/36

     250        263    
 

Pool #C91891,
3.00%, 9/1/36

     284        299    
 

Pool #C91904,
2.50%, 11/1/36

     177        187    
 

Pool #C91908,
3.00%, 1/1/37

     118        124    
 

Pool #C91949,
3.00%, 9/1/37

     278        292    
 

Pool #C91955,
3.00%, 10/1/37

     232        244    
 

Pool #C91970,
3.50%, 1/1/38

     311        330    
 

Pool #C91971,
4.00%, 1/1/38

     117        127    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0% continued

 

    
 

Pool #C92003,
3.50%, 7/1/38

     $181        $192    
 

Pool #C92010,
4.00%, 8/1/38

     249        267    
 

Pool #D97564,
5.00%, 1/1/28

     91        100    
 

Pool #D99094,
3.00%, 3/1/32

     169        179    
 

Pool #E03033,
3.00%, 2/1/27

     292        307    
 

Pool #E04044,
3.50%, 8/1/27

     540        572    
 

Pool #G02064,
5.00%, 2/1/36

     81        93    
 

Pool #G02069,
5.50%, 3/1/36

     12        14    
 

Pool #G02386,
6.00%, 11/1/36

     132        156    
 

Pool #G02391,
6.00%, 11/1/36

     4        5    
 

Pool #G02540,
5.00%, 11/1/34

     41        48    
 

Pool #G02649,
6.00%, 1/1/37

     5        5    
 

Pool #G02702,
6.50%, 1/1/37

     11        12    
 

Pool #G02789,
6.00%, 4/1/37

     538        636    
 

Pool #G02911,
6.00%, 4/1/37

     6        7    
 

Pool #G02973,
6.00%, 6/1/37

     17        21    
 

Pool #G03121,
5.00%, 6/1/36

     62        71    
 

Pool #G03134,
5.50%, 8/1/36

     31        37    
 

Pool #G03218,
6.00%, 9/1/37

     20        23    
 

Pool #G03351,
6.00%, 9/1/37

     33        39    
 

Pool #G03513,
6.00%, 11/1/37

     40        47    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     70     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%     continued

 

    
 

Pool #G03600,
7.00%, 11/1/37

     $17        $20    
 

Pool #G03737,
6.50%, 11/1/37

     237        270    
 

Pool #G03992,
6.00%, 3/1/38

     46        53    
 

Pool #G04287,
5.00%, 5/1/38

     65        73    
 

Pool #G04459,
5.50%, 6/1/38

     60        70    
 

Pool #G04611,
6.00%, 7/1/38

     124        147    
 

Pool #G04650,
6.50%, 9/1/38

     67        76    
 

Pool #G05733,
5.00%, 11/1/39

     212        244    
 

Pool #G05969,
5.00%, 8/1/40

     115        133    
 

Pool #G05971,
5.50%, 8/1/40

     528        611    
 

Pool #G06020,
5.50%, 12/1/39

     482        558    
 

Pool #G06767,
5.00%, 10/1/41

     422        487    
 

Pool #G06947,
6.00%, 5/1/40

     142        167    
 

Pool #G08189,
7.00%, 3/1/37

     26        31    
 

Pool #G08192,
5.50%, 4/1/37

     27        32    
 

Pool #G08341,
5.00%, 4/1/39

     535        614    
 

Pool #G12571,
4.00%, 1/1/22

     2        2    
 

Pool #G12673,
5.00%, 9/1/21(12)

               
 

Pool #G12837,
4.50%, 4/1/22

     1        1    
 

Pool #G12868,
5.00%, 11/1/22

     17        18    
 

Pool #G12869,
5.00%, 9/1/22

     10        10    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)      continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%     continued

 

    
 

Pool #G13136,
4.50%, 5/1/23

     $20        $21    
 

Pool #G13151,
6.00%, 3/1/23

     10        10    
 

Pool #G13201,
4.50%, 7/1/23

     12        13    
 

Pool #G13433,
5.50%, 1/1/24

     18        19    
 

Pool #G14168,
5.50%, 12/1/24

     19        19    
 

Pool #G14239,
4.00%, 9/1/26

     489        520    
 

Pool #G14554,
4.50%, 7/1/26

     33        34    
 

Pool #G14891,
3.00%, 10/1/28

     225        241    
 

Pool #G15134,
3.00%, 5/1/29

     161        173    
 

Pool #G15468,
3.50%, 12/1/29

     321        348    
 

Pool #G16562,
3.50%, 8/1/33

     619        670    
 

Pool #G16600,
3.00%, 7/1/33

     2,329        2,501    
 

Pool #G16774,
3.50%, 2/1/34

     463        491    
 

Pool #G16786,
4.00%, 4/1/34

     557        591    
 

Pool #G18220,
6.00%, 11/1/22

     3        3    
 

Pool #G18420,
3.00%, 1/1/27

     379        399    
 

Pool #G18438,
2.50%, 6/1/27

     194        203    
 

Pool #G18442,
3.50%, 8/1/27

     323        345    
 

Pool #G18571,
2.50%, 10/1/30

     315        329    
 

Pool #G18601,
3.00%, 5/1/31

     425        447    
 

Pool #G18626,
2.50%, 1/1/32

     2,399        2,512    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     71     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #G18664,
3.50%, 10/1/32

     $262        $279    
 

Pool #G18681,
3.00%, 3/1/33

     974        1,023    
 

Pool #G30327,
4.50%, 1/1/27

     15        17    
 

Pool #G30835,
3.50%, 12/1/35

     242        262    
 

Pool #G31020,
2.50%, 2/1/37

     66        69    
 

Pool #G31057,
3.00%, 2/1/38

     331        348    
 

Pool #J00991,
4.00%, 1/1/21

     1        1    
 

Pool #J03041,
6.00%, 7/1/21

     2        2    
 

Pool #J03736,
5.50%, 11/1/21

     3        3    
 

Pool #J05307,
4.50%, 8/1/22

     3        3    
 

Pool #J06175,
5.00%, 5/1/21(12)

               
 

Pool #J06465,
6.00%, 11/1/22

     1        1    
 

Pool #J06476,
5.50%, 11/1/22

     5        5    
 

Pool #J08098,
5.50%, 6/1/23

     1        1    
 

Pool #J08202,
5.00%, 7/1/23

     5        6    
 

Pool #J08454,
5.00%, 8/1/23

     7        7    
 

Pool #J08913,
5.50%, 10/1/23

     8        9    
 

Pool #J09148,
5.00%, 12/1/23

     23        25    
 

Pool #J09305,
5.00%, 2/1/24

     28        29    
 

Pool #J09463,
5.00%, 3/1/24

     24        25    
 

Pool #J11136,
4.00%, 11/1/24

     21        22    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #J12098,
4.50%, 4/1/25

     $186        $198    
 

Pool #J14808,
3.50%, 3/1/26

     217        230    
 

Pool #J16932,
3.00%, 10/1/26

     186        200    
 

Pool #J17055,
3.00%, 11/1/26

     111        116    
 

Pool #J17232,
3.00%, 11/1/26

     164        174    
 

Pool #J17932,
3.00%, 3/1/27

     247        263    
 

Pool #J20834,
2.50%, 10/1/27

     365        384    
 

Pool #J21601,
2.50%, 12/1/27

     1,308        1,370    
 

Pool #J22069,
2.50%, 1/1/28

     92        98    
 

Pool #J22986,
2.50%, 3/1/28

     758        802    
 

Pool #J30435,
3.00%, 1/1/30

     414        446    
 

Pool #J32244,
3.00%, 7/1/30

     1,449        1,549    
 

Pool #J34252,
3.50%, 4/1/31

     72        78    
 

Pool #K90071,
3.00%, 2/1/33

     644        677    
 

Pool #K90641,
3.50%, 6/1/33

     83        90    
 

Pool #K90791,
3.00%, 7/1/33

     283        300    
 

Pool #K91490,
3.50%, 1/1/34

     445        473    
 

Pool #K92325,
3.00%, 1/1/35

     362        384    
 

Pool #V60268,
3.00%, 9/1/28

     675        725    
 

Pool #V60886,
2.50%, 8/1/30

     189        201    
 

Pool #V60902,
2.50%, 8/1/30

     156        166    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     72     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Freddie Mac Gold – 1.0%    continued

 

    
 

Pool #V61347,
2.50%, 10/1/31

     $583        $619    
 

 

          33,841    
 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association – 0.6%

 

 
 

Pool TBA,
10/1/50(13)

     21,400        22,497    
 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.5%

 

 
 

Pool #510835,
5.50%, 2/15/35

     19        22    
 

Pool #553463,
3.50%, 1/15/42

     497        529    
 

Pool #597889,
5.50%, 6/15/33

     134        149    
 

Pool #614169,
5.00%, 7/15/33

     27        30    
 

Pool #616879,
3.50%, 2/15/42

     345        379    
 

Pool #617739,
6.00%, 10/15/37

     9        10    
 

Pool #634431,
6.00%, 9/15/34

     15        16    
 

Pool #641416,
5.50%, 4/15/35

     120        134    
 

Pool #646341,
6.00%, 11/15/36

     27        30    
 

Pool #648538,
5.00%, 12/15/35

     57        63    
 

Pool #651753,
5.50%, 3/15/36

     8        9    
 

Pool #670030,
3.00%, 7/15/45

     431        449    
 

Pool #675211,
6.50%, 3/15/38

     6        7    
 

Pool #675484,
5.50%, 6/15/38

     45        52    
 

Pool #676360,
6.50%, 10/15/37

     4        5    
 

Pool #682899,
6.00%, 9/15/40

     143        162    
 

Pool #687824,
5.50%, 8/15/38

     79        92    
 

Pool #687900,
5.00%, 9/15/38

     110        124    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.5%    continued

 

Pool #687901,
5.00%, 9/15/38

     $69        $79    
 

Pool #692309,
6.00%, 1/15/39

     31        35    
 

Pool #697645,
5.50%, 10/15/38

     28        33    
 

Pool #698236,
5.00%, 6/15/39

     200        224    
 

Pool #698336,
4.50%, 5/15/39

     224        247    
 

Pool #699277,
6.00%, 9/15/38

     7        9    
 

Pool #700918,
5.50%, 11/15/38

     87        101    
 

Pool #700972,
5.50%, 11/15/38

     19        22    
 

Pool #701196,
6.00%, 10/15/38

     5        6    
 

Pool #703677,
5.50%, 6/15/39

     102        117    
 

Pool #704185,
5.50%, 1/15/39

     26        30    
 

Pool #704514,
4.50%, 5/15/39

     419        471    
 

Pool #704624,
4.50%, 7/15/39

     1,202        1,369    
 

Pool #717175,
4.50%, 6/15/39

     227        256    
 

Pool #719262,
5.00%, 8/15/40

     112        128    
 

Pool #720065,
4.50%, 6/15/39

     784        881    
 

Pool #720202,
4.50%, 7/15/39

     186        206    
 

Pool #723231,
4.00%, 10/15/39

     176        188    
 

Pool #723339,
5.00%, 9/15/39

     98        112    
 

Pool #726085,
4.00%, 11/15/24

     57        61    
 

Pool #728629,
4.50%, 1/15/40

     299        336    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     73     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.5%    continued

 

Pool #733663,
4.50%, 5/15/40

     $818        $904    
 

Pool #736768,
3.00%, 11/15/42

     857        897    
 

Pool #737286,
4.50%, 5/15/40

     285        317    
 

Pool #737416,
3.50%, 9/15/25

     50        53    
 

Pool #738134,
3.50%, 4/15/26

     99        105    
 

Pool #738247,
4.50%, 4/15/41

     112        123    
 

Pool #745215,
4.00%, 7/15/25

     44        46    
 

Pool #747643,
4.50%, 8/15/40

     429        477    
 

Pool #760874,
3.50%, 2/15/26

     100        106    
 

Pool #768800,
4.50%, 6/15/41

     63        71    
 

Pool #773939,
4.00%, 11/15/41

     383        421    
 

Pool #778957,
3.50%, 3/15/42

     467        510    
 

Pool #782131,
5.50%, 12/15/36

     34        39    
 

Pool #782150,
5.50%, 4/15/37

     42        50    
 

Pool #782259,
5.00%, 2/15/36

     83        95    
 

Pool #782272,
5.50%, 2/15/38

     74        86    
 

Pool #782498,
6.00%, 12/15/38

     36        42    
 

Pool #782565,
5.00%, 2/15/39

     853        977    
 

Pool #782584,
5.00%, 3/15/39

     45        51    
 

Pool #782675,
4.50%, 6/15/24

     40        42    
 

Pool #782696,
5.00%, 6/15/39

     195        223    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association I – 0.5%    continued

 

Pool #782831,
6.00%, 12/15/39

     $26        $31    
 

Pool #783176,
4.00%, 11/15/40

     507        552    
 

Pool #783467,
4.00%, 10/15/41

     1,481        1,613    
 

Pool #783740,
2.50%, 12/15/27

     143        149    
 

Pool #AA5391,
3.50%, 6/15/42

     27        29    
 

Pool #AA6089,
3.00%, 2/15/43

     328        358    
 

Pool #AB2761,
3.50%, 8/15/42

     109        116    
 

Pool #AB2891,
3.00%, 9/15/42

     156        163    
 

Pool #AD8781,
3.00%, 3/15/43

     270        291    
 

Pool #AD9016,
3.00%, 4/15/43

     285        297    
 

Pool #AL1763,
3.50%, 1/15/45

     153        162    
 

 

          16,569    
 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%

 

 
 

Pool #3570,
6.00%, 6/20/34

     36        42    
 

Pool #3665,
5.50%, 1/20/35

     98        116    
 

Pool #3852,
6.00%, 5/20/36

     16        19    
 

Pool #3879,
6.00%, 7/20/36

     47        54    
 

Pool #3910,
6.00%, 10/20/36

     24        27    
 

Pool #3994,
5.00%, 6/20/37

     16        19    
 

Pool #4018,
6.50%, 8/20/37

     61        70    
 

Pool #4026,
5.00%, 9/20/37

     24        27    
 

Pool #4027,
5.50%, 9/20/37

     11        12    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     74     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #4040,
6.50%, 10/20/37

     $13        $15    
 

Pool #4098,
5.50%, 3/20/38

     74        88    
 

Pool #4116,
6.50%, 4/20/38

     29        34    
 

Pool #4170,
6.00%, 6/20/38

     58        67    
 

Pool #4194,
5.50%, 7/20/38

     131        155    
 

Pool #4243,
5.00%, 9/20/38

     31        35    
 

Pool #4244,
5.50%, 9/20/38

     36        43    
 

Pool #4245,
6.00%, 9/20/38

     21        24    
 

Pool #4269,
6.50%, 10/20/38

     29        34    
 

Pool #4290,
5.50%, 11/20/38

     25        29    
 

Pool #4344,
6.00%, 1/20/39

     45        51    
 

Pool #4345,
6.50%, 1/20/39

     31        35    
 

Pool #4425,
5.50%, 4/20/39

     80        95    
 

Pool #4559,
5.00%, 10/20/39

     169        193    
 

Pool #4561,
6.00%, 10/20/39

     96        109    
 

Pool #4617,
4.50%, 1/20/40

     52        58    
 

Pool #4619,
5.50%, 1/20/40

     178        208    
 

Pool #4713,
4.50%, 6/20/40

     149        165    
 

Pool #4747,
5.00%, 7/20/40

     129        147    
 

Pool #4881,
3.50%, 12/20/40

     571        612    
 

Pool #4882,
4.00%, 12/20/40

     1,294        1,412    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #4923,
4.50%, 1/20/41

     $126        $142    
 

Pool #5050,
4.00%, 5/20/26

     88        94    
 

Pool #5081,
4.00%, 6/20/41

     208        228    
 

Pool #5082,
4.50%, 6/20/41

     210        233    
 

Pool #5083,
5.00%, 6/20/41

     841        960    
 

Pool #5114,
4.00%, 7/20/41

     811        889    
 

Pool #5141,
5.00%, 8/20/41

     116        133    
 

Pool #5175,
4.50%, 9/20/41

     118        131    
 

Pool #5176,
5.00%, 9/20/41

     567        647    
 

Pool #5202,
3.50%, 10/20/41

     327        354    
 

Pool #5203,
4.00%, 10/20/41

     201        221    
 

Pool #5232,
3.50%, 11/20/41

     630        685    
 

Pool #5264,
5.50%, 12/20/41

     14        17    
 

Pool #5280,
4.00%, 1/20/42

     226        248    
 

Pool #5304,
3.50%, 2/20/42

     235        254    
 

Pool #5317,
5.50%, 2/20/42

     99        117    
 

Pool #5326,
3.00%, 3/20/27

     252        264    
 

Pool #5331,
3.50%, 3/20/42

     373        404    
 

Pool #626951,
3.00%, 6/20/45

     652        706    
 

Pool #737602,
4.00%, 11/20/40

     274        305    
 

Pool #752757,
4.50%, 11/20/40

     335        373    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     75     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #755677,
4.00%, 12/20/40

     $206        $228    
 

Pool #766711,
4.00%, 5/20/42

     907        996    
 

Pool #782433,
6.00%, 10/20/38

     81        93    
 

Pool #783976,
3.50%, 4/20/43

     2,734        2,966    
 

Pool #784345,
3.50%, 7/20/47

     740        813    
 

Pool #AA5970,
3.00%, 1/20/43

     939        1,013    
 

Pool #AA6054,
3.00%, 2/20/43

     1,418        1,544    
 

Pool #AA6149,
3.00%, 3/20/43

     939        1,014    
 

Pool #AA6160,
3.50%, 3/20/43

     335        365    
 

Pool #AA6243,
3.50%, 4/20/43

     127        139    
 

Pool #AB9443,
3.50%, 11/20/42

     503        542    
 

Pool #AD1755,
3.50%, 2/20/43

     543        587    
 

Pool #AD8825,
3.50%, 3/20/43

     320        355    
 

Pool #AF5097,
4.00%, 8/20/43

     874        948    
 

Pool #AJ0645,
3.50%, 7/20/44

     289        317    
 

Pool #AJ0789,
3.50%, 8/20/45

     2,256        2,437    
 

Pool #AJ3643,
4.00%, 10/20/44

     697        771    
 

Pool #AK6867,
3.50%, 1/20/45

     1,584        1,711    
 

Pool #AO7525,
3.50%, 8/20/45

     1,642        1,803    
 

Pool #AO7682,
4.00%, 8/20/45

     637        688    
 

Pool #BB6965,
3.50%, 7/20/47

     418        459    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #BE9902,
4.50%, 6/20/48

     $702        $757    
 

Pool #MA0006,
2.50%, 4/20/27

     96        100    
 

Pool #MA0022,
3.50%, 4/20/42

     374        406    
 

Pool #MA0088,
3.50%, 5/20/42

     841        912    
 

Pool #MA0220,
3.50%, 7/20/42

     437        474    
 

Pool #MA0318,
3.50%, 8/20/42

     816        885    
 

Pool #MA0321,
5.00%, 8/20/42

     198        226    
 

Pool #MA0391,
3.00%, 9/20/42

     1,803        1,902    
 

Pool #MA0392,
3.50%, 9/20/42

     359        389    
 

Pool #MA0698,
3.00%, 1/20/43

     428        452    
 

Pool #MA0826,
3.00%, 3/20/28

     116        122    
 

Pool #MA0850,
2.50%, 3/20/43

     164        173    
 

Pool #MA0851,
3.00%, 3/20/43

     626        660    
 

Pool #MA0852,
3.50%, 3/20/43

     730        792    
 

Pool #MA0933,
3.00%, 4/20/43

     761        802    
 

Pool #MA0934,
3.50%, 4/20/43

     247        268    
 

Pool #MA1011,
3.00%, 5/20/43

     732        772    
 

Pool #MA1012,
3.50%, 5/20/43

     653        708    
 

Pool #MA1064,
2.50%, 6/20/28

     376        393    
 

Pool #MA1089,
3.00%, 6/20/43

     782        825    
 

Pool #MA1224,
3.50%, 8/20/43

     563        610    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     76     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #MA1285,
3.50%, 9/20/43

     $329        $357    
 

Pool #MA1839,
4.00%, 4/20/44

     179        195    
 

Pool #MA1920,
4.00%, 5/20/44

     191        207    
 

Pool #MA2224,
4.00%, 9/20/44

     1,048        1,141    
 

Pool #MA2444,
3.00%, 12/20/44

     146        154    
 

Pool #MA2521,
3.50%, 1/20/45

     596        638    
 

Pool #MA2522,
4.00%, 1/20/45

     219        238    
 

Pool #MA2677,
3.00%, 3/20/45

     316        333    
 

Pool #MA2753,
3.00%, 4/20/45

     837        887    
 

Pool #MA2754,
3.50%, 4/20/45

     333        356    
 

Pool #MA2891,
3.00%, 6/20/45

     929        985    
 

Pool #MA2892,
3.50%, 6/20/45

     307        328    
 

Pool #MA2935,
3.00%, 7/20/30

     506        531    
 

Pool #MA2960,
3.00%, 7/20/45

     738        780    
 

Pool #MA3034,
3.50%, 8/20/45

     893        954    
 

Pool #MA3104,
3.00%, 9/20/45

     1,005        1,063    
 

Pool #MA3106,
4.00%, 9/20/45

     789        851    
 

Pool #MA3172,
3.00%, 10/20/45

     195        205    
 

Pool #MA3173,
3.50%, 10/20/45

     3,782        4,048    
 

Pool #MA3174,
4.00%, 10/20/45

     427        461    
 

Pool #MA3244,
3.50%, 11/20/45

     687        733    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)    continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #MA3245,
4.00%, 11/20/45

     $1,550        $1,671    
 

Pool #MA3310,
3.50%, 12/20/45

     1,482        1,582    
 

Pool #MA3378,
4.50%, 1/20/46

     868        963    
 

Pool #MA3521,
3.50%, 3/20/46

     1,324        1,414    
 

Pool #MA3522,
4.00%, 3/20/46

     353        380    
 

Pool #MA3596,
3.00%, 4/20/46

     806        853    
 

Pool #MA3597,
3.50%, 4/20/46

     1,342        1,435    
 

Pool #MA3662,
3.00%, 5/20/46

     1,310        1,386    
 

Pool #MA3663,
3.50%, 5/20/46

     812        866    
 

Pool #MA3664,
4.00%, 5/20/46

     345        371    
 

Pool #MA3735,
3.00%, 6/20/46

     1,587        1,668    
 

Pool #MA3736,
3.50%, 6/20/46

     1,073        1,156    
 

Pool #MA3777,
2.50%, 7/20/31

     130        136    
 

Pool #MA3778,
3.00%, 7/20/31

     164        172    
 

Pool #MA3802,
3.00%, 7/20/46

     1,874        1,980    
 

Pool #MA3803,
3.50%, 7/20/46

     1,589        1,697    
 

Pool #MA3873,
3.00%, 8/20/46

     717        758    
 

Pool #MA3874,
3.50%, 8/20/46

     736        787    
 

Pool #MA3912,
2.50%, 9/20/31

     185        193    
 

Pool #MA3936,
3.00%, 9/20/46

     1,644        1,740    
 

Pool #MA3937,
3.50%, 9/20/46

     2,219        2,373    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     77     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued         

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)      continued

 

 
  Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued
 

Pool #MA4002,
2.50%, 10/20/46

     $113        $119    
 

Pool #MA4003,
3.00%, 10/20/46

     1,080        1,138    
 

Pool #MA4067,
2.50%, 11/20/46

     869        916    
 

Pool #MA4068,
3.00%, 11/20/46

     5,131        5,430    
 

Pool #MA4101,
2.50%, 12/20/31

     99        104    
 

Pool #MA4125,
2.50%, 12/20/46

     59        62    
 

Pool #MA4196,
3.50%, 1/20/47

     1,101        1,175    
 

Pool #MA4322,
4.00%, 3/20/47

     489        526    
 

Pool #MA4382,
3.50%, 4/20/47

     380        405    
 

Pool #MA4509,
3.00%, 6/20/47

     1,692        1,782    
 

Pool #MA4512,
4.50%, 6/20/47

     668        727    
 

Pool #MA4624,
3.00%, 8/20/32

     149        156    
 

Pool #MA4652,
3.50%, 8/20/47

     1,638        1,747    
 

Pool #MA4718,
3.00%, 9/20/47

     4,096        4,317    
 

Pool #MA4719,
3.50%, 9/20/47

     2,652        2,830    
 

Pool #MA4778,
3.50%, 10/20/47

     1,662        1,773    
 

Pool #MA4838,
4.00%, 11/20/47

     238        255    
 

Pool #MA4900,
3.50%, 12/20/47

     1,659        1,768    
 

Pool #MA4901,
4.00%, 12/20/47

     3,260        3,495    
 

Pool #MA4962,
3.50%, 1/20/48

     1,595        1,696    
 

Pool #MA4963,
4.00%, 1/20/48

     602        645    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)       continued

 

 
  Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued
 

Pool #MA5021,
4.50%, 2/20/48

     $856        $927    
 

Pool #MA5077,
3.50%, 3/20/48

     1,796        1,903    
 

Pool #MA5137,
4.00%, 4/20/48

     295        314    
 

Pool #MA5191,
3.50%, 5/20/48

     1,024        1,086    
 

Pool #MA5264,
4.00%, 6/20/48

     702        750    
 

Pool #MA5265,
4.50%, 6/20/48

     766        827    
 

Pool #MA5266,
5.00%, 6/20/48

     935        1,020    
 

Pool #MA5330,
4.00%, 7/20/48

     919        980    
 

Pool #MA5331,
4.50%, 7/20/48

     1,542        1,672    
 

Pool #MA5398,
4.00%, 8/20/48

     634        677    
 

Pool #MA5399,
4.50%, 8/20/48

     727        783    
 

Pool #MA5466,
4.00%, 9/20/48

     1,527        1,633    
 

Pool #MA5467,
4.50%, 9/20/48

     861        931    
 

Pool #MA5528,
4.00%, 10/20/48

     893        953    
 

Pool #MA5529,
4.50%, 10/20/48

     866        935    
 

Pool #MA5564,
3.50%, 11/20/33

     381        404    
 

Pool #MA5595,
4.00%, 11/20/48

     307        328    
 

Pool #MA5653,
5.00%, 12/20/48

     1,239        1,347    
 

Pool #MA5818,
4.50%, 3/20/49

     911        979    
 

Pool #MA5931,
4.00%, 5/20/49

     1,902        2,022    
 

Pool #MA5985,
3.50%, 6/20/49

     1,800        1,893    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     78     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


        

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)     continued

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association II – 5.7%    continued

 

Pool #MA6040,
4.00%, 7/20/49

     $2,279        $2,421    
 

Pool #MA6217,
2.50%, 10/20/49

     682        716    
 

Pool #MA6218,
3.00%, 10/20/49

     7,778        8,142    
 

Pool #MA6282,
2.50%, 11/20/49

     1,828        1,919    
 

Pool #MA6283,
3.00%, 11/20/49

     4,061        4,251    
 

Pool #MA6310,
3.00%, 12/20/34

     176        184    
 

Pool #MA6337,
2.50%, 12/20/49

     549        576    
 

Pool #MA6338,
3.00%, 12/20/49

     6,157        6,446    
 

Pool #MA6339,
3.50%, 12/20/49

     3,966        4,168    
 

Pool #MA6408,
2.50%, 1/20/50

     1,437        1,509    
 

Pool #MA6409,
3.00%, 1/20/50

     1,866        1,954    
 

Pool #MA6410,
3.50%, 1/20/50

     4,487        4,717    
 

Pool #MA6655,
2.50%, 5/20/50

     876        921    
 

Pool #MA6709,
2.50%, 6/20/50

     3,869        4,068    
 

Pool #MA6765,
2.50%, 7/20/50

     4,086        4,296    
 

Pool #MA6819,
2.50%, 8/20/50

     2,085        2,192    
 

Pool #MA6820,
3.00%, 8/20/50

     2,000        2,114    
 

Pool #MA6865,
9/20/50(13)

     6,020        6,329    
 

Pool #MA6866,
9/20/50(13)

     2,000        2,117    
 

Pool #MA6931,
10/20/50(13)

     3,980        4,168    
 

 

          199,481    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 29.4% (11)      continued

 

 
 

Tennessee Valley Authority – 0.1%

 

 
 

5.25%, 9/15/39

     $1,650        $2,545    
       
   

Total U.S. Government Agencies

 

            
 

(Cost $993,630)

 

     1,026,375    
              
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 37.5%

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bonds – 7.3%

 

 
 

7.63%, 2/15/25

     5,000        6,611    
 

4.50%, 2/15/36

     1,000        1,515    
 

4.38%, 2/15/38

     1,000        1,540    
 

4.50%, 8/15/39

     2,000        3,167    
 

4.38%, 11/15/39

     2,000        3,129    
 

4.63%, 2/15/40

     2,000        3,225    
 

4.38%, 5/15/40

     2,000        3,145    
 

3.75%, 8/15/41

     4,000        5,881    
 

3.13%, 2/15/42

     2,000        2,714    
 

2.75%, 8/15/42

     3,000        3,851    
 

2.75%, 11/15/42

     4,000        5,131    
 

3.63%, 2/15/44

     5,000        7,320    
 

3.38%, 5/15/44

     6,000        8,484    
 

3.13%, 8/15/44

     5,500        7,499    
 

3.00%, 11/15/44

     7,000        9,372    
 

2.50%, 2/15/45

     6,000        7,401    
 

3.00%, 5/15/45

     6,000        8,050    
 

3.00%, 11/15/45

     5,000        6,731    
 

2.50%, 2/15/46

     3,000        3,713    
 

2.50%, 5/15/46

     8,000        9,906    
 

2.25%, 8/15/46

     5,000        5,918    
 

2.88%, 11/15/46

     5,000        6,623    
 

3.00%, 5/15/47

     8,000        10,863    
 

2.75%, 8/15/47

     7,000        9,106    
 

2.75%, 11/15/47

     8,000        10,422    
 

3.00%, 2/15/48

     8,000        10,898    
 

3.13%, 5/15/48

     5,000        6,969    
 

3.00%, 8/15/48

     12,000        16,394    
 

3.00%, 2/15/49

     13,000        17,817    
 

2.88%, 5/15/49

     11,000        14,768    
 

2.25%, 8/15/49

     5,000        5,963    
 

2.38%, 11/15/49

     7,070        8,657    
 

2.00%, 2/15/50

     8,000        9,076    
 

1.25%, 5/15/50

     9,000        8,556    
 

1.38%, 8/15/50

     4,000        3,926    
 

 

          254,341    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     79     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 37.5%     continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 30.2%

 

    
 

2.00%, 11/15/21

     $20,000        $20,419    
 

1.63%, 12/31/21

     25,000        25,465    
 

1.88%, 1/31/22

     25,000        25,582    
 

2.50%, 2/15/22

     25,000        25,812    
 

1.13%, 2/28/22

     25,000        25,352    
 

1.88%, 3/31/22

     10,000        10,261    
 

1.88%, 4/30/22

     20,000        20,552    
 

1.75%, 6/30/22

     50,000        51,416    
 

1.63%, 8/15/22

     5,000        5,140    
 

0.13%, 8/31/22

     20,000        19,999    
 

1.75%, 9/30/22

     10,000        10,323    
 

1.88%, 10/31/22

     10,000        10,362    
 

2.00%, 11/30/22

     10,000        10,403    
 

2.13%, 12/31/22

     10,000        10,447    
 

1.50%, 2/28/23

     10,000        10,328    
 

2.63%, 2/28/23

     20,000        21,198    
 

1.63%, 4/30/23

     10,000        10,382    
 

2.75%, 4/30/23

     15,000        16,005    
 

0.13%, 5/15/23

     85,000        84,953    
 

2.75%, 5/31/23

     23,000        24,593    
 

2.63%, 6/30/23

     5,000        5,339    
 

0.13%, 8/15/23

     10,000        9,992    
 

2.75%, 8/31/23

     25,000        26,886    
 

2.88%, 10/31/23

     10,000        10,832    
 

2.75%, 11/15/23

     5,000        5,402    
 

2.63%, 12/31/23

     5,000        5,397    
 

2.38%, 2/29/24

     20,000        21,495    
 

2.50%, 5/15/24

     20,000        21,666    
 

2.00%, 5/31/24

     5,000        5,330    
 

2.00%, 6/30/24

     25,000        26,686    
 

2.38%, 8/15/24

     10,000        10,838    
 

1.50%, 9/30/24

     5,000        5,257    
 

1.50%, 10/31/24

     10,000        10,521    
 

2.25%, 11/15/24

     10,000        10,830    
 

1.50%, 11/30/24

     15,000        15,795    
 

1.38%, 1/31/25

     10,000        10,492    
 

2.75%, 2/28/25

     15,000        16,658    
 

0.38%, 4/30/25

     40,000        40,236    
 

2.13%, 5/15/25

     10,000        10,859    
 

0.25%, 6/30/25

     15,000        14,995    
 

2.75%, 6/30/25

     5,000        5,587    
 

0.25%, 7/31/25

     15,000        14,989    
 

0.25%, 8/31/25

     10,000        9,992    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 37.5%     continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 30.2%    continued

 

    
 

3.00%, 9/30/25

     $10,000        $11,350    
 

2.63%, 12/31/25

     10,000        11,210    
 

1.63%, 2/15/26

     10,000        10,698    
 

1.63%, 5/15/26

     10,000        10,716    
 

1.50%, 8/15/26

     10,000        10,662    
 

1.63%, 9/30/26

     10,000        10,744    
 

2.00%, 11/15/26

     10,000        10,978    
 

1.75%, 12/31/26

     10,000        10,841    
 

2.25%, 2/15/27

     10,000        11,166    
 

1.13%, 2/28/27

     10,000        10,454    
 

0.50%, 4/30/27

     10,000        10,048    
 

0.50%, 5/31/27

     25,000        25,107    
 

2.25%, 8/15/27

     10,000        11,218    
 

0.50%, 8/31/27

     10,000        10,028    
 

2.25%, 11/15/27

     10,000        11,247    
 

2.75%, 2/15/28

     10,000        11,637    
 

2.88%, 8/15/28

     10,000        11,810    
 

3.13%, 11/15/28

     10,000        12,052    
 

2.63%, 2/15/29

     15,000        17,528    
 

2.38%, 5/15/29

     15,000        17,267    
 

1.75%, 11/15/29

     15,000        16,523    
 

1.50%, 2/15/30

     15,000        16,191    
 

0.63%, 5/15/30

     20,000        19,941    
 

 

                    1,054,482      
   

Total U.S. Government Obligations

                     
 

(Cost $1,213,803)

        1,308,823    
              
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%

 

 
 

Arizona – 0.0%

 

    
 

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
4.84%, 1/1/41

     110        155      
 

California – 0.3%

       
 

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series S1, Build America Bonds,
7.04%, 4/1/50

     150        269    
 

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series S3, Build America Bonds,
6.91%, 10/1/50

     150        272    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     80     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued
  California – 0.3% continued        
 

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds,

       
 

7.30%, 10/1/39

     $920        $1,511    
 

7.63%, 3/1/40

     405        701    
 

7.60%, 11/1/40

     400        721    
 

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds, Prerefunded,
7.70%, 11/1/30

     135        136    
 

California State Various Purpose Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds,
7.55%, 4/1/39

     585        1,023    
 

East Bay Municipal Utility District Water System Subordinated Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.87%, 6/1/40

     300        468    
 

Los Angeles Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.75%, 8/1/49

     150        268    
 

Los Angeles Department of Airports Direct Pay Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.58%, 5/15/39

     250        342    
 

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series RY, Build America Bonds,
6.76%, 7/1/34

     290        429    
 

Los Angeles Unified School District Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series KR, Build America Bonds,
5.75%, 7/1/34

     335        468    
 

San Diego County Water Authority Financing Agency Revenue Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds,
6.14%, 5/1/49

     100        160    
 

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.95%, 11/1/50

     75        131    
 

University of California Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.95%, 5/15/45

     150        223    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
  MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued
  California – 0.3% continued        
 

University of California Taxable General Revenue Bonds,
Series AD,
4.86%, 5/15/12(9)

     $1,000        $1,457      
                  8,579      
  Connecticut – 0.0%        
 

Connecticut State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,
5.85%, 3/15/32

     300        419    
  District of Columbia – 0.0%        
 

District of Columbia Income Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Series E, Build America Bonds,
5.59%, 12/1/34

     30        41    
  Georgia – 0.0%        
 

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.66%, 4/1/57

     99        150    
 

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.64%, 4/1/57

     68        101    
 

7.06%, 4/1/57

     295        434      
                  685      
  Illinois – 0.1%        
 

Chicago Transit Authority Sales & Transfer Tax Receipts Pension Funding Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A,
6.90%, 12/1/40

     300        428    
 

Chicago Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds,
6.20%, 12/1/40

     140        192    
 

Illinois State Taxable Pension G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
5.10%, 6/1/33

     705        712      
                  1,332      
  Massachusetts – 0.0%        
 

Massachusetts State G.O. Limited Bonds, Series D, Build America Bonds,
4.50%, 8/1/31

     250        308    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     81     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued

 

Massachusetts – 0.0% continued

       
 

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Build America Bonds,
5.72%, 8/15/39

     $100        $149      
                  457      
 

Mississippi – 0.0%

       
 

Mississippi State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series F, Build America Bonds,
5.25%, 11/1/34

     100        134      
 

Nevada – 0.0%

       
 

Clark County Airport System Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series C, Build America Bonds,
6.82%, 7/1/45

     200        330      
 

New Jersey – 0.0%

       
 

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds,
6.56%, 12/15/40

     200        260    
 

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series C, Build America Bonds, Prerefunded,
6.10%, 12/15/28

     300        303    
 

New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
7.41%, 1/1/40

     125        212    
 

Rutgers State University Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.67%, 5/1/40

     145        200      
                  975      
 

New York – 0.1%

       
 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Dedicated Tax Fund Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
7.34%, 11/15/39

     75        120    
 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.69%, 11/15/40

     100        126    
 

6.81%, 11/15/40

     60        76    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued

 

New York – 0.1% continued

       
 

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.75%, 6/15/41

     $200        $309    
 

5.72%, 6/15/42

     250        395    
 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.77%, 8/1/36

     300        398    
 

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.52%, 10/1/37

     100        142    
 

5.85%, 6/1/40

     85        123    
 

New York State Dormitory Authority Personal Income TRB, Series D, Build America Bonds,
5.60%, 3/15/40

     250        360    
 

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Build America Revenue Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,
5.63%, 3/15/39

     75        101    
 

New York State Urban Development Corp. Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.77%, 3/15/39

     100        127    
 

New York Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series F-1, Build America Bonds,
6.65%, 12/1/31

     225        227    
 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated 164th Taxable Revenue Bonds,
5.65%, 11/1/40

     350        490    
 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated 165th Taxable Revenue Bonds,
5.65%, 11/1/40

     200        280    
 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated 168th Revenue Bonds,
4.93%, 10/1/51

     250        337      
                  3,611      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     82     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued

 

Ohio – 0.1%

       
 

American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., Revenue Bonds, Subseries B, Build America Bonds,
6.45%, 2/15/44

     $200        $302    
 

American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds, Combined Hydroelectric Projects,
8.08%, 2/15/50

     300        571    
 

Northeast Regional Sewer District Improvement Taxable Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds, Prerefunded,
6.04%, 11/15/40

     145        146    
 

Ohio State University Revenue Bonds, Series C, Build America Bonds,
4.91%, 6/1/40

     190        265    
 

Ohio State University Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A,
4.80%, 6/1/11(6)

     200        293    
 

Ohio State Water Quality Development Authority Pollution Control Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series B-2, Loan Fund,
4.88%, 12/1/34

     90        108      
                  1,685      
 

Oregon – 0.0%

       
 

Oregon State Department of Transportation Highway User Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Subordinate Lien, Build America Bonds,
5.83%, 11/15/34

     200        289      
 

Pennsylvania – 0.0%

       
 

State Public School Building Authority Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Qualified School Construction Bonds,
5.00%, 9/15/27

     200        240      
 

Tennessee – 0.0%

       
 

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County Convention Center Authority Subordinate Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds,
6.73%, 7/1/43

     100        151      
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued

 

Texas – 0.1%

       
 

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Sales TRB, Build America Bonds,
5.02%, 12/1/48

     $180        $261    
 

Dallas Independent School District Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Build America Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),
6.45%, 2/15/35

     200        206    
 

Houston Pension Taxable G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,
Series A,
6.29%, 3/1/32

     260        329    
 

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.72%, 1/1/49

     125        215    
 

San Antonio Electric & Gas Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.99%, 2/1/39

     200        300    
 

Texas State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Build America Bonds,
5.52%, 4/1/39

     200        305    
 

Texas State Transportation Commission State Highway Fund Taxable Revenue Bonds,
Series B, First Tier,
5.18%, 4/1/30

     300        385    
 

University of Texas Revenue Bonds, Series C, Build America Bonds,
4.79%, 8/15/46

     100        137      
                  2,138      
 

Utah – 0.0%

       
 

Utah State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Build America Bonds,
3.54%, 7/1/25

     95        104      
 

Virginia – 0.0%

       
 

University of Virginia University Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds,
2.26%, 9/1/50

     1,000        987      
 

Washington – 0.0%

       
 

Central Puget Sound Regional Transportation Authority Sales & Use TRB, Build America Bonds,
5.49%, 11/1/39

     80        117    
 

Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds,
6.79%, 7/1/40

     100        127    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     83     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     BOND INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.7%    continued

 

Washington – 0.0% continued

       
 

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series F, Build America Bonds,
5.14%, 8/1/40

     $100        $147      
                  391      
 

Total Municipal Bonds

                     
 

(Cost $16,902)

        22,703    
         
         NUMBER OF
SHARES
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

OTHER - 0.0%

 

    
 

Escrow Lehman Brothers Holdings Capital Trust
VII(14) (15)

     50,000        $—    
 

Total Other

                     
 

(Cost $39)

           
         
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES - 4.4%

 

    
 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(16) (17)

     154,965,504        154,966      
 

Total Investment Companies

                     
 

(Cost $154,966)

        154,966    
         
 

Total Investments – 103.7%

 

            
 

(Cost $3,396,737)

              3,618,954      
 

Liabilities less Other Assets – (3.7%)

 

     (130,052    
 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

      $ 3,488,902    

 

(1) 

Level 3 asset.

 

(2) 

Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets.

 

(3)

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(4) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(5) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

 

(6) 

Century bond maturing in 2111.

 

(7) 

Century bond maturing in 2114.

 

(8) 

Century bond maturing in 2116.

 

(9) 

Century bond maturing in 2112.

 

(10) 

Zero coupon bond.

 

(11) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

 

(12) 

Principal Amount and Value rounds to less than one thousand.

 

(13) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(14) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation.

 

(15) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(16) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(17) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1Y - 1 Year

3M - 3 Month

Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association

Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

G.O. - General Obligation

Gtd. - Guaranteed

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

PLC - Public Limited Company

PSF - Permanent School Fund

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TBA - To be announced

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     84     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
     
 

Asset-Backed Securities:

             
 

Automobile

   $      $ 6,623      $ 400      $ 7,023    
 

All Other
Industries(1)

            50,743               50,743      
 

Total Asset-Backed Securities

            57,366        400        57,766      
 

Corporate
Bonds(1)

            796,284               796,284    
 

Foreign Issuer
Bonds(1)

            252,037               252,037    
 

U.S. Government Agencies(1)

            1,026,375               1,026,375    
 

U.S. Government
Obligations(1)

            1,308,823               1,308,823    
 

Municipal
Bonds(1)

            22,703               22,703    
 

Investment Companies

     154,966                      154,966      
 

Total Investments

   $ 154,966      $ 3,463,588      $ 400      $ 3,618,954      

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     85     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. TREASURY INDEX FUND    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds – 21.6%

 

6.00%, 2/15/26

     $10        $13    
 

6.50%, 11/15/26

     75        103    
 

6.38%, 8/15/27

     65        91    
 

6.13%, 11/15/27

     75        105    
 

5.50%, 8/15/28

     50        69    
 

5.25%, 11/15/28

     100        138    
 

6.13%, 8/15/29

     50        74    
 

6.25%, 5/15/30

     75        115    
 

5.38%, 2/15/31

     100        147    
 

4.50%, 2/15/36

     140        212    
 

4.75%, 2/15/37

     25        39    
 

5.00%, 5/15/37

     50        81    
 

4.38%, 2/15/38

     50        77    
 

4.50%, 5/15/38

     95        149    
 

3.50%, 2/15/39

     100        141    
 

4.25%, 5/15/39

     100        154    
 

4.50%, 8/15/39

     200        317    
 

4.38%, 11/15/39

     200        313    
 

4.63%, 2/15/40

     185        298    
 

1.13%, 5/15/40

     800        789    
 

4.38%, 5/15/40

     190        299    
 

1.13%, 8/15/40

     700        688    
 

3.88%, 8/15/40

     150        222    
 

4.25%, 11/15/40

     175        272    
 

4.75%, 2/15/41

     145        240    
 

4.38%, 5/15/41

     140        222    
 

3.75%, 8/15/41

     150        221    
 

3.13%, 11/15/41

     145        196    
 

3.13%, 2/15/42

     200        271    
 

3.00%, 5/15/42

     155        206    
 

2.75%, 8/15/42

     230        295    
 

2.75%, 11/15/42

     315        404    
 

3.13%, 2/15/43

     405        550    
 

2.88%, 5/15/43

     375        491    
 

3.63%, 8/15/43

     350        511    
 

3.75%, 11/15/43

     330        491    
 

3.63%, 2/15/44

     400        586    
 

3.38%, 5/15/44

     450        636    
 

3.13%, 8/15/44

     425        579    
 

3.00%, 11/15/44

     455        609    
 

2.50%, 2/15/45

     450        555    
 

3.00%, 5/15/45

     400        537    
 

2.88%, 8/15/45

     425        560    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%    continued

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds – 21.6%    continued

 

3.00%, 11/15/45

     $380        $512    
 

2.50%, 2/15/46

     400        495    
 

2.50%, 5/15/46

     400        495    
 

2.25%, 8/15/46

     425        503    
 

2.88%, 11/15/46

     400        530    
 

3.00%, 2/15/47

     400        542    
 

3.00%, 5/15/47

     350        475    
 

2.75%, 8/15/47

     500        650    
 

2.75%, 11/15/47

     350        456    
 

3.00%, 2/15/48

     640        872    
 

3.13%, 5/15/48

     575        801    
 

3.00%, 8/15/48

     650        888    
 

3.38%, 11/15/48

     700        1,021    
 

3.00%, 2/15/49

     550        754    
 

2.88%, 5/15/49

     600        806    
 

2.25%, 8/15/49

     600        716    
 

2.38%, 11/15/49

     475        582    
 

2.00%, 2/15/50

     760        862    
 

1.25%, 5/15/50

     800        760    
 

1.38%, 8/15/50

     700        687    
 

 

          26,473    
 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 77.4%

       
 

2.88%, 10/15/21

     350        360    
 

1.25%, 10/31/21

     350        354    
 

1.50%, 10/31/21

     750        761    
 

2.00%, 10/31/21

     250        255    
 

2.00%, 11/15/21

     375        383    
 

2.88%, 11/15/21

     250        258    
 

1.50%, 11/30/21

     400        406    
 

1.75%, 11/30/21

     250        255    
 

1.88%, 11/30/21

     250        255    
 

2.63%, 12/15/21

     350        360    
 

1.63%, 12/31/21

     600        611    
 

2.00%, 12/31/21

     300        307    
 

2.13%, 12/31/21

     225        231    
 

2.50%, 1/15/22

     250        258    
 

1.38%, 1/31/22

     1,000        1,017    
 

1.50%, 1/31/22

     250        255    
 

1.88%, 1/31/22

     300        307    
 

2.00%, 2/15/22

     325        333    
 

2.50%, 2/15/22

     275        284    
 

1.13%, 2/28/22

     1,150        1,166    
 

1.75%, 2/28/22

     250        256    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     86     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%    continued

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 77.4%    continued

 

 
 

1.88%, 2/28/22

     $150        $154    
 

2.38%, 3/15/22

     300        310    
 

0.38%, 3/31/22

     850        853    
 

1.75%, 3/31/22

     260        266    
 

1.88%, 3/31/22

     300        308    
 

2.25%, 4/15/22

     380        392    
 

0.13%, 4/30/22

     700        700    
 

1.75%, 4/30/22

     300        308    
 

1.88%, 4/30/22

     250        257    
 

1.75%, 5/15/22

     275        282    
 

2.13%, 5/15/22

     250        258    
 

0.13%, 5/31/22

     1,500        1,500    
 

1.75%, 5/31/22

     250        257    
 

1.88%, 5/31/22

     300        309    
 

1.75%, 6/15/22

     400        411    
 

0.13%, 6/30/22

     850        850    
 

1.75%, 6/30/22

     250        257    
 

2.13%, 6/30/22

     200        207    
 

1.75%, 7/15/22

     250        257    
 

0.13%, 7/31/22

     1,150        1,150    
 

1.88%, 7/31/22

     400        413    
 

2.00%, 7/31/22

     200        207    
 

1.50%, 8/15/22

     200        205    
 

1.63%, 8/15/22

     250        257    
 

0.13%, 8/31/22

     1,400        1,400    
 

1.63%, 8/31/22

     350        360    
 

1.88%, 8/31/22

     275        284    
 

1.50%, 9/15/22

     200        205    
 

0.13%, 9/30/22

     500        500    
 

1.75%, 9/30/22

     295        305    
 

1.88%, 9/30/22

     300        310    
 

1.38%, 10/15/22

     350        359    
 

1.88%, 10/31/22

     225        233    
 

2.00%, 10/31/22

     300        312    
 

1.63%, 11/15/22

     755        779    
 

2.00%, 11/30/22

     450        468    
 

1.63%, 12/15/22

     600        620    
 

2.13%, 12/31/22

     525        548    
 

1.50%, 1/15/23

     650        670    
 

1.75%, 1/31/23

     275        285    
 

2.38%, 1/31/23

     250        263    
 

1.38%, 2/15/23

     900        926    
 

2.00%, 2/15/23

     475        496    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%    continued

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 77.4%    continued

 

 
 

1.50%, 2/28/23

     $250        $258    
 

2.63%, 2/28/23

     350        371    
 

0.50%, 3/15/23

     650        656    
 

1.50%, 3/31/23

     200        207    
 

2.50%, 3/31/23

     350        371    
 

0.25%, 4/15/23

     1,850        1,855    
 

1.63%, 4/30/23

     175        182    
 

2.75%, 4/30/23

     350        373    
 

0.13%, 5/15/23

     600        600    
 

1.75%, 5/15/23

     525        547    
 

1.63%, 5/31/23

     200        208    
 

2.75%, 5/31/23

     350        374    
 

0.25%, 6/15/23

     1,850        1,855    
 

1.38%, 6/30/23

     250        258    
 

2.63%, 6/30/23

     375        400    
 

0.13%, 7/15/23

     750        749    
 

1.25%, 7/31/23

     500        515    
 

2.75%, 7/31/23

     375        403    
 

0.13%, 8/15/23

     250        250    
 

2.50%, 8/15/23

     300        320    
 

1.38%, 8/31/23

     250        259    
 

2.75%, 8/31/23

     350        376    
 

0.13%, 9/15/23

     650        649    
 

1.38%, 9/30/23

     250        259    
 

2.88%, 9/30/23

     380        411    
 

1.63%, 10/31/23

     300        314    
 

2.88%, 10/31/23

     350        379    
 

2.75%, 11/15/23

     850        918    
 

2.13%, 11/30/23

     300        319    
 

2.88%, 11/30/23

     400        434    
 

2.25%, 12/31/23

     250        267    
 

2.63%, 12/31/23

     400        432    
 

2.25%, 1/31/24

     300        321    
 

2.50%, 1/31/24

     250        269    
 

2.75%, 2/15/24

     550        598    
 

2.13%, 2/29/24

     300        320    
 

2.38%, 2/29/24

     300        322    
 

2.13%, 3/31/24

     600        641    
 

2.00%, 4/30/24

     250        266    
 

2.25%, 4/30/24

     300        322    
 

2.50%, 5/15/24

     575        623    
 

2.00%, 5/31/24

     550        586    
 

1.75%, 6/30/24

     425        450    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     87     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. TREASURY INDEX FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%    continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 77.4%    continued

 

 
 

2.00%, 6/30/24

     $300        $320    
 

1.75%, 7/31/24

     250        265    
 

2.13%, 7/31/24

     250        268    
 

2.38%, 8/15/24

     525        569    
 

1.25%, 8/31/24

     400        416    
 

1.88%, 8/31/24

     250        266    
 

1.50%, 9/30/24

     400        421    
 

2.13%, 9/30/24

     300        323    
 

1.50%, 10/31/24

     450        473    
 

2.25%, 10/31/24

     300        325    
 

2.25%, 11/15/24

     550        596    
 

1.50%, 11/30/24

     300        316    
 

2.13%, 11/30/24

     200        216    
 

1.75%, 12/31/24

     400        426    
 

2.25%, 12/31/24

     250        271    
 

1.38%, 1/31/25

     1,300        1,364    
 

2.50%, 1/31/25

     200        220    
 

2.00%, 2/15/25

     625        673    
 

1.13%, 2/28/25

     1,350        1,403    
 

2.75%, 2/28/25

     215        239    
 

0.50%, 3/31/25

     950        961    
 

2.63%, 3/31/25

     300        332    
 

0.38%, 4/30/25

     1,050        1,056    
 

2.88%, 4/30/25

     300        336    
 

2.13%, 5/15/25

     550        597    
 

0.25%, 5/31/25

     1,050        1,050    
 

2.88%, 5/31/25

     325        365    
 

0.25%, 6/30/25

     900        900    
 

2.75%, 6/30/25

     250        279    
 

0.25%, 7/31/25

     350        350    
 

2.88%, 7/31/25

     225        253    
 

2.00%, 8/15/25

     550        596    
 

0.25%, 8/31/25

     1,250        1,249    
 

2.75%, 8/31/25

     300        336    
 

0.25%, 9/30/25

     700        699    
 

3.00%, 9/30/25

     300        340    
 

3.00%, 10/31/25

     200        227    
 

2.25%, 11/15/25

     645        709    
 

2.88%, 11/30/25

     300        340    
 

2.63%, 12/31/25

     300        336    
 

2.63%, 1/31/26

     150        168    
 

1.63%, 2/15/26

     700        749    
 

2.50%, 2/28/26

     350        391    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 99.0%    continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 77.4%    continued

 

 
 

2.25%, 3/31/26

     $350        $387    
 

2.38%, 4/30/26

     225        250    
 

1.63%, 5/15/26

     650        697    
 

2.13%, 5/31/26

     175        193    
 

1.88%, 6/30/26

     325        353    
 

1.88%, 7/31/26

     300        326    
 

1.50%, 8/15/26

     520        554    
 

1.38%, 8/31/26

     350        371    
 

1.63%, 9/30/26

     250        269    
 

1.63%, 10/31/26

     300        322    
 

2.00%, 11/15/26

     500        549    
 

1.63%, 11/30/26

     350        376    
 

1.75%, 12/31/26

     300        325    
 

1.50%, 1/31/27

     675        722    
 

2.25%, 2/15/27

     510        569    
 

1.13%, 2/28/27

     900        941    
 

0.63%, 3/31/27

     1,050        1,064    
 

0.50%, 4/30/27

     875        879    
 

2.38%, 5/15/27

     500        564    
 

0.50%, 5/31/27

     800        803    
 

0.50%, 6/30/27

     1,150        1,154    
 

0.38%, 7/31/27

     500        497    
 

2.25%, 8/15/27

     500        561    
 

0.50%, 8/31/27

     900        903    
 

0.38%, 9/30/27

     300        298    
 

2.25%, 11/15/27

     550        619    
 

2.75%, 2/15/28

     550        640    
 

2.88%, 5/15/28

     625        736    
 

2.88%, 8/15/28

     590        697    
 

3.13%, 11/15/28

     675        813    
 

2.63%, 2/15/29

     600        701    
 

2.38%, 5/15/29

     600        691    
 

1.63%, 8/15/29

     700        762    
 

1.75%, 11/15/29

     675        744    
 

1.50%, 2/15/30

     1,325        1,430    
 

0.63%, 5/15/30

     1,400        1,396    
 

0.63%, 8/15/30

     850        846    
 

 

                    94,841      
   

Total U.S. Government Obligations

 

   
 

(Cost $112,833)

        121,314    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     88     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES - 0.6%

       
   

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(1) (2)

     773,961        $774      
   

Total Investment Companies

                     
 

(Cost $774)

        774    
                           
   

Total Investments – 99.6%

                     
 

(Cost $113,607)

        122,088    
   

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.4%

              470      
 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

      $ 122,558    

 

(1) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(2) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 
 

U.S. Government Obligations(1)

     $   —        $121,314        $ —        $121,314  
   

Investment Companies

     774                      774  
   

Total Investments

     $774        $121,314        $ —        $122,088  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     89     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Bond Index and U.S. Treasury Index Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS Securities are valued at their fair value. Equity securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to

reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, prepayment speeds, credit risks, cash flows, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by a Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) FUTURES CONTRACTS Certain Funds invest in long or short exchange-traded futures contracts for hedging purposes, to increase total return (i.e., for speculative purposes) or to maintain liquidity to meet potential shareholder redemptions, to invest cash balances or dividends or to minimize trading costs. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the fair value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio securities as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract as a hedge in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     90     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. A Fund bears the market risk arising from changes in the value of these financial instruments. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Futures are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular futures contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. The Statements of Operations include any realized gains or losses on closed futures contracts in Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts, and any unrealized gains or losses on open futures contracts in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

C) WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES Certain Funds purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time a Fund enters into the commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the commitment is reflected in the NAV. The value of the commitment may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until settlement takes place. At the time a Fund enters into this type of transaction, it is required to segregate collateral of cash or liquid assets having a fair value at least equal to the amount of the commitment. The Funds identify securities as segregated with a value that meets or exceeds the value of the commitments. When-issued securities at September 30, 2020, if any, are noted in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments and in aggregate as Payable for when-issued securities, in each Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

On January 6, 2014, the Bond Index Fund entered into Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“MSFTA”) with certain counterparties, pursuant to which each party has agreed to pledge cash and/or securities as collateral to secure the repayment of its obligations to the other party under the MSFTA. At September 30, 2020, the Bond Index Fund pledged collateral in the form of U.S. Treasury Bonds amounting to approximately $65,000, which is not included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. No collateral has been received by the Bond Index Fund from a broker as of September 30, 2020.

D) MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS Certain Funds enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which a Fund sells securities for delivery in the future (generally within 30 days) and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase other mortgage securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, a Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, a Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase.

For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale.

E) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The Funds’ income may be subject to certain state and local taxes.

F) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid as follows:

 

      DECLARATION
FREQUENCY
   PAYMENT
FREQUENCY
    

Bond Index

   Daily    Monthly  

U.S. Treasury Index

   Daily    Monthly    

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Funds may periodically make reclassifications among certain of their capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. The reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications relate to paydowns. These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     91     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued  

 

 

At March 31, 2020, the following reclassification was recorded:

 

  Amounts in thousands    UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
  

 

ACCUMULATED  
UNDISTRIBUTED  
NET REALIZED  
GAINS (LOSSES)  

 

  Bond Index

   $4,611    $(4,611)

 

H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 can be carried forward for an unlimited period. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

  Amounts in thousands   

 

SHORT-TERM
CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD

  

 

LONG-TERM  
CAPITAL LOSS  
CARRYFOWARD  

 

  U.S. Treasury Index

   $251    $235

 

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

   

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

       
  Amounts in thousands   ORDINARY
INCOME*
    LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
    UNREALIZED  
GAINS (LOSSES)  
 

 

 

  Bond Index

    $2,086       $5,818       $184,157        

  U.S. Treasury Index

    32             9,114        

 

 

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

 
    Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
     LONG-TERM  
CAPITAL GAINS  
 

 

 

  Bond Index

     $89,033        $2,541        

  U.S. Treasury Index

     1,863        –        

 

 

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
     LONG-TERM  
CAPITAL GAINS  

 

  Bond Index

     $83,079      $–

  U.S. Treasury Index

     1,658        –

 

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, neither Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     92     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of each Fund exceeds the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not

reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

   

 

CONTRACTUAL

    ANNUAL
MANAGEMENT FEES
  EXPENSE
LIMITATIONS  

 

  Bond Index

  0.13%   0.15%

  U.S. Treasury Index

  0.13%   0.15%

 

The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one-year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     93     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued  

 

 

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to

Total Expenses in each Fund’s Statements of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands

 

 

PURCHASES

   

 

SALES

 
 

 

 

 
 

U.S.

GOVERNMENT

    OTHER    

U.S.

GOVERNMENT

    OTHER    

 

 

  Bond Index

    $1,290,800       $505,792       $997,982       $295,518   

  U.S. Treasury Index

    50,893             30,486       —   

 

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain foreign currency contracts, the deferral of post-October currency and capital losses for tax purposes, and the timing of income recognition on investments in real estate investment trusts and passive foreign investment companies.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

  Amounts in
  thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
   

 

NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

   

 

COST
BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS 

 

 

 

Bond Index

    $226,426       $(4,214)       $222,212       $3,396,742      

  U.S. Treasury Index

    8,220       (23)       8,197       113,891      

 

 
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHARES
SOLD
     PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
    SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
     REINVESTMENTS
OF
DIVIDENDS
     SHARES
REDEEMED
    PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
   

 

NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

   

 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS  

 

 

 

  Bond Index

     73,171        $822,964       593        $6,697        (30,182     $(339,384     43,582       $490,277      

  U.S. Treasury Index

     1,742        41,423       36        857        (937     (22,250     841       20,030      

 

 

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     94     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHARES
SOLD
     PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
     SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
     REINVESTMENTS
OF
DIVIDENDS
     SHARES
REDEEMED
    PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
   

 

NET
INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

   

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS  

 

 

 

  Bond Index

     72,407        $779,968        2,518        $27,064        (98,122     $(1,060,146     (23,197     $(253,114 )     

  U.S. Treasury Index

     2,133        48,107        83        1,848        (1,842     (40,934     374       9,021      

 

 

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands
  except shares
   AFFILIATE   VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  PURCHASES   SALES
PROCEEDS
 

 

NET CHANGE
IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

 

NET
REALIZED
GAINS
(LOSSES)

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
    SHARES, END  
OF PERIOD  
 

 

 

  Bond Index

   Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)   $64,483   $597,738   $507,255   $–   $–   $43     $154,966       154,965,504      

  U.S. Treasury Index

   Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)   1,481   34,638   35,345       –*     774       773,961      

 

 

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

 

10. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

11. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic,

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     95     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4—Bank Borrowings.

    

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     96     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

     FUND EXPENSES   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements on advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 94), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

BOND INDEX

 

SHARES   

EXPENSE

RATIO

   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.15%      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,032.50      $ 0.76

Hypothetical

   0.15%      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.25      $ 0.76

 

U.S. TREASURY INDEX

 

 

SHARES   

EXPENSE

RATIO

   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.16%      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,003.40      $ 0.80

Hypothetical

   0.16%      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.20      $ 0.81

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     97     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    

 

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through video conference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes, and stress testing, credit research, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications

of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed herein, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     98      NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 


FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

    

 

       SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes, including with respect to the Funds’ regular reporting on stress testing. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each Fund, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objective, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. The Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each Fund was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, with the exception of the U.S. Treasury Index Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the three- and five-year periods.

The Trustees took into account the portfolio managers’ discussions for the reasons for tracking differences of the Funds and considered that each of them was appropriately tracking its respective index.

They also considered that neither of the Funds was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. They also considered the Funds’ investment performance relative to the investor base the Funds are intended to serve. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming Funds. They noted that the quarterly in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in that regard.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory for the Funds.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses, such as expense limitations for both Funds. The Trustees also considered that the Funds were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, and that Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     99     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted each Fund’s actual management fees were lower than or equal to the median of its respective peer group and expense universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. The Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated funds in which the Funds invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Fund’s asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     100     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


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NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     103     FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS


    

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS

 

     FOR MORE INFORMATION    

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

    

 

 

FIXED INCOME INDEX FUNDS     104     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


  TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

                    

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

        

 

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,

Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

 

        

        

 

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

 

          
 

 

May lose value / No bank guarantee

 

 
   
  2     STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  4     STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
  6     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
  8     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
  15     SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
  15         ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NOAZX
  20         CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NCITX
  28         CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NCATX
  34         HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NHYMX
  47         INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NOITX
  73         SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NSITX
  87         TAX-EXEMPT FUND
        Ticker Symbol: NOTEX
  109     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  118     FUND EXPENSES
  120     APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
  124     FOR MORE INFORMATION
 

 

    

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    1   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

    

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

       Amounts in thousands, except per share data  

ARIZONA

        TAX-EXEMPT        
FUND

 

CALIFORNIA

        INTERMEDIATE        

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 

CALIFORNIA    

          TAX-EXEMPT           

FUND

ASSETS:

               
     

Investments, at value

      $139,476       $486,060       $200,820
     

Investments in affiliates, at value

      7,978       30,740       9,802
     

Interest income receivable

      1,378       4,816       1,964
     

Receivable for securities sold

                 
     

Receivable for fund shares sold

      38       26       2
     

Receivable from investment adviser

      5       7       4
     

Prepaid and other assets

      2       4       3
     

Total Assets

      148,877       521,653       212,595

LIABILITIES:

               
     

Payable for securities purchased

                 
     

Payable for when-issued securities

            3,367       1,117
     

Payable for fund shares redeemed

      11       196       48
     

Distributions payable to shareholders

      57       184       89
     

Payable to affiliates:

               
     

    Management fees

      11       37       15
     

    Custody fees

      1       3       1
     

    Shareholder servicing fees

      26       24       26
     

    Transfer agent fees

      5       17       7
     

Trustee fees

      4       4       4
     

Accrued other liabilities

      12       14       10
     

Total Liabilities

      127       3,846       1,317
     

Net Assets

      $148,750       $517,807       $211,278
     

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

               
     

Capital stock

      $143,415       $493,058       $198,337
     

Distributable earnings

      5,335       24,749       12,941
     

Net Assets

      $148,750       $517,807       $211,278

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

      13,624       47,035       17,768

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

      $10.92       $11.01       $11.89
     

Investments, at cost

      $132,954       $461,649       $188,943
     

Investments in affiliates, at cost

      7,978       30,740       9,802

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   2   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

 

        HIGH YIELD    
MUNICIPAL
FUND
  

        INTERMEDIATE        

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

  

SHORT-

        INTERMEDIATE        

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

  

          TAX-EXEMPT          

FUND

     

        

 

$489,863      

       $2,805,649        $854,908        $1,799,240
 

20,784      

       230,039        63,038        161,573
 

6,199      

       26,904        8,024        16,847
 

996      

       17,514        4,379        2,680
 

587      

       2,375        205        3,824
 

21      

       22        11        24
 

2      

       14        139        8
 

518,452      

       3,082,517        930,704        1,984,196
     
 

—      

       10,430               8,880
  6,431              43,678        12,630        54,658
  691              478        572        226
 

307      

       955        150        653
     
 

65      

       208        64        134
 

4      

       43               5
 

7      

       17        31        50
 

17      

       235               62
 

4      

       18        5        11
 

15      

       36        7        17
 

7,541      

       56,098        13,459        64,696
 

$510,911      

       $3,026,419        $917,245        $1,919,500
     
 

$509,480      

       $2,896,615        $884,943        $1,856,820
 

1,431      

       129,804        32,302        62,680
 

$510,911      

       $3,026,419        $917,245        $1,919,500
 

58,911      

       277,040        86,365        174,452
 

$8.67      

       $10.92        $10.62        $11.00
     
 

$482,978      

       $2,694,244        $836,819        $1,743,944
 

20,784      

       230,039        63,038        161,573

 

         See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   3   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

  

    

    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

      Amounts in thousands   

ARIZONA

    TAX-EXEMPT    

FUND

 

CALIFORNIA

        INTERMEDIATE        

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

INVESTMENT INCOME:

          
   

Interest Income

       $2,046       $6,882
   

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

       1       9
   

Total Investment Income

       2,047       6,891

EXPENSES:

          
   

Management fees

       302       1,077
   

Custody fees

       6       19
   

Transfer agent fees

       27       96
   

Registration fees

       11       6
   

Printing fees

       1       1
   

Professional fees

       20       20
   

Shareholder servicing fees

       53       51
   

Trustee fees

       3       4
   

Other

       7       7
   

Total Expenses

       430       1,281
   

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

       (109 )       (147 )
   

Net Expenses

       321       1,134

Net Investment Income

       1,726       5,757

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

          
   

Net realized gains (losses) on:

          
   

Investments

       (342 )       (566 )
   

Net changes in unrealized appreciation on:

          
   

Investments

       2,150       12,813
   

Net Gains

       1,808       12,247

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       $3,534       $18,004

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   4   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

    

CALIFORNIA
    TAX-EXEMPT    
FUND
 

HIGH YIELD

MUNICIPAL

FUND

 

INTERMEDIATE

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 

 

SHORT-

INTERMEDIATE

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 

TAX-EXEMPT    

    FUND    

         
  $3,044           $11,117             $36,603             $7,514             $24,347        
  7       8       117       35       56  
  3,051       11,125       36,720       7,549       24,403  
       
  437       1,922       6,316       1,908       3,761  
  8       20       110       34       60  
  39       96       577       171       338  
  5       15       12       11       12  
  2       2       6       3       5  
  19       20       45       20       32  
  51       19       65       60       101  
  3       4       17       3       10  
  7       5       19       6       13  
       
  571       2,103       7,167       2,216       4,332  
  (109     (601     (393     (214     (363
  462       1,502       6,774       2,002       3,969  
  2,589       9,623       29,946       5,547       20,434  
       
  655       (653     13,141       7,685       7,941  
       
  3,350       20,728       55,991       14,586       29,432  
  4,005       20,075       69,132       22,271       37,373  
  $6,594       $29,698       $99,078       $27,818       $57,807  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   5   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

    

ARIZONA

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

   

CALIFORNIA

INTERMEDIATE

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 
      Amounts in thousands   

SEP 30,

2020

    MAR 31,
2020
    SEP 30,
2020
    MAR 31,
2020
   

OPERATIONS:

        
   

Net investment income

     $1,726       $3,360       $5,757       $12,723    
   

Net realized gains (losses)

     (342     740       (566     4,553  
   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     2,150       275       12,813       (2,006
   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     3,534       4,375       18,004       15,270  
   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     11,409       15,861       12,279       (8,057
   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     11,409       15,861       12,279       (8,057
   

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

        
   

Distributable earnings

     (1,726     (3,360     (5,760     (12,816
   

Total Distributions Paid

     (1,726     (3,360     (5,760     (12,816
   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     13,217       16,876       24,523       (5,603
   

NET ASSETS:

        
   

Beginning of period

     135,533       118,657       493,284       498,887  
   

End of period

     $148,750       $135,533       $517,807       $493,284  

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   6   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)    

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020    

 

    

CALIFORNIA
TAX-EXEMPT
FUND
   

HIGH YIELD

MUNICIPAL

FUND

 

INTERMEDIATE

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 

SHORT-

INTERMEDIATE

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

 

TAX-EXEMPT

FUND

SEP 30,
2020
   MAR 31,
2020
  SEP 30,
2020
  MAR 31,
2020
  SEP 30,
2020
  MAR 31,
2020
  SEP 30,
2020
  MAR 31,
2020
  SEP 30,
2020
  MAR 31,
2020
       

$2,589     

     $5,355           $9,623       $20,091           $29,946       $66,399           $5,547       $15,821           $20,434       $39,411    
       

655     

     3,260       (653     3,275       13,141       38,580       7,685       11,701       7,941       16,756  
       

3,350     

     (960     20,728       (31,091     55,991       (3,493     14,586       (7,948     29,432       (2,868
       

6,594     

     7,655       29,698       (7,725     99,078       101,486       27,818       19,574       57,807       53,299  
       

13,956     

     12,803       (18,998     94,181       (60,662     220,392       14,498       (81,445     242,427       461,823  
       

13,956     

     12,803       (18,998     94,181       (60,662     220,392       14,498       (81,445     242,427       461,823  
       

(2,590)    

     (6,556     (9,623     (20,091     (29,948     (78,008     (5,546     (20,634     (20,435     (43,612
       

(2,590)    

     (6,556     (9,623     (20,091     (29,948     (78,008     (5,546     (20,634     (20,435     (43,612

17,960     

     13,902       1,077       66,365       8,468       243,870       36,770       (82,505     279,799       471,510  
       

193,318     

     179,416       509,834       443,469       3,017,951       2,774,081       880,475       962,980       1,639,701       1,168,191  
       

$211,278     

     $193,318       $510,911       $509,834       $3,026,419       $3,017,951       $917,245       $880,475       $1,919,500       $1,639,701  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   7   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

  ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS
ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.77       $10.65       $10.43       $10.54       $10.96       $10.93  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.13       0.28       0.31       0.31       0.29       0.34  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.15       0.12       0.22       (0.11     (0.30     0.09  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.28       0.40       0.53       0.20       (0.01     0.43  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.28     (0.31     (0.31     (0.29     (0.34
     

From net realized gains

                            (0.12     (0.06
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.13     (0.28     (0.31     (0.31     (0.41     (0.40
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $10.92       $10.77       $10.65       $10.43       $10.54       $10.96  
     

Total Return(1)

    2.65     3.86     5.15     1.95     (0.17 )%      4.06 %     
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $148,750       $135,533       $118,657       $111,621       $102,928       $109,495  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.47 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.61     0.60     0.60     0.61     0.62     0.59
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    2.46 %(3)      2.56 %(3)      3.03 %(3)      2.89 %(3)      2.65 %(3)      3.17
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    2.31     2.42     2.90     2.74     2.49     3.04
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    8.19     63.33     52.94     85.89     83.45     60.73

 

  (1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

  (2)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

  (3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $3,000, $10,000, $9,000 and $13,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and less than $16,000, which represents less than 0.02 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   8   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

 

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS
ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.74       $10.68       $10.47       $10.57       $11.03       $10.90  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.13       0.27       0.28       0.28       0.26       0.28  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.27       0.06       0.21       (0.10     (0.36     0.15  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.40       0.33       0.49       0.18       (0.10     0.43  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.27     (0.28     (0.28     (0.26     (0.28
     

From net realized gains

          (1)                  (0.10     (0.02
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.13     (0.27     (0.28     (0.28     (0.36     (0.30
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $11.01       $10.74       $10.68       $10.47       $10.57       $11.03  
     

Total Return(2)

    3.69     3.11     4.78     1.67     (0.87 )%      4.03 %     
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $517,807       $493,284       $498,887       $494,372       $470,326       $508,152  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.51     0.50     0.49     0.50     0.51     0.50
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    2.30 %(4)      2.48 %(4)      2.69 %(4)      2.61 %(4)      2.42 %(4)      2.59
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    2.24     2.43     2.65     2.56     2.36     2.54
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    9.30     31.63     28.54     52.17     64.62     81.80

 

  (1) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net realized gains were less than $0.01 per share.

 

  (2)

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

  (3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

  (4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $14,000, $26,000, $22,000, $25,000 and $28,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   9   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

 

CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
  (UNAUDITED)  

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $11.65       $11.56       $11.40       $11.48       $12.06       $11.86  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.15       0.33       0.40       0.39       0.35       0.38  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.24       0.16       0.16       (0.08     (0.45     0.20  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.39       0.49       0.56       0.31       (0.10     0.58  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.15     (0.33     (0.40     (0.39     (0.35     (0.38
     

From net realized gains

          (0.07                 (0.13      
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.15     (0.40     (0.40     (0.39     (0.48     (0.38
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $11.89       $11.65       $11.56       $11.40       $11.48       $12.06  
     

Total Return(1)

    3.36     4.27     5.01     2.69     (0.83 )%      4.97
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $211,278       $193,318       $179,416       $181,272       $177,857       $189,741  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46 %(3)      0.46
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.56     0.55     0.56     0.58     0.61     0.60
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    2.54 %(3)      2.78 %(3)      3.50 %(3)      3.36 %(3)      2.95 %(3)      3.18
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    2.44     2.69     3.40     3.24     2.80     3.04
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    12.55     55.08     34.83     83.27     97.34     131.91 %     

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $7,000, $16,000, $11,000, $21,000 and $16,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   10   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020
(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $8.31       $8.70       $8.69       $8.69       $9.02       $8.93  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.16       0.34       0.37       0.35       0.32       0.33  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.36       (0.39     0.01             (0.33     0.09  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.52       (0.05     0.38       0.35       (0.01     0.42  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.16     (0.34     (0.37     (0.35     (0.32     (0.33
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.16     (0.34     (0.37     (0.35     (0.32     (0.33
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $8.67       $8.31       $8.70       $8.69       $8.69       $9.02  
     

Total Return(1)

    6.35     (0.68 )%      4.47     4.03     (0.10 )%      4.80
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $510,911       $509,834       $443,469       $412,599       $476,835       $575,904  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.60 %(3)      0.60 %(3)      0.61 %(3)      0.80 %(3)      0.80 %(3)      0.80
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.84     0.84     0.83     0.83     0.82     0.83
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    3.86 %(3)      3.87 %(3)      4.27 %(3)      3.96 %(3)      3.60 %(3)      3.67
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    3.62     3.63     4.05     3.93     3.58     3.64
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    19.53     47.62     51.81     9.69     39.67     7.20 %     

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $14,000, $24,000, $16,000, $12,000 and $42,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   11   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.68       $10.57       $10.37       $10.40       $10.82       $10.71  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.11       0.24       0.25       0.22       0.21       0.22  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.24       0.15       0.20       (0.03     (0.26     0.15  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.35       0.39       0.45       0.19       (0.05     0.37  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.11     (0.24     (0.25     (0.22     (0.21     (0.22
     

From net realized gains

          (0.04                 (0.16     (0.04
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.11     (0.28     (0.25     (0.22     (0.37     (0.26
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $10.92       $10.68       $10.57       $10.37       $10.40       $10.82  
     

Total Return(1)

    3.27     3.72     4.47     1.75     (0.48 )%      3.54
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $3,026,419       $3,017,951       $2,774,081       $2,935,140       $2,752,569       $3,160,485  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.48     0.47     0.47     0.48     0.49     0.49
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    2.00 %(3)      2.23 %(3)      2.46 %(3)      2.03 %(3)      1.94 %(3)      2.04
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.97     2.21     2.44     2.00     1.90     2.00 %     
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    42.48     127.62     115.01     120.62     106.67     127.92

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $84,000, $267,000, $380,000, $278,000 and $261,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   12   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

    

 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.35       $10.37       $10.20       $10.33       $10.48       $10.46  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.07       0.18       0.16       0.12       0.12       0.12  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.27       0.04       0.17       (0.11     (0.13     0.02  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.34       0.22       0.33       0.01       (0.01     0.14  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.07     (0.18     (0.16     (0.13     (0.12     (0.12
     

From net realized gains

          (0.06           (0.01     (0.02     (1) 
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.07     (0.24     (0.16     (0.14     (0.14     (0.12
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $10.62       $10.35       $10.37       $10.20       $10.33       $10.48  
     

Total Return(2)

    3.25     2.07     3.29     0.07     (0.10 )%      1.41
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $917,245       $880,475       $962,980       $909,193       $1,047,250       $1,160,549  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45 %(4)      0.45
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.50     0.49     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.48
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    1.25 %(4)      1.71 %(4)      1.59 %(4)      1.21 %(4)      1.18 %(4)      1.18 %     
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    1.20     1.67     1.56     1.18     1.15     1.15
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    46.90     126.29     135.35     36.55     21.23     20.01

 

(1) 

Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $37,000, $63,000, $79,000, $96,000 and $46,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   13   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     continued

 

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

  Selected per share data  

  SIX MONTHS  

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

  FISCAL YEAR  

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

     

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $10.76       $10.63       $10.49       $10.55       $10.89       $10.80  
     

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 
     

Net investment income

    0.13       0.30       0.35       0.33       0.31       0.36  
     

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.24       0.16       0.14       (0.06     (0.33     0.09  
     

Total from Investment Operations

    0.37       0.46       0.49       0.27       (0.02     0.45  
     

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                 
     

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.30     (0.35     (0.33     (0.31     (0.36
     

From net realized gains

          (0.03                 (0.01      
     

Total Distributions Paid

    (0.13     (0.33     (0.35     (0.33     (0.32     (0.36
     

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $11.00       $10.76       $10.63       $10.49       $10.55       $10.89  
     

Total Return(1)

    3.42     4.33     4.78     2.57     (0.16 )%      4.29
     

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                 
     

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $1,919,500       $1,639,701       $1,168,191       $1,075,258       $1,077,256       $1,064,728  
     

Ratio to average net assets of:(2)

                 
     

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits

    0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45 %(3)      0.45
     

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.49     0.49     0.47     0.48     0.48     0.48
     

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits

    2.33 %(3)      2.73 %(3)      3.35 %(3)      3.12 %(3)      2.91 %(3)      3.37
     

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

    2.29     2.69     3.33     3.09     2.88     3.34 %     
     

Portfolio Turnover Rate

    49.67     122.55     116.37     103.25     99.52     111.59

 

(1) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(2) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $93,000, $183,000, $84,000, $64,000 and $103,000 which represent less than 0.02 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   14   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS         

 

           

ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND

   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 93.0%

       

Arizona – 93.0%

       

Arizona Board of Regents Refunding COPS, University of Arizona Project,

       

5.00%, 6/1/28

     $400        $506    

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     550        634    

5.00%, 7/1/34

     750        858    

5.00%, 7/1/35

     750        857    

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/35

     1,000        1,174    

5.00%, 7/1/41

     1,000        1,160    

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     1,000        1,254    

5.00%, 7/1/36

     495        609    

Arizona Board of Regents University System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     1,500        1,770    

Arizona Board of Regents University System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/33

     1,710        2,062    

Arizona IDA Hospital Revenue Bonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital,

       

3.00%, 2/1/45

     300        307    

Arizona State Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Banner Health,

       

4.00%, 1/1/43

     3,500        3,588    

Arizona State IDA Lease Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 9/1/50

     1,030        1,036    

Arizona State IDA Revenue Bonds, Lincoln South Beltway Project,

       

5.00%, 2/1/30

     1,000        1,326    

Arizona State Lottery Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     2,165        2,243    

Arizona State Refunding COPS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/29

     200        270    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%    continued

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

Arizona State Transportation Board Revenue GANS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/23

     $1,000        $1,130    

Flagstaff G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,500        1,627    

Gilbert Water Resource Municipal Property Corp. Utility System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     500        627    

5.00%, 7/1/29

     750        940    

5.00%, 7/1/30

     500        625    

5.00%, 7/1/31

     600        748    

Glendale IDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Midwestern University,

       

5.00%, 5/15/32

     500        633    

Goodyear G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     400        545    

Goodyear McDowell Road Commercial Corridor Improvement District Special Assessment Refunding Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

3.35%, 1/1/28

     870        1,005    

Goodyear Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Obligations (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 7/1/21(1)

     1,000        1,038    

Goodyear Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Obligations, Second Series (AGM Insured),

       

3.00%, 7/1/49

     400        419    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 1 Phoenix G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, School Improvement Project of 2006 (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/34

     1,100        1,345    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 25 Liberty G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     725        952    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 28 Kyrene Elementary G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, School Improvement Project of 2017,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     275        354    
 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   15   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

5.00%, 7/1/32

     $250        $320    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 28 Kyrene Elementary G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, School Improvement Project of 2010,

       

5.25%, 7/1/28(2)

     940        1,071    

5.50%, 7/1/29(2)

     485        556    

5.50%, 7/1/30(2)

     375        430    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 33 Buckeye G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, School Improvement Project of 2015 (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/38

     1,000        1,212    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 8 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Osborn School Improvement Project of 2017 (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/35

     625        779    

5.00%, 7/1/36

     1,175        1,458    

Maricopa County Elementary School District No. 92 Pendergast Elementary G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Project of 2016,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     1,850        2,411    

Maricopa County High School District No. 210 Phoenix G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 7/1/37

     380        452    

Maricopa County IDA Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Creighton University Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     1,285        1,548    

5.00%, 7/1/47

     1,000        1,182    

Maricopa County IDA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Honorhealth,

       

5.00%, 9/1/42

     4,000        4,783    

Maricopa County IDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Banner Health Obligation Group,

       

5.00%, 1/1/38

     1,250        1,488    

Maricopa County School District No. 3 Tempe Elementary G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/23

     680        750    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

Maricopa County School District No. 3 Tempe Elementary G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, School Improvement Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     $2,250        $2,816    

Maricopa County School District No. 31 Balsz G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, School Improvement Project of 2018 (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     1,575        1,997    

4.00%, 7/1/37

     500        578    

Maricopa County Special Health Care District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     550        705    

5.00%, 7/1/32

     1,000        1,239    

5.00%, 7/1/35

     1,000        1,224    

4.00%, 7/1/38

     2,500        2,834    

Maricopa County Unified High School District No. 216 Agua Fria G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.00%, 7/1/37

     1,000        1,104    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 4 Mesa G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,375        1,492    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 41 Gilbert G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/28

     500        619    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 41 Gilbert G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, School Improvement Project of 2015,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     525        670    

5.00%, 7/1/29

     650        825    

5.00%, 7/1/31

     500        628    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 41 Gilbert G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     1,000        1,175    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 48 Scottsdale G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/32

     1,600        2,057    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   16   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

 

    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 69 Paradise Valley G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/28

     $1,000        $1,056    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 69 Paradise Valley G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, School Improvement Project of 2011,

       

4.50%, 7/1/27

     1,700        1,879    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 80 Chandler G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     1,000        1,334    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 80 Chandler G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-1, School Improvement Project of 2010,

       

4.00%, 7/1/22

     1,040        1,070    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 80 Chandler G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, School Improvement Project of 2015,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     1,335        1,742    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 95 Queen Creek G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     400        486    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 95 Queen Creek G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/39

     1,130        1,325    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 95 Queen Creek G.O. Unlimited Bonds, School Improvement,

       

5.00%, 7/1/37

     650        770    

Mesa Street & Highway Revenue Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/23

     1,000        1,131    

Mesa Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     1,220        1,264    

Mesa Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     290        388    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 93.0%     continued

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

Mesa Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     $1,000        $1,036    

5.00%, 7/1/22

     675        732    

5.00%, 7/1/23

     1,000        1,131    

Northern Arizona University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/1/38

     2,000        2,533    

Phoenix Civic Airport Improvement Corp. Junior Lien Airport Revenue Bonds,

       

3.00%, 7/1/49

     3,300        3,355    

4.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,106    

5.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,188    

Phoenix Civic Airport Improvement Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/34

     4,000        4,793    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Excise Tax Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/45

     1,000        1,174    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Rental Car Facility Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     1,000        1,112    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Water System Revenue Bonds, Series A, Junior Lien,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     1,000        1,146    

5.00%, 7/1/44

     2,850        3,698    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Water System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Junior Lien,

       

4.00%, 7/1/28

     1,000        1,119    

Pima County COPS,

       

5.00%, 12/1/20

     1,040        1,048    

5.00%, 12/1/22

     650        716    

Pima County Sewer System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/25

     1,000        1,130    

Pima County Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series B, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21(1)

     1,000        1,034    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   17   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

Pima County Unified School District No. 10 Amphitheater G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, School Improvement Project of 2007,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     $1,005        $1,134    

Pima County Unified School District No. 20 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Vail School Improvement (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     1,685        2,071    

Pima County Unified School District No. 6 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Marana School Improvement (FHLMC Insured),

       

4.00%, 7/1/29

     675        765    

Pinal County Revenue Obligations Pledged Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/32

     1,000        1,262    

Pinal County Unified School District No. 43 Apache Junction G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,000        1,081    

Prescott Valley Municipal Property Corp. Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/24

     1,835        1,856    

Queen Creek Excise Tax & State Shared Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/1/47

     2,540        2,818    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/31

     1,000        1,290    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/36

     1,105        1,315    

Santa Cruz County Unified School District No. 35 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Project of 2019 (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     500        652    

Scottsdale G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Projects of 2015,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     100        118    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 93.0%     continued

       

Scottsdale Municipal Property Corp. Excise Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     $2,675        $3,509    

Tempe G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/33

     1,125        1,477    

Tucson G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     285        358    

Tucson Water Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/33

     595        803    

Tucson Water System Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21(1)

     1,825        1,891    

Vistancia Community Facilities District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

4.00%, 7/15/26

     450        530    

Yavapai County IDA Hospital Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Yavapai Regional Medical,

       

3.13%, 8/1/43

     2,450        2,530    

4.00%, 8/1/43

     1,000        1,122    

Yavapai County Jail District Revenue Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     1,000        1,272      
                138,395      

Total Municipal Bonds

                     

(Cost $131,876)

        138,395    
       
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 5.4%

       

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(3) (4)

     7,977,751        $7,978      

Total Investment Companies

                     

(Cost $7,978)

        7,978    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   18   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.7%

 

 

Glendale Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     $750        $777    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/21

     300        304      

Total Short-Term Investments

                     

(Cost $1,078)

        1,081    
                       

Total Investments – 99.1%

                     

(Cost $140,932)

        147,454    

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.9%

              1,296      

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $148,750    

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

 

(2) 

Security has converted to a fixed rate as of July 1, 2015, and will continue at a fixed rate going forward.

 

(3) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(4) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

BAM - Build America Mutual

COPS - Certificates of Participation

FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

G.O. - General Obligation

GANS - Grant Anticipation Notes

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF INVESTMENTS  

General

     25.9

General Obligation

     6.9  

Higher Education

     10.6  

Medical

     10.1  

School District

     28.4  
  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF INVESTMENTS  

Short-Term Investments

     5.4

All other sectors less than 5%

     12.7  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

 

Municipal Bonds(1)

    $     —        $138,395        $—        $138,395  

Investment Companies

    7,978                      7,978  

Short-Term Investments

           1,081               1,081  

Total Investments

    $7,978        $139,476        $—        $147,454  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   19   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND    

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 93.0%

       

California – 93.0%

       

Alameda County Joint Powers Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series A, Multiple Capital Projects,

       

4.00%, 12/1/24

     $850        $952    

Alameda County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/42

     4,000        4,868    

Alameda County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2014,

       

3.00%, 8/1/42

     3,950        4,183    

Albany Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Measure B, Election of 2016,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     1,000        1,202    

Anaheim Housing & Public Improvement Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/28

     2,000        2,226    

Azusa Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/44

     1,700        2,128    

Bay Area Toll Authority Subordinate Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S-H,

       

5.00%, 4/1/44

     2,000        2,481    

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Francisco Bay Area,

       

2.95%, 4/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     19,975        22,170    

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Francisco Bay Area Toll,

       

2.00%, 4/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     7,620        7,914    

2.13%, 4/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     16,700        17,599    

California County Tobacco Securitization Agency Tobacco Settlement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sonoma County Securitization,

       

5.00%, 6/1/27

     325        409    

California HFA Municipal Certificates Revenue Bonds, Series 2, Class A,

       

4.00%, 3/20/33

     989        1,094    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%    continued

California – 93.0%     continued

California School Finance Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A, Kipp Socal Public School Projects,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     $1,000        $1,198    

California State Department of Water Resources Central Valley Project Revenue Bonds, Series AR,

       

4.00%, 12/1/34

     1,795        2,045    

California State Enterprise Development Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Riverside County Library Facilities Project,

       

3.00%, 11/1/44

     3,000        3,121    

4.00%, 11/1/49

     1,900        2,122    

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/1/26

     1,250        1,503    

5.25%, 11/1/40

     8,500        8,535    

3.00%, 11/1/41

     2,000        2,159    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 9/1/27

     1,845        2,321    

5.00%, 10/1/27

     1,850        2,395    

5.00%, 8/1/28

     4,000        5,120    

5.00%, 10/1/28

     3,000        3,970    

5.00%, 3/1/35

     3,500        4,603    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Bid Group C,

       

5.00%, 8/1/27

     2,000        2,509    

5.00%, 8/1/28

     7,000        8,727    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Group C,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     1,000        1,196    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 9/1/26

     3,500        4,273    

California State G.O. Unlimited Various Purpose Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/26

     2,750        3,251    

5.00%, 3/1/32

     1,125        1,502    

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Sutter Health,

       

5.00%, 11/15/32

     1,200        1,428    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   20   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

California – 93.0%     continued

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,

       

5.00%, 11/15/27

     $250        $305    

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Children’s Hospital of Orange County,

       

5.00%, 11/1/28

     700        911    

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Providence St. Joseph Health,

       

2.00%, 10/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     2,450        2,616    

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Sutter Health,

       

5.00%, 11/15/35

     2,500        3,007    

5.00%, 11/15/46

     3,000        3,517    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Equitable School Revolving Fund,

       

5.00%, 11/1/39

     550        672    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, UCSF 2130 Third Street,

       

5.00%, 5/15/36

     1,000        1,252    

California State Municipal Finance Authority MFH Revenue Bonds, Pass-Through Park Western Apartments (FNMA Insured),

       

2.65%, 8/1/36

     3,459        3,682    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, National University,

       

5.00%, 4/1/36

     2,245        2,780    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Davis I, LLC -West Village,

       

5.00%, 5/15/39

     1,500        1,752    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

California – 93.0%     continued

California State Public Works Board Lease Revenue Bonds, Series D, Judicial Council Projects,

       

4.25%, 12/1/20

     $1,000        $1,007    

California State University Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/31

     2,670        3,591    

California State University Systemwide Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 11/1/45

     2,600        2,893    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/23

     500        571    

5.00%, 11/1/28

     4,000        5,151    

5.25%, 3/1/30

     1,500        1,506    

5.25%, 10/1/39

     1,500        1,833    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Bidding Group,

       

5.00%, 9/1/28

     5,000        6,247    

Centinela Valley Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

5.75%, 8/1/23(4)

     1,000        1,155    

Central Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2016,

       

4.00%, 8/1/48

     1,000        1,112    

Contra Costa Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B-2,

       

3.00%, 8/1/35

     775        856    

Davis Joint Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

3.00%, 8/1/31

     2,025        2,248    

Desert Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Riverside & Imperial County,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     1,125        1,279    

Desert Sands Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/39

     1,330        1,653    

El Camino Community College District G.O. Unlimited CABS, Series C, Election of 2002,

       

0.00%, 8/1/23(5)

     9,940        9,822    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   21   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

California – 93.0%     continued

 

 

Evergreen School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/46

     $1,000        $1,238    

Fremont Union High School District Santa Clara County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

5.38%, 8/1/21(4)

     1,500        1,566    

Hartnell Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

3.00%, 8/1/45

     2,500        2,651    

Hayward Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 8/1/45

     2,000        2,319    

Imperial Irrigation District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series B-1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/46

     2,500        3,036    

Long Beach Community College District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series F,

       

5.00%, 6/1/27

     1,100        1,335    

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/15/30

     1,300        1,590    

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 5/15/47

     3,000        3,537    

Long Beach Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series F, Election of 2008,

       

3.00%, 8/1/38

     3,270        3,557    

Los Angeles Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series K, Election of 2008,

       

3.00%, 8/1/39

     3,600        3,841    

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R Junior Subordinate Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     3,000        4,027    

5.00%, 6/1/37

     2,000        2,620    

Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Multiple Capital Projects II,

       

5.00%, 8/1/24

     945        1,024    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

California – 93.0%     continued

 

 

Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 12/1/29

     $1,665        $2,014    

Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series E-1,

       

5.00%, 12/1/44

     3,405        4,296    

Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/1/29

     2,630        3,189    

5.00%, 12/1/31

     2,000        2,413    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Los Angeles International,

       

5.00%, 5/15/23

     500        555    

5.00%, 5/15/24

     500        575    

5.00%, 5/15/30

     1,465        1,841    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Los Angeles International Airport,

       

5.25%, 5/15/31

     2,000        2,504    

5.00%, 5/15/44

     1,500        1,803    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/15/27

     7,435        9,220    

5.00%, 5/15/28

     7,630        9,624    

5.00%, 5/15/29

     1,000        1,250    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Senior Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 5/15/27

     640        760    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,260    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Waterworks System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 7/1/29

     2,075        2,653    

5.00%, 7/1/43

     1,850        2,326    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   22   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

California – 93.0%     continued

 

 

Los Angeles Harbor Department Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT), Private Activity,

       

5.00%, 8/1/25

     $6,750        $8,117    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B-1, Election of 2008,

       

4.00%, 7/1/24

     1,930        2,199    

4.00%, 7/1/25

     3,000        3,507    

5.00%, 7/1/29

     1,500        1,918    

5.00%, 7/1/30

     190        242    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     2,360        2,777    

5.00%, 7/1/26

     5,440        6,795    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     700        874    

Los Angeles Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (NATL Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,

       

6.00%, 6/1/21

     1,185        1,231    

Los Angeles Wastewater System Revenue, Subseries A, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/38

     1,100        1,394    

Los Rios Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D,

       

3.00%, 8/1/44

     2,000        2,110    

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

2.50%, 7/1/27

     6,650        7,365    

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 9/1/21(4)

     2,000        2,094    

Modesto Irrigation District Financing Authority Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/26

     1,490        1,799    

5.00%, 10/1/27

     1,130        1,359    

5.00%, 10/1/28

     2,770        3,316    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

California – 93.0%     continued

 

 

Modesto Irrigation District Financing Authority Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/28

     $2,150        $2,799    

Modesto Irrigation District Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series G, Domestic Water Project (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 9/1/22

     1,445        1,580    

Monterey County Public Facilities Financing COPS,

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     1,000        1,229    

5.00%, 10/1/28

     670        822    

Mount San Antonio Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2018, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/44

     1,900        2,435    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

3.00%, 8/1/39

     1,655        1,748    

3.00%, 8/1/40

     2,325        2,450    

3.00%, 8/1/41

     2,590        2,723    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/25

     1,690        1,986    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014 (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/33

     1,185        1,461    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

8/1/45(6)

     3,000        3,361    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     3,620        4,504    

Northern Energy Authority Commodity Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     2,000        2,222    

Oakland Unified School District Alameda County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/22

     750        809    

5.00%, 8/1/24

     600        699    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   23   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

California – 93.0%     continued

Orange County Local Transportation Authority Sales TRB,

       

5.00%, 2/15/33

     $3,000        $3,933    

Oxnard Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Election of 2018,

       

5.00%, 8/1/42

     3,000        3,644    

Oxnard Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/1/45

     2,000        2,479    

Palm Springs Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Election of 2008,

       

2.00%, 8/1/27

     1,970        2,113    

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 8/1/43

     4,220        4,791    

4.00%, 8/1/46

     5,950        6,712    

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     1,000        1,223    

Redlands Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, San Bernandino County,

       

3.00%, 7/1/30

     2,295        2,548    

Richmond Joint Powers Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Civic Center Project (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 11/1/24

     600        704    

5.00%, 11/1/25

     1,000        1,211    

5.00%, 11/1/26

     750        930    

Riverside County Asset Leasing Corp. Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 A, Public Defender & Probation Building, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 11/1/23(4)

     150        172    

Riverside County Asset Leasing Corp. Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 A, Public Defender & Probation Building, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.25%, 11/1/24

     650        744    

Riverside County Transportation Commission Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 6/1/26

     5,500        5,966    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

 

California – 93.0%     continued

 

 

Riverside County Transportation Commission Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 6/1/30

     $2,500        $3,211    

Riverside Public Financing Authority Local Measure A Sales Tax Revenue COPS, Riverside Payment Rehabilitation (AGM Insured),

       

5.25%, 6/1/24

     615        698    

Sacramento County Airport System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     565        720    

5.00%, 7/1/31

     500        629    

Sacramento County Airport System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     680        867    

San Diego Association of Governments Capital Grant Receipts Revenue Bonds, Mid Coast Corridor, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/15/26

     1,000        1,205    

San Diego Association of Governments South Bay Expressway Toll Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     850        1,027    

5.00%, 7/1/37

     1,000        1,166    

San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ballpark,

       

5.00%, 10/15/30

     1,040        1,216    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D-2, Election of 2018,

       

3.00%, 7/1/37

     1,715        1,924    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series I, Election of 2012,

       

5.00%, 7/1/41

     3,380        4,166    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series E-2, Election of 1998 (AGM Insured),

       

5.50%, 7/1/27

     1,500        2,010    

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     2,000        2,706    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   24   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

    

California – 93.0%     continued

       

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Green Bonds,

       

3.00%, 8/1/50

     $1,750        $1,861    

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/32

     1,500        1,793    

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales TRB, Series A,

       

3.00%, 7/1/44

     2,000        2,101    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/38

     3,000        3,636    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series E (AMT),

       

4.00%, 5/1/50

     2,145        2,348    

5.00%, 5/1/50

     1,355        1,603    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Series D,

       

5.00%, 5/1/25

     1,000        1,183    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/24

     1,095        1,174    

San Francisco City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

3.00%, 6/15/30

     5,415        5,809    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Bonds, Series D, Hetch Hetchy Water,

       

3.00%, 11/1/50

     1,275        1,358    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/32

     1,375        1,756    

San Francisco City & County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Proposition A, Series F&C,

       

3.25%, 6/15/32

     1,500        1,601    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

    

California – 93.0%     continued

       

San Francisco County Transportation Authority Sales TRB,

       

3.00%, 2/1/30

     $5,000        $5,508    

San Jacinto Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     1,055        1,234    

San Joaquin County Transportation Authority Measure K Limited TRB, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.75%, 3/1/21(4)

     2,000        2,047    

San Jose Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 3/1/22

     1,495        1,577    

San Jose G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 9/1/31

     1,900        2,533    

San Jose Unified School District Santa Clara County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 8/1/21(4)

     830        863    

San Jose Unified School District Santa Clara County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 8/1/23

     170        177    

San Rafael Elementary School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2015,

       

4.50%, 8/1/42

     1,750        2,089    

Santa Clara County Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series Q,

       

3.00%, 5/15/35

     2,500        2,649    

Santa Clarita Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.00%, 8/1/44

     1,000        1,064    

Santa Rosa Elementary School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Election of 2014 (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     1,145        1,384    

Santa Rosa High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2014 (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     1,000        1,212    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   25   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

    

California – 93.0%     continued

       

Sequoia Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

6.00%, 7/1/21(4)

     $2,000        $2,088    

Southern California Financing Authority Water Replenishment Assessment Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     2,000        2,466    

Southern California Public Power Authority Revenue Bonds, Milford Wind Corridor Phase II Project,

       

5.25%, 7/1/27

     1,000        1,038    

Stockton Public Financing Authority Parking Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/1/32

     555        666    

5.00%, 3/1/33

     600        715    

5.00%, 3/1/47

     1,125        1,280    

Transbay Joint Powers Authority Senior Tax Allocation Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/29

     465        606    

5.00%, 10/1/34

     600        768    

Turlock Irrigation District First Priority Subordinated Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/28

     625        731    

University of California General Revenue Bonds, Series AF, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/15/23(4)

     1,220        1,372    

University of California Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series BE,

       

5.00%, 5/15/41

     5,500        7,120    

Ventura County Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 11/1/24

     1,060        1,216    

Ventura Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/29

     640        875    

5.00%, 8/1/30

     680        923    

5.00%, 8/1/31

     710        957    

Visalia Unified School District COPS (AGM Insured),

       

3.00%, 5/1/27

     1,525        1,545    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 93.0%     continued

 

   

California – 93.0%     continued

      

Western Riverside Water & Wastewater Finance Authority Western Municipal Water District Improvement Revenue Bonds (AGC Insured),

      

5.13%, 9/1/29

     $1,645       $1,652    

Yucaipa Valley Water District Water System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 9/1/26

     1,000       1,210      
               481,674      

Total Municipal Bonds

                    

(Cost $457,267)

       481,674    

    

      
     NUMBER
OF SHARES
  VALUE
(000S)
     

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 6.0%

 

   

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

      

0.00%(7) (8)

     30,740,461       $30,740      

Total Investment Companies

                    

(Cost $30,740)

       30,740    

    

      
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.8%

 

 

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series E,

      

2.00%, 4/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     $565               $566    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

      

0.45%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3) (9)

     1,250       1,250    

Los Angeles TRANS,

      

4.00%, 6/24/21

     2,500       2,570    
       

Total Short-Term Investments

                    

(Cost $4,382)

       4,386    

    

      
       

Total Investments – 99.8%

                    

(Cost $492,389)

       516,800    

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.2%

 

    1,007    
       

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $517,807    

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(2) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   26   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

(5) 

Zero coupon bond.

(6) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(7)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(8) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(9) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

AGC - Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAM - Build America Mutual

CABS - Capital Appreciation Bonds

COPS - Certificates of Participation

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. - General Obligation

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

MFH - Multi-Family Housing

NATL - National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF INVESTMENTS  

 

 

Airport

     8.1

General

     15.2  

General Obligation

     18.6  

Higher Education

     5.6  

School District

     21.3  

Short-Term Investments

     6.0  

Transportation

     12.8  

All other sectors less than 5%

     12.4  
   

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

LEVEL 1

(000S)

   

LEVEL 2

(000S)

   

LEVEL 3

(000S)

   

TOTAL

(000S)

Municipal Bonds(1)

  $     $ 481,674       $—     $ 481,674  

Investment Companies

    30,740                   30,740  

Short-Term Investments

          4,386             4,386  
         

Total Investments

  $ 30,740     $ 486,060       $—     $ 516,800    

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   27   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 92.6%

       

California – 92.6%

       

Alameda County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/42

     $1,000        $1,217    

Alameda County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2014,

       

3.00%, 8/1/42

     3,000        3,177    

Albany Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Measure B, Election of 2016,

       

4.00%, 8/1/46

     1,000        1,113    

Bay Area Toll Authority Subordinate Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S-H,

       

5.00%, 4/1/49

     1,000        1,232    

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Francisco Bay Area,

       

2.95%, 4/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     5,500        6,104    

Beaumont Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Election of 2008 (BAM Insured),

       

5.25%, 8/1/44

     1,500        1,813    

Cabrillo Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election 2018,

       

5.00%, 8/1/50

     2,210        2,712    

California County Tobacco Securitization Agency Tobacco Settlement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sonoma County Securitization,

       

5.00%, 6/1/29

     310        403    

California HFA Municipal Certificates Revenue Bonds, Series 2, Class A,

       

4.00%, 3/20/33

     989        1,094    

California School Finance Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Granada Hills Charter Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 7/1/54

     1,200        1,315    

California State Construction G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.00%, 10/1/49

     1,000        1,056    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

 

    

California – 92.6%     continued

       

California State Department of Water Resources Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series BB, Central Valley Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/34

     $1,260        $1,737    

California State Enterprise Development Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Riverside County Library Facilities Project,

       

4.00%, 11/1/49

     1,000        1,117    

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Various Purpose,

       

3.00%, 3/1/50

     1,500        1,581    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/28

     3,000        3,970    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Group C,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     2,500        2,990    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 9/1/26

     500        610    

California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Sutter Health,

       

5.00%, 11/15/46

     1,000        1,172    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Equitable School Revolving Fund,

       

5.00%, 11/1/44

     625        754    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, UCSF 2130 Third Street,

       

5.00%, 5/15/42

     1,000        1,228    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

1.75%, 8/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     3,500        3,551    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, National University,

       

5.00%, 4/1/40

     1,000        1,217    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   28   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

 

    

California – 92.6%     continued

       

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Davis I, LLC -West Village,

       

5.00%, 5/15/39

     $1,000        $1,168    

5.00%, 5/15/43

     1,000        1,158    

California State Public Works Board Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Various Capital Projects,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21

     250        263    

California State University Systemwide Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 11/1/45

     1,000        1,176    

California State University Systemwide Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/44

     2,500        2,910    

4.00%, 11/1/45

     1,000        1,113    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/20

     4,000        4,000    

5.25%, 3/1/30

     3,500        3,514    

Carlsbad Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Election of 2018,

       

3.00%, 8/1/42

     550        593    

Centinela Valley Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

5.75%, 8/1/23(4)

     570        658    

6.00%, 8/1/23(4)

     1,000        1,161    

Compton Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured),

       

4.00%, 6/1/49

     1,675        1,874    

Corona-Norco Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 8/1/49

     1,000        1,145    

Desert Sands Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014,

       

4.00%, 8/1/44

     500        571    

El Dorado Irrigation District Revenue COPS, Series A,

       

4.00%, 3/1/50

     1,600        1,858    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

VALUE

(000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

 

    

California – 92.6%     continued

       

Evergreen School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2014,

       

5.00%, 8/1/46

     $1,300        $1,609    

Fremont Union High School District Santa Clara County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

5.38%, 8/1/21(4)

     3,500        3,653    

Hartnell Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

3.00%, 8/1/45

     1,500        1,591    

Hayward Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 8/1/50

     1,000        1,153    

Imperial Irrigation District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series B-1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/46

     1,500        1,822    

Lancaster Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Measure M & R Street Improvements Project,

       

4.00%, 6/1/49

     2,830        3,198    

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Notes, Series C,

       

4.00%, 7/15/21

     1,000        1,030    

Los Angeles Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series K, Election of 2008,

       

3.00%, 8/1/39

     1,400        1,494    

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R Junior Subordinate Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     1,000        1,342    

5.00%, 6/1/37

     1,000        1,310    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Los Angeles International,

       

5.00%, 5/15/31

     1,000        1,249    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Los Angeles International Airport,

       

5.00%, 5/15/44

     500        601    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   29   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

California – 92.6%     continued

      

Los Angeles Department of Airports Private Activity Senior Revenue Bonds (AMT),

      

5.00%, 5/15/21

     $2,000         $2,056    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

      

5.00%, 5/15/29

     4,000       5,001    

5.00%, 5/15/31

     5,000       6,171    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series RYQ,

      

5.00%, 7/1/33

     1,000       1,323    

4.00%, 7/1/44

     2,000       2,345    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 7/1/21

     1,410       1,461    

5.00%, 7/1/24

     3,000       3,530    

Los Rios Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D,

      

3.00%, 8/1/44

     1,000       1,055    

Lucia Mar Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2016,

      

5.00%, 8/1/42

     1,450       1,808    

Manteca Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency Tax Allocation Refunding Bonds, Series A (BAM Insured),

      

4.00%, 10/1/39

     500       583    

Mesa Water District COPS,

      

4.00%, 3/15/45

     1,150       1,365    

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 7/1/22

     1,000       1,084    

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

      

4.00%, 8/1/23

     395       436    

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded,

      

5.25%, 9/1/21(4)

     600       628    

5.50%, 9/1/21(4)

     2,500       2,623    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

California – 92.6%     continued

Monterey County Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds,

      

5.00%, 9/1/37

     $1,170         $1,475    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

      

8/1/49(5)

     1,000       1,116    

New Haven Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Alameda County,

      

3.00%, 8/1/49

     1,520       1,603    

Newport Mesa Unified School District G.O. Unlimited CABS, Election of 2005,

      

0.00%, 8/1/33(6)

     10,000       8,026    

Northern Energy Authority Commodity Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

      

4.00%, 7/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     2,000       2,222    

Oxnard Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

      

5.00%, 8/1/45

     1,000       1,240    

Palm Springs Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Election of 2008,

      

3.00%, 8/1/31

     2,435       2,678    

Palomar Pomerado Health G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series A, Election of 2004 (AGC Insured),

      

7.00%, 8/1/38

     5,000       7,166    

Riverside County Teeter Obligation Revenue Notes, Series A,

      

1.38%, 10/22/20

     1,500       1,501    

Riverside Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 10/1/43

     2,330       2,934    

Ross Valley Public Financing Authority Revenue Bonds, Sanitary District No. 1 of Marin County,

      

5.00%, 1/1/36

     275       325    

5.00%, 1/1/37

     215       254    

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Revenue Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 8/15/37

     55       62    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   30   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

California – 92.6%     continued

San Diego Association of Governments Capital Grant Receipts Revenue Bonds, Mid Coast Corridor, Green Bonds,

      

1.80%, 11/15/27

     $1,000         $1,025    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series M-2, Proposition Z Bonds,

      

3.00%, 7/1/50

     2,000       2,144    

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Green Bonds,

      

3.00%, 8/1/50

     750       797    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

      

5.00%, 5/1/38

     1,000       1,212    

5.00%, 5/1/42

     1,500       1,748    

5.00%, 5/1/49

     1,000       1,184    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series E (AMT),

      

5.00%, 5/1/45

     1,000       1,190    

5.00%, 5/1/50

     1,500       1,774    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Series D,

      

5.00%, 5/1/25

     1,000       1,183    

San Francisco City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

      

3.00%, 6/15/30

     1,000       1,073    

San Francisco City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D,

      

5.00%, 6/15/23

     950       1,028    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Bonds, Series D, Hetch Hetchy Water,

      

3.00%, 11/1/50

     600       639    

San Francisco City & County Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Proposition A, Series F&C,

      

3.25%, 6/15/32

     2,500       2,668    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

California – 92.6%     continued

San Joaquin County Transportation Authority Measure K Limited TRB, Series A, Prerefunded,

      

5.25%, 3/1/21(4)

     $2,075         $2,119    

San Jose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-1,

      

5.00%, 9/1/42

     1,310       1,670    

Santa Ana College Improvement District No. 1 Rancho Santiago Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

      

3.00%, 8/1/39

     2,130       2,253    

Santa Ana Gas Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

      

4.00%, 1/1/21

     955       964    

Santa Clara Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

      

6.00%, 7/1/21(4)

     1,195       1,247    

Santa Clarita Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

      

3.00%, 8/1/49

     2,475       2,616    

Santa Rosa High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2014 (AGM Insured),

      

5.00%, 8/1/43

     500       606    

Sequoia Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

      

6.00%, 7/1/21(4)

     2,025       2,114    

Simi Valley Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

      

4.00%, 8/1/48

     2,130       2,410    

South Bayside Waste Management Authority Solid Waste Enterprise Revenue Refunding Bonds, Shoreway Environmental Center, Green Bonds (AGM Insured),

      

5.00%, 9/1/32

     500       653    

Stockton Public Financing Authority Parking Revenue Refunding Bonds,

      

5.00%, 3/1/32

     250       300    

5.00%, 3/1/33

     245       292    

5.00%, 3/1/47

     500       569    

Transbay Joint Powers Authority Senior Tax Allocation Bonds, Green Bonds,

      

5.00%, 10/1/45

     1,000       1,236    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   31   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 92.6%     continued

California – 92.6%     continued

University of California General Revenue Bonds, Series A,

      

5.00%, 5/15/38

     $600             $668    

University of California General Revenue Bonds, Series AF, Prerefunded,

      

5.00%, 5/15/23(4)

     430       483    

University of California Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series BE,

      

5.00%, 5/15/41

     2,500       3,237    

University of California Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series O, Limited Project,

      

5.00%, 5/15/58

     2,500       3,053    

Upper Santa Clara Valley Joint Powers Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

4.00%, 8/1/45

     1,200       1,336    

Ventura Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

      

5.00%, 8/1/27

     585       765    

5.00%, 8/1/28

     620       832    

Western Riverside Water & Wastewater Finance Authority Western Municipal Water District Improvement Revenue Bonds (AGC Insured),

      

5.13%, 9/1/29

     2,000       2,008    
       
               195,544      
       

Total Municipal Bonds

                    
       

(Cost $183,670)

       195,544    

    

      
     

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

    VALUE

    (000S)

      

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 4.6%

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

      

0.00%(7) (8)

     9,802,370       $9,802    
       

Total Investment Companies

                    

(Cost $9,802)

       9,802    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

 

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 2.5%

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Clean Water State, Green Bonds,

      

5.00%, 10/1/20

     $1,975          $1,975    

Los Angeles County TRANS, Series A,

      

4.00%, 6/30/21

     2,210       2,273    

Los Angeles TRANS,

      

4.00%, 6/24/21

     1,000       1,028    
       

Total Short-Term Investments

                    

(Cost $5,273)

       5,276    
      
       

Total Investments – 99.7%

                    

(Cost $198,745)

       210,622    

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.3%

 

    656    
       

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $211,278    

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(2) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

(5) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(6) 

Zero coupon bond.

(7) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(8) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

AGC - Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAM - Build America Mutual

CABS - Capital Appreciation Bonds

COPS - Certificates of Participation

G.O. - General Obligation

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   32   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

  

 

% OF INVESTMENTS

 

Airport

     11.1

General

     14.5  

General Obligation

     18.3  

Higher Education

     7.2  

School District

     28.1  

All other sectors less than 5%

     20.8  
   

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    TOTAL
(000S)
 

Municipal Bonds(1)

     $        —      $ 195,544       $—     $ 195,544  

Investment Companies

     9,802                    9,802  

Short-Term Investments

            5,276             5,276  
         

Total Investments

     $9,802      $ 200,820       $—     $ 210,622  
(1)

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

                    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   33   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 95.9%

Alabama – 1.0%

Hoover IDB Environmental Improvement Revenue Bonds, United States Steel Corp. (AMT),

       

5.75%, 10/1/49

     $1,000        $901    

Lower Alabama Gas District Gas Project Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/46

     3,000        4,181    
       
                5,082      

Arizona – 5.8%

       

Arizona IDA Hospital Revenue Bonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital,

       

3.00%, 2/1/45

     375        383    

Arizona State IDA Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Legacy Cares, Inc. Project,

       

7.75%, 7/1/50

     1,500        1,510    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Academies of Math & Science Project,

       

5.63%, 7/1/48(1) (2)

     2,000        2,149    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Candeo Schools, Inc., Project (School District Credit Program),

       

4.00%, 7/1/47

     700        750    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Christian University Project,

       

5.63%, 10/1/49(1)

     1,300        1,302    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Doral Academy of Nevada - Fire Mesa,

       

5.00%, 7/15/49

     1,675        1,743    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Odyssey Preparatory Academy Project,

       

4.38%, 7/1/39

     1,000        1,021    

5.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,061    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Cadence Campus Project,

       

4.00%, 7/15/50

     1,000        940    

La Paz County IDA Education Facility Lease Revenue Bonds, Charter School Solutions-Harmony Public Schools,

       

5.00%, 2/15/36

     1,400        1,529    

5.00%, 2/15/46

     3,500        3,755    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Arizona – 5.8%     continued

Maricopa County IDA Educational Revenue Bonds, Arizona Autism Chart Schools Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/50

     $750        $782    

Phoenix Civic Airport Improvement Corp. Revenue Bonds, Junior Lien Airport, Series B (AMT),

       

4.00%, 7/1/44

     2,000        2,185    

5.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,173    

Phoenix IDA Education Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Great Hearts Academies,

       

5.00%, 7/1/46

     2,650        2,836    

Phoenix IDA Student Housing Revenue Bonds, Downtown Phoenix Student Housing II LLC,

       

5.00%, 7/1/59

     1,000        1,038    

Salt Verde Financial Corp. Senior Gas Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/37

     3,000        4,048    

Tempe IDA Revenue Bonds, Friendship Village of Tempe Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/50

     1,500        1,478    
       
                29,683      

California – 13.2%

       

Antelope Valley Healthcare District, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.25%, 3/1/36

     1,020        1,053    

California Community Housing Agency Essential Housing Revenue Bonds, Verdant at Green Valley Project,

       

5.00%, 8/1/49(1)

     3,000        3,333    

California Community Housing Agency Revenue Bonds, Series A, Annadel Apartments Project,

       

5.00%, 4/1/49

     3,000        3,323    

California County Tobacco Securitization Agency Tobacco Settlement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Merced County Tobacco Funding,

       

5.00%, 6/1/50

     500        555    

California PFA Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Trinity Classical Academy,

       

5.00%, 7/1/54(1)

     1,500        1,453    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   34   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

California – 13.2%     continued

       

California School Finance Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A, Kipp Socal Public School Projects,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     $2,000        $2,354    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Baptist University,

       

5.00%, 11/1/46

     3,000        3,095    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, The Master’s University,

       

5.00%, 8/1/48

     510        529    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds (AMT), LINXS APM Project,

       

5.00%, 12/31/43

     5,000        5,709    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Special Facility Revenue Bonds (AMT), United Airlines, Inc., Project,

       

4.00%, 7/15/29

     3,000        2,960    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Davis I, LLC -West Village,

       

5.00%, 5/15/51

     5,000        5,743    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, Series A, Claremont Collegiate Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/52(1)

     1,000        1,078    

California State Pollution Control Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Subordinate Green Revenue Bonds (AMT), Calplant I Project,

       

7.50%, 12/1/39

     3,000        870    

California State Pollution Control Financing Authority Water Furnishing Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Diego County Water Authority,

       

5.00%, 11/21/45

     1,000        1,148    

California State School Finance Authority Charter School Revenue Bonds, Series A, Classical Academies Project,

       

5.00%, 10/1/50

     1,000        1,110    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

California – 13.2%     continued

California State School Finance Authority Charter School Revenue Refunding Bonds, Aspire Public Schools,

       

5.00%, 8/1/46(1) (2)

     $5,000        $5,527    

California State Statewide Communities Development Authority College Housing Revenue Bonds, NCCD-Hooper Street, LLC-California College,

       

5.25%, 7/1/49

     1,700        1,649    

California State Statewide Communities Development Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, University of California, Irvine Campus,

       

5.00%, 5/15/42

     4,050        4,487    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Revenue Bonds, California Baptist University, Prerefunded,

       

7.25%, 11/1/21(3)

     2,000        2,150    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, California Baptist University,

       

5.00%, 11/1/32

     500        536    

5.00%, 11/1/41

     1,000        1,043    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Special Tax Revenue Bonds, Community Facilities District No. 2016-02 Delta Coves,

       

4.00%, 9/1/50

     1,000        1,028    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Statewide Revenue Special Assessment Bonds,

       

4.00%, 9/2/50

     500        514    

Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. Tobacco Settlement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 6/1/47

     5,000        5,154    

Hastings Campus HFA Campus Housing Revenue Bonds, Green Bond-Senior-Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/45

     3,000        3,124    

Roseville Special Tax Bonds, The Ranch At Sierra Vista Community Facilities District No. 1 (Public Facilities),

       

4.00%, 9/1/50

     150        158    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   35   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

California – 13.2%     continued

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/49

     $4,000        $4,737    

Santa Paula Special Tax Bonds, Harvest Community Facilities District No.1 Improvement,

       

4.00%, 9/1/50

     1,000        1,028    

Tobacco Securitization Authority of Southern California Tobacco Settlement Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Diego Asset Securities,

       

5.00%, 6/1/48

     1,500        1,818    
       
                67,266      

Colorado – 3.3%

       

Colorado Educational & Cultural Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Science Technology English & Math,

       

5.00%, 11/1/54

     1,500        1,588    

Colorado High Performance Transportation Enterprise Revenue Bonds, C-470 Express Lane,

       

5.00%, 12/31/56

     2,000        2,150    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Commonspirit Health,

       

5.00%, 8/1/44

     5,000        5,981    

Prairie Center Metropolitan District No. 3 Limited Property Tax Supported Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/15/41

     3,000        3,065    

Regional Transportation District Private Activity Revenue Bonds, Denver Transportation Partners,

       

6.00%, 1/15/41

     3,000        3,006    

STC Metropolitan District No. 2 Revenue G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/38

     1,000        1,027    
       
                16,817      

Connecticut – 0.6%

       

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Mclean Issue,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     500        526    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Connecticut – 0.6%     continued

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, University of Hartford,

       

4.00%, 7/1/49

     $1,500        $1,432    

Hamden Revenue Refunding Bonds, Whitney Center Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/50

     1,000        988    
       
                2,946      

District of Columbia – 1.2%

       

District of Columbia Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     2,550        2,866    

District of Columbia Revenue Bonds, Cesar Chavez Charter Schools,

       

7.88%, 11/15/40

     3,185        3,187    
       
                6,053      

Florida – 7.2%

       

Alachua County Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Shands Teaching Hospital & Clinics,

       

4.00%, 12/1/49

     2,000        2,237    

Capital Trust Agency Air Cargo Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Aero Miami FX,

       

5.35%, 7/1/29

     2,645        2,655    

Capital Trust Agency Educational Facilities Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Liza Jackson Preparatory School,

       

5.00%, 8/1/55

     1,000        1,134    

Capital Trust Agency Educational Facilities Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Pepin Academies, Inc., Project,

       

5.75%, 7/1/55(1)

     1,000        1,024    

Capital Trust Agency Educational Facilities Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Team Success A School of Excellence,

       

5.00%, 6/1/55

     2,000        1,964    

Capital Trust Agency Student Housing Revenue Bonds, University Bridge, LLC Student Housing Project,

       

5.25%, 12/1/43

     3,000        2,996    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   36   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Florida – 7.2%     continued

Davie Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Nova Southeastern University Project,

       

5.00%, 4/1/48

     $2,000        $2,274    

Florida Development Finance Corp. Surface Transportation Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Virgin Trains U.S.A. Pass,

       

6.38%, 1/1/26(4) (5) (6)

     4,000        3,460    

Florida State Development Finance Corp. Educational Facility Revenue Bonds, Pepin Academics of Pasco County, Inc., Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/50(1)

     1,000        1,007    

Florida State Development Finance Corp. Educational Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Renaissance Charter School,

       

5.00%, 9/15/50

     1,500        1,587    

Florida State Development Finance Corp. Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (AMT), Waste Pro U.S.A., Inc., Project,

       

5.00%, 5/1/29

     1,500        1,602    

Florida State Higher Educational Facilities Financial Authority Revenue Bonds, Ringling College Project,

       

5.00%, 3/1/42

     2,000        2,123    

Lake County Retirement Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lakeside at Waterman Village Project,

       

8/15/55(7)

     1,000        1,013    

Ocean Highway & Port Authority Florida Port Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Worldwide Terminals Fenandina Project,

       

5.50%, 12/1/49(1)

     1,500        1,433    

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Baptist Health South Florida,

       

4.00%, 8/15/49

     1,500        1,680    

Palm Beach County Revenue Bonds, Palm Beach Atlantic University,

       

5.00%, 4/1/39(1)

     1,750        1,750    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Florida – 7.2%     continued

Pinellas County IDA Revenue Bonds, 2017 Foundation for Global Understanding Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     $4,000        $4,484    

Sterling Hill Community Development District Capital Improvement Special Assessment Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.50%, 11/1/10

     143        90    

Venice Retirement Community Revenue Improvement Bonds, Village on the Isle Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/47

     1,000        1,067    

Village Community Development District No. 13 Special Assessment Revenue Bonds,

       

5/1/51(1) (7)

     1,000        1,004    
       
                36,584      

Georgia – 1.9%

       

Atlanta Development Authority Senior Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds, Georgia Proton Treatment Center,

       

6.75%, 1/1/35

     3,000        2,501    

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/15/49

     4,000        5,703    

White County Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Truett McConnell University Project,

       

5.25%, 10/1/49

     1,500        1,491    
       
                9,695      

Illinois – 6.8%

       

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Revenue General Revenue Bonds, Series B, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 1/1/48

     5,000        5,898    

Chicago Waterworks Revenue Bonds, Second Lien,

       

5.00%, 11/1/29

     2,500        3,005    

Illinois State Finance Authority Health Services Facilities Lease Revenue Bonds, University of Illinois Health Services,

       

4.00%, 10/1/55

     1,500        1,603    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   37   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Illinois – 6.8%     continued

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare,

       

5.00%, 1/1/44

     $5,000        $5,835    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Friendship Village Schaumburg,

       

5.13%, 2/15/45

     1,500        1,274    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Illinois Institute of Technology,

       

5.00%, 9/1/40

     2,000        2,185    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Navistar International Corp.,

       

4.75%, 8/1/30(1) (4) (5) (6)

     1,000        1,016    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, OSF Healthcare System,

       

5/15/50(7)

     500        490    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Rosalind Franklin University,

       

5.00%, 8/1/42

     1,100        1,201    

Illinois State Finance Authority Student Housing & Academic Facilities Revenue Bonds, CHF - Chicago, LLC - University of Illinois at Chicago Project,

       

5.00%, 2/15/47

     5,000        4,747    

Illinois State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.50%, 5/1/30

     1,000        1,144    

Illinois State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/1/29

     1,000        1,081    

Illinois State Housing Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A (FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA Insured),

       

4.13%, 10/1/38

     2,000        2,250    

Illinois State Housing Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C (GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC Insured),

       

2.80%, 10/1/34

     1,000        1,061    

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Mccormick Place Expansion Project,

       

5.00%, 6/15/50

     1,000        1,108    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Illinois – 6.8%     continued

Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Prairie Crossing Charter,

       

5.00%, 1/1/45

     $250        $255    

5.00%, 1/1/55(1)

     625        632    
       
                34,785      

Indiana – 1.4%

       

Indiana State Finance Authority Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Res Polyflow Indiana, Green Bonds,

       

7.00%, 3/1/39

     4,000        3,768    

Indiana State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Kipp Indianapolis Inc., Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/55

     510        544    

Vigo County Hospital Authority Revenue Bonds, Union Hospital, Inc., Prerefunded,

       

8.00%, 9/1/21(3)

     2,500        2,673    
       
                6,985      

Iowa – 0.8%

       

Iowa State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Lifespace Communities,

       

5.00%, 5/15/48

     4,000        4,216      

Kansas – 0.2%

       

Wichita Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Presbyterian Manors,

       

5.00%, 5/15/50

     1,000        958      

Kentucky – 1.4%

       

Ashland Medical Center Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ashland Hospital Corp. D/B/A King’s Daughters Medical Center,

       

4.00%, 2/1/38

     150        158    

Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority First Tier Toll Revenue Bonds, Series A, Downtown Crossing Project,

       

5.75%, 7/1/49

     2,500        2,718    

Kentucky State Economic Development Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Owensboro Health,

       

5.25%, 6/1/50

     2,500        2,687    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   38   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Kentucky – 1.4%     continued

Kentucky State Economic Development Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Owensboro Health, Inc.,

       

5.00%, 6/1/45

     $1,500        $1,632    
       
                7,195      

Louisiana – 3.6%

       

Calcasieu Parish Memorial Hospital Service District Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/39

     4,675        5,079    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ochsner Clinic Foundation Project,

       

5.00%, 5/15/46

     1,000        1,164    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ochsner Clinic, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/15/26(3)

     50        62    

Louisiana State Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Jefferson Parish Gomesa Project,

       

4.00%, 11/1/44

     1,000        1,000    

Louisiana State Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A-1, Westlake Chemical Corp.,

       

6.50%, 11/1/35

     2,000        2,007    

Louisiana State Public Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Belle Chasse Educational Foundation Project, Prerefunded,

       

6.75%, 5/1/21(3)

     1,250        1,296    

Louisiana State Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lafayette General Health System,

       

5.00%, 11/1/41

     5,000        5,529    

Saint James Parish Revenue Bonds, Series 2, Nustar Logistics L.P. Project,

       

6.35%, 7/1/40

     1,000        1,188    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Louisiana – 3.6%     continued

Saint John The Baptist Parish Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Marathon Oil Corp. Project,

       

2.38%, 7/1/26(4) (5) (6)

     $1,000        $1,013    
       
                18,338      

Maine – 1.0%

       

Maine State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Eastern Maine Medical Center,

       

5.00%, 7/1/43

     5,000        5,207      

Maryland – 1.0%

       

Baltimore Special Obligation Tax Allocation Refunding Bonds, Senior Lien, Harbor Point Project,

       

3.63%, 6/1/46

     1,750        1,604    

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Adventist Healthcare,

       

6.25%, 1/1/31

     1,550        1,624    

6.13%, 1/1/36

     2,000        2,084    
       
                5,312      

Massachusetts – 1.9%

       

Lowell Massachusetts Collegiate Charter Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/15/49

     1,250        1,282    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Bonds, Boston Medical Center, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/44

     2,000        2,202    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Bonds, Series A, UMASS Boston Student Housing,

       

5.00%, 10/1/41

     5,000        4,917    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S, Milford Regional Medical Center,

       

5.00%, 7/15/46

     150        171    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   39   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Massachusetts – 1.9%     continued

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Suffolk University,

       

5.00%, 7/1/32

     $1,000        $1,159    
       
                9,731      

Michigan – 3.4%

       

Grand Rapids Charter Township Revenue Refunding Bonds, Porter Hills Presbyterian,

       

5.00%, 5/15/44

     1,000        1,085    

Michigan State Finance Authority Ltd. Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Kettering University Project,

       

4.00%, 9/1/50

     650        701    

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Local Government Loan Program,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     2,000        2,281    

Michigan State Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Revenue Bonds (AMT), I-75 Improvement Project,

       

5.00%, 6/30/48

     5,000        5,716    

Michigan State Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Revenue Bonds, Holland Home,

       

5.00%, 11/15/42

     2,500        2,645    

Wayne County Airport Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 12/1/45

     4,355        5,037    
       
                17,465      

Minnesota – 0.7%

       

Minneapolis Charter School Lease Revenue Bonds, Series A, Kipp North Star Project,

       

5.75%, 7/1/55

     1,000        1,089    

Saint Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Hmong College Preparatory Academy Project,

       

5.00%, 9/1/55

     1,000        1,121    

Wayzata Senior Housing Revenue Refunding Bonds, Folkestone Senior Living Community,

       

5.00%, 8/1/54

     1,500        1,563    
       
                3,773      
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Mississippi – 0.2%

Tunica County Urban Renewal Revenue Refunding Bonds, Utility Districts Project,

       

6.00%, 10/1/40

     $1,000        $986      

Missouri – 1.0%

       

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Health Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Wright Memorial Hospital,

       

5.00%, 9/1/32

     1,145        1,370    

5.00%, 9/1/34

     1,315        1,561    

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C, Luthreran Senior Services Project,

       

4.00%, 2/1/48

     2,000        2,045    
       
                4,976      

Nebraska – 0.5%

       

Central Plains Energy Project Gas Project Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Project No. 3,

       

5.00%, 9/1/42

     2,000        2,756      

Nevada – 0.1%

       

Las Vegas Special Improvement District No. 814 Summerlin Village 21 & 24A Special Assessment Bonds,

       

4.00%, 6/1/49

     550        552    

Las Vegas Special Improvement District No. 815 Special Assessment Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/49

     250        264    
       
                816      

New Hampshire – 0.1%

       

National Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Green Bonds,

       

3.75%, 7/2/40(1) (4) (5) (6)

     600        593      

New Jersey – 3.3%

       

New Jersey State EDA Revenue Bonds, Provident Group Rowan Properties LLC,

       

5.00%, 1/1/48

     1,000        964    

New Jersey State EDA Revenue School Facilities Construction Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 6/15/49

     2,250        2,313    

 

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   40   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

 

 

New Jersey – 3.3%     continued

       

New Jersey State EDA Special Facility Revenue Bonds (AMT), Continental Airlines, Inc., Project,

       

5.63%, 11/15/30

     $2,000        $2,074    

New Jersey State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, Green Bonds,

       

3.00%, 7/1/50

     750        711    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Bonds, Series AA, Transportation Program,

       

5.00%, 6/15/45

     2,250        2,429    

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/46

     7,070        8,226    
       
                16,717      

New Mexico – 1.0%

       

Farmington Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds, Public Service Company of New Mexico San Juan,

       

1.15%, 6/1/24(4) (5) (6)

     1,000        1,005    

Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Albuquerque Academy Project,

       

4.00%, 9/1/40

     1,000        1,099    

New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council First Mortgage Revenue Bonds, La Vida Expansion Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     3,000        3,097    
       
                5,201      

New York – 5.1%

       

Build NYC Resource Corp. Revenue Bonds, New Dawn Charter Schools Project,

       

5.75%, 2/1/49

     1,000        1,046    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C-1, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/15/50

     1,000        1,060    

New York State Transportation Development Corp. Special Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Delta Air Lines, Inc., Laguardia Airport Terminals,

       

5.00%, 1/1/34

     5,000        5,333    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

New York – 5.1%     continued

       

4.00%, 1/1/36

     $1,000        $991    

New York State Transportation Development Corp. Special Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment,

       

5.00%, 7/1/46

     5,000        5,327    

New York State Transportation Development Corp. Special Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), American Airlines, Inc.,

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     1,000        997    

New York State Transportation Development Corp. Special Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), John F. Kennedy International Airport,

       

5.25%, 8/1/31

     1,000        1,031    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Personal Income Tax,

       

5.00%, 3/15/50

     4,195        5,208    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 220 (AMT),

       

4.00%, 11/1/59

     1,500        1,637    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 221 (AMT),

       

4.00%, 7/15/60

     2,000        2,199    

Yonkers Economic Development Corp. Educational Revenue Bonds, Charter School Educational Excellence Project,

       

5.00%, 10/15/49

     1,155        1,206    
       
                26,035      

North Carolina – 0.5%

       

North Carolina State Medical Care Commission Retirement Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Sharon Towers,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     600        635    

North Carolina State Turnpike Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Triangle Expressway,

       

5.00%, 1/1/49

     1,500        1,788    
       
                2,423      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   41   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Ohio – 3.5%

       

Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B-2, Senior Class 2,

       

5.00%, 6/1/55

     $5,000        $5,319    

Marion County Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, United Church Homes, Inc.,

       

5.13%, 12/1/49

     1,000        1,020    

Middleburg Heights Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Southwest General Health Center Project,

       

4.00%, 8/1/47

     1,000        1,130    

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/49(1)

     2,000        2,041    

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Pratt Paper LLC Project,

       

4.50%, 1/15/48

     2,000        2,138    

Southern Port Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT), Pure Cycle Project,

       

12/1/42(7)

     2,000        2,004    

Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, CSX Transportation, Inc., Project,

       

6.45%, 12/15/21(8)

     4,000        4,264    
       
                17,916      

Oklahoma – 2.5%

       

Norman Regional Hospital Authority Revenue Bonds, Norman Regional Hospital Authority,

       

4.00%, 9/1/45

     5,000        5,410    

Oklahoma State Development Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Gilcrease Expressway West Project,

       

1.63%, 7/6/23

     5,000        4,992    

Oklahoma State Development Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Oklahoma City University Project,

       

5.00%, 8/1/49

     2,000        2,195    
       
                12,597      
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Pennsylvania – 5.1%

       

Berks County Municipal Authority University Revenue Bonds, Alvernia University Project,

       

5.00%, 10/1/49

     $1,000        $979    

Chester County Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Simpson Senior Services Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/51

     1,000        1,015    

Franklin County IDA Revenue Bonds, Menno-Haven, Inc., Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/54

     1,000        1,020    

Lancaster County Hospital Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Saint Anne’s Retirement Community Inc., Project,

       

5.00%, 3/1/40

     500        516    

5.00%, 3/1/50

     500        509    

Northampton County IDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Morningstar Senior,

       

5.00%, 11/1/49

     1,000        1,020    

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (AMT), Carbonlite LLC Project,

       

5.75%, 6/1/36(1)

     2,000        1,955    

Pennsylvania State Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Shippensburg University, Prerefunded,

       

6.25%, 10/1/21(3)

     2,000        2,119    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Turnpike Revenue Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 12/1/46

     3,000        3,470    

Philadelphia Authority For Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Alliance for Progress Charter,

       

5.00%, 6/15/39

     920        960    

5.00%, 6/15/49

     1,385        1,428    

Philadelphia Authority For Industrial Development University of the Arts Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/15/45

     5,000        5,093    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   42   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS -  95.9%     continued

 

 

Pennsylvania – 5.1%     continued

       

Philadelphia Authority For Industrial Development University of the Arts Revenue Refunding Bonds, Independence Charter School West Project,

       

5.00%, 6/15/50

     $1,350        $1,391    

Philadelphia Water & Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/45

     4,000        4,518    
       
                25,993      

Puerto Rico – 0.6%

       

Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Restructured TRB, Series A-1,

       

4.75%, 7/1/53

     3,000        3,120      

Rhode Island – 1.5%

       

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/40

     7,000        7,586      

South Carolina – 0.7%

       

Berkeley County Assessment Revenue Special Assessment Bonds, Nexton Improvement District,

       

4.38%, 11/1/49

     1,000        1,012    

South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Hilton Head Christian Academy,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     1,500        1,357    

South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A, Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community,

       

5.00%, 4/1/54

     1,000        1,088    
       
                3,457      

Tennessee – 0.6%

       

Johnson City Health & Educational Facilities Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Appalachian Christian Village,

       

5.00%, 2/15/43(9)

     1,500        900    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

 

 

Tennessee – 0.6%     continued

       

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lipscomb University Project,

       

4.00%, 10/1/49

     $1,000        $970    

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Trevecca Nazarene University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/48

     1,115        1,201    
       
                3,071      

Texas – 6.2%

       

Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp. Revenue Bonds, Basis Texas Charter Schools, Inc.,

       

4.00%, 6/15/50

     1,000        942    

Austin Convention Enterprises, Inc., Convention Center Revenue Refunding Bonds, First Tier,

       

5.00%, 1/1/34

     1,995        2,035    

Board of Managers Joint Guadalupe County-City of Seguin Hospital Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/40

     1,500        1,578    

5.00%, 12/1/45

     2,000        2,065    

Brazoria County Industrial Development Corp. Solid Waste Disposal Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Gladieux Metals Recycling,

       

7.00%, 3/1/39

     300        304    

Brazoria County Industrial Development Corp. Solid Waste Disposal Facilities Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Gladieux Metals Recycling,

       

8.50%, 3/1/39

     2,000        2,042    

Love Field Airport Modernization Corp. Special Facilities Revenue Bonds, Southwest Airlines Company Project,

       

5.25%, 11/1/40

     3,000        3,006    

Mission Economic Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Senior Lien, Natgasoline,

       

4.63%, 10/1/31

     2,000        2,115    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   43   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

 

 

Texas – 6.2%     continued

       

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility Revenue Bonds, Morningside Ministries Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     $1,000        $1,015    

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Collegiate Housing San Antonio,

       

5.00%, 4/1/48

     3,000        2,911    

San Antonio Electric & Gas Revenue Bonds, Junior Lien,

       

5.00%, 2/1/43

     2,500        2,744    

Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series B, Buckner Retirement Services,

       

5.00%, 11/15/46

     4,000        4,451    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue Bonds (AMT), Segment 3C Project,

       

5.00%, 6/30/58

     1,500        1,719    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue Bonds (AMT), Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation,

       

5.00%, 12/31/40

     2,750        2,947    

5.00%, 12/31/45

     1,250        1,337    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, LBJ Infrastructure Group,

       

4.00%, 6/30/40

     500        563    
       
                31,774      

Utah – 0.6%

       

Mida Mountain Village Public Infrastructure District Special Assessment Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/50

     1,000        1,014    

Utah Infrastructure Agency Tax-Exempt Telecommunications Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 10/15/42

     1,000        1,030    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Utah – 0.6%     continued

       

Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Charter School Revenue Bonds, Mountain West Montessori Academy,

       

5.00%, 6/15/49

     $825        $855    
       
                2,899      

Vermont – 0.3%

       

University of Vermont & State Agricultural College Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/36

     1,000        1,418      

Virginia – 1.2%

       

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Private Activity Senior Revenue Bonds, Transform 66-P3 Project (AMT),

       

5.00%, 12/31/49

     1,000        1,120    

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Marymount University Project, Green Bonds,

       

5.25%, 7/1/35

     270        278    

5.00%, 7/1/45

     2,515        2,521    

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Express Lanes LLC (AMT),

       

5.00%, 1/1/40

     1,000        1,032    

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Solid Waste Disposal Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Covanta Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/38(4) (5) (6)

     1,000        1,018    
       
                5,969      

Washington – 1.0%

       

Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Whitworth University Project,

       

4.00%, 10/1/49

     2,250        2,231    

Washington State Housing Finance Commission Revenue Bonds, Rockwood Retirement Communities Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     2,000        1,924    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   44   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

Washington – 1.0%     continued

       

Washington State Housing Finance Commission Revenue Bonds, Series A, Transforming Age Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     $1,000        $1,037    
       
                5,192      

West Virginia – 0.9%

       

West Virginia State EDA Solid Waste Disposal Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds (AMT), Senior-Arch Resources,

       

5.00%, 7/1/25(4) (5) (6)

     1,000        1,030    

West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Cabell Huntington Hospital,

       

5.00%, 1/1/43

     3,000        3,521    
       
                4,551      

Wisconsin – 2.4%

       

PFA Charter School Revenue Bonds, Freedom Classical Academy, Inc.,

       

1/1/56(1) (7)

     1,000        1,007    

PFA Charter School Revenue Bonds, Series A, Eno River Project,

       

5.00%, 6/15/54(1)

     1,375        1,453    

PFA Education Revenue Bonds, North Carolina Leadership Academy,

       

5.00%, 6/15/49(1)

     520        530    

PFA Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A, Kipp Charlotte, Inc.,

       

5.00%, 10/15/50(1)

     1,000        1,039    

PFA Retirement Communities Revenue Bonds, Acts Retirement-Life Communities,

       

5.00%, 11/15/41

     1,000        1,181    

PFA Retirement Facilities First Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.25%, 3/1/55(1)

     1,000        1,054    

PFA Retirement Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Friends Homes,

       

5.00%, 9/1/54

     1,500        1,628    

PFA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ultimate Medical Academy,

       

5.00%, 10/1/34

     1,000        1,064    

PFA Senior Revenue Bonds, Wonderful Foundations Charter School Portfolio Projects,

       

5.00%, 1/1/55

     1,500        1,502    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 95.9%     continued

 

 

Wisconsin – 2.4%     continued

PFA Student Housing Revenue Bonds, NC A&T Real Estate Foundation, LLC Project,

       

5.00%, 6/1/49

     $1,000        $1,039    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, St. Camillus Health System,

       

5.00%, 11/1/54

     1,000        994    
       
                12,491      

Wyoming – 0.6%

       

Campbell County Solid Waste Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Basin Electric Power Cooperative,

       

3.63%, 7/15/39

     3,000        3,235      

Total Municipal Bonds

                     

(Cost $482,978)

        489,863    

    

       
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  

VALUE

(000S)

     

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 4.0%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

       

0.00%(10) (11)

     20,784,485        $20,784      

Total Investment Companies

                     

(Cost $20,784)

        20,784    
                     

Total Investments – 99.9%

                     

(Cost $503,762)

        510,647    

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%

 

     264    
       

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $510,911    

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(2) 

Restricted security that has been deemed illiquid. At September 30, 2020, the value of these restricted illiquid securities amounted to approximately $7,676,000 or 1.5% of net assets. Additional information on these restricted illiquid securities is as follows:

 

  SECURITY  

 

ACQUISITION

AND

ENFORCEABLE

DATE

  

COST    

(000S)    

Arizona State IDA Education Revenue Bonds, Academies of Math & Science Project, 5.63%, 7/1/48

  11/8/18    $1,993  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   45   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

   
   

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND     continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

  SECURITY  

ACQUISITION

AND

ENFORCEABLE

DATE

  

COST    

(000S)    

California State School Finance Authority Charter School Revenue Refunding Bonds, Aspire Public Schools, 5.00%, 8/1/46

  2/4/16-3/8/17    $5,183    

 

(3) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

 

(4) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

 

(5) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

 

(6) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(7) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

 

(8) 

Security has converted to a fixed rate as of December 15, 1999, and will continue at a fixed rate going forward.

 

(9) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation. Income is not being accrued.

 

(10) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(11) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

EDA - Economic Development Authority

FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. - General Obligation

GNMA - Government National Mortgage Association

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

IDB - Industrial Development Board

PFA - Public Finance Authority

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF INVESTMENTS  

Airport

     5.2

Development

     13.9  

Education

     12.6  

General

     10.3  

Higher Education

     7.2  
  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF INVESTMENTS  

Housing

     7.6

Medical

     13.5  

Nursing Home

     7.6  

Tobacco Settlement

     5.6  

Transportation

     6.3  

All other sectors less than 5%

     10.2  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS   

 

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

 

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

 

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

 

TOTAL

(000S)

 

Municipal Bonds(1)

     $      —        $489,863        $—        $489,863  

Investment Companies

     20,784                      20,784  

Total Investments

     $20,784        $489,863        $—        $510,647    
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   46   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      

 

     

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

CORPORATE BONDS – 0.0%

 

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 0.0%

 

 

Bon Secours Mercy Health, Inc.,

       

3.46%, 6/1/30

     $500        $562      

Total Corporate Bonds

                     

(Cost $500)

        562    
                    

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 88.1%

 

    

Alabama – 1.0%

       

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Prepay Revenue Bonds, Series A-1, Project No. 5,

       

4.00%, 10/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,815    

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,281    

Lower Gas District Gas Project Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 12/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        11,453    

South East Alabama State Gas Supply District Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A, Project No. 2,

       

4.00%, 6/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     7,500        8,305    
       
                30,854      

Alaska – 0.9%

       

Alaska State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/32

     4,290        5,771    

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds, General Mortgage Revenue Bond,

       

5.00%, 6/1/33

     2,500        3,183    

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/30

     5,000        6,209    

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Capital Project Bond,

       

4.00%, 6/1/36

     5,000        5,538    

Anchorage Electric Utility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 12/1/41

     5,000        5,792    
       
                26,493      
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 2.8%

       

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Bonds, Series B, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/42

     $1,000        $1,187    

Arizona State Transportation Board Excise Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/25

     10,000        11,746    

Arizona State Transportation Board Highway Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     12,000        14,002    

Arizona State University Revenue Bonds, Series A, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/41

     10,995        13,955    

Chandler Excise TRB,

       

5.00%, 7/1/27

     5,000        5,632    

Maricopa County High School District No. 210 Phoenix G.O. Unlimited Bonds, School Improvement Project of 2011 & 2017,

       

5.00%, 7/1/35

     1,775        2,190    

Maricopa County IDA Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Creighton University Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/47

     1,500        1,773    

Maricopa County IDA Revenue Bonds, Series B, Banner Health,

       

5.00%, 10/18/22(1) (2) (3)

     500        546    

Maricopa County IDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Banner Health Obligation Group,

       

4.00%, 1/1/36

     180        202    

Maricopa County Special Health Care District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/38

     2,500        2,834    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 4 Mesa G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, School Improvement Project of 2018,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     2,910        3,888    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 69 Paradise Valley G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, School Improvement Project of 2015,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     1,500        1,887    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   47   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

    

 

 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Arizona – 2.8%     continued

       

Phoenix Civic Airport Improvement Corp. Junior Lien Airport Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/44

     $2,000        $2,228    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. District Convertible Revenue Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series B, Civic Plaza (NATL Insured),

       

5.50%, 7/1/38

     2,500        3,796    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Junior Lien,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     2,000        2,485    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/23

     10,000        10,561    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/35

     5,000        5,964    
       
                84,876      

California – 8.8%

       

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 4/1/22(4)

     1,145        1,229    

Berkeley TRANS,

       

1.75%, 7/27/21

     5,000        5,066    

Burbank Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Convertible CABS, Series A, (Step to 5.00% on 8/1/23), 0.81%,

       

8/1/34(5)

     3,500        3,521    

California HFA Municipal Certificates Revenue Bonds, Series 2, Class A,

       

4.00%, 3/20/33

     1,977        2,187    

California State Department of Water Resources Central Valley Project Revenue Bonds, Series BA, Water System,

       

5.00%, 12/1/32

     2,000        2,677    

California State Department of Water Resources Central Valley Project Water System Revenue Bonds, Series AM,

       

5.00%, 12/1/25

     1,000        1,129    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

California – 8.8%     continued

 

 

California State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series V-1, Stanford University,

       

5.00%, 5/1/49

     $3,500        $5,642    

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2007, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.75%, 5/1/30

     80        80    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/29

     25,000        33,632    

5.00%, 11/1/30

     8,000        10,909    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.25%, 8/1/32

     10,000        14,113    

California State G.O. Unlimited Various Purpose Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 4/1/33

               

5.00%, 4/1/33

     24,000        29,804    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Davis I, LLC -West Village,

       

5.00%, 5/15/36

     6,130        7,226    

5.00%, 5/15/37

     3,440        4,037    

California State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.50%, 4/1/28

     6,750        7,831    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/22

     5,000        5,481    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Student Housing Revenue Refunding Bonds, CHF-Irvine, LLC,

       

5.00%, 5/15/29

     1,250        1,421    

Carlsbad Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series C, Election,

       

(Step to 6.63% on 8/1/26), 2.55%, 8/1/35(5)

     11,850        14,328    

Cupertino Union School District Crossover G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 8/1/23(4)

     435        494    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   48   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

California – 8.8%     continued

       

Glendale Electric Works Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/1/43

     $5,000        $5,480    

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/15/37

     1,000        1,259    

Los Angeles Community College District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/30

     10,000        11,724    

5.00%, 8/1/31

     1,310        1,534    

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R Junior Subordinate Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     2,100        2,919    

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Proposition Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior First Tier,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     2,200        2,279    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series B,

       

5.00%, 5/15/33

     3,500        4,584    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinate Revenue Bonds (AMT), Los Angeles International Airport,

       

5.00%, 5/15/35

     600        701    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series C (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/15/35

     10,000        12,058    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     2,500        2,884    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

7/1/31(6)

     5,000        6,704    

Northern Energy Authority Commodity Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     7,500        8,332    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

California – 8.8%     continued

 

 

Palomar Community College District G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Election,

       

(Step to 6.38% on 8/1/30), 0.71%, 8/1/45(5)

     $5,000        $5,274    

Pasadena Community College District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 8/1/27

     1,000        1,241    

Riverside & Bernardino Counties College District, G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Election of 2004, Series E,

       

0.00%, 8/1/36(7)

     5,855        3,143    

Riverside Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/37

     3,260        4,113    

Sacramento County Airport System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/35

     6,000        7,217    

San Diego Association of Governments Capital Grant Receipts Revenue Bonds, Mid Coast Corridor, Green Bonds,

       

1.80%, 11/15/27

     3,000        3,075    

San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority Water Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 8/1/49

     3,000        3,207    

San Francisco California City & County Airport Commission International Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series H (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/27

     5,000        6,191    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/35

     3,500        4,289    

5.00%, 5/1/38

     1,500        1,818    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series E (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/39

     2,355        2,846    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/1/33

     2,500        2,813    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   49   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1 %     continued

 

 

California – 8.8%     continued

       

San Jose Unified School District Santa Clara County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/29

     $1,685        $1,904    

San Mateo Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Election 2010, (Step to 6.70% on 9/1/28),

       

(0.03%), 9/1/41(5)

     5,000        5,662    

Santa Clara Valley Water District COPS, Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/24

     650        763    

University of California Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series BG,

       

0.88%, 5/15/25

     2,500        2,522    
       
                267,343      

Colorado – 2.5%

       

Adams County School District No. 1 Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.25%, 12/1/40

     4,775        5,890    

Adams County School District No. 1 Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 12/1/26(4)

     225        291    

Arvada Sales & Use TRB,

       

5.00%, 12/1/31

     3,000        3,929    

Colorado Springs Utilities Revenue Bonds, Series A-4,

       

5.00%, 11/15/43

     6,500        8,196    

Colorado State COPS ,Series A,

       

4.00%, 12/15/36 10,000

        11,759    

Colorado State COPS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/15/33

     3,000        4,010    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Adventhealth Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 11/15/37

     1,000        1,266    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Adventist Health System Sunbelt,

       

4.00%, 11/15/41

     1,000        1,098    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Colorado – 2.5%     continued

       

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Commonspirit Health,

       

5.00%, 8/1/34

     $1,000        $1,237    

5.00%, 8/1/35

               

5.00%, 8/1/35

     3,560        4,386    

4.00%, 8/1/49

     2,000        2,187    

Colorado State School of Mines Institutional Enterprise Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/1/42

     1,000        1,182    

Denver City & County Airport System Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.25%, 11/15/28

     1,500        1,692    

5.25%, 11/15/29

     1,740        1,958    

Denver City & County Airport System Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/43

     3,000        3,544    

Denver City & County Airport System Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/1/43

     5,000        6,055    

Denver City & County Dedicated TRB, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 8/1/48

     2,750        3,240    

Denver City & County School District No. 1 COPS, Series B,

       

5.25%, 12/1/40

     5,000        5,091    

Denver City & County School District No. 1 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (NATL State Aid Withholding),

       

5.50%, 12/1/22

     5,000        5,572    

University of Colorado Enterprise Revenue Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 6/1/23(4)

     1,000        1,128    
       
                73,711      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   50   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Connecticut – 1.0%

       

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C-2, Yale University,

       

5.00%, 2/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     $5,000        $5,558    

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     5,000        6,350    

5.00%, 10/1/35

     5,000        6,221    

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Transportation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

3.00%, 12/1/22

     1,725        1,779    

University of Connecticut Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.25%, 11/15/47

     8,000        9,807    
       
                29,715      

District of Columbia – 1.5%

       

District of Columbia G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/34

     2,500        2,893    

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency MFH Revenue Bonds, The Strand Residences Project,

       

1.45%, 8/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     2,500        2,546    

District of Columbia Income Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

3.00%, 10/1/29

     10,000        11,742    

District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority Public Utility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C, Subordinate Lien,

       

5.00%, 10/1/39

     5,000        5,783    

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority System Revenue Bonds, Series C (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/20

     3,000        3,000    

5.00%, 10/1/26

     2,000        2,081    

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority System Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/26

     2,500        3,084    

5.00%, 10/1/30

     2,630        3,224    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

District Of Columbia – 1.5%     continued

 

 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/28

     $5,510        $6,054    

5.00%, 10/1/28

               

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Gross Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/38

     3,000        3,634    

5.00%, 7/1/43

     2,000        2,396    
       
                46,437      

Florida – 4.6%

       

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/37

     1,500        1,775    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/30

     2,000        2,539    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series C, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 10/1/23(4)

     6,185        7,108    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series Q-1, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/22(4)

     1,295        1,419    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 9/1/21(4)

     1,340        1,399    

5.00%, 9/1/21

               

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 9/1/24

     330        342    

5.00%, 9/1/25

     330        342    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 9/1/21(4)

     1,665        1,735    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 9/1/23

     835        863    

Broward County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/35

     6,180        7,827    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   51   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

   

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Florida – 4.6%     continued

           

Central Florida Expressway Authority Senior Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

           

4.00%, 7/1/35

       $6,500        $7,337  

Davie Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Nova Southeastern University Project,

           

5.00%, 4/1/48

       2,000        2,274  

Florida State Atlantic University Finance Corp. Capital Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

           

5.00%, 7/1/27

       2,000        2,428  

Florida State Department Transportation G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

           

3.00%, 7/1/30

       5,000        5,173  

Florida State Municipal Power Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

           

5.00%, 10/1/31

       1,000        1,225  

Florida State Ports Financing Commission Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), State Transportation Trust Fund,

           

5.38%, 10/1/29

       3,395        3,555  

Florida State Turnpike Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C, Department of Transportation,

           

4.50%, 7/1/43

       5,000        5,420  

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Customer Facilities Charge Revenue Bonds, Series A, Tampa International Airport,

           

5.00%, 10/1/44

       2,500        2,769  

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B, Tampa International Airport,

           

5.00%, 10/1/44

       4,000        4,504  

Jacksonville Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

           

5.00%, 10/1/30

       5,500        5,962  

Jacksonville Special Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

           

5.00%, 10/1/33

       4,380        5,802  

5.00%, 10/1/34

       3,220        4,235  

JEA Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series Three A,

           

5.00%, 10/1/34

       2,000        2,603  
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Florida – 4.6%     continued

       

5.00%, 10/1/35

     $5,000        $6,488    

Lee County School Board Refunding COPS,

       

5.00%, 8/1/22

     800        870    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     1,320        1,510    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/37

     650        736    

Miami-Dade County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Public Health Trust Program,

       

3.38%, 7/1/36

     1,510        1,679    

Miami-Dade County School Board COPS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/32

     5,000        5,562    

Miami-Dade County Transit System Sales Surtax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

0.90%, 7/1/25

     5,000        4,977    

Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AGM Insured),

       

5.25%, 10/1/20

     3,000        3,000    

5.25%, 10/1/22

     2,500        2,755    

Orange County HFA Multifamily Variable Revenue Bonds, Jernigan Gardens Project (HUD Sector 8 Program),

       

0.35%, 10/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        4,999    

Palm Beach County School Board COPS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/34

     4,250        5,545    

Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21(4)

     80        84    

Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     4,920        5,147    

Pasco County School Board COPS, Series A (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     5,000        6,079    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   52   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Florida – 4.6%     continued

       

Reedy Creek Improvement District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 6/1/23(4)

     $10,000        $11,347    

5.25%, 6/1/23

               
       
                139,414      

Georgia – 3.4%

       

Atlanta Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

7/1/30(6)

     1,500        1,957    

Downtown Savannah Authority Revenue Bonds, Chatham County Judicial Complex,

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     1,250        1,524    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     10,965        14,305    

4.00%, 7/1/36

     5,000        5,963    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-Group 2,

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     5,000        6,882    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-Tranche 2,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     3,000        4,012    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

2.00%, 8/1/27

     2,500        2,500    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Tranche 1-Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     10,000        13,280    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series F,

       

5.00%, 1/1/28

     5,745        7,306    

Georgia State Housing & Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

3.25%, 12/1/49

     2,500        2,653    

Gwinnett County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/1/40

     5,000        6,417    

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 9/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     14,500        15,861    

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Subseries C,

       

4.00%, 12/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     9,755        10,740    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Georgia – 3.4%     continued

       

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Revenue Bonds, Plant Vogtle Units 3 &4 Project,

       

5.50%, 7/1/60

     $2,500        $2,849    

Private Colleges & Universities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Emory University,

       

5.00%, 9/1/33

     2,275        3,039    

5.00%, 9/1/34

     2,750        3,662    
       
                102,950      

Hawaii – 1.7%

       

Hawaii State Airports System Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     1,025        1,277    

5.00%, 7/1/30

     1,250        1,538    

5.00%, 7/1/43

     5,000        5,870    

Hawaii State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series EP,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     10,000        11,741    

Hawaii State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series FZ,

       

0.67%, 8/1/25

     5,000        4,987    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/35

     4,825        5,756    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/45

     5,000        6,417    

Honolulu City & County Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series B, First Bond Resolution,

       

5.00%, 7/1/27

     11,755        14,185    
       
                51,771      

Illinois – 2.9%

       

Champaign County Community Unit School District No. 4 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 1/1/32

     2,300        2,914    

Chicago Midway Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second Lien Series B,

       

5.25%, 1/1/34

     2,500        2,708    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   53   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Illinois – 2.9%     continued

       

Chicago Midway Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT), Second Lien,

       

5.50%, 1/1/30

     $2,025        $2,208    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Revenue Bonds, Series C (AMT), Senior Lien,

       

5.25%, 1/1/27

     500        547    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 1/1/25

     5,000        5,265    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Senior Lien,

       

1/1/34(6)

     10,000        12,478    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 1/1/29

     5,000        5,836    

Cook County Community Consolidated School District No. 21 Wheeling G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (BAM Insured),

       

3.00%, 12/1/35

     830        883    

Cook County Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/15/33

     5,000        6,003    

5.25%, 11/15/35

     5,000        6,049    

Cook County School District No. 81 Schiller Park G.O. Unlimited Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

3.00%, 12/1/35

     1,000        1,096    

Illinois State Finance Authority Academic Facilities Lease Revenue Bonds, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,

       

5.00%, 10/1/44

     1,030        1,228    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B-1, OSF Healthcare System,

       

11/15/24(1) (2) (3) (6)

     1,000        1,151    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Township High School District,

       

4.00%, 12/1/32

     1,940        2,359    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Illinois – 2.9%     continued

       

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare,

       

4.25%, 1/1/44

     $5,000        $5,587    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northshore University Healthsystem,

       

5.00%, 8/15/21

     1,000        1,038    

3.25%, 8/15/49

     2,500        2,632    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Rush University Medical Center,

       

5.00%, 11/15/38

     1,955        2,210    

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B-2,

       

11/15/26(1) (2) (3) (6)

     1,250        1,519    

Illinois State Municipal Electric Agency Power Supply Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/33

     7,000        7,724    

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Senior Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 1/1/33

     1,720        2,076    

5.00%, 1/1/41

     3,000        3,553    

Lake County Community Consolidated School District No. 41 Lake Villa G.O. Unlimited Bonds (BAM Insured),

       

11/1/31(6)

     1,000        1,199    

Peoria County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/15/28

     1,760        2,251    

4.00%, 12/15/29

     1,765        2,122    

University of Illinois Revenues Auxiliary Facilities System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 4/1/33

     1,885        2,086    

Will Grundy Etc. Counties Community College District No. 525 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Alternative Revenue Source,

       

5.25%, 6/1/36

     2,500        2,845    
       
                87,567      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   54   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Indiana – 1.0%

       

Indiana Finance Authority Wastewater Utility Revenue Bonds, Series A, First Lien, CWA Authority,

       

5.25%, 10/1/31

     $5,750        $6,026    

5.25%, 10/1/38

     2,980        3,121    

4.25%, 10/1/44

     10,000        10,971    

Indiana State Finance Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, University Health Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 12/1/40

     4,000        4,568    

Indiana State Health & Educational Facilities Financing Authority Ascension Senior Credit Group Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/15/46

     2,500        2,793    

Indiana State University Revenue Bonds, Series S, Student Fee,

       

4.00%, 10/1/37

     1,855        2,105    

Porter County Jail Building Corp. First Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.50%, 7/10/21

     400        410    

5.50%, 1/10/24

     1,135        1,263      
                31,257      

Iowa – 0.3%

       

College Community School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

3.00%, 5/1/21

     2,285        2,322    

Pefa Inc., Iowa Gas Project Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 9/1/26 (1) (2) (3)

     5,000        6,067      
                8,389      

Kentucky – 3.0%

       

Fayette County School District Finance Corp. Revenue Bonds, Series A (State Intercept Program),

       

4.00%, 5/1/38

     5,000        5,591    

Jefferson County School District Finance Corp. School Building Revenue Bonds, Series A (State Intercept Program),

       

4.00%, 6/1/31

     3,935        4,488    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

Kentucky – 3.0%     continued

       

Kentucky State Economic Development Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Commonspirit Health,

       

5.00%, 8/1/34

     $750        $928    

5.00%, 8/1/35

     550        677    

5.00%, 8/1/36

     750        920    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series C, Gas Supply,

       

4.00%, 2/1/28 (1) (2) (3)

     15,000        17,625    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series C-1, Gas Supply,

       

4.00%, 6/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     15,000        16,978    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B, Gas Supply,

       

4.00%, 1/1/25 (1) (2) (3)

     26,725        29,951    

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District & Drain System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/15/34

     3,000        3,127    

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District and Drainage System Subordinated BANS,

       

10/20/21(6)

     10,000        10,485    

Trimble County Pollution Control Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Louisville Gas and Electric Co.,

       

1.30%, 9/1/27 (1) (2) (3)

     1,000        997      
                91,767      

Louisiana – 1.4%

       

East Baton Rouge Parish Capital Improvements District MovEBR Sales TRB,

       

4.00%, 8/1/34

     2,180        2,665    

East Baton Rouge Parish Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/29

     1,370        1,802    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ochsner Clinic, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 5/15/47

     2,925        3,337    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   55   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Louisiana – 1.4%     continued

       

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Tulane University of Louis,

       

4.00%, 4/1/39

     $3,000        $3,435    

5.00%, 4/1/45

     3,000        3,665    

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 5/1/32

     2,500        2,797    

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 5/15/32

     6,500        6,977    

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/15/24

     2,825        3,203    

Louisiana State Gas & Fuels Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

4.00%, 5/1/32

     5,000        5,229    

Louisiana State Highway Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/15/30

     5,390        6,192    

Louisiana State Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Woman’s Hospital Foundation Project,

       

5.00%, 10/1/30

     1,505        1,838    

Saint John The Baptist Parish Revenue Refunding Bonds, Marathon Oil Corporation Project,

       

2.20%, 7/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     1,000        1,003    
       
                42,143      

Maryland – 3.7%

       

Anne Arundel County Consolidated General Improvements G.O. Limited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     1,455        1,959    

Baltimore County Metropolitan District G.O. Unlimited BANS,

       

4.00%, 3/22/21

     15,000        15,274    

Howard County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 2/15/30

     2,500        3,247    

5.00%, 2/15/31

     10,000        12,934    

Maryland State & Local Facilities Loan G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2,

       

5.00%, 8/1/30

     10,000        13,097    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Maryland – 3.7%     continued

 

 

Maryland State Department of Transportation Consolidated Transportation Revenue Bonds, Second Issue,

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     $10,000        $12,613    

Maryland State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Group 2, State & Local Facilities Loan,

       

5.00%, 8/1/33

     10,000        13,579    

5.00%, 8/1/34

     2,500        3,383    

Maryland State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/29

     5,000        6,424    

Maryland State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A Group 2, State & Local Facilities Loan,

       

5.00%, 3/15/33

     2,500        3,369    

Saint Mary’s County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/24

     500        590    

Washington Suburban Sanitary District Consolidated Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Revenue Bonds, Second Series (County Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 6/1/37

     5,000        6,054    

Washington Suburban Sanitary District Consolidated Public Improvement Revenue Bonds (County Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 6/1/32

     2,000        2,592    

Washington Suburban Sanitary District Revenue Bonds (County Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 12/1/29

     2,000        2,735    

Washington Suburban Sanitary District Revenue Refunding Bonds, Consolidated Public Improvement (County Gtd.),

       

4.00%, 6/1/21

     14,705        15,083      
                112,933      

Massachusetts – 1.9%

       

Boston G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/1/36

     1,000        1,305    

Boston Water & Sewer Commission General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Senior Lien,

       

3.50%, 11/1/33

     4,030        4,217    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   56   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Massachusetts – 1.9%     continued

       

Lincoln School G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.50%, 3/1/44

     $2,000        $2,209    

Massachusetts State Bay Transportation Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding CABS, Series A,

       

0.00%, 7/1/29(7)

     3,000        2,572    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Bonds, Series B, Harvard University, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/15/20(4)

     2,585        2,590    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northeastern University, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/32

     1,715        2,294    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Partners Healthcare System,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     1,625        2,048    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-2,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     1,500        1,885    

4.00%, 7/1/41

     1,200        1,376    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Suffolk University,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     500        615    

Massachusetts State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Mass Institute Technology,

       

5.50%, 7/1/32

     2,500        3,685    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series B, Social Bonds,

       

0.79%, 8/15/24

     5,000        5,026    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Senior Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 5/15/38

     2,355        2,607    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Social Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/15/33

     1,100        1,484    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

Massachusetts – 1.9%     continued

 

 

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Series B, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 11/15/39

     $5,000        $6,128    

Massachusetts State Special Obligation Dedicated Refunding Revenue Bonds, (NATL Insured),

       

5.50%, 1/1/34

     2,500        3,419    

Massachusetts State Special Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series A, Consolidated Loan (AGM Insured),

       

5.50%, 6/1/21

     500        518    

Massachusetts State Water Resources Authority General Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     5,000        6,269    

University of Massachusetts Building Authority Project Revenue Bonds, Senior-Series 1,

       

4.00%, 11/1/43

     7,500        7,901    
       
                58,148      

Michigan – 1.7%

       

Battle Creek School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/27

     1,540        1,900    

Chippewa Valley Schools G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A, (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/27

     400        490    

Ferndale Public Schools G.O. Unlimited Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

3.00%, 5/1/45

     2,000        2,093    

Michigan State Building Authority Facilities Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I-A,

       

5.00%, 10/15/29

     5,000        5,664    

Michigan State Building Authority Facilities Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series II-A,

       

5.00%, 10/15/27

     10,000        10,501    

Michigan State Building Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I,

       

3.00%, 10/15/45

     5,000        5,243    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   57   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Michigan – 1.7% continued

       

Michigan State Finance Authority Clean Water State Revolving Fund Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/25

     $3,970        $4,355    

Michigan State Finance Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Trinity Health Credit Group, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 12/1/22(4)

     1,000        1,102    

Michigan State Municipal Bond Authority Revenue Bonds, Clean Water Fund, Unrefunded Balance,

       

4.75%, 10/1/23

     345        346    

University of Michigan Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

1.37%, 4/1/27

     1,000        1,009    

Walled Lake Consolidated School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/34

     1,000        1,332    

5.00%, 5/1/35

     1,250        1,656    

Wayne County Airport Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 12/1/34

     3,400        3,984    

Wayne County Airport Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 12/1/32

     9,690        11,459    
       
                51,134      

Minnesota – 0.1%

       

Minnesota State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/38

     1,500        1,901    

Minnesota State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.00%, 10/1/20

     75        75    

Minnesota State Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/29

     1,000        1,170    

Minnesota State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 8/1/22(4)

     245        266    
       
                3,412      
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Mississippi – 0.2%

 

 

Mississippi State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/32

     $3,500        $4,336    

Mississippi State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

0.72%, 11/1/25

     2,000        2,006    
       
                6,342      

Missouri – 0.7%

       

Kansas City Sanitation Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Subseries A,

       

4.00%, 1/1/42

     3,000        3,502    

Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District Wastewater System Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/30

     5,000        6,335    

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-R, Union Electric Co. Project,

       

2.90%, 9/1/33

     5,000        5,457    

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority Water Pollution Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 1/1/26

     1,480        1,794    

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority Water Pollution State Revolving Funds Revenue Refunding Bonds, Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.00%, 7/1/23

     125        141    

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Health Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Mercy Health,

       

5.00%, 6/1/30

     2,500        3,167    

Wentzville School District No. R-4 G.O. Unlimited Refunding CABS, Missouri Direct Deposit Program (State Aid Direct Deposit Program),

       

0.00%, 3/1/27(7)

     2,100        1,865    
       
                22,261      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   58   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Nebraska – 0.8%

 

 

Lancaster County School District No. 1 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/15/27

     $3,760        $4,547    

Lincoln Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/32

     3,035        4,064    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/42

     5,000        5,660    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 2/1/30

     4,740        6,282    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series B, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 2/1/22(4)

     3,000        3,191    
       
                23,744      

Nevada – 1.0%

       

Clark County Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A-2,

       

4.25%, 7/1/34

     2,500        2,708    

Clark County Flood Detention Center G.O. Limited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/31

     1,000        1,298    

Clark County G.O. Limited Bonds (AMBAC Insured),

       

3.00%, 11/1/33

     3,415        3,417    

Clark County School District Building G.O. Limited Bonds, Series B (AGM, CR Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/15/31

     6,000        7,595    

Clark County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series B (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/15/31

     1,000        1,285    

Clark County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series D,

       

4.00%, 6/15/34

     6,200        6,856    

Clark County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Various Purpose-Medium Term,

       

3.00%, 6/15/26

     1,265        1,289    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

Nevada – 1.0%     continued

 

 

Washoe County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series C, School Improvement Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

3.25%, 10/1/42

     $6,500        $6,818    
       
                31,266      

New Jersey – 0.9%

       

Monmouth County Improvement Authority Revenue Notes, Series A (County Gtd.),

       

2.00%, 7/12/21

     750        760    

New Jersey State EDA Revenue Bonds, Transit Transportation Project,

       

5.00%, 11/1/34

     3,000        3,490    

New Jersey State EDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series II, School Facilities Construction, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 3/1/22(4)

     3,290        3,515    

New Jersey State EDA Revenue School Facilities Construction Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/15/28

     1,440        1,724    

5.00%, 6/15/34

     500        583    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Bonds, Series BB,

       

5.00%, 6/15/44

     5,000        5,557    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Bonds, Transportation Program,

       

5.00%, 6/15/34

     1,000        1,153    

5.25%, 6/15/43

     2,500        2,830    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Transportation System,

       

5.00%, 12/15/27

     1,500        1,788    

Union County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

0.63%, 3/1/26

     5,545        5,572    
       
                26,972      

NewMexico – 0.1%

       

New Mexico State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/23

     2,770        2,858      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   59   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

New York – 13.3%

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/15/23

     $2,130        $2,220    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series G, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 11/15/20(4)

     5,000        5,031    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C-1, Green Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/15/31

     4,000        3,985    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Subseries C-1,

       

5.25%, 11/15/28

     5,000        5,307    

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp. Revenue Bonds, University of Rochester Project,

       

4.00%, 7/1/50

     5,000        5,697    

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, University of Rochester Project,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     2,500        3,119    

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Sustainable Development,

       

1.13%, 11/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     1,000        1,007    

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Series B1B,

       

3.88%, 11/1/28

     4,060        4,276    

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds (FNMA Insured),

       

2.95%, 2/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     4,000        4,359    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Second General Resolution, Fiscal 2014,

       

5.00%, 6/15/46

     5,000        5,565    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series BB-2,

       

5.00%, 6/15/26

     1,700        2,025    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series DD-2 Block 5,

       

5.00%, 6/15/40

     $5,000        $6,167    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series EE,

       

5.00%, 6/15/29

     3,500        4,297    

5.25%, 6/15/36

     2,500        3,130    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series GG,

       

5.00%, 6/15/31

     4,765        5,720    

5.00%, 6/15/39

     8,000        9,488    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Series S-3 (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 7/15/43

     3,000        3,652    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Subseries S-1A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 7/15/26

     10,000        10,365    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S-3 Subseries S-3A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 7/15/36

     5,000        6,201    

5.00%, 7/15/37

     10,000        12,363    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 2015,

       

5.00%, 8/1/32

     2,500        2,894    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Subseries A-1,

       

5.00%, 5/1/38

     2,500        2,500    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Subseries E-1,

       

5.00%, 2/1/31

     5,000        5,298    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   60   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

 

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/33

     $5,000        $6,579    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 11/1/25

     1,000        1,051    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/40

     2,000        2,448    

5.00%, 8/1/42

     1,500        1,826    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 2/1/22

     2,000        2,032    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Subseries A2,

       

5.00%, 5/1/38

     2,280        2,850    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21

     4,995        4,995    

5.00%, 2/1/30

     5,000        5,299    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 5/1/41

     2,000        2,316    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 2,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21

     10,000        10,520    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series C-3,

       

5.00%, 5/1/41

     5,000        6,074    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Subseries D1,

       

5.00%, 12/1/39

     10,000        12,140    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D-1,

       

4.00%, 3/1/42

     2,500        2,857    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 11/1/25

     $5        $5    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E-1,

       

5.25%, 3/1/34

     2,750        3,419    

5.00%, 3/1/37

     3,700        4,457    

4.00%, 3/1/41

     5,000        5,590    

4.00%, 3/1/42

     5,000        5,575    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series H,

       

5.00%, 8/1/30

     5,000        5,625    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Subseries F-1,

       

5.00%, 4/1/36

     1,150        1,393    

5.00%, 3/1/37

     5,000        5,500    

5.00%, 4/1/43

     2,000        2,376    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     1,855        2,378    

5.00%, 8/1/29

     4,425        5,762    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B-1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/28

     11,190        14,414    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series E,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     1,045        1,281    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, School Districts Financing Program (AGC State Aid Withholding), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.25%, 10/1/23

     170        171    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/36

     2,500        3,098    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     665        830    

5.00%, 10/8/32

     575        713    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   61   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Refunding Bonds, School Districts Financing Program (AGM State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 10/1/22

     $1,585        $1,727    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C, Rockefeller,

       

4.00%, 7/1/49

     1,000        1,155    

New York State Dormitory Authority Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Education (AMBAC Insured),

       

5.50%, 3/15/30

     7,040        9,678    

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenues Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series A, Columbia University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/50

     5,000        8,017    

New York State Dormitory Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series E, Group 3,

       

5.00%, 3/15/42

     5,000        6,133    

New York State Dormitory Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Group B,

       

5.00%, 3/15/28

     1,910        2,376    

New York State Dormitory Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Group C,

       

5.00%, 3/15/44

     3,755        4,477    

New York State Dormitory Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 3/15/23(4)

     10,000        11,187    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.25%, 3/15/39

     2,000        2,494    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 2/15/32

     5,000        6,528    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series E,

       

3.25%, 3/15/35

     2,000        2,073    

3.25%, 3/15/36

     10,000        10,335    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series F,

       

3.03%, 2/15/33

     $2,500        $2,747    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income TRB, Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 2/15/43

     2,000        2,382    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income TRB, Series B, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 3/15/33

     1,490        1,580    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean & Drinking Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/15/21

     1,500        1,552    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean & Drinking Water Revolving Funds Revenue Bonds, New York City Municipal Water,

       

5.00%, 6/15/36

     5,000        5,151    

New York State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 3/1/31

     2,280        2,387    

New York State HFA Revenue Bonds, Series F,

       

1.10%, 11/1/26

     1,500        1,500    

New York State Housing Finance Agency Sustainability Revenue Bonds, Series K,

       

1.45%, 5/1/23

     5,000        5,052    

New York State Local Government Assistance Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series E (AGM, CR Insured),

       

5.00%, 4/1/21

     2,605        2,668    

New York State Thruway Authority Revenue Bonds, Series N, Group 1,

       

5.00%, 1/1/39

     10,000        12,624    

New York State Urban Development Corp. General Purpose Personal Income TRB,

       

5.00%, 3/15/37

     5,000        6,178    

5.00%, 3/15/40

     2,500        3,059    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Personal Income TRB, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 3/15/43

     1,500        1,645    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   62   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

New York – 13.3%     continued

New York State Urban Development Corp. Personal Income TRB, Series E,

       

5.00%, 3/15/25

     $1,550        $1,725    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Personal Income Tax,

       

5.00%, 3/15/33

     4,500        5,876    

New York State Urban Development Corp. State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/15/47

     4,650        5,794    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Taxable General Personal Income TRB,

       

3.90%, 3/15/33

     5,000        5,672    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 185 (AMT),

       

5.00%, 9/1/26

     1,130        1,302    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 222,

       

5.00%, 7/15/35

     1,000        1,278    

4.00%, 7/15/36

     3,000        3,510    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 207 (AMT),

       

5.00%, 9/15/28

     2,000        2,513    

5.00%, 9/15/29

     5,000        6,226    

Sales Tax Asset Receivable Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Fiscal 2015,

       

5.00%, 10/15/22

     1,000        1,099    

5.00%, 10/15/28

     2,500        2,954    

5.00%, 10/15/29

     2,500        2,951    

4.00%, 10/15/32

     1,000        1,097    

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 11/15/33

     1,300        1,701    

Troy Capital Resource Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Project, Forward Delivery,

       

5.00%, 9/1/39

     1,500        1,797    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

New York – 13.3%     continued

Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/15/37

     $2,500        $3,026    

Utility Debt Securitization Authority Revenue Bonds, Restructuring Bonds, Series TE,

       

5.00%, 12/15/41

     1,000        1,135      
                402,601      

North Carolina – 2.8%

       

Charlotte COPS, Series B,

       

3.00%, 6/1/22

     20,330        20,372    

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     2,420        2,798    

Charlotte G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/27

     3,500        3,954    

Charlotte Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     5,000        6,775    

5.00%, 7/1/30

     1,000        1,381    

5.00%, 7/1/31

     5,000        6,519    

4.00%, 7/1/36

     6,790        7,691    

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Health Care System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Atrium Health,

       

5.00%, 1/15/35

     5,000        6,259    

Raleigh Durham Airport Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/36

     1,000        1,260    

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.35%), 0.45%, 12/1/21(1) (3)

     15,000        15,000    

Wake County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 3/1/21

     10,000        10,202    

Western Carolina University Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

3.00%, 4/1/36

     1,000        1,062      
                83,273      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   63   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

Ohio – 1.2%

       

Hamilton County Hospital Facilities Revenue Bonds, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project,

       

5.00%, 11/15/41

     $4,750        $7,086    

5.00%, 11/15/49

     4,000        6,293    

Ohio State Higher Education G.O. Unlimited Infrastructure Improvement Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/32

     2,500        2,629    

Ohio State Higher Educational Facility Revenue Bonds, Denison University Project,

       

5.00%, 11/1/39

     1,365        1,724    

Ohio State Infrastructure Improvement G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 8/1/21

     5,000        5,161    

Ohio State Turnpike Commission Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 2/15/28

     2,000        2,530    

Ohio State University Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/39

     5,000        5,837    

Ohio State Water Development Authority Water PCR Loan Fund Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/33

     2,000        2,694    

5.00%, 12/1/37

     2,000        2,649      
                36,603      

Oklahoma – 0.1%

       

Norman Regional Hospital Authority Revenue Bonds, Norman Regional Hospital Authority,

       

4.00%, 9/1/45

     2,000        2,164      

Oregon – 0.9%

       

Clackamas Community College District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 6/15/36

     1,600        1,974    

Lake Oswego G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/33

     2,130        2,876    

Medford Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Asante Project (AGM Insured),

       

2.50%, 8/15/35

     2,500        2,562    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

Oregon – 0.9%     continued

       

Metropolitan Dedicated TRB, Oregon Convention Center Hotel,

       

5.00%, 6/15/42

     $2,065        $2,491    

Oregon State Department of Administrative Services Lottery Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D (Moral Obligation Insured),

       

5.00%, 4/1/27

     1,315        1,583    

Oregon State Department of Transportation Highway User Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Senior Lien,

       

0.57%, 11/15/24

     2,000        2,000    

0.69%, 11/15/25

     5,000        4,997    

Oregon State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series L,

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     2,745        3,488    

Oregon State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Article XI-Q State Project,

       

0.50%, 5/1/22

     685        687    

Oregon State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series H, Article XI-Q State Project,

       

0.90%, 11/1/25

     3,200        3,235      
                25,893      

Pennsylvania – 2.7%

       

Commonwealth Financing Authority Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

3.81%, 6/1/41

     2,000        2,274    

Commonwealth Financing Authority Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/25

     1,000        1,199    

5.00%, 6/1/26

     1,500        1,851    

5.00%, 6/1/27

     3,000        3,790    

5.00%, 6/1/31

     2,000        2,528    

Montgomery County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/1/22

     915        978    

Neshaminy School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 11/1/34

     5,000        5,737    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   64   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Pennsylvania – 2.7%     continued

       

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, First Series 2020,

       

5.00%, 5/1/30

     $5,000        $6,739    

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 1,

       

4.00%, 6/1/29

     5,000        5,272    

4.00%, 6/1/30

     5,555        5,849    

4.00%, 3/15/35

     7,500        8,389    

Pennsylvania State Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, University of Pennsylvania Health System,

       

5.00%, 8/15/29

     4,500        5,992    

5.00%, 8/15/37

     5,000        6,075    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/38

     5,000        5,641    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue Bonds, Series A-2,

       

5.00%, 12/1/37

     11,635        14,432    

Philadelphia Water & Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/45

     3,500        4,453    
       
                81,199      

Rhode Island – 0.4%

       

Rhode Island Health & Educational Building Corp. Public Schools Revenue Bond Financing Program Revenue Bonds, Series B, Town of Lincoln Issue,

       

5.00%, 5/15/33

     3,245        4,291    

4.00%, 5/15/35

     1,610        1,946    

Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Consolidated Capital Development Loan,

       

5.00%, 10/15/27

     2,630        2,872    

Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A, Consolidated Capital Development Loan,

       

5.00%, 8/1/21

     1,000        1,040    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Rhode Island – 0.4%     continued

       

Rhode Island State Clean Water Finance Agency Pollution Control Subordinated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Subseries A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/20(4)

     $2,880        $2,880      
                13,029      

South Carolina – 2.3%

       

Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority South Carolina Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/1/30

     2,530        3,359    

Charleston County Capital Improvement Transportation Sales Tax G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21(4)

     2,500        2,631    

Charleston County School District G.O. Unlimited BANS, Phase IV Sales Tax Project (SCSDE Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/12/21

     10,000        10,294    

Charleston Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/44

     5,000        6,466    

Patriots Energy Group Financing Agency South Carolina Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        11,056    

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 (BHAC, CR MBIA Insured),

       

5.38%, 1/1/25

     4,870        5,798    

Richland County School District No.2 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (SCSDE Insured),

       

3/1/30(6)

     2,565        3,173    

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. Cherokee School District No. 1 Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/25

     500        593    

South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21(4)

     1,270        1,331    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   65   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

South Carolina – 2.3%     continued

       

South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003B,

       

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.45%), 0.55%, 10/1/22(1) (3)

     $24,880        $24,752    
       
                69,453      

Tennessee – 1.3%

       

Blount County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 6/1/29

     4,610        5,673    

Chattanooga Health Educational & Housing Facility Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Commonspirit Health,

       

4.00%, 8/1/36

     1,000        1,138    

4.00%, 8/1/38

     1,000        1,130    

Knox County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 6/1/28

     1,000        1,148    

Memphis Sanitary Sewerage System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

10/1/31(6)

     1,000        1,372    

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County G.O. Unlimited & Improvement Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/29

     5,000        6,570    

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lipscomb University Project,

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     1,000        1,087    

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County G.O. Unlimited Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     4,600        4,612    

Tennergy Corp. Gas Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        11,663    

Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp. Gas Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     2,500        2,850    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Tennessee – 1.3%     continued

       

Tennessee State Housing Development Agency Revenue Bonds, Series 1A (AMT), Home Ownership Program, Prerefunded,

       

4.13%, 1/1/21(4)

     $1,520        $1,535    

Williamson County District School G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 4/1/25

     1,000        1,211    
       
                39,989      

Texas – 8.0%

       

Brownsville Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 2/15/22

     100        107    

Central Regional Mobility Authority Revenue Bonds, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 1/1/43

     1,930        2,304    

Central Regional Mobility Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/46

     500        572    

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 12/1/32

     10,000        13,263    

Dallas Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 10/1/34

     2,000        2,687    

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/33

     2,000        2,614    

Fort Bend Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),

       

1.95%, 8/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     2,110        2,174    

Fort Bend Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

0.88%, 8/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,512    

Fort Worth Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

2.00%, 2/15/33

     3,060        3,170    

Frisco Improvement G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/15/28

     5,755        7,130    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   66   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Texas – 8.0%     continued

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

3.00%, 10/1/49(2) (3)

     $3,500        $3,500    

Harlandale Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

0.75%, 8/15/25(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,001    

Harris County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp. Revenue Bonds, Series A, Memorial Hermann Health System, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 12/1/24(4)

     3,500        4,182    

Harris County Flood Control District Contract Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/20(4)

     10,000        10,000    

Harris County Flood Control District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/30

     2,750        3,703    

Joshua Independent School District School Building G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 8/15/24(4)

     2,000        2,364    

Katy Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 2015C (PSF, Gtd.), (Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M +

       

0.28%), 0.38%, 8/16/21(1) (3)

     1,900        1,894    

Lower Colorado River Authority Junior Lien Revenue Bonds, Seventh Supplemental Series (AGM Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,

       

4.75%, 1/1/28

     4,640        5,368    

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, First Tier,

       

5.00%, 1/1/38

     2,580        2,604    

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, First Tier,

       

5.00%, 1/1/35

     3,000        4,145    

5.00%, 1/1/38

     3,000        3,674    

5.00%, 1/1/39

     5,000        6,108    

Northside Texas Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 2/15/30

     1,640        2,130    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Texas – 8.0%     continued

Pasadena Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, School Building (PSF, Gtd.),

       

1.50%, 8/15/24(1) (2) (3)

     $1,500        $1,556    

Pflugerville Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 2/15/29

     1,110        1,445    

Pflugerville Independent School District Tax School Building G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2014 (PSF, Gtd.),

       

4.00%, 2/15/33

     6,620        7,365    

Port of Houston Authority Unlimited Tax Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-2,

       

5.00%, 10/1/32

     2,500        3,386    

San Antonio Electric & Gas Junior Lien Variable Revenue Bonds,

       

1.75%, 12/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     1,000        1,044    

San Antonio Electric & Gas Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

2.00%, 12/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,516    

Texas State A&M University Financing System Revenue Bonds, Series D, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/15/23(4)

     5,000        5,622    

Texas State A&M University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 5/15/31

     1,655        1,929    

Texas State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A, Transportation Commission,

       

5.00%, 10/1/23

     70        80    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, LBJ Infrastructure Group,

       

4.00%, 12/31/31

     3,000        3,520    

Texas State TRANS,

       

4.00%, 8/26/21

     87,500        90,498    

Texas State Transportation Commission Central Turnpike System Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

1.98%, 8/15/22(1) (2) (3)

     750        753    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   67   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Texas – 8.0%     continued

       

Texas State Transportation Commission Mobility Fund Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 10/1/33

     $5,000        $5,662    

5.00%, 10/1/34

     1,500        1,751    

Texas State Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Water Financial Assistance,

       

2.25%, 8/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     1,130        1,132    

Texas State Water Development Board TRB, Series B,

       

2.28%, 10/15/27

     315        341    

2.33%, 10/15/28

     295        322    

Texas State Water Finance Assistance G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/21

     4,000        4,161    

Texas State Water Financial Assistance G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 8/1/21

     3,000        3,121    

University of Texas Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/15/30

     2,500        3,435    

University of Texas Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I,

       

5.00%, 8/15/22

     750        818    

University of Texas, University Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/15/29

     1,560        2,104    

5.00%, 8/15/49

     5,000        7,927    

Wylie Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Collin County (PSF, Gtd.),

       

2.25%, 8/15/41(2) (3)

     1,750        1,786    
       
                241,480      

Utah – 0.9%

       

Salt Lake City Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     1,500        1,817    

5.00%, 7/1/28

     2,500        3,135    

Utah State Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 6/15/25(4)

     2,000        2,443    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Utah – 0.9%     continued

       

Utah State Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C (AGM Insured),

       

5.25%, 6/15/32

     $15,000        $20,801    
       
                28,196      

Vermont – 0.1%

       

Vermont G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/15/22

     1,425        1,554      

Virginia – 2.0%

       

Fairfax County Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     5,280        7,038    

Fairfax County Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding),

       

0.65%, 10/1/25

     1,780        1,787    

Hampton Roads Sanitation District Wastewater Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24(4)

     3,465        4,070    

Henrico County G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     3,550        4,781    

Henrico County Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 5/1/46

     10,000        11,488    

Loudoun County Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 12/1/22

     1,360        1,437    

Norfolk G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/22(4)

     1,500        1,644    

Roanoke EDA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Carilion Clinic Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 7/1/47

     2,000        3,099    

Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority Regional Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     5,000        6,020    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   68   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Virginia – 2.0%     continued

       

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, 21st Century College & Equipment,

       

4.38%, 2/1/32

     $2,015        $2,212    

4.50%, 2/1/34

     5,500        6,052    

Virginia State Public School Authority Special Obligation Prince William County Revenue Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 3/1/30

     5,365        6,993    

Virginia State Resources Authority Clean Water State Revolving Fund Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.50%, 10/1/22

     1,000        1,107    

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue Bonds (AMT), 95 Express Lanes LLC Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/44

     1,000        1,030    
       
                58,758      

Washington – 2.4%

       

Energy Northwest Project 3 Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Bonneville Power Administration,

       

5.00%, 7/1/27

     1,500        1,878    

Grant County Public Utility District No.2 Electric Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series R,

       

2.00%, 12/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     3,000        3,170    

King County School District No. 401 Highline G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 12/1/30

     10,000        12,578    

Port of Seattle Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/30

     3,000        3,231    

Seattle Municipal Light & Power Improvement Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 2/1/21(4)

     1,670        1,697    

Seattle Solid Waste Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds,

       

4.00%, 6/1/31

     1,865        2,151    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

 

    

Washington – 2.4%     continued

       

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/39

     $10,000        $13,148    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 2/1/32

     10,000        12,780    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2013A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/28

     5,000        5,306    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2018C,

       

5.00%, 8/1/33

     6,430        8,080    

Washington State Motor Fuel Tax G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

5.00%, 2/1/38

     3,000        3,411    

Washington State Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 201,

       

5.00%, 7/1/24

     2,925        3,030    

Washington State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D,

       

2.75%, 2/1/27

     1,160        1,194    
       
                71,654      

West Virginia – 0.1%

       

Marshall University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

3.00%, 5/1/46

     1,000        1,027    

West Virginia State University Revenue Bonds, Series A, West Virginia University Projects, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/22(4)

     1,745        1,913    
       
                2,940      

Wisconsin – 1.7%

       

PFA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Renown Regional Medical Center Project,

       

4.00%, 6/1/35

     1,850        2,135    

3.00%, 6/1/45

     2,500        2,514    

PMA Levy & Aid Anticipation Notes Program Revenue Participation Notes, Series A,

       

3.00%, 10/23/20

     4,000        4,007    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/37

     5,000        6,318    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   69   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT

(000S)

      VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 88.1%     continued

Wisconsin – 1.7%     continued

5.00%, 5/1/40

     $5,000             $6,075    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

      

3.00%, 5/1/26

     2,485       2,526    

4.00%, 5/1/30

     3,250       3,903    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ascension Health Credit Group,

      

4.00%, 11/15/36

     3,000       3,385    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Marquette University,

      

5.00%, 10/1/28

     670       799    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Milwaukee Regional Medical Center,

      

5.00%, 4/1/36

     3,875       4,793    

4.00%, 4/1/39

     5,000       5,679    

Wisconsin State Housing & EDA Home Ownership Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

      

3.00%, 3/1/39

     1,000       1,058    

Wisconsin State Housing & EDA Revenue Bonds, Series A,

      

1.60%, 11/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     4,000       4,048    

Wisconsin State Transportation Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1,

      

0.62%, 7/1/24

     5,000       5,009      
               52,249      

Total Municipal Bonds

                    

(Cost $2,553,592)

       2,664,792    
      
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

      VALUE
    (000S)
     

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 7.6%

Northern Institutional Funds - Municipal Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(8) (9)

     125,000,000       $125,000    

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(8) (9)

     105,039,231       105,039      

Total Investment Companies

                    

(Cost $230,039)

       230,039    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.6%

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 6/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     $5,000        $5,102    

Broward County School District Revenue TANS,

       

2.00%, 6/30/21

     6,000        6,081    

Burke County Development Authority Variable PCR Refunding Bonds, Georgia Transmission Corporation,

       

2.50%, 5/3/21(1) (2) (3)

     2,500        2,526    

California State Educational Facilities Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds, California Institute of Technology,

       

0.11%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (10)

     1,600        1,600    

California State Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B, California Institute of Technology,

       

0.11%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (10)

     650        650    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

       

0.45%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3) (11)

     6,250        6,250    

Carroll County Environmental Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Kentucky Utilities Co.,

       

1.20%, 6/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        10,002    

Cobb County School District G.O. Limited Notes, Short-Term Construction Notes,

       

2.00%, 12/16/20

     7,500        7,526    

Colorado State General Fund TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/25/21

     10,000        10,278    

Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

       

0.50%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,500    

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

10/1/21(1) (2) (3) (6)

     3,600        3,600    

Greenville County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C (SCSDE Insured),

       

3.00%, 6/1/21

     5,000        5,094    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   70   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 4.6%     continued

 

 

Indiana Bond Bank Revenue Notes, Advance Funding Program,

       

3.00%, 1/11/21

     $7,500        $7,553    

Los Angeles County TRANS, Series A,

       

4.00%, 6/30/21

     5,000        5,142    

Los Angeles TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/24/21

     10,000        10,278    

Montgomery County Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

0.07%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (10)

     12,595        12,595    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Subseries A-2,

       

0.09%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (10)

     15,320        15,320    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/20

     7,710        7,740    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Subordinate RANS, Series B,

       

5.00%, 3/31/21

     10,000        10,240    

Ohio State University Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B-1,

       

0.08%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (10)

     1,925        1,925    

Ohio State Water Development Authority Water Pollution Control Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

0.12%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (10)

     2,140        2,140    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,
Series K-2,

       

4.00%, 7/1/21

     5,000        5,144    

Spring Branch Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Schoolhouse (PSF, Gtd.),

       

1.55%, 6/15/21(1) (2) (3)

     2,000        2,009      

Total Short-Term Investments

                     

(Cost $140,152)

        140,295    
       
       

Total Investments – 100.3%

                     

(Cost $2,924,283)

        3,035,688    

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.3%)

 

     (9,269    

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $3,026,419    

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(2) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

 

(5) 

Step coupon bond. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(6) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(7) 

Zero coupon bond.

(8) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(9) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(10) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(11) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

AGC - Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMBAC - American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAM - Build America Mutual

BANS - Bond Anticipation Notes

BHAC - Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation

CABS - Capital Appreciation Bonds

COPS - Certificates of Participation

CR - Custody Receipt

CWA - Clean Water Act

EDA - Economic Development Authority

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. - General Obligation

Gtd. - Guaranteed

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

HUD - Housing and Urban Development

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   71   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

MBIA - Municipal Bonds Insurance Association

MFH - Multi-Family Housing

NATL - National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

PCR - Pollution Control Revenue

PFA - Public Finance Authority

PSF - Permanent School Fund

Q-SBLF - Qualified School Bond Loan Fund

RANS - Revenue Anticipation Notes

SCSDE - South Carolina State Department of Education

TANS - Tax Anticipation Notes

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

 INDUSTRY SECTOR

     % OF INVESTMENTS  

  Airport

     5.3

  General

     24.5  

  General Obligation

     21.1  

  Higher Education

     5.4  

  School District

     6.9  

  Short-Term Investments

     7.6  

  Transportation

     6.8  

  Water

     8.7  

  All other sectors less than 5%

     13.7  
   

  Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

 INVESTMENTS

   

LEVEL 1

(000S)

 

 

   
LEVEL 2
(000S)
 
 
   
LEVEL 3
(000S)
 
 
   
TOTAL
(000S)
 
 

  Corporate Bonds(1)

  $     $ 562       $—     $ 562  

  Municipal Bonds(1)

          2,664,792             2,664,792  

  Investment Companies

    230,039                   230,039  

  Short-Term Investments

          140,295             140,295  

  Total Investments

  $ 230,039     $ 2,805,649       $—     $ 3,035,688  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   72   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


   

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS        

 

   

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020  (UNAUDITED)

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 79.9%

       

Alabama – 0.2%

       

Lower Gas District Gas Project Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 12/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     $1,500        $1,718      

Arizona – 0.8%

       

Arizona State IDA Revenue Bonds, Lincoln South Beltway Project,

       

5.00%, 8/1/23

     1,250        1,404    

Arizona State Transportation Board Excise TRB, Maricopa County Regional Area,

       

5.00%, 7/1/22

     500        542    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 4 Mesa G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E, School Improvement Project of 2012,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     2,370        2,456    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 80 Chandler G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     1,000        1,261    

Maricopa County Unified School District No. 97 Deer Valley G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     1,250        1,296      
                6,959      

California – 6.5%

       

Bay Area Toll Authority Toll Bridge Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, San Francisco Bay,

       

2.63%, 4/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     1,675        1,836    

California State Department of Water Resources Central Valley Project Water System Revenue Bonds, Series AS, Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.00%, 12/1/21

     90        95    

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Various Purpose,

       

4.00%, 3/1/26

     3,450        4,108    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     2,825        3,557    

5.00%, 11/1/28

     10,000        13,260    

California State G.O. Unlimited Various Purpose Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 4/1/33

     5,000        5,750    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

California – 6.5%     continued

       

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Bay Area Toll Bridges, First Lien (FGIC Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.00%, 7/1/25

     $1,315        $1,610    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Insured Revenue Bonds, NCROC-Paradise Valley TEMPS 50 (California Mortgage Insured),

       

2.00%, 7/1/24

     1,200        1,204    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.00%, 3/1/27

     4,010        4,608    

Chino Basin Regional Financing Authority Revenue Notes,
Series B,

       

4.00%, 11/1/25

     2,500        2,937    

Long Beach Harbor Revenue Notes, Series C,

       

4.00%, 7/15/21

     1,000        1,030    

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

7/1/27(4)

     7,500        9,569    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/1/22(5)

     9,080        9,779      
                59,343      

Colorado – 1.6%

       

Adams & Arapahoe Counties Joint School District No. 28J Aurora G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 12/1/24

     1,000        1,104    

Boulder Larimer & Weld Counties St. Vrain Valley School District No. RE-1 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 12/15/24

     2,025        2,113    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Adventist Health System/Sunbel,

       

5.00%, 11/20/25(1) (2) (3)

     3,000        3,664    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   73   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Colorado – 1.6%     continued

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Adventhealth Obligation,

       

5.00%, 11/19/26(1) (2) (3)

     $1,000        $1,253    

Pueblo County School District No. 60 G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 12/15/26

     4,650        5,916    

Weld County School District No. 6 Greeley G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 12/1/21

     575        607      
                14,657      

Connecticut – 2.8%

       

Connecticut State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, GAAP Conversion,

       

5.00%, 10/15/20

     8,000        8,014    

Connecticut State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 6/1/27

     1,000        1,190    

Connecticut State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series F,

       

5.00%, 9/15/23

     2,000        2,276    

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series U-1, Yale University Issue,

       

2.00%, 2/8/22(1) (2) (3)

     7,075        7,249    

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C-2, Yale University,

       

5.00%, 2/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,558    

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 5/1/26

     1,200        1,485      
                25,772      

Florida – 2.6%

       

Broward County Airport System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     3,500        4,357    

Cape Coral Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21(5)

     2,055        2,151    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Florida – 2.6%     continued

       

Florida State Board of Education G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/23

     $475        $536    

Florida State Board of Education G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/27

     3,115        4,031    

Florida State Board of Education Public Education Capital Outlay 2011 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/26

     2,005        2,069    

Florida State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B, Department Transportation Right of Way,

       

4.00%, 7/1/29

     5,005        5,138    

Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/20(5)

     4,500        4,500    

Sarasota County Infrastructure Sales Surtax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21

     1,000        1,048      
                23,830      

Georgia – 2.5%

       

Atlanta Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

7/1/28(4)

     1,000        1,299    

Cherokee County Water & Sewer Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/27

     1,000        1,293    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

2.00%, 8/1/27

     2,500        2,500    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series E,

       

5.00%, 12/1/27

     2,000        2,539    

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 9/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,469    

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Subseries C,

       

4.00%, 12/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     3,400        3,744    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   74   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%    continued

Georgia – 2.5%    continued

       

Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 12/2/24(1) (2) (3)

     $5,000        $5,672    
       
                22,516      

Hawaii – 2.2%

       

Hawaii State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series EH, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     2,000        2,259    

Hawaii State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series FT,

       

5.00%, 1/1/28

     2,100        2,731    

Hawaii State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series EF,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21

     5,000        5,261    

Honolulu City & County Adjustable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Honolulu Rail Transit Project,

       

5.00%, 9/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,619    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 7/1/27

     1,250        1,530    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series F,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     725        912    

5.00%, 7/1/27

     1,200        1,549    
       
                19,861      

Illinois – 1.1%

       

Champaign Coles Et al. Counties Community College District No. 505 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B, Parkland College,

       

5.00%, 12/1/24

     1,315        1,554    

Cook County Community College District No. 504 Triton G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Alternative Revenue Source,

       

5.00%, 6/1/22

     1,150        1,240    

Cook County School District No. 144 Prairie Hills G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 12/1/20(5)

     500        504    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Illinois – 1.1% continued

       

Sangamon County School District No. 186 Springfield G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.00%, 2/1/21

     $240        $244    

Sangamon County School District No. 186 Springfield G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series B, Unrefunded Balance (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 2/1/21

     6,020        6,110    
       
                9,652      

Indiana – 1.4%

       

Indiana Finance Authority Water Utility Revenue Bonds, Second Lien, Citizens Energy Group,

       

2.95%, 10/1/22

     1,750        1,825    

Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Indiana University Health,

       

5.00%, 12/1/22

     4,000        4,387    

Indiana State Finance Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Indiana University Health Obligated Group,

       

1.65%, 7/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,081    

Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 1/1/21

     1,490        1,508    
       
                12,801      

Kansas – 1.3%

       

Johnson County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 9/1/26

     2,170        2,479    

Johnson County Internal Improvement G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/21

     835        872    

Manhattan G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 01,

       

1.88%, 6/15/23

     1,395        1,397    

Manhattan G.O. Unlimited Temporary Notes, Series 2020-03,

       

0.75%, 6/15/24

     7,550        7,563    
       
                12,311      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   75   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Kentucky – 1.5%

    

Jefferson County School District Finance Corp. School Building Revenue Bonds, Series A (State Intercept Program),

       

5.00%, 6/1/21

     $2,500        $2,580    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series C-1,

       

4.00%, 12/1/20

     1,070        1,076    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B, Gas Supply,

       

4.00%, 1/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     8,725        9,778    
     
         13,434      

Louisiana – 1.5%

    

Lafayette Public Power Authority Electric Revenue Bonds,

    

5.00%, 11/1/26

     1,900        2,084    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Tulane University of Louis,

    

5.00%, 4/1/26

     1,550        1,903    

Louisiana State Gas & Fuels Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

    

4.00%, 5/1/29

     6,810        7,143    

Louisiana State Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Revenue Bonds, LCTCS Act 360 Project (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 10/1/25

     2,495        3,010    
     
         14,140      

Maryland – 0.9%

    

Maryland State & Local Facilities G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Loan of 2013-1,

       

4.00%, 3/1/26

     4,700        4,776    

Maryland State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, First Series,

       

5.00%, 6/1/26

     3,000        3,508    
       
                8,284      

Massachusetts – 5.7%

       

Concord G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Municipal Purpose Loan,

       

4.00%, 9/15/23

     500        557    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Massachusetts – 5.7%     continued

    

Massachusetts State Bay Transportation Authority Sales TRB Revenue Bonds, Senior Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     $1,475        $1,854    

Massachusetts State Clean Water Trust Revenue Bonds, Series 22, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     5,205        6,581    

5.00%, 8/1/27

     2,250        2,926    

Massachusetts State Department of Transportation Metropolitan Highway System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Subordinate Contracts,

    

5.00%, 1/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        11,000    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northeastern University, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     1,000        1,284    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-2,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     5,000        6,431    

Massachusetts State G.O. Limited bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

    

4.50%, 12/1/21(5)

     2,000        2,101    

Massachusetts State G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series E,

    

3.00%, 12/1/27

     2,915        3,393    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series A, Prerefunded,

    

5.00%, 8/15/22(5)

     1,700        1,851    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

    

5.00%, 8/15/25

     8,300        9,048    

Massachusetts State Variable G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

    

5.00%, 6/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,626    
       
                52,652      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   76   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Michigan – 3.0%

    

Grand Blanc Community Schools G.O. Unlimited Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 11/1/28

     $1,415        $1,838    

Grand Valley State University Revenue Bonds,

    

5.00%, 12/1/24

     750        881    

Lansing Board of Water & Light Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

    

5.00%, 7/1/21(5)

     1,245        1,290    

Michigan State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Trinity Health,

    

5.00%, 2/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     3,000        3,547    

Michigan State Finance Authority Clean Water State Revolving Fund Revenue Refunding Bonds,

    

5.00%, 10/1/20

     2,805        2,805    

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes, Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),

       

4.00%, 8/20/21

     7,000        7,234    

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ascension Health Credit Group,

       

4.00%, 7/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,657    

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Trinity Health Corp.,

       

5.00%, 12/1/22

     2,000        2,196    

Romeo Community School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series II (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

2.00%, 5/1/22

     2,025        2,084    
     
         27,532      

Minnesota – 1.6%

       

Hennepin County Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 12/1/26

     1,175        1,498    

Lakeville Independent School District No. 194 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (School District Credit Program),

       

3.00%, 2/1/26

     1,785        2,029    

3.00%, 2/1/27

     3,550        4,082    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

    

Minnesota – 1.6%     continued

       

Minnesota State Rural Water Finance Authority Revenue Notes, Public Projects Construction,

       

1.00%, 8/1/21

     $5,000        $5,011    

Minnesota State Trunk Highway G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21

     2,030        2,128    
     
         14,748      

Missouri – 1.5%

       

Columbia School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/1/26

     2,825        3,398    

Curators of the University of Missouri System Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/26

     2,320        2,748    

Fort Zumwalt School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (State Aid Direct Deposit Program),

       

4.00%, 3/1/24

     1,480        1,665    

Lees Summit Moser G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

    

3.00%, 4/1/28

     2,925        3,020    

Missouri State Board of Public Buildings Special Obligation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

    

3.00%, 10/1/26

     2,500        2,500    
       
                13,331      

Nevada – 0.8%

    

Clark County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

    

3.00%, 6/15/22

     550        574    

5.00%, 6/15/27

     1,000        1,255    

Nevada State System of Higher Education University Revenue Bonds, Series B,

    

5.00%, 7/1/26

     5,000        5,600    
       
                7,429      

New Jersey – 0.9%

    

East Brunswick Township G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

    

2.00%, 7/15/26

     3,000        3,208    

Union County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

    

2.00%, 3/1/27

     1,875        2,025    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   77   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

New Jersey – 0.9%     continued

       

Union County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

2.00%, 1/15/23

     $385        $401    

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Resource Fund Insured),

       

2.25%, 8/1/26

     2,570        2,825    
       
                8,459      

New Mexico – 0.2%

       

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Joint Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/21

     1,675        1,736      

New York – 12.4%

       

Albany County Various Purpose G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/15/26

     930        1,158    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue BANS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/1/22

     5,000        5,221    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue BANS, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 2/1/23

     1,000        1,031    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 11/15/21(5)

     2,500        2,636    

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Series L, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds,

       

2.75%, 12/29/23(1) (2) (3)

     3,000        3,134    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Second General Resolution,

       

5.00%, 6/15/29

     2,540        2,625    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Subseries E-1,

       

5.00%, 2/1/26

     2,000        2,122    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/27

     5,000        6,433    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

New York – 12.4%     continued

       

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/23

     $1,000        $1,132    

5.00%, 2/1/29

     3,295        3,766    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/23

     960        1,010    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series D, Fiscal 2013,

       

5.00%, 11/1/22

     1,290        1,416    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 11/1/26

     5,925        6,489    

5.00%, 11/1/27

     5,150        5,637    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Revenue Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series G,

       

5.00%, 11/1/25

     3,620        4,049    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     10,000        12,821    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C-1,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     2,500        3,205    

New York State Dorm Authority Revenues Non State Supported Debt Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Cornell University,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     2,050        2,586    

New York State Dormitory Authority Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Group 2,

       

5.00%, 3/15/31

     1,540        1,983    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax General Purpose Revenue Bonds, Series D, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 2/15/27

     1,225        1,300    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   78   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

New York – 12.4%     continued

    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

    

5.00%, 3/15/24

     $645        $749    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D,

    

5.00%, 2/15/26

     285        352    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Supported Debt Third General Resolution Revenue Bonds, State University,

       

5.00%, 5/15/26

     2,840        3,030    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean Water & Drinking Water Subordinated Revenue Refunding SRF Bonds, New York City Municipal Water,

       

5.00%, 6/15/26

     1,400        1,762    

New York State HFA Revenue Bonds, Series E, Sustainability Bonds,

    

1.10%, 5/1/26

     2,500        2,503    

New York State HFA Revenue Bonds, Series F,

    

1.10%, 11/1/26

     1,350        1,350    

New York State HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Affordable Housing (SonyMA Insured),

       

1.88%, 11/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     3,000        3,002    

New York State Housing Finance Agency Affordable Housing Revenue Bonds, Series E (SonyMA Insured),

       

2.10%, 5/1/23

     2,000        2,002    

2.13%, 11/1/23

     1,000        1,012    

New York State Housing Finance Agency Affordable Housing Revenue Bonds, Series J,

       

2.50%, 5/1/22

     3,500        3,504    

New York State School Districts Financing Program Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 (AGM Insured),

    

5.00%, 10/1/22

     1,500        1,645    

New York State Thruway Authority Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Transportation Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/15/23

     3,585        3,751    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

New York – 12.4%     continued

       

New York State Urban Development Corp. Personal Income TRB, Series E,

       

5.00%, 3/15/28

     $2,175        $2,413    

5.00%, 3/15/29

     2,675        2,967    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Personal Income Tax,

       

5.00%, 3/15/27

     3,000        3,801    

Onondaga Civic Development Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Sycarus University Project,

       

5.00%, 12/1/27

     1,250        1,621    

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 11/15/25

     7,500        8,230    
     
         113,448      

North Carolina – 0.9%

       

Forsyth County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

3.00%, 4/1/28

     2,995        3,522    

Mecklenburg County G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 3/1/26

     2,405        3,004    

Wake County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 4/1/22

     1,500        1,609    
     
         8,135      

North Dakota – 0.0%

       

City of Fargo North Dakota G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 5/1/25

     220        240      

Ohio – 3.7%

       

Columbus G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 4/1/27

     3,650        4,690    

Cuyahoga County Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/21

     1,115        1,178    

Gallia County Local School Improvement District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School District Credit Program),

    

5.00%, 11/1/20

     750        753    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   79   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

   VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Ohio – 3.7%     continued

       

Ohio State Common Schools G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 6/15/22(5)

     $2,205        $2,386    

Ohio State Conservation Projects G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 3/1/28

     2,460        3,048    

Ohio State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/15/26

     3,500        3,900    

5.00%, 6/15/26

     2,820        3,552    

Ohio State Higher Education G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/22

     1,500        1,615    

Ohio State Highway Capital Improvements G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series S,

       

5.00%, 5/1/28

     5,085        6,341    

Ohio State Infrastructure Improvement G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 9/1/27

     3,000        3,241    

University of Cincinnati Revenue Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 6/1/23(5)

     3,280        3,700    
       
                34,404      

Oklahoma – 0.2%

       

Oklahoma County Finance Authority Educational Facilities Lease Revenue Bonds, Midwest City-Del City Public School,

       

5.00%, 10/1/25

     1,000        1,216    

Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

1.00%, 7/1/21

     1,000        1,006    
       
                2,222      

Oregon – 0.5%

       

Clackamas County School District No. 86 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

4.00%, 6/15/26

     1,550        1,854    

Oregon State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series L,

       

5.00%, 11/1/21

     905        952    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

     VALUE
(000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Oregon – 0.5%     continued

       

Portland Water System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second Lien,

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     $1,640        $1,830    
       
                4,636      

Pennsylvania – 0.6%

       

Easton Area School District Refunding G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 4/1/26

     1,600        1,899    

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 1,

       

4.00%, 6/1/29

     1,000        1,054    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A, Motor License Fund-Enhanced, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 12/1/22(5)

     2,435        2,686    
       
                5,639      

South Carolina – 0.1%

       

South Carolina State Institution G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series F, Clemson University (State Aid Withholding),

       

2.00%, 6/1/27

     1,280        1,369      

Tennessee – 1.8%

       

Chattanooga G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 2/1/21

     950        965    

Hardin County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/1/24

     540        630    

Knox County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/27

     2,170        2,806    

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/26

     6,055        6,831    

Tennergy Corp. Gas Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     4,500        5,248    
       
                16,480      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   80   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Texas – 6.9%

       

Beaumont Independent School District Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 2/15/23

     $1,150        $1,279    

Coppell Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 8/15/27

     2,460        3,180    

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B-1 (PSF, Gtd.),

       

1.25%, 8/15/22(1) (2) (3)

     4,250        4,327    

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Lien, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 12/1/22(5)

     750        828    

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/26

     1,500        1,870    

East Central Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

3.00%, 8/15/24

     1,000        1,102    

Ector County Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, School Building (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 8/15/29

     615        691    

El Paso Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 8/15/23

     1,000        1,136    

5.00%, 8/15/27

     1,000        1,294    

Fort Bend Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 8/15/27

     2,685        2,917    

Fort Bend Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

0.88%, 8/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,512    

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (PSF, Gtd.),

       

0.45%, 8/15/22(1) (2) (3)

     4,000        4,013    

Houston Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, First Lien,

       

5.00%, 11/15/21

     4,165        4,391    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

Texas – 6.9%     continued

       

Katy Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 2015C (PSF, Gtd.), (Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M +

       

0.28%), 0.38%, 8/16/21(1) (3)

     $1,900        $1,894    

Klein Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

       

5.00%, 8/1/21

     1,500        1,561    

Laredo Certificates Obligation G.O. Limited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/15/23

     500        554    

Laredo Public Property Finance Contractual Obligation G.O. Limited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/15/27

     800        994    

Leander G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/15/21

     550        573    

5.00%, 8/15/22

     500        545    

Leander Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, School Building (PSF, Gtd.),

    

5.00%, 8/15/23

     1,000        1,138    

Leander Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C (PSF, Gtd.),

    

5.00%, 8/15/28

     750        994    

Lewisville Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

    

5.00%, 8/15/23

     1,330        1,513    

Northside Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

    

1.60%, 8/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     1,490        1,548    

San Antonio Electric & Gas Revenue Refunding Bonds,

    

5.00%, 2/1/25

     645        702    

San Antonio Electric & Gas Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

    

2.00%, 12/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     2,000        2,021    

Southwest Independent School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (PSF, Gtd.),

    

5.00%, 2/1/28

     915        1,190    

Texas State TRANS,

    

4.00%, 8/26/21

     15,250        15,772    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   81   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Texas – 6.9%     continued

Texas State Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Water Financial Assistance,

       

1.85%, 8/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     $2,000        $2,002    

University of Texas Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I,

       

5.00%, 8/15/21

     1,500        1,563    

West Harris County Regional Water Authority System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/15/21

     500        529    
       
                63,633      

Utah – 1.3%

       

Cache County School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Utah School Bond Guaranty Program (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 6/15/21

     2,650        2,740    

Davis County School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Utah School Bond Guaranty (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

3.00%, 6/1/28

     4,095        4,469    

Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     45        45    

5.00%, 10/1/28

     30        30    

Utah County Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series B, IHC Health Services, Inc.,

       

5.00%, 8/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     4,000        4,682    
       
                11,966      

Virginia – 2.5%

       

Fairfax County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 10/1/26

     5,000        6,056    

Fairfax County IDA Health Care Revenue Refunding Bonds, Inova Health System,

       

5.00%, 5/15/23(1) (2) (3)

     9,125        10,218    

Henrico County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     2,315        2,936    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Virginia – 2.5%     continued

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A, 21st Century College & Equipment, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 2/1/21(5)

     $1,000        $1,016    

Virginia State Public School Authority School Financing Revenue Bonds, Series C (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 8/1/21

     1,260        1,311    

Virginia State Resources Authority Infrastructure Revenue Refunding Bonds, Virginia Pooled Financing Program (State Intercept Program),

       

5.00%, 11/1/22

     1,110        1,222    
       
                22,759      

Washington – 5.0%

       

Franklin County School District No. 1 Pasco G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

4.00%, 12/1/28

     1,500        1,623    

Franklin County School District No. 1 Pasco G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 12/1/26

     1,340        1,596    

King County Lake Washington School District No. 414 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

4.00%, 12/1/27

     2,000        2,475    

4.00%, 12/1/28

     3,000        3,763    

King County School District No. 411 Issaquah Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 12/1/24

     1,045        1,152    

Pierce County Bethel School District No. 403 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

4.00%, 12/1/21

     850        888    

4.00%, 12/1/22

     800        866    

4.00%, 12/1/27

     1,250        1,535    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   82   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Washington – 5.0%     continued

 

 

Pierce County School District No. 320 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

4.00%, 12/1/28

     $650        $727    

Pierce County School District No. 83 University Place G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

5.00%, 12/1/26

     3,205        3,830    

Snohomish County School District No. 15 Edmonds G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

5.00%, 12/1/21

     750        792    

Snohomish County School District No. 201 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

5.00%, 12/1/23

     1,200        1,267    

Snohomish County School District No. 201 Washington G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

4.00%, 12/1/27

     1,000        1,006    

Thurston & Pierce Counties Community Schools G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

5.00%, 12/1/23

     685        786    

Walla Walla County School District No. 250 College Place G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

    

4.25%, 12/1/28

     2,445        2,588    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2017-A,

    

5.00%, 8/1/29

     2,400        3,022    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax,

    

5.00%, 7/1/25

     1,000        1,084    

5.00%, 7/1/26

     5,000        5,418    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2012C, Various Purpose,

    

4.00%, 7/1/28

     7,495        7,953    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-2013A,

    

5.00%, 7/1/24

     750        813    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Washington – 5.0%     continued

Washington State Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

5.00%, 2/1/22

     $775        $825    

Washington State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series R-C,

    

4.00%, 7/1/27

     1,840        2,015    
     
         46,024      

West Virginia – 0.3%

    

West Virginia State University Revenue Bonds, Series B, Virginia University Projects, Prerefunded,

       

4.75%, 10/1/21(5)

     2,595        2,714      

Wisconsin – 3.1%

    

Central Brown County Water Authority System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/20

     200        201    

Fox Valley Technical College District School Facilities G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

    

3.00%, 12/1/27

     2,500        2,650    

Gateway Technical College District G.O. Unlimited Promissory Notes, Series A-20,

    

3.00%, 4/1/26

     825        929    

Janesville G.O. Unlimited Promissory Notes, Series A,

    

2.00%, 2/1/22

     455        466    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 5/1/21

     3,405        3,501    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

    

5.00%, 11/1/21

     1,000        1,053    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 3,

    

5.00%, 11/1/25

     3,925        4,321    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series 4,

    

5.00%, 5/1/26

     645        770    

Wisconsin State Housing & EDA Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

1.60%, 11/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     1,000        1,012    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   83   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
      

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 79.9%     continued

 

 

Wisconsin – 3.1%     continued

 

 

Wisconsin State Transportation Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     $4,000        $5,024    

Wisconsin State Transportation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 7/1/25

     7,505        8,496    
     
         28,423      

Total Municipal Bonds

                     

(Cost $715,228)

 

     733,257    
       
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

INVES TMENT COMPANIES – 6.9%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - Municipal Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(6) (7)

     25,000,000        $25,000    

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(6) (7)

     38,037,940        38,038    
       

Total Investment Companies

                     

(Cost $63,038)

 

     63,038    
       
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 13.3%

 

 

American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., Revenue Bonds, Series A, Build America Bonds, Combined Hydroelectric Projects,

       

2.25%, 8/15/21(1) (2) (3)

     $1,000        $1,005    

Arizona State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series F, Banner Health (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),

       

0.11%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (8)

     2,960        2,960    

Baltimore County Improvement G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, 2019 Crossover,

       

3.00%, 11/1/20

     4,755        4,766    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

    

0.45%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3) (9)

     2,500        2,500    

California State School Cash Reserve Program Authority Revenue Notes, Series D,

    

2.00%, 5/3/21

     10,000        10,105    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

         VALUE
    (000S)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS -13 .3%     continued

 

 

Cobb County G.O. Unlimited TANS,

       

1.00%, 12/18/20

     $5,000        $5,009    

Colorado State General Fund TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/25/21

     10,000        10,278    

Fairfax County Public Improvement G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 10/1/20

     2,000        2,000    

Greenville County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C (SCSDE Insured),

       

3.00%, 6/1/21

     1,500        1,528    

King County Variable G.O. Limited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

0.08%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (8)

     13,200        13,200    

Los Angeles County TRANS, Series A,

       

4.00%, 6/30/21

     15,000        15,427    

Massachusetts State G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/1/21

     3,000        3,060    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Second General Resolution,

       

0.07%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (8)

     5,000        5,000    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 5/1/21

     1,000        1,028    

New York G.O. Adjustable Unlimited Bonds, Fiscal 2017 (Citibank N.A. LOC),

       

0.12%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (8)

     5,890        5,890    

Ohio State University Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B-1,

       

0.08%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (8)

     5,325        5,325    

Ohio State Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Common Schools,

       

0.08%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (8)

     10,360        10,360    

Orange County HFA Revenue Bonds, Series A, Willow Key Apartments,

       

1.90%, 4/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     1,300        1,310    

Salt Lake County G.O. Limited TRANS,

       

1.00%, 12/30/20

     5,000        5,011    

San Diego Unified School District TRANS, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/30/21

     5,000        5,181    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   84   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

  

    VALUE

    (000S)

     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 13.3%     continued

 

 

Snohomish County School District No. 201 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 12/1/20

     $1,000        $1,008    

Utah County Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series C, IHC Health Services, Inc.,

       

0.08%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (8)

     9,700        9,700      

Total Short-Term Investments

                     

(Cost $121,591)

        121,651    
                       

Total Investments – 100.1%

                     

(Cost $899,857)

        917,946    

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.1%)

 

     (701    

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $917,245    

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(2) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(5) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

(6) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(7) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(8) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(9) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAM - Build America Mutual

BANS - Bond Anticipation Notes

EDA - Economic Development Authority

FGIC - Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation

G.O. - General Obligation

GAAP - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Gtd. - Guaranteed

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC - Letter of Credit

MFH - Multi-Family Housing

PSF - Permanent School Fund

Q-SBLF - Qualified School Bond Loan Fund

SCSDE - South Carolina State Department of Education

SonyMA - State of New York Mortgage Agency

SRF - Special Revenue Fund

TANS - Tax Anticipation Notes

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   85   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

General

     15.4

General Obligation

     32.3  

Higher Education

     5.3  

Medical

     6.5  

School District

     12.6  

Short-Term Investments

     6.9  

Transportation

     5.2  

Water

     6.2  

All other sectors less than 5%

     9.6  

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

 

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

Municipal Bonds(1)

    $      —        $733,257        $—        $733,257  

Investment Companies

    63,038                      63,038  

Short-Term Investments

           121,651               121,651  

Total Investments

    $63,038        $854,908        $—        $917,946    
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   86   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS   

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 82.5%

    

Alabama – 0.8%

    

Birmingham G.O. Unlimited Convertible CABS, Series A,

    

5.00%, 3/1/27

     $1,000        $1,110    

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Prepay Revenue Bonds, Series A-1, Project No. 5,

    

4.00%, 10/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     2,500        2,907    

Black Belt Energy Gas District Alabama Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

    

4.00%, 6/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,102    

City of Madison Board of Education Special Tax School Warrants,

    

4.00%, 2/1/44

     4,540        5,319    
       
                14,438      

Alaska – 0.2%

    

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series A,

    

3.75%, 12/1/40

     970        1,049    

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds, General Mortgage Revenue Bond,

    

5.00%, 6/1/33

     2,500        3,183    
       
                4,232      

Arizona – 2.7%

    

Arizona Board of Regents Revenue Bonds, Series B,

    

5.00%, 7/1/43

     2,070        2,672    

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Bonds, Series B, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/42

     2,000        2,374    

Arizona Board of Regents State University System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/43

     2,000        2,418    

Arizona IDA Hospital Revenue Bonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital,

       

3.00%, 2/1/45

     1,100        1,124    

4.00%, 2/1/50

     2,000        2,260    

Arizona State IDA Lease Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 9/1/50

     1,600        1,610    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Arizona – 2.7%     continued

       

Arizona State Transportation Board Highway Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/30

     $1,485        $1,842    

Arizona State University Revenue Bonds, Series A, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/43

     1,000        1,263    

Goodyear Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Obligations, Second Series (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 7/1/45

     2,000        2,343    

Maricopa County IDA Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Creighton University Project,

       

4.00%, 7/1/50

     5,000        5,360    

Northern Arizona University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/1/39

     2,500        3,156    

Phoenix Civic Airport Improvement Corp. Junior Lien Airport Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 7/1/44

     5,000        5,571    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. District Convertible Revenue Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series B, Civic Plaza (NATL Insured),

       

5.50%, 7/1/38

     2,500        3,796    

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Water System Revenue Bonds, Series A, Junior Lien,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     5,000        5,732    

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Electric System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/39

     4,000        4,997    

Student & Academic Services LLC Lease Revenue Bonds, Northern Arizona Capital Facilities (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 6/1/44

     2,000        2,274    

Yavapai County IDA Hospital Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Yavapai Regional Medical,

       

3.13%, 8/1/43

     2,000        2,065    
       
                50,857      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   87   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

California – 7.5%

       

Berkeley TRANS,

       

1.75%, 7/27/21

     $5,905        $5,983    

California HFA Municipal Certificates Revenue Bonds, Series 2, Class A,

       

4.00%, 3/20/33

     989        1,094    

California State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series V-1, Stanford University,

       

5.00%, 5/1/49

     4,500        7,254    

California State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2007, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.75%, 5/1/30

     75        75    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/26

     700        881    

California State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.25%, 8/1/32

     2,440        3,444    

California State G.O. Unlimited Various Purpose Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 4/1/38

     5,000        5,720    

California State Municipal Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds, CHF-Davis I, LLC -West Village,

       

5.00%, 5/15/39

     5,000        5,842    

5.00%, 5/15/43

     2,000        2,315    

California State University Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/37

     1,110        1,444    

California State University Systemwide Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 11/1/45

     2,000        2,351    

California State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.25%, 10/1/39

     5,000        6,109    

California Statewide Communities Development Authority Student Housing Revenue Refunding Bonds, CHF-Irvine, LLC,

       

5.00%, 5/15/32

     1,000        1,124    

Carlsbad Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series B, Election,

       

6.00%, 5/1/34

     2,500        3,005    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

California – 7.5%     continued

Central Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Election of 2016,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     $1,000        $1,203    

Chino Valley Unified School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 8/1/45

     500        588    

Hayward Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 8/1/45

     3,000        3,479    

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R Junior Subordinate Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/37

     3,000        3,930    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Airport Subordinated Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 5/15/36

     2,745        3,435    

5.00%, 5/15/43

     5,000        6,129    

Los Angeles Department of Airports Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/15/34

     3,000        3,651    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/32

     880        1,155    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     1,000        1,292    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     1,445        1,715    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 7/1/43

     5,000        6,265    

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Waterworks Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     2,070        2,596    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   88   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

 

California – 7.5%     continued

       

Los Angeles Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

7/1/31(4)

     $3,000        $4,023    

Morgan Hill Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency Taxable Allocation Refunding Bonds,

       

9/1/30(4)

     2,000        2,001    

Natomas Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

8/1/49(4)

     2,000        2,232    

Newport Mesa Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding CABS Bonds,

       

0.00%, 8/1/41(5)

     2,000        1,018    

Northern Energy Authority Commodity Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     2,500        2,777    

Oakland Unified School District Alameda County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     1,000        1,192    

Palomar Community College District G.O. Unlimited Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Election,

       

(Step to 6.38% on 8/1/30), 0.71%, 8/1/45(6) (7)

     2,500        2,637    

Pasadena Community College District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 8/1/23

     2,520        2,795    

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series H,

       

5.00%, 8/15/50

     2,500        3,223    

San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority Water Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

3.00%, 8/1/49

     3,000        3,207    

San Diego Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C, Election of 2008, Capital Appreciation,

       

0.00%, 7/1/35(5)

     1,285        955    

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Green Bonds,

       

3.00%, 8/1/50

     7,330        7,793    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%    continued

California – 7.5%     continued

       

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 5/1/38

     $2,500        $3,030    

5.00%, 5/1/42

     1,500        1,748    

San Francisco City & County Airports Commission International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 5/1/36

     3,300        4,106    

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue Bonds, Series B, Regional Water,

       

5.00%, 11/1/50

     5,000        6,148    

San Juan Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series N, Election of 2012,

       

4.00%, 8/1/29

     2,000        2,383    

Sequoia Union High School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C-1, Election of 2008, Prerefunded,

       

6.00%, 7/1/21(8)

     1,100        1,148    

Sequoia Union High School District Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

2.61%, 7/1/35

     1,000        1,065    

Solano County Community College G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, District Election 2012,

       

(Step to 5.13% on 8/1/23), 1.42%, 8/1/41(6) (7)

     3,200        3,538    

South Placer Wastewater Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2020,

       

5.00%, 11/1/35

     500        721    

University of California Taxable Revenue Bonds, Series BG,

       

1.32%, 5/15/27

     2,000        2,021    

1.61%, 5/15/30

     1,500        1,503    

Vacaville Unified School District G.O. Unlimited Series D,

       

4.00%, 8/1/45

     500        576    
       
                143,919      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   89   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

Colorado – 3.6%

       

Adams County School District No. 1 Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding),

 

5.25%, 12/1/40

     $4,775        $5,890    

Adams County School District No. 1 Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 12/1/26(8)

     225        291    

Arapahoe County School District No. 6 Littleton G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.50%, 12/1/43

     5,000        6,435    

Aurora Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/41

     4,000        4,844    

Colorado Springs Utilities Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 11/15/45

     2,000        2,613    

Colorado State COPS ,Series A,

       

4.00%, 12/15/37

     10,000        11,721    

Colorado State Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, University of Denver Project,

       

5.00%, 3/1/40

     2,500        2,928    

Colorado State Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, University of Denver Project (NATL Insured),

       

5.00%, 3/1/35

     2,000        2,673    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Adventist Health System Sunbelt,

       

4.00%, 11/15/41

     1,000        1,098    

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Commonspirit Health,

       

4.00%, 8/1/49

     3,680        4,024    

Colorado State School of Mines Institutional Enterprise Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/1/42

     3,400        4,018    
    

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

Colorado – 3.6%     continued

    

Denver City & County Airport System Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT), Series A,

    

5.00%, 12/1/43

     $2,000        $2,363    

Denver City & County Dedicated Tax Revenue CABS, Series A-2,

    

0.00%, 8/1/37(5)

     2,750        1,603    

0.00%, 8/1/39(5)

     2,805        1,491    

Denver City & County Dedicated Tax Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series A,

    

5.00%, 8/1/42

     1,500        1,728    

Denver City & County School District No. 1 COPS, Series B,

    

5.25%, 12/1/40

     1,805        1,838    

El Paso County School District No. 12 Cheyenne Mountain G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 9/15/24(8)

     5,000        5,978    

Jefferson County School District No. R-001 G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

    

5.00%, 12/15/37

     5,000        6,373    

Little Thompson Water District Revenue Bonds,

       

12/1/50(4)

     1,275        1,477    
     
         69,386      

Connecticut – 0.6%

    

Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series K, Sacred Heart University,

       

4.00%, 7/1/45

     1,500        1,672    

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series A, Transportation Infrastructure,

       

5.00%, 8/1/34

     3,000        3,551    

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue Bonds,
Series B,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     2,500        3,175    

University of Connecticut Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.25%, 11/15/47

     3,000        3,678    
     
         12,076      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   90   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

District of Columbia – 2.4%

       

District of Columbia G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/43

     $5,000        $6,241    

District of Columbia G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 6/1/38

     1,000        1,151    

District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority Public Utility Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/45

     2,500        2,957    

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Dulles Toll Road Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Dulles Metrorail & Capital Improvement,

       

5.00%, 10/1/44

     2,000        2,417    

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/28

     5,000        5,392    

5.00%, 10/1/40

     1,910        2,330    

5.00%, 10/1/43

     4,000        4,756    

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Dedicated Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/15/40

     1,185        1,399    

5.00%, 7/15/45

     10,390        13,164    

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Gross Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/38

     1,800        2,180    

5.00%, 7/1/43

     3,000        3,594    
     
         45,581      

Florida – 5.5%

    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/42

     2,500        2,922    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

4.00%, 10/1/44

     3,000        3,311    

Broward County Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series C, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 10/1/23(8)

     5,000        5,746    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/44

     5,000        5,966    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

 

Florida – 5.5%     continued

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 9/1/21(8)

     $825        $861    

5.00%, 9/1/21(8)

     670        699    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 9/1/24

     410        425    

5.00%, 9/1/25

     330        342    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 9/1/21(8)

     1,680        1,750    

Broward County Port Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 9/1/23

     820        848    

Central Florida Expressway Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/44

     2,500        3,100    

Davie Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Nova Southeastern University Project,

       

5.00%, 4/1/48

     2,000        2,274    

Florida State Board of Education Public Education Capital Outlay G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 6/1/28

     1,000        1,321    

Florida State Department Transportation G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

3.00%, 7/1/30

     2,500        2,586    

Florida State Higher Educational Facilities Financial Authority Revenue Bonds, Florida Institute of Technology,

       

4.00%, 10/1/44

     1,750        1,745    

Florida State Higher Educational Facilities Financial Authority Revenue Bonds, Ringling College Project,

       

5.00%, 3/1/49

     3,000        3,203    

Florida State Turnpike Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C, Department of Transportation,

       

4.50%, 7/1/43

     3,000        3,252    

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   91   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Florida – 5.5%    continued

       

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Airport Facilities Priority Subordinated Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/42

     $1,965        $2,279    

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Customer Facilities Charge Revenue Bonds, Series A, Tampa International Airport,

       

5.00%, 10/1/44

     2,500        2,769    

Jacksonville Special Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/35

     4,830        6,312    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Bonds, Miami International, Prerefunded,

       

5.50%, 10/1/20(8)

     605        605    

5.50%, 10/1/20(8)

     1,895        1,895    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/41

     450        521    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Refunding Bonds (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/27

     2,000        2,289    

Miami-Dade County Aviation Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     5,000        5,665    

Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority Toll System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/39

     4,025        4,562    

Miami-Dade County Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

2.25%, 7/1/34

     2,500        2,580    

Miami-Dade County Transit System Sales Surtax Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/42

     10,000        10,842    

Miami-Dade County Transit System Sales Surtax Revenue Bonds,
Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/49

     495        570    

Orange County HFA Multifamily Variable Revenue Bonds, Jernigan Gardens Project (HUD Sector 8 Program),

       

0.35%, 10/1/22(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        4,999    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%    continued

Florida – 5.5%    continued

       

Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/21(8)

     $75        $79    

Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     4,925        5,152    

Pasco County School Board COPS, Series A (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     3,000        3,648    

Tampa Bay Water Regional Water Supply Authority Utility System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     5,000        5,682    

Tampa Bay Water Regional Water Supply Authority Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/36

     1,750        2,161    

Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured),

       

2.64%, 7/1/36

     1,000        1,025    

2.69%, 7/1/37

     1,470        1,508    
       
                105,494      

Georgia – 2.2%

       

Atlanta Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

7/1/29(4)

     2,300        2,967    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-Group 2,

       

5.00%, 8/1/31

     5,000        6,882    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-Tranche 2,

       

5.00%, 7/1/31

     2,000        2,675    

Georgia State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Tranche 1-Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/28

     5,000        6,640    

Georgia State Housing & Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

3.25%, 12/1/49

     5,000        5,305    

Gwinnett County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

5.00%, 2/1/40

     5,000        6,417    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   92   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Georgia – 2.2%    continued

       

Main StreetNatural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/15/43

     $500        $588    

5.00%, 5/15/49

     1,000        1,426    

Main StreetNatural Gas, Inc. Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Subseries C,

       

4.00%, 12/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     1,650        1,817    

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Revenue Bonds, Plant Vogtle Units 3 &4 Project,

       

5.50%, 7/1/60

     2,500        2,849    

Private Colleges & Universities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Emory University,

       

5.00%, 9/1/30

     3,455        4,744    
       
                42,310      

Hawaii – 0.9%

       

Hawaii State Airports System Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/48

     4,000        4,662    

Hawaii State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series FZ,

       

1.40%, 8/1/30

     3,000        2,989    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/43

     2,000        2,492    

Honolulu City & County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 7/1/45

     5,630        7,226    
       
                17,369      

Idaho – 0.1%

       

Idaho State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Trinity Health Credit Group,

       

4.00%, 12/1/43

     2,000        2,260      

Illinois – 4.9%

       

Chicago Midway Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second Lien Series B,

       

5.25%, 1/1/34

     2,500        2,708    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Revenue Bonds, Series D, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 1/1/39

     1,015        1,097    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%    continued

Illinois – 4.9%    continued

       

Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 1/1/41

     $3,100        $3,524    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Passenger Facilities Charge,

       

5.00%, 1/1/23

     2,000        2,118    

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Senior Lien,

       

1/1/35(4)

     10,000        12,381    

1/1/36(4)

     3,000        3,413    

Cook County Community Consolidated School District No. 21 Wheeling G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (BAM Insured),

       

3.00%, 12/1/39

     3,000        3,142    

Cook County Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/15/38

     5,000        5,473    

Du Page County Revenue Refunding Bonds, Morton Abroretum Project,

       

3.00%, 5/15/47

     1,500        1,506    

Illinois State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Field Museum of Natural History,

       

3.90%, 11/1/36

     1,740        1,886    

Illinois State Finance Authority Academic Facilities Lease Revenue Bonds, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,

       

5.00%, 10/1/49

     1,250        1,479    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Northwestern University,

       

5.00%, 12/1/28

     1,500        1,994    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, DePaul University, Prerefunded,

       

6.13%, 4/1/21(8)

     5,000        5,148    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Township High School District,

       

4.00%, 12/1/37

     5,745        6,852    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   93   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%    continued

 

    

Illinois – 4.9%    continued

       

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare,

       

4.25%, 1/1/44

     $5,000        $5,587    

5.00%, 1/1/44

     2,500        2,917    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Northshore University Healthsystem,

       

3.25%, 8/15/49

     5,000        5,265    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, OSF Healthcare System,

       

5/15/50(4)

     4,000        3,918    

5/15/50(4)

     1,200        1,330    

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Rush University Medical Center,

       

5.00%, 11/15/38

     1,500        1,696    

Illinois State Municipal Electric Agency Power Supply Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/33

     4,750        5,242    

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Senior Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 1/1/41

     2,000        2,369    

Regional Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

5.75%, 6/1/34

     3,400        4,707    

Schaumburg G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 12/1/41

     5,000        5,314    

Will Grundy Etc. Counties Community College District No. 525 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Alternative Revenue Source,

       

5.25%, 6/1/36

     2,500        2,845    
       
                93,911      

Indiana – 0.6%

       

Indiana Finance Authority Wastewater Utility Revenue Bonds, Series A, First Lien, CWA Authority,

       

5.25%, 10/1/38

     3,150        3,299    

4.25%, 10/1/44

     3,000        3,291    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

 

    

Indiana – 0.6%    continued

       

Indiana State Health & Educational Facilities Financing Authority Ascension Senior Credit Group Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/15/46

     $2,900        $3,240    

Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank Revenue Bonds, Indianapolis Airport Authority Project,

       

5.00%, 1/1/44

     2,000        2,452    
       
                12,282      

Iowa – 0.3%

       

Pefa Inc., Iowa Gas Project Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 9/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        6,067      

Kansas – 0.2%

       

Olathe City G.O. Unlimited Temporary Notes, Series A,

       

3.00%, 8/1/21

     4,000        4,088      

Kentucky – 1.9%

       

Carroll County Environmental Facilities Revenue Bonds (AMT), Kentucky Utilities Co. Project,

       

1.75%, 9/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,505    

Carroll County PCR Refunding Bonds, Kentucky Utilities Co. Project,

       

1.55%, 9/1/26(1) (2) (3)

     3,750        3,752    

Fayette County School District Finance Corp. Revenue Bonds, Series A (State Intercept Program),

       

4.00%, 5/1/38

     5,000        5,591    

Kentucky State Public Energy Authority Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series C, Gas Supply,

       

4.00%, 2/1/28(1) (2) (3)

     10,000        11,750    

Louisville & Jefferson County Metro Government Health System Revenue Bonds, Series A, Norton Healthcare, Inc.,

       

3.00%, 10/1/43

     1,360        1,391    

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District & Drain System Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/15/34

     2,000        2,085    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   94   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Kentucky – 1.9%     continued

       

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District and Drainage System Subordinated BANS,

       

10/20/21(4)

     $10,000        $10,485    
       
                36,559      

Louisiana – 1.9%

       

Lafayette Parish School Board Sales TRB,

       

5.00%, 4/1/48

     2,165        2,805    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Ochsner Clinic, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 5/15/47

     2,000        2,282    

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Tulane University of Louis,

       

5.00%, 4/1/45

     6,000        7,331    

Louisiana State G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

4.00%, 5/1/32

     2,500        2,796    

Louisiana State Gas & Fuels Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, First Lien,

       

4.50%, 5/1/39

     2,500        2,869    

4.00%, 5/1/41

     5,000        5,582    

Louisiana State Gas & Fuels Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

4.00%, 5/1/32

     5,000        5,229    

Louisiana State Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Woman’s Hospital Foundation Project,

       

5.00%, 10/1/31

     1,510        1,835    

Shreveport Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series B (BAM Insured),

       

5.00%, 12/1/41

     5,000        5,953    
       
                36,682      

Maryland – 1.6%

       

Baltimore County Metropolitan District G.O. Unlimited BANS,

       

4.00%, 3/22/21

     10,000        10,182    

Howard County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 2/15/30

     1,000        1,265    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Maryland – 1.6%     continued

       

Maryland State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Group 2, State & Local Facilities Loan,

       

5.00%, 8/1/33

     $10,000        $13,579    

5.00%, 8/1/34

     2,500        3,383    

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lifebridge Health,

       

5.00%, 7/1/44

     1,100        1,289    
       
                29,698      

Massachusetts – 3.7%

       

Lincoln School G.O. Unlimited Bonds,

       

3.50%, 3/1/44

     3,810        4,209    

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Assessment Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/41

     2,800        3,006    

Massachusetts State Bay Transportation Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding CABS, Series A,

       

0.00%, 7/1/29(5)

     2,500        2,144    

Massachusetts State Bay Transportation Authority Sales TRB, Senior Series B,

       

5.25%, 7/1/33

     1,900        2,631    

Massachusetts State College Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Series B, Green Bonds (State Intercept Program), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/1/24(8)

     1,000        1,171    

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, Suffolk University,

       

5.00%, 7/1/36

     445        524    

5.00%, 7/1/38

     340        398    

Massachusetts State HFA Sustainability Revenue Bonds, Series A-1 (FHA Insured),

       

3.00%, 12/1/50

     500        518    

Massachusetts State Housing Finance Agency Revenue Bonds, Series H,

       

4.40%, 12/1/46

     1,000        1,097    

Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/40

     2,725        3,155    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   95   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Massachusetts – 3.7%     continued

       

Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue Bonds, Series C (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/44

     $2,000        $2,446    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Series B, Social Bonds,

       

0.79%, 8/15/24

     5,000        5,026    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Sebseries A,

       

5.25%, 2/15/48

     5,000        6,220    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Senior Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/15/23(8)

     2,630        2,961    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Senior Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 5/15/38

     2,370        2,623    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 5/15/43

     3,015        3,324    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales TRB, Series B, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 11/15/36

     1,500        1,846    

5.00%, 11/15/39

     2,500        3,064    

Massachusetts State School Building Authority Subordinated Sales TRB, Series A,

       

5.00%, 2/15/44

     4,000        5,000    

Massachusetts State Special Obligation Dedicated Refunding Revenue Bonds, (NATL Insured),

       

5.50%, 1/1/34

     2,500        3,419    

Massachusetts State Transportation Fund Rail Enhancement & Accelerated Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/1/42

     7,820        9,564    

Massachusetts State Transportation Fund Revenue Bonds, Series A, Accelerated Bridge Program, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 6/1/21(8)

     5,000        5,162    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Massachusetts – 3.7%     continued

       

Massachusetts State Water Resources Authority General Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/1/43

     $1,455        $1,824    
       
                71,332      

Michigan – 2.3%

       

Detroit City School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/32

     1,000        1,309    

5.00%, 5/1/33

     1,000        1,295    

Ferndale Public Schools G.O. Unlimited Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

3.00%, 5/1/45

     1,600        1,675    

Grand Rapids Public Schools Building & Site G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/25

     1,000        1,206    

Michigan State Building Authority Facilities Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I,

       

5.00%, 4/15/38

     2,000        2,377    

Michigan State Building Authority Facilities Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I-A,

       

5.50%, 10/15/45

     3,565        3,762    

Michigan State Building Authority Facilities Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series II-A,

       

5.38%, 10/15/36

     5,000        5,270    

Michigan State Building Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series I,

       

3.00%, 10/15/45

     5,000        5,243    

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series H-1,

       

5.00%, 10/1/39

     5,000        5,743    

Michigan State University Revenue Bonds, Series B, Board of Trustees,

       

5.00%, 2/15/44

     2,000        2,486    

Thornapple Kellogg School District G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/39

     2,050        2,644    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   96   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Michigan – 2.3%     continued

       

Walled Lake Consolidated School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (Q-SBLF Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/1/45

     $1,300        $1,657    

5.00%, 5/1/50

     3,500        4,413    

Wayne County Airport Authority Revenue Bonds, Series D,

       

5.00%, 12/1/45

     2,000        2,313    

Wayne County Airport Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series G,

       

5.00%, 12/1/34

     2,625        3,076    
       
                44,469      

Minnesota – 0.0%

       

Minneapolis Special School District No. 1 G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B, Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (School District Credit Program),

       

5.00%, 2/1/28

     275        348      

Mississippi – 0.1%

       

Mississippi State Taxable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

0.72%, 11/1/25

     2,000        2,006      

Missouri – 0.9%

       

Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District Wastewater System Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 5/1/33

     1,000        1,187    

Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District Wastewater System Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series B, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 5/1/25(8)

     1,605        1,943    

Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District Wastewater System Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series B, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 5/1/45

     3,395        3,958    

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series A, Saint Louis University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     2,500        2,908    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Missouri – 0.9%     continued

       

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Health Facilities Revenue Bonds,

       

6/1/53(4)

     $5,000        $4,811    

Missouri State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Health Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, St. Luke’s Health System,

       

5.00%, 11/15/43

     1,280        1,539    
       
                16,346      

Montana – 0.1%

       

Montana Board of Housing Single Family Program Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (FHA Insured HUD VA),

       

3.90%, 12/1/48

     95        103    

Montana Facility Finance Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Social Health System,

       

4.00%, 1/1/38

     1,250        1,450    
       
                1,553      

Nebraska – 1.4%

       

Douglas County Hospital Authority No. 2 Health Facilities Revenue Bonds, Children’s Hospital Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 11/15/36

     1,000        1,189    

5.00%, 11/15/37

     1,000        1,186    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/42

     5,000        5,660    

5.00%, 2/1/42

     4,250        5,269    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 2/1/46

     5,000        5,145    

Omaha Public Power District Electric Revenue Bonds, Series B, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 2/1/22(8)

     2,210        2,351    

University of Nebraska Facilities Corp. Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

2.82%, 10/1/34

     5,000        5,415    
       
                26,215      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   97   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Nevada – 0.7%

       

Clark County Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A-2,

       

4.25%, 7/1/36

     $5,000        $5,395    

Clark County G.O. Limited Bonds, Flood Control,

       

3.25%, 11/1/37

     1,000        1,091    

Clark County School District Building G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 6/15/36

     2,000        2,281    

Clark County School District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series D,

       

4.00%, 6/15/34

     5,000        5,529    
       
                14,296      

New Jersey – 0.5%

       

New Jersey State EDA Revenue Bonds, Transit Transportation Project,

       

5.00%, 11/1/34

     2,000        2,327    

New Jersey State EDA Revenue School Facilities Construction Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 6/15/34

     500        583    

4.00%, 6/15/44

     2,250        2,331    

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue Bonds, Transportation Program,

       

5.25%, 6/15/43

     4,500        5,093    
       
                10,334      

New York – 15.5%

       

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A-1, Group 1, Green Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 11/15/43

     5,000        5,450    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds, Series G, Prerefunded,

       

5.25%, 11/15/20(8)

     5,000        5,031    

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Subseries C-1,

       

5.00%, 11/15/31

     1,540        1,603    

5.00%, 11/15/34

     2,000        2,077    

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp. Revenue Bonds, University of Rochester Project,

       

4.00%, 7/1/50

     5,000        5,697    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
         VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Bonds, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds,

       

3.00%, 11/1/39

     $1,750        $1,825    

New York City Housing Development Corp. MFH Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sustainable Neighborhood Bonds,

       

3.00%, 11/1/44

     2,000        2,067    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Second General Resolution, Fiscal 2014,

       

5.00%, 6/15/46

     2,000        2,226    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series BB, Second Generation, Fiscal 2013,

       

5.00%, 6/15/47

     2,500        2,734    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second General Resolution,

       

5.00%, 6/15/40

     5,000        6,227    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series AA,

       

5.00%, 6/15/32

     10,000        10,332    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series AA-1,

       

5.00%, 6/15/50

     7,500        9,506    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series EE,

       

5.25%, 6/15/36

     2,000        2,504    

5.00%, 6/15/39

     1,800        2,197    

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series GG,

       

5.00%, 6/15/39

     2,000        2,372    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   98   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Subseries FF-2,

       

5.00%, 6/15/40

     $3,500        $4,433    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Fiscal 2015 Revenue Bonds, Series S (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 7/15/36

     1,500        1,765    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Series S-3 (State Aid Withholding),

       

5.00%, 7/15/43

     3,000        3,652    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Subseries A-1,

       

5.00%, 5/1/38

     2,500        2,500    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/27

     2,500        3,217    

5.00%, 11/1/33

     2,500        3,290    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/1/40

     250        306    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 2017,

       

5.00%, 2/1/40

     7,485        9,033    

5.00%, 2/1/43

     8,310        9,958    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

3.00%, 5/1/48

     4,750        4,925    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A-3,

       

3.00%, 5/1/45

     10,000        10,400    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series C-3,

       

5.00%, 5/1/41

     5,000        6,074    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Subseries B-1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/34

     $500        $596    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E-1,

       

4.00%, 3/1/42

     2,500        2,787    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series I, Subseries 1-I,

       

5.00%, 3/1/28

     1,510        1,732    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Subseries A-1,

       

4.75%, 8/1/38

     3,500        3,815    

New York G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Subseries F-1,

       

5.00%, 3/1/37

     5,000        5,500    

5.00%, 4/1/43

     2,000        2,376    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 8/1/28

     1,000        1,282    

New York G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B-1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/28

     11,000        14,169    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, School Districts Financing Program (AGC State Aid Withholding), Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.25%, 10/1/23

     165        166    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series 2020, School Districts Financing Program (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 10/1/33

     1,000        1,253    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 7/1/36

     2,500        3,098    

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series A-2, Columbia University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/46

     500        781    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   99   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York State Dormitory Authority Non State Supported Debt Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Columbia University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     $4,500        $5,677    

New York State Dormitory Authority Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 2/15/37

     2,530        3,100    

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenues Non State Supported Debt Revenue Bonds, Series A, Columbia University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/50

     5,000        8,017    

New York State Dormitory Authority Sales TRB, Series A, Group B,

       

5.00%, 3/15/38

     5,090        6,147    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 3/15/33

     2,000        2,431    

5.25%, 3/15/38

     5,000        6,256    

5.25%, 3/15/39

     2,500        3,117    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series E,

       

3.25%, 3/15/35

     1,000        1,037    

3.25%, 3/15/36

     5,035        5,204    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income TRB,
Series A, Unrefunded Balance,

       

5.00%, 2/15/43

     2,000        2,381    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Clean & Drinking Water Revenue Bonds, Municipal Water Revolving Funds,

       

5.00%, 6/15/42

     4,000        4,914    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Clean & Drinking Water Revolving Funds Pooled Financing Program Revenue Bonds, Series B, Escrowed to Maturity,

       

5.50%, 4/15/35

     5,000        7,304    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Revenue Bonds, Series C, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 8/15/37

     1,200        1,499    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS -82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean & Drinking Water Revolving Funds Revenue Bonds, New York City Municipal Water,

       

5.00%, 6/15/41

     $10,000        $10,295    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean & Drinking Water Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 6/15/44

     3,300        4,210    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean Water & Drinking Water Subordinated Revenue Refunding SRF Bonds,

       

4.00%, 6/15/46

     5,000        5,583    

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. State Clean Water & Drinking Water Subordinated Revenue Refunding SRF Bonds, New York City Municipal Water,

       

4.00%, 6/15/45

     2,000        2,342    

New York State Housing Finance Agency Affordable Housing Revenue Bonds, Series E (SonyMA, FNMA Insured),

       

4.15%, 11/1/47

     1,000        1,076    

New York State Power Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 11/15/45

     3,000        3,510    

New York State Thruway Authority General Revenue Junior Indebtedness Obligations Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 1/1/45

     2,000        2,262    

New York State Thruway Authority Revenue Bonds, Series J,

       

5.00%, 1/1/27

     50        57    

New York State Thruway Authority Revenue Bonds, Series N, Group 1,

       

5.00%, 1/1/39

     10,000        12,624    

New York State Urban Development Corp. General Personal Income TRB, Series A,

       

4.00%, 3/15/45

     2,500        2,867    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   100   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

New York State Urban Development Corp. Personal Income TRB, Series A-1,

       

5.00%, 3/15/43

     $3,000        $3,290    

New York State Urban Development Corp. Taxable General Personal Income TRB,

       

3.90%, 3/15/33

     5,000        5,672    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 217,

       

5.00%, 11/1/44

     2,000        2,444    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 186 (AMT),

       

5.00%, 10/15/44

     3,000        3,389    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 222,

       

4.00%, 7/15/36

     5,500        6,434    

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 207 (AMT),

       

5.00%, 9/15/28

     1,000        1,256    

Sales Tax Asset Receivable Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Fiscal 2015,

       

5.00%, 10/15/31

     500        589    

Troy Capital Resource Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Project, Forward Delivery,

       

4.00%, 9/1/40

     1,250        1,370    

Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/15/37

     2,500        3,026    

Utility Debt Securitization Authority Revenue Bonds, Restructuring Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/15/39

     2,500        3,120    

5.00%, 12/15/40

     1,000        1,245    

Utility Debt Securitization Authority Revenue Bonds, Restructuring Bonds, Series TE,

       

5.00%, 12/15/41

     3,500        3,974    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

New York – 15.5%     continued

       

Westchester County G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 12/1/29

     $625        $747    
       
                297,422      

North Carolina – 0.9%

       

Charlotte Airport Revenue Bonds, Charlotte Douglas International (AMT),

       

4.00%, 7/1/39

     1,255        1,417    

Charlotte COPS, Series B,

       

3.00%, 6/1/22

     2,000        2,004    

Charlotte Refunding COPS, Convention Facility Project,

       

4.00%, 6/1/49

     3,000        3,428    

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency Educational Revenue Bonds, Wake Forest University,

       

5.00%, 1/1/48

     1,000        1,208    

North Carolina State Eastern Municipal Power Agency System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B (NATL, IBC Insured), Escrowed to Maturity,

       

6.00%, 1/1/22

     6,015        6,442    

North Carolina State Housing Finance Agency Home Ownership Revenue Bonds, Series 44,

       

3.00%, 7/1/46

     1,000        1,046    

North Carolina State Turnpike Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Triangle Expressway (AGM Insured),

       

5.00%, 1/1/49

     500        614    

4.00%, 1/1/55

     500        563    

Western Carolina University Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 4/1/45

     1,000        1,153    
       
                17,875      

Ohio – 2.3%

       

Hamilton County Hospital Facilities Revenue Bonds, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Project,

       

5.00%, 11/15/41

     1,750        2,610    

5.00%, 11/15/49

     3,500        5,507    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   101   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Ohio – 2.3%     continued

       

Liberty-Benton Local School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School District Credit Program),

       

4.00%, 11/1/44

     $1,975        $2,302    

Ohio State Common Schools G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,
Series C,

       

4.00%, 9/15/22

     4,000        4,301    

Ohio State Higher Education G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/34

     5,780        7,185    

Ohio State Hospital Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds, Cleveland Clinic Health System,

       

4.00%, 1/1/36

     1,000        1,157    

Ohio State Infrastructure Improvement G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 8/1/21

     2,080        2,147    

Ohio State Water Development Authority Water PCR Loan Fund Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/37

     3,000        3,974    

Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 2/15/23(8)

     10,000        11,126    

Perry Local School District Stark County G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School District Credit Program),

       

11/1/50(4)

     2,675        2,598    

Washington Local School District Lucas County G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (School District Credit Program),

       

3.13%, 12/1/51

     2,000        2,023    
       
                44,930      

Oklahoma – 0.3%

       

Norman Regional Hospital Authority Revenue Bonds, Norman Regional Hospital Authority,

       

4.00%, 9/1/45

     4,000        4,328    

Oklahoma State Turnpike Authority Second Senior Revenue Bonds, Series C,

       

4.00%, 1/1/42

     2,000        2,258    
       
                6,586      
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Oregon – 1.8%

       

Clackamas County School District No. 12 North Clackamas G.O. Unlimited CABS, Series A, (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

0.00%, 6/15/38(5)

     $7,500        $4,048    

Clackamas County School District No. 62C Oregon City G.O. Unlimited CABS, Series A (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

0.00%, 6/15/37(5)

     1,000        607    

Medford Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Asante Project (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 8/15/45

     1,000        1,147    

Multnomah-Clackamas Counties Centennial School District No. 28 G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 6/15/45

     5,000        6,371    

Oregon State Department of Transportation Highway User Tax Revenue Bonds, Series A, Subordinate Lien,

       

5.00%, 11/15/40

     5,000        6,562    

Oregon State Department of Transportation Highway User Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/15/28

     1,100        1,315    

Oregon State Health & Science University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 7/1/44

     1,685        1,946    

Oregon State Health & Science University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 7/1/38

     2,035        2,419    

Port of Portland International Airport Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     2,010        2,428    

Salem Hospital Facility Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Multi Model Salem Health Projects,

       

5.00%, 5/15/44

     3,500        4,228    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   102   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Oregon – 1.8%     continued

       

Washington Multnomah & Yamhill Counties Hillsboro School District No. 1J G.O. Unlimited Bonds (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

5.00%, 6/15/35

     $2,000        $2,486    
       
                33,557      

Pennsylvania – 2.0%

       

Commonwealth Financing Authority Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue Bonds (AGM Insured),

       

4.00%, 6/1/39

     5,000        5,673    

Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority Sewer Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 5/1/32

     820        973    

5.00%, 5/1/35

     865        1,022    

Franklin County G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/1/33

     1,075        1,222    

Geisinger Authority Health System Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.00%, 4/1/50

     4,000        4,517    

Pennsylvania State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 1,

       

4.00%, 3/15/35

     2,500        2,796    

Pennsylvania State Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, University of Pennsylvania Health System,

       

5.00%, 8/15/49

     5,000        6,156    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Oil Franchise Tax Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 12/1/43

     2,500        3,011    

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/33

     1,500        1,945    

Philadelphia Water & Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/1/45

     3,450        4,390    

Springfield School District Delaware County G.O. Unlimited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 3/1/43

     1,500        1,742    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Pennsylvania – 2.0%     continued

       

Upper Merion Area School District G.O. Limited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 9/1/49

     $1,100        $1,271    

West Shore School District G.O. Limited Bonds (State Aid Withholding),

       

4.00%, 11/15/45

     2,055        2,364    

4.00%, 11/15/48

     1,000        1,145    
       
                38,227      

Rhode Island – 0.4%

       

Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Municipal Road And Bridge Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/29

     1,430        1,906    

Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority Motor Fuel TRB,
Series A,

       

4.00%, 10/1/44

     5,265        5,788    
       
                7,694      

South Carolina – 1.8%

       

Charleston County School District G.O. Unlimited BANS, Phase IV Sales Tax Project (SCSDE Insured),

       

5.00%, 5/12/21

     10,000        10,294    

Charleston Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/44

     2,500        3,233    

Patriots Energy Group Financing Agency South Carolina Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 2/1/24(1) (2) (3)

     2,000        2,211    

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 (BHAC, CR MBIA Insured),

       

5.38%, 1/1/25

     5,820        6,929    

South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Hospital Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Bon Secours Mercy Health,

       

4.00%, 12/1/44

     2,000        2,275    

South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 2003B,

       

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.45%), 0.55%, 10/1/22(1) (3)

     9,950        9,899    
       
                34,841      
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   103   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Tennessee – 0.7%

       

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facility Board Revenue Refunding Bonds, Lipscomb University Project,

       

5.25%, 10/1/58

     $1,500        $1,612    

Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series B (AMT),

       

4.00%, 7/1/49

     2,000        2,181    

Tennessee Housing Development Agency Residential Financing Program Revenue Bonds, Series 1B,

       

3.38%, 7/1/38

     130        138    

Tennessee Housing Development Agency Residential Financing Program Revenue Bonds, Series 2B,

       

3.95%, 1/1/38

     205        220    

Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp. Gas Revenue Bonds,

       

4.00%, 11/1/25(1) (2) (3)

     2,000        2,281    

Tennessee State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 9/1/34

     5,000        6,384    
       
                12,816      

Texas – 3.2%

       

Austin Electric Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 11/15/28

     500        609    

Central Regional Mobility Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/46

     750        858    

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 12/1/31

     3,425        4,184    

Harris County Flood Control District G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 10/1/30

     2,000        2,693    

Houston Airport System Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

7/1/47(4)

     2,000        2,207    

Lower Colorado River Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 5/15/39

     2,500        2,749    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Texas – 3.2%     continued

       

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

4.25%, 1/1/49

     $1,500        $1,702    

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, First Tier,

       

5.00%, 1/1/38

     2,500        2,523    

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, First Tier,

       

5.00%, 1/1/39

     2,500        3,054    

Northside Texas Independent School District Building G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),

       

4.00%, 6/1/30

     4,390        4,635    

Pflugerville Independent School District Tax School Building G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series 2014 (PSF, Gtd.),

       

4.00%, 2/15/33

     5,000        5,563    

Port of Houston Authority Unlimited Tax Refunding G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A-2,

       

5.00%, 10/1/32

     3,000        4,063    

Texas State Department of Housing & Community Affairs Revenue Bonds, Series A (GNMA Insured),

       

3.38%, 9/1/39

     2,730        2,970    

Texas State G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A, Transportation Commission,

       

5.00%, 10/1/44

     5,000        5,951    

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue Refunding Bonds, LBJ Infrastructure Group,

       

4.00%, 6/30/40

     1,000        1,126    

Texas State Water Development Board TRB, Series B,

       

3.03%, 10/15/39

     750        833    

University of Texas Permanent University Fund Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

4.00%, 7/1/41

     5,000        5,725    

University of Texas, University Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 8/15/29

     1,000        1,349    

5.00%, 8/15/49

     5,000        7,927    
       
                60,721      

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   104   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Utah – 0.8%

       

Davis County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Utah School Bond Guaranty Program (School Board Guaranty Program),

       

3.00%, 6/1/30

     $3,330        $3,645    

Park City Sales TRB,

       

4.00%, 12/15/31

     2,200        2,625    

Provo G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 1/1/26

     500        619    

Salt Lake City Airport Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT),

       

5.00%, 7/1/42

     3,000        3,466    

University of Utah Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/44

     2,565        3,127    

Utah State Transit Authority Sales TRB, Senior Lien,

       

5.00%, 12/15/33

     1,125        1,411    
       
                14,893      

Virginia – 1.1%

       

Arlington County IDA Revenue Refunding Bonds, Virginia Hospital Center,

       

4.00%, 7/1/45

     2,000        2,287    

Norfolk G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A, Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/26(8)

     500        639    

Norfolk G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series A (State Aid Withholding), Prerefunded,

       

5.00%, 10/1/22(8)

     500        548    

Roanoke EDA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Carilion Clinic Obligated Group,

       

5.00%, 7/1/47

     3,000        4,649    

Virginia HAD Revenue Bonds, Series E,

       

3.15%, 12/1/49

     1,500        1,578    

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds, 21st Century College & Equipment,

       

4.50%, 2/1/34

     5,000        5,502    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Virginia – 1.1%     continued

       

Virginia State College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, 21st Century College & Equipment,

       

5.00%, 2/1/30

     $2,530        $3,266    

Virginia State Commonwealth Transportation Board Revenue Bonds, Capital Projects,

       

4.00%, 5/15/37

     2,000        2,094    
       
                20,563      

Washington – 2.2%

       

Benton County Public Utility District No. 1 Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 11/1/45

     1,390        1,626    

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Sales & Use Tax Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series S-1, Green Bonds,

       

5.00%, 11/1/50

     5,000        5,967    

Grant County Public Utility District No.2 Electric Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series S,

       

2.00%, 12/1/23(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,192    

King County Public District No. 2 (Evergreenhealth) G.O. Limited Bonds, Series A,

       

4.00%, 12/1/45

     1,500        1,686    

Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1 Electric System Revenue Bonds,

       

5.00%, 12/1/40

     560        673    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/37

     5,000        6,624    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series B,

       

5.00%, 2/1/37

     5,000        5,892    

Washington State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C,

       

5.00%, 2/1/32

     2,230        2,850    

Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Providence Health & Services,

       

5.00%, 10/1/38

     5,000        5,593    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   105   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND     continued

 

 

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Washington – 2.2%     continued

       

Washington State Housing Finance Commission SFM Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

3.70%, 12/1/34

     $20        $22    

Washington State Motor Fuel Tax G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series E,

       

5.00%, 2/1/38

     2,000        2,274    

Washington State University Revenue Refunding Bonds,

       

5.00%, 4/1/40

     1,320        1,511    

Washington State Various Purpose G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 8/1/39

     1,500        1,892    
       
                41,802      

West Virginia – 0.6%

       

Marshall University Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A (AGM Insured),

       

3.00%, 5/1/46

     500        514    

4.00%, 5/1/50

     10,000        11,220    
       
                11,734      

Wisconsin – 1.3%

       

PFA Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, Renown Regional Medical Center Project,

       

3.00%, 6/1/45

     2,500        2,514    

4.00%, 6/1/45

     3,250        3,636    

PMA Levy & Aid Anticipation Notes Program Revenue Participation Notes, Series A,

       

3.00%, 10/23/20

     2,500        2,504    

University Hospitals & Clinics Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,

       

4.25%, 4/1/48

     4,000        4,532    

Wisconsin State G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A,

       

5.00%, 5/1/40

     3,000        3,645    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Marquette University,

       

5.00%, 10/1/35

     1,025        1,178    

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Milwaukee Regional Medical Center,

       

4.13%, 4/1/46

     1,500        1,580    
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 82.5%     continued

Wisconsin – 1.3%     continued

       

Wisconsin State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Rogers Memorial Hospital,

       

5.00%, 7/1/49

     $2,000        $2,274    

Wisconsin State Housing & EDA Revenue Bonds, Series A,

       

4.45%, 5/1/57

     2,305        2,571    
       
                24,434      

Total Municipal Bonds

                     

(Cost $1,526,986)

        1,582,203    
       
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

       VALUE
    (000S)
     

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 8.4%

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

       

0.00%(9) (10)

     161,572,915        $161,573    

Total Investment Companies

                     

(Cost $161,573)

        161,573    
       
     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 11.3%

Broward County School District Revenue TANS,

       

2.00%, 6/30/21

     $5,000        $5,067    

California State Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

       

0.45%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3) (11)

     6,250        6,250    

Colorado State General Fund TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/25/21

     10,000        10,278    

Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry Revenue Bonds, Brightline West Passenger (AMT),

       

0.50%, 7/1/21(1) (2) (3)

     1,500        1,500    

Greenville County School District G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series C (SCSDE Insured),

       

3.00%, 6/1/21

     5,000        5,094    

Hennepin County Variable G.O. Unlimited Refunding Bonds, Series B,

       

0.11%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (12)

     4,790        4,790    

Los Angeles County TRANS, Series A,

       

4.00%, 6/30/21

     5,000        5,142    

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   106   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

     PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
       VALUE
    (000S)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.3%     continued

Los Angeles TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/24/21

     $10,000        $10,278    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds,

       

0.07%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (12)

     4,500        4,500    

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 1,

       

5.00%, 11/1/20

     5,000        5,020    

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Subordinate RANS,
Series B,

       

5.00%, 3/31/21

     10,000        10,240    

Ohio State University Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B,

       

0.08%, 10/9/20(1) (3) (12)

     900        900    

Riverside County TRANS,

       

4.00%, 6/30/21

     5,000        5,143    

Texas State TRANS,

       

4.00%, 8/26/21

     135,000        139,625    

Utah County Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series C, IHC Health Services, Inc.,

       

0.08%, 10/2/20(1) (3) (12)

     3,210        3,210    

Total Short-Term Investments

                     

(Cost $216,958)

        217,037    
       

Total Investments – 102.2%

                     

(Cost $1,905,517)

        1,960,813    

Liabilities less Other Assets – (2.2%)

 

     (41,313  

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

              $1,919,500      

 

(1) 

Maturity date represents the puttable date.

(2) 

These securities are remarketed by an agent, and the interest rate is determined by general market conditions and supply and demand.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

(5) 

Zero coupon bond.

(6) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(7) 

Step coupon bond. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(8) 

Maturity date represents the prerefunded date.

(9) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(10) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(11) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(12) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

AGC - Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAM - Build America Mutual

BANS - Bond Anticipation Notes

BHAC - Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation

CABS - Capital Appreciation Bonds

COPS - Certificates of Participation

CR - Custody Receipt

CWA - Clean Water Act

EDA - Economic Development Authority

FHA - Federal Housing Administration

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. - General Obligation

GNMA - Government National Mortgage Association

Gtd. - Guaranteed

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

HUD - Housing and Urban Development

IBC - Insured Bond Certificates

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

IDA - Industrial Development Authority

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MBIA - Municipal Bonds Insurance Association

MFH - Multi-Family Housing

NATL - National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

PCR - Pollution Control Revenue

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   107   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 
 

TAX-EXEMPT FUND    continued

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

PFA - Public Finance Authority

PSF - Permanent School Fund

Q-SBLF - Qualified School Bond Loan Fund

RANS - Revenue Anticipation Notes

SCSDE - South Carolina State Department of Education

SFM - Single Family Mortgage

SonyMA - State of New York Mortgage Agency

SRF - Special Revenue Fund

TANS - Tax Anticipation Notes

TRANS - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRB - Tax Revenue Bonds

USD - United States Dollar

VA - Veterans Affairs

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF INVESTMENTS    

Airport

     6.1%   

General

     25.3       

General Obligation

     11.3       

Higher Education

     7.6       

Medical

     6.1       

School District

     7.2       

Short-Term Investments

     8.2       

Transportation

     9.0       

Water

     7.9       

All other sectors less than 5%

     11.3       
   

Total

     100.0%   

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

TOTAL    

(000S)    

 

Municipal Bonds(1)

   $      $ 1,582,203        $—      $ 1,582,203      

Investment Companies

     161,573                      161,573      

Short-Term Investments

            217,037               217,037      

Total Investments

   $ 161,573      $ 1,799,240        $—      $ 1,960,813      
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   108   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt, High Yield Municipal, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt, and Tax-Exempt Funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust, except for the Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds, which are non-diversified portfolios. Non-diversified portfolios may invest a relatively high percentage of their net assets in obligations of a limited number of issuers. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES Securities are valued at their fair value. Equity securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is

not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP.

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds are covered by insurance issued by private insurers, are backed by an escrow or trust containing U.S. government securities or U.S. government agency securities, or are otherwise supported by letters of credit, standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities. Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the security’s principal and interest or may shorten the security’s maturity. However, such enhancements do not guarantee the fair value of the securities or the value of a Fund’s shares. Additionally, there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations. For example, exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   109   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

insurer’s rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent, which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer.

C) WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES Certain Funds purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time a Fund enters into the commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the commitment is reflected in the NAV. The value of the commitment may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until settlement takes place. At the time a Fund enters into this type of transaction, it is required to segregate collateral of cash or other liquid assets having a fair value at least equal to the amount of the commitment. The Funds identify securities as segregated with a value that meets or exceeds the value of the commitments. When-issued securities at September 30, 2020, if any, are noted in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments and in aggregate as Payable for when-issued securities, in each Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent either the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on the date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The Funds’ income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and, depending on an individual shareholder’s tax status, the federal alternative minimum tax.

E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

F) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income are declared and paid as follows:

 

      DECLARATION
FREQUENCY
   PAYMENT  
FREQUENCY  

Arizona Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly

California Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly

High Yield Municipal

   Daily    Monthly

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly
      DECLARATION
FREQUENCY
   PAYMENT  
FREQUENCY  

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly

Tax-Exempt

   Daily    Monthly

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses. These differences are primarily related to the deferral of certain realized losses and capital loss carryforwards. Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes, which are permanent, may result in periodic reclassifications in the Funds’ capital accounts. These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds. At March 31, 2020, the Funds did not record any reclassifications.

G) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 can be carried forward for an unlimited period. However, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning before the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 with an expiration date may not be used to offset capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 without an expiration date have been utilized. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt, High Yield Municipal, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt, and Tax-Exempt Funds utilized

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   110   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

    

approximately $740,000, $3,520,000, $1,647,000, $3,275,000, $21,440,000, $149,000, and $12,771,000, respectively, in capital loss carryforwards.

For the period from November 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020, the Tax-Exempt Fund incurred net capital losses and/or late year ordinary losses, of $171,000, for which the Fund intends to treat as having been incurred in the following fiscal year.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

  Amounts in thousands    SHORT-TERM
CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD
  

LONG-TERM    

CAPITAL LOSS    

CARRYFOWARD    

Arizona Tax-Exempt

     $ 836      $

High Yield Municipal

       4,801       

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

     UNDISTRIBUTED        
   Amounts in thousands    TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME
     ORDINARY
INCOME*
     LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
  UNREALIZED
GAINS
(LOSSES)
 

Arizona Tax-Exempt

     $    57        $    2        $        –       $  4,372       

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     225        6        938       11,570       

California Tax-Exempt

     96        5        414       8,526       

High Yield Municipal

     398        6              (13,843)      

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     1,052        3,925        2,138       54,869       

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     65        1,147        5,559         3,503       

Tax-Exempt

     501        51              25,737       

 

  *

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

     DISTRIBUTIONS FROM  
Amounts in thousands   

TAX-EXEMPT

INCOME

    

ORDINARY

INCOME*

     LONG-TERM  
CAPITAL GAINS  

Arizona Tax-Exempt

     $  3,232        $    121        $    –  

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     12,372        337        94  

California Tax-Exempt

     5,094        262        1,200  

High Yield Municipal

     19,706        286         

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     63,369        13,844        642  

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     15,358        4,657        665  

Tax-Exempt

     36,760        6,670           
*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

   Amounts in thousands    TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME
     ORDINARY
INCOME*
     LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS

Arizona Tax-Exempt

     $   3,318        $  117      $–

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     12,748        310        –

California Tax-Exempt

     5,833        226        –

High Yield Municipal

     17,564        480        –

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     65,245        3,920        –

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

     13,462        658        –

Tax-Exempt

     35,605        1,491        –

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   111   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL ANNUAL

MANAGEMENT FEES

 

 

CONTRACTUAL
EXPENSE
LIMITATIONS

      FIRST
$1.5 BILLION
  NEXT
$1 BILLION
  OVER
$2.5 BILLION

Arizona Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

California Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

High Yield Municipal

   0.77%   0.747%   0.725%   0.60%

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

Tax-Exempt

   0.43%   0.417%   0.404%   0.45%

The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically thereafter for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   112   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or, at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed-income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI and/or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common

investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Funds did not engage in any purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

    PURCHASES     SALES  
   Amounts in thousands   U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER     U.S. GOVERNMENT   OTHER  

Arizona Tax-Exempt

  $–   $ 17,364     $–   $ 10,891    

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

    –     48,218       –     43,972    

California Tax-Exempt

    –     43,091       –     20,870    

High Yield Municipal

    –     93,009       –     107,040    

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

    –     1,091,955       –     1,073,533    

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

    –     358,871       –     431,406    

Tax-Exempt

    –     996,192       –     733,483    

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

   Amounts in

   thousands

 

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

 

UNREALIZED

DEPRECIATION

 

 

NET
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

COST

BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Arizona Tax-Exempt

    $     6,927     $     (405     $     6,522     $     140,932

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      26,052       (1,670 )       24,382       492,418

California Tax-Exempt

      12,418       (541 )       11,877       198,745

High Yield Municipal

      17,961       (11,076 )       6,885       503,762

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      117,365       (6,505 )       110,860       2,924,828
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   113   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued

 

   Amounts in

   thousands

 

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

 

UNREALIZED

DEPRECIATION

 

 

NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

  COST
BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

  $ 18,322   $  (233)   $  18,089   $  899,857

 

  Amounts in

  thousands

  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

 

NET
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

  COST
BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

Tax-Exempt

  $ 61,563   $(6,394)   $ 55,169   $1,905,644
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

   Amounts in thousands   SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
 

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

  SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

 

NET
INCREASE

(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS

   

Arizona Tax-Exempt

      1,835     $ 20,030       75     $ 817       (873 )     $ (9,438 )       1,037     $ 11,409    

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      5,878       64,222       77       842       (4,867 )       (52,785 )       1,088       12,279         

California Tax-Exempt

      2,059       24,329       73       869       (955 )       (11,242 )       1,177       13,956    

High Yield Municipal

      11,787       99,306       126       1,067       (14,347 )       (119,371 )       (2,434 )       (18,998 )    

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      34,817       377,499       183       1,991       (40,645 )       (440,152 )       (5,645 )       (60,662 )    

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      9,392       99,186       60       635       (8,140 )       (85,323 )       1,312       14,498    

Tax-Exempt

      35,953       392,774       234       2,559       (14,168 )       (152,906 )       22,019       242,427    
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

       
   Amounts in thousands   SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
 

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

  SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

 

NET
INCREASE

(DECREASE)
IN SHARES

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

   

Arizona Tax-Exempt

      3,414     $ 37,065       149     $ 1,607       (2,123 )     $ (22,811 )       1,440     $ 15,861    

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      8,226       89,217       173       1,871       (9,163 )       (99,145 )       (764 )       (8,057 )    

California Tax-Exempt

      3,184       37,530       239       2,806       (2,352 )       (27,533 )       1,071       12,803    

High Yield Municipal

      22,492       199,440       209       1,844       (12,302 )       (107,103 )       10,399       94,181    

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      66,812       717,984       1,295       13,905       (47,750 )       (511,497 )       20,357       220,392    

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

      14,979       156,298       527       5,491       (23,345 )       (243,234 )       (7,839 )       (81,445 )    

Tax-Exempt

      62,550       678,388       825       8,929       (20,854 )       (225,494 )       42,521       461,823    

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

   Amounts in thousands
   except shares
  AFFILIATE   VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  PURCHASES   SALES
PROCEEDS
 

 

NET CHANGE
IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)

 

NET

REALIZED
GAINS

(LOSSES)

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
  SHARES, END
OF PERIOD
    

Arizona Tax-Exempt

 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

    $ 6,497     $   25,555     $   24,074     $   –     $   –     $   1     $ 7,978       7,977,751    

California Intermediate Tax-Exempt

 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

      14,837       87,047       71,144          –          –       9       30,740       30,740,461    

California Tax-Exempt

 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

      8,041       49,099       47,338          –          –       7       9,802       9,802,370    

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   114   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

   Amounts in thousands

   except shares

  AFFILIATE  

VALUE, BEGINNING

OF PERIOD

  PURCHASES   SALES
PROCEEDS
 

NET CHANGE
IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

  NET
REALIZED
GAINS
(LOSSES)
  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
  SHARES, END    
OF PERIOD    

High Yield Municipal

 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

    $ 20,009     $ 112,675     $ 111,900     $     $     $ 8     $ 20,784       20,784,485    

Intermediate Tax-Exempt

 

Northern Institutional Funds-

Municipal Portfolio (Shares)

      125,000                               65       125,000       125,000,000    
 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

      135,873       754,405       785,239                   52       105,039       105,039,231    
  Total     $ 260,873     $ 754,405     $ 785,239     $     $     $ 117     $ 230,039       230,039,231    

 

Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt

 

Northern Institutional Funds -

Municipal Portfolio (Shares)

      25,000                               13       25,000       25,000,000    
 

Northern Institutional Funds -

U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

      42,134       314,308       318,404                   22       38,038       38,037,940    
  Total     $ 67,134     $ 314,308     $ 318,404     $     $     $ 35     $ 63,038       63,037,940    

Tax-Exempt

  Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)       103,533       665,884       607,844                   56       161,573       161,572,915    

 

10. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

11. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or

market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   115   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued                  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4 - Bank Borrowings.

    

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   116   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 
 

    

 

 

117


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

FUND EXPENSES

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements on advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 113), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT

 

   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING

ACCOUNT

VALUE

4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.46%   $1,000.00    $1,026.50    $2.33

Hypothetical

   0.46%   $1,000.00    $1,022.70    $2.33

CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT

 

  
   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,036.90    $2.29

Hypothetical

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,022.75    $2.28

CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT

 

  
   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.46%   $1,000.00    $1,033.60    $2.34

Hypothetical

   0.46%   $1,000.00    $1,022.70    $2.33

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL

 

  
   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.60%   $1,000.00    $1,063.50    $3.10

Hypothetical

   0.60%   $1,000.00    $1,022.00    $3.03

INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT

 

  
   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,032.70    $2.29

Hypothetical

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,022.75    $2.28

SHORT-INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT

 

  
   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,032.50    $2.29

Hypothetical

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,022.75    $2.28

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   118   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

TAX-EXEMPT

   SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
 

 

BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020

   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020

Actual

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,034.20    $2.29

Hypothetical

   0.45%   $1,000.00    $1,022.75    $2.28

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

    

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   119   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and stress testing, credit research, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications

of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed below, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   120   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes, including with respect to the Funds’ regular reporting on stress testing. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objective, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. The Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of the Funds was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, with the exception of:

 

  the High Yield Municipal Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the three- and five- year periods; and

 

  the Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, which was in the fourth quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods.

They also considered that all of the Funds underperformed against their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, except:

 

  the Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund and Tax-Exempt Fund, which outperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-year period;

 

  the California Tax-Exempt Fund, which outperformed its benchmark for the one-year period and performed in-line with its benchmark for the five-year period; and

 

  the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, which outperformed its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods.

They also considered that none of the Funds was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. They also considered the Funds’ investment performance relative to the investor base the Funds are intended to serve. The Trustees noted the potential impact on performance of the relative risk parameters of the different Funds. Specifically, they took into consideration that Northern’s more risk averse investment strategies may cause certain Funds to underperform against their peers during certain market environments. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming Funds. They noted that the quarterly in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in that regard.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory for most Funds, and that Northern was taking appropriate steps to address the performance of any underperforming Funds.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   121   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued

 

determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses, such as expense limitations with respect to certain Funds. The Trustees also considered that, for those Funds that were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted, with respect to the Funds:

 

    actual management fees were equal to or lower than the medians of their respective peer groups and universes, with the exception of the High Yield Municipal Fund and Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, whose actual management fees were higher than their respective group and universe medians, and the Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, whose actual management fees were higher than its expense universe median; and

 

    all of the Funds’ actual expenses, after reimbursement and fee waivers, were in the first quintile of their respective peer group or peer universe, with the exception of the High Yield Municipal Fund, which was in the third quintile of its peer universe and the Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, which was in the second quintile of its peer group.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for most of the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. They noted that there were not applicable comparisons for every Fund. For Funds where there were applicable comparisons, the Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund

basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated funds in which the Funds invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. The Trustees considered that the Funds had breakpoints, thus ensuring that as these Funds grew, shareholders would receive reduced fee rates. Materials provided to the Trustees indicated that each of the Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund and Tax-Exempt Fund had the specified asset levels as of January 31, 2020 at which one or more breakpoints on its management fees was triggered. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   122   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)      

 

 

    

also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Funds’ asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

    

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT   123   TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS


 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

 

 
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

    

 

    

 

 

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS   124   NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


MONEY MARKET FUNDS  

 

     TABLE OF CONTENTS    

 

 

 

 

     This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.        
 

 

 
 

You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds. Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so.

 

 
  The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.  
  An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. The Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time.  
  Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.  
 
      NOT FDIC INSURED        
 
  May lose value / No bank guarantee  
   
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     1     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

    Amounts in thousands, except per share data   MONEY
    MARKET FUND    
  MUNICIPAL
MONEY
    MARKET FUND    
 

    U.S. GOVERNMENT    
MONEY

MARKET FUND

      U.S. GOVERNMENT    
SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND
    
       

ASSETS:

               
       

Investments, at amortized cost, which approximates fair value

  $233,615   $126,147   $10,834,085   $2,413,139  
       

Repurchase agreements, at cost, which approximates fair value

      15,500             —       6,315,582     1,186,835  
       

Cash

           266              45          101,730                —  
       

Interest income receivable

           452              38              8,271            1,815  
       

Receivable for fund shares sold

           338            125          120,927            2,526  
       

Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements

               6                5                 377                 78  
       

Prepaid and other assets

               4                2                   41                 18  
       

Total Assets

    250,181     126,362     17,381,013     3,604,411    
       

LIABILITIES:

               
       

Cash overdraft

             —              —                   —                   2  
       

Payable for securities purchased

             —              —          290,523         54,973  
       

Payable for fund shares redeemed

             —            160            27,582            4,378  
       

Payable to affiliates:

               
       

Management fees

             13                7                914               193  
       

Custody fees

               6                2                  56                —  
       

Transfer agent fees

               4                2                272                 58  
       

Trustee fees

               3                1                  27                 21  
       

Accrued other liabilities

             26              26                171                 41  
       

Total Liabilities

             52            198          319,545          59,666    
       

Net Assets

  $250,129   $126,164   $17,061,468   $3,544,745    
       

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

               
       

Capital stock

  $250,129   $126,193   $17,061,078   $3,544,724  
       

Distributable earnings

             —              (29)                390                21  
       

Net Assets

  $250,129   $126,164   $17,061,468   $3,544,745    
       

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

    250,087     126,128     17,061,110     3,544,762  
       

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

        $1.00         $1.00              $1.00            $1.00    

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      2     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

     STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

    Amounts in thousands  

MONEY

    MARKET FUND    

 

MUNICIPAL
MONEY

    MARKET FUND    

 

    U.S. GOVERNMENT    

MONEY

MARKET FUND

 

    U.S. GOVERNMENT    

SELECT MONEY

MARKET FUND

    

INVESTMENT INCOME:

               
       

Interest income

  $647   $334   $31,811   $6,937  
       

Total Investment Income

    647     334     31,811     6,937    
       

EXPENSES:

               
       

Management fees

    566     295     29,031     6,259  
       

Custody fees

      28         8          586        119  
       

Transfer agent fees

      33       17       1,671        360  
       

Registration fees

      13       11            23          14  
       

Printing fees

        1         1            53          14  
       

Professional fees

      20       20          118          38  
       

Trustee fees

        4         4            60          14  
       

Other

        4         5            62          16    
       

Total Expenses

    669     361     31,604     6,834  
       

Less expenses voluntarily reimbursed by investment adviser

      (43)       (72)       (3,492)       (681)  
       

Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser

      (63)       (40)          (724)       (166)  
       

Less custodian credits

      —         (2)             —            (9)  
       

Net Expenses

    563     247     27,388     5,978    
       

Net Investment Income

      84       87       4,423        959    
       

NET REALIZED GAINS:

               
       

Net realized gains on:

               
       

Investments

      39       —          370          23  
       

Net Gains

      39       —          370          23    
       

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $123     $87     $4,793      $982    

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     3     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

 

 

 

   

MONEY

MARKET FUND

   

MUNICIPAL

MONEY

MARKET FUND

   

U.S. GOVERNMENT

MONEY

MARKET FUND

   

U.S. GOVERNMENT
SELECT MONEY

MARKET FUND

       
    Amounts in thousands  

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

   

SEP 30,

2020

   

MAR 31,

2020

       

OPERATIONS:

                       
       

Net investment income

    $84       $10,659       $87       $3,964       $4,423       $265,616       $959       $49,536    
       

Net realized gains

    39       8             37       370       86       23       22    
       

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

    123       10,667       87       4,001       4,793       265,702       982       49,558          
       

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:(1)

                       
       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

    (194,915     (163,371     (88,933     (253,066     474,439       (2,626,753     (57,721     (188,717  
       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

    (194,915     (163,371     (88,933     (253,066     474,439       (2,626,753     (57,721     (188,717        
       

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
       

Distributable earnings

    (85     (10,660     (87     (3,964     (4,423     (265,869     (959     (49,578  
       

Total Distributions Paid

    (85     (10,660     (87     (3,964     (4,423     (265,869     (959     (49,578        
       

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    (194,877     (163,364     (88,933     (253,029     474,809       (2,626,920     (57,698     (188,737  
       

NET ASSETS:

                       
       

Beginning of period

    445,006       608,370       215,097       468,126       16,586,659       19,213,579       3,602,443       3,791,180    
       

End of period

    $250,129       $445,006       $126,164       $215,097       $17,061,468       $16,586,659       $3,544,745       $3,602,443          

 

(1) 

The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      4     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                        

 

 

    MONEY MARKET FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  
ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  
(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    (1)      0.02       0.02       0.01       (1)      (1)   
           

Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses)(2)

                                     
           

Net increase from payment by affiliate

                            (3)      (4)   
           

Total from Investment Operations

          0.02       0.02       0.01                      
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (5)      (0.02     (0.02     (0.01     (5)      (5)   
           

From net realized gains

                            (6)      (6)   
           

Total Distributions Paid

          (0.02     (0.02     (0.01                    
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00          
           

Total Return(7)

    0.02     1.85     2.05     1.10     0.42     0.05  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $250,129       $445,006       $608,370       $336,019       $164,606       $7,561,742    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(8)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(9)

    0.33     0.34     0.35     0.29     0.34     0.26  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.39     0.37     0.38     0.43     0.37     0.36  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(9)

    0.05     1.84     2.05     1.09     0.22     0.05  
           

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements and credits

    (0.01 )%      1.81     2.02     0.95     0.19     (0.05 )%         

 

(1) 

Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2) 

Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3) 

The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation, the parent company of NTI, of approximately $136,000. The voluntary cash contribution represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

 

(4) 

The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation, the parent company of NTI, of approximately $8,190,000. The voluntary cash contribution represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

 

(5) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(6) 

Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $0.01 per share.

 

(7) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(8) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(9) 

The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0.005%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     5     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued                     

 

 

    MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  
ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  
(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    (1)      0.01       0.01       0.01       (1)      (1)   
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

          (2)                  0.01       (2)   
           

Net increase from payment by affiliate

                            (3)         
           

Total from Investment Operations

          0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01                
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (4)      (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (4)   
           

From net realized gains

                            (5)      (5)   
           

Total Distributions Paid

          (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01              
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00          
           

Total Return(6)

    0.04     1.15     1.16     0.79     0.53     0.02  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $126,164       $215,097       $468,126       $876,896       $203,856       $5,660,876    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(7)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(8)

    0.28     0.35     0.35     0.22     0.34     0.09  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.40     0.39     0.37     0.38     0.37     0.36  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(8)

    0.09     1.15     1.14     0.81     0.11     0.01  
           

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements and credits

    (0.03 )%      1.11     1.12     0.65     0.08     (0.26 )%         

 

(1) 

Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2) 

Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3) 

The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation, the parent company of NTI, of approximately $91,000. The voluntary cash contribution represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

 

(4) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(5) 

Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $0.01 per share.

 

(6) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(7) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(8) 

The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0.005%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      6     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

                                 

 

 

    U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  
ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  
(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    (1)      0.02       0.02       0.01       (1)      (1)   
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2)

                                     
           

Total from Investment Operations

          0.02       0.02       0.01                      
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (3)      (0.02     (0.02     (0.01     (3)      (3)   
           

Total Distributions Paid

          (0.02     (0.02     (0.01                    
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00          
           

Total Return(4)

    0.03     1.70     1.79     0.78     0.12     0.01  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $17,061,468       $16,586,659       $19,213,579       $15,995,919       $16,481,941       $3,359,761    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(5)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

    0.31     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.22  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.36     0.36     0.36     0.36     0.36     0.36  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

    0.05     1.70     1.80     0.77     0.15     0.01  
           

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements and credits

    %(7)      1.69     1.79     0.76     0.14     (0.13 )%         

 

(1) 

Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2) 

Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(4) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(6) 

The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0.005%.

 

(7) 

Amount rounds to less than 0.01%

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     7     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued                 

 

 

    U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND  
    Selected per share data  

SIX MONTHS  
ENDED  

SEP 30,  

2020  
(UNAUDITED)  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2020  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2019  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2018  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2017  

 

FISCAL YEAR  
ENDED  

MAR 31,  

2016  

     
           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00    
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       
           

Net investment income

    (1)      0.02       0.02       0.01       (1)      (1)   
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2)

                                     
           

Total from Investment Operations

          0.02       0.02       0.01                      
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

                       
           

From net investment income

    (3)      (0.02     (0.02     (0.01     (3)      (3)   
           

Total Distributions Paid

          (0.02     (0.02     (0.01                    
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

    $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00          
           

Total Return(4)

    0.03     1.69     1.79     0.78     0.15     0.02  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

                       
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

    $3,544,745       $3,602,443       $3,791,180       $3,778,047       $3,281,067       $3,887,950    
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(5)

                       
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

    0.32     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.20  
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

    0.36     0.37     0.37     0.37     0.36     0.36  
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(6)

    0.05     1.69     1.78     0.80     0.14     0.01  
           

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements and credits

    0.01     1.67     1.76     0.78     0.13     (0.15 )%         

 

(1) 

Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(2) 

Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(4) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(6) 

The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0.005%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      8     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

    

 

     MONEY MARKET FUND   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

ABS COMMERCIAL PAPER – 7.5%

 

ABS Other – 7.5%

       
 

CAFCO LLC,

       
 

0.22%, 10/19/20(1)

     $405        $405    
 

Cedar Springs Capital Co. LLC,

       
 

0.20%, 12/1/20(1)

     2,000        1,999    
 

Charta Corp. LLC,

       
 

0.22%, 10/15/20(1)

     405        405    
 

Concord Minutemen Capital Co. LLC, Class A,

       
 

0.19%, 11/20/20(1)

     1,615        1,614    
 

Crown Point Capital Co. LLC,

       
 

0.22%, 11/20/20(1) (2)

     4,000        3,999    
 

Matchpoint Finance PLC,

       
 

0.21%, 12/3/20(1)

     2,500        2,499    
 

0.20%, 12/16/20(1)

     2,600        2,599    
 

Mont Blanc Capital Corp.,

       
 

0.21%, 11/16/20(1)

     3,350        3,349    
 

Ridgefield Funding Co. LLC,

       
 

0.20%, 11/20/20(1)

     750        750    
 

0.20%, 11/23/20(1)

     1,240        1,240      
 

 

                    18,859      
   

Total ABS Commercial Paper

                     
 

(Cost $18,859)

        18,859    
              
 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT – 22.7%

 

Banking – 22.7%

       
 

Bank of America N.A., New York Branch,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.02%), 0.27%, 11/3/20(3)

     2,000        2,000    
 

Bank of Montreal, Chicago Branch,

       
 

0.20%, 10/30/20

     2,085        2,085    
 

0.20%, 11/13/20

     2,315        2,315    
 

0.72%, 3/10/21

     3,000        3,000    
 

Bank of Nova Scotia, Houston Branch,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.13%), 0.38%, 11/13/20(3)

     2,000        2,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.09%), 0.37%, 11/16/20(4)

     3,000        3,000    
 

BMO Harris Bank N.A.,

       
 

0.25%, 10/5/20

     5,000        5,000    
 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,

       
 

1.73%, 12/1/20

     2,615        2,621    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - 22.7%      continued

 

 
 

Banking – 22.7%    continued

       
 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New York Branch,

       
 

0.22%, 10/9/20

     $3,500        $3,500    
 

DZ Bank A.G. Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, New York,

       
 

0.18%, 12/11/20

     2,300        2,300    
 

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp.,

       
 

0.24%, 12/11/20

     3,000        3,000    
 

MUFG Bank Ltd., London Branch,

       
 

0.24%, 11/24/20

     1,485        1,485    
 

Nordea Bank AB, New York Branch,

       
 

0.16%, 11/6/20

     2,300        2,300    
 

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.,

       
 

0.30%, 12/7/20

     4,000        4,000    
 

0.29%, 12/16/20

     2,000        2,000    
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., New York Branch,

       
 

0.30%, 10/7/20

     2,450        2,450    
 

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, New York Branch,

       
 

1.92%, 12/23/20

     1,000        1,000    
 

Toronto Dominion Bank, London Branch,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.05%), 0.31%, 11/30/20(4)

     2,000        2,000    
 

Toronto Dominion Bank, New York Branch,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 0.31%), 0.47%, 10/20/20(3)

     3,005        3,006    
 

1.72%, 12/1/20

     2,615        2,621    
 

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.,

       
 

1.86%, 10/13/20

     995        996    
 

Westpac Banking Corp, New York Branch,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.03%), 0.30%, 11/19/20(4)

     2,000        2,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.15%), 0.40%, 12/7/20(3)

     2,000        2,000    
 

 

                    56,679      
   

Total Certificates Of Deposit

                     
 

(Cost $56,679)

        56,679    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     9     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


     SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    MONEY MARKET FUND    continued    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

COMMERCIAL PAPER – 11.0%

 

 
 

Banking – 10.6%

       
 

DBS Bank Ltd.,

       
 

0.24%, 10/6/20(1)

     $5,000        $5,000    
 

0.28%, 12/16/20(1)

     3,000        2,998    
 

0.20%, 12/22/20(1)

     2,500        2,499    
 

National Bank of Canada,
0.23%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     4,000        4,000    
 

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd., 0.25%, 10/9/20(1)

     4,000        4,000    
 

Royal Bank of Canada,
0.71%, 3/9/21(1)

     2,000        1,994    
 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.,

       
 

0.22%, 10/6/20(1)

     2,000        2,000    
 

0.26%, 10/21/20(1)

     4,000        3,999    
 

 

          26,490    
 

 

 

Foreign Agencies – 0.4%

       
 

Dexia Credit Local S.A.,
0.22%, 2/22/21(1)

     1,000        999    

 

 

Total Commercial Paper

       

 

 

(Cost $27,489)

       
27,489
 
 
 

    

       
 

CORPORATE NOTES/BONDS – 13.2%

 

 
 

Banking – 12.5%

       
 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
0.32%), 0.56%, 11/9/20(2) (3)

     2,819        2,820    
 

2.25%, 11/9/20

     780        782    
 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
2.10%, 10/5/20

     4,720        4,721    
 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2.20%, 11/9/20(2)

     4,000        4,009    
 

DNB Bank ASA,
2.13%, 10/2/20(2)

     5,572        5,572    
 

Royal Bank of Canada,

       
 

2.15%, 10/26/20

     4,050        4,055    
 

2.35%, 10/30/20

     807        808    
 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB,
2.63%, 11/17/20(2)

     2,650        2,658    
 

Svenska Handelsbanken AB,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 0.93%), 1.23%, 10/1/20(3)

     1,000        1,000    
 

2.40%, 10/1/20

     1,000        1,000    

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

CORPORATE NOTES/BONDS - 13.2%      continued

 

 
 

Banking – 12.5%    continued

       
 

Toronto Dominion Bank,
2.50%, 12/14/20

     $900        $904    
 

UBS A.G., London Branch,
2.45%, 12/1/20(2)

     800        802    
 

Westpac Banking Corp.,
2.60%, 11/23/20

     2,017        2,024    
 

 

          31,155    
 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical Services – 0.3%

       
 

Visa, Inc.,
2.20%, 12/14/20

     750        752    
 

 

 

Food and Beverage – 0.4%

       
 

Coca-Cola (The) Co.,
1.88%, 10/27/20

     1,048        1,049    

 

 

Total Corporate Notes/Bonds

       

 

 

(Cost $32,956)

        32,956    
 

    

       
 

EURODOLLAR TIME DEPOSITS – 7.4%

 

 
 

Banking – 4.7%

       
 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group,
0.11%, 10/6/20

     690        690    
 

Barclays Bank PLC, London Branch,
0.13%, 10/1/20

     2,145        2,145    
 

Credit Industrial et Commercial, Paris Branch,
0.10%, 10/1/20

     6,885        6,885    
 

DBS Bank Ltd., Singapore Branch,
0.20%, 10/2/20

     2,045        2,045    
 

 

          11,765    
 

 

 

Foreign Local Government – 2.7%

       
 

NRW.BANK, Dusseldorf Branch,
0.10%, 10/1/20

     6,810        6,810    

 

 

Total Eurodollar Time Deposits

       

 

 

(Cost $18,575)

       
18,575
 
 
 

    

       
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 10.0%

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 8.0%

       
 

0.15%, 10/27/20(1)

     15,000        14,999    
 

0.18%, 11/10/20(1)

     5,000        4,999    
 

 

          19,998    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      10     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


         SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 10.0%      continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 2.0%

 

 
 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.22%), 0.32%, 10/1/20(4)

     $5,000        $4,999    

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations

       

 

 

(Cost $24,997)

       
24,997
 
 
 

    

       
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS – 21.6%

 

 
 

Alaska – 3.2%

       
 

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp., Taxable Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, State Capital Project,
0.17%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     8,000        8,000    
 

 

 

Colorado – 3.2%

       
 

Colorado State HFA Taxable Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series AA-1, Class I,
0.17%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     8,000        8,000    
 

 

 

Idaho – 3.2%

       
 

Idaho State Housing & Finance Association SFM Taxable Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
0.16%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     7,920        7,920    
 

 

 

Michigan – 4.3%

       
 

Michigan State Finance Authority Taxable Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series C (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.16%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     10,900        10,900    
 

 

 

New York – 7.7%

       
 

New York City Housing Development Corp., Multi-Family Mortgage Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A (AMT), 1405 Fifth Avenue Apartments (Citibank N.A. LOC),
0.15%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     11,240        11,240    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 21.6%      continued

 

 
 

New York – 7.7%    continued

       
 

New York State Mortgage Agency Homeowner Mortgage Taxable Variable Revenue Bonds, Series 224,
0.14%, 10/8/20(5) (6)

     $8,000        $8,000    
 

 

          19,240    

 

 

Total Municipal Investments

       

 

 

(Cost $54,060)

        54,060    
 

    

       

 

 

Investments, at Amortized Cost

       

 

 

( $233,615)

        233,615    
 

    

       
 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 6.2% (7)

 

 
 

Repurchase Agreements – 6.2%

       
 

JPMorgan Securities LLC, dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $3,001,
0.23%, 10/7/20

     3,000        3,000    
 

Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Branch, dated 9/29/20, repurchase price $2,500,
0.20%, 10/7/20

     2,500        2,500    
 

Societe Generale S.A., dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $10,000,
0.17%, 10/1/20

     10,000        10,000    
 

 

          15,500    

 

 

Total Repurchase Agreements

       

 

 

(Cost $15,500)

       
15,500
 
 
 

    

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.6%

       

 

 

(Cost $249,115)

        249,115    
 

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.4%

 

     1,014    

 

 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

      $ 250,129    

 

(1) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(4) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. Maturity date represents the next interest reset date. The security’s legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date. Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity, interest rate risk and/or credit risk.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     11     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     MONEY MARKET FUND    continued   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

(5) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(6) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due, taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features.

(7) 

The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows:

 

  NAME    FAIR
VALUE
(000S)
     COUPON
RATES
   MATURITY
DATES

  Corporate Bonds

     $16,585      2.00% — 6.80%    7/6/21 — 8/8/56    

 

  Total

     $16,585        

 

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M – 1 Month

3M – 3 Month

ABS – Asset-Backed Securities

AMT – Alternative Minimum Tax

HFA – Housing Finance Authority

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC – Letter of Credit

MMY – Money Market Yield

PLC – Public Limited Company

SFM – Single Family Mortgage

USD – United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the maturity analysis for the Fund as a percentage of investments was:

 

  MATURITY ANALYSIS    %

  OVERNIGHT (ONE BUSINESS DAY)

     22.0

  2 - 15 DAYS

     31.3  

  16 - 30 DAYS

     12.2  

  31 - 60 DAYS

     17.4  

  61 - 97 DAYS

     14.7  

  98 - 180 DAYS

     2.4  
   

  Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments, which are carried at amortized cost, or at cost for repurchase agreements, which approximates fair value, by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

     LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Investments held by Money Market Fund(1)

     $—      $ 249,115        $—      $ 249,115    

 

 
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      12     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

    

 

         MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS – 100.0%

 

 
 

Alaska – 0.6%

       
 

Valdez City Marine Terminal Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, Exxon Pipelin Co. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     $750        $750    
 

 

 

District of Columbia – 1.3%

       
 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Airport System Variable Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Series D-2 (TD Bank N.A. LOC), 0.12%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     1,700        1,700    
 

 

 

Florida – 6.2%

       
 

Florida State Housing Finance Corp., MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue Bonds, Series L, Hudson Ridge Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),
0.17%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,000        1,000    
 

Florida State Housing Finance Corp., MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Cypress Lake Apartment M-1,
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     3,500        3,500    
 

Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Hospital Adventist Health System,
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,975        1,975    
 

Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Baptist Health,
0.11%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,300        1,300    
 

 

          7,775    
 

 

 

Georgia – 2.1%

       
 

Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable Revenue Bonds (AMT), Consolidated Utilities Project (Branch Banking & Trust Co. LOC),
0.22%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,630        2,630    
 

 

 

Illinois – 16.5%

       
 

Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds, Counseling Center Fox Valley Project (BMO Harris Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,210        1,210    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%      continued

 

 
 

Illinois – 16.5%    continued

       
 

Illinois State Development Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, St. Ignatius College Project (PNC Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     $2,850        $2,850    
 

Illinois State Educational Facilities Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Aurora University (BMO Harris Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,100        2,100    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (PNC Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     5,000        5,000    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Northwestern Memorial Hospital University,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     800        800    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank N.A. LOC),
0.23%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     4,965        4,965    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B, University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     400        400    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series D-2, University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank N.A. LOC),
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     1,500        1,500    
 

Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Wbez Alliance Inc., Project (BMO Harris Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     600        600    
 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds, Series 2018-XF253,
0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2) (3)

     1,400        1,400    
 

 

          20,825    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     13     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND    continued

 

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%      continued

 

 
 

Indiana – 1.1%

       
 

Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series J, Sisters of St. Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC),
0.12%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     $1,400        $1,400    
 

 

 

Iowa – 4.3%

       
 

Iowa State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Wesley Retirement Services (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     300        300    
 

Iowa State Higher Education Loan Authority Private College Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds, Loras College Project (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     400        400    
 

Iowa State Higher Educational Loan Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Loras Private College Facility (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     1,000        1,000    
 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certifcates Floater Revenue Bonds, Series 2017-XM0492,
0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2) (3)

     3,750        3,750    
 

 

          5,450    
 

 

 

Kentucky – 0.8%

       
 

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Eastland Parkway (Traditional Bank Inc., LOC),
0.48%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     955        955    
 

 

 

Maryland – 0.2%

       
 

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     235        235    
 

 

 

Massachusetts – 4.4%

       
 

Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III, Inc., Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT),
0.22%, 10/8/20(1) (2) (3)

     5,000        5,000    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%      continued

 

 
 

Massachusetts – 4.4%    continued

       
 

Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds, Series A, Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     $500        $500    
 

 

          5,500    
 

 

 

Minnesota – 9.7%

       
 

City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC),
0.25%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,135        2,135    
 

Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series 6Q, Concordia University, St. Paul (U.S. Bank N.A. LOC),
0.15%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     2,600        2,600    
 

Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC),
0.20%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,430        2,430    
 

Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC),
0.23%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,720        1,720    
 

Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC),
0.20%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     3,410        3,410    
 

 

          12,295    
 

 

 

Mississippi – 2.6%

       
 

Jackson County Pollution Control Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     500        500    
 

Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,
0.08%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     800        800    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      14     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%    continued

 

 

 
 

Mississippi – 2.6%    continued

       
 

Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     $350        $350    
 

Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     700        700    
 

Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds, Series C, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     210        210    
 

Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds, Series K, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Project,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     700        700    
 

 

          3,260    
 

 

 

Missouri – 1.5%

       
 

Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds, Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC),
0.18%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     100        100    
 

Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     295        295    
 

Saint Louis Missouri City IDA Variable Revenue Bonds, Mid-America Transplant Services (BMO Harris Bank N.A. LOC),
0.15%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     1,500        1,500    
 

 

          1,895    
 

 

 

Nebraska – 4.0%

       
 

Custer County Midwestern Disaster Variable Revenue Bonds, Andersons Inc., Project (U.S. Bank N.A. LOC),
0.18%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     5,000        5,000    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%    continued

 

 

 
 

Nevada – 0.2%

       
 

Clark County Airport System Variable Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien, Series D-1 (Mitsui Banking LOC),
0.13%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     $300        $300    
 

 

 

New York – 0.6%

       
 

New York State Dormitory Authority State Personal Income Tax Subordinate RANS, Series B,
5.00%, 3/31/21

     700        715    
 

 

 

North Carolina – 0.9%

       
 

Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B,
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,200        1,200    
 

 

 

Ohio – 0.5%

       
 

Ohio State Adjustable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series D, Common Schools,
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     410        410    
 

Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Adena Health System (PNC Bank N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     290        290    
 

 

          700    
 

 

 

Oregon – 0.2%

       
 

Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC),
0.21%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     300        300    
 

 

 

Pennsylvania – 15.5%

       
 

Bucks County IDA Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Grand View Hospital (TD Bank N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     5,000        5,000    
 

Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds, Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers & Traders LOC),
0.16%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     6,600        6,600    
 

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Turnpike Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds (TD Bank N.A. LOC),
0.12%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,900        2,900    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     15     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

    

MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND    continued

   

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%    continued

 

 

 
 

Pennsylvania – 15.5%    continued

       
 

RBC Municipal Products, Inc., Trust Revenue Bonds, Series E-101, Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC),
0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     $5,000        $5,000    
 

 

          19,500    
 

 

  Rhode Island – 0.5%        
 

Rhode Island State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Bryant University (TD Bank N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     600        600    
 

 

  South Carolina – 0.4%        
 

South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Prisma Health Obligation Group (U.S. Bank N.A. LOC),
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     500        500    
 

 

  Tennessee – 5.6%        
 

Greeneville Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Series B, Ballad Health (U.S. Bank N.A. LOC),
0.11%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,800        1,800    
 

Sevier County Public Building Authority Local Government Public Improvement Variable Revenue Bonds, Series V-B-1 (Branch Banking & Trust Co. LOC),
0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     5,325        5,325    
 

 

          7,125    
 

 

  Texas – 12.6%        
 

Bowie County Industrial Development Corp., Adjustable Revenue Bonds, Texarkana Newspapers Inc. (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),
0.13%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     500        500    
 

Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. LOC),
0.16%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     4,700        4,700    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%    continued

 

 

 
 

Texas – 12.6%    continued

       
 

Lower Neches Valley Authority Industrial Development Corp., Variable Revenue Bonds, Exxonmobil Project,
0.09%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     $315        $315    
 

Mesquite Independent School District Variable G.O. Unlimited Bonds, Series A (PSF, Gtd.),
0.22%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,960        1,960    
 

Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp., Variable Revenue Bonds, Total Petrochemicals,
0.18%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,600        2,600    
 

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank N.A. LOC),
0.13%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     1,200        1,200    
 

Texas State Department of Housing & Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Costa Mariposa Apartments,
0.18%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     170        170    
 

Texas State TRANS,
4.00%, 8/26/21

     3,000        3,102    
 

University of Texas System Bonds,
0.45%, 2/18/21

     1,300        1,300    
 

 

          15,847    
 

 

 

Utah – 2.3%

       
 

Murray City Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds, Series D, IHC Health Services Inc.,
0.10%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     900        900    
 

Utah State Corp.,MFH Variable Revenue Bonds, Series A, Florentine Villas (FHLMC LOC),
0.16%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,050        2,050    
 

 

          2,950    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      16     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0%    continued

 

 

Virginia – 1.1%

       
 

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Virginia State University Real Estate (Bank of America N.A. LOC),
0.14%, 10/1/20(1) (2)

     $1,345        $1,345    
 

 

 

Washington – 3.2%

       
 

Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds, Whitman College Project, 0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     2,915        2,915    
 

Washington State Housing Finance Commission Nonprofit Variable Revenue Bonds, Evergreen School Project (Wells Fargo Bank N.A. LOC),
0.13%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,100        1,100    
 

 

          4,015    
 

 

 

West Virginia – 1.1%

       
 

West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding & Improvement Bonds, Series A, Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking & Trust LOC),
0.15%, 10/8/20(1) (2)

     1,380        1,380    

 

 

Total Municipal Investments

       

 

 

(Cost $126,147)

        126,147    
         

 

 

Total Investments – 100.0%

       

 

 

(Cost $126,147)

        126,147    
 

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.0%

 

     17    

 

 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

      $ 126,164    

 

(1) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(2) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due, taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features.

(3) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

AMT – Alternative Minimum Tax

EDA – Economic Development Authority

FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association

G.O. – General Obligation

Gtd. – Guaranteed

IDA – Industrial Development Authority

LOC–Letter of Credit

MFH – Multi-Family Housing

PLC – Public Limited Company

PSF – Permanent School Fund

RANS – Revenue Anticipation Notes

TRANS – Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

 

 

County

     5.2

Hospital

     21.8  

Housing

     12.5  

IDB & PCR

     8.8  

School

     5.2  

State

     10.9  

University

     11.1  

Water & Sewer

     10.2  

All other sectors less than 5%

     14.3  

Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     17     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND    continued   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the maturity analysis for the Fund as a percentage of investments was:

 

   

 

MATURITY ANALYSIS

 

  

%    

 

 
 

OVERNIGHT (ONE BUSINESS DAY)

     47.0
 

2 - 15 DAYS

     1.7  
 

16 - 30 DAYS

     7.2  
 

31 - 60 DAYS

     16.0  
 

61 - 97 DAYS

     18.3  
   

98 - 180 DAYS

     9.8  
   

Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments, which are carried at amortized cost, or at cost for repurchase agreements, which approximates fair value, by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 2
(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

 

    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

 

Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1)

     $—        $126,147        $—        $126,147  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      18     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

    

 

     U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 28.7% (1)

 

 

 
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 6.2%

       
 

FFCB Discount Notes,

       
 

1.63%, 10/26/20(2)

     $20,000        $19,978    
 

1.62%, 11/3/20(2)

     15,000        14,978    
 

0.20%, 11/4/20(2)

     10,000        9,989    
 

1.62%, 11/4/20(2)

     20,000        19,979    
 

1.63%, 11/10/20(2)

     57,000        56,898    
 

1.63%, 11/17/20(2)

     34,000        33,928    
 

0.11%, 1/19/21(2)

     7,830        7,827    
 

0.12%, 2/12/21(2)

     1,570        1,569    
 

0.13%, 3/12/21(2)

     3,500        3,498    
 

0.13%, 4/6/21(2)

     940        939    
 

0.13%, 4/7/21(2)

     20,000        19,986    
 

0.13%, 4/14/21(2)

     2,750        2,748    
 

0.13%, 5/5/21(2)

     3,000        2,998    
 

0.13%, 5/11/21(2)

     3,000        2,998    
 

0.14%, 7/20/21(2)

     15,000        14,983    
 

0.14%, 7/21/21(2)

     10,000        9,989    
 

0.15%, 8/10/21(2)

     11,000        10,986    
 

FFCB Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.07%),
0.14%, 10/1/20(3)

     85,000        85,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.08%),
0.15%, 10/1/20(3)

     19,000        19,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -
0.14%), 0.16%, 10/1/20(4)

     75,000        75,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.07%) , 0.16%, 10/1/20(3)

     55,000        54,995    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.10%), 0.19%, 10/1/20(3)

     160,000        159,979    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.14%),
0.21%, 10/1/20(3)

     30,000        30,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.15%) ,
0.22%, 10/1/20(3)

     30,000        30,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.18%),
0.25%, 10/1/20(3)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.19%),
0.26%, 10/1/20(3)

     35,000        35,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.20%) ,
0.27%, 10/1/20(3)

     80,000        80,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.22%), 0.31%, 10/1/20(3)

     65,000        64,995    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.32%),
0.39%, 10/1/20(3)

     60,000        60,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.35%),
0.42%, 10/1/20(3)

     40,000        40,000    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 28.7% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 6.2%    continued

 

 
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.40%), 0.49%, 10/1/20(3)

     $15,000        $15,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
0.09%), 0.25%, 10/5/20(3)

     55,000        55,000    
 

 

          1,053,240    
 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank – 16.2%

       
 

FHLB Bonds,

       
 

0.12%, 10/23/20(3) (5)

     40,000        39,998    
 

1.63%, 10/28/20

     36,500        36,502    
 

0.19%, 12/10/20

     80,000        79,998    
 

0.20%, 12/11/20

     40,000        40,000    
 

0.11%, 1/25/21

     30,000        29,999    
 

0.16%, 2/16/21

     110,000        109,998    
 

0.12%, 2/18/21

     75,000        74,998    
 

0.10%, 2/25/21

     115,000        114,996    
 

0.12%, 3/10/21

     45,000        44,998    
 

0.14%, 5/24/21

     35,000        34,998    
 

FHLB Discount Notes,

       
 

0.15%, 10/1/20(2)

     35,000        35,000    
 

0.16%, 11/20/20(2)

     70,000        69,984    
 

0.58%, 12/7/20(2)

     130,000        129,860    
 

0.35%, 12/29/20(2)

     100,000        99,913    
 

0.19%, 1/11/21(2)

     85,000        84,954    
 

0.45%, 3/8/21(2)

     41,000        40,919    
 

0.11%, 3/26/21(2)

     100,000        99,947    
 

0.21%, 4/22/21(2)

     100,000        99,882    
 

FHLB Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.01%) ,
0.08%, 10/1/20(3)

     80,000        80,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.02%) ,
0.09%, 10/1/20(3)

     480,000        480,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.06%),
0.13%, 10/1/20(3)

     45,000        45,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.07%),
0.14%, 10/1/20(3)

     35,000        35,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.08%),
0.15%, 10/1/20(3)

     160,000        160,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.14%),
0.21%, 10/1/20(3)

     85,000        85,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.15%),
0.22%, 10/1/20(3)

     70,000        70,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.16%),
0.23%, 10/1/20(3)

     65,000        65,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.23%),
0.30%, 10/1/20(3)

     85,000        85,000    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     19     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND     continued                 

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

   
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 28.7% (1)     continued

 

 
 

Federal Home Loan Bank – 16.2%     continued

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.27%),

       
 

0.34%, 10/1/20(3)

     $40,000     

$40,000

 
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -

       
 

0.17%), 0.13%, 10/6/20(3)

     25,000     

25,000

 
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -

       
 

0.17%), 0.11%, 10/8/20(3)

     100,000     

100,000

 
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -

       
 

0.17%), 0.10%, 10/9/20(3)

     100,000     

100,000

 
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -

       
 

0.14%), 0.12%, 11/3/20(4)

     130,000     

130,000

 
 

 

        2,766,944  
 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation – 2.7%

 
 

FHLMC Bonds,

       
 

2.38%, 2/16/21

     45,000     

45,204

 
 

FHLMC Discount Notes,

       
 

0.15%, 11/12/20(2)

     275,000     

274,952

 
 

FHLMC Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.05%),

       
 

0.12%, 10/1/20(3)

     10,000     

10,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.10%) ,

       
 

0.17%, 10/1/20(3)

     45,000     

45,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.14%),

       
 

0.21%, 10/1/20(3)

     90,000     

90,000

 
 

 

        465,156  
 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association – 3.6%

 
 

FNMA Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.19%),

       
 

0.26%, 10/1/20(3)

     250,000     

250,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.23%) ,

       
 

0.30%, 10/1/20(3)

     50,000     

50,024

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.31%),

       
 

0.38%, 10/1/20(3)

     75,000     

75,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.32%),

       
 

0.39%, 10/1/20(3)

     75,000     

75,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.35%),

       
 

0.42%, 10/1/20(3)

     75,000     

75,000

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.39%),

       
 

0.46%, 10/1/20(3)

     85,000     

85,000

 
 

 

        610,024  

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agencies

       

 

 

(Cost $4,895,364)

     

4,895,364

 
   
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 34.8%

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 28.1%

       
 

0.14%, 10/13/20(2)

     20,000      19,999  
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 34.8%     continued

 

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 28.1%     continued

 

 
 

0.15%, 10/13/20(2)

     $215,000        $214,989    
 

0.22%, 10/15/20(2)

     40,000        39,997    
 

0.15%, 10/20/20(2)

     180,000        179,985    
 

0.16%, 10/22/20(2)

     130,000        129,988    
 

0.16%, 10/29/20(2)

     50,000        49,994    
 

0.10%, 11/3/20(2)

     85,000        84,989    
 

0.17%, 11/3/20(2)

     85,000        84,989    
 

0.16%, 11/5/20(2)

     125,000        124,981    
 

0.18%, 11/10/20(2)

     100,000        99,980    
 

0.11%, 11/17/20(2)

     40,000        39,992    
 

0.19%, 11/17/20(2)

     65,000        64,986    
 

0.18%, 11/24/20(2)

     50,000        49,986    
 

0.10%, 11/27/20(2)

     6,255        6,254    
 

0.16%, 12/1/20(2)

     30,000        29,992    
 

0.10%, 12/3/20(2)

     80,000        79,979    
 

0.17%, 12/3/20(2)

     90,000        89,977    
 

0.18%, 12/3/20(2)

     50,000        49,987    
 

0.15%, 12/8/20(2)

     130,000        129,962    
 

0.11%, 12/10/20(2)

     70,000        69,979    
 

0.19%, 12/10/20(2)

     85,000        84,975    
 

0.19%, 12/17/20(2)

     125,000        124,951    
 

0.10%, 12/24/20(2)

     60,350        60,331    
 

0.18%, 12/24/20(2)

     50,000        49,984    
 

0.12%, 1/7/21(2)

     105,000        104,959    
 

0.16%, 1/7/21(2)

     40,000        39,984    
 

0.17%, 1/7/21(2)

     85,000        84,966    
 

0.11%, 1/12/21(2)

     100,000        99,969    
 

0.13%, 1/21/21(2)

     85,000        84,966    
 

0.13%, 1/28/21(2)

     120,000        119,942    
 

0.17%, 1/28/21(2)

     135,000        134,935    
 

0.11%, 2/4/21(2)

     23,955        23,946    
 

0.12%, 2/9/21(2)

     175,000        174,925    
 

0.12%, 2/11/21(2)

     145,000        144,936    
 

0.12%, 2/16/21(2)

     65,000        64,970    
 

0.12%, 2/18/21(2)

     200,000        199,901    
 

0.14%, 2/18/21(2)

     85,000        84,958    
 

0.12%, 2/25/21(2)

     65,165        65,124    
 

0.18%, 2/25/21(2)

     95,000        94,940    
 

0.10%, 3/2/21(2)

     152,780        152,715    
 

0.11%, 3/4/21(2)

     40,000        39,980    
 

0.12%, 3/4/21(2)

     100,000        99,951    
 

0.10%, 3/9/21(2)

     75,000        74,966    
 

0.12%, 3/11/21(2)

     100,000        99,945    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      20     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 34.8%     continued

 

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 28.1%     continued

 

 
 

0.13%, 3/11/21(2)

     $85,000        $84,953    
 

0.12%, 3/25/21(2)

     115,000        114,891    
 

0.18%, 3/25/21(2)

     95,000        94,910    
 

0.26%, 3/25/21(2)

     165,000        164,844    
 

0.11%, 4/1/21(2)

     130,000        129,930    
 

0.14%, 7/15/21(2)

     60,000        59,935    
 

0.14%, 8/12/21(2)

     150,000        149,818    
 

0.14%, 9/9/21(2)

     40,000        39,948    
 

 

          4,791,433    
 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 1.8%

 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.12%), 0.22%,
10/1/20(3)

     70,000        69,977    
 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.22%), 0.32%,
10/1/20(3)

     245,000        244,969    
 

 

          314,946    
 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 4.9%

       
 

1.63%, 10/15/20

     35,000        35,000    
 

1.38%, 10/31/20

     80,000        79,982    
 

2.88%, 10/31/20

     240,000        240,238    
 

1.63%, 11/30/20

     65,000        64,994    
 

2.75%, 11/30/20

     155,000        155,275    
 

1.88%, 12/15/20

     30,000        30,015    
 

2.50%, 1/31/21

     70,000        70,259    
 

1.38%, 5/31/21

     55,000        55,454    
 

2.00%, 5/31/21

     55,000        55,684    
 

1.13%, 9/30/21

     45,000        45,441    
 

 

          832,342    

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations

       

 

 

(Cost $5,938,721)

        5,938,721    
 

    

       

 

 

Investments, at Amortized Cost

       

 

 

($10,834,085)

        10,834,085    
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 37.0%

 

 

 
 

Joint Repurchase Agreements – 0.7% (6) (7)

 

    
 

Bank of America Securities LLC, dated 9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$59,481,

       
 

0.07%, 10/7/20

     $59,480        $59,480    
 

Societe Generale, New York Branch,dated 9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$59,481,

       
 

0.06%, 10/7/20

     59,480        59,480    
 

 

          118,960    
 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements – 36.3% (8)

 

    
 

Barclays Capital, Inc., dated

       
 

8/31/20, repurchase price

       
 

$50,004,

       
 

0.10%, 10/1/20

     50,000        50,000    
 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC,dated 9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$750,002,

       
 

0.08%, 10/1/20

     750,000        750,000    
 

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.,dated 9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$61,835,

       
 

0.06%, 10/1/20

     171,622        171,622    
 

Deutsche Bank A.G., dated
9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$75,000,

       
 

0.06%, 10/1/20

     75,000        75,000    
 

Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated

       
 

9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$825,002,

       
 

0.07%, 10/1/20

     825,000        825,000    
 

JPMorgan Securities LLC, dated

       
 

9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$150,017,

       
 

0.12%, 1/3/21

     150,000        150,000    
 

JPMorgan Securities LLC, dated

       
 

9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$250,001,

       
 

0.08%, 10/1/20

     350,000        350,000    
 

NatWest Markets PLC, dated

       
 

9/29/20, repurchase price

       
 

$1,000,012,

       
 

0.06%, 10/6/20

     1,000,000        1,000,000    
 

NatWest Markets PLC, dated

       
 

9/29/20, repurchase price

       
 

$250,003,

       
 

0.07%, 10/6/20

     250,000        250,000    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     21     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND      continued                 

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 37.0%     continued

 

 

 
 

Repurchase Agreements – 36.3% (8)     continued

 

 
 

NatWest Markets PLC, dated

       
 

9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$250,000,

       
 

0.06%, 10/1/20

     $250,000        $250,000    
 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.,dated 9/30/20, repurchase price

       
 

$1,775,004,

       
 

0.07%, 10/1/20

     1,775,000        1,775,000    
 

Royal Bank of Canada, New York Branch, dated 9/29/20,repurchase price $550,009,

       
 

0.08%, 10/6/20

     550,000        550,000    
 

 

          6,196,622    

 

  Total Repurchase Agreements        

 

  (Cost $6,315,582)         6,315,582    
              

 

  Total Investments – 100.5%        

 

  (Cost $17,149,667)         17,149,667    
 

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.5%)

 

 

     (88,199  

 

  NET ASSETS – 100.0%         $17,061,468    

 

(1) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(2) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. Maturity date represents the next interest reset date. The security’s legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date. Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity, interest rate risk and/or credit risk.

(4) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(5) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(6) 

Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly. Rates are determined based on technical market conditions, which currently are driven by supply and demand.

(7) 

The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows:

 

   

NAME

 

  

 

FAIR

VALUE

(000S)

 

    

COUPON

RATES

 

   

MATURITY

DATES

 

     
  U.S. Treasury Bonds      $60,097        2.13%—2.75%       2/15/40—11/15/42    
  U.S. Treasury Notes      $60,917        0.63%—2.25%       7/15/21—12/31/24    

 

  Total      $121,014         

 

 

(8) 

The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows:

    NAME   

 

FAIR

VALUE

(000S)

    

COUPON

RATES

   

MATURITY

DATES

     
 

FHLB

     $509,589        0.00%—5.50%       10/14/20—7/15/36    
 

FHLMC

     $665,066        0.00%—6.75%       12/1/20—10/1/50    
 

FNMA

     $637,996        0.00%—7.25%       10/25/20—8/1/50    
 

GNMA

     474,171        2.00%—8.50%       10/20/25—10/15/55    
 

TVA

     $93,108        0.00%—7.13%       2/15/21—9/15/65    
 

U.S. Treasury Bills

     $628,583        0.00%       10/1/20—9/9/21    
 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

     $1,290,517        0.00%—7.50%       11/15/21—5/15/50    
 

U.S. Treasury Notes

     $2,032,232        0.13%—3.63%       10/31/20—8/15/30    

 

 

Total

     $6,331,262         

 

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M – 1 Month

3M – 3 Month

FFCB – Federal Farm Credit Bank

FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

MMY – Money Market Yield

PLC – Public Limited Company

SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority

USD – United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      22     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the maturity analysis for the Fund as a percentage of investments was:

 

 

 

MATURITY ANALYSIS

     %  
 

OVERNIGHT (ONE BUSINESS DAY)

     40.9
 

2 - 15 DAYS

     14.0  
 

16 - 30 DAYS

     3.1  
 

31 - 60 DAYS

     9.7  
 

61 - 97 DAYS

     8.7  
 

98 - 180 DAYS

     18.8  
 

181 - 270 DAYS

     2.4  
 

271 - 366 DAYS

     2.4  
     
   

 

Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments, which are carried at amortized cost, or at cost for repurchase agreements, which approximates fair value, by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

        

 

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

  

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

   

Investments held by U.S. Government Money Market Fund(1)

     $—      $17,149,667      $—      $17,149,667

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     23     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 32.1% (1)

 

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 10.0%

       
 

FFCB Discount Notes,

       
 

1.63%, 10/26/20(2)

     $2,000        $1,998    
 

1.62%, 11/3/20(2)

     2,000        1,997    
 

0.20%, 11/4/20(2)

     2,000        1,998    
 

1.62%, 11/4/20(2)

     5,000        4,994    
 

1.62%, 11/10/20(2)

     5,000        4,991    
 

1.63%, 11/10/20(2)

     2,000        1,996    
 

0.19%, 11/17/20(2)

     5,000        4,993    
 

1.63%, 11/17/20(2)

     7,000        6,991    
 

0.11%, 1/19/21(2)

     1,680        1,679    
 

0.12%, 2/12/21(2)

     330        330    
 

0.13%, 3/12/21(2)

     2,000        1,999    
 

0.19%, 3/16/21(2)

     12,000        11,990    
 

0.13%, 4/6/21(2)

     200        200    
 

0.13%, 4/14/21(2)

     1,250        1,249    
 

0.13%, 5/5/21(2)

     1,500        1,499    
 

0.13%, 5/11/21(2)

     1,500        1,499    
 

0.14%, 7/21/21(2)

     5,000        4,994    
 

0.14%, 8/3/21(2)

     8,000        7,991    
 

0.15%, 8/10/21(2)

     2,000        1,997    
 

FFCB Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.07%),
0.14%, 10/1/20(3)

     20,000        20,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.08%),
0.15%, 10/1/20(3)

     14,000        14,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M -
0.14%), 0.16%, 10/1/20(4)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.07%) , 0.16%, 10/1/20(3)

     10,000        9,999    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.09%),
0.16%, 10/1/20(3)

     5,000        5,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.11%),
0.18%, 10/1/20(3)

     25,000        24,998    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.10%), 0.19%, 10/1/20(3)

     30,000        29,996    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.14%),
0.21%, 10/1/20(3)

     5,000        5,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.15%),
0.22%, 10/1/20(3)

     5,000        5,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.14%), 0.23%, 10/1/20(3)

     10,000        10,001    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.18%),
0.25%, 10/1/20(3)

     28,000        27,998    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.19%),
0.26%, 10/1/20(3)

     6,000        6,000    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 32.1% (1) continued

 

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank – 10.0%    continued

 

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.20%),
0.27%, 10/1/20(3)

     $16,000        $16,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.22%), 0.31%, 10/1/20(3)

     15,000        14,999    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.32%),
0.39%, 10/1/20(3)

     10,000        10,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.35%),
0.42%, 10/1/20(3)

     40,000        40,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.38%),
0.45%, 10/1/20(3)

     20,000        20,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. Federal Funds +
0.40%), 0.49%, 10/1/20(3)

     5,000        5,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
0.09%), 0.25%, 10/5/20(3)

     10,000        10,000    
 

 

          354,376    
 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank – 22.1%

       
 

FHLB Bonds,

       
 

1.63%, 10/28/20

     7,570        7,570    
 

0.19%, 12/10/20

     20,000        19,999    
 

0.20%, 12/11/20

     10,000        10,000    
 

0.11%, 1/25/21

     5,000        5,000    
 

0.16%, 2/16/21

     25,000        25,000    
 

0.12%, 2/18/21

     50,000        49,999    
 

0.10%, 2/25/21

     25,000        24,999    
 

0.12%, 3/10/21

     10,000        9,999    
 

0.14%, 5/24/21

     5,000        5,000    
 

FHLB Discount Notes,

       
 

0.15%, 10/1/20(2)

     10,000        10,000    
 

0.15%, 10/15/20(2)

     145,000        144,992    
 

0.16%, 11/20/20(2)

     15,000        14,997    
 

0.58%, 12/7/20(2)

     30,000        29,968    
 

0.35%, 12/29/20(2)

     20,000        19,983    
 

0.19%, 1/11/21(2)

     20,000        19,989    
 

0.45%, 3/8/21(2)

     9,000        8,982    
 

0.11%, 3/26/21(2)

     20,000        19,989    
 

0.21%, 4/22/21(2)

     5,000        4,994    
 

FHLB Notes,

       
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.01%),
0.08%, 10/1/20(3)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.02%),
0.09%, 10/1/20(3)

     50,000        50,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.03%),
0.10%, 10/1/20(3)

     30,000        30,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.06%),
0.13%, 10/1/20(3)

     5,000        5,000    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      24     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 32.1% (1)     continued

 

 
 

Federal Home Loan Bank – 22.1%     continued

 

 
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.07%), 0.14%, 10/1/20(3)

     $5,000        $5,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.08%), 0.15%, 10/1/20(3)

     35,000        35,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.12%), 0.19%, 10/1/20(3)

     6,000        6,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.14%), 0.21%, 10/1/20(3)

     20,000        20,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.15%), 0.22%, 10/1/20(3)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.16%), 0.23%, 10/1/20(3)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.17%), 0.24%, 10/1/20(3)

     30,000        30,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.19%), 0.26%, 10/1/20(3)

     25,000        25,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.23%), 0.30%, 10/1/20(3)

     20,000        20,000    
 

(Floating, U.S. SOFR + 0.27%), 0.34%, 10/1/20(3)

     10,000        10,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M - 0.17%), 0.11%, 10/8/20(3)

     15,000        15,000    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M - 0.17%), 0.10%, 10/9/20(3)

     20,000        20,000    
 

0.12%, 10/23/20(3) (5)

     10,000        9,999    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M - 0.14%), 0.12%, 11/3/20(4)

     25,000        25,000    
 

 

                    782,459      
   

Total U.S. Government Agencies

                     
 

(Cost $1,136,835)

        1,136,835    
              
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS – 35.3%

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 26.4%

       
 

0.14%, 10/13/20(2)

     5,000        5,000    
 

0.15%, 10/13/20(2)

     50,000        49,997    
 

0.22%, 10/15/20(2)

     10,000        9,999    
 

0.15%, 10/20/20(2)

     40,000        39,997    
 

0.16%, 10/22/20(2)

     30,000        29,997    
 

0.10%, 11/3/20(2)

     20,000        19,998    
 

0.17%, 11/3/20(2)

     20,000        19,998    
 

0.16%, 11/5/20(2)

     25,000        24,996    
 

0.18%, 11/10/20(2)

     20,000        19,996    
 

0.11%, 11/17/20(2)

     10,000        9,998    
 

0.19%, 11/17/20(2)

     15,000        14,997    
 

0.18%, 11/24/20(2)

     10,000        9,997    
         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 35.3%     continued

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bills – 26.4%     continued

 

 
 

0.16%, 12/1/20(2)

     $10,000        $9,997    
 

0.10%, 12/3/20(2)

     15,000        14,996    
 

0.17%, 12/3/20(2)

     20,000        19,995    
 

0.18%, 12/3/20(2)

     10,000        9,997    
 

0.15%, 12/8/20(2)

     25,000        24,993    
 

0.11%, 12/10/20(2)

     15,000        14,996    
 

0.19%, 12/10/20(2)

     20,000        19,994    
 

0.19%, 12/17/20(2)

     25,000        24,990    
 

0.10%, 12/24/20(2)

     12,795        12,791    
 

0.18%, 12/24/20(2)

     10,000        9,997    
 

0.12%, 1/7/21(2)

     25,000        24,990    
 

0.16%, 1/7/21(2)

     10,000        9,996    
 

0.17%, 1/7/21(2)

     20,000        19,992    
 

0.11%, 1/12/21(2)

     20,000        19,994    
 

0.17%, 1/28/21(2)

     30,000        29,985    
 

0.12%, 2/9/21(2)

     35,000        34,985    
 

0.12%, 2/11/21(2)

     30,000        29,987    
 

0.12%, 2/16/21(2)

     15,000        14,993    
 

0.12%, 2/18/21(2)

     25,000        24,987    
 

0.14%, 2/18/21(2)

     20,000        19,990    
 

0.12%, 2/25/21(2)

     10,000        9,994    
 

0.18%, 2/25/21(2)

     8,000        7,995    
 

0.10%, 3/2/21(2)

     32,220        32,206    
 

0.11%, 3/4/21(2)

     10,000        9,995    
 

0.12%, 3/4/21(2)

     20,000        19,990    
 

0.10%, 3/9/21(2)

     25,000        24,989    
 

0.12%, 3/11/21(2)

     25,000        24,986    
 

0.13%, 3/11/21(2)

     20,000        19,989    
 

0.12%, 3/25/21(2)

     25,000        24,980    
 

0.18%, 3/25/21(2)

     20,000        19,984    
 

0.26%, 3/25/21(2)

     10,000        9,992    
 

0.11%, 4/1/21(2)

     30,000        29,984    
 

0.14%, 7/15/21(2)

     15,000        14,984    
 

0.14%, 8/12/21(2)

     30,000        29,964    
 

0.14%, 9/9/21(2)

     10,000        9,987    
 

 

          937,634    
 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 2.3%

       
 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.12%), 0.22%, 10/1/20(3)

     20,000        19,994    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     25     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

     U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND     continued    

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 35.3%    continued

 

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes – 2.3%    continued

 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.15%),
0.25%, 10/1/20(3)

     $15,000        $14,995    
 

(Floating, U.S. Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 0.22%),
0.32%, 10/1/20(3)

     45,000        44,995    
 

 

          79,984    
 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes – 6.6%

       
 

1.63%, 10/15/20

     5,000        5,000    
 

2.88%, 10/31/20

     45,000        45,045    
 

2.63%, 11/15/20

     20,000        20,024    
 

1.63%, 11/30/20

     15,000        14,999    
 

2.75%, 11/30/20

     30,000        30,053    
 

1.88%, 12/15/20

     5,000        5,002    
 

2.50%, 1/31/21

     15,000        15,055    
 

1.13%, 2/28/21

     58,000        58,112    
 

1.38%, 5/31/21

     15,000        15,124    
 

2.00%, 5/31/21

     15,000        15,186    
 

1.13%, 9/30/21

     10,000        10,098    
 

 

          233,698    

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations

       

 

 

(Cost $1,251,314)

        1,251,316    
         

 

 

Investments, at Amortized Cost

       

 

 

( $2,388,149)

        2,388,151    
         
 

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 33.5% (6)

 

 

 
 

Repurchase Agreements – 33.5%

       
 

Bank of America N.A., dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $250,001,
0.08%, 10/1/20

     250,000        250,000    
 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, dated 9/21/20, repurchase price $100,004,
0.09%, 10/7/20

     100,000        100,000    
 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, dated 9/24/20, repurchase price $300,008,
0.08%, 10/7/20

     300,000        300,000    
 

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $61,835,
0.06%, 10/1/20

     61,835        61,835    
        

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 33.5% (6)     continued

 

 

 
 

Repurchase Agreements – 33.5%    continued

 

 
 

Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $175,000,
0.07%, 10/1/20

     $175,000        $175,000    
 

HSBC Securities (U.S.A.), Inc., dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $50,000,
0.06%, 10/1/20

     50,000        50,000    
 

JPMorgan Securities LLC, dated 9/30/20, repurchase price $250,001,
0.08%, 10/1/20

     250,000        250,000    
 

 

          1,186,835    

 

 

Total Repurchase Agreements

       

 

 

(Cost $1,186,835)

        1,186,835    
         
        

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.7%

 

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.13%, 1/28/21(2)

     $25,000        $24,988    

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

       

 

 

(Cost $24,990)

        24,988    
         

 

 

Total Investments – 101.6%

       

 

 

(Cost $3,599,974)

        3,599,974    
 

Liabilities less Other Assets – (1.6%)

 

     (55,229  

 

 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $3,544,745    

 

(1) 

The obligations of certain U.S. government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury.

(2) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(3) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. Maturity date represents the next interest reset date. The security’s legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date. Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity, interest rate risk and/or credit risk.

(4) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(5) 

Rate is determined by a remarketing agent and in the agent’s judgment, on the basis of prevailing financial markets, will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount.

(6) 

The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows:

 

  NAME    FAIR
VALUE
(000S)
     COUPON
RATES
   MATURITY
DATES
   

FHLMC

     $216,507      1.50%—5.00%    11/1/27—9/1/50  

FNMA

     $61,408      0.00%—4.00%    11/1/29—11/1/49  

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      26     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

    NAME   

FAIR

VALUE

(000S)

    

COUPON

RATES

   

MATURITY

DATES

     
 

GNMA

     $340,042        2.50%—7.00%     6/15/27—12/20/67    
 

TVA

     $38        0.00%       12/15/31    
 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

     $459,996        1.00%—6.25%       1/15/28—2/15/49    
 

U.S. Treasury Notes

     $138,576        0.13%—3.13%       1/15/22—8/15/30    
           
   

Total

     $1,216,567                       

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M – 1 Month

3M – 3 Month

FFCB – Federal Farm Credit Bank

FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

MMY – Money Market Yield

SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority

USD – United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the maturity analysis for the Fund as a percentage of investments was:

 

  MATURITY ANALYSIS      %    
  OVERNIGHT (ONE BUSINESS DAY)      40.1  
  2 - 15 DAYS      14.9    
  16 - 30 DAYS      3.0    
  31 - 60 DAYS      8.3    
  61 - 97 DAYS      12.4    
  98 - 180 DAYS      14.3    
  181 - 270 DAYS      5.1    
  271 - 366 DAYS      1.9    
       
    Total      100.0    

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments, which are carried at amortized cost, or at cost for repurchase agreements, which approximates fair value, by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

        

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

    

TOTAL

(000S)

     
   

Investments held by
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund(1)

     $—        $3,599,974        $—        $3,599,974      

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     27     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Money Market, Municipal Money Market, U.S. Government Money Market and U.S. Government Select Money Market Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The U.S. Government Money Market Fund and the U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES  The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value. Under this method, investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity.

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS  Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers, are backed by an escrow or trust containing U.S. government securities or U.S. government agency securities, or are otherwise supported by letters of credit, standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities. Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the security’s principal and interest or may shorten the security’s maturity. However, such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fund’s shares. Additionally, there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations. For example, exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurer’s rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent, which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer.

C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS  The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature, which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly. The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily. During the term of a repurchase agreement, the fair value of the underlying collateral, including accrued interest, is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement. The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust, as agent of the Funds, at The Bank of New York Mellon, State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which, in turn, holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust, as custodian for the Funds, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited. Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at September 30, 2020, as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments.

Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC, U.S. Government Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement. NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      28     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services. The U.S. Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at September 30, 2020, as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments.

The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (“Netting Arrangements”) under a repurchase agreement. Generally, Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty. In addition,

Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. Generally, the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis. As of September 30, 2020, the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below, with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements.

 

The following table presents the repurchase agreements, which are subject to Netting Arrangements, as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements.

 

               GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
    
 Amounts in thousands   COUNTERPARTY   GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS
PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
 

NET

AMOUNT*

    
 Money Market   JPMorgan     $ 3,000     $ (3,000 )     $ -    
  Royal Bank of Canada       2,500       (2,500 )       -    
  Societe Generale       10,000       (10,000 )       -    
 

 

 
    Total     $ 15,500     $ (15,500 )     $ -          
 U.S. Government Money Market   Bank of America     $ 59,480     $ (59,480 )     $ -    
  Barclays Capital       50,000       (50,000 )       -    
  BNY Mellon       750,000       (750,000 )       -    
  Citigroup       171,622       (171,622 )       -    
  Deutsche Bank       75,000       (75,000 )       -    
  Fixed Income Clearing       825,000       (825,000 )       -    
  JPMorgan       500,000       (500,000 )       -    
  NatWest       1,500,000       (1,500,000 )       -    
  Nomura Securities       1,775,000       (1,775,000 )       -    
  Royal Bank of Canada       550,000       (550,000 )       -    
  Societe Generale       59,480       (59,480 )       -          
 

 

 
    Total     $ 6,315,582     $ (6,315,582 )     $ -          
 U.S. Government Select Money Market   Bank of America     $ 250,000     $ (250,000 )     $ -    
  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce       400,000       (400,000 )       -    
  Citigroup       61,835       (61,835 )       -    
  Fixed Income Clearing       175,000       (175,000 )       -    
  HSBC Securities       50,000       (50,000 )       -    
  JPMorgan       250,000       (250,000 )       -    
 

 

 
    Total     $ 1,186,835     $ (1,186,835 )     $ -          

 

*

Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement. Refer to the Schedules of Investments.

 

D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME  Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income, if any, is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Certain Funds may receive

dividend income, if any, from investment companies. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The Municipal Money Market Fund’s income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and, depending on an individual shareholder’s tax status, the federal alternative minimum tax.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     29     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      continued    

 

 

E) EXPENSES  Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES  For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only, each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a “redemption gate”) in the event that the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds:

30 percent weekly liquid assets – If a Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fund’s total assets as of the end of a business day, and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed and/or a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption. Liquidity fees and/or redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets.

10 percent weekly liquid assets – If a Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fund’s total assets as of the end of a business day, the Fund will impose, at the beginning of the next business day, a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed, unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund.

If a Fund imposes a redemption gate, the Fund and the Fund’s authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted.

Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board. In addition, liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets. A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period.

Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress.

A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares, and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption.

If a Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating.

Liquidity fees, if any, are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9—Capital Share Transactions. No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS  Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses. These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards. Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes, which are permanent, may result in periodic reclassifications in the Funds’ capital accounts. These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards. These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Funds.

At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

 Amounts in thousands   UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
  ACCUMULATED
UNDISTRIBUTED
NET REALIZED
GAINS (LOSSES)
    

 Money Market

      $    2       $    (2)    

 U.S. Government Money Market

      253       (253 )  

 U.S. Government Select Money Market

      42       (42 )    

H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES  No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      30     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

 Amounts in thousands  

SHORT-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFORWARD

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFOWARD

    

 Municipal Money Market

      $29       $–    

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains, including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:

 

    UNDISTRIBUTED        
 Amounts in thousands  

TAX-EXEMPT

INCOME

 

ORDINARY

INCOME*

  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
    

 Money Market

      $    –       $   514       $–  

 Municipal Money Market

      358              

 U.S. Government Money Market

            9,139        

 U.S. Government Select Money Market

            1,937          

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

    DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
 Amounts in thousands  

TAX-EXEMPT

INCOME

  ORDINARY
INCOME*
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
    

 Money Market

      $  –       $  11,250       $–  

 Municipal Money Market

      4,109              

 U.S. Government Money Market

            292,087        

 U.S. Government Select Money Market

            54,461          

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
 Amounts in thousands  

TAX-EXEMPT

INCOME

 

ORDINARY

INCOME*

  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
    

 Money Market

      $       –       $    9,571       $–  

 Municipal Money Market

      7,788              

 U.S. Government Money Market

            293,380        

 U.S. Government Select Money Market

            61,310          

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the

Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     31     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      continued    

 

 

The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    CONTRACTUAL  
    

ANNUAL

MANAGEMENT FEES

 

EXPENSE

LIMITATIONS

    

Money Market

      0.33 %       0.35 %  

Municipal Money Market

      0.33 %       0.35 %  

U.S. Government Money Market

      0.33 %       0.35 %  

U.S. Government Select Money Market

      0.33 %       0.35 %    

The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021 for each Fund. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time, including to avoid a negative yield. Any such additional expense reimbursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented, increased or decreased or discontinued at any time. There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. During the six months ended September 30, 2020, NTI voluntarily reimbursed fees to avoid a negative yield for the Funds. The amounts voluntarily reimbursed by NTI are included in Less expenses voluntarily reimbursed by investment adviser in the Statements of Operations and the amounts outstanding at September 30, 2020, are included as part of Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return. Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Funds’ Statements of Operations.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      32     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S. Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or at the discretion of the Trust, a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Fund engaged in purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity:

 

     Amount in thousands    PURCHASES      SALES*  
 

Money Market

     $15,300        $            -  
   

Municipal Money Market

     75,665        (77,090)  

 

*

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the realized gains (losses) associated with these transactions were zero.

Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee. These amounts (if any) are shown on the Funds’ Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates.

On April 1 and April 2, 2020, the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $33,011,000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial paper program. The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent

with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper. The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it, and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale. See Note 7 - U.S. Federal Reserve’s Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility.

7. U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE’S MONEY MARKET

MUTUAL FUND LIQUIDITY FACILITY

The U.S. Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (“MMLF”) on March 18, 2020, to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses. Under the MMLF, loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds. From April 1 through April 3, 2020, the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $38,022,000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF. These securities were sold at amortized cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss.

8. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows:

 

    Amounts in
    thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

NET
APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

COST

BASIS OF

INVESTMENTS

    

Money Market

  $-   $-   $-   $     249,115  

Municipal Money Market

  -   -   -   126,147  

U.S. Government Money Market

  -   -   -   17,149,667  

U.S. Government Select Money Market

  -   -   -   3,599,974    
 

9. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

     Amounts in thousands*   

PROCEEDS
FROM

SHARES SOLD

  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS

    
 

Money Market

       $       56,416        $   279        $     (251,610 )       $(194,915 )  
 

Municipal Money Market

       88,671        91        (177,695 )       (88,933 )  
 

U.S. Government Money Market

       33,939,627        1,458        (33,466,646 )       474,439  
   

U.S. Government Select Money Market

       6,424,982        366        (6,483,069 )       (57,721 )    

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     33     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)  

 

 

*

  The number of shares sold, reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions.

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

     Amounts in thousands*    PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

   PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
 

NET

INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS

    
 

Money Market

       $     601,472        $  4,789        $     (769,632 )       $   (163,371 )  
 

Municipal Money Market

       367,400        547        (621,013 )       (253,066 )  
 

U.S. Government Money Market

       72,000,916        62,199        (74,689,868 )       (2,626,753 )  
   

U.S. Government Select Money Market

       13,725,962        12,145        (13,926,824 )       (188,717 )    

 

*

  The number of shares sold, reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions.

 

10. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

11. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other

epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4 - Bank Borrowings.

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      34     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

     FUND EXPENSES   SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

  MONEY MARKET                  
  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
    

  Actual

       0.33 %       $1,000.00        $1,000.20        $1.65    

  Hypothetical

       0.33 %       $1,000.00        $1,023.35        $1.67          
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET    
  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
    

  Actual

       0.28 %       $1,000.00        $1,000.40        $1.40    

  Hypothetical

       0.28 %       $1,000.00        $1,023.60        $1.42          
  U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET              
  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
    

  Actual

       0.31 %       $1,000.00        $1,000.30        $1.55    

  Hypothetical

       0.31 %       $1,000.00        $1,023.45        $1.57          
  U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET         
  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
    

  Actual

       0.32 %       $1,000.00        $1,000.30        $1.60    

  Hypothetical

       0.32 %       $1,000.00        $1,023.40        $1.62          

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     35     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    

 

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Funds”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and stress testing, credit research, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications

of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Funds; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Funds’ shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed below, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      36     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

            SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

the Funds. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes, including with respect to the Funds’ regular reporting on stress testing. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. In this regard, the Trustees also noted Northern’s initiatives undertaken in the past few years with respect to the money market Funds and their shareholders, including, among other things, to convert certain of the Funds to “retail” funds limiting their beneficial owners to natural persons.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Funds. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objectives, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. The Trustees also took into account the low interest rate environment in which the Funds had been and were operating and any contributions by Northern to the Funds to prevent negative yield this year and in past years. The Trustees received information on the Funds’ investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Funds to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Funds’

investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks and the Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of the Funds was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020. They also considered that all of the Funds outperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

They also considered that none of the Funds was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of its Broadridge Bubble Chart.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Funds’ performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of certain Funds and their peers. They also considered the Funds’ investment performance relative to the investor base the Funds are intended to serve. The Trustees noted the potential impact on performance of the relative risk parameters of the different Funds. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Funds and processes to address performance issues, if any.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Funds’ contractual management fee rates and the net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Funds; the Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Funds. They also noted certain other actions taken by Northern in past years to reduce Fund expenses, such as voluntary expense reimbursements and management fee reductions with respect to certain Funds.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of each Fund against its respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ management fees include both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted that the Funds’ actual management fees were generally higher than the medians of their respective peer groups and universes. However, all of the Funds’ actual expenses,

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     37     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

after reimbursement and fee waivers, were in the first or second quintile of their respective peer group or peer universe, with the exception of the Municipal Money Market Fund, which was in the third quintile of its peer group and universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Funds’ expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for all of the Funds. They also reviewed information comparing the Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. They noted that there were not applicable comparisons for every Fund. For Funds where there were applicable comparisons, the Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Funds and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders.

They took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that

the Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels. They agreed that breakpoints were not necessary with respect to the Funds at this time based on the level of management fees and the contractual expense reimbursements. The Trustees also considered the voluntary fee waivers and expense reimbursements made by Northern to the Funds to prevent negative yield this year and in past years. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Funds’ current management fee structures were reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with Northern Trust. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Funds that the management fee to be paid by each of the Funds was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Fund’s asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      38     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


MONEY MARKET FUNDS

    

 

                

 

 

 

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     39     MONEY MARKET FUNDS


    

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

     FOR MORE INFORMATION    

 

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrust.com) as of each month-end for the previous six months. The Funds’ Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov).

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS      40     NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    

 

 

 

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains more complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

        
   NOT FDIC INSURED    
   May lose value / No bank guarantee    
           

    

  2     

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  4     

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  6     

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  8     

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  15     

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

  

EQUITY FUNDS

  15     

ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMMEX

  20     

ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMIEX

  28     

MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMFIX

  31     

MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMMGX

  34     

NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NENGX

  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

  42     

MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMEDX

  55     

MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND

  

Ticker Symbol: NMHYX

  85     

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  101     

FUND EXPENSES

  103     

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

  112     

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    1    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

       

 

 

  STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

      

 

     ACTIVE M        

 

MULTI-MANAGER

     EMERGING    ACTIVE M    GLOBAL LISTED
     MARKETS        INTERNATIONAL            INFRASTRUCTURE    
    Amounts in thousands, except per share data        EQUITY FUND        EQUITY FUND    FUND

ASSETS:

              

Investments, at value

       $362,201        $546,635        $1,008,620

Investments in affiliates, at value

       15,748        17,575        51,110

Cash held at broker (restricted $265 and $125, respectively)

                     265

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $513, $1,362, $3,336, $36, $2,967 and $688, respectively)

       512        1,358        3,341

Due from broker (Note 2)

                    

Interest income receivable

                    

Dividend income receivable

       711        983        1,078

Receivable for capital gains tax

       298              

Receivable for foreign tax reclaims

       28        1,665        1,034

Receivable for securities sold

       2,404        1,841        1,305

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       150               155

Receivable for fund shares sold

       229        535        1,036

Receivable from investment adviser

       13        9        3

Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements

                    

Unrealized appreciation on bilateral interest rate swap agreements

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Prepaid and other assets

       21        24        17

Total Assets

       382,315        570,625        1,067,964

LIABILITIES:

              

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Payable for securities purchased

       8,401        1,525        2,832

Unfunded loan commitments (Note 2)

                    

Payable for when-issued securities

                    

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

              54        140

Payable for fund shares redeemed

       484        263        4,740

Due to broker (Note 2)

                    

Payable to affiliates:

              

Management fees

       65        76        156

Custody fees

       81        38        21

Shareholder servicing fees

       34        7        17

Transfer agent fees

       12        19        35

Trustee fees

       2        3        3

Accrued other liabilities

       165        54        17

Total Liabilities

       9,244        2,039        7,961

Net Assets

       $373,071        $568,586        $1,060,003

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

              

Capital stock

       $278,691        $520,981        $1,078,460

Distributable earnings

       94,380        47,605        (18,457 )

Net Assets

       $373,071        $568,586        $1,060,003

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

       19,288        54,450        91,662

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

       $19.34        $10.44        $11.56

Investments, at cost

       $287,701        $482,167        $1,019,169

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       15,748        17,575        51,110

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    2    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


           

 

        

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

MULTI-MANAGER

       
MULTI-MANAGER           NORTHERN                EMERGING MARKETS       MULTI-MANAGER    
    GLOBAL REAL ESTATE       ENGAGE360TM    DEBT OPPORTUNITY   HIGH YIELD    
FUND   FUND    FUND       OPPORTUNITY FUND        
                            
    $143,130       $306,117        $158,803       $173,152       
    5,709       11,633        9,459       5,612  
          125               
   

    

36


      3,053        671        
                 629        
                 2,321       2,951  
    513       489               
                        
    48       221        67        
    178              593       1,535  
          30               
    33                    1,350  
    3       6        58       3  
   

    


             1        
                 22        
   

    


      13        173        
    15       22        4       22  
    149,665       321,709        172,801       184,625  
                            
   

    


      50        171        
    167       22        445       664  
                       43  
                 295       700  
          12               
    5                    107  
                 1        
                            
    21       35        24       25  
    2       5        9       7  
    1                    1  
    5       11        5       6  
    2              2       2  
    35       6        20       3  
    238       141        972       1,558  
    $149,427       $321,568        $171,829       $183,067  
                            
    $153,305       $290,375        $192,520       $244,454  
    (3,878 )       31,193        (20,691 )       (61,387 )  
    $149,427       $321,568        $171,829       $183,067  
   

    

14,981


      28,263        19,568       20,638  
    $9.97       $11.38        $8.78       $8.87  
    $133,547       $266,972        $166,798       $185,569  
    5,709       11,633        9,459       5,612  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    3    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

ACTIVE M

      MULTI-MANAGER
     EMERGING   ACTIVE M   GLOBAL LISTED
     MARKETS       INTERNATIONAL           INFRASTRUCTURE    
    Amounts in thousands            EQUITY FUND           EQUITY FUND   FUND

INVESTMENT INCOME:

            

Dividend income

       $3,419 (1)        $5,731 (1)        $18,040 (1) 

Non-cash dividend income

                   284

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

       5       9       23

Interest income

       48       47       9

Total Investment Income

       3,472       5,787       18,356

EXPENSES:

            

Management fees

       1,865       2,329       4,595

Custody fees

       193       123       89

Transfer agent fees

       66       109       197

Registration fees

       12       11       11

Printing fees

       7       8       7

Professional fees

       20       29       20

Shareholder servicing fees

       54       11       26

Trustee fees

       3       7       3

Interest expense

             1      

Tax expense

                  

Other

       44       17       8

Total Expenses

       2,264       2,645       4,956

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

       (359 )       (241 )       (31 )

Net Expenses

       1,905       2,404       4,925

Net Investment Income

       1,567       3,383       13,431

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):

            

Net realized gains (losses) on:

            

Investments

       26,465 (2)        4,151       (2,412 )

Interest rate swap agreements

                  

Futures contracts

       1,408       3,047       6,342

Foreign currency transactions

       (93 )       (30 )       51

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       (11 )            

Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

            

Investments

       65,421       132,005       87,287

Interest rate swap agreements

                  

Futures contracts

       (113 )       (391 )       147

Foreign currency translations

       46       117       91

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                  

Net Gains

       93,123       138,899       91,506

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       $94,690       $142,282       $104,937

 

(1) 

Net of $485, $680, $939, $86, $200 and $69, respectively, in foreign withholding taxes.

 

(2) 

Net of foreign capital gains tax paid of $1.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    4    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)     

 

 

       

 

MULTI-MANAGER

       
MULTI-MANAGER           NORTHERN               EMERGING MARKETS       MULTI-MANAGER    
    GLOBAL REAL ESTATE       ENGAGE360TM   DEBT OPPORTUNITY   HIGH YIELD    
FUND   FUND   FUND       OPPORTUNITY FUND        
                           
  $ 2,311 (1)      $ 2,968 (1)      $     $       
                       
    4       5       3       4  
    5       1       4,238 (1)        7,196  
    2,320       2,974       4,241       7,200  
                           
    609       1,005       658       807  
    29       33       38       27  
    26       57       30       37  
    10       11       10       11  
    7       6       6       7  
    20       20       20       17  
    2                   3  
    3       3       4       3  
                      1  
                56        
    4       7       9       7  
    710       1,142       831       920  
    (85 )       (108 )       (106 )       (88 )  
    625       1,034       725       832  
    1,695       1,940       3,516       6,368  
                           
                           
    (5,404 )       (3,572 )       (6,498 )       (12,753 )  
                21        
          1,507              
    40       12       (241 )        
          12       (296 )        
                           
    21,605       72,615       23,607       34,386  
                (20 )        
          (281 )              
          94       118        
          437       494        
    16,241       70,824       17,185       21,633  
  $ 17,936     $ 72,764     $ 20,701     $ 28,001  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    5    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

ACTIVE M

                MULTI-MANAGER  
     EMERGING     ACTIVE M     GLOBAL LISTED  
     MARKETS     INTERNATIONAL     INFRASTRUCTURE  
     EQUITY FUND     EQUITY FUND     FUND  
    

 

SEP 30,

    MAR 31,     SEP 30,     MAR 31,     SEP 30,     MAR 31,  
      Amounts in thousands    2020     2020     2020     2020     2020     2020  

OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     $1,567       $11,616       $3,383       $15,891       $13,431       $26,218  

Net realized gains (losses)

     27,769       26,739       7,168       (17,600     3,981       24,223  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     65,354       (125,644     131,731       (122,609     87,525       (168,736

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     94,690       (87,289     142,282       (124,318     104,937       (118,295

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

            

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     (59,989     (345,304     (131,879     (183,049     71,420       31,394  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     (59,989     (345,304     (131,879     (183,049     71,420       31,394  

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

Distributable earnings

           (45,400           (50,146     (12,574     (26,473

Total Distributions Paid

           (45,400           (50,146     (12,574     (26,473

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     34,701       (477,993     10,403       (357,513     163,783       (113,374

NET ASSETS:

            

Beginning of period

     338,370       816,363       558,183       915,696       896,220       1,009,594  

End of period

     $373,071       $338,370       $568,586       $558,183       $1,060,003       $896,220  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    6    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)    

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020    

 

 

                       

 

MULTI-MANAGER

                 
MULTI-MANAGER     NORTHERN     EMERGING MARKETS     MULTI-MANAGER      
GLOBAL REAL ESTATE     ENGAGE360TM     DEBT OPPORTUNITY     HIGH YIELD      
FUND     FUND     FUND     OPPORTUNITY FUND      
SEP 30,     MAR 31,     SEP 30,     MAR 31,     SEP 30,     MAR 31,     SEP 30,     MAR 31,      
2020     2020     2020     2020     2020     2020     2020     2020      
                             
  $1,695       $2,317       $1,940       $4,385       $3,516       $8,946       $6,368       $20,760    
  (5,364     (2,014     (2,041     (2,267     (7,014     (4,648     (12,753     (3,729  
  21,605       (19,895     72,865       (34,518     24,199       (24,361     34,386       (39,748  
  17,936       (19,592     72,764       (32,400     20,701       (20,063     28,001       (22,717  
                             
 

    

33,801

 

 

    23,582       3,135       52,553       18,414       (17,119     (52,171     (108,057  
 

    

33,801

 

 

    23,582       3,135       52,553       18,414       (17,119     (52,171     (108,057  
                             
  (878     (4,336           (4,322           (4,297     (7,051     (20,934  
  (878     (4,336           (4,322           (4,297     (7,051     (20,934  
  50,859       (346     75,899       15,831       39,115       (41,479     (31,221     (151,708  
                             
  98,568       98,914       245,669       229,838       132,714       174,193       214,288       365,996    
  $149,427       $98,568       $321,568       $245,669       $171,829       $132,714       $183,067       $214,288    

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    7    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

      ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $14.61       $19.49       $22.55       $18.05       $15.36       $18.25  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.09 (1)      0.59       0.42       0.28       0.20       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     4.64       (3.84     (3.30     4.22       2.79       (2.49

Total from Investment Operations

     4.73       (3.25     (2.88     4.50       2.99       (2.24

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(2)

           (0.88     (0.18           (0.30     (0.28

From net realized gains

           (0.75                       (0.37

Total Distributions Paid

           (1.63     (0.18           (0.30     (0.65

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $19.34       $14.61       $19.49       $22.55       $18.05       $15.36  
           

Total Return(3)

     32.37 %(1)      (18.77 )%      (12.71 )%      24.93     19.75     (12.11 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $373,071       $338,370       $816,363       $1,268,985       $962,121       $677,066  

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     1.10     1.10     1.10     1.10     1.15 %(6)      1.35

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     1.31     1.26     1.21     1.21     1.28 %(6)      1.45

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     0.91     1.85     1.61     1.34     1.13 %(6)      1.32

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     0.70     1.69     1.50     1.23     1.00 %(6)      1.22

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     59.67     81.32     80.98     36.14     59.52     37.58

 

(1) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $41,000. The reimbursements represent less than $0.01 per share. Without these reimbursements, the total return would have been 32.34%. See Note 6.

 

(2) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(3) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $8,000, $17,000, $42,000 and $46,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and approximately $36,000 and $16,000, which represent less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(6) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser reduced the management fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursement it provides the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 1.10%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 1.35%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    8    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

       ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $8.09       $10.38       $11.70       $9.95       $9.35       $10.44  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.06 (1)      0.21       0.22       0.17       0.16       0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.29       (1.85     (0.91     1.74       0.60       (1.15

Total from Investment Operations

     2.35       (1.64     (0.69     1.91       0.76       (1.02

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(2)

           (0.26     (0.29     (0.16     (0.16     (0.07

From net realized gains

           (0.39     (0.34                  

Total Distributions Paid

           (0.65     (0.63     (0.16     (0.16     (0.07

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $10.44       $8.09       $10.38       $11.70       $9.95       $9.35  
           

Total Return(3)

     29.05 %(1)      (17.49 )%      (5.32 )%      19.17     8.27     (9.77 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $568,586       $558,183       $915,696       $1,390,844       $1,156,348       $1,448,577  

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     0.85     0.85     0.84     0.84     0.92 %(6)      1.20

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.93     0.93     0.94     0.93     1.01 %(6)      1.26

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     1.19     1.86     1.75     1.49     1.41 %(6)      1.22

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     1.11     1.78     1.65     1.40     1.32 %(6)      1.16

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     26.12     39.52     35.11     65.70     115.17     70.24

 

(1) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $26,000. The reimbursements represent less than $0.01 per share. Without these reimbursements, the total return would have been 29.04%. See Note 6.

 

(2) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(3) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $13,000, $45,000, $66,000, $77,000 and $71,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $57,000 which represent less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(6) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser reduced the management fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursement it provides the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 0.84%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 1.20%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    9    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

      MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 10.48     $ 12.09     $ 12.83     $ 12.97     $ 11.76     $ 12.22  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.15       0.31       0.36       0.38       0.28       0.31  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.07       (1.61     0.08       0.51       1.22       (0.53

Total from Investment Operations

     1.22       (1.30     0.44       0.89       1.50       (0.22

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(1)

     (0.14     (0.31     (0.43     (0.44     (0.29     (0.24

From net realized gains

                 (0.75     (0.59            

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.14     (0.31     (1.18     (1.03     (0.29     (0.24

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 11.56     $ 10.48     $ 12.09     $ 12.83     $ 12.97     $ 11.76  
           

Total Return(2)

     11.65     (11.09 )%      4.24     6.62     12.96     (1.80 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

   $ 1,060,003     $ 896,220     $ 1,009,594     $ 1,205,762     $ 1,248,307     $ 1,178,180  

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.96     0.98     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.97     0.98     1.02     1.02     1.02     1.02

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     2.63     2.45     2.81     2.59     2.24     2.51

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     2.62     2.45     2.79     2.57     2.22     2.49

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     33.03     80.41     38.64     44.40     81.27     56.92

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $31,000, $77,000, $66,000, $97,000 and $52,000 which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $33,000 which represents less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    10    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

      MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $8.67       $11.12       $10.38       $10.63       $11.91       $16.66  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.15       0.29       0.31       0.07       0.30       0.30  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.21       (2.28     1.01       0.35       (0.04     (0.71

Total from Investment Operations

     1.36       (1.99     1.32       0.42       0.26       (0.41

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(1)

     (0.06     (0.46     (0.46     (0.57     (0.48     (0.44

From net realized gains

                 (0.12     (0.10     (1.06     (3.90

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.06     (0.46     (0.58     (0.67     (1.54     (4.34

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $9.97       $8.67       $11.12       $10.38       $10.63       $11.91  
           

Total Return(2)

     15.69     (18.86 )%      13.28     3.93     2.72     (1.46 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $149,427       $98,568       $98,914       $76,973       $218,174       $326,942  

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.91     0.94     0.94     0.92     0.96 %(5)      1.11

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     1.04     1.10     1.20     1.09     1.10 %(5)      1.20

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     2.48     2.18     2.47     2.97     1.79 %(5)      1.44

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     2.35     2.02     2.21     2.80     1.65 %(5)      1.35

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     54.66     62.47     66.43     144.67     167.04     94.24

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $4,000, $5,000, $3,000, $8,000 and $16,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $14,000, which represent less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser reduced the management fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursement it provides the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 0.91%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 1.10%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    11    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                   
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     PERIOD  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018(1)  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 8.78     $ 10.03     $ 10.17     $ 10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income

     0.07       0.15       0.09       0.05  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.53       (1.24     (0.14     0.13  

Total from Investment Operations

     2.60       (1.09     (0.05     0.18  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

        

From net investment income

           (0.16     (0.09     (0.01

From net realized gains

                 (2)       

Total Distributions Paid

           (0.16     (0.09     (0.01

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 11.38     $ 8.78     $ 10.03     $ 10.17  
       

Total Return(3)

     29.61     (11.22 )%      (0.36 )%      1.80

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

        

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

   $ 321,568     $ 245,669     $ 229,838     $ 98,123  

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

        

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.77     0.80     0.88     1.08

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     1.31     1.57     1.60     1.54 %(6) 

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     1.24     1.47     1.42     1.16 %(6) 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     20.78     32.99     48.63     7.21

 

(1) 

Commenced investment operations on November 20, 2017.

(2) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from net realized gains were less than $0.01 per share.

(3) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $7,000, $16,000, $11,000 and $2,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the period from November 20, 2017 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2018, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

(6) 

As the Fund commenced investment operations on November 20, 2017, annualized net investment income may not be reflective of actual amounts the Fund might obtain in a full year of operation.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    12    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

      MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $7.62       $9.05       $9.68       $9.32       $8.89       $9.15  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.19 (1)      0.52       0.51       0.55       0.53       0.35  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     0.97 (2)      (1.70     (0.85     0.30       0.03       (0.55 )(3) 

Total from Investment Operations

     1.16       (1.18     (0.34     0.85       0.56       (0.20

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(4)

           (0.25     (0.29     (0.49     (0.13      

Return of capital

                             (5)      (0.06

Total Distributions Paid

           (0.25     (0.29     (0.49     (0.13     (0.06

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $8.78       $7.62       $9.05       $9.68       $9.32       $8.89  
           

Total Return(6)

     15.07     (13.20 )%      (3.39 )%      9.30     6.32     (2.25 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $171,829       $132,714       $174,193       $189,630       $98,397       $66,299  

Ratio to average net assets of:(7)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(8)

     0.94     0.94     0.95     0.94     0.95     0.95

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     1.07     1.02     1.05     1.05     1.14     1.11

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(8)

     4.54     5.44     5.67     5.36     5.48     5.00

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     4.41     5.36     5.57     5.25     5.29     4.84

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     32.55     73.25     82.84     99.56     210.59     203.48

 

(1) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $56,000. The reimbursement represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return. See Note 6.

 

(2) 

The Northern Trust Company reimbursed the Fund approximately $58,000. The reimbursement represents less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return. See Note 6.

 

(3) 

The Fund received reimbursements from Northern Trust Investments, Inc. of approximately $52,000. The reimbursements represent less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

 

(4) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(5) 

Per share amounts from distributions paid from return of capital were less than $0.01 per share.

 

(6) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(7) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(8) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $4,000, $9,000, $11,000, $13,000, $8,000 and $5,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    13    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

       MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND

 
    

 

SIX MONTHS

                               
     ENDED     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR     FISCAL YEAR  
     SEP 30,     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED  
     2020     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,     MAR 31,  
    Selected per share data    (UNAUDITED)     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $7.97       $9.56       $9.81       $10.01       $9.01       $10.12  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income

     0.30       0.63       0.60       0.63       0.63       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     0.92       (1.59     (0.25     (0.20     0.91       (1.03

Total from Investment Operations

     1.22       (0.96     0.35       0.43       1.54       (0.52

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            

From net investment income(1)

     (0.32     (0.63     (0.60     (0.63     (0.54     (0.54

From net realized gains

                                   (0.05

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.32     (0.63     (0.60     (0.63     (0.54     (0.59

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $8.87       $7.97       $9.56       $9.81       $10.01       $9.01  
           

Total Return(2)

     15.51     (10.79 )%      3.75     4.37     17.41     (5.19 )% 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $183,067       $214,288       $365,996       $265,410       $322,859       $402,408  

Ratio to average net assets of:(3)

            

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     0.86     0.86     0.86     0.86     0.87 %(5)      0.90

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits

     0.95     0.95     0.98     0.99     0.99 %(5)      0.99

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(4)

     6.55     6.57     6.23     6.26     6.51 %(5)      5.51

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     6.46     6.48     6.11     6.13     6.39 %(5)      5.42

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     52.05     63.55     80.62     66.18     92.50     73.41

 

(1) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(2) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(3) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $6,000, $18,000, $31,000, $18,000, $25,000 and $29,000, which represent less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(5) 

Effective June 15, 2016, the investment adviser reduced the management fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursement it provides the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund’s total expenses (other than certain excepted expenses noted in the Notes to the Financial Statements) to 0.85%. Prior to June 15, 2016, the expense limitation had been 0.90%.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    14    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS    

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY  FUND

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)

 

 

 
 

Argentina – 1.0%

       
 

Globant S.A.*

     5,732        $1,027    
 

MercadoLibre, Inc.*

     2,448        2,650    
 

 

          3,677    
 

 

 

Brazil – 5.2%

       
 

Ambev S.A. ADR*

     1,567,999        3,544    
 

B3 S.A. - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

     161,400        1,584    
 

Hapvida Participacoes e Investimentos S.A.(2)

     33,600        373    
 

Localiza Rent a Car S.A.*

     15,200        154    
 

Magazine Luiza S.A.

     163,600        2,609    
 

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes S.A.

     44,800        520    
 

Rumo S.A.*

     237,400        806    
 

StoneCo Ltd., Class A*

     29,310        1,550    
 

Suzano S.A.*

     514,553        4,157    
 

TOTVS S.A.

     44,700        215    
 

Vale S.A. ADR

     257,932        2,729    
 

WEG S.A.

     80,300        935    
 

XP, Inc., Class A*

     7,600        317    
 

 

          19,493    
 

 

 

China – 27.7%

       
 

Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     79,300        599    
 

Airtac International Group

     110,000        2,487    
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.*

     209,100        7,732    
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*

     51,032        15,002    
 

A-Living Services Co. Ltd., Class H

     163,000        830    
 

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

     376,500        2,603    
 

Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     92,960        739    
 

Centre Testing International Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     357,600        1,284    
 

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

     268,000        175    
 

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class H(2) *

     834,000        1,936    
 

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

     1,206,000        2,737    
 

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

     118,500        564    
 

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

     297,100        911    
 

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

     582,000        1,305    
 

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     51,064        1,583    
 

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

     131,000        848    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)     continued

 

 

 
 

China – 27.7%    continued

       
 

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     3,376,924        $2,115    
 

East Money Information Co. Ltd., Class A

     266,389        943    
 

GDS Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     3,430        281    
 

Glodon Co. Ltd., Class A

     80,100        861    
 

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     597,000        311    
 

JD.com, Inc. ADR*

     98,900        7,676    
 

JD.com, Inc., Class A*

     73,050        2,804    
 

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd., Class A

     182,900        1,919    
 

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

     36,800        487    
 

Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A

     5,600        1,377    
 

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

     323,000        1,516    
 

Meituan Dianping, Class B*

     139,700        4,393    
 

Midea Group Co. Ltd., Class A

     133,500        1,427    
 

NetEase, Inc.

     145,000        2,601    
 

NetEase, Inc. ADR

     5,116        2,326    
 

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

     5,898,000        1,734    
 

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.(2) *

     104,500        1,350    
 

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

     254,500        2,626    
 

Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Class H(3)

     182,000        448    
 

Silergy Corp.

     11,900        704    
 

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

     111,900        1,714    
 

TAL Education Group ADR*

     15,440        1,174    
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     191,000        12,719    
 

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

     3,087,824        2,155    
 

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A

     43,000        1,400    
 

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(2) *

     78,500        1,926    
 

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

     70,800        399    
 

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

     311,500        1,958    
 

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

     801,900        776    
 

 

          103,455    
 

 

 

Egypt – 1.0%

       
 

Commercial International Bank Egypt S.A.E.

     911,143        3,847    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    15    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

France – 0.2%

       
 

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

     1,390        $479    
 

Teleperformance

     784        241    
 

 

          720    
 

 

 

Hong Kong – 2.9%

       
 

AIA Group Ltd.

     43,600        429    
 

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.*

     206,000        507    
 

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.*

     192,000        906    
 

China Mobile Ltd. (Hong Kong Exchange)

     587,002        3,774    
 

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

     337,002        850    
 

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

     652,000        894    
 

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

     41,100        1,932    
 

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

     110,500        1,453    
 

 

          10,745    
 

 

 

Hungary – 0.1%

       
 

Richter Gedeon Nyrt.

     7,508        159    
 

 

 

India – 10.2%

       
 

Asian Paints Ltd.

     36,419        981    
 

Britannia Industries Ltd.

     3,005        155    
 

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. ADR

     16,900        1,176    
 

Escorts Ltd.

     76,781        1,369    
 

HDFC Bank Ltd.*

     53,198        784    
 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR*

     37,767        1,887    
 

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

     113,879        4,876    
 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

     27,360        769    
 

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

     156,154        3,706    
 

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR*

     185,117        1,820    
 

Infosys Ltd. ADR

     184,801        2,552    
 

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

     12,822        1,178    
 

Reliance Industries Ltd.

     178,451        5,435    
 

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

     338,373        11,476    
 

 

          38,164    
 

 

 

Indonesia – 0.3%

       
 

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

     226,700        414    
 

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     2,725,800        559    
 

 

          973    
 

 

 

Japan – 0.3%

       
 

Anritsu Corp.

     33,900        775    
 

Sony Corp.

     6,100        467    
 

 

          1,242    
 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

Mexico – 3.0%

       
 

Alfa S.A.B. de C.V., Class A

     2,726,688        $1,689    
 

America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Class L ADR

     245,445        3,066    
 

Gruma S.A.B. de C.V., Class B

     41,700        461    
 

Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V., Series A

     641,760        1,194    
 

Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., Series B

     127,548        325    
 

Telesites S.A.B. de C.V.*

     173,368        157    
 

Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V.

     1,784,100        4,269    
 

 

          11,161    
 

 

 

Netherlands – 0.8%

       
 

ASML Holding N.V.

     2,843        1,048    
 

Prosus N.V.*

     20,871        1,925    
 

 

          2,973    
 

 

 

Peru – 2.1%

       
 

Cia de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ADR

     89,506        1,094    
 

Credicorp Ltd.

     24,165        2,996    
 

Southern Copper Corp.

     80,542        3,646    
 

 

          7,736    
 

 

 

Philippines – 0.1%

       
 

Universal Robina Corp.

     155,860        431    
 

 

 

Poland – 0.1%

       
 

Dino Polska S.A.*

     5,974        352    
 

 

 

Russia – 1.3%

       
 

LUKOIL PJSC ADR

     13,902        804    
 

Magnit PJSC GDR (Registered)

     26,393        394    
 

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR*

     150,407        1,754    
 

X5 Retail Group N.V. GDR (Registered)

     30,741        1,137    
 

Yandex N.V., Class A*

     9,300        607    
 

 

          4,696    
 

 

 

Singapore – 0.8%

       
 

Sea Ltd. ADR*

     20,308        3,128    
 

 

 

South Africa – 5.7%

       
 

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.

     39,404        1,030    
 

Barloworld Ltd.

     149,203        547    
 

Bid Corp. Ltd.

     125,163        1,929    
 

Bidvest Group (The) Ltd.

     438,952        3,613    
 

Clicks Group Ltd.

     15,349        203    
 

FirstRand Ltd.

     878,951        2,160    
 

Gold Fields Ltd.

     36,565        447    
 

Naspers Ltd., Class N

     46,049        8,122    
 

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

     27,539        224    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    16    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)     continued

 

 

 
 

South Africa – 5.7%    continued

       
 

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

     268,049        $1,726    
 

Truworths International Ltd.

     619,016        1,151    
 

 

          21,152    
 

 

 

South Korea – 14.9%

       
 

Amorepacific Corp.

     20,491        2,853    
 

Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd.

     10,479        2,058    
 

Hyundai Motor Co.

     63,915        9,742    
 

LG Chem Ltd.

     10,162        5,674    
 

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

     812        1,008    
 

NAVER Corp.

     11,393        2,885    
 

NCSoft Corp.

     266        183    
 

NHN KCP Corp.

     18,836        1,105    
 

NICE Information Service Co. Ltd.

     34,868        588    
 

Orion Corp.

     36,267        4,093    
 

POSCO

     16,733        2,812    
 

Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd.*

     1,512        891    
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     344,783        17,372    
 

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

     88,541        2,059    
 

SK Hynix, Inc.

     32,126        2,305    
 

 

          55,628    
 

 

 

Sweden – 0.1%

       
 

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

     5,919        282    
 

 

 

Switzerland – 0.1%

       
 

Logitech International S.A. (Registered)

     3,705        287    
 

 

 

Taiwan – 12.1%

       
 

Accton Technology Corp.

     31,000        240    
 

Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     181,000        1,710    
 

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

     1,223,796        3,276    
 

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

     17,700        2,068    
 

MediaTek, Inc.

     178,000        3,753    
 

Nien Made Enterprise Co. Ltd.

     67,000        798    
 

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

     208,000        2,662    
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     1,164,952        17,496    
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR

     154,330        12,512    
 

Win Semiconductors Corp.

     56,800        565    
 

Wiwynn Corp.

     5,500        125    
 

 

          45,205    
 

 

 

Thailand – 0.6%

       
 

CP ALL PCL (Registered)

     1,065,000        2,025    
 

Siam Global House PCL NVDR

     502,800        321    
 

 

          2,346    
 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)     continued

 

 

 
 

Turkey – 0.6%

       
 

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

     1,150,493        $2,262    
 

 

 

United Arab Emirates – 0.5%

       
 

Emaar Properties PJSC*

     2,603,203        1,980    
 

 

 

United Kingdom – 0.2%

       
 

AstraZeneca PLC

     2,341        255    
 

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

     4,434        432    
 

 

          687    
 

 

 

United States – 1.6%

       
 

American Tower Corp.

     998        241    
 

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     3,150        1,065    
 

Microsoft Corp.

     12,040        2,532    
 

NIKE, Inc., Class B

     2,558        321    
 

NVIDIA Corp.

     1,380        747    
 

Tenaris S.A. ADR

     122,075        1,203    
 

 

          6,109    

 

 

Total Common Stocks

       

 

 

(Cost $273,968)

        348,890    
         
 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS – 1.8% (1)

 

 

 
 

Brazil – 1.1%

       
 

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. ADR,
0.86%(4)

     651,125        2,592    
 

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. ADR,
0.00%(4) (5)

     234,504        1,651    
 

 

          4,243    
 

 

 

South Korea – 0.7%

       
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., 2.81%(4)

     58,721        2,533    

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks

       

 

 

(Cost $7,337)

        6,776    
         
 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 5.5%

 

 

 
 

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     86,100        4,546    
 

Northern Institutional Funds -
U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),
0.00%(6) (7)

     15,748,423        15,748    

 

 

Total Investment Companies

       

 

 

(Cost $20,155)

        20,294    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    17    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

 

    ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.5%

 

 

 
 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(8) (9)

     $1,990        $1,989    

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

       

 

 

(Cost $1,989)

        1,989    
         

 

 

Total Investments – 101.3%

       

 

 

(Cost $303,449)

        377,949    
 

Liabilities less Other Assets – (1.3%)

 

     (4,878  
 

 

 

Net Assets – 100.0%

        $373,071    

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

 

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(3)

Level 3 asset.

 

(4) 

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

(5) 

Current yield is less than 0.01%.

 

(6) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(7) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(8) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(9) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

NVDR – Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

PCL – Public Company Limited

PLC – Public Limited Company

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

  COUNTERPARTY

 

 

 

CONTRACTS
TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

 

   

AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)

 

   

IN

EXCHANGE

FOR

CURRENCY

   

AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)

 

   

SETTLEMENT
DATE

 

   

UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)

 

 

  Brown Brothers Harriman

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    3,270      

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    25,339       10/5/20       $—

  Brown Brothers Harriman

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    297      

Hong
Kong
Dollar
 
 
 
    2,301       10/6/20      

  Brown Brothers Harriman

   

United
States
Dollar
 
 
 
    294      
Korean
Won
 
 
    343,669       10/5/20      

  Subtotal Depreciation

 

                   

  Total

 

                                    $—

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE

 

 

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS

 

 

NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

   

CONTRACT
POSITION

 

   

CONTRACT
EXP.

 

   

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

 

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (United States Dollar)

  162     $8,817       Long       12/20       $78  
                                     

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Communication Services

     9.4

  Consumer Discretionary

     23.2  

  Consumer Staples

     8.7  

  Energy

     3.0  

  Financials

     12.7  

  Health Care

     2.4  

  Industrials

     5.9  

  Information Technology

     25.9  

  Materials

     7.7  

  Real Estate

     1.1  

  Total

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    18    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


         

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  United States Dollar

     25.5

  Hong Kong Dollar

     19.9  

  Korean Won

     16.1  

  Taiwan Dollar

     10.0  

  Indian Rupee

     8.5  

  South African Rand

     5.9  

  All other currencies less than 5%

     14.1  

  Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

 

   

LEVEL 2
(000S)

 

   

LEVEL 3
(000S)

 

   

TOTAL
(000S)

 

 

  Common Stocks:

 

   

Argentina

  $ 3,677     $       $   —     $ 3,677  

Brazil

    19,493                   19,493  

China

    26,459       76,548       448       103,455  

India

    7,435       30,729             38,164  

Mexico

    11,161                   11,161  

Peru

    7,736                   7,736  

Russia

    607       4,089             4,696  

Singapore

    3,128                   3,128  

Taiwan

    12,512       32,693             45,205  

United States

    6,109                   6,109  

All Other Countries(1)

          106,066             106,066  

  Total Common Stocks

    98,317       250,125       448       348,890  

  Preferred Stocks:

 

     

Brazil

    4,243                   4,243  

South Korea

          2,533             2,533  

  Total Preferred Stocks

    4,243       2,533             6,776  

  INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

 

   

LEVEL 2
(000S)

 

   

LEVEL 3
(000S)

 

   

TOTAL
(000S)

 

 

  Investment Companies

    $  20,294       $          —       $  —       $  20,294  

  Short-Term Investments

          1,989             1,989  

  Total Investments

    $122,854       $254,647       $448       $377,949  

  OTHER FINANCIAL

  INSTRUMENTS

                               

  Assets

       

Futures Contracts

    $         78       $          —       $   —       $          78  

  Liabilities

       

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

                   

  Total Other Financial

  Instruments

    $         78       $          —     $   —       $          78  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT     19    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

      
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    

 

 

  
 

Argentina – 1.6%

        
 

MercadoLibre, Inc.*

     7,967        $8,624     
 

YPF S.A. ADR*

     61,323        219     
 

 

          8,843     
 

 

 

Australia – 3.1%

        
 

Ansell Ltd.

     16,610        444     
 

Appen Ltd.

     24,850        608     
 

Bapcor Ltd.

     73,927        360     
 

Beach Energy Ltd.

     665,621        637     
 

Charter Hall Group

     84,729        765     
 

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd.

     231,195        350     
 

CSL Ltd.

     50,816        10,470     
 

JB Hi-Fi Ltd.

     14,564        492     
 

Magellan Financial Group Ltd.

     7,304        298     
 

Mineral Resources Ltd.

     56,744        1,015     
 

OZ Minerals Ltd.

     53,854        548     
 

Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd.*

     127,933        476     
 

Seven Group Holdings Ltd.

     30,340        391     
 

Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group

     148,361        228     
 

Silver Lake Resources Ltd.*

     207,054        345     
 

 

          17,427     
 

 

 

Austria – 0.1%

        
 

Erste Group Bank A.G.*

     28,786        602     
 

 

 

Belgium – 0.3%

        
 

Ageas S.A./N.V.

     28,725        1,172     
 

Warehouses De Pauw - C.V.A.

     18,469        672     
 

 

          1,844     
 

 

 

Canada – 5.7%

        
 

Air Canada*

     79,900        942     
 

ARC Resources Ltd.

     57,074        255     
 

B2Gold Corp.

     152,997        996     
 

Barrick Gold Corp.

     77,940        2,189     
 

BRP, Inc.

     6,436        340     
 

Cameco Corp.

     40,307        407     
 

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

     10,434        364     
 

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     24,900        7,580     
 

Canadian Western Bank

     17,326        349     
 

Descartes Systems Group (The), Inc.*

     6,013        343     
 

Kinross Gold Corp.*

     123,772        1,092     
 

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*

     18,660        6,146     
 

Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.

     28,900        589     
 

Northland Power, Inc.

     23,082        698     
 

Pan American Silver Corp.

     16,146        519     
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

      
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

 

  
 

Canada – 5.7%    continued

        
 

Parex Resources, Inc.*

     42,716        $450     
 

Real Matters, Inc.*

     35,651        695     
 

Shopify, Inc., Class A*

     5,940        6,077     
 

Stantec, Inc.

     17,978        546     
 

Stella-Jones, Inc.

     8,863        300     
 

TFI International, Inc.

     15,140        633     
 

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

     20,814        254     
 

Tricon Residential, Inc.

     51,702        429     
 

Yamana Gold, Inc.

     50,835        289     
 

 

          32,482     
 

 

 

China – 4.1%

        
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*

     16,300        4,792     
 

Baidu, Inc. ADR*

     13,689        1,733     
 

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H

     860,000        518     
 

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H

     4,215,668        1,264     
 

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

     2,009,832        1,259     
 

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. ADR*

     16,300        2,437     
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     169,505        11,288     
 

 

          23,291     
 

 

 

Czech Republic – 0.1%

        
 

Avast PLC

     58,252        394     
 

 

 

Denmark – 2.4%

        
 

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B

     1,520        2,410     
 

Bavarian Nordic A/S*

     13,080        408     
 

Coloplast A/S, Class B

     3,187        504     
 

Drilling Co. of 1972 (The) A/S*

     2,091        45     
 

DSV Panalpina A/S

     52,738        8,606     
 

GN Store Nord A/S

     7,977        604     
 

Netcompany Group A/S*

     5,486        454     
 

Royal Unibrew A/S

     3,346        345     
 

 

          13,376     
 

 

 

Finland – 0.6%

        
 

Kemira OYJ

     22,413        286     
 

Metso Outotec OYJ

     77,605        545     
 

Nokia OYJ*

     446,016        1,748     
 

TietoEVRY OYJ

     13,136        363     
 

Valmet OYJ

     22,929        568     
 

 

          3,510     
 

 

 

France – 9.1%

        
 

Air France-KLM*

     34,222        118     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    20    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

France – 9.1%    continued

       
 

Airbus S.E.*

     24,600        $1,786    
 

Alstom S.A.*

     7,676        382    
 

Arkema S.A.

     5,133        545    
 

AXA S.A.

     169,928        3,137    
 

BNP Paribas S.A.*

     103,372        3,745    
 

Carrefour S.A.

     78,017        1,249    
 

Cie de Saint-Gobain*

     74,922        3,146    
 

Danone S.A.

     24,915        1,612    
 

Dassault Aviation S.A.*

     513        435    
 

Dassault Systemes S.E.

     8,900        1,660    
 

Eiffage S.A.*

     9,438        769    
 

Engie S.A.*

     150,634        2,013    
 

EssilorLuxottica S.A.*

     25,377        3,451    
 

Faurecia S.E.*

     7,746        334    
 

Korian S.A.*

     7,254        255    
 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.

     16,688        7,802    
 

Nexans S.A.*

     11,537        666    
 

Pernod Ricard S.A.

     22,444        3,582    
 

Renault S.A.*

     37,285        962    
 

Rexel S.A.*

     129,662        1,627    
 

Rubis S.C.A.

     6,455        259    
 

Sanofi

     18,070        1,812    
 

SCOR S.E.*

     33,287        922    
 

SEB S.A.

     2,768        450    
 

Societe Generale S.A.*

     67,542        894    
 

SOITEC*

     3,254        469    
 

Sopra Steria Group*

     2,905        460    
 

Teleperformance

     2,797        861    
 

TOTAL S.E.

     116,315        3,993    
 

Valeo S.A.

     23,208        709    
 

Vinci S.A.

     17,040        1,421    
 

Worldline S.A.(2) *

     6,140        503    
 

 

          52,029    
 

 

 

Germany – 5.9%

       
 

adidas A.G.*

     7,600        2,460    
 

alstria office REIT-A.G.

     35,784        498    
 

Aurubis A.G.

     5,610        382    
 

BASF S.E.

     60,529        3,686    
 

Bayer A.G. (Registered)

     18,668        1,167    
 

Bechtle A.G.

     4,009        813    
 

Brenntag A.G.

     7,571        482    
 

Carl Zeiss Meditec A.G. (Bearer)

     3,776        478    
 

CECONOMY A.G.*

     94,919        468    
 

Daimler A.G. (Registered)

     46,294        2,496    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

Germany – 5.9%    continued

       
 

Deutsche Post A.G. (Registered)

     41,412        $1,888    
 

DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA*

     7,388        255    
 

Encavis A.G.

     28,657        562    
 

Gerresheimer A.G.

     5,343        598    
 

HelloFresh S.E.*

     14,726        825    
 

Infineon Technologies A.G.

     90,627        2,564    
 

KION Group A.G.

     7,112        611    
 

METRO A.G.

     30,726        307    
 

Rheinmetall A.G.

     4,673        421    
 

RTL Group S.A.*

     17,228        678    
 

RWE A.G.

     15,927        597    
 

Salzgitter A.G.*

     11,229        185    
 

SAP S.E.

     31,629        4,925    
 

Siemens A.G. (Registered)

     16,823        2,127    
 

Siemens Energy A.G.*

     8,412        227    
 

Siemens Healthineers A.G.(2)

     42,100        1,890    
 

Suedzucker A.G.

     24,339        471    
 

TAG Immobilien A.G.*

     28,318        855    
 

United Internet A.G. (Registered)

     10,649        407    
 

 

          33,323    
 

 

 

Hong Kong – 2.1%

       
 

AIA Group Ltd.

     672,843        6,628    
 

China High Precision Automation Group Ltd.(3) *

     982,000           
 

China Mobile Ltd.

     155,000        997    
 

China Mobile Ltd. (Hong Kong Exchange)

     74,173        477    
 

China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd.

     2,578,375        1,691    
 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     194,128        947    
 

Towngas China Co. Ltd.*

     563,000        232    
 

United Laboratories International Holdings (The) Ltd.

     462,000        477    
 

Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.

     218,000        441    
 

 

          11,890    
 

 

 

India – 0.7%

       
 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR*

     83,489        4,171    
 

 

 

Indonesia – 0.1%

       
 

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

     957,230        321    
 

 

 

Ireland – 5.6%

       
 

Accenture PLC, Class A

     43,684        9,872    
 

AIB Group PLC*

     409,454        424    
 

Bank of Ireland Group PLC*

     296,443        566    
 

Dalata Hotel Group PLC*

     71,545        207    
 

Experian PLC

     243,255        9,103    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    21    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

Ireland – 5.6%    continued

       
 

ICON PLC*

     34,482        $6,589    
 

Medtronic PLC

     24,700        2,567    
 

Ryanair Holdings PLC*

     8,973        119    
 

Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR*

     23,530        1,924    
 

UDG Healthcare PLC

     59,133        587    
 

 

          31,958    
 

 

 

Isle of Man – 0.1%

       
 

GVC Holdings PLC*

     46,890        590    
 

 

 

Israel – 0.3%

       
 

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

     10,400        1,252    
 

Inmode Ltd.*

     9,629        348    
 

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Class A

     93,381        252    
 

 

          1,852    
 

 

 

Italy – 2.9%

       
 

ACEA S.p.A.

     27,779        584    
 

Amplifon S.p.A.*

     13,959        499    
 

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A.

     72,314        1,018    
 

Banca Mediolanum S.p.A.

     42,479        306    
 

BPER Banca*

     103,378        241    
 

Buzzi Unicem S.p.A.

     23,619        549    
 

DiaSorin S.p.A.

     1,821        367    
 

Enel S.p.A.

     179,502        1,559    
 

Eni S.p.A.

     206,792        1,618    
 

Ferrari N.V.

     19,560        3,580    
 

Interpump Group S.p.A.

     9,601        356    
 

Reply S.p.A.

     5,393        621    
 

Saipem S.p.A.

     249,401        427    
 

UniCredit S.p.A.*

     591,625        4,879    
 

 

          16,604    
 

 

 

Japan – 12.8%

       
 

Anritsu Corp.

     28,000        640    
 

ASKUL Corp.

     11,700        478    
 

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

     4,500        629    
 

Bell System24 Holdings, Inc.

     19,000        320    
 

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

     4,985        128    
 

Canon, Inc.

     29,997        498    
 

Capcom Co. Ltd.

     14,100        789    
 

Chiyoda Corp.*

     56,461        136    
 

Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.*

     135,113        379    
 

Daihen Corp.

     9,300        377    
 

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

     86,580        1,222    
 

DeNA Co. Ltd.

     53,681        991    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

Japan – 12.8%    continued

       
 

Denka Co. Ltd.

     16,800        $511    
 

Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd.

     25,000        505    
 

Eisai Co. Ltd.

     9,493        866    
 

FANUC Corp.

     15,200        2,916    
 

Fuji Corp.

     27,600        546    
 

Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.

     29,858        288    
 

Fuji Soft, Inc.

     7,400        381    
 

Fujitsu Ltd.

     5,729        784    
 

FULLCAST Holdings Co. Ltd.

     18,400        301    
 

Fuso Chemical Co. Ltd.

     9,000        319    
 

Gree, Inc.

     123,120        602    
 

Hino Motors Ltd.

     167,660        1,087    
 

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

     117,636        2,776    
 

Inpex Corp.

     189,471        1,014    
 

Internet Initiative Japan, Inc.

     13,000        585    
 

Invincible Investment Corp.

     807        240    
 

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

     111,867        980    
 

Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd.

     18,700        248    
 

JGC Holdings Corp.

     103,292        1,073    
 

JSR Corp.

     16,566        393    
 

Kanamoto Co. Ltd.

     14,200        323    
 

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

     65        390    
 

Keyence Corp.

     13,020        6,068    
 

Kintetsu World Express, Inc.

     22,000        466    
 

Komeri Co. Ltd.

     13,400        423    
 

Kumagai Gumi Co. Ltd.

     11,600        298    
 

Lasertec Corp.

     7,300        604    
 

Lintec Corp.

     10,400        242    
 

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

     82,133        1,241    
 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

     22,267        495    
 

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.*

     197,990        437    
 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

     509,712        2,023    
 

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

     6,000        317    
 

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     32,500        2,097    
 

NEC Networks & System Integration Corp.

     17,600        338    
 

NET One Systems Co. Ltd.

     16,400        748    
 

Nichirei Corp.

     12,700        337    
 

Nikkiso Co. Ltd.

     31,600        321    
 

Nikon Corp.

     90,186        609    
 

Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc.

     89        514    
 

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

     55,163        593    
 

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.*

     234,419        833    
 

Nitto Denko Corp.

     21,491        1,401    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    22    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

Japan – 12.8%    continued

       
 

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

     208,452        $951    
 

North Pacific Bank Ltd.

     145,400        317    
 

Open House Co. Ltd.

     18,500        668    
 

PALTAC Corp.

     9,100        459    
 

Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd.

     76,000        499    
 

Rengo Co. Ltd.

     71,900        543    
 

Resona Holdings, Inc.

     394,194        1,343    
 

Resorttrust, Inc.

     16,500        252    
 

Sankyu, Inc.

     8,400        331    
 

Sanwa Holdings Corp.

     37,600        399    
 

Sawai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     10,400        525    
 

Shiga Bank (The) Ltd.

     16,600        389    
 

Shimamura Co. Ltd.

     17,830        1,743    
 

Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd.

     35,100        614    
 

Ship Healthcare Holdings, Inc.

     10,200        499    
 

Sompo Holdings, Inc.

     20,900        724    
 

Starts Corp., Inc.

     12,700        279    
 

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

     23,900        381    
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

     116,555        3,243    
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

     48,360        1,287    
 

Sushiro Global Holdings Ltd.

     25,800        651    
 

T&D Holdings, Inc.

     204,252        2,020    
 

Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd.

     13,000        409    
 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     139,326        4,963    
 

Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     16,500        327    
 

THK Co. Ltd.

     40,889        1,026    
 

Toda Corp.

     44,100        302    
 

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     48,700        332    
 

Tokyotokeiba Co. Ltd.

     6,900        350    
 

Toyo Tire Corp.

     33,000        533    
 

Valor Holdings Co. Ltd.

     16,500        456    
 

Yaoko Co. Ltd.

     6,600        492    
 

Z Holdings Corp.

     130,860        874    
 

Zenkoku Hosho Co. Ltd.

     13,300        524    
 

 

          72,825    
 

 

 

Jersey – 0.1%

       
 

Centamin PLC

     134,051        349    
 

 

 

Jordan – 0.1%

       
 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     18,066        605    
 

 

 

Macau – 0.1%

       
 

Sands China Ltd.

     186,400        725    
 

 

 

Malaysia – 0.1%

       
 

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

     607,705        452    
 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

Mexico – 0.2%

       
 

Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A.B. de C.V., Series O*

     169,733        $587    
 

Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V.

     327,700        784    
 

 

          1,371    
 

 

 

Netherlands – 4.9%

       
 

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.-C.V.A.*

     136,089        1,138    
 

Adyen N.V.(2) *

     2,215        4,082    
 

Akzo Nobel N.V.

     22,039        2,232    
 

ArcelorMittal S.A.*

     43,332        578    
 

Argenx S.E.*

     1,918        505    
 

ASM International N.V.

     6,784        973    
 

ASML Holding N.V. (Registered)

     16,264        6,006    
 

ASR Nederland N.V.

     14,669        493    
 

Euronext N.V.

     7,331        916    
 

Flow Traders

     9,621        385    
 

ING Groep N.V.*

     684,689        4,848    
 

Intertrust N.V.

     19,329        329    
 

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V.*

     2,407        270    
 

PostNL N.V.*

     264,734        805    
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

     230,498        2,788    
 

SBM Offshore N.V.

     25,727        412    
 

Signify N.V.*

     15,930        590    
 

VEON Ltd. ADR

     299,922        378    
 

 

          27,728    
 

 

 

Norway – 0.3%

       
 

Entra ASA

     21,889        308    
 

Norsk Hydro ASA*

     454,428        1,251    
 

Sparebanken Vest

     34,315        232    
 

 

          1,791    
 

 

 

Russia – 0.3%

       
 

Gazprom PJSC ADR

     197,271        858    
 

LUKOIL PJSC ADR

     5,144        298    
 

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR*

     61,564        718    
 

 

          1,874    
 

 

 

Singapore – 0.2%

       
 

AEM Holdings Ltd.

     123,300        349    
 

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

     555,900        567    
 

Riverstone Holdings Ltd.

     157,400        406    
 

 

          1,322    
 

 

 

South Africa – 0.3%

       
 

Gold Fields Ltd. ADR

     90,076        1,107    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    23    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

South Africa – 0.3%    continued

       
 

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

     30,433        $264    
 

MTN Group Ltd.

     118,355        398    
 

 

          1,769    
 

 

 

South Korea – 2.7%

       
 

Coway Co. Ltd.*

     4,519        310    
 

Douzone Bizon Co. Ltd.

     6,735        604    
 

Echo Marketing, Inc.

     14,301        337    
 

GS Home Shopping, Inc.

     1,689        186    
 

Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.

     29,523        788    
 

Hite Jinro Co. Ltd.

     8,361        260    
 

KB Financial Group, Inc.

     48,926        1,578    
 

KT Corp. ADR

     145,110        1,394    
 

Maeil Dairies Co. Ltd.

     5,107        295    
 

Neowiz*

     22,513        494    
 

Partron Co. Ltd.

     42,163        365    
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     63,820        3,216    
 

Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd.*

     22,539        203    
 

Seegene, Inc.

     7,926        1,767    
 

SFA Engineering Corp.

     11,282        368    
 

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

     55,457        1,290    
 

SK Hynix, Inc.

     17,610        1,264    
 

Soulbrain Co. Ltd.*

     4,332        803    
 

 

          15,522    
 

 

 

Spain – 2.4%

       
 

Aena S.M.E. S.A.*

     8,050        1,121    
 

Amadeus IT Group S.A.

     88,222        4,896    
 

Applus Services S.A.*

     24,281        181    
 

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

     611,670        1,691    
 

Bankinter S.A.

     65,414        281    
 

CaixaBank S.A.

     1,429,317        3,031    
 

Cia de Distribucion Integral Logista Holdings S.A.

     18,586        318    
 

Industria de Diseno Textil S.A.

     47,800        1,329    
 

Merlin Properties Socimi S.A.

     40,600        338    
 

Pharma Mar S.A.

     2,357        298    
 

Viscofan S.A.

     3,971        265    
 

 

          13,749    
 

 

 

Sweden – 1.8%

       
 

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

     102,772        4,891    
 

Dometic Group AB*

     39,257        485    
 

Evolution Gaming Group AB

     7,618        504    
 

Getinge AB, Class B

     23,357        508    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

Sweden – 1.8%    continued

       
 

Nordic Entertainment Group AB, Class B

     7,988        $339    
 

Peab AB, Class B*

     34,401        346    
 

Recipharm AB, Class B*

     24,376        423    
 

Stillfront Group AB*

     7,174        897    
 

Volvo AB, Class B*

     57,024        1,095    
 

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

     40,559        803    
 

 

          10,291    
 

 

 

Switzerland – 8.8%

       
 

ABB Ltd. (Registered)

     104,975        2,661    
 

Adecco Group A.G. (Registered)

     51,237        2,708    
 

Alcon, Inc.*

     86,325        4,901    
 

Bucher Industries A.G. (Registered)

     1,003        382    
 

Cembra Money Bank A.G.

     2,280        271    
 

Cie Financiere Richemont S.A., Class A (Registered)

     30,809        2,064    
 

Coca-Cola HBC A.G. - CDI*

     11,962        296    
 

Forbo Holding A.G. (Registered)

     260        426    
 

Helvetia Holding A.G. (Registered)

     2,005        170    
 

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

     31,758        1,354    
 

LafargeHolcim Ltd. (Registered)*

     52,354        2,387    
 

Logitech International S.A. (Registered)

     22,345        1,729    
 

Lonza Group A.G. (Registered)

     9,290        5,735    
 

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

     61,860        7,339    
 

Novartis A.G. (Registered)

     32,914        2,860    
 

PSP Swiss Property A.G. (Registered)

     5,432        657    
 

Roche Holding A.G. (Genusschein)

     5,569        1,905    
 

Sika A.G. (Registered)

     23,228        5,706    
 

Sulzer A.G. (Registered)

     5,572        446    
 

Swiss Life Holding A.G. (Registered)

     1,924        727    
 

Tecan Group A.G. (Registered)

     952        473    
 

UBS Group A.G. (Registered)

     222,774        2,487    
 

Vontobel Holding A.G. (Registered)

     8,042        528    
 

Wizz Air Holdings PLC*

     10,637        427    
 

Zurich Insurance Group A.G.

     3,349        1,164    
 

 

          49,803    
 

 

 

Taiwan – 1.7%

       
 

Innolux Corp.*

     2,360,814        770    
 

Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     1,854,385        517    
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR

     105,516        8,554    
 

 

          9,841    
 

 

 

Thailand – 0.2%

       
 

Kasikornbank PCL NVDR

     399,395        973    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    24    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

United Kingdom – 8.6%

 

Anglo American PLC

     57,147        $1,380    
 

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC

     12,088        346    
 

Auto Trader Group PLC(2)

     48,212        349    
 

Aviva PLC

     392,855        1,445    
 

B&M European Value Retail S.A.

     112,442        715    
 

Babcock International Group PLC

     196,904        633    
 

Barclays PLC*

     1,646,398        2,072    
 

BP PLC

     1,144,492        3,323    
 

British American Tobacco PLC

     71,750        2,579    
 

British Land (The) Co. PLC

     116,544        507    
 

BT Group PLC

     679,367        863    
 

Bunzl PLC

     50,840        1,640    
 

Cairn Energy PLC*

     239,087        442    
 

Centrica PLC

     923,744        477    
 

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC

     15,349        596    
 

Compass Group PLC

     85,108        1,278    
 

Computacenter PLC

     25,390        776    
 

Cranswick PLC

     8,154        381    
 

Electrocomponents PLC

     35,865        328    
 

Future PLC

     27,380        683    
 

G4S PLC*

     162,539        420    
 

Gamesys Group PLC

     28,588        439    
 

Gamma Communications PLC

     16,709        356    
 

HomeServe PLC

     21,968        349    
 

IG Group Holdings PLC

     26,284        268    
 

IMI PLC

     31,163        420    
 

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

     17,601        270    
 

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.

     577,486        701    
 

J Sainsbury PLC

     638,352        1,569    
 

Johnson Matthey PLC

     14,228        430    
 

Kingfisher PLC

     518,834        1,983    
 

Land Securities Group PLC

     78,033        525    
 

Linde PLC

     4,062        961    
 

LondonMetric Property PLC

     173,906        497    
 

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

     347,130        435    
 

Micro Focus International PLC*

     40,514        128    
 

OneSavings Bank PLC*

     94,883        341    
 

Pets at Home Group PLC

     78,378        428    
 

Prudential PLC

     100,045        1,428    
 

Redrow PLC*

     57,522        299    
 

RELX PLC

     39,200        874    
 

RELX PLC (London Exchange)

     6,266        139    
 

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC*

     757,386        1,257    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
   

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.3% (1)    continued

 

     
 

United Kingdom – 8.6%    continued

 

Safestore Holdings PLC

     71,893        $722    
 

Sage Group (The) PLC

     183,100        1,696    
 

Smith & Nephew PLC

     249,793        4,868    
 

Spirent Communications PLC

     143,929        528    
 

Standard Chartered PLC*

     282,860        1,297    
 

Stock Spirits Group PLC

     113,711        316    
 

Tate & Lyle PLC

     53,263        457    
 

Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC

     14,692        396    
 

Unilever PLC

     28,700        1,768    
 

UNITE Group (The) PLC*

     33,414        362    
 

WPP PLC

     171,073        1,336    
 

 

          49,076    
 

 

 

United States – 3.9%

       
 

Aon PLC, Class A

     29,208        6,026    
 

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     4,721        4,559    
 

Ovintiv, Inc.

     36,989        302    
 

Reliance Worldwide Corp. Ltd.

     149,488        410    
 

ResMed, Inc.

     35,493        6,085    
 

STERIS PLC

     26,157        4,609    
 

 

                   

 

21,991

 

 

 

   
   

Total Common Stocks

 

 

(Cost $472,581)

 

       

 

536,564

 

 

 

 
         
 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.8% (1)

 

 

Germany – 0.8%

       
   

Volkswagen A.G., 3.68%(4)

     28,074        4,518      
   

Total Preferred Stocks

 

 

(Cost $4,113)

 

       

 

4,518

 

 

 

 
         
 

 

RIGHTS – 0.0%

 

 

United Kingdom – 0.0%

       
   

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.(5) *

     1             
   

Total Rights

 

 

(Cost $—)

 

       

 

 

 

 

 
         
 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.3%

 

 

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     8,164        492    
 

Northern Institutional Funds -
U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(6) (7)

     17,574,695        17,575    
   

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

 

    

 

14,732

 

 

 

    

 

602

 

 

 

   
   

Total Investment Companies

 

 

(Cost $18,590)

 

       

 

18,669

 

 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    25    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND continued

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.8%

 

 

    
   

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(8) (9)

     $4,460        $4,459      
   

Total Short-Term Investments

 

 

(Cost $4,458)

 

       

 

4,459

 

 

 

 
                           
   

Total Investments – 99.2%

 

 

(Cost $499,742)

 

       

 

564,210

 

 

 

 
   

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.8%

 

     4,376      
 

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

       

 

$568,586

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

 

(2)

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(3)

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(4)

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

(5)

Value rounds to less than one thousand.

 

(6)

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(7)

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. (8) Discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(9) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

CDI – CREST Depository Interest

EAFE – Europe, Australasia and the Far East

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

FTSE – Financial Times Stock Exchange

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

NVDR – Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

PCL – Public Company Limited

PLC – Public Limited Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

      TYPE

 

 

 

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS 

 

 

 

NOTIONAL 
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

 

 

CONTRACT 
POSITION

 

 

 

CONTRACT 
EXP.

 

 

 

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)

 

 

   

  MSCI EAFE Index

      105       $9,729       Long       12/20       $ (175)    
   

 

(1)

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Communication Services

     5.7

  Consumer Discretionary

     14.3  

  Consumer Staples

     4.9  

  Energy

     3.3  

  Financials

     15.6  

  Health Care

     14.4  

  Industrials

     16.2  

  Information Technology

     15.2  

  Materials

     6.4  

  Real Estate

     2.6  

  Utilities

     1.4  

 

  Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Euro

     27.3

  United States Dollar

     20.0  

  Japanese Yen

     13.4  

  British Pound

     11.3  

  Swiss Franc

     9.1  

  Hong Kong Dollar

     5.0  

  All other currencies less than 5%

     13.9  

 

  Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    26    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

 

   

 

LEVEL 2
(000S)

 

   

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

 

    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

 

  Common Stocks:

 

         

Argentina

   $ 8,843     $     $      $ 8,843  

Canada

     32,482                    32,482  

China

     8,962       14,329              23,291  

Germany

     227       33,096              33,323  

India

     4,171                    4,171  

Ireland

     20,952       11,006              31,958  

Israel

     1,600       252              1,852  

Mexico

     1,371                    1,371  

Netherlands

     6,384       21,344              27,728  

South Africa

     1,107       662              1,769  

South Korea

     2,197       13,325              15,522  

Taiwan

     8,554       1,287              9,841  

United Kingdom

     942       48,134              49,076  

United States

     21,581       410              21,991  

All Other Countries(1)

           273,346              273,346  

  Total Common Stocks

     119,373       417,191              536,564  

  Preferred Stocks(1)

           4,518              4,518  

  Rights(1)

                     

  Investment Companies

     18,669                    18,669  

  Short-Term Investments

           4,459              4,459  

  Total Investments

   $ 138,042     $ 426,168     $      $ 564,210  

  OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

                                 

  Liabilities

         

Futures Contracts

 

   $

 

(175

 

 

  $

 

 

 

 

  $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(175

 

 

 

(1)

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

*

Amounts round to less than a thousand.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    27    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)

 

       
 

Australia – 7.4%

       
 

Atlas Arteria Ltd.

     2,012,746        $8,850    
 

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

     2,037,006        6,216    
 

Spark Infrastructure Group

     8,090,631        11,902    
 

Transurban Group

     5,123,453        51,923    
 

 

 
          78,891    
 

 

 
 

Brazil – 0.7%

       
 

CPFL Energia S.A.

     570,600        2,808    
 

Transmissora Alianca de Energia Eletrica S.A.

     919,800        4,593    
 

 

 
          7,401    
 

 

 
 

Canada – 3.7%

       
 

Atco Ltd., Class I

     98,496        2,847    
 

Emera, Inc.

     264,708        10,874    
 

Enbridge, Inc.

     258,908        7,564    
 

Hydro One Ltd.

     514,620        10,907    
 

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

     182,700        3,877    
 

TC Energy Corp.

     70,502        2,960    
 

 

 
          39,029    
 

 

 
 

Chile – 0.2%

       
 

Aguas Andinas S.A., Class A

     7,176,954        2,011    
 

 

 
 

China – 1.1%

       
 

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

     412,600        4,501    
 

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

     7,428,000        7,480    
 

 

 
          11,981    
 

 

 
 

France – 8.0%

       
 

Eiffage S.A.*

     99,413        8,103    
 

Eutelsat Communications S.A.

     649,224        6,308    
 

Getlink S.E.*

     1,182,033        16,026    
 

Rubis S.C.A.

     148,768        5,967    
 

SES S.A.

     919,255        6,503    
 

Vinci S.A.

     496,378        41,403    
 

 

 
          84,310    
 

 

 
 

Germany – 1.2%

       
 

Fraport A.G. Frankfurt Airport Services

       
 

Worldwide*

     306,646        12,143    
 

 

 
 

Hong Kong – 2.0%

       
 

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

     1,986,600        5,665    
 

CLP Holdings Ltd.

     914,500        8,524    
 

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

     520,000        826    
 

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

     1,238,420        6,514    
 

 

 
          21,529    
 

 

 
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

Italy – 8.9%

       
 

ASTM S.p.A.*

     211,616      $ 4,431    
 

Atlantia S.p.A.*

     1,694,401        26,571    
 

Hera S.p.A.

     2,713,879        10,032    
 

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane S.p.A.(2)

     151,363        1,679    
 

Italgas S.p.A.

     1,553,782        9,812    
 

Snam S.p.A.

     4,065,720        20,905    
 

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale S.p.A.

     3,029,362        21,225    
 

 

 
          94,655    
 

 

 
 

Japan – 1.8%

       
 

East Japan Railway Co.

     123,500        7,610    
 

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

     306,100        6,993    
 

West Japan Railway Co.

     94,100        4,651    
 

 

 
          19,254    
 

 

 
 

Mexico – 1.3%

       
 

ALEATICA S.A.B. de C.V.

     3,216,989        2,891    
 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S.A.B.de C.V., Series B*

     440,857        5,116    
 

Infraestructura Energetica Nova S.A.B.de C.V.

     732,976        2,204    
 

Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura S.A.B. de C.V.*

     520,506        3,661    
 

 

 
          13,872    
 

 

 
 

Netherlands – 1.3%

       
 

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

     252,528        14,227    
 

 

 
 

New Zealand – 0.4%

       
 

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

     908,051        4,400    
 

 

 
 

Portugal – 0.3%

       
 

REN - Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS S.A.

     1,283,008        3,558    
 

 

 
 

Spain – 2.8%

       
 

Aena S.M.E. S.A.*

     46,522        6,480    
 

Ferrovial S.A.

     966,479        23,446    
 

 

 
          29,926    
 

 

 
 

Switzerland – 1.8%

       
 

Flughafen Zurich A.G. (Registered)*

     135,691        18,581    
 

 

 
 

United Kingdom – 11.5%

       
 

National Grid PLC

     4,101,791        47,218    
 

Pennon Group PLC

     979,697        13,021    
 

Severn Trent PLC

     915,276        28,779    
 

Signature Aviation PLC

     585,322        1,808    
 

SSE PLC

     439,715        6,846    
 

United Utilities Group PLC

     2,167,535        23,968    
 

 

 
          121,640    
 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    28    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 93.5% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

United States – 39.1%

       
 

ALLETE, Inc.

     123,920        $6,412    
 

Alliant Energy Corp.

     205,910        10,635    
 

Ameren Corp.

     182,750        14,452    
 

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     298,279        24,378    
 

American Tower Corp.

     58,910        14,240    
 

Atmos Energy Corp.

     130,237        12,449    
 

Avista Corp.

     142,696        4,869    
 

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

     586,855        11,356    
 

Cheniere Energy, Inc.*

     280,668        12,987    
 

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     138,000        10,736    
 

Crown Castle International Corp.

     129,375        21,541    
 

CSX Corp.

     282,508        21,942    
 

Dominion Energy, Inc.

     382,808        30,215    
 

Duke Energy Corp.

     210,800        18,668    
 

Edison International

     188,074        9,562    
 

Evergy, Inc.

     147,659        7,504    
 

Eversource Energy

     194,192        16,225    
 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     621,102        7,658    
 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     92,616        25,707    
 

NiSource, Inc.

     1,045,004        22,990    
 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     90,302        19,324    
 

PNM Resources, Inc.

     162,214        6,704    
 

Portland General Electric Co.

     196,435        6,973    
 

SBA Communications Corp.

     46,448        14,793    
 

Sempra Energy

     122,702        14,523    
 

SJW Group

     53,380        3,249    
 

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

     103,908        6,557    
 

UGI Corp.

     280,936        9,265    
 

Union Pacific Corp.

     24,022        4,729    
 

Williams (The) Cos., Inc.

     651,606        12,804    
 

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     152,351        10,514    
 

 

 
         

 

413,961

 

 

 

 
         
   

Total Common Stocks

 

                         
 

 

(Cost $999,242)

 

     

 

 

 

 

991,369

 

 

 

 

 
         
 

 

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS – 1.3%

 

 

 

United States – 1.3%

       
 

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

     437,425        6,907    
 

Magellan Midstream Partners L.P.

 

    

 

180,264

 

 

 

    

 

6,165

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
         

 

13,072

 

 

 

 
         
   

Total Master Limited Partnerships

 

                         
 

 

(Cost $15,748)

 

     

 

 

 

 

13,072

 

 

 

 

 
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 4.8%

 

 

 
 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(3) (4)

 

    

 

51,110,410

 

 

 

    

 

$51,110

 

 

 

 
         
   

Total Investment Companies

 

                         
 

(Cost $51,110)

 

       

 

51,110

 

 

 

 
         
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.4%

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(5) (6)

 

    

 

$4,180

 

 

 

    

 

$4,179

 

 

 

 
         
   

Total Short-Term Investments

 

                         
 

(Cost $4,179)

 

       

 

4,179

 

 

 

 
         
         
   

Total Investments – 100.0%

 

                         
 

(Cost $1,070,279)

 

       

 

1,059,730

 

 

 

 
 

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.0%

 

       

 

273

 

 

 

 
         
 

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

       

 

$1,060,003

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(3) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(4) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

(5) 

Discount rate at the time of purchase.

(6) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

PLC – Public Limited Company

S&P – Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    29    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE  FUND continued

 

 

 

                 SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

   

TYPE

 

 

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS

 

   

NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

   

CONTRACT
POSITION

 

   

CONTRACT
EXP.

 

   

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION) 
(000S)
(1)

 

             
 

E-Mini S&P 500 (United States Dollar)

    69       $11,564       Long       12/20       $185       
 

MSCI EAFE Index (United States Dollar)

    97       8,988       Long       12/20       2        
   

 

Total

 

                                 

 

 

 

 

$187 

 

 

 

 

               

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Communication Services

     1.5

  Energy

     7.5  

  Industrials

     30.6  

  Real Estate

     5.0  

  Utilities

 

    

 

55.4

 

 

 

 

  Total

 

  

 

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  United States Dollar

     42.5

  Euro

     23.8  

  British Pound

     12.1  

  Australian Dollar

     7.9  

  All other currencies less than 5%

     13.7  

 

  Total

 

  

 

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as

Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

   

INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

LEVEL 1

(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 2

(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 3

(000S)

 

    

 

TOTAL

(000S)

 

 
 

Common Stocks:

           
 

Brazil

   $ 7,401      $      $      $ 7,401    
 

Canada

     39,029                      39,029    
 

Chile

     2,011                      2,011    
 

Mexico

     13,872                      13,872    
 

United States

     413,961                      413,961    
 

All Other Countries(1)

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

515,095

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

515,095  

 

 

 

           
   

Total Common Stocks

 

    

 

476,274

 

 

 

    

 

515,095

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

991,369  

 

 

 

 

Master Limited Partnerships(1)

     13,072                      13,072    
 

Investment Companies

     51,110                      51,110    
 

Short-Term Investments

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

4,179

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

 

4,179  

 

 

 

           
   

Total Investments

 

   $

 

540,456

 

 

 

   $

 

519,274

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

1,059,730  

 

 

 

   

OTHER FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

 

                                   
 

Assets

           
   

Futures Contracts

 

   $

 

187

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

187  

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    30    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE FUND

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 95.8% (1)

 

 

Australia – 4.8%

       
 

BGP Holdings PLC(2) *

     3,277,404        $—    
 

Goodman Group

     338,786        4,360    
 

Mirvac Group

     427,639        670    
 

National Storage REIT

     1,078,967        1,405    
 

NEXTDC Ltd.*

     77,583        691    
 

 

          7,126    
 

 

 

Austria – 0.2%

       
 

CA Immobilien Anlagen A.G.

     8,352        247    
 

 

 

Belgium – 3.1%

       
 

Shurgard Self Storage S.A.

     30,367        1,324    
 

VGP N.V.

     6,702        927    
 

Warehouses De Pauw - C.V.A.

     64,457        2,346    
 

 

          4,597    
 

 

 

Canada – 2.8%

       
 

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

     26,231        706    
 

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

     66,066        1,362    
 

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

     37,598        2,182    
 

 

          4,250    
 

 

 

China – 0.6%

       
 

GDS Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     10,041        822    
 

 

 

France – 0.5%

       
 

Gecina S.A.

     5,202        688    
 

 

 

Germany – 5.7%

       
 

Aroundtown S.A.*

     73,519        370    
 

Deutsche Wohnen S.E.

     96,294        4,818    
 

Instone Real Estate Group A.G.*

     31,500        731    
 

LEG Immobilien A.G.

     17,829        2,545    
 

 

          8,464    
 

 

 

Hong Kong – 7.3%

       
 

ESR Cayman Ltd.*

     561,600        1,752    
 

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

     616,000        1,571    
 

Link REIT

     342,200        2,797    
 

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

     156,500        650    
 

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

     1,095,452        1,275    
 

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

     99,000        1,269    
 

Swire Properties Ltd.

     597,400        1,579    
 

 

          10,893    
 

 

 

India – 0.8%

       
 

Embassy Office Parks REIT

     228,800        1,120    
 

 

 

Japan – 8.3%

       
 

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

     584        1,725    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 95.8% (1)    continued

 

 

Japan – 8.3% continued

       
 

GLP J-Reit

     529        $817    
 

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

     333        570    
 

Invesco Office J-Reit, Inc.

     2,466        343    
 

Japan Logistics Fund, Inc.

     502        1,440    
 

Katitas Co. Ltd.

     77,000        2,186    
 

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

     62        372    
 

Kenedix, Inc.

     302,800        1,597    
 

LaSalle Logiport REIT

     297        496    
 

MCUBS MidCity Investment Corp.

     412        318    
 

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     70,500        1,228    
 

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.

     164        554    
 

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

     615        773    
 

 

          12,419    
 

 

 

Mexico – 0.9%

       
 

Corp. Inmobiliaria Vesta S.A.B. de C.V.

     447,469        672    
 

Fibra Uno Administracion S.A. de C.V.

     919,423        726    
 

 

          1,398    
 

 

 

Norway – 0.7%

       
 

Entra ASA

     78,895        1,112    
 

 

 

Singapore – 3.2%

       
 

Ascendas India Trust

     1,350,000        1,358    
 

Mapletree Industrial Trust

     259,600        613    
 

Mapletree Logistics Trust

     1,906,300        2,864    
 

 

          4,835    
 

 

 

Spain – 0.7%

       
 

Cellnex Telecom S.A.(3) *

     18,127        1,102    
 

 

 

Sweden – 0.6%

       
 

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B*

     18,250        927    
 

 

 

United Kingdom – 6.4%

       
 

Big Yellow Group PLC

     107,858        1,446    
 

CareTech Holdings PLC

     18,694        103    
 

Grainger PLC

     393,899        1,508    
 

Helical PLC

     99,716        381    
 

Helios Towers PLC*

     888,254        1,788    
 

Safestore Holdings PLC

     33,647        338    
 

Segro PLC

     87,379        1,050    
 

Shaftesbury PLC

     155,723        999    
 

UNITE Group (The) PLC*

     178,347        1,934    
 

 

          9,547    
 

 

 

United States – 49.2%

       
 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

     21,880        3,501    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    31    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE FUND     continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 95.8% (1)    continued

 

 

United States – 49.2%    continued

       
 

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

     126,706        $3,609    
 

American Tower Corp.

     11,028        2,666    
 

Americold Realty Trust

     25,694        919    
 

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     14,726        2,199    
 

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

     103,070        1,205    
 

CoreSite Realty Corp.

     10,876        1,293    
 

Corporate Office Properties Trust

     39,444        936    
 

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

     40,544        1,018    
 

Duke Realty Corp.

     39,952        1,474    
 

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     141,439        866    
 

EPR Properties

     16,826        463    
 

Equinix, Inc.

     3,160        2,402    
 

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.

     49,887        3,058    
 

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     23,160        2,478    
 

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

     4,072        55    
 

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

     51,185        1,390    
 

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     119,378        1,288    
 

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

     38,278        837    
 

Invitation Homes, Inc.

     60,470        1,692    
 

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

     57,817        1,019    
 

MGM Growth Properties LLC, Class A

     30,200        845    
 

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

     15,621        1,811    
 

NVR, Inc.*

     255        1,041    
 

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     74,460        933    
 

Prologis, Inc.

     91,366        9,193    
 

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

     17,650        1,112    
 

Rayonier, Inc.

     37,517        992    
 

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     31,640        1,448    
 

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     57,461        792    
 

SBA Communications Corp.

     3,506        1,117    
 

SL Green Realty Corp.

     17,627        817    
 

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     27,561        930    
 

STAG Industrial, Inc.

     57,615        1,757    
 

STORE Capital Corp.

     74,870        2,054    
 

Sun Communities, Inc.

     23,693        3,331    
 

UDR, Inc.

     37,428        1,220    
 

Urban Edge Properties

     139,255        1,353    
 

VICI Properties, Inc.

     169,611        3,964    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 95.8% (1)    continued

 

 

United States – 49.2%    continued

       
 

Welltower, Inc.

     58,249        $3,209    
 

WP Carey, Inc.

     19,887        1,296    
 

 

          73,583    
         
   

Total Common Stocks

                     
 

(Cost $133,547)

        143,130    
         
 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.8%

 

   

Northern Institutional Funds -
U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(4) (5)

     5,708,661        5,709      
   

Total Investment Companies

                     
 

(Cost $5,709)

        5,709    
         
         
   

Total Investments – 99.6%

                     
 

(Cost $139,256)

        148,839    
   

Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.4%

              588      
 

Net Assets – 100.0%

        $149,427    

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

(2) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

(3) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

(4) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(5) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

PLC – Public Limited Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    32    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Diversified Real Estate Activities

     5.2

  Diversified REITs

     5.2  

  Health Care Facilities

     0.1  

  Health Care REITs

     4.5  

  Homebuilding

     0.7  

  Hotel & Resort REITs

     2.1  

  Industrial REITs

     23.0  

  Integrated Telecommunication Services

     2.0  

  Internet Services & Infrastructure

     1.1  

  Office REITs

     6.1  

  Real Estate Development

     3.7  

  Real Estate Operating Companies

     12.2  

  Residential REITs

     15.3  

  Retail REITs

     5.1  

  Specialized REITs

     13.7  
   

  Total

     100.0

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  United States Dollar

     52.0

  Euro

     10.5  

  Japanese Yen

     8.7  

  Hong Kong Dollar

     7.6  

  British Pound

     6.7  

  Australian Dollar

     5.0  

  All other currencies less than 5%

     9.5  
   

  Total

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 2
(000S)

 

    

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

 

    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

 

  Common Stocks:

           

Canada

   $ 4,250      $      $      $ 4,250  

China

     822                      822  

Mexico

     1,398                      1,398  

United States

     73,583                      73,583  

All Other Countries(1)

            63,077               63,077  

  Total Common Stocks

     80,053        63,077               143,130  

  Investment Companies

     5,709                      5,709  

  Total Investments

   $ 85,762      $ 63,077      $      $ 148,839  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    33    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)

 

 

Argentina – 0.1%

       
 

MercadoLibre, Inc.*

     318        $344    
 

 

 

Australia – 0.6%

       
 

AGL Energy Ltd.

     14,620        143    
 

Ampol Ltd.

     18,090        311    
 

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

     17,000        367    
 

BHP Group Ltd.

     8,310        214    
 

Coles Group Ltd.

     21,110        257    
 

CSL Ltd.

     1,960        404    
 

Goodman Group

     22,540        290    
 

 

          1,986    
 

 

 

Belgium – 0.2%

       
 

KBC Group N.V.

     3,037        152    
 

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

     9,579        371    
 

 

          523    
 

 

 

Brazil – 0.3%

       
 

BB Seguridade Participacoes S.A.

     125,206        543    
 

Cosan S.A.

     24,100        294    
 

Qualicorp Consultoria e Corretora de Seguros S.A.

     25,100        152    
 

 

          989    
 

 

 

Canada – 1.7%

       
 

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., Class B

     8,100        282    
 

Bank of Montreal

     3,450        202    
 

CI Financial Corp.

     15,200        193    
 

Constellation Software, Inc.

     743        825    
 

Dollarama, Inc.

     8,500        326    
 

Element Fleet Management Corp.

     14,500        121    
 

IGM Financial, Inc.

     34,827        798    
 

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

     3,400        166    
 

Magna International, Inc.

     12,000        549    
 

Manulife Financial Corp.

     49,800        693    
 

Open Text Corp.

     4,400        186    
 

Quebecor, Inc., Class B

     14,300        358    
 

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

     6,100        248    
 

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

     7,900        366    
 

 

          5,313    
 

 

 

Chile – 0.1%

       
 

Banco Santander Chile ADR

     28,454        394    
 

 

 

China – 3.7%

       
 

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     398,000        125    
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*

     6,792        1,997    
 

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

     103,000        712    
 

Baidu, Inc. ADR*

     26,697        3,380    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)     continued

 

 

China – 3.7% continued

       
 

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

     950,000        $619    
 

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

     227,000        128    
 

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

     178,000        125    
 

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

     128,500        232    
 

CITIC Ltd.

     153,000        113    
 

CSC Financial Co. Ltd., Class H

     161,000        227    
 

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

     49,500        360    
 

HUYA, Inc. ADR*

     12,038        288    
 

JD.com, Inc. ADR*

     1,650        128    
 

NetEase, Inc. ADR

     2,700        1,228    
 

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

     16,500        170    
 

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class H(2)

     235,000        99    
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     4,700        313    
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd. ADR

     2,898        196    
 

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

     82,000        145    
 

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. ADR*

     23,720        371    
 

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

     221,000        445    
 

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

     7,116        377    
 

 

          11,778    
 

 

 

Colombia – 0.1%

       
 

Ecopetrol S.A. ADR

     15,129        149    
 

 

 

Denmark – 0.2%

       
 

Carlsberg A.S., Class B

     1,450        195    
 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     6,051        421    
 

 

          616    
 

 

 

Egypt – 0.1%

       
 

Commercial International Bank Egypt S.A.E. GDR (Registered)

     44,000        189    
 

 

 

Finland – 0.8%

       
 

Kojamo OYJ

     9,000        193    
 

Neste OYJ

     12,750        671    
 

Nokia OYJ*

     447,083        1,752    
 

Nokian Renkaat OYJ

     2,290        65    
 

 

          2,681    
 

 

 

France – 1.9%

       
 

BNP Paribas S.A.*

     12,600        457    
 

Cellectis S.A. ADR*

     17,535        324    
 

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin S.C.A.

     22,167        2,372    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    34    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

       
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)    continued

 

 

 
 

France – 1.9%    continued

       
 

Klepierre S.A.

     5,014        $70    
 

Peugeot S.A.*

     21,948        396    
 

Safran S.A.*

     2,977        293    
 

Schneider Electric S.E.

     5,730        711    
 

Thales S.A.

     7,616        570    
 

TOTAL S.E.

     9,966        342    
 

Vivendi S.A.

     17,893        499    
 

 

 
          6,034    
 

 

 
 

Germany – 3.9%

       
 

Allianz S.E. (Registered)

     1,084        208    
 

Bayer A.G. (Registered)

     4,030        252    
 

Brenntag A.G.

     7,800        496    
 

Deutsche Boerse A.G.

     30,510        5,358    
 

Deutsche Post A.G. (Registered)

     12,290        560    
 

Fresenius Medical Care A.G. & Co. KGaA

     392        33    
 

Hannover Rueck S.E.

     3,360        521    
 

Rocket Internet S.E.*

     14,851        325    
 

RTL Group S.A.*

     3,926        155    
 

SAP S.E.

     1,930        301    
 

SAP S.E. ADR

     16,003        2,493    
 

TeamViewer A.G.*

     5,680        280    
 

Telefonica Deutschland Holding A.G.

     539,795        1,385    
 

 

 
          12,367    
 

 

 
 

Greece – 0.0%

       
 

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A.

     8,520        123    
 

 

 
 

Hong Kong – 1.2%

       
 

China Mobile Ltd. (Hong Kong Exchange)

     449,000        2,886    
 

China Mobile Ltd. ADR

     1,217        39    
 

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

     194,000        266    
 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     18,000        88    
 

CLP Holdings Ltd.

     21,000        196    
 

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

     12,000        178    
 

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

     142,000        94    
 

WH Group Ltd.(2)

     220,000        179    
 

 

 
          3,926    
 

 

 
 

India – 0.3%

       
 

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. ADR

     15,170        1,055    
 

 

 
 

Indonesia – 0.1%

       
 

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

     712,600        239    
 

 

 
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)    continued

 

 

Ireland – 1.3%

       
 

Allegion PLC

     17,400        $1,721    
 

ICON PLC*

     1,340        256    
 

Medtronic PLC

     19,600        2,037    
 

 

          4,014    
 

 

 

Israel – 0.2%

       
 

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

     5,973        719    
 

 

 

Italy – 0.7%

       
 

Enel S.p.A.

     60,987        529    
 

Italgas S.p.A.

     47,532        300    
 

Snam S.p.A.

     277,672        1,428    
 

 

          2,257    
 

 

 

Japan – 7.9%

       
 

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

     10,500        366    
 

Bridgestone Corp.

     35,300        1,115    
 

Brother Industries Ltd.

     5,000        79    
 

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

     6,000        532    
 

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

     6,500        167    
 

Fujitsu Ltd.

     4,000        548    
 

Hoya Corp.

     2,900        327    
 

ITOCHU Corp.

     45,000        1,151    
 

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

     61,400        1,121    
 

KDDI Corp.

     8,100        205    
 

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

     5,600        272    
 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. ADR

     193,300        775    
 

NEC Corp.

     21,100        1,235    
 

Nexon Co. Ltd.

     11,400        283    
 

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

     8,800        5,003    
 

Nintendo Co. Ltd. ADR

     4,236        300    
 

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

     89,400        1,829    
 

Nissan Chemical Corp.

     7,000        373    
 

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

     40,000        182    
 

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

     43,900        1,628    
 

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     16,400        515    
 

ORIX Corp.

     24,100        300    
 

Otsuka Corp.

     4,900        251    
 

Sankyo Co. Ltd.

     3,600        94    
 

Secom Co. Ltd.

     5,000        457    
 

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

     3,800        496    
 

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

     6,700        358    
 

Sony Corp.

     14,100        1,078    
 

Sony Corp. ADR

     30,300        2,326    
 

Subaru Corp.

     72,100        1,400    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    35    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)    continued

 

 

Japan – 7.9%    continued

       
 

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

     9,000        $396    
 

ZOZO, Inc.

     8,700        243    
 

 

          25,405    
 

 

 

Mexico – 0.1%

       
 

Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A.B. de C.V., Series O*

     40,214        139    
 

Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V.

     95,727        229    
 

 

          368    
 

 

 

Netherlands – 1.7%

       
 

ASML Holding N.V.

     550        203    
 

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.

     144,743        4,284    
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

     28,603        346    
 

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

     5,590        477    
 

 

          5,310    
 

 

 

Norway – 0.1%

       
 

Yara International ASA

     8,120        313    
 

 

 

Peru – 0.1%

       
 

Credicorp Ltd.

     2,133        264    
 

 

 

Portugal – 0.0%

       
 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS S.A.

     1,608        26    
 

 

 

Russia – 0.1%

       
 

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

     11,181        269    
 

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

     47,170        89    
 

 

          358    
 

 

 

Singapore – 0.4%

       
 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     19,600        288    
 

Genting Singapore Ltd.

     379,300        186    
 

Sea Ltd. ADR*

     2,029        313    
 

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

     78,600        529    
 

 

          1,316    
 

 

 

South Africa – 0.2%

       
 

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

     3,170        220    
 

Naspers Ltd., Class N

     1,310        231    
 

Old Mutual Ltd.

     69,375        43    
 

Sanlam Ltd.

     42,627        132    
 

 

          626    
 

 

 

South Korea – 1.3%

       
 

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

     25,880        616    
 

Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd.

     1,480        291    
 

KB Financial Group, Inc.

     11,121        359    
 

KT&G Corp.

     15,600        1,101    
 

Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd.

     2,630        245    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)    continued

 

 

South Korea – 1.3%    continued

       
 

LG Innotek Co. Ltd.

     3,000        $397    
 

Orion Corp.

     1,360        153    
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     10,778        543    
 

Seegene, Inc.

     540        120    
 

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

     15,640        364    
 

Woori Financial Group, Inc.

     13,415        99    
 

 

          4,288    
 

 

 

Spain – 0.7%

       
 

Aena S.M.E. S.A.*

     2,621        365    
 

Endesa S.A.

     60,531        1,619    
 

Tecnicas Reunidas S.A.*

     37,663        403    
 

 

          2,387    
 

 

 

Sweden – 0.9%

       
 

Alfa Laval AB*

     7,560        167    
 

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

     7,197        342    
 

Evolution Gaming Group AB

     1,860        123    
 

Husqvarna AB, Class B

     11,210        123    
 

Lundin Energy AB

     10,700        212    
 

Sandvik AB*

     65,184        1,272    
 

Spotify Technology S.A.*

     2,936        712    
 

 

          2,951    
 

 

 

Switzerland – 5.0%

       
 

Alcon, Inc.*

     28,900        1,646    
 

Chubb Ltd.

     10,200        1,184    
 

CRISPR Therapeutics A.G.*

     20,002        1,673    
 

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

     8,512        1,010    
 

Novartis A.G. (Registered)

     19,127        1,662    
 

Novartis A.G. ADR

     18,200        1,583    
 

Partners Group Holding A.G.

     219        201    
 

Roche Holding A.G. (Genusschein)

     18,521        6,337    
 

Swisscom A.G. (Registered)

     1,477        783    
 

 

          16,079    
 

 

 

Taiwan – 0.9%

       
 

Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.

     32,000        201    
 

Delta Electronics, Inc.

     52,000        341    
 

Globalwafers Co. Ltd.

     10,000        133    
 

momo.com, Inc.

     6,000        147    
 

Powertech Technology, Inc.

     40,000        120    
 

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

     34,000        435    
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     42,000        631    
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR

     5,502        446    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    36    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)     continued

 

 

Taiwan – 0.9%    continued

 

 
 

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

     114,000        $246    
 

Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd.

     55,000        241    
 

 

          2,941    
 

 

 

Thailand – 0.1%

       
 

Kasikornbank PCL NVDR

     152,900        373    
 

 

 

Turkey – 0.2%

       
 

Turk Telekomunikasyon A.S.

     375,000        346    
 

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.*

     190,000        175    
 

Turkiye Is Bankasi A.S., Class C*

     304,938        211    
 

 

          732    
 

 

 

United Kingdom – 3.9%

       
 

3i Group PLC

     61,694        792    
 

Anglo American PLC

     4,910        118    
 

BAE Systems PLC

     29,210        181    
 

Bunzl PLC

     17,500        565    
 

Close Brothers Group PLC

     2,068        27    
 

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

     125,000        435    
 

Evraz PLC

     37,869        169    
 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     192,776        3,611    
 

JD Sports Fashion PLC

     27,380        286    
 

Linde PLC

     4,450        1,060    
 

M&G PLC

     99,000        203    
 

National Grid PLC

     40,026        461    
 

Next PLC

     4,570        350    
 

Persimmon PLC

     13,590        432    
 

RELX PLC (London Exchange)

     24,801        549    
 

Rio Tinto Ltd.

     10,279        696    
 

Unilever N.V.

     17,689        1,068    
 

Unilever N.V. (New York Exchange)

     23,015        1,390    
 

Vodafone Group PLC

     101,260        134    
 

 

          12,527    
 

 

 

United States – 53.8%

       
 

2U, Inc.*

     28,294        958    
 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     7,568        613    
 

Adobe, Inc.*

     12,540        6,150    
 

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     5,363        541    
 

Air Lease Corp.

     11,418        336    
 

Akamai Technologies, Inc.*

     3,163        350    
 

Albemarle Corp.

     3,528        315    
 

Alphabet, Inc., Class C*

     1,517        2,229    
 

Amazon.com, Inc.*

     912        2,872    
 

American Tower Corp.

     6,083        1,470    
 

Americold Realty Trust

     13,589        486    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)     continued

 

 

 
 

United States – 53.8%    continued

       
 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     12,200        $1,880    
 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     3,219        312    
 

Amgen, Inc.

     10,700        2,719    
 

Amphenol Corp., Class A

     9,150        991    
 

ANSYS, Inc.*

     12,970        4,244    
 

Apple, Inc.

     29,728        3,443    
 

Applied Materials, Inc.

     9,765        580    
 

Arrow Electronics, Inc.*

     3,378        266    
 

Autodesk, Inc.*

     3,038        702    
 

Bank of America Corp.

     30,547        736    
 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

     12,135        2,584    
 

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*

     1,173        605    
 

Black Knight, Inc.*

     6,563        571    
 

BOK Financial Corp.

     14,000        721    
 

Boston Properties, Inc.

     3,106        249    
 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     96,900        1,682    
 

Capital One Financial Corp.

     17,400        1,250    
 

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

     10,506        493    
 

Charles Schwab (The) Corp.

     31,214        1,131    
 

Cimarex Energy Co.

     9,316        227    
 

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

     3,698        288    
 

CMC Materials, Inc.

     2,909        415    
 

Coca-Cola (The) Co.

     39,400        1,945    
 

Comcast Corp., Class A

     25,054        1,159    
 

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

     18,650        1,050    
 

Continental Resources, Inc.

     15,714        193    
 

Corteva, Inc.

     71,000        2,045    
 

CSX Corp.

     7,484        581    
 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

     10,500        671    
 

Cummins, Inc.

     2,231        471    
 

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     11,009        833    
 

Danaher Corp.

     18,900        4,070    
 

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     5,970        601    
 

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

     8,267        361    
 

Dover Corp.

     3,343        362    
 

East West Bancorp, Inc.

     26,500        868    
 

Eastman Chemical Co.

     3,899        305    
 

Eaton Vance Corp.

     7,777        297    
 

Ecolab, Inc.

     4,227        845    
 

Editas Medicine, Inc.*

     32,743        919    
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.*

     64,300        1,796    
 

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.

     15,100        926    
 

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

     5,851        1,532    
 

First Republic Bank

     17,553        1,914    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    37    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)     continued

 

 

United States – 53.8%    continued

 

Fortive Corp.

     19,955        $1,521    
 

General Dynamics Corp.

     11,461        1,587    
 

Global Payments, Inc.

     4,079        724    
 

Honeywell International, Inc.

     10,525        1,732    
 

Houlihan Lokey, Inc.

     6,386        377    
 

Illumina, Inc.*

     2,246        694    
 

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.*

     46,262        920    
 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

     7,064        707    
 

Intuit, Inc.

     8,180        2,668    
 

Invitae Corp.*

     50,363        2,183    
 

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

     12,548        321    
 

Johnson & Johnson

     13,814        2,057    
 

Johnson Controls International PLC

     43,200        1,765    
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     17,800        1,714    
 

KeyCorp

     21,559        257    
 

Keysight Technologies, Inc.*

     5,746        568    
 

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     1,852        349    
 

LendingTree, Inc.*

     2,971        912    
 

Lennar Corp., Class A

     30,100        2,459    
 

Markel Corp.*

     2,030        1,977    
 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

     8,200        1,930    
 

Masco Corp.

     10,312        568    
 

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     1,260        1,217    
 

Microchip Technology, Inc.

     40,938        4,207    
 

Microsoft Corp.

     26,771        5,631    
 

Moody’s Corp.

     6,484        1,879    
 

NanoString Technologies, Inc.*

     8,488        379    
 

NIKE, Inc., Class B

     12,412        1,558    
 

NVIDIA Corp.

     303        164    
 

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

     1,791        826    
 

Oshkosh Corp.

     23,400        1,720    
 

Packaging Corp. of America

     3,016        329    
 

PagerDuty, Inc.*

     23,892        648    
 

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

     9,700        1,963    
 

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

     10,096        1,989    
 

PepsiCo, Inc.

     7,966        1,104    
 

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     41,381        3,103    
 

Phillips 66

     18,900        980    
 

Pinterest, Inc., Class A*

     19,490        809    
 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     8,000        688    
 

PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.

     14,100        1,550    
 

Procter & Gamble (The) Co.

     15,150        2,106    
        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)     continued

 

 

United States – 53.8%    continued

 

Progressive (The) Corp.

     7,030        $665    
 

Proto Labs, Inc.*

     8,807        1,140    
 

Pure Storage, Inc., Class A*

     56,487        869    
 

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     20,647        2,430    
 

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     5,195        378    
 

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

     3,370        321    
 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

     1,905        323    
 

Republic Services, Inc.

     7,683        717    
 

Roku, Inc.*

     10,246        1,934    
 

Roper Technologies, Inc.

     2,943        1,163    
 

RPM International, Inc.

     23,400        1,938    
 

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     6,395        1,607    
 

SBA Communications Corp.

     1,633        520    
 

Scotts Miracle-Gro (The) Co.

     2,769        423    
 

Sealed Air Corp.

     7,313        284    
 

Sensata Technologies Holding PLC*

     9,945        429    
 

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.*

     25,063        710    
 

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     5,558        809    
 

Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A*

     37,001        994    
 

Snap-on, Inc.

     2,540        374    
 

Splunk, Inc.*

     4,330        815    
 

Square, Inc., Class A*

     15,427        2,508    
 

Starbucks Corp.

     7,177        617    
 

Stericycle, Inc.*

     7,799        492    
 

Stifel Financial Corp.

     6,395        323    
 

Stratasys Ltd.*

     40,799        509    
 

Sun Communities, Inc.

     6,802        956    
 

Syneos Health, Inc.*

     6,148        327    
 

Synopsys, Inc.*

     4,030        862    
 

Sysco Corp.

     6,189        385    
 

Teladoc Health, Inc.*

     4,194        919    
 

Teleflex, Inc.

     5,214        1,775    
 

Teradyne, Inc.

     2,203        175    
 

Tesla, Inc.*

     7,960        3,415    
 

TJX (The) Cos., Inc.

     8,875        494    
 

TransDigm Group, Inc.

     1,534        729    
 

Twilio, Inc., Class A*

     1,750        432    
 

Twitter, Inc.*

     44,643        1,987    
 

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

     22,700        1,350    
 

U.S. Bancorp

     19,834        711    
 

Visa, Inc., Class A

     8,631        1,726    
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

     21,500        772    
 

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     5,116        496    
 

Woodward, Inc.

     4,551        365    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    38    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

 

        

 

NUMBER
OF SHARES

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

COMMON STOCKS – 94.9% (1)    continued

 

 

United States – 53.8%    continued

 

Xilinx, Inc.

     9,580        $999    
 

Xylem, Inc.

     23,800        2,002    
 

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C*

     14,812        1,505    
 

Zscaler, Inc.*

     3,098        436    
 

 

                    173,103      
   

Total Common Stocks

 

(Cost $265,738)

        305,063    
         
 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.1% (1)

 

 

Brazil – 0.1%

       
   

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., 0.00%(3) (4)

     101,000        354      
   

Total Preferred Stocks

 

(Cost $534)

        354    
         
 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.6%

 

   

Northern Institutional Funds -
U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(5) (6)

     11,633,205        11,633      
   

Total Investment Companies

 

(Cost $11,633)

        11,633    
         
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.2%

 

   

U.S. Treasury Bill,
0.11%, 1/28/21(7) (8)

     $700        $700      
   

Total Short-Term Investments

 

(Cost $700)

        700    
         
   
   

Total Investments – 98.8%

 

(Cost $278,605)

        317,750    
   

Other Assets less Liabilities – 1.2%

 

     3,818      
 

Net Assets – 100.0%

        $321,568    

 

(1) 

Adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service were used to determine the value of certain foreign securities.

 

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(3) 

Current yield is less than 0.01%.

 

(4) 

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

(5) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

(6) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed. (7) Discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(8) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

EAFE – Europe, Australasia and the Far East

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR – Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

PCL – Public Company Limited

PLC – Public Limited Company

S&P – Standard & Poor’s

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

 COUNTERPARTY

 

 

 

CONTRACTS
TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

 

 

 

AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)

 

 

 

IN
EXCHANGE
FOR

CURRENCY

 

 

 

AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)

 

 

SETTLEMENT
DATE

 

 

 

UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)

 

 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   345   Australian Dollar       567   11/10/20       $   2
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   398   Canadian Dollar       626   11/10/20       3
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   30   New Zealand Dollar       53   11/10/20       *
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   98   Singapore Dollar       159   11/10/20       1
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   346   United States Dollar       407   11/10/20       1
 JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar   1,398   Canadian Dollar       1,866   11/10/20       4
 JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar   332   Singapore Dollar       456   11/10/20       2
 Subtotal Appreciation                                 13
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   1,571   British Pound       1,413   11/10/20       (19 )
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   150   Israeli Shekel       602   11/10/20       *
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   159   Norwegian Krone       1,690   11/10/20       (6 )
 JPMorgan Chase   Euro   590   Swedish Krona       6,071   11/10/20       (15 )
 JPMorgan Chase   Japanese Yen   30,918   United States Dollar       292   11/10/20       (1 )
 JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar   2,102   Australian Dollar       2,934   11/10/20       (1 )
 JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar   95   Norwegian Krone       854   11/10/20       (3 )
 JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar   213   Swedish Krona       1,860   11/10/20       (5 )

 

 Subtotal Depreciation

                  (50 )

 

 Total

 

                               

 

$(37

 

)

 

 

*

Amounts round to less than a thousand.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    39    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  

 

    

 

 

 

    NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had open futures contracts as follows:

 

TYPE

 

 

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS

 

 

NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

 

CONTRACT
POSITION

 

 

CONTRACT
EXP.

 

 

 

VALUE AND
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

 

E-Mini S&P 500 (United States Dollar)       19     $ 3,185       Long       12/20     $ 6
MSCI EAFE Index       23       2,131       Long       12/20       (46 )

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (United States Dollar)

 

     

 

14

 

 

     

 

762

 

 

     

 

Long

 

 

     

 

12/20

 

 

     

 

(3

 

)

 

  Total

 

                                            $

 

(43

 

)

 

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

  INDUSTRY SECTOR

 

  

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

 

  Communication Services

     11.4

  Consumer Discretionary

     9.8  

  Consumer Staples

     7.7  

  Energy

     2.4  

  Financials

     14.9  

  Health Care

     14.9  

  Industrials

     10.0  

  Information Technology

     20.6  

  Materials

     4.5  

  Real Estate

     2.1  

  Utilities

 

    

 

1.7

 

 

 

  Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY   

 

% OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS

 

  United States Dollar

     67.0

  Euro

     9.7  

  Japanese Yen

     7.2  

  All other currencies less than 5%

 

    

 

16.1

 

 

 

  Total

 

    

 

100.0

 

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices). The Fund adjusted the price of certain foreign equity securities held in its portfolio on September 30, 2020 using adjustment factors designed to reflect more accurately the fair value of the securities. See Note 2 for a discussion of this procedure. The fair valuation of these securities resulted in their categorization as Level 2 investments.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS  

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

   

 

LEVEL 2
(000S)

   

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

   

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

  Common Stocks:

 

       

Argentina

  $ 344     $     $     $ 344  

Brazil

    989                   989  

Canada

    5,313                   5,313  

Chile

    394                   394  

China

    7,965       3,813             11,778  

Colombia

    149                   149  

France

    324       5,710             6,034  

Germany

    2,493       9,874             12,367  

Hong Kong

    39       3,887             3,926  

India

    1,055                   1,055  

Ireland

    4,014                   4,014  

Israel

    719                   719  

Japan

    3,401       22,004             25,405  

Mexico

    368                   368  

Peru

    264                   264  

Singapore

    313       1,003             1,316  

Sweden

    712       2,239             2,951  

Switzerland

    6,086       9,993             16,079  

Taiwan

    446       2,495             2,941  

United Kingdom

    2,450       10,077             12,527  

United States

    173,103                   173,103  

All Other
Countries(1)

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

23,027

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

23,027

 

 

 

  Total Common Stocks

 

   

 

210,941

 

 

 

   

 

94,122

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

305,063

 

 

 

  Preferred Stocks(1)

    354                   354  

  Investment Companies

    11,633                   11,633  

  Short-Term Investments

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

700

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    700  

  Total Investments

 

  $

 

222,928

 

 

 

  $

 

94,822

 

 

 

  $

 

 

 

 

  $

 

317,750

 

 

 

  OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

                               

  Assets

       

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

  $

 

 

 

 

  $

 

13

 

 

 

  $

 

 

 

 

  $

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    40    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

  INVESTMENTS   

 

LEVEL 1
(000S)

   

 

LEVEL 2
(000S)

   

 

LEVEL 3
(000S)

    

 

TOTAL
(000S)

 

Futures Contracts

   $ 6     $     $      $ 6  

  Liabilities

         

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           (50            (50

Futures Contracts

 

    

 

(49

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    

 

(49

 

 

  Total Other Financial Instruments

 

   $

 

(43

 

 

  $

 

(37

 

 

  $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(80

 

 

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    41    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  

 

    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

 

 

    

 

 

         

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
  

 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.0%

 

   Bermuda – 0.0%        
  

Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd.,

       
    

7.00%, 10/19/20 (2) (3) (4)

 

    

 

$76

 

 

 

    

 

$9

 

 

 

   
    

Total Convertible Bonds

 

                     
  

(Cost $7)

 

       

 

9

 

 

 

 
          
  

 

CORPORATE BONDS – 0.7%

 

   United States – 0.7%        
   CEDC Finance Corp. International, Inc.,        
  

10.00%, 12/31/22 (2)

     85        53    
   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.,        
  

2.68%, 5/21/30 (CNY)

     6,000        851    
  

7.50%, 8/17/32 (IDR)(2)

     4,849,000        332    
  

 

                    

 

1,236

 

 

 

   
    

Total Corporate Bonds

 

                     
  

(Cost $1,287)

 

       

 

1,236

 

 

 

 
          
  

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%

 

   Angola – 1.1%        
   Angolan Government International Bond,        
  

9.50%, 11/12/25

     400        350    
  

8.25%, 5/9/28

     400        320    
  

8.00%, 11/26/29

     200        159    
  

9.38%, 5/8/48

     1,065        836    
  

9.13%, 11/26/49

     271        212    
  

 

           1,877    
  

 

   Argentina – 2.2%        
   Argentine Republic Government        
  

International Bond,

       
  

1.00%, 7/9/29

     329        150    
  

(Step to 0.50% on 7/9/21), 0.13%, 7/9/30 (5)

     2,039        856    
  

(Step to 1.13% on 7/9/21), 0.13%, 7/9/35 (5)

     3,483        1,310    
  

(Step to 2.00% on 7/9/21), 0.13%, 1/9/38 (5)

     529        228    
  

(Step to 2.50% on 7/9/21), 0.13%, 7/9/41 (5)

     495        197    
   Autonomous City of Buenos Aires Argentina,

 

 
  

(Floating, Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Private Banks 30-35 Days + 3.25%), 32.99%, 3/29/24 (ARS)(6)

     1,333        16    
   Bonos del Tesoro Nacional en Pesos Badlar,

 

    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

  Argentina – 2.2%    continued        
 

(Floating, Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Private Banks 30-35 Days + 2.00%), 31.73%, 4/3/22 (ARS)(6)

     $4,614        $59    
  Pampa Energia S.A.,        
 

7.38%, 7/21/23

     177        151    
  Provincia de Buenos Aires,        
 

6.50%, 2/15/23

     450        175    
 

33.38%, 4/12/25 (ARS)

     4,138        49    
  YPF S.A.,        
 

8.75%, 4/4/24

     708        568    
 

 

          3,759    
 

 

  Azerbaijan – 1.2%        
  Republic of Azerbaijan International Bond,        
 

4.75%, 3/18/24

     700        736    
 

3.50%, 9/1/32

     612        590    
  Southern Gas Corridor CJSC,        
 

6.88%, 3/24/26

     400        456    
  State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic,        
 

6.95%, 3/18/30

     200        237    
 

 

          2,019    
 

 

  Bahrain – 0.5%        
  Bahrain Government International Bond,        
 

6.13%, 7/5/22

     400        418    
 

7.50%, 9/20/47

     200        213    
  Oil and Gas Holding (The) Co. BSCC,        
 

8.38%, 11/7/28

     200        223    
 

 

          854    
 

 

  Belarus – 0.3%        
  Republic of Belarus International Bond,        
 

6.88%, 2/28/23

     240        234    
 

6.20%, 2/28/30

     200        188    
  Republic of Belarus Ministry of Finance,        
 

5.88%, 2/24/26

     200        186    
 

 

          608    
 

 

  Bermuda – 0.3%        
  Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd.,        
 

10.00%,(100% Cash), 4/1/24 (4)

     585        448    
 

8.00%, 4/1/25 (2) (4)

     252        88    
 

 

          536    
 

 

  Brazil – 6.7%        
  Banco do Brasil S.A.,        
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    42    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

  Brazil – 6.7%    continued        
 

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 10Y + 4.40%), 6.25%, 4/15/24 (3) (7)

     $600        $562    
 

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 10Y + 6.36%), 9.00%, 6/18/24 (3) (7)

     200        216    
  Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional, Serie F,

 

    
 

10.00%, 1/1/23 (BRL)

     8,000        1,584    
 

10.00%, 1/1/25 (BRL)

     6,608        1,334    
 

10.00%, 1/1/27 (BRL)

     9,628        1,956    
 

10.00%, 1/1/29 (BRL)

     6,864        1,417    
 

10.00%, 1/1/31 (BRL)

     406        84    
  Brazilian Government International Bond,

 

    
 

8.25%, 1/20/34

     118        158    
 

7.13%, 1/20/37

     153        190    
 

5.63%, 1/7/41

     100        108    
 

5.00%, 1/27/45

     850        856    
 

5.63%, 2/21/47

     200        217    
 

4.75%, 1/14/50

     200        195    
  CSN Islands XI Corp.,        
 

6.75%, 1/28/28

     200        194    
  CSN Resources S.A.,        
 

7.63%, 2/13/23

     230        237    
  Oi S.A.,        
 

10.00%,(100% Cash), 7/27/25 (4)

     1,615        1,558    
  Samarco Mineracao S.A.,        
 

4.13%, 11/1/22 (8)

     400        212    
 

5.75%, 10/24/23 (8)

     600        324    
 

5.38%, 9/26/24 (8)

     300        161    
 

 

          11,563    
 

 

  Canada – 0.6%        
  First Quantum Minerals Ltd.,        
 

7.25%, 4/1/23

     200        200    
 

6.50%, 3/1/24

     200        192    
 

7.50%, 4/1/25

     290        287    
 

6.88%, 3/1/26

     290        279    
 

 

          958    
 

 

  Cayman Islands – 0.1%        
  Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.,        
 

10.88%, 1/9/23

     200        200    
 

 

  Chile – 2.3%        
  Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica,

 

    
 

1.90%, 9/1/30 (CLP)

     1        22    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

  Chile – 2.3%    continued        
 

2.00%, 3/1/35 (CLP)

     $1        $68    
  Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos,

 

 
 

4.50%, 3/1/26 (CLP)

     445,000        650    
 

4.70%, 9/1/30 (CLP)

     100,000        150    
 

5.00%, 3/1/35 (CLP)

     550,000        839    
  Chile Government International Bond,        
 

2.55%, 1/27/32

     700        739    
  Corp. Nacional del Cobre de Chile,        
 

5.63%, 10/18/43

     200        269    
 

4.88%, 11/4/44

     200        249    
 

4.50%, 8/1/47

     200        239    
 

4.38%, 2/5/49

     220        260    
  Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro S.A.,

 

 
 

4.70%, 5/7/50

     200        246    
  Empresa Nacional del Petroleo,        
 

4.50%, 9/14/47

     200        218    
 

 

          3,949    
 

 

  China – 1.9%        
  China Evergrande Group,        
 

11.50%, 1/22/23

     200        179    
 

7.50%, 6/28/23

     370        294    
 

10.50%, 4/11/24

     450        379    
 

8.75%, 6/28/25

     400        313    
  Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.,        
 

8.50%, 6/30/22

     215        211    
 

11.50%, 1/30/23

     200        204    
 

10.88%, 7/23/23

     200        201    
 

9.38%, 6/30/24

     465        439    
  Scenery Journey Ltd.,        
 

11.50%, 10/24/22

     320        291    
 

12.00%, 10/24/23

     400        357    
  Sinochem Overseas Capital Co. Ltd.,        
 

4.50%, 11/12/20

     200        200    
  Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2012 Ltd.,

 

 
 

4.88%, 5/17/42

     200        262    
 

 

          3,330    
 

 

  Colombia – 3.5%        
  Colombia Government International Bond,        
 

8.13%, 5/21/24

     213        257    
 

3.88%, 4/25/27

     200        216    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    43    MULTI–MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
 

Colombia – 3.5%    continued

       
 

7.38%, 9/18/37

     $100        $141    
 

6.13%, 1/18/41

     165        212    
 

5.63%, 2/26/44

     200        249    
 

5.00%, 6/15/45

     650        757    
 

4.13%, 5/15/51

     200        208    
 

Colombian TES,

       
 

10.00%, 7/24/24 (COP)

     2,850,000        916    
 

6.25%, 11/26/25 (COP)

     182,800        52    
 

7.50%, 8/26/26 (COP)

     1,061,300        320    
 

5.75%, 11/3/27 (COP)

     189,000        52    
 

6.00%, 4/28/28 (COP)

     6,503,400        1,797    
 

7.00%, 6/30/32 (COP)

     64,900        18    
 

7.25%, 10/18/34 (COP)

     1,465,700        419    
 

7.25%, 10/26/50 (COP)

     639,000        175    
 

Empresas Publicas de Medellin ESP,

       
 

8.38%, 11/8/27 (COP)

     693,000        187    
 

 

          5,976    
 

 

 

Costa Rica – 0.9%

       
 

Costa Rica Government International Bond,

       
 

5.52%, 11/10/21

     700        707    
 

6.44%, 11/21/29

     480        430    
 

5.63%, 4/30/43

     600        494    
 

 

          1,631    
 

 

 

Croatia – 0.9%

       
 

Croatia Government International Bond,

       
 

6.38%, 3/24/21

     200        205    
 

5.50%, 4/4/23

     200        222    
 

6.00%, 1/26/24

     900        1,044    
 

 

          1,471    
 

 

 

Czech Republic – 1.6%

       
 

Czech Republic Government Bond,

       
 

0.45%, 10/25/23 (CZK)

     28,500        1,244    
 

2.40%, 9/17/25 (CZK)

     7,100        337    
 

0.95%, 5/15/30 (CZK)

     15,410        677    
 

2.00%, 10/13/33 (CZK)

     8,040        392    
 

4.20%, 12/4/36 (CZK)

     390        25    
 

 

          2,675    
 

 

 

Dominican Republic – 2.6%

       
 

Dominican Republic International Bond,

       
 

7.50%, 5/6/21

     40        41    
 

6.60%, 1/28/24

     100        110    
 

5.88%, 4/18/24

     200        212    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
 

Dominican Republic – 2.6% continued

       
 

5.50%, 1/27/25

     $550        $585    
 

6.88%, 1/29/26

     230        256    
 

9.75%, 6/5/26 (DOP)

     40,700        707    
 

5.95%, 1/25/27

     200        215    
 

4.88%, 9/23/32 (2)

     285        283    
 

4.88%, 9/23/32

     150        149    
 

7.45%, 4/30/44

     190        214    
 

6.85%, 1/27/45

     800        842    
 

6.50%, 2/15/48

     350        354    
 

6.40%, 6/5/49

     200        201    
 

5.88%, 1/30/60 (2)

     370        350    
 

 

          4,519    
 

 

 

Ecuador – 2.1%

       
 

Ecuador Government International Bond,

       
 

(Step to 5.00% on 7/31/21), 0.50%, 7/31/30 (2) (5)

     1,477        994    
 

0.00%, 7/31/30 (2) (9)

     258        120    
 

(Step to 1.00% on 7/31/21), 0.50%, 7/31/35 (2) (5)

     3,366        1,853    
 

(Step to 0.50% on 7/31/21), 0.50%, 7/31/40 (2) (5)

     1,205        604    
 

 

          3,571    
 

 

 

Egypt – 1.8%

       
 

Egypt Government International Bond,

       
 

7.50%, 1/31/27

     200        211    
 

6.59%, 2/21/28

     500        496    
 

7.60%, 3/1/29

     200        206    
 

7.05%, 1/15/32

     229        219    
 

7.63%, 5/29/32 (2)

     200        195    
 

6.88%, 4/30/40

     467        438    
 

8.50%, 1/31/47

     800        777    
 

7.90%, 2/21/48

     430        398    
 

8.88%, 5/29/50 (2)

     200        198    
 

 

          3,138    
 

 

 

El Salvador – 0.6%

       
 

El Salvador Government International Bond,

       
 

5.88%, 1/30/25

     67        58    
 

6.38%, 1/18/27

     103        89    
 

8.63%, 2/28/29

     453        428    
 

8.25%, 4/10/32

     131        118    
 

7.65%, 6/15/35

     80        69    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    44    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
 

El Salvador – 0.6%    continued

       
 

7.63%, 2/1/41

     $150        $125    
 

9.50%, 7/15/52 (2)

     150        142    
 

 

          1,029    
 

 

 

Gabon – 0.2%

       
 

Gabon Government International Bond,

       
 

6.38%, 12/12/24

     200        189    
 

6.63%, 2/6/31

     200        180    
 

 

          369    
 

 

 

Georgia – 0.1%

       
 

Georgia Government International Bond,

       
 

6.88%, 4/12/21

     200        204    
 

 

 

Ghana – 0.5%

       
 

Ghana Government International Bond,

       
 

7.63%, 5/16/29

     200        182    
 

10.75%, 10/14/30

     200        243    
 

8.13%, 3/26/32

     200        176    
 

7.88%, 2/11/35

     400        339    
 

 

          940    
 

 

 

Guatemala – 1.0%

       
 

Guatemala Government Bond,

       
 

4.88%, 2/13/28

     275        303    
 

4.90%, 6/1/30

     400        443    
 

5.38%, 4/24/32

     575        659    
 

6.13%, 6/1/50

     200        238    
 

 

          1,643    
 

 

 

Honduras – 0.4%

       
 

Honduras Government International Bond,

       
 

6.25%, 1/19/27

     300        328    
 

5.63%, 6/24/30

     300        321    
 

 

          649    
 

 

 

Hungary – 1.7%

       
 

Hungary Government Bond,

       
 

1.50%, 8/23/23 (HUF)

     118,500        384    
 

2.50%, 10/24/24 (HUF)

     115,000        388    
 

3.00%, 10/27/27 (HUF)

     121,770        421    
 

6.75%, 10/22/28 (HUF)

     32,920        144    
 

3.00%, 8/21/30 (HUF)

     114,090        395    
 

Hungary Government International Bond,

       
 

5.75%, 11/22/23

     862        988    
 

5.38%, 3/25/24

     156        179    
 

7.63%, 3/29/41

     38        68    
 

 

          2,967    
 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
 

India – 0.1%

       
 

Export-Import Bank of India,

       
 

4.00%, 1/14/23

     $200        $210    
 

 

 

Indonesia – 8.1%

       
 

Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT,

       
 

5.71%, 11/15/23

     200        222    
 

Indonesia Government International Bond,

       
 

4.75%, 2/11/29

     500        593    
 

8.50%, 10/12/35

     200        320    
 

6.63%, 2/17/37

     750        1,053    
 

7.75%, 1/17/38

     200        309    
 

5.25%, 1/17/42

     870        1,100    
 

5.13%, 1/15/45

     750        942    
 

5.95%, 1/8/46

     200        280    
 

5.25%, 1/8/47

     200        259    
 

Indonesia Treasury Bond,

       
 

6.50%, 6/15/25 (IDR)

     1,793,000        125    
 

8.38%, 9/15/26 (IDR)

     10,349,000        776    
 

7.00%, 5/15/27 (IDR)

     5,276,000        366    
 

6.13%, 5/15/28 (IDR)

     3,534,000        229    
 

9.00%, 3/15/29 (IDR)

     7,246,000        550    
 

8.25%, 5/15/29 (IDR)

     2,589,000        190    
 

10.50%, 8/15/30 (IDR)

     2,813,000        236    
 

7.00%, 9/15/30 (IDR)

     6,000,000        406    
 

7.75%, 4/15/31 (IDR)

     1,177,000        84    
 

8.75%, 5/15/31 (IDR)

     12,294,000        926    
 

9.50%, 7/15/31 (IDR)

     17,912,000        1,412    
 

6.63%, 5/15/33 (IDR)

     1,545,000        99    
 

8.38%, 3/15/34 (IDR)

     2,949,000        213    
 

7.50%, 6/15/35 (IDR)

     2,274,000        154    
 

8.25%, 5/15/36 (IDR)

     23,536,000        1,679    
 

7.50%, 5/15/38 (IDR)

     2,585,000        173    
 

8.38%, 4/15/39 (IDR)

     1,310,000        94    
 

Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN Indonesia III,

       
 

4.55%, 3/29/26

     200        230    
 

4.40%, 3/1/28

     450        514    
 

Perusahaan Perseroan Persero PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara,

       
 

5.50%, 11/22/21

     200        209    
 

6.15%, 5/21/48

     200        257    
 

 

          14,000    
 

 

 

Ireland – 0.1%

       
 

SCF Capital Designated Activity Co.,

       
 

5.38%, 6/16/23

     200        215    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    45    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

         

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
  

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
  

Ivory Coast – 0.7%

       
  

Ivory Coast Government International Bond,

       
  

6.38%, 3/3/28

     $200        $201    
  

5.88%, 10/17/31 (EUR)

     119        127    
  

5.75%, 12/31/32

     112        104    
  

6.13%, 6/15/33

     540        507    
  

6.88%, 10/17/40 (EUR)

     225        238    
  

 

           1,177    
  

 

  

Jamaica – 0.1%

       
  

Jamaica Government International Bond,

       
  

7.88%, 7/28/45

     200        253    
  

 

  

Kazakhstan – 0.6%

       
  

Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC,

       
  

4.13%, 12/10/22

     200        210    
  

Kazakhstan Government International Bond,

       
  

5.13%, 7/21/25

     200        232    
  

6.50%, 7/21/45

     200        311    
  

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC,

       
  

5.38%, 4/24/30

     200        235    
  

 

           988    
  

 

  

Kenya – 0.3%

       
  

Kenya Government International Bond,

       
  

6.88%, 6/24/24

     239        244    
  

8.00%, 5/22/32

     200        198    
  

 

           442    
  

 

  

Lebanon – 0.3%

       
  

Lebanon Government International Bond,

       
  

6.38%, 3/9/20 (8)

     267        50    
  

5.80%, 4/14/20 (8)

     188        35    
  

6.15%, 6/19/20 (8)

     326        61    
  

8.25%, 4/12/21 (8)

     593        107    
  

6.10%, 10/4/22 (8)

     795        138    
  

6.00%, 1/27/23 (8)

     231        39    
  

6.60%, 11/27/26 (8)

     97        16    
  

6.85%, 3/23/27 (8)

     212        35    
  

7.00%, 3/23/32 (8)

     143        23    
  

7.05%, 11/2/35 (8)

     11        2    
  

7.25%, 3/23/37 (8)

     349        59    
  

 

           565    
  

 

  

Malaysia – 2.2%

       
  

Malaysia Government Bond,

       
  

3.88%, 3/10/22 (MYR)

     2,157        534    
  

3.80%, 9/30/22 (MYR)

     1,821        455    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

 
 

Malaysia – 2.2%    continued

       
 

3.90%, 11/30/26 (MYR)

     $2,050        $535    
 

3.73%, 6/15/28 (MYR)

     2,400        623    
 

3.89%, 8/15/29 (MYR)

     720        190    
 

4.50%, 4/15/30 (MYR)

     711        196    
 

4.64%, 11/7/33 (MYR)

     361        100    
 

3.83%, 7/5/34 (MYR)

     2,025        528    
 

4.92%, 7/6/48 (MYR)

     203        57    
 

Petronas Capital Ltd.,

       
 

4.55%, 4/21/50

     400        508    
 

 

          3,726    
 

 

 

Mexico – 7.3%

       
 

Banco Mercantil del Norte S.A.,

       
 

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 4.97%), 6.75%, 9/27/24 (3) (7)

     200        197    
 

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 10Y + 5.47%), 7.50%, 6/27/29 (3) (7)

     200        197    
 

(Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 10Y + 7.76%), 8.38%, 10/14/30 (3) (7)

     220        230    
 

Braskem Idesa S.A.P.I.,

       
 

7.45%, 11/15/29

     230        219    
 

Comision Federal de Electricidad,

       
 

8.18%, 12/23/27 (MXN)

     2,060        91    
 

5.75%, 2/14/42

     200        220    
 

Mexican Bonos,

       
 

8.00%, 12/7/23 (MXN)

     6,000        298    
 

10.00%, 12/5/24 (MXN)

     5,000        269    
 

7.50%, 6/3/27 (MXN)

     20,000        1,006    
 

8.50%, 5/31/29 (MXN)

     21,934        1,174    
 

7.75%, 5/29/31 (MXN)

     8,650        441    
 

7.75%, 11/23/34 (MXN)

     1,510        77    
 

10.00%, 11/20/36 (MXN)

     6,600        398    
 

8.50%, 11/18/38 (MXN)

     25,540        1,355    
 

7.75%, 11/13/42 (MXN)

     9,500        466    
 

8.00%, 11/7/47 (MXN)

     6,020        301    
 

Mexico Government International Bond,

       
 

3.60%, 1/30/25

     200        215    
 

4.13%, 1/21/26

     200        223    
 

4.15%, 3/28/27

     200        223    
 

4.75%, 4/27/32

     1,650        1,862    
 

6.05%, 1/11/40

     60        75    
 

4.75%, 3/8/44

     314        342    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    46    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
  FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued
 

Mexico – 7.3%    continued

 

5.55%, 1/21/45

     $114        $137    
 

4.35%, 1/15/47

     200        208    
 

5.75%, 10/12/10 (10)

     624        722    
 

Petroleos Mexicanos,

       
 

7.19%, 9/12/24 (MXN)

     3,090        121    
 

6.75%, 9/21/47

     550        427    
 

6.35%, 2/12/48

     160        120    
 

7.69%, 1/23/50

     471        394    
 

6.95%, 1/28/60

     637        493    
 

 

          12,501    
 

 

 

Mongolia – 0.3%

 

Development Bank of Mongolia LLC,

       
 

7.25%, 10/23/23

     200        209    
 

Mongolia Government International Bond,

       
 

5.63%, 5/1/23

     200        205    
 

Mongolian Mining Corp.,

       
 

2.34%, 4/1/21 (3) (4)

     60        30    
 

 

          444    
 

 

 

Morocco – 0.1%

 

Morocco Government International Bond,

       
 

4.25%, 12/11/22

     210        221    
 

 

 

Netherlands – 0.7%

 

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Finance B.V.,

       
 

6.95%, 7/10/42

     200        269    
 

Metinvest B.V.,

       
 

7.75%, 4/23/23

     400        411    
 

8.50%, 4/23/26

     200        202    
 

10/1/27 (2) (11)

     300        291    
 

 

          1,173    
 

 

 

Nigeria – 0.2%

 

Nigeria Government International Bond,

       
 

6.50%, 11/28/27

     200        191    
 

7.63%, 11/28/47

     200        180    
 

 

          371    
 

 

 

Oman – 0.7%

 

Oman Government International Bond,

       
 

6.50%, 3/8/47

     674        553    
 

6.75%, 1/17/48

     711        591    
 

 

          1,144    
 

 

 

Pakistan – 0.6%

 

Pakistan Government International Bond,

       
 

8.25%, 4/15/24

     200        213    
        

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
  FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

Pakistan – 0.6% continued

 

 

8.25%, 9/30/25

     $200        $214     
 

6.88%, 12/5/27

     481        480     
 

Third Pakistan International Sukuk (The) Co. Ltd.,

        
 

5.63%, 12/5/22

     200        200     
 

 

 
          1,107     
 

 

 
 

Panama – 1.6%

 

 

Panama Government International Bond,

        
 

7.13%, 1/29/26

     100        127     
 

8.88%, 9/30/27

     574        822     
 

9.38%, 4/1/29

     73        112     
 

3.16%, 1/23/30

     294        320     
 

6.70%, 1/26/36

     138        200     
 

4.50%, 4/16/50

     500        625     
 

4.30%, 4/29/53

     200        245     
 

3.87%, 7/23/60

     210        240     
 

 

 
          2,691     
 

 

 
 

Papua New Guinea – 0.1%

 

 

Papua New Guinea Government
International Bond,

        
 

8.38%, 10/4/28

     200        200     
 

 

 
 

Paraguay – 1.2%

 

 

Paraguay Government International Bond,

        
 

4.63%, 1/25/23

     200        212     
 

5.00%, 4/15/26

     200        227     
 

4.95%, 4/28/31

     399        459     
 

5.60%, 3/13/48

     400        492     
 

5.40%, 3/30/50

     500        606     
 

 

 
          1,996     
 

 

 
 

Peru – 2.5%

 

 

Banco de Credito del Peru,

        
 

4.85%, 10/30/20 (PEN)

     51        14     
 

Fondo MIVIVIENDA S.A.,

        
 

7.00%, 2/14/24 (PEN)

     279        87     
 

Peru Government Bond,

        
 

5.94%, 2/12/29 (PEN)

     600        196     
 

6.15%, 8/12/32 (PEN)

     4,325        1,379     
 

5.40%, 8/12/34 (PEN)

     565        164     
 

5.35%, 8/12/40 (PEN)

     1,675        461     
 

Peruvian Government International Bond,

     218        279     
 

7.35%, 7/21/25

        
 

6.95%, 8/12/31 (PEN)

     1,817        617     
 

8.75%, 11/21/33

     260        435     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    47    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

Peru – 2.5% continued

       
 

6.90%, 8/12/37 (PEN)

     $383        $127    
 

5.63%, 11/18/50

     353        562    
 

 

          4,321    
 

 

 

Philippines – 0.7%

       
 

Philippine Government International Bond,

       
 

10.63%, 3/16/25

     78        111    
 

9.50%, 2/2/30

     302        497    
 

7.75%, 1/14/31

     200        304    
 

6.38%, 10/23/34

     100        145    
 

Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corp.,

       
 

7.39%, 12/2/24

     100        125    
 

 

          1,182    
 

 

 

Poland – 2.1%

       
 

Republic of Poland Government Bond,

       
 

2.50%, 1/25/23 (PLN)

     4,600        1,257    
 

2.50%, 7/25/26 (PLN)

     1,550        440    
 

2.50%, 7/25/27 (PLN)

     3,000        854    
 

2.75%, 4/25/28 (PLN)

     541        157    
 

2.75%, 10/25/29 (PLN)

     2,860        835    
 

 

          3,543    
 

 

 

Qatar – 2.5%

       
 

Qatar Government International Bond,

       
 

3.25%, 6/2/26

     200        220    
 

4.50%, 4/23/28

     468        561    
 

3.75%, 4/16/30

     596        692    
 

5.10%, 4/23/48

     1,000        1,393    
 

4.82%, 3/14/49

     822        1,109    
 

4.40%, 4/16/50

     200        258    
 

 

          4,233    
 

 

 

Romania – 1.5%

       
 

Romania Government Bond,

     850        211    
 

4.25%, 6/28/23 (RON)

       
 

5.80%, 7/26/27 (RON)

     3,410        942    
 

3.65%, 9/24/31 (RON)

     335        80    
 

Romanian Government International Bond,

     120        129    
 

6.75%, 2/7/22

       
 

4.38%, 8/22/23

     236        256    
 

3.62%, 5/26/30 (EUR)

     67        89    
 

3.00%, 2/14/31 (2)

     40        41    
 

6.13%, 1/22/44

     24        32    
 

5.13%, 6/15/48

     300        368    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

Romania – 1.5% continued

       
 

3.38%, 1/28/50 (EUR)

     $181        $217    
 

4.00%, 2/14/51

     208        215    
 

 

          2,580    
 

 

 

Russia – 4.9%

       
 

Russian Federal Bond - OFZ,

       
 

7.00%, 8/16/23 (RUB)

     49,068        667    
 

7.15%, 11/12/25 (RUB)

     9,988        139    
 

7.75%, 9/16/26 (RUB)

     55,632        792    
 

7.95%, 10/7/26 (RUB)

     30,571        440    
 

8.15%, 2/3/27 (RUB)

     40,008        581    
 

7.05%, 1/19/28 (RUB)

     19,418        266    
 

6.90%, 5/23/29 (RUB)

     37,529        509    
 

7.65%, 4/10/30 (RUB)

     102,548        1,460    
 

8.50%, 9/17/31 (RUB)

     28,406        431    
 

7.70%, 3/23/33 (RUB)

     53,723        773    
 

7.25%, 5/10/34 (RUB)

     5,593        78    
 

7.70%, 3/16/39 (RUB)

     22,000        323    
 

Russian Foreign Bond - Eurobond,

       
 

4.25%, 6/23/27

     400        451    
 

4.38%, 3/21/29

     200        230    
 

5.10%, 3/28/35

     400        491    
 

5.25%, 6/23/47

     600        796    
 

 

          8,427    
 

 

 

Saudi Arabia – 0.6%

       
 

Saudi Government International Bond,

       
 

5.00%, 4/17/49

     200        259    
 

5.25%, 1/16/50

     400        539    
 

3.75%, 1/21/55

     200        217    
 

 

          1,015    
 

 

 

South Africa – 3.9%

       
 

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.,

       
 

7.13%, 2/11/25

     200        184    
 

Republic of South Africa Government Bond,

       
 

10.50%, 12/21/26 (ZAR)

     1,369        95    
 

8.00%, 1/31/30 (ZAR)

     13,329        727    
 

7.00%, 2/28/31 (ZAR)

     10,023        487    
 

8.25%, 3/31/32 (ZAR)

     15,579        799    
 

8.88%, 2/28/35 (ZAR)

     3,485        174    
 

6.25%, 3/31/36 (ZAR)

     8,559        333    
 

8.50%, 1/31/37 (ZAR)

     19,327        906    
 

6.50%, 2/28/41 (ZAR)

     1,752        65    
 

8.75%, 1/31/44 (ZAR)

     5,509        254    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    48    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
  FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued
 

South Africa – 3.9% continued

 

8.75%, 2/28/48 (ZAR)

     $31,436        $1,445    
 

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond,

     540        503    
 

4.30%, 10/12/28

     540        503    
 

5.00%, 10/12/46

     400        320    
 

5.65%, 9/27/47

     200        169    
 

5.75%, 9/30/49

     200        170    
 

 

          6,631    
 

 

 

Sri Lanka – 0.4%

 

Sri Lanka Government International Bond,

       
 

6.20%, 5/11/27

     200        135    
 

6.75%, 4/18/28

     471        318    
 

7.85%, 3/14/29

     200        138    
 

7.55%, 3/28/30

     200        135    
 

 

          726    
 

 

 

Supranational – 0.1%

 

Digicel International Finance Ltd./Digicel Holdings Bermuda Ltd.,

       
 

8.75%, 5/25/24

     91        92    
 

8.00%, 12/31/26

     65        49    
 

 

          141    
 

 

 

Suriname – 0.1%

 

Suriname Government International Bond,

       
 

9.25%, 10/26/26

     200        118    
 

 

 

Tajikistan – 0.1%

 

Republic of Tajikistan International Bond,

       
 

7.13%, 9/14/27

     230        189    
 

 

 

Thailand – 2.7%

 

Thailand Government Bond,

       
 

2.40%, 12/17/23 (THB)

     33,000        1,098    
 

2.88%, 12/17/28 (THB)

     2,733        98    
 

3.78%, 6/25/32 (THB)

     24,458        965    
 

3.40%, 6/17/36 (THB)

     14,338        559    
 

3.30%, 6/17/38 (THB)

     47,126        1,806    
 

2.88%, 6/17/46 (THB)

     1,156        42    
 

3.60%, 6/17/67 (THB)

     2,480        103    
 

 

          4,671    
 

 

 

Tunisia – 0.1%

 

Banque Centrale de Tunisie International Bond,

       
 

5.75%, 1/30/25

     220        199    
 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
  FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued
 

Turkey – 1.6%

 

Turkey Government Bond,

       
 

10.60%, 2/11/26 (TRY)

     $838        $100    
 

11.00%, 2/24/27 (TRY)

     2,574        307    
 

10.50%, 8/11/27 (TRY)

     316        37    
 

Turkey Government International Bond,

       
 

3.25%, 3/23/23

     200        189    
 

5.75%, 3/22/24

     200        196    
 

7.38%, 2/5/25

     69        71    
 

6.00%, 3/25/27

     200        192    
 

5.13%, 2/17/28

     300        273    
 

6.13%, 10/24/28

     200        190    
 

5.25%, 3/13/30

     300        267    
 

6.88%, 3/17/36

     71        66    
 

4.88%, 4/16/43

     545        405    
 

5.75%, 5/11/47

     535        423    
 

 

          2,716    
 

 

 

Ukraine – 2.6%

 

Ukraine Government International Bond,

       
 

16.00%, 8/11/21 (UAH)(2)

     460        17    
 

7.75%, 9/1/21

     100        103    
 

17.25%, 1/5/22 (UAH)(2)

     274        10    
 

17.00%, 5/11/22 (UAH)(2)

     442        17    
 

7.75%, 9/1/23

     695        709    
 

8.99%, 2/1/24

     200        209    
 

7.75%, 9/1/24

     100        101    
 

15.84%, 2/26/25 (UAH)

     15,200        611    
 

15.84%, 2/26/25 (UAH)(2)

     1,835        74    
 

7.75%, 9/1/25

     265        266    
 

7.75%, 9/1/26

     200        199    
 

7.75%, 9/1/27

     100        99    
 

9.75%, 11/1/28

     770        835    
 

7.38%, 9/25/32

     907        855    
 

7.25%, 3/15/33

     200        185    
 

7.30%, 3/15/33 (2)

     212        195    
 

 

          4,485    
 

 

 

United Arab Emirates – 1.4%

 

Abu Dhabi Government International Bond,

       
 

0.75%, 9/2/23

     200        200    
 

3.13%, 10/11/27

     750        835    
 

2.50%, 9/30/29

     200        214    
 

3.13%, 9/30/49

     400        429    
 

3.88%, 4/16/50

     200        245    
 

DP World Crescent Ltd.,

       
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    49    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

       

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

United Arab Emirates – 1.4% continued

       
 

3.88%, 7/18/29

     $200        $208    
 

Emirate of Dubai Government International Bonds,

       
 

5.25%, 1/30/43

     200        229    
 

 

          2,360    
 

 

 

United Kingdom – 0.2%

       
 

DTEK Finance PLC,

       
 

10.75%, 12/31/24 (12)

     276        187    
 

Ukreximbank Via Biz Finance PLC,

       
 

9.75%, 1/22/25

     200        204    
 

 

          391    
 

 

 

Uruguay – 2.2%

       
 

Uruguay Government International Bond,

       
 

9.88%, 6/20/22 (UYU)

     3,879        95    
 

8.50%, 3/15/28 (UYU)

     3,171        77    
 

4.38%, 12/15/28 (UYU)

     601        32    
 

7.88%, 1/15/33

     141        218    
 

7.63%, 3/21/36

     109        170    
 

3.88%, 7/2/40 (UYU)

     38,782        1,063    
 

4.13%, 11/20/45

     104        123    
 

5.10%, 6/18/50

     416        559    
 

4.98%, 4/20/55

     823        1,095    
 

Uruguay Monetary Regulation Bill,

       
 

0.00%, 3/19/21 (UYU)(9)

     658        15    
 

0.00%, 5/7/21 (UYU)(9)

     1,390        31    
 

0.00%, 6/18/21 (UYU)(9)

     2,772        62    
 

0.00%, 7/21/21 (UYU)(9)

     606        13    
 

0.00%, 8/6/21 (UYU)(9)

     2,652        59    
 

0.00%, 12/8/21 (UYU)(9)

     1,043        23    
 

Uruguay Monetary Regulation Bills,

       
 

0.00%, 12/18/20 (UYU)(9)

     144        3    
 

0.00%, 2/5/21 (UYU)(9)

     361        8    
 

0.00%, 2/19/21 (UYU)(9)

     545        13    
 

0.00%, 3/10/21 (UYU)(9)

     1,100        25    
 

0.00%, 6/9/21 (UYU)(9)

     1,218        27    
 

 

          3,711    
 

 

 

Uzbekistan – 0.4%

       
 

Republic of Uzbekistan Bond,

       
 

4.75%, 2/20/24

     511        539    
 

5.38%, 2/20/29

     200        224    
 

 

          763    
 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)(1)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 91.7%    continued

 

 

Venezuela – 0.2%

       
 

Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.,

       
 

8.50%, 10/27/20

     $1,480        $156    
 

9.00%, 11/17/21 (8)

     172        4    
 

12.75%, 2/17/22 (8)

     92        2    
 

5.38%, 4/12/27 (8)

     77        2    
 

9.75%, 5/17/35 (8)

     222        6    
 

Venezuela Government International Bond,

       
 

7.75%, 10/13/19 (8)

     72        5    
 

12.75%, 8/23/22 (8)

     151        11    
 

9.00%, 5/7/23 (8)

     62        5    
 

8.25%, 10/13/24 (8)

     141        11    
 

11.75%, 10/21/26 (8)

     632        47    
 

9.25%, 9/15/27 (8)

     186        14    
 

9.25%, 5/7/28 (8)

     102        8    
 

11.95%, 8/5/31 (8)

     1,045        78    
 

 

          349    
 

 

 

Vietnam – 0.1%

       
 

Vietnam Government International Bond,

       
 

4.80%, 11/19/24

     200        223    
 

 

 

Zambia – 0.4%

       
 

Zambia Government International Bond,

       
 

5.38%, 9/20/22

     1,050        528    
 

8.97%, 7/30/27

     400        197    
 

 

          725    
 

 

 

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

       
 

 

 

(Cost $165,504)

        157,558    
         
        

NUMBER

OF SHARES

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 5.5%

 

 

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares),

       
 

0.00%(13) (14)

     9,459,342        $9,459    
 

 

 

Total Investment Companies

       
 

 

 

(Cost $9,459)

        9,459    
         
 

 

 

Total Investments – 97.9%

       
 

 

 

(Cost $176,257)

        168,262    
 

Other Assets less Liabilities – 2.1%

 

     3,567    
 

 

 

Net Assets – 100.0%

      $ 171,829    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    50    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

(1) 

Principal amount is in USD unless otherwise indicated.

 

(2) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(3) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

 

(4) 

Security is a payment in-kind bond (PIK), distributions received in-kind unless otherwise noted in the description.

 

(5) 

Step coupon bond. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(6) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(7) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

 

(8) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation. Income is not being accrued.

 

(9) 

Zero coupon bond.

 

(10) 

Century bond maturing in 2110.

 

(11) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

 

(12) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation.

 

(13) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(14) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

10Y – 10 Year

5Y – 5 Year

CMT – Constant Maturity

PLC – Public Limited Company

SBSN – Surat Berharga Syariah Negara

TIIE – The Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate

USD – United States Dollar

ARS - Argentine Peso

BRL - Brazilian Real

CLP - Chilean Peso

CNY - Chinese Yuan Renminbi

COP - Colombian Peso

CZK - Czech Koruna

DOP - Dominican Peso

EUR - Euro

HUF - Hungarian Forint

IDR - Indonesian Rupiah

MXN - Mexican Peso

MYR - Malaysian Ringgit

PEN - Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN - Polish Zloty

RON - Romanian Leu

RUB - Russian Ruble

THB - Thai Baht

TRY - Turkish Lira

UAH - Ukraine Hryvnia

UYU - Uruguayan Peso

ZAR - South African Rand

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts as follows:

 

    COUNTERPARTY  

CONTRACTS
TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
 

IN

EXCHANGE
FOR
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
  SETTLEMENT
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
 

Barclays

  Chilean Peso       71,877   United States Dollar       95   10/30/20       $    3
 

Barclays

  Turkish Lira       51   United States Dollar       7   10/7/20       —*
 

Barclays

  Turkish Lira       1,994   United States Dollar       256   11/30/20       2
 

Barclays

  Turkish Lira       118   United States Dollar       15   12/9/20       1
 

Barclays

  United States Dollar       1,970   Chinese Offshore Yuan       13,525   11/30/20       15
 

Barclays

  United States Dollar       435   Hungarian Forint       135,870   11/30/20       3
 

Barclays

  United States Dollar       224   Korean Won       265,000   10/30/20       4
 

Barclays

  United States Dollar       60   Philippine Peso       2,909   11/27/20       —*
 

BNP

  Euro       490   United States Dollar       580   10/14/20       6
 

BNP

  Romanian Leu       104   United States Dollar       25   10/30/20       —*
 

BNP

  Turkish Lira       26   United States Dollar       4   10/7/20       —*
 

BNP

  United States Dollar       177   Czech Koruna       4,120   10/30/20       1
 

BNP

  United States Dollar       57   Korean Won       66,978   10/30/20       —*
 

BNP

  United States Dollar       385   Polish Zloty       1,528   11/30/20       11
 

BNP

  United States Dollar       1,110   Polish Zloty       4,306   1/29/21       4
 

BNP

  United States Dollar       619   Romanian Leu       2,594   11/27/20       2
  Citibank   Turkish Lira       34   United States Dollar       5   10/7/20       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   Peruvian Nuevo Sol       481   United States Dollar       137   10/30/20       3
  JPMorgan Chase   Turkish Lira       126   United States Dollar       17   10/7/20       1
  JPMorgan Chase   Turkish Lira       195   United States Dollar       25   10/30/20       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   Ukraine Hryvnia       491   United States Dollar       18   10/6/20       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       84   Russian Ruble       6,645   11/30/20       1
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       30   Turkish Lira       237   10/7/20       —*
  Merrill Lynch   Brazilian Real       503   United States Dollar       90   11/4/20       1
  Merrill Lynch   Euro       109   United States Dollar       128   10/14/20       —*
  Merrill Lynch   Mexican Peso       1,092   United States Dollar       52   10/30/20       3
  Merrill Lynch   Peruvian Nuevo Sol       177   United States Dollar       50   10/30/20       1
  Merrill Lynch   Turkish Lira       372   United States Dollar       49   10/30/20       1
  Merrill Lynch   United States Dollar       407   Chinese Offshore Yuan       2,790   11/30/20       3
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    51    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT  OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

    COUNTERPARTY  

CONTRACTS
TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
 

IN

EXCHANGE
FOR
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
  SETTLEMENT
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
 

Merrill Lynch

  United States Dollar       272   Czech Koruna       6,317   11/30/20       $    2
 

Merrill Lynch

  United States Dollar       10   Mexican Peso       219   10/30/20       —*
 

Merrill Lynch

  United States Dollar       242   Russian Ruble       19,167   11/30/20       3
 

Merrill Lynch

  United States Dollar       370   South African Rand       6,347   10/30/20       7
  Morgan Stanley   Chilean Peso       221,189   United States Dollar       285   10/30/20       3
  Morgan Stanley   Czech Koruna       1,739   United States Dollar       77   10/30/20       2
  Morgan Stanley   Hungarian Forint       15,909   United States Dollar       52   10/30/20       1
  Morgan Stanley   Polish Zloty       700   United States Dollar       186   10/30/20       5
  Morgan Stanley   South African Rand       839   United States Dollar       52   10/30/20       2
  Santander   Brazilian Real       1,084   United States Dollar       204   10/2/20       11
  Santander   Peruvian Nuevo Sol       399   United States Dollar       113   10/30/20       2
  Santander   United States Dollar       2,313   Mexican Peso       52,321   10/30/20       44
  Standard Chartered Bank   Brazilian Real       789   United States Dollar       141   10/2/20       —*
  Standard Chartered Bank   South African Rand       822   United States Dollar       50   10/30/20       1
  Standard Chartered Bank   Turkish Lira       625   United States Dollar       85   11/6/20       5
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       192   Chinese Offshore Yuan       1,319   11/30/20       2
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       721   Korean Won       854,126   10/30/20       12
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       473   Polish Zloty       1,845   11/30/20       5
   

 

Subtotal Appreciation

 

                                      173
  Barclays   United States Dollar       126   Polish Zloty       471   10/30/20       (4 )
  Barclays   United States Dollar       39   Thai Baht       1,209   10/30/20       (1 )
  Barclays   United States Dollar       661   Thai Baht       20,758   11/30/20       (6 )
  BNP   United States Dollar       260   Brazilian Real       1,370   10/2/20       (16 )
  BNP   United States Dollar       118   Chilean Peso       90,575   10/30/20       (3 )
  BNP   United States Dollar       126   Czech Koruna       2,889   10/30/20       —*
  BNP   United States Dollar       218   Mexican Peso       4,613   10/30/20       (10 )
    COUNTERPARTY  

CONTRACTS
TO

DELIVER
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
 

IN

EXCHANGE
FOR
CURRENCY

  AMOUNT
(LOCAL
CURRENCY)
(000S)
  SETTLEMENT
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
  BNP   United States Dollar       72   Peruvian Nuevo Sol       255   10/30/20       $      (2 )
  Citibank   United States Dollar       294   Chinese Offshore Yuan       2,001   11/30/20       (1 )
  Citibank   United States Dollar       70   Indonesian Rupiah       1,033,550   11/30/20       (1 )
  JPMorgan Chase   Turkish Lira       237   United States Dollar       30   1/8/21       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       440   Chilean Peso       333,828   10/30/20       (15 )
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       280   Colombian Peso       1,065,002   10/30/20       (2 )
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       389   Czech Koruna       8,596   10/30/20       (16 )
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       177   Indonesian Rupiah       2,639,585   11/30/20       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       27   Korean Won       31,828   10/30/20       —*
  JPMorgan Chase   United States Dollar       248   Russian Ruble       19,279   10/30/20       (1 )
  Merrill Lynch   United States Dollar       90   Brazilian Real       503   10/2/20       (1 )
  Merrill Lynch   United States Dollar       899   Colombian Peso       3,315,317   10/30/20       (34 )
  Merrill Lynch   United States Dollar       511   Mexican Peso       10,812   10/30/20       (24 )
  Merrill Lynch   United States Dollar       126   Polish Zloty       471   10/30/20       (4 )
  Morgan Stanley   United States Dollar       78   Chinese Offshore Yuan       528   11/30/20       —*
  Morgan Stanley   United States Dollar       145   Mexican Peso       3,038   10/30/20       (8 )
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       46   Chilean Peso       35,169   10/30/20       (1 )
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       503   Hungarian Forint       151,217   10/30/20       (15 )
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       128   Malaysian Ringgit       533   11/30/20       —*
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       43   Peruvian Nuevo Sol       154   10/30/20       (1 )
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       249   Russian Ruble       19,279   10/30/20       (1 )
  Standard Chartered Bank   United States Dollar       240   Thai Baht       7,478   11/30/20       (4 )
   

 

Subtotal Depreciation

 

                                      (171 )
   

 

Total

 

                                      $      2 

 

*

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2020, the Fund had the following bilateral interest rate swap agreements outstanding:

 

  COUNTERPARTY   

PAY RATE

INDEX/

PAY RATE

   RECEIVE RATE/
RECEIVE RATE
INDEX
     NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
     NOTIONAL
CURRENCY
   EXPIRATION
DATE
     VALUE
(000S)
     PREMIUMS
PAID/
(RECEIVED)
(000S)
   UNREALIZED  
APPRECIATION  
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)  
  BNP    Kuala Lumpur Interbank Offered Rate 3 Month(1)      3.94%(1)        2,500,000      MYR      4/20/22        $22      $ —    $22  
  Total                                                       $22  
(1) 

Payment frequency is quarterly.

As of September 30, 2020, the Fund had the following centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements outstanding:

 

PAY RATE INDEX/

PAY RATE

   RECEIVE RATE/
RECEIVE RATE INDEX
   NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
     NOTIONAL
CURRENCY
   EXPIRATION
DATE
     VALUE
(000S)
     PREMIUMS PAID/
(RECEIVED)
(000S)
   UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
(1)

  Brazil CETIP InterBank

  Deposit Rate(2)

   5.92%(2)      3,020,269      BRL      1/2/25        $1      $ —    $1

  Brazil CETIP InterBank

  Deposit Rate(2)

   6.57%(2)      2,900,312      BRL      1/2/25        5       —    5

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    52    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

PAY RATE INDEX/

PAY RATE

  RECEIVE RATE/
RECEIVE RATE INDEX
    NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
    NOTIONAL
CURRENCY
    EXPIRATION
DATE
    VALUE
(000S)
    PREMIUMS PAID/
(RECEIVED)
(000S)
    UNREALIZED  
APPRECIATION  
(DEPRECIATION)  
(000S)
(1)   

  Warsaw InterBank Offer Rate

  6 Month(3)

    2.44%(4)       2,000,000       PLN       7/11/22       $23       $ —     $23

  Warsaw InterBank Offer Rate

  6 Month(3)

    2.40%(4)       750,000       PLN       3/26/23       12          —       12
               
  Subtotal Appreciation                                                     41

  28-day Mexican Interbank

  Equilibrium Interest Rate (TIIE)(5)

    4.86%(5)       15,200,000       MXN       9/11/25       (7        —        (7)

  CFETS China Fixing Repo Rates

  7 Day(6)

    2.33%(6)       8,000,000       CNY       9/16/25       (18        —      (18)

  CFETS China Fixing Repo Rates

  7 Day(6)

    2.58%(6)       7,014,000       CNY       3/18/25       (2        —        (2)

  CFETS China Fixing Repo Rates

  7 Day(6)

    2.65%(6)       4,500,000       CNY       12/16/25       (1        —        (1)

  CFETS China Fixing Repo Rates

  7 Day(6)

    2.54%(6)       3,840,000       CNY       9/16/25       (3        —        (3)
               

  Subtotal Depreciation

                                                   (31)

  Total

                                                  $  10   

 

(1) 

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on centrally cleared swap agreements. Only the current day’s variation margin, if any, is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

(2) 

Payment frequency is at maturity.

 

(3) 

Payment frequency is semi-anually.

 

(4) 

Payment frequency is anually.

 

(5) 

Payment frequency is lunar. Monthly payment based on 28-day periods. One year consists of 13 periods.

 

(6) 

Payment frequency is quarterly.

 

 

At September 30, 2020, the industry sectors for the Fund were:

 

   INDUSTRY SECTOR    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

  Basic Materials

     2.8
  Communications      1.4  
  Consumer, Non-cyclical      0.2  
  Energy      2.9  
  Financial      4.4  
  Government      87.0  
  Industrial      0.5  
  Utilities      0.8  
  Total      100.0

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

   CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY    % OF LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS
 

  United States Dollar

     60.3
  Indonesian Rupiah      5.1  
  All other currencies less than 5%      34.6  
  Total      100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    53    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT  OPPORTUNITY FUND continued

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS   LEVEL 1
(000S)
    LEVEL 2
(000S)
    LEVEL 3
(000S)
    TOTAL
(000S)
 
 

Convertible Bonds(1)

  $     $ 9       $ —     $ 9  
 

Corporate Bonds(1)

          1,236             1,236  
 

Foreign Issuer Bonds(1)

          157,558             157,558  
 

Investment Companies

    9,459                   9,459  
           
   

Total Investments

  $ 9,459     $ 158,803       $ —     $ 168,262  
    OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS                                
 

Assets

       
 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

  $     $ 173       $ —     $ 173  
 

Bilateral Interest Rate Swap Agreements

          22             22  
 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

          41             41  
 

Liabilities

       
 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

          (171           (171
 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

          (31           (31
    Total Other Financial Instruments   $     $ 34       $ —     $ 34  

 

(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    54    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.2%

 

 

  
 

Cable & Satellite – 0.2%

        
 

DISH Network Corp.,

        
 

3.38%, 8/15/26

     $411        $377     
 

 

 
 

Exploration & Production – 0.0%

        
 

Denbury, Inc.,

        
 

6.38%, 12/31/24(1) (2) (3)

     106        18     
 

 

 
 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.0%

 

  
 

Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd.,

        
   

7.00%,  10/19/20(1) (4) (5)

     7        1           
   

Total Convertible Bonds

                          
 

(Cost $407)

        396     
          
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS – 72.2%

 

 

  
 

Advertising & Marketing – 0.2%

 

  
 

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.,

        
 

5.00%, 8/15/27 (1)

     355        346     
 

4.63%, 3/15/30 (1)

     105        101     
 

 

 
          447     
 

 

 
 

Aerospace & Defense – 2.1%

        
 

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.,

        
 

5.13%, 10/1/24

     25        27     
 

6.88%, 5/1/25

     80        88     
 

5.90%, 2/1/27

     100        108     
 

5.95%, 2/1/37

     175        187     
 

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.,

        
 

5.50%, 1/15/25 (1)

     105        106     
 

7.50%, 4/15/25 (1)

     165        167     
 

TransDigm, Inc.,

        
 

6.50%, 5/15/25

     150        150     
 

6.25%, 3/15/26 (1)

     585        611     
 

6.38%, 6/15/26

     855        858     
 

7.50%, 3/15/27

     550        571     
 

5.50%, 11/15/27

     850        817     
 

Triumph Group, Inc.,

        
 

8.88%, 6/1/24 (1)

     25        27     
 

6.25%, 9/15/24 (1)

     25        21     
 

7.75%, 8/15/25

     50        32     
 

 

 
          3,770     
 

 

 
 

Airlines – 0.4%

        
 

American Airlines Group, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 6/1/22 (1)

     100        68     
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Airlines – 0.4%     continued

        
 

American Airlines, Inc.,

        
 

11.75%, 7/15/25 (1)

     $100        $97     
 

Delta Air Lines, Inc.,

        
 

3.63%, 3/15/22

     25        25     
 

3.80%, 4/19/23

     50        48     
 

7.38%, 1/15/26

     90        94     
 

3.75%, 10/28/29

     25        21     
 

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd.,

        
 

6.50%, 6/20/27 (1)

     300        312     
 

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

6.00%, 12/1/20

     25        25     
 

4.25%, 10/1/22

     125        116     
 

 

 
          806     
 

 

 
 

Apparel & Textile Products – 0.1%

        
 

Hanesbrands, Inc.,

        
 

5.38%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        53     
 

William Carter (The) Co.,

        
 

5.63%, 3/15/27 (1)

     110        115     
 

 

 
          168     
 

 

 
 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.9%

        
 

Adient U.S. LLC,

        
 

9.00%, 4/15/25 (1)

     75        83     
 

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,

        
 

6.88%, 7/1/28

     195        189     
 

Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.,

        
 

5.63%, 11/15/26 (1)

     75        52     
 

Dana, Inc.,

        
 

5.63%, 6/15/28

     25        26     
 

Dealer Tire LLC/DT Issuer LLC,

        
 

8.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     130        133     
 

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (The) Co.,

        
 

9.50%, 5/31/25

     420        456     
 

Tenneco, Inc.,

        
 

5.38%, 12/15/24

     75        57     
 

5.00%, 7/15/26

     25        18     
 

Truck Hero, Inc.,

        
 

8.50%, 4/21/24 (1)

     560        594     
 

 

 
          1,608     
 

 

 
 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 2.3%

        
 

Ford Motor Co.,

        
 

8.50%, 4/21/23

     200        218     
 

9.00%, 4/22/25

     475        545     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    55    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Automobiles Manufacturing – 2.3%    continued

 

  
 

9.63%, 4/22/30

     $810        $1,046     
 

7.45%, 7/16/31

     400        461     
 

4.75%, 1/15/43

     360        326     
 

5.29%, 12/8/46

     265        249     
 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC,

        
 

5.13%, 6/16/25

     315        325     
 

4.27%, 1/9/27

     200        196     
 

5.11%, 5/3/29

     580        594     
 

Tesla, Inc.,

        
 

5.30%, 8/15/25 (1)

     175        181     
 

 

 
          4,141     
 

 

 
 

Cable & Satellite – 3.2%

        
 

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

        
 

5.75%, 2/15/26 (1)

     500        520     
 

5.50%, 5/1/26 (1)

     175        182     
 

5.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     470        494     
 

4.75%, 3/1/30 (1)

     280        296     
 

4.50%, 8/15/30 (1)

     25        26     
 

4.25%, 2/1/31 (1)

     100        104     
 

4.50%, 5/1/32 (1)

     50        52     
 

CSC Holdings LLC,

        
 

7.50%, 4/1/28 (1)

     385        425     
 

6.50%, 2/1/29 (1)

     335        371     
 

5.75%, 1/15/30 (1)

     655        696     
 

4.63%, 12/1/30 (1)

     200        202     
 

DISH DBS Corp.,

        
 

5.88%, 11/15/24

     25        26     
 

7.38%, 7/1/28 (1)

     170        175     
 

GCI LLC,

        
 

6.63%, 6/15/24 (1)

     25        27     
 

10/15/28 (1) (6)

     25        25     
 

Midcontinent Communications/Midcontinent Finance Corp.,

        
 

5.38%, 8/15/27 (1)

     50        51     
 

Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc.,

        
 

4.50%, 9/15/26 (1)

     270        270     
 

6.50%, 9/15/28 (1)

     495        507     
 

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.,

        
 

4.63%, 7/15/24 (1)

     240        248     
 

5.38%, 7/15/26 (1)

     145        151     
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Cable & Satellite – 3.2%    continued

 

  
 

5.00%, 8/1/27 (1)

     $435        $454     
 

5.50%, 7/1/29 (1)

     610        654     
 

 

 
          5,956     
 

 

 
 

Casinos & Gaming – 1.7%

        
 

Boyd Gaming Corp.,

        
 

8.63%, 6/1/25 (1)

     25        27     
 

6.38%, 4/1/26

     350        364     
 

6.00%, 8/15/26

     150        155     
 

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.,

        
 

6.25%, 7/1/25 (1)

     100        105     
 

8.13%, 7/1/27 (1)

     75        79     
 

Caesars Resort Collection LLC/CRC Finco, Inc.,

        
 

5.75%, 7/1/25 (1)

     50        52     
 

5.25%, 10/15/25 (1)

     50        48     
 

Churchill Downs, Inc.,

        
 

5.50%, 4/1/27 (1)

     275        287     
 

4.75%, 1/15/28 (1)

     25        25     
 

Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma,

        
 

10.50%, 2/15/23 (1)

     75        69     
 

Enterprise Development Authority (The),

        
 

12.00%, 7/15/24 (1)

     125        139     
 

Golden Entertainment, Inc.,

        
 

7.63%, 4/15/26 (1)

     75        74     
 

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino,

        
 

9.25%, (100% Cash), 11/30/20 (5)

     62        59     
 

Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.,

        
 

7.88%, 2/1/24 (1)

     75        73     
 

MGM Resorts International,

        
 

6.00%, 3/15/23

     75        78     
 

5.50%, 4/15/27

     83        87     
 

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment,

        
 

7.88%, 10/15/24 (1)

     175        163     
 

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 10/15/25 (1)

     105        106     
 

8.25%, 3/15/26 (1)

     95        99     
 

7.00%, 5/15/28 (1)

     255        256     
 

7.25%, 11/15/29 (1)

     25        25     
 

Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

6.75%, 6/1/27 (1)

     25        25     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    56    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Casinos & Gaming – 1.7%    continued

        
 

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.,

        
 

5.50%, 3/1/25 (1)

     $345        $326     
 

5.25%, 5/15/27 (1)

     250        232     
 

Wynn Resorts Finance LLC/Wynn Resorts Capital Corp.,

        
 

7.75%, 4/15/25 (1)

     75        79     
 

5.13%, 10/1/29 (1)

     25        24     
 

 

 
          3,056     
 

 

 
 

Chemicals – 1.4%

 

  
 

Avient Corp.,

        
 

5.75%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        53     
 

Chemours (The) Co.,

        
 

5.38%, 5/15/27

     25        25     
 

Cornerstone Chemical Co.,

        
 

6.75%, 8/15/24 (1)

     1,110        1,039     
 

Element Solutions, Inc.,

        
 

3.88%, 9/1/28 (1)

     95        93     
 

Illuminate Buyer LLC/Illuminate Holdings IV, Inc.,

        
 

9.00%, 7/1/28 (1)

     90        97     
 

Innophos Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

9.38%, 2/15/28 (1)

     50        53     
 

Kraton Polymers LLC/Kraton Polymers Capital Corp.,

        
 

7.00%, 4/15/25 (1)

     25        25     
 

Minerals Technologies, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 7/1/28 (1)

     105        109     
 

Olin Corp.,

        
 

9.50%, 6/1/25 (1)

     50        58     
 

5.63%, 8/1/29

     350        344     
 

5.00%, 2/1/30

     50        47     
 

TPC Group, Inc.,

        
 

10.50%, 8/1/24 (1)

     100        84     
 

Tronox, Inc.,

        
 

6.50%, 4/15/26 (1)

     145        145     
 

Univar Solutions U.S.A., Inc.,

        
 

5.13%, 12/1/27 (1)

     275        282     
 

WR Grace & Co.-Conn,

        
 

4.88%, 6/15/27 (1)

     125        129     
 

 

 
          2,583     
 

 

 
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Coal Operations – 0.0%

        
 

Murray Energy Corp.,

        
 

12.00%, 4/15/24(1) (3) (7)

     $486        $—     
 

 

 
 

Commercial Finance – 0.3%

        
 

AerCap Global Aviation Trust,

        
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.30%), 6.50%, 6/15/45 (1) (8)

     294        250     
 

DAE Funding LLC,

        
 

5.00%, 8/1/24 (1)

     75        76     
 

Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC,

        
 

6.75%, 3/15/22 (1)

     50        49     
 

6.50%, 10/1/25 (1)

     50        49     
 

9.75%, 8/1/27 (1)

     50        54     
 

Oxford Finance LLC/Oxford Finance Co-Issuer II, Inc.,

        
 

6.38%, 12/15/22 (1)

     25        24     
 

 

 
          502     
 

 

 
 

Communications Equipment – 0.9%

 

     
 

Avaya, Inc.,

        
 

6.13%, 9/15/28 (1)

     25        25     
 

CommScope Technologies LLC,

        
 

6.00%, 6/15/25 (1)

     262        266     
 

5.00%, 3/15/27 (1)

     105        101     
 

CommScope, Inc.,

        
 

5.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     75        77     
 

6.00%, 3/1/26 (1)

     100        104     
 

8.25%, 3/1/27 (1)

     265        276     
 

7.13%, 7/1/28 (1)

     235        241     
 

ViaSat, Inc.,

        
 

5.63%, 9/15/25 (1)

     370        363     
 

5.63%, 4/15/27 (1)

     75        77     
 

6.50%, 7/15/28 (1)

     150        150     
 

 

 
          1,680     
 

 

 
 

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.5%

 

  
 

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 9/30/27 (1)

     25        26     
 

Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.50%, 7/15/25 (1)

     115        122     
 

Northwest Hardwoods, Inc.,

        
 

7.50%, 8/1/21 (1)

     25        9     
 

NWH Escrow Corp.,

        
 

7.50%, 8/1/21 (1)

     25        9     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    57    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

 

    SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.5%    continued

 

  
 

Standard Industries, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 2/15/27 (1)

     $100        $104     
 

4.38%, 7/15/30 (1)

     130        133     
 

3.38%, 1/15/31 (1)

     130        128     
 

Summit Materials LLC/Summit Materials Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.50%, 3/15/27 (1)

     50        53     
 

5.25%, 1/15/29 (1)

     100        104     
 

U.S. Concrete, Inc.,

        
 

6.38%, 6/1/24

     150        155     
 

5.13%, 3/1/29 (1)

     25        25     
 

 

 
          868     
 

 

 
 

Consumer Finance – 1.3%

 

  
 

Ally Financial, Inc.,

        
 

8.00%, 11/1/31

     295        404     
 

Cardtronics, Inc./Cardtronics U.S.A., Inc.,

        
 

5.50%, 5/1/25 (1)

     25        25     
 

Credit Acceptance Corp.,

        
 

5.13%, 12/31/24 (1)

     25        25     
 

FirstCash, Inc.,

        
 

4.63%, 9/1/28 (1)

     50        51     
 

Genworth Mortgage Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

6.50%, 8/15/25 (1)

     50        52     
 

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp.,

        
 

5.88%, 8/1/21 (1)

     25        25     
 

5.25%, 3/15/22 (1)

     25        25     
 

4.25%, 2/1/27 (1)

     50        43     
 

MGIC Investment Corp.,

        
 

5.25%, 8/15/28

     50        52     
 

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

9.13%, 7/15/26 (1)

     50        54     
 

6.00%, 1/15/27 (1)

     25        25     
 

5.50%, 8/15/28 (1)

     75        75     
 

Navient Corp.,

        
 

5.88%, 3/25/21

     25        25     
 

6.63%, 7/26/21

     25        25     
 

5.50%, 1/25/23

     25        25     
 

7.25%, 9/25/23

     50        52     
 

6.13%, 3/25/24

     125        126     
 

6.75%, 6/25/25

     200        203     
 

6.75%, 6/15/26

     50        50     
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Consumer Finance – 1.3%    continued

 

  
 

5.00%, 3/15/27

     $25        $23     
 

OneMain Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.13%, 3/15/24

     210        220     
 

6.88%, 3/15/25

     25        28     
 

8.88%, 6/1/25

     65        72     
 

7.13%, 3/15/26

     325        363     
 

6.63%, 1/15/28

     75        83     
 

Provident Funding Associates L.P./PFG Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.38%, 6/15/25 (1)

     50        48     
 

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.,

        
 

3.63%, 2/1/21

     120        120     
 

4.75%, 3/15/25

     95        91     
 

 

 
          2,410     
 

 

 
 

Consumer Products – 0.5%

 

  
 

Central Garden & Pet Co.,

        
 

6.13%, 11/15/23

     50        51     
 

Clearwater Paper Corp.,

        
 

4.75%, 8/15/28 (1)

     25        25     
 

Edgewell Personal Care Co.,

        
 

5.50%, 6/1/28 (1)

     175        184     
 

Energizer Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

6.38%, 7/15/26 (1)

     25        27     
 

4.75%, 6/15/28 (1)

     180        186     
 

4.38%, 3/31/29 (1)

     155        156     
 

High Ridge Brands Co.,

        
 

8.88%, 3/15/25 (1) (3)

     1,100        22     
 

Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

9.00%, 8/15/23 (1)

     50        51     
 

Prestige Brands, Inc.,

        
 

5.13%, 1/15/28 (1)

     25        26     
 

Revlon Consumer Products Corp.,

        
 

6.25%, 8/1/24

     25        4     
 

Spectrum Brands, Inc.,

        
 

5.75%, 7/15/25

     25        26     
 

5.50%, 7/15/30 (1)

     150        158     
 

 

 
          916     
 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 1.7%

 

  
 

ADT Security (The) Corp.,

        
 

4.88%, 7/15/32 (1)

     120        121     
 

Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.63%, 7/15/26 (1)

     125        133     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    58    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Consumer Services – 1.7%    continued

 

  
 

9.75%, 7/15/27 (1)

     $125        $136     
 

APX Group, Inc.,

        
 

7.63%, 9/1/23

     105        106     
 

6.75%, 2/15/27 (1)

     205        213     
 

Aramark Services, Inc.,

        
 

6.38%, 5/1/25 (1)

     190        198     
 

5.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     495        499     
 

ASGN, Inc.,

        
 

4.63%, 5/15/28 (1)

     430        432     
 

Brink’s (The) Co.,

        
 

5.50%, 7/15/25 (1)

     25        26     
 

Korn Ferry,

        
 

4.63%, 12/15/27 (1)

     150        151     
 

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc.,

        
 

5.25%, 4/15/24 (1)

     25        26     
 

5.75%, 4/15/26 (1)

     490        524     
 

3.38%, 8/31/27 (1)

     95        91     
 

6.25%, 1/15/28 (1)

     375        380     
 

 

 
          3,036     
 

 

 
 

Containers & Packaging – 2.5%

 

  
 

Berry Global, Inc.,

        
 

4.50%, 2/15/26 (1)

     85        86     
 

5.63%, 7/15/27 (1)

     280        294     
 

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. V,

        
 

4.25%, 9/30/26

     95        98     
 

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI,

        
 

4.75%, 2/1/26

     175        182     
 

Graham Packaging Co., Inc.,

        
 

7.13%, 8/15/28 (1)

     190        198     
 

Greif, Inc.,

        
 

6.50%, 3/1/27 (1)

     50        52     
 

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.,

        
 

5.50%, 4/15/24 (1)

     50        50     
 

7.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     485        456     
 

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.,

        
 

6.63%, 5/13/27 (1)

     25        27     
 

Plastipak Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

6.25%, 10/15/25 (1)

     850        850     
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

        
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

  
 

Containers & Packaging – 2.5%    continued

 

  
 

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer (Luxembourg),

        
 

5.13%, 7/15/23 (1)

     $50        $51     
 

7.00%, 7/15/24 (1)

     40        41     
 

10/15/27 (1) (6)

     260        262     
 

Sealed Air Corp.,

        
 

4.00%, 12/1/27 (1)

     25        26     
 

Silgan Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

4.13%, 2/1/28

     25        26     
 

Trident TPI Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

9.25%, 8/1/24 (1)

     740        785     
 

6.63%, 11/1/25 (1)

     1,035        1,019     
 

 

 
          4,503     
 

 

 
 

Department Stores – 0.0%

 

  
 

JC Penney Corp., Inc.,

        
 

8.63%, 3/15/25 (1) (3)

     75        1     
 

6.38%, 10/15/36 (3) (7)

     100            
 

 

 
          1     
 

 

 
 

Distributors - Consumer Discretionary – 0.5%

 

  
 

IAA, Inc.,

        
 

5.50%, 6/15/27 (1)

     310        323     
 

KAR Auction Services, Inc.,

        
 

5.13%, 6/1/25 (1)

     525        525     
 

 

 
          848     
 

 

 
 

Diversified Banks – 0.3%

 

  
 

Bank of America Corp.,

        
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.29%), 5.13%, 6/20/24 (4) (8)

     50        51     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.71%), 6.25%, 9/5/24 (4) (8)

     75        80     
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.93%), 5.88%, 3/15/28 (4) (8)

     50        54     
 

Citigroup, Inc.,

        
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.07%), 5.95%, 1/30/23 (4) (8)

     50        51     
 

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.23%), 4.70%, 1/30/25 (4) (8)

     125        121     
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

        
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.30%), 6.00%, 8/1/23 (4) (8)

     150        154     
 

(Variable, U.S. SOFR + 3.13%), 4.60%, 2/1/25 (4) (8)

     50        49     
 

 

 
          560     
 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    59    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY  FUND    continued

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

Educational Services – 0.0%

       
 

Graham Holdings Co.,

       
 

5.75%, 6/1/26(1)

   $ 25      $ 26    
 

 

 

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

 
 

Vertical U.S. Newco, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 7/15/27 (1)

     200        208    
 

WESCO Distribution, Inc.,

       
 

7.13%, 6/15/25 (1)

     50        54    
 

7.25%, 6/15/28 (1)

     75        82    
 

 

          344    
 

 

 

Entertainment Content – 0.3%

       
 

Allen Media LLC/Allen Media Co-Issuer, Inc.,

       
 

10.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     50        48    
 

Diamond Sports Group LLC/Diamond Sports Finance Co.,

       
 

5.38%, 8/15/26 (1)

     175        124    
 

6.63%, 8/15/27 (1)

     75        39    
 

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC,

       
 

5.88%, 11/1/24 (1)

     100        98    
 

Univision Communications, Inc.,

       
 

5.13%, 2/15/25 (1)

     50        47    
 

9.50%, 5/1/25 (1)

     50        54    
 

6.63%, 6/1/27 (1)

     25        24    
 

WMG Acquisition Corp.,

       
 

3.00%, 2/15/31 (1)

     50        49    
 

 

          483    
 

 

 

Entertainment Resources – 1.9%

       
 

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

10.50%, 4/24/26 (1)

     15        11    
 

12.00%, 6/15/26 (1) (5)

     128        36    
 

Boyne U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

7.25%, 5/1/25

     50        53    
 

Carlson Travel, Inc.,

       
 

11.50%, 12/15/26 (1) (5)

     930        560    
 

Cedar Fair L.P./Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp.,

       
 

5.38%, 6/1/24

     25        24    
 

Cedar Fair L.P./Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp./Millennium Op,

       
 

5.38%, 4/15/27

     35        35    
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

Entertainment Resources – 1.9%    continued

 

 
 

Cedar Fair L.P./Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp./Millennium Operations LLC,

       
 

5.50%, 5/1/25 (1)

   $ 115      $ 118    
 

Cinemark U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

5.13%, 12/15/22

     75        67    
 

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.,

       
 

4.88%, 11/1/24 (1)

     75        73    
 

5.63%, 3/15/26 (1)

     75        72    
 

6.50%, 5/15/27 (1)

     190        205    
 

4.75%, 10/15/27 (1)

     265        248    
 

LTF Merger Sub, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 6/15/23 (1)

     320        307    
 

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.,

       
 

9.50%, 8/1/25 (1)

     155        161    
 

Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.,

       
 

7.00%, 7/1/25 (1)

     165        176    
 

Speedway Motorsports LLC/Speedway Funding II, Inc.,

       
 

4.88%, 11/1/27 (1)

     25        24    
 

Sterling Entertainment Group LLC,

       
 

10.25%, 1/15/25 (9)

     1,110        1,086    
 

Vail Resorts, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/15/25 (1)

     200        212    
 

 

          3,468    
 

 

 

Exploration & Production – 4.4%

 

 
 

Antero Resources Corp.,

       
 

5.63%, 6/1/23

     25        18    
 

Apache Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 11/15/27

     140        132    
 

4.38%, 10/15/28

     100        91    
 

4.25%, 1/15/30

     50        45    
 

5.10%, 9/1/40

     205        184    
 

4.75%, 4/15/43

     150        133    
 

5.35%, 7/1/49

     25        22    
 

Ascent Resources Utica
Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp.,

       
 

10.00%, 4/1/22 (1)

     316        311    
 

7.00%, 11/1/26 (1)

     390        298    
 

Callon Petroleum Co.,

       
 

6.25%, 4/15/23

     50        16    
 

6.13%, 10/1/24

     125        36    
 

6.38%, 7/1/26

     25        6    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    60    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

      
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

Exploration & Production – 4.4% continued

 

  
 

Centennial Resource Production LLC,

        
 

5.38%, 1/15/26 (1)

   $ 100      $ 40     
 

Chaparral Energy, Inc.,

        
 

8.75%, 7/15/23 (1) (3)

     125        8     
 

CNX Resources Corp.,

        
 

7.25%, 3/14/27 (1)

     100        102     
 

Comstock Resources, Inc.,

        
 

7.50%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        47     
 

9.75%, 8/15/26

     380        390     
 

Continental Resources, Inc.,

        
 

5.00%, 9/15/22

     100        99     
 

4.50%, 4/15/23

     25        24     
 

CrownRock L.P./CrownRock Finance, Inc.,

        
 

5.63%, 10/15/25 (1)

     440        415     
 

Endeavor Energy Resources L.P./EER Finance, Inc.,

        
 

6.63%, 7/15/25 (1)

     25        26     
 

5.75%, 1/30/28 (1)

     75        75     
 

Energy Ventures Gom LLC/EnVen Finance Corp.,

        
 

11.00%, 2/15/23 (1)

     580        435     
 

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.,

        
 

9.38%, 5/1/24 (1) (2) (3) (7)

     219            
 

EQT Corp.,

        
 

7.88%, 2/1/25

     25        28     
 

3.90%, 10/1/27

     75        69     
 

8.75%, 2/1/30

     50        59     
 

Gulfport Energy Corp.,

        
 

6.00%, 10/15/24

     100        62     
 

6.38%, 1/15/26

     50        31     
 

HighPoint Operating Corp.,

        
 

7.00%, 10/15/22

     50        13     
 

Hilcorp Energy I L.P./Hilcorp Finance Co.,

        
 

5.75%, 10/1/25 (1)

     785        710     
 

6.25%, 11/1/28 (1)

     260        237     
 

Indigo Natural Resources LLC,

        
 

6.88%, 2/15/26 (1)

     50        49     
 

Jagged Peak Energy LLC,

        
 

5.88%, 5/1/26

     50        50     
 

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.,

        
 

9.50%, 1/15/25

     50        30     
        

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)

 

    

 

VALUE
(000S)

 

      
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 

Exploration & Production – 4.4% continued

 

  
 

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC/Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp.,

        
 

6.00%, 8/1/26 (1)

   $ 50      $ 49     
 

Matador Resources Co.,

        
 

5.88%, 9/15/26

     210        176     
 

Moss Creek Resources Holdings, Inc.,

        
 

7.50%, 1/15/26 (1)

     25        15     
 

10.50%, 5/15/27 (1)

     25        16     
 

Murphy Oil Corp.,

        
 

6.88%, 8/15/24

     100        92     
 

5.75%, 8/15/25

     25        22     
 

7.05%, 5/1/29

     25        23     
 

6.38%, 12/1/42

     50        39     
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.,

        
 

2.70%, 8/15/22

     23        21     
 

2.90%, 8/15/24

     255        216     
 

3.50%, 6/15/25

     50        41     
 

8.00%, 7/15/25

     25        25     
 

5.88%, 9/1/25

     195        179     
 

5.55%, 3/15/26

     100        91     
 

3.40%, 4/15/26

     365        291     
 

3.20%, 8/15/26

     25        20     
 

8.50%, 7/15/27

     100        101     
 

6.38%, 9/1/28

     50        46     
 

8.88%, 7/15/30

     245        252     
 

7.50%, 5/1/31

     155        147     
 

7.88%, 9/15/31

     90        87     
 

6.45%, 9/15/36

     175        149     
 

4.30%, 8/15/39

     50        35     
 

6.20%, 3/15/40

     50        41     
 

6.60%, 3/15/46

     200        172     
 

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp.,

        
 

5.25%, 8/15/25 (1)

     100        99     
 

5.63%, 10/15/27 (1)

     30        30     
 

PDC Energy, Inc.,

        
 

6.13%, 9/15/24

     25        24     
 

5.75%, 5/15/26

     250        232     
 

Range Resources Corp.,

        
 

4.88%, 5/15/25

     195        176     
 

9.25%, 2/1/26 (1)

     220        226     
 

SM Energy Co.,

        
 

5.63%, 6/1/25

     85        38     
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    61    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY  FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Exploration & Production – 4.4%    continued

 

 
 

6.75%, 9/15/26

     $25        $11    
 

6.63%, 1/15/27

     50        22    
 

Southwestern Energy Co.,

       
 

6.45%, 1/23/25

     100        97    
 

8.38%, 9/15/28

     25        25    
 

Vine Oil & Gas L.P./Vine Oil & Gas Finance Corp.,

       
 

8.75%, 4/15/23 (1)

     50        33    
 

9.75%, 4/15/23 (1)

     100        68    
 

WPX Energy, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 9/15/24

     65        68    
 

5.88%, 6/15/28

     170        178    
 

4.50%, 1/15/30

     25        25    
 

 

          7,989    
 

 

 

Financial Services – 1.0%

       
 

AG Issuer LLC,

       
 

6.25%, 3/1/28 (1)

     75        75    
 

Goldman Sachs Group (The), Inc., (Variable, U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate CMT 5Y + 3.22%), 4.95%, 2/10/25 (4) (8)

     50        50    
 

Hunt Cos., Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 2/15/26 (1)

     75        72    
 

Icahn Enterprises L.P./Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.75%, 2/1/24

     50        51    
 

4.75%, 9/15/24

     175        177    
 

6.25%, 5/15/26

     125        130    
 

5.25%, 5/15/27

     175        182    
 

LPL Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 9/15/25 (1)

     135        140    
 

4.63%, 11/15/27 (1)

     110        111    
 

NFP Corp.,

       
 

7.00%, 5/15/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

6.88%, 8/15/28 (1)

     865        876    
 

 

          1,891    
 

 

 

Food & Beverage – 1.0%

       
 

Chobani LLC/Chobani Finance Corp., Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 4/15/25 (1)

     75        77    
 

Darling Ingredients, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 4/15/27 (1)

     50        52    
 

Kraft Heinz Foods Co.,

       
 

6.88%, 1/26/39

     50        67    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 

 
 

Food & Beverage – 1.0%    continued

 

 
 

7.13%, 8/1/39 (1)

     $25        $34    
 

6.50%, 2/9/40

     50        64    
 

5.00%, 6/4/42

     25        27    
 

5.20%, 7/15/45

     165        180    
 

4.38%, 6/1/46

     25        26    
 

4.88%, 10/1/49 (1)

     520        549    
 

Nathan’s Famous, Inc.,

       
 

6.63%, 11/1/25 (1)

     50        51    
 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.,

       
 

5.75%, 3/15/25 (1)

     100        102    
 

Post Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 3/1/27 (1)

     275        289    
 

5.63%, 1/15/28 (1)

     130        138    
 

4.63%, 4/15/30 (1)

     265        273    
 

 

          1,929    
 

 

 

Forest & Paper Products Manufacturing – 0.0%

 

 
 

Mercer International, Inc.,

       
 

6.50%, 2/1/24

     75        75    
 

7.38%, 1/15/25

     25        25    
 

 

          100    
 

 

 

Hardware – 0.5%

 

 
 

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,

       
 

6.20%, 7/15/30 (1)

     190        228    
 

Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 4/15/24

     75        68    
 

9.38%, 7/15/25 (1)

     75        79    
 

Everi Payments, Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 12/15/25 (1)

     40        39    
 

NCR Corp.,

       
 

8.13%, 4/15/25 (1)

     25        28    
 

5.75%, 9/1/27 (1)

     100        105    
 

5.00%, 10/1/28 (1)

     50        50    
 

6.13%, 9/1/29 (1)

     100        106    
 

5.25%, 10/1/30 (1)

     25        25    
 

TTM Technologies, Inc.,

       
 

5.63%, 10/1/25 (1)

     50        51    
 

Xerox Holdings Corp.,

       
 

5.00%, 8/15/25 (1)

     50        49    
 

5.50%, 8/15/28 (1)

     50        49    
 

 

          877    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    62    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 4.5%

 

 
 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.,

       
 

5.50%, 7/1/28 (1)

     $205        $211    
 

4/15/29 (1) (6)

     95        96    
 

AdaptHealth LLC,

       
 

6.13%, 8/1/28 (1)

     25        26    
 

Air Methods Corp.,

       
 

8.00%, 5/15/25 (1)

     100        78    
 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.,

       
 

6.88%, 2/1/22

     63        56    
 

6.25%, 3/31/23

     50        49    
 

9.88%, 6/30/23 (1)

     50        39    
 

8.63%, 1/15/24 (1)

     25        25    
 

8.13%, 6/30/24 (1)

     59        43    
 

6.63%, 2/15/25 (1)

     125        121    
 

8.00%, 3/15/26 (1)

     100        98    
 

8.00%, 12/15/27 (1)

     21        21    
 

6.88%, 4/1/28 (1)

     53        25    
 

DaVita, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 6/1/30 (1)

     210        215    
 

3.75%, 2/15/31 (1)

     155        149    
 

Encompass Health Corp.,

       
 

4.75%, 2/1/30

     50        51    
 

4.63%, 4/1/31

     130        130    
 

Envision Healthcare Corp.,

       
 

8.75%, 10/15/26 (1)

     2,415        1,111    
 

HCA, Inc.,

       
 

7.69%, 6/15/25

     235        276    
 

5.38%, 9/1/26

     110        122    
 

3.50%, 9/1/30

     385        392    
 

Jaguar Holding Co. II/PPD Development L.P.,

       
 

4.63%, 6/15/25 (1)

     105        108    
 

5.00%, 6/15/28 (1)

     225        235    
 

LifePoint Health, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 4/15/25 (1)

     50        53    
 

4.38%, 2/15/27 (1)

     25        25    
 

Select Medical Corp.,

       
 

6.25%, 8/15/26 (1)

     90        94    
 

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 7/1/25 (1)

     980        975    
 

10.00%, 4/15/27 (1)

     340        362    
 

Team Health Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

6.38%, 2/1/25 (1)

     190        130    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 4.5%      continued

 

 
 

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

       
 

8.13%, 4/1/22

     $25        $28    
 

6.75%, 6/15/23

     170        178    
 

4.63%, 7/15/24

     50        50    
 

4.63%, 9/1/24 (1)

     50        50    
 

7.00%, 8/1/25

     225        232    
 

4.88%, 1/1/26 (1)

     125        127    
 

5.13%, 11/1/27 (1)

     50        51    
 

4.63%, 6/15/28 (1)

     105        107    
 

6.13%, 10/1/28 (1)

     1,565        1,522    
 

6.88%, 11/15/31

     25        25    
 

Vizient, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/15/27 (1)

     170        178    
 

West Street Merger Sub, Inc.,

       
 

6.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     295        301    
 

 

          8,165    
 

 

 

Home & Office Products Manufacturing – 0.2%

 

 
 

Newell Brands, Inc.,

       
 

4.70%, 4/1/26

     175        187    
 

5.88%, 4/1/36

     50        57    
 

6.00%, 4/1/46

     50        56    
 

 

          300    
 

 

 

Home Improvement – 0.8%

       
 

Apex Tool Group LLC/BC Mountain Finance, Inc.,

       
 

9.00%, 2/15/23 (1)

     440        407    
 

BMC East LLC,

       
 

5.50%, 10/1/24 (1)

     125        129    
 

Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.,

       
 

8.00%, 4/15/26 (1)

     105        110    
 

6.13%, 1/15/29 (1)

     175        177    
 

Griffon Corp.,

       
 

5.75%, 3/1/28

     100        104    
 

JELD-WEN, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        53    
 

4.88%, 12/15/27 (1)

     300        306    
 

Patrick Industries, Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 10/15/27 (1)

     50        54    
 

PGT Innovations, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 8/1/26 (1)

     50        53    
 

Werner FinCo L.P./Werner FinCo, Inc.,

       
 

8.75%, 7/15/25 (1)

     75        72    
 

 

          1,465    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    63    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS   

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

  

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%      continued

 

 
 

Homebuilders – 1.2%

       
 

Adams Homes, Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 2/15/25 (1)

     $50        $51    
 

Ashton Woods U.S.A. LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co.,

       
 

6.63%, 1/15/28 (1)

     50        50    
 

Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 3/15/25

     75        77    
 

7.25%, 10/15/29

     50        54    
 

Century Communities, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 7/15/25

     125        130    
 

Forestar Group, Inc.,

       
 

8.00%, 4/15/24 (1)

     50        53    
 

5.00%, 3/1/28 (1)

     75        76    
 

KB Home,

       
 

7.63%, 5/15/23

     25        27    
 

6.88%, 6/15/27

     25        30    
 

Meritage Homes Corp.,

       
 

7.00%, 4/1/22

     54        58    
 

6.00%, 6/1/25

     75        84    
 

Picasso Finance Sub, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 6/15/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

Shea Homes L.P./Shea Homes Funding Corp.,

       
 

4.75%, 2/15/28 (1)

     175        175    
 

4.75%, 4/1/29 (1)

     100        100    
 

STL Holding Co. LLC,

       
 

7.50%, 2/15/26 (1)

     50        50    
 

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 6/15/27 (1)

     70        77    
 

5.75%, 1/15/28 (1)

     345        375    
 

5.13%, 8/1/30 (1)

     115        122    
 

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 6/1/27

     165        176    
 

5.70%, 6/15/28

     140        153    
 

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 9/15/28 (1)

     50        51    
 

Williams Scotsman International, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 8/15/28 (1)

     120        120    
 

 

          2,116    
 

 

 

Industrial Other – 0.4%

       
 

Ahern Rentals, Inc.,

       
 

7.38%, 5/15/23 (1)

     125        66    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%      continued

 

 
 

Industrial Other – 0.4%     continued

       
 

Brand Industrial Services, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 7/15/25 (1)

     $125        $118    
 

Core & Main L.P.,

       
 

6.13%, 8/15/25 (1)

     80        81    
 

frontdoor, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 8/15/26 (1)

     200        213    
 

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,

       
 

5.63%, 9/1/25

     75        78    
 

Installed Building Products, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 2/1/28 (1)

     75        79    
 

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 3/15/26 (1)

     25        26    
 

9.75%, 7/15/28 (1)

     25        27    
 

Pike Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/28 (1)

     25        25    
 

Resideo Funding, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 11/1/26 (1)

     70        69    
 

TopBuild Corp.,

       
 

5.63%, 5/1/26 (1)

     50        52    
 

 

          834    
 

 

 

Internet Media – 0.6%

       
 

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC/GD Finance Co., Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 12/1/27 (1)

     265        276    
 

Match Group Holdings II LLC,

       
 

5.00%, 12/15/27 (1)

     50        53    
 

4.63%, 6/1/28 (1)

     115        118    
 

5.63%, 2/15/29 (1)

     105        113    
 

Netflix, Inc.,

       
 

4.88%, 4/15/28

     130        145    
 

5.88%, 11/15/28

     100        119    
 

6.38%, 5/15/29

     110        135    
 

5.38%, 11/15/29 (1)

     25        30    
 

Uber Technologies, Inc.,

       
 

8.00%, 11/1/26 (1)

     100        107    
 

7.50%, 9/15/27 (1)

     25        27    
 

6.25%, 1/15/28 (1)

     50        51    
 

 

          1,174    
 

 

 

Iron & Steel – 1.5%

       
 

Algoma Steel Parent S.C.A.,

       
 

0.00%, 11/30/47 (10) (11)

     49           
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    64    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

      

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Iron & Steel – 1.5%    continued

       
 

Specialty Steel Supply, Inc.,

       
 

11.00%, 11/15/22 (1) (9)

     $2,670        $2,670    
 

 

          2,670    
 

 

 

Leisure Products Manufacturing – 0.1%

       
 

Mattel, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 12/31/25 (1)

     75        79    
 

Winnebago Industries, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 7/15/28 (1)

     75        79    
 

 

          158    
 

 

 

Life Insurance – 0.0%

       
 

Genworth Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

4.90%, 8/15/23

     100        92    
 

 

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 1.0%

       
 

Amsted Industries, Inc.,

       
 

5.63%, 7/1/27 (1)

     50        53    
 

4.63%, 5/15/30 (1)

     115        119    
 

Colfax Corp.,

       
 

6.00%, 2/15/24 (1)

     50        52    
 

6.38%, 2/15/26 (1)

     25        27    
 

Granite U.S. Holdings Corp.,

       
 

11.00%, 10/1/27 (1)

     100        102    
 

Hillenbrand, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 6/15/25

     50        53    
 

5.00%, 9/15/26

     5        5    
 

JPW Industries Holding Corp.,

       
 

9.00%, 10/1/24 (1)

     860        811    
 

Manitowoc (The) Co., Inc.,

       
 

9.00%, 4/1/26 (1)

     50        52    
 

MTS Systems Corp.,

       
 

5.75%, 8/15/27 (1)

     50        49    
 

SPX FLOW, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 8/15/26 (1)

     50        52    
 

Tennant Co.,

       
 

5.63%, 5/1/25

     75        78    
 

Terex Corp.,

       
 

5.63%, 2/1/25 (1)

     275        276    
 

Titan International, Inc.,

       
 

6.50%, 11/30/23

     75        56    
 

 

          1,785    
 

 

 

Managed Care – 3.1%

       
 

Centene Corp.,

       
 

5.38%, 6/1/26 (1)

     75        79    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Managed Care – 3.1%    continued

       
 

4.25%, 12/15/27

     $75        $78    
 

10/15/30 (6)

     25        26    
 

One Call Corp.,

       
 

11.50%, 7/1/24 (1) (5)

     5,831        5,248    
 

Polaris Intermediate Corp.,

       
 

8.50%, 12/1/22 (1) (5)

     255        259    
 

 

          5,690    
 

 

 

Manufactured Goods – 1.0%

       
 

EnPro Industries, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 10/15/26

     75        79    
 

FXI Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

12.25%, 11/15/26 (1)

     123        131    
 

Grinding Media, Inc./Moly-Cop AltaSteel Ltd.,

       
 

7.38%, 12/15/23 (1)

     75        76    
 

Hillman Group (The), Inc.,

       
 

6.38%, 7/15/22 (1)

     25        25    
 

Material Sciences Corp.,

       
 

9.75%, 1/9/24 (9)

     1,532        1,519    
 

Park-Ohio Industries, Inc.,

       
 

6.63%, 4/15/27

     50        46    
 

 

          1,876    
 

 

 

Medical Equipment & Devices Manufacturing – 0.4%

 

 
 

Avantor Funding, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 7/15/28 (1)

     145        151    
 

Hologic, Inc.,

       
 

4.38%, 10/15/25 (1)

     185        189    
 

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc./Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics S.A.,

       
 

7.38%, 6/1/25 (1)

     125        127    
 

7.25%, 2/1/28 (1)

     330        343    
 

 

          810    
 

 

 

Metals & Mining – 3.5%

 

 
 

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.,

       
 

7.88%, 8/15/23

     110        112    
 

5.88%, 12/1/27

     320        308    
 

Arconic Corp.,

       
 

6.00%, 5/15/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

6.13%, 2/15/28 (1)

     70        72    
 

Big River Steel LLC/BRS Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.63%, 1/31/29 (1)

     760        768    
 

Carpenter Technology Corp.,

       
 

6.38%, 7/15/28

     230        241    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    65    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS       

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 
 

Metals & Mining – 3.5%     continued

       
 

Century Aluminum Co.,

       
 

12.00%, 7/1/25 (1)

     $800        $846    
 

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.,

       
 

9.88%, 10/17/25 (1)

     50        56    
 

6.75%, 3/15/26 (1)

     475        483    
 

5.88%, 6/1/27

     125        116    
 

Coeur Mining, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 6/1/24

     25        25    
 

Commercial Metals Co.,

       
 

5.75%, 4/15/26

     25        26    
 

Compass Minerals International, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 12/1/27 (1)

     25        27    
 

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/27

     180        188    
 

4.13%, 3/1/28

     100        101    
 

4.38%, 8/1/28

     250        259    
 

5.25%, 9/1/29

     165        177    
 

4.25%, 3/1/30

     235        241    
 

4.63%, 8/1/30

     235        247    
 

5.40%, 11/14/34

     200        221    
 

5.45%, 3/15/43

     390        432    
 

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 8/1/28 (1)

     665        700    
 

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.,

       
 

6.50%, 5/1/25 (1)

     100        103    
 

4.63%, 3/1/28 (1)

     50        47    
 

Novelis Corp.,

       
 

5.88%, 9/30/26 (1)

     310        319    
 

4.75%, 1/30/30 (1)

     125        123    
 

Tms International Holding Corp.,

       
 

7.25%, 8/15/25 (1)

     75        70    
 

 

          6,335    
 

 

 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.4%

       
 

Archrock Partners L.P./Archrock Partners Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.25%, 4/1/28 (1)

     215        203    
 

Basic Energy Services, Inc.,

       
 

10.75%, 10/15/23 (1)

     25        5    
 

ChampionX Corp.,

       
 

6.38%, 5/1/26

     50        48    
 

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.,

       
 

3.45%, 11/1/23 (3)

     25        2    
 

7.88%, 8/15/25 (3)

     75        7    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
  CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%     continued

 

 
    Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.4%     continued      
 

5.70%, 10/15/39 (3)

     $25        $2    
 

Exterran Energy Solutions L.P./EES Finance Corp.,

       
 

8.13%, 5/1/25

     50        43    
 

FTS International, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/1/22 (12)

     100        34    
 

Global Marine, Inc.,

       
 

7.00%, 6/1/28

     25        4    
 

Nabors Industries, Inc.,

       
 

5.75%, 2/1/25

     125        42    
 

Nine Energy Service, Inc.,

       
 

8.75%, 11/1/23 (1)

     75        22    
 

SESI LLC,

       
 

7.13%, 12/15/21 (1)

     75        19    
 

U.S.A. Compression Partners L.P./U.S.A. Compression Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.88%, 4/1/26

     145        144    
 

6.88%, 9/1/27

     160        159    
 

 

          734    
 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.2%

       
 

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 1/31/27 (1)

     125        137    
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.,

       
 

4.91%, 8/27/21

     25        26    
 

Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 4/1/27 (1)

     211        221    
 

 

          384    
 

 

 

Pipeline – 4.9%

       
 

Antero Midstream Partners L.P./Antero Midstream Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.38%, 9/15/24

     735        628    
 

5.75%, 3/1/27 (1)

     75        62    
 

Buckeye Partners L.P.,

       
 

4.15%, 7/1/23

     30        30    
 

4.13%, 3/1/25 (1)

     155        147    
 

3.95%, 12/1/26

     185        172    
 

4.13%, 12/1/27

     120        114    
 

4.50%, 3/1/28 (1)

     150        145    
 

5.85%, 11/15/43

     155        144    
 

Cheniere Energy Partners L.P.,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/29

     700        718    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    66    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


      

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Pipeline – 4.9%    continued

       
 

Cheniere Energy, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 10/15/28 (1)

     $390        $400    
 

CNX Midstream Partners L.P./CNX Midstream Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.50%, 3/15/26 (1)

     100        101    
 

DCP Midstream Operating L.P.,

       
 

4.75%, 9/30/21 (1)

     50        50    
 

5.38%, 7/15/25

     25        26    
 

5.13%, 5/15/29

     75        74    
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.85%), 5.85%, 5/21/43 (1) (8)

     340        248    
 

5.60%, 4/1/44

     195        178    
 

Delek Logistics Partners L.P./Delek Logistics Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.75%, 5/15/25

     25        23    
 

Energy Transfer Operating L.P.,

       
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.03%), 6.25%, 2/15/23 (4) (8)

     75        49    
 

EnLink Midstream LLC,

       
 

5.38%, 6/1/29

     100        81    
 

EnLink Midstream Partners L.P.,

       
 

4.40%, 4/1/24

     25        23    
 

4.15%, 6/1/25

     5        4    
 

4.85%, 7/15/26

     105        91    
 

5.60%, 4/1/44

     75        48    
 

5.05%, 4/1/45

     105        67    
 

5.45%, 6/1/47

     120        76    
 

EQM Midstream Partners L.P.,

       
 

4.75%, 7/15/23

     75        75    
 

4.00%, 8/1/24

     125        122    
 

6.00%, 7/1/25 (1)

     140        144    
 

4.13%, 12/1/26

     140        133    
 

6.50%, 7/1/27 (1)

     245        260    
 

5.50%, 7/15/28

     400        403    
 

Genesis Energy L.P./Genesis Energy Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.50%, 10/1/25

     125        108    
 

6.25%, 5/15/26

     200        167    
 

7.75%, 2/1/28

     75        65    
 

Global Partners L.P./GLP Finance Corp.,

       
 

7.00%, 6/15/23

     30        31    
 

7.00%, 8/1/27

     155        158    
 

1/15/29 (1) (6)

     95        96    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Pipeline – 4.9%    continued

       
 

Harvest Midstream I L.P.,

       
 

7.50%, 9/1/28 (1)

     $635        $632    
 

Hess Midstream Operations L.P.,

       
 

5.63%, 2/15/26 (1)

     75        76    
 

5.13%, 6/15/28 (1)

     75        75    
 

Holly Energy Partners L.P./Holly Energy Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.00%, 2/1/28 (1)

     25        24    
 

New Fortress Energy, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 9/15/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

NuStar Logistics L.P.,

       
 

5.75%, 10/1/25

     110        114    
 

6.00%, 6/1/26

     25        25    
 

PBF Logistics L.P./PBF Logistics Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.88%, 5/15/23

     100        94    
 

Plains All American Pipeline L.P.,

       
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.11%), 6.13%, 11/15/22 (4) (8)

     200        127    
 

Rattler Midstream L.P.,

       
 

5.63%, 7/15/25 (1)

     25        25    
 

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC,

       
 

3.60%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        49    
 

4.95%, 7/15/29 (1)

     25        24    
 

6.88%, 4/15/40 (1)

     50        52    
 

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 8/15/22

     137        96    
 

5.75%, 4/15/25

     138        79    
 

Summit Midstream Partners L.P.,

       
 

(Variable, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 7.43%), 9.50%, 12/15/22 (4) (8)

     125        16    
 

Tallgrass Energy Partners L.P./Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp.,

       
 

4.75%, 10/1/23 (1)

     125        118    
 

5.50%, 9/15/24 (1)

     75        71    
 

7.50%, 10/1/25 (1)

     125        126    
 

6.00%, 3/1/27 (1)

     160        146    
 

5.50%, 1/15/28 (1)

     155        139    
 

Targa Resources Partners L.P./Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.88%, 4/15/26

     100        103    
 

5.38%, 2/1/27

     66        66    
 

5.00%, 1/15/28

     100        97    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    67    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

     SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS    

  

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY  FUND    continued

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Pipeline – 4.9%    continued

       
 

6.88%, 1/15/29

     $75        $80    
 

5.50%, 3/1/30 (1)

     170        170    
 

4.88%, 2/1/31 (1)

     190        184    
 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P./TLP Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.13%, 2/15/26

     25        26    
 

Western Midstream Operating L.P.,

       
 

4.00%, 7/1/22

     25        25    
 

4.10%, 2/1/25

     115        110    
 

3.95%, 6/1/25

     25        23    
 

4.75%, 8/15/28

     25        24    
 

5.05%, 2/1/30

     270        263    
 

5.45%, 4/1/44

     75        64    
 

5.30%, 3/1/48

     150        121    
 

 

          8,951    
 

 

 

Power Generation – 1.2%

       
 

Calpine Corp.,

       
 

4.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     410        420    
 

5.13%, 3/15/28

     365        378    
 

4.63%, 2/1/29 (1)

     353        352    
 

5.00%, 2/1/31 (1)

     429        437    
 

Clearway Energy Operating LLC,

       
 

5.75%, 10/15/25

     50        53    
 

5.00%, 9/15/26

     100        103    
 

4.75%, 3/15/28 (1)

     100        103    
 

NRG Energy, Inc.,

       
 

7.25%, 5/15/26

     50        53    
 

6.63%, 1/15/27

     50        53    
 

TerraForm Power Operating LLC,

       
 

5.00%, 1/31/28 (1)

     25        27    
 

4.75%, 1/15/30 (1)

     50        53    
 

Vistra Operations Co. LLC,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/26 (1)

     100        104    
 

5.00%, 7/31/27 (1)

     75        79    
 

 

          2,215    
 

 

 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 2.1%

       
 

Acrisure LLC/Acrisure Finance, Inc.,

       
 

8.13%, 2/15/24 (1)

     760        796    
 

7.00%, 11/15/25 (1)

     100        98    
 

10.13%, 8/1/26 (1)

     50        55    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 2.1%    continued

 

 
 

Alliant Holdings
Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer,

       
 

6.75%, 10/15/27 (1)

     $240        $252    
 

AssuredPartners, Inc.,

       
 

7.00%, 8/15/25 (1)

     1,730        1,762    
 

GTCR AP Finance, Inc.,

       
 

8.00%, 5/15/27 (1)

     105        111    
 

HUB International Ltd.,

       
 

7.00%, 5/1/26 (1)

     520        539    
 

NMI Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

7.38%, 6/1/25 (1)

     75        80    
 

Radian Group, Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 10/1/24

     50        50    
 

4.88%, 3/15/27

     100        100    
 

 

          3,843    
 

 

 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 1.0%

       
 

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

9.25%, 2/15/24

     42        41    
 

5.13%, 8/15/27 (1)

     150        144    
 

EW Scripps (The) Co.,

       
 

5.13%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        49    
 

Gray Television, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 7/15/26 (1)

     150        156    
 

iHeartCommunications, Inc.,

       
 

6.38%, 5/1/26

     27        28    
 

5.25%, 8/15/27 (1)

     75        73    
 

4.75%, 1/15/28 (1)

     75        71    
 

Lamar Media Corp.,

       
 

3.75%, 2/15/28 (1)

     50        50    
 

4.00%, 2/15/30 (1)

     75        75    
 

National CineMedia LLC,

       
 

5.75%, 8/15/26

     25        17    
 

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 11/1/28 (1)

     75        76    
 

Salem Media Group, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 6/1/24 (1)

     25        21    
 

Scripps Escrow, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 7/15/27 (1)

     25        24    
 

Sinclair Television Group, Inc.,

       
 

5.13%, 2/15/27 (1)

     50        47    
 

5.50%, 3/1/30 (1)

     25        23    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    68    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


      

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 1.0%    continued

 

 
 

TEGNA, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 3/15/28 (1)

     $125        $122    
 

5.00%, 9/15/29 (1)

     75        74    
 

Townsquare Media, Inc.,

       
 

6.50%, 4/1/23 (1)

     75        69    
 

Urban One, Inc.,

       
 

7.38%, 4/15/22 (1)

     720        651    
 

 

          1,811    
 

 

 

Railroad – 0.1%

       
 

Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.50%, 6/15/27(1)

     135        138    
 

 

 

Real Estate – 2.9%

       
 

Cushman & Wakefield U.S. Borrower LLC,

       
 

6.75%, 5/15/28 (1)

     25        26    
 

Diversified Healthcare Trust,

       
 

9.75%, 6/15/25

     75        83    
 

ESH Hospitality, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 5/1/25 (1)

     365        369    
 

4.63%, 10/1/27 (1)

     185        182    
 

FelCor Lodging L.P.,

       
 

6.00%, 6/1/25

     100        98    
 

Five Point Operating Co. L.P./Five Point Capital Corp.,

       
 

7.88%, 11/15/25 (1)

     50        50    
 

GEO Group (The), Inc.,

       
 

6.00%, 4/15/26

     25        18    
 

GLP Capital L.P./GLP Financing II, Inc.,

       
 

5.25%, 6/1/25

     25        27    
 

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC,

       
 

5.75%, 12/1/25 (1)

     50        50    
 

HAT Holdings I LLC/HAT Holdings II LLC,

       
 

5.25%, 7/15/24 (1)

     75        78    
 

3.75%, 9/15/30 (1)

     25        25    
 

Howard Hughes (The) Corp.,

       
 

5.38%, 3/15/25 (1)

     50        51    
 

5.38%, 8/1/28 (1)

     50        50    
 

Iron Mountain, Inc.,

       
 

4.88%, 9/15/27 (1)

     310        316    
 

5.25%, 3/15/28 (1)

     245        255    
 

5.00%, 7/15/28 (1)

     95        97    
 

4.88%, 9/15/29 (1)

     405        412    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Real Estate – 2.9%    continued

       
 

5.25%, 7/15/30 (1)

     $230        $240    
 

4.50%, 2/15/31 (1)

     25        25    
 

5.63%, 7/15/32 (1)

     330        348    
 

Kennedy-Wilson, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 4/1/24

     75        75    
 

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership L.P./MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 6/15/25 (1)

     100        102    
 

Newmark Group, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 11/15/23

     75        78    
 

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer,

       
 

7.50%, 6/1/25 (1)

     75        80    
 

5.88%, 10/1/28 (1)

     75        75    
 

Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 6/1/23 (1)

     95        94    
 

7.63%, 6/15/25 (1)

     185        194    
 

9.38%, 4/1/27 (1)

     405        419    
 

RHP Hotel Properties L.P./RHP Finance Corp.,

       
 

4.75%, 10/15/27

     275        253    
 

Service Properties Trust,

       
 

4.35%, 10/1/24

     25        23    
 

7.50%, 9/15/25

     25        27    
 

4.95%, 2/15/27

     25        22    
 

4.95%, 10/1/29

     125        107    
 

Uniti Group L.P./Uniti Fiber Holdings, Inc./CSL Capital LLC,

       
 

7.13%, 12/15/24 (1)

     25        24    
 

7.88%, 2/15/25 (1)

     455        482    
 

Uniti Group L.P./Uniti Group Finance, Inc./CSL Capital LLC,

       
 

6.00%, 4/15/23 (1)

     285        287    
 

VICI Properties L.P./VICI Note Co., Inc.,

       
 

4.25%, 12/1/26 (1)

     50        50    
 

3.75%, 2/15/27 (1)

     25        25    
 

XHR L.P.,

       
 

6.38%, 8/15/25 (1)

     50        50    
 

 

          5,267    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    69    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Refining & Marketing – 0.2%

       
 

Citgo Holding, Inc.,

       
 

9.25%, 8/1/24 (1)

     $150        $143    
 

CITGO Petroleum Corp.,

       
 

6.25%, 8/15/22 (1)

     25        25    
 

7.00%, 6/15/25 (1)

     75        74    
 

Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 9/15/29

     50        53    
 

PBF Holding Co LLC/PBF Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.00%, 2/15/28 (1)

     50        33    
 

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp.,

       
 

9.25%, 5/15/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

Sunoco L.P./Sunoco Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.00%, 4/15/27

     75        77    
 

 

          431    
 

 

 

Renewable Energy – 0.1%

       
 

EnerSys,

       
 

4.38%, 12/15/27(1)

     155        158    
 

 

 

Restaurants – 0.4%

       
 

Golden Nugget, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 10/15/24 (1)

     250        209    
 

8.75%, 10/1/25 (1)

     225        177    
 

IRB Holding Corp.,

       
 

7.00%, 6/15/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

6.75%, 2/15/26 (1)

     50        50    
 

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC,

       
 

5.25%, 6/1/26 (1)

     250        260    
 

 

          723    
 

 

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 2.5%

       
 

Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.,

       
 

8.75%, 7/15/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

ANGI Group LLC,

       
 

3.88%, 8/15/28 (1)

     85        84    
 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.,

       
 

4.50%, 3/1/28 (1)

     68        68    
 

4.75%, 3/1/30 (1)

     155        156    
 

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc.,

       
 

6.38%, 4/1/24 (1)

     25        24    
 

5.25%, 3/15/25 (1)

     170        155    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 2.5%    continued

 

 
 

5.75%, 7/15/27 (1)

     $50        $45    
 

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.,

       
 

4.88%, 11/1/25 (1)

     475        466    
 

4.50%, 11/15/26 (1)

     25        26    
 

Builders FirstSource, Inc.,

       
 

6.75%, 6/1/27 (1)

     113        121    
 

5.00%, 3/1/30 (1)

     25        26    
 

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp.,

 

 
 

6.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

Carvana Co.,

       
 

8.88%, 10/1/23 (1)

     25        26    
 

Gap (The), Inc.,

       
 

8.63%, 5/15/25 (1)

     75        82    
 

Hertz (The) Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 10/15/24 (1) (3)

     125        56    
 

6.00%, 1/15/28 (1) (2) (3)

     125        58    
 

Ken Garff Automotive LLC,

       
 

4.88%, 9/15/28 (1)

     25        25    
 

L Brands, Inc.,

       
 

5.63%, 2/15/22

     50        52    
 

6.88%, 7/1/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

9.38%, 7/1/25 (1)

     85        98    
 

5.25%, 2/1/28

     60        58    
 

7.50%, 6/15/29

     50        52    
 

6.63%, 10/1/30 (1)

     110        112    
 

6.88%, 11/1/35

     50        49    
 

6.75%, 7/1/36

     100        98    
 

Lithia Motors, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 12/15/27 (1)

     75        77    
 

1/15/31 (6)

     25        25    
 

Michaels Stores, Inc.,

       
 

10/1/27 (1) (6)

     25        25    
 

Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC/Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance, Inc.,

       
 

7.88%, 10/1/22 (1)

     165        134    
 

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,

       
 

3.50%, 9/1/25

     295        294    
 

5.50%, 5/15/26

     280        289    
 

PetSmart, Inc.,

       
 

7.13%, 3/15/23 (1)

     250        252    
 

PriSo Acquisition Corp.,

       
 

9.00%, 5/15/23 (1)

     100        96    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    70    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


      

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 2.5%    continued

 

 
 

QVC, Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 2/15/27

     $50        $51    
 

Sonic Automotive, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 3/15/27

     75        77    
 

Specialty Building Products Holdings LLC/SBP Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.38%, 9/30/26 (1)

     560        570    
 

SRS Distribution, Inc.,

       
 

8.25%, 7/1/26 (1)

     290        310    
 

Staples, Inc.,

       
 

7.50%, 4/15/26 (1)

     215        199    
 

10.75%, 4/15/27 (1)

     175        140    
 

 

          4,555    
 

 

 

Retail - Consumer Staples – 0.4%

       
 

Performance Food Group, Inc.,

       
 

6.88%, 5/1/25 (1)

     60        64    
 

5.50%, 10/15/27 (1)

     330        340    
 

U.S. Foods, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 6/15/24 (1)

     85        86    
 

6.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     175        185    
 

 

          675    
 

 

 

Semiconductors – 0.4%

       
 

Amkor Technology, Inc.,

       
 

6.63%, 9/15/27 (1)

     260        279    
 

Entegris, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 2/10/26 (1)

     50        51    
 

Microchip Technology, Inc.,

       
 

4.25%, 9/1/25 (1)

     155        161    
 

ON Semiconductor Corp.,

       
 

3.88%, 9/1/28 (1)

     235        238    
 

Qorvo, Inc.,

       
 

4.38%, 10/15/29

     75        80    
 

3.38%, 4/1/31 (1)

     25        25    
 

 

          834    
 

 

 

Software & Services – 3.3%

       
 

Ascend Learning LLC,

       
 

6.88%, 8/1/25 (1)

     50        51    
 

Banff Merger Sub, Inc.,

       
 

9.75%, 9/1/26 (1)

     125        132    
 

Black Knight InfoServ LLC,

       
 

3.63%, 9/1/28 (1)

     170        172    
 

Boxer Parent Co., Inc.,

       
 

7.13%, 10/2/25 (1)

     25        27    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 3.3% continued

 

 
 

9.13%, 3/1/26 (1)

     $25        $26    
 

BY Crown Parent LLC,

       
 

7.38%, 10/15/24 (1)

     50        51    
 

BY Crown Parent LLC/BY Bond Finance, Inc.,

       
 

4.25%, 1/31/26 (1)

     136        138    
 

Castle U.S. Holding Corp.,

       
 

9.50%, 2/15/28 (1)

     100        95    
 

CDK Global, Inc.,

       
 

5.88%, 6/15/26

     50        52    
 

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.,

       
 

8.25%, 10/15/24

     25        26    
 

Dun & Bradstreet (The) Corp.,

       
 

10.25%, 2/15/27 (1)

     75        85    
 

Exela Intermediate LLC/Exela Finance, Inc.,

       
 

10.00%, 7/15/23 (1)

     125        38    
 

j2 Cloud Services LLC/j2 Cloud Co-Obligor, Inc.,

       
 

6.00%, 7/15/25 (1)

     270        281    
 

Logan Merger Sub, Inc.,

       
 

5.50%, 9/1/27 (1)

     340        344    
 

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC,

       
 

7.13%, 6/1/24 (1)

     640        658    
 

MSCI, Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 5/15/27 (1)

     205        219    
 

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co.,

       
 

5.63%, 10/1/28 (1)

     295        305    
 

5.88%, 10/1/30 (1)

     475        492    
 

Open Text Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

4.13%, 2/15/30 (1)

     150        154    
 

Presidio Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

8.25%, 2/1/28 (1)

     390        409    
 

Rackspace Technology Global, Inc.,

       
 

8.63%, 11/15/24 (1)

     550        576    
 

Refinitiv U.S. Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/15/26 (1)

     25        27    
 

8.25%, 11/15/26 (1)

     50        55    
 

Sabre GLBL, Inc.,

       
 

9.25%, 4/15/25 (1)

     50        55    
 

7.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     25        25    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    71    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 3.3%    continued

 

 
 

Science Applications International Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 4/1/28 (1)

     $130        $132    
 

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.,

       
 

10.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     420        439    
 

SS&C Technologies, Inc.,

       
 

5.50%, 9/30/27 (1)

     475        505    
 

Tempo Acquisition LLC/Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.75%, 6/1/25 (1)

     307        313    
 

Vericast Corp.,

       
 

8.38%, 8/15/22 (1)

     75        72    
 

Veritas U.S., Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd.,

       
 

7.50%, 9/1/25 (1)

     75        77    
 

Verscend Escrow Corp.,

       
 

9.75%, 8/15/26 (1)

     25        27    
 

 

          6,058    
 

 

 

Supermarkets & Pharmacies – 0.1%

       
 

Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons L.P./Albertsons LLC,

       
 

5.75%, 3/15/25

     21        22    
 

4.63%, 1/15/27 (1)

     50        51    
 

Rite Aid Corp.,

       
 

7.50%, 7/1/25 (1)

     34        33    
 

8.00%, 11/15/26 (1)

     52        52    
 

 

          158    
 

 

 

Tobacco – 0.0%

       
 

Vector Group Ltd.,

       
 

6.13%, 2/1/25 (1)

     25        25    
 

10.50%, 11/1/26 (1)

     25        25    
 

 

          50    
 

 

 

Transportation & Logistics – 0.2%

       
 

BCD Acquisition, Inc.,

       
 

9.63%, 9/15/23 (1)

     25        25    
 

Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 2/1/28 (1)

     25        25    
 

Navistar International Corp.,

       
 

9.50%, 5/1/25 (1)

     25        28    
 

6.63%, 11/1/25 (1)

     50        51    
 

Wabash National Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 10/1/25 (1)

     50        50    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Transportation & Logistics – 0.2%    continued

 

 
 

Western Global Airlines LLC,

       
 

10.38%, 8/15/25 (1)

     $50        $51    
 

XPO Logistics, Inc.,

       
 

6.13%, 9/1/23 (1)

     175        179    
 

6.25%, 5/1/25 (1)

     50        53    
 

 

          462    
 

 

 

Travel & Lodging – 0.6%

       
 

Arrow Bidco LLC,

       
 

9.50%, 3/15/24 (1)

     25        21    
 

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 5/1/25 (1)

     375        392    
 

5.75%, 5/1/28 (1)

     70        74    
 

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 4/1/27

     35        36    
 

Hyatt Hotels Corp.,

       
 

5.38%, 4/23/25

     55        59    
 

Marriott International, Inc.,

       
 

4.63%, 6/15/30

     50        53    
 

Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc.,

       
 

4.75%, 1/15/28

     25        23    
 

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.,

       
 

6.63%, 7/31/26 (1)

     75        79    
 

4.63%, 3/1/30 (1)

     25        24    
 

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 4/15/26 (1)

     105        107    
 

4.38%, 8/15/28 (1)

     220        213    
 

 

          1,081    
 

 

 

Utilities – 0.5%

       
 

AmeriGas Partners L.P./AmeriGas Finance Corp.,

       
 

5.50%, 5/20/25

     75        81    
 

5.75%, 5/20/27

     25        27    
 

Ferrellgas L.P./Ferrellgas Finance Corp.,

       
 

6.50%, 5/1/21

     50        45    
 

10.00%, 4/15/25 (1)

     25        27    
 

Ferrellgas Partners L.P./Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.,

       
 

8.63%, 6/15/20

     50        10    
 

NextEra Energy Operating Partners L.P.,

       
 

3.88%, 10/15/26 (1)

     100        103    
 

PG&E Corp.,

       
 

5.00%, 7/1/28

     25        24    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    72    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


      

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Utilities – 0.5%    continued

       
 

5.25%, 7/1/30

     $50        $48    
 

Talen Energy Supply LLC,

       
 

10.50%, 1/15/26 (1)

     290        221    
 

7.25%, 5/15/27 (1)

     140        140    
 

6.63%, 1/15/28 (1)

     85        82    
 

7.63%, 6/1/28 (1)

     75        75    
 

 

          883    
 

 

 

Waste & Environment Services & Equipment – 0.2%

 

 
 

Covanta Holding Corp.,

       
 

5.00%, 9/1/30

     50        51    
 

Harsco Corp.,

       
 

5.75%, 7/31/27 (1)

     325        329    
 

 

          380    
 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.9%

 

 
 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.,

       
 

6.63%, 8/1/26

     100        108    
 

Sprint Capital Corp.,

       
 

6.88%, 11/15/28

     135        169    
 

8.75%, 3/15/32

     315        461    
 

Sprint Communications, Inc.,

       
 

9.25%, 4/15/22

     25        28    
 

Sprint Corp.,

       
 

7.88%, 9/15/23

     25        29    
 

7.13%, 6/15/24

     355        408    
 

7.63%, 3/1/26

     255        308    
 

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

6.00%, 4/15/24

     75        77    
 

6.50%, 1/15/26

     25        26    
 

 

          1,614    
 

 

 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 1.2%

 

 
 

CenturyLink, Inc.,

       
 

5.80%, 3/15/22

     100        103    
 

6.75%, 12/1/23

     25        27    
 

7.50%, 4/1/24

     25        28    
 

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 3/1/22 (1)

     25        26    
 

Consolidated Communications, Inc.,

       
 

10/1/28 (1) (6)

     25        26    
 

Embarq Corp.,

       
 

8.00%, 6/1/36

     100        118    
 

Frontier Communications Corp.,

       
 

10.50%, 9/15/22 (3)

     420        175    
        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 72.2%    continued

 

 

 
 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 1.2%    continued

 

 
 

8.50%, 4/1/26 (1) (12)

     $25        $25    
 

8.00%, 4/1/27 (1) (12)

     245        244    
 

GTT Communications, Inc.,

       
 

7.88%, 12/31/24 (1)

     1,850        953    
 

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 5/1/25

     25        26    
 

4.63%, 9/15/27 (1)

     355        365    
 

4.25%, 7/1/28 (1)

     50        51    
 

QualityTech L.P./QTS Finance Corp.,

 

 
 

4.75%, 11/15/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

10/1/28 (1) (6)

     25        25    
 

Windstream Escrow LLC/Windstream Escrow Finance Corp.,

       
 

7.75%, 8/15/28 (1)

     50        49    
 

 

                    2,267      
   

Total Corporate Bonds

                     
 

(Cost $134,238)

        132,108    
 

    

       
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS – 10.3%

 

 

 
 

Airlines – 0.3%

 

 
 

Air Canada,

       
 

7.75%, 4/15/21 (1)

     75        75    
 

Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd.,

       
 

4.50%, 10/20/25 (1)

     25        26    
 

4.75%, 10/20/28 (1)

     315        327    
 

Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd.,

       
 

8.00%, 9/20/25 (1)

     50        53    
 

 

          481    
 

 

 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 0.3%

       
 

Clarios Global L.P.,

       
 

6.75%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        53    
 

Clarios Global L.P./Clarios U.S. Finance Co.,

       
 

6.25%, 5/15/26 (1)

     190        199    
 

8.50%, 5/15/27 (1)

     250        258    
 

 

          510    
 

 

 

Cable & Satellite – 0.3%

       
 

Altice Financing S.A.,

       
 

5.00%, 1/15/28 (1)

     200        194    
 

Virgin Media Finance PLC,

       
 

5.00%, 7/15/30 (1)

     230        229    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    73    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

 

 
 

Cable & Satellite – 0.3%    continued

       
 

Virgin Media Vendor Financing Notes IV DAC,

       
 

5.00%, 7/15/28 (1)

     $200        $200    
 

 

          623    
 

 

 

Casinos & Gaming – 0.2%

       
 

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd.,

       
 

8.25%, 3/1/24 (1)

     100        85    
 

Melco Resorts Finance Ltd.,

       
 

5.25%, 4/26/26 (1)

     200        202    
 

 

          287    
 

 

 

Chemicals – 0.7%

       
 

Methanex Corp.,

       
 

5.13%, 10/15/27

     25        25    
 

Nouryon Holding B.V.,

       
 

8.00%, 10/1/26 (1)

     305        323    
 

NOVA Chemicals Corp.,

       
 

4.88%, 6/1/24 (1)

     145        144    
 

5.00%, 5/1/25 (1)

     25        24    
 

5.25%, 6/1/27 (1)

     498        469    
 

Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A./Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 9/1/25 (1)

     210        208    
 

Tronox Finance PLC,

       
 

5.75%, 10/1/25 (1)

     85        83    
 

 

          1,276    
 

 

 

Commercial Finance – 0.2%

       
 

Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd.,

       
 

6.50%, 9/15/24 (1) (5)

     415        231    
 

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd.,

       
 

3.63%, 3/15/21 (1)

     75        75    
 

 

          306    
 

 

 

Construction Materials Manufacturing – 0.1%

 

 
 

Cemex S.A.B. de C.V.,

       
 

5.45%, 11/19/29(1)

     200        202    
 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.0%

       
 

Fairstone Financial, Inc.,

       
 

7.88%, 7/15/24(1)

     50        51    
 

 

 

Consumer Products – 0.0%

       
 

Avon International Capital PLC,

       
 

6.50%, 8/15/22(1)

     50        50    
 

 

        

 

PRINCIPAL

            
         AMOUNT      VALUE      
        

(000S)

 

    

(000S)

 

     
 

 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 0.3%

       
 

Garda World Security Corp.,

       
 

8.75%, 5/15/25 (1)

     $590        $596    
 

4.63%, 2/15/27 (1)

     50        50    
 

 

          646    
 

 

 

Containers & Packaging – 0.4%

       
 

ARD Finance S.A.,

       
 

6.50%, 6/30/27 (1) (5)

     200        199    
 

Cascades, Inc./Cascades U.S.A., Inc.,

       
 

5.38%, 1/15/28 (1)

     50        53    
 

Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Finco, Inc./Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Co-Issuer LLC,

       
 

6.00%, 9/15/28 (1)

     315        319    
 

Trivium Packaging Finance B.V.,

       
 

8.50%, 8/15/27 (1)

     205        221    
 

 

          792    
 

 

 

Entertainment Resources – 0.1%

       
 

Motion Bondco DAC,

       
 

6.63%, 11/15/27(1)

     240        207    
 

 

 

Exploration & Production – 0.1%

       
 

Leviathan Bond Ltd.,

       
 

6.13%, 6/30/25

     25        26    
 

6.50%, 6/30/27

     25        26    
 

MEG Energy Corp.,

       
 

7.00%, 3/31/24 (1)

     15        14    
 

7.13%, 2/1/27 (1)

     75        67    
 

OGX Austria GmbH,

       
 

8.50%, 6/1/18 (1) (2) (3) (10)

     2,420           
 

8.38%, 4/1/22 (1) (2) (3) (10)

     1,800           
 

Seven Generations Energy Ltd.,

       
 

6.88%, 6/30/23 (1)

     50        49    
 

5.38%, 9/30/25 (1)

     25        24    
 

 

          206    
 

 

 

Financial Services – 0.0%

       
 

VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/XO Management Holding, Inc.,

       
 

10.50%, 6/1/24(1)

     75        70    
 

 

 

Food & Beverage – 0.2%

       
 

Cooke Omega Investments, Inc./Alpha VesselCo Holdings, Inc.,

       
 

8.50%, 12/15/22 (1)

     75        77    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    74    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

Food & Beverage – 0.2%    continued

       
 

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd./HLF Financing, Inc.,
7.88%, 9/1/25 (1)

     $75        $81    
 

JBS U.S.A. LUX S.A./JBS U.S.A. Finance, Inc.,
5.88%, 7/15/24 (1)

     13        13    
 

JBS U.S.A. LUX S.A./JBS U.S.A. Food Co./JBS U.S.A. Finance, Inc.,
5.50%, 1/15/30 (1)

     125        136    
 

 

          307    
 

 

 

Home Improvement – 0.1%

       
 

Masonite International Corp.,
5.75%, 9/15/26 (1)

     75        78    
 

5.38%, 2/1/28 (1)

     185        197    
 

 

          275    
 

 

 

Homebuilders – 0.1%

       
 

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential U.S. Corp.,
6.38%, 5/15/25 (1)

     25        25    
 

4.88%, 2/15/30 (1)

     50        47    
 

Mattamy Group Corp.,
4.63%, 3/1/30 (1)

     75        76    
 

 

          148    
 

 

 

Industrial Other – 0.0%

       
 

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.,
5.38%, 1/15/25(1)

     75        77    
 

 

 

Integrated Oils – 0.1%

       
 

Cenovus Energy, Inc.,
3.00%, 8/15/22

     50        49    
 

5.25%, 6/15/37

     25        22    
 

6.75%, 11/15/39

     25        25    
 

5.40%, 6/15/47

     50        42    
 

 

          138    
 

 

 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.3%

       
 

Husky III Holding Ltd.,
13.00%, (100% Cash), 2/15/25 (1) (5)

     50        52    
 

Titan Acquisition Ltd./Titan Co-Borrower LLC,
7.75%, 4/15/26 (1)

     520        517    
 

 

          569    
 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

Metals & Mining – 1.7%

       
 

Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V.,
5.50%, 12/15/27 (1)

     $115        $120    
 

ArcelorMittal S.A.,
4.55%, 3/11/26

     25        27    
 

7.25%, 10/15/39

     25        31    
 

Baffinland Iron Mines Corp./Baffinland Iron Mines L.P.,
8.75%, 7/15/26 (1)

     1,695        1,746    
 

Constellium S.E.,
5.63%, 6/15/28 (1)

     285        291    
 

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.,
6.50%, 3/1/24 (1)

     200        192    
 

Hudbay Minerals, Inc.,
7.63%, 1/15/25 (1)

     262        267    
 

6.13%, 4/1/29 (1)

     180        178    
 

IAMGOLD Corp.,
5.75%, 10/15/28 (1)

     75        73    
 

Mountain Province Diamonds, Inc.,
8.00%, 12/15/22 (1)

     25        19    
 

New Gold, Inc.,
7.50%, 7/15/27 (1)

     25        27    
 

Northwest Acquisitions ULC/Dominion Finco, Inc.,
7.13%, 11/1/22 (1) (3)

     1,905        30    
 

Taseko Mines Ltd.,
8.75%, 6/15/22 (1)

     75        71    
 

 

          3,072    
 

 

 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.3%

       
 

Ensign Drilling, Inc.,
9.25%, 4/15/24 (1)

     100        38    
 

Nabors Industries Ltd.,
7.25%, 1/15/26 (1)

     25        12    
 

7.50%, 1/15/28 (1)

     50        24    
 

Noble Holding International Ltd.,
7.88%, 2/1/26 (1) (2) (3)

     100        24    
 

Precision Drilling Corp.,
7.75%, 12/15/23

     25        19    
 

5.25%, 11/15/24

     115        77    
 

7.13%, 1/15/26 (1)

     75        48    
 

Shelf Drilling Holdings Ltd.,
8.25%, 2/15/25 (1)

     125        49    
 

Transocean Guardian Ltd.,
5.88%, 1/15/24 (1)

     58        38    
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    75    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


  SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS          

 

  MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued  

 

      

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.3%    continued

 

 
 

Transocean Sentry Ltd.,
5.38%, 5/15/23 (1)

     $50        $34    
 

Transocean, Inc.,
7.25%, 11/1/25 (1)

     720        202    
 

11.50%, 1/30/27 (1)

     114        47    
 

8.00%, 2/1/27 (1)

     50        14    
 

7.50%, 4/15/31

     13        2    
 

6.80%, 3/15/38

     25        3    
 

 

          631    
 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%

       
 

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,
5.50%, 3/1/23 (1)

     33        33    
 

5.88%, 5/15/23 (1)

     4        4    
 

6.13%, 4/15/25 (1)

     540        553    
 

9.00%, 12/15/25 (1)

     200        218    
 

7.00%, 1/15/28 (1)

     25        26    
 

5.00%, 1/30/28 (1)

     150        146    
 

6.25%, 2/15/29 (1)

     75        77    
 

7.25%, 5/30/29 (1)

     75        81    
 

5.25%, 1/30/30 (1)

     75        74    
 

Endo Dac/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc.,
9.50%, 7/31/27 (1)

     72        75    
 

6.00%, 6/30/28 (1)

     91        67    
 

Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A./Mallinckrodt CB LLC,
5.75%, 8/1/22 (1)

     100        26    
 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III B.V.,
4.10%, 10/1/46

     75        62    
 

 

          1,442    
 

 

 

Railroad – 0.2%

       
 

Bombardier, Inc.,
6.00%, 10/15/22 (1)

     25        23    
 

6.13%, 1/15/23 (1)

     225        193    
 

7.50%, 12/1/24 (1)

     50        38    
 

7.88%, 4/15/27 (1)

     75        57    
 

 

          311    
 

 

 

Refining & Marketing – 0.0%

       
 

Parkland Corp.,
6.00%, 4/1/26 (1)

     25        26    
 

5.88%, 7/15/27 (1)

     50        53    
 

 

          79    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

Restaurants – 0.5%

       
 

1011778 B.C. ULC/New Red Finance, Inc.,
4.25%, 5/15/24 (1)

     $115        $117    
 

5.75%, 4/15/25 (1)

     65        70    
 

5.00%, 10/15/25 (1)

     635        651    
 

10/15/30 (1) (6)

     25        25    
 

 

          863    
 

 

 

Semiconductors – 0.1%

       
 

ams A.G., 7.00%, 7/31/25(1)

     200        212    
 

 

 

Software & Services – 0.3%

       
 

Camelot Finance S.A.,
4.50%, 11/1/26 (1)

     50        51    
 

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg (The) S.a.r.l.,
5.00%, 2/1/25 (1)

     205        209    
 

Open Text Corp.,
5.88%, 6/1/26 (1)

     215        223    
 

3.88%, 2/15/28 (1)

     50        50    
 

 

          533    
 

 

 

Travel & Lodging – 0.8%

       
 

Carnival Corp.,
3.95%, 10/15/20

     25        25    
 

11.50%, 4/1/23 (1)

     345        387    
 

10.50%, 2/1/26 (1)

     185        205    
 

9.88%, 8/1/27 (1)

     135        143    
 

NCL Corp. Ltd.,
12.25%, 5/15/24 (1)

     25        28    
 

10.25%, 2/1/26 (1)

     50        52    
 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,
5.25%, 11/15/22

     100        89    
 

10.88%, 6/1/23 (1)

     65        73    
 

9.13%, 6/15/23 (1)

     25        27    
 

11.50%, 6/1/25 (1)

     170        197    
 

Viking Cruises Ltd.,
6.25%, 5/15/25 (1)

     75        59    
 

13.00%, 5/15/25 (1)

     50        58    
 

5.88%, 9/15/27 (1)

     25        19    
 

VOC Escrow Ltd.,
5.00%, 2/15/28 (1)

     25        22    
 

 

          1,384    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    76    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

FOREIGN ISSUER BONDS - 10.3%    continued

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 1.3%

 

    
 

Altice France S.A.,
7.38%, 5/1/26 (1)

     $490        $513    
 

8.13%, 2/1/27 (1)

     200        218    
 

5.50%, 1/15/28 (1)

     265        268    
 

Connect Finco S.a.r.l./Connect U.S. Finco LLC,

       
 

6.75%, 10/1/26 (1)

     290        291    
 

Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd.,
10.00%, 4/1/24 (5)

     219        168    
 

8.00%, 4/1/25 (1) (5)

     45        16    
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A.,
8.00%, 2/15/24 (1) (12)

     300        305    
 

8.50%, 10/15/24 (1) (3)

     75        48    
 

9.75%, 7/15/25 (1) (3)

     200        131    
 

Intelsat Luxembourg S.A.,
8.13%, 6/1/23 (3)

     50        2    
 

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC,
4.88%, 6/1/27 (1)

     50        50    
 

6.50%, 10/15/27 (1)

     75        76    
 

Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC,
4.25%, 1/31/31 (1)

     200        204    
 

Vodafone Group PLC,

       
 

(Variable, USD Swap 5Y + 4.87%), 7.00%, 4/4/79 (8)

     75        89    
 

 

          2,379    
 

 

 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.5%

 

    
 

Altice France Holding S.A.,
10.50%, 5/15/27 (1)

     200        222    
 

6.00%, 2/15/28 (1)

     465        443    
 

Telecom Italia Capital S.A.,
6.00%, 9/30/34

     100        116    
 

7.20%, 7/18/36

     25        32    
 

Telecom Italia S.p.A.,
5.30%, 5/30/24 (1)

     25        27    
 

 

          840    
         
   

Total Foreign Issuer Bonds

                     
 

(Cost $25,213)

        18,967    
         
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)

       
 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 1.4%

       
 

DexKo Global, Inc., Term B Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 8.25%),
9.25%, 7/24/25

     1,460        1,350    
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)    continued

 

Auto Parts Manufacturing – 1.4%    continued

 

    
 

Truck Hero, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 8.25%, 1.00% Floor), 9.25%, 4/21/25

     $1,230        $1,181    
 

 

          2,531    
 

 

 

Casinos & Gaming – 0.8%

       
 

18 Fremont Street Acquisition LLC, Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 8.00%, 1.50% Floor), 9.50%, 8/9/25

     1,590        1,431    
 

Boyd Gaming Corp., Refinancing Term B Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1W + 2.25%), 2.36%, 9/15/23

     33        33    
 

Golden Nugget, Inc., Initial B Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 2M + 2.50%, 0.75% Floor), 3.25%, 10/4/23

     69        61    
 

 

          1,525    
 

 

 

Chemicals – 0.2%

       
 

Consolidated Energy Finance S.A., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 2.50%), 2.66%, 5/7/25

     73        66    
 

Solenis Holdings LLC, Initial Dollar Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.00%), 4.26%, 6/26/25

     142        139    
 

Solenis Holdings LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 8.50%), 8.76%, 6/26/26

     105        98    
 

UTEX Industries, Inc., Initial Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 7.25%, 1.00% Floor), 8.56%, 5/20/22 (3) (9)

     2,200        11    
 

 

          314    
 

 

 

Consumer Products – 0.5%

       
 

Parfums Holding Co., Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 8.75%, 1.00% Floor), 9.75%, 6/30/25

     950        860    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    77    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)    continued

 

Containers & Packaging – 0.1%

       
 

BWay Holding Co., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.25%), 3.52%, 4/3/24

     $112        $105    
 

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.00%, 1.00% Floor), 4.00%, 12/29/23

     85        83    
 

 

          188    
 

 

 

Distributors - Consumer Discretionary – 0.2%

 

    
 

American Tire Distributors, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor), 7.00%, 9/1/23

     197        193    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 9/2/24

     115        98    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 9/2/24

     14        12    
 

 

          303    
 

 

 

Educational Services – 0.8%

       
 

KUEHG Corp., Tranche B Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 8.25%, 1.00% Floor), 9.25%, 8/22/25

     1,020        895    
 

Learning Care Group (US) No. 2, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 3/13/26

     770        637    
 

 

          1,532    
 

 

 

Entertainment Content – 0.1%

       
 

Allen Media LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.50%), 5.72%, 2/10/27

     75        72    
 

Diamond Sports Group LLC, Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 3.25%), 3.40%, 8/24/26

     49        38    
 

 

          110    
 

 

         PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000S)
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)    continued

 

Entertainment Resources – 0.1%

       
 

Life Time Fitness, Inc., 2017 Refinancing Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 2.75%, 1.00% Floor), 3.75%, 6/10/22

     $90        $82    
 

UFC Holdings LLC, Term B-1 Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.25%, 1.00% Floor), 4.25%, 4/29/26

     73        71    
 

 

          153    
 

 

 

Exploration & Production – 0.0%

       
 

California Resources Corp., Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 10.38%, 1.00% Floor),
11.38%, 12/31/21(7)

     25           
 

 

 

Health Care – 0.1%

       
 

Milano Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B,
8/17/27(14)

     225        222    
 

 

 

Health Care Facilities & Services – 1.8%

       
 

Air Methods Corp., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.50%, 1.00% Floor),
4.50%, 4/22/24

     23        20    
 

Dentalcorp Health Services ULC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 6/8/26

     1,580        1,418    
 

Lanai Holdings III, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 10.50%, 1.00% Floor), 11.50%, 8/28/23

     689        517    
 

Packaging Coordinators Midco, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 8.75%, 1.00% Floor), 9.75%, 7/1/24

     1,450        1,439    
 

 

          3,394    
 

 

 

Home Improvement – 0.1%

       
 

Ply Gem Midco, Inc., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 3.75%), 3.90%, 4/12/25

     114        112    
 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    78    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

       
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)     continued

 

 

Industrial Other – 0.0%

       
 

Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc., 2020 Initial Term Loan,

       
   

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
12.00%, 1.00% Floor), 13.00%, 10/4/23

     $25        $28             
 

 

 
 

Internet Media – 0.7%

       
 

Auction.com LLC, Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 8.00%, 1.00% Floor), 9.00%, 9/29/25(9)

     1,360        1,306    
 

 

 
 

Machinery Manufacturing – 0.1%

       
 

Welbilt, Inc., Term B Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 2.50%), 2.65%, 10/23/25

     125        113    
 

 

 
 

Manufactured Goods – 0.0%

       
 

Neenah Foundry Co., Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 2M + 9.00%), 10.00%, 12/13/22

     40        35    
 

 

 
 

Metals & Mining – 0.3%

       
 

RA Acquisition Purchaser LLC, Notes,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 10.00%, 1.00% Floor), 11.00%, 5/31/23(9)

     671        623    
 

 

 
 

Oil & Gas Services & Equipment – 0.0%

       
 

ChampionX Holding, Inc., Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.00%, 1.00% Floor), 6.00%, 6/3/27

     99        98    
 

 

 
 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 0.0%

       
 

Parker Drilling Co., Initial Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 11.00% Cash, 2.00% PIK), 13.00%, 3/26/24(5)

     16        14    
 

 

 
 

Pipeline – 0.3%

       
 

BCP Raptor LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.25%, 1.00% Floor), 5.25%, 6/24/24

     192        149    
 

Brazos Delaware II LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 4.00%), 4.16%, 5/21/25

     207        156    
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

    

VALUE

(000S)

       
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)     continued

 

 

Pipeline – 0.3%  continued

       
 

Lower Cadence Holdings LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
   

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 4.00%), 4.15%, 5/22/26

     $311        $287             
 

Prairie ECI Acquiror L.P., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 4.75%), 4.90%, 3/11/26

     22        20    
 

 

 
          612    
 

 

 
 

Power Generation – 0.1%

       
 

Granite Generation LLC, Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 3.75%, 1.00% Floor), 4.75%, 11/9/26

     100        99    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.75%, 1.00% Floor), 4.75%, 11/9/26

     18        18    
 

 

 
          117    
 

 

 
 

Property & Casualty Insurance – 1.3%

       
 

Asurion LLC, Second Lien Replacement B-2 Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 6.50%), 6.65%, 8/4/25

     2,330        2,330    
 

Hub International Ltd., 2019 Incremental Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.00%, 1.00% Floor), 5.00%, 4/25/25

     99        99    
 

 

 
          2,429    
 

 

 
 

Publishing & Broadcasting – 0.1%

       
 

Cengage Learning, Inc., 2016 Refinancing Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 4.25%, 1.00% Floor), 5.25%, 6/7/23

     123        103    
 

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Term B Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 3.50%), 3.76%, 8/21/26

     50        45    
 

 

 
          148    
 

 

 
 

Restaurants – 0.0%

       
 

1011778 B.C. Unlimited Liability Co., Term B-4 Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 1.75%), 1.90%, 11/19/26

     33        31    
 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    79    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


     SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS          

 

     MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued

 

        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)    continued

 

 

Retail - Consumer Discretionary – 0.3%

 

Bass Pro Group LLC, Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.00%, 0.75% Floor), 5.75%, 9/25/24

     $460        $456    
 

Staples, Inc., 2019 Refinancing New Term B-1 Loan,

            
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.00%), 5.25%, 4/16/26

     74        68    
 

 

          524    
 

 

 

Software & Services – 0.4%

 

Redstone Holdco 2 L.P., Initial Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.00%, 1.00% Floor), 6.00%, 9/1/27

     100        100    
 

Software Luxembourg Acquisition S.a r.l., Second Out Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 4/27/25

     630        617    
 

 

          717    
 

 

 

Travel & Lodging – 0.1%

 

Carnival Corp., Initial Advance,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor), 8.50%, 6/30/25

     105        106    
 

 

 

Utilities – 0.0%

 

PG&E Corp., Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 4.50%, 1.00% Floor), 5.50%, 6/23/25

     50        49    
 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.1%

 

Altice France S.A., Incremental Term Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 4.00%), 4.15%, 8/14/26

     47        46    
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., DIP Facility,
7/13/22 (14) (15)

     43        42    
 

(Floating, ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor), 6.50%, 7/13/22

     42        43    
        

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

(000S)

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

TERM LOANS - 10.2% (13)     continued

 

 

Wireless Telecommunications Services – 0.1%    continued

 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Tranche B-3 Term Loan,

            
 

(Floating, ICE PRIME USD 1M + 4.75%, 1.00% Floor), 8.00%, 11/27/23 (12)

     $125        $125    
 

 

          256    
 

 

 

Wireline Telecommunications Services – 0.2%

 

Frontier Communications Corp., Term B-1 Loan,

       
 

(Floating, ICE PRIME USD 1M + 2.75%, 0.75% Floor), 6.00%, 6/15/24(12)

     311        306    
         
   

Total Term Loans

                     
 

(Cost $22,022)

        18,756    
 

    

       
        

NUMBER

OF SHARES

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 1.6%

 

Distributors - Consumer Discretionary – 0.2%

 

ATD New Holdings, Inc.*

     22,076        $353    
 

 

 

Iron & Steel – 0.0%

 

Algoma Steel Parent GP S.A.(10) *

     4,899           
 

Algoma Steel Parent S.C.A.(9) *

     4,899        20    
 

 

          20    
 

 

 

Metals & Mining – 0.9%

 

Real Alloy Parent, Inc.(9) *

     48        1,647    
 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Coal – 0.1%

 

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.(10) *

     20           
 

Denbury, Inc.*

     2,219        39    
 

Parker Drilling Co.*

     917        3    
 

Weatherford International PLC*

     511        1    
 

Whiting Petroleum Corp.*

     1,946        33    
 

 

          76    
 

 

 

Software – 0.0%

 

Avaya Holdings Corp.*

     2,928        45    
 

 

 

Technology Services – 0.4%

       
 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A(9)

     5,898        778    
         
   

Total Common Stocks

                     
 

(Cost $3,334)

        2,919    
              
 

OTHER – 0.0%

 

Escrow Appvion, Inc.(10) *

     225,000           
 

Escrow Bruin E&P Partners LLC(1) (7) (9)*

     225,000           
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS  80  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

       SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

        

NUMBER

OF SHARES

     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

OTHER - 0.0% continued

 

 

Escrow Cloud Peak Energy,
Inc.(10) *

     250,000        $—         
 

Escrow GenOn Energy, Inc.(10) *

     25,000           
 

Escrow Hercules Offshore,
Inc.(10) *

     3,570           
 

Escrow Washington Mutual
Bank(9) *

     250,000        3    
         
   

Total Other

                     
 

(Cost $355)

        3    
 

    

       
         NUMBER
OF WARRANTS
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

WARRANTS – 0.0%

 

Appvion, Inc. Class A, Exp. 6/13/23, Strike $0.00(10) *

     219        $—    
 

Appvion, Inc. Class B, Exp. 6/13/23, Strike $0.00(10) *

     219           
 

iHeartMedia, Inc., Exp. 5/1/39, Strike $0.00*

     419        3    
         
   

Total Warrants

                     
 

(Cost $—)

        3    
 

    

       
         NUMBER
OF SHARES
     VALUE
(000S)
     
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.1%

 

Northern Institutional Funds -
U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(16) (17)

     5,612,080        $5,612    
         
   

Total Investment Companies

                     
 

(Cost $5,612)

        5,612    
 

    

       
         
   

Total Investments – 97.6%

                     
 

(Cost $191,181)

        178,764    
 

Other Assets less Liabilities – 2.4%

        4,303    
         
 

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

        $183,067    

 

(1) 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The value of these securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers, or, if not available, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.

 

(2) 

Restricted security that has been deemed illiquid. At September 30, 2020, the value of these restricted illiquid securities amounted to approximately $100,000 or 0.1% of net assets. Additional information on these restricted illiquid securities is as follows:

 

  SECURITY   

ACQUISITION

AND

ENFORCEABLE

DATE

    

COST

(000S)

Denbury, Inc., 6.38%, 12/31/24

     6/21/2019        $77  

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., 9.38%, 5/1/24

     6/22/18-1/9/19        163  

Hertz (The) Corp., 6.00%, 1/15/28

     11/14/19-4/7/20        90  
  SECURITY   

ACQUISITION

AND

ENFORCEABLE

DATE

    

COST

(000S)

Noble Holding International Ltd., 7.88%, 2/1/26

     1/17/18-11/4/19        $94  

OGX Austria GmbH, 8.50%, 6/1/18

     5/26/11-4/17/13        2,265  

OGX Austria GmbH, 8.38%, 4/1/22

     5/30/12-4/18/13        1,497  

 

(3) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation. Income is not being accrued.

 

(4) 

Perpetual bond. Maturity date represents next call date.

 

(5) 

Security is a payment in-kind bond (PIK), distributions received in-kind unless otherwise noted in the description.

 

(6) 

When-Issued Security. Coupon rate is not in effect at September 30, 2020.

 

(7) 

Value rounds to less than one thousand.

 

(8) 

Variable rate security. Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

 

(9) 

Level 3 asset.

 

(10) 

Level 3 asset that is worthless, bankrupt or has been delisted.

 

(11) 

Variable rate is calculated based on the issuer’s annual income subject to certain fees.

 

(12) 

Issuer has defaulted on terms of debt obligation.

 

(13) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

(14) 

Position is unsettled. Contract rate was not determined at September 30, 2020 and does not take effect until settlement date.

 

(15) 

Unfunded loan commitment. An unfunded loan commitment is a contractual obligation for future funding at the option of the borrower. The Fund receives a stated coupon rate until the borrower draws on the loan commitment, at which time the rate will become the stated rate in the loan agreement. See Note 2.

 

(16) 

Investment in affiliated Portfolio. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to Northern Institutional Funds.

 

(17) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

 

*

Non-Income Producing Security

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

1M - 1 Month

1W - 1 Week

2M - 2 Month

3M - 3 Month

5Y - 5 Year

CMT - Constant Maturity

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MSCI - Morgan Stanley Capital International

PIK - Payment In-Kind

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    81    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


     SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS          

 

     MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND  continued

 

PLC - Public Limited Company

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate

USD - United States Dollar

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

At September 30, 2020, the Fund’s investments were denominated in the following currencies:

 

  CONCENTRATION BY CURRENCY   

% OF LONG-TERM

INVESTMENTS

 

  United States Dollar

     100.0

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

  INVESTMENTS    LEVEL 1
(000S)
     LEVEL 2
(000S)
     LEVEL 3
(000S)
    

TOTAL
(000S)

Convertible Bonds(1)

   $      $ 396      $      $ 396  

Corporate Bonds:

           

Entertainment Resources

            2,382        1,086        3,468  

Iron & Steel

                   2,670        2,670  

Manufactured Goods

            357        1,519        1,876  

All Other
Industries(1)

            124,094               124,094  
         

Total Corporate Bonds

            126,833        5,275        132,108  

Foreign Issuer Bonds(1)

            18,967               18,967  

Term Loans:

           

Chemicals

            303        11        314  

Internet Media

                   1,306        1,306  

Metals & Mining

                   623        623  

All Other
Industries(1)

            16,513               16,513  
         

Total Term Loans

            16,816        1,940        18,756  

Common Stocks:

           

Distributors - Consumer Discretionary

            353               353  

Oil, Gas & Coal

     76                      76  

Software

     45                      45  

All Other
Industries(1)

                   2,445        2,445  
         

Total Common Stocks

     121        353        2,445        2,919  

Other

                   3        3  

Warrants

            3               3  

Investment Companies

     5,612                      5,612  
         

Total Investments

   $ 5,733      $ 163,368      $ 9,663      $ 178,764  
(1) 

Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS  82  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


            

 

       SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

    BALANCE
AS OF
3/31/20
(000S)
    ACCRUED
DISCOUNTS
(PREMIUMS)
(000S)
    REALIZED
GAIN
(LOSS)
(000S)
    CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(000S)
    PURCHASES
(000S)
    SALES
(000S)
    TRANSFERS
INTO LEVEL
3 (000S)
    TRANSFERS
OUT OF
LEVEL 3
(000S)
    BALANCE
AS OF
9/30/20
(000S)
   

CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
FROM
INVESTMENTS
STILL HELD

AT 9/30/20
(000S)

 

Corporate Bonds

                   

Consumer Products

    $—       $—       $—       $22       $—       $—       $—       $ (22)      $—       $—  

Entertainment Resources

    975       1             110                               1,086       111  

Iron & Steel

    2,376                   294                               2,670       245  

Manufactured Goods

    1,448       12       1       37       47       (26                 1,519       36  

Metals & Mining

          (89     (1,254     1,254             89                          

Term Loans

                   

Chemicals

                                        11             11       (389

Internet Media

    1,253       2             51                               1,306       51  

Metals & Mining

    565                   36       22                         623       36  

Common Stocks

                   

Distributors - Consumer Discretionary

    435                   (82                       (353            

Iron & Steel

                                        20             20       (6

Metals & Mining

    1,577                   70                               1,647       70  

Technology Services

                            778                         778        

Other

    3                   (220     220                         3       (220
                     

Total

    $8,632       $ (74)      $ (1,253)      $1,572       $1,067       $63       $31       $ (375)      $9,663       $ (66) 

Securities valued at $23 included in the Balance as of 9/30/20 above were valued using evaluated prices provided by a third party provider. Valuation using evaluated prices by a third party provider were also responsible for securities that were transferred into level 3, as noted above. Securities valued at $9,640 included in the Balance as of 9/30/20 above were valued using prices provided by the Fund’s investment adviser’s pricing and valuation committee. Transfers out of Level 3, noted above, were due to the Fund receiving an evaluated price from a vendor.

 

     FAIR VALUE AT
9/30/20
(000S)
  

VALUATION

TECHNIQUES

  

UNOBSERVABLE

INPUTS

   RANGE (WEIGHTED
AVERAGE)

Corporate Bonds

   $5,275    Market Approach    Yield(1)    4.2%-10.2% (5.8%)
      Market Approach    Market Comparables(2)    0.8%

Term Loans

   $1,940    Market Approach    Yield(1)    5.2%-8.3% (7.0%)
      Market Approach    EBITDA Multiple(2)    7.0x
      Market Approach    Market Comparables(2)    7.2%

Common Stocks

   $2,425    Discounted Cash Flow / Market Approach    Discount Rate / EBITDA Multiple(2)    11.6%/6.3x

(1) The significant unobservable inputs that were used in the fair value measurement are: Yield. Significant decreases (increases) in yield would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    83    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND    continued

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

 

(2)The significant unobservable inputs that can be used in the fair value measurement are: Discount Rate and EBITDA Multiple. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate in isolation would have resulted in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement while an increase (decrease) in EBITDA multiple in isolation would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS  84  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    

 

 

 

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate, Northern Engage360TM, Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity and Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are separate, diversified investment portfolios of the Trust, except for the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure and Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Funds which are non-diversified portfolios. Non-diversified portfolios may invest a relatively high percentage of their net assets in obligations of a limited number of issuers. Each of the Funds is presented herein.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds. Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES AND DERIVATIVES CONTRACTS

Securities are valued at their fair value. Securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time)

on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price. Fixed income securities and term loans, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by the Funds’ approved independent third-party pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities or broker provided prices. Such prices may be determined by taking into account other similar securities’ prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, prepayment speeds, credit risks, cash flows, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Foreign fixed income securities, however, may, like domestic fixed income securities, be valued based on evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds, are valued at their NAV. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using an independent pricing service. Exchange-traded financial futures and options are valued at the settlement price as established by the exchange on which they are traded. Over-the-counter options are valued at broker-provided bid prices, as are swaps, caps, collars and floors. Centrally cleared swap agreements are generally valued using an independent pricing service. The foregoing prices may be obtained from one or more independent pricing services or, as needed or applicable, independent broker-dealers. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by a Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

 

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      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

       

 

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

  

 

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) FUTURES CONTRACTS    Certain Funds invest in long or short exchange-traded futures contracts for hedging purposes, in anticipation of the purchase of securities and for liquidity management purposes. The Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may also use these investments for non-hedging purposes in order to seek exposure to certain countries or currencies. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the fair value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio securities as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract as a hedge in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. A Fund bears the market risk arising from changes in the value of these financial instruments. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Futures are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Credit risk is mitigated to the extent that the exchange on which a particular futures contract is traded assumes the risk of a counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the contract. The Statements of Operations include any realized gains or losses on closed futures contracts in Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts, and any unrealized gains or losses on open futures contracts in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

The contract position and investment strategy utilized during the six months ended September 30, 2020, was as follows:

 

     CONTRACT    INVESTMENT  
      POSITION    STRATEGY  

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

   Long    Liquidity

Active M International Equity

   Long    Liquidity

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

   Long    Liquidity

Northern Engage360TM

   Long    Liquidity

At September 30, 2020, the aggregate fair value of securities pledged to cover margin requirements for open positions for the Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure and Northern Engage360TM Funds was approximately $1,989,000, $4,459,000, $4,179,000 and $700,000, respectively. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10.

C) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION    Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The gains or losses, if any, on investments from original purchase date to subsequent sales trade date resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations in Net realized gains (losses) on investments and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The gains or losses, if any, on translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions are included in Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations in the Statements of Operations.

D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS    Certain Funds are authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, or forward currency exchange contracts, for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a specified exchange rate on a future date. The Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts for hedging purposes and to seek exposure to certain currencies. Each of the other Funds may enter into these contracts for hedging purposes, in anticipation of the purchase of securities and for liquidity management purposes, but not for speculative purposes or to seek to enhance total return. The Funds may also enter into forward currency exchange contracts when seeking to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The objective of a Fund’s foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce the risk that the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s foreign currency denominated securities will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable exchange rates. Any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations. Gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until the settlement date. Realized gains or losses, if any, are included in Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statements of Operations.

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. A Fund bears the market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the credit risk if the counterparty to the contract fails to perform. The institutions that deal in forward foreign currency contracts are not required to make markets in

 

 

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

the currencies they trade, and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in Note 10. With respect to forward foreign currency exchange transactions that were outstanding as of September 30, 2020 for the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund, approximately $460,000 was posted by the counterparty and is included in Due from broker on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

E) CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS    The Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may invest in credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to certain countries or currencies. The Fund enters into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or seller of protection. The buyer of protection in a swap agreement is the party that makes a periodic stream of payments to the counterparty based on the fixed rate of the agreement to the party that is the seller of protection. In exchange for the fixed rate payments received, the seller of protection agrees to provide credit protection to the buyer in the form of payment should a credit default event on the referenced obligation occur. In the event of a credit default event, as defined under the terms of each particular swap agreement, if the Fund is the seller of protection, the Fund will either a) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap agreement and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or b) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If the Fund is the buyer of protection and a credit default event should occur, the Fund will either a) receive from the seller of protection in the swap agreement an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap agreement and deliver the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or b) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If a credit default event should occur, the maximum potential amount of future payments the seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap.

The implied credit spreads are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments for those agreements for which the Fund is the protection seller, if any, and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for each swap. The wider the credit spread, the greater the likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring for the referenced entity. Events or circumstances that would require the seller to perform under the derivative

agreement are credit events as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, such as bankruptcy, cross acceleration, failure to pay, repudiation and restructuring.

The resulting values for credit default agreements serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit default agreement should the notional amount of the swap agreement be closed/sold as of the period end. When compared to the notional amount of the swap, decreasing market values for credit default swaps sold and, conversely, increasing market values for credit default swaps purchased, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

When entering into a credit default swap agreement as a buyer of protection, the Fund may pay an upfront premium to enter into the agreement. When selling protection, the Fund may receive this upfront premium paid from the buyer. During the term of the credit default swap agreement, the discounted value of the estimated stream of fixed rate payments from buyer to seller yet to be made is recorded as unrealized gain or loss on credit default swap agreements, with any interest payments already having been made being recognized as realized gain or loss on credit default swap agreements. This treatment will occur until the credit default swap is sold or reaches its expiration. Any upfront payments made or received upon entering into a credit default swap agreement are treated as part of the cost and are reflected as part of the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on valuation. Upon termination of the swap agreement, the amount included in the cost is reversed and becomes part of the realized gain (loss) on credit default swap agreements. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on credit default swap agreements, if any, is included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund, with corresponding changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the Statements of Operations.

Counterparty credit risk may arise as a result of the failure of the swap counterparty to comply with the terms of the swap agreement. Additionally, risks may arise with respect to the underlying issuer of the referenced security. Therefore, the sub-adviser considers the creditworthiness of each underlying issuer of the referenced security in addition to the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In addition, the sub-advisers of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may use different counterparties to minimize credit risk and limit the exposure to any individual counterparty. As stipulated in each swap agreement, collateral may be posted between the Fund and its counterparties to mitigate credit risk. No credit default swap agreements were held during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

 

 

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      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

       

 

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

  

 

F) INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS    The Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may invest in interest rate swap agreements for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to certain countries or currencies. An interest rate swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals at agreed upon fixed rates or at rates based upon, or calculated by, reference to changes in specified prices or interest rates for a specified notional amount.

Interest payments earned or charged under the terms of the interest rate swap agreements are recorded as realized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreements. The swap interest receivable or payable as of September 30, 2020, if any, is included as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on bilateral interest rate swap agreements on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on bilateral interest rate swap agreements and variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements, if any, is included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund, with corresponding changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the Statements of Operations.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the interest rate swap agreement to comply with the terms of the agreement. The loss incurred by the failure of the counterparty is generally limited to the swap interest payment to be received by the Fund and/or the termination value at the end of the agreement. Therefore, the sub-adviser considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap agreement in evaluating potential credit risk. The sub-adviser may use different counterparties to minimize credit risk and limit the exposure to any individual counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying counterparties used to minimize credit risk and limit the exposure to any individual counterparty. As stipulated in each interest rate swap agreement, collateral may be posted between the Fund and its counterparties to mitigate credit risk.

Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”). Bilateral swap agreements are traded between counterparties and, as such, are subject to the risk that a party to the agreement will not be able to meet its obligations. In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap agreement, the swap agreement is novated to a central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the Fund faces the CCP through a broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund based on the daily change in the value of the centrally cleared swap agreement. For centrally cleared swaps, the Fund’s counterparty credit risk is reduced as the CCP stands between the Fund and the counterparty.

For bilateral interest rate swap transactions that were outstanding as of September 30, 2020, no collateral had been posted by either the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund or any counterparty. For centrally cleared interest rate swap transactions that were outstanding as of September 30, 2020, the fair value of cash and foreign currencies pledged to cover margin requirements for open positions for the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund was approximately $169,000 and is included in Due from broker on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund entered into bilateral and centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements to gain country exposure. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Fund’s financial statements can be found in Note 10.

G) CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENTS    The Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund may enter into currency swap agreements to manage its exposure to currency risk. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that the amount payable by a Fund under a swap is covered by segregated cash or liquid assets, the Funds, NTI and the Funds’ sub-advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”) believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

A Fund will not enter into a currency swap unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated either A or A-1 or better by S&P Global’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings, or A or Prime-1 or better by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. or a comparable rating from another organization that is recognized as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated by such rating organization, is determined to be of comparable quality by NTI or the Sub-Advisers. If there is a default by the other party to such transaction, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If NTI or the Sub-Advisers are incorrect in their forecasts of currency exchange rates the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used.

Interest payments earned or charged under the terms of the currency swap agreements are recorded as realized gain (loss) on currency swap agreements. The swap interest receivable or payable as of September 30, 2020, if any, is included as unrealized gains and losses on currency swap agreements on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

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MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

on currency swap agreements, if any, are included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund, with corresponding changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the Statements of Operations. No currency swap agreements were held during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

H) WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES    Certain Funds purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into the commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the commitment is reflected in the NAV. The value of the commitment may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until settlement takes place. At the time the Fund enters into this type of transaction, it is required to segregate collateral of cash or other liquid assets having a fair value at least equal to the amount of the commitment. The Funds identify securities as segregated with a value that meets or exceeds the value of the commitment. When-issued securities at September 30, 2020, if any, are noted in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments and in aggregate as Payable for when-issued securities, in each Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

I) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME    Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedules of Investments represent either the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on the date of purchase for discount notes, the current reset rate for floating rate securities, the 7-day yield for money market funds or, for interest-only or principal-only securities, the current effective yield. Cost of investments includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, if any. Dividend income, if any, is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date, or as soon as the information is available. Distributions received from a Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are comprised of return of capital, capital gains and income. The actual character of the amounts received during the year is not known until the fiscal year-end. A Fund records the character of distributions received from the REITs during the year based on estimates available. A Fund’s characterization may be subsequently revised based on information received from the REITs after their tax reporting periods conclude.

J) EXPENSES    Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fund’s relative net assets.

K) REDEMPTION FEES    The Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate, Northern Engage360TM, Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity and Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Funds each charge a 2 percent redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 days or less. For the purpose of applying the fee, the Funds use a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest are treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest are treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is paid to the Fund from which the redemption is made and is intended to offset the trading, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the Funds. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds, or, if assessed after the redemption transaction, through a separate billing. The Funds are authorized to waive the redemption fee for certain types of redemptions as described in the Funds’ prospectus.

Redemption fees were less than $1,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2020, for the Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate and Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Funds. There were no redemption fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020, for the Northern Engage360TM and Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Funds. Redemption fees were approximately $2,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, for the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund. Redemption fees were less than $1,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, for the Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure and Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Funds. There were no redemption fees for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, for the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate and Northern Engage360TM Funds. These amounts are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 8 – Capital Share Transactions. The impact from redemption fees paid to each Fund was less than $0.001 per share for both periods.

L) UNFUNDED LOAN COMMITMENTS    The Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund may enter into unfunded loan commitments, which are contractual obligations for future funding at the option of the borrower. Unfunded loan commitments, if any, represent a future obligation, in full, and are recorded as a liability on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at fair value.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT  89  MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS          

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued         

 

M) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS   Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid as follows:

 

    

DECLARATION AND  

PAYMENT FREQUENCY  

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

  Annually

Active M International Equity

  Annually

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

  Quarterly

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

  Quarterly

Northern Engage360TM

  Annually

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

  Quarterly

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

  Monthly

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Funds may periodically make reclassifications among certain of their capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. These reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications may relate to paydowns, net operating losses, Section 988 currency gains and losses, Passive Foreign Investment Companies (“PFICs”) gains and losses, recharacterization of dividends received from investments in REITs, recharacterization of distributions received from investments in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), expired capital loss carryforwards, and gains or losses on in-kind transactions. These reclassifications have no impact on the total net assets or the NAVs per share of the Funds.

At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

  Amounts in thousands   UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
    ACCUMULATED
UNDISTRIBUTED
NET REALIZED
GAINS (LOSSES)
   

CAPITAL  

STOCK  

 

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

    $  (120       $   120         $–        

Active M International Equity

    249         (249       –        

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

    (362       362         –        

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

    822         (822       –        

Northern Engage360TM

    (32       34         (2)       

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

    (5,233             5,233               –        
  Amounts in thousands  

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME (LOSS)

 

ACCUMULATED

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET REALIZED

GAINS (LOSSES)

 

CAPITAL  

STOCK  

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

  $  286   $ (286)   $–  

N) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES  No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

For the period from November 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, the following Funds incurred net capital losses and/or late year ordinary losses for which each Fund intends to treat as having been incurred in the following fiscal year:

 

  Amounts in thousands        

Active M International Equity

     $16,784    

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

     768    

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) eliminated the eight-year limit on the use of capital loss carryforwards that arise in taxable years beginning after its enactment date of December 22, 2010. The changes became effective for the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, except for the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, for which they became effective for the period ended March 31, 2013 and the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund, for which they became effective for the period ended March 31, 2014. Consequently, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or taxable year or period ended November 30, 2012, as applicable, can be carried forward for an unlimited period. However, capital losses incurred by the Funds in taxable years beginning before the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or taxable year or period ended November 30, 2012, as applicable, with an expiration date may not be used to offset capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended March 31, 2012 or taxable year or period ended November 30, 2012, as applicable, without an expiration date have been utilized. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses instead of as short-term capital losses as under prior law. The Funds’ ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund utilized approximately $393,000 in capital loss carryforwards.

 

 

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

During the taxable year ended November 30, 2019, the
Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund utilized approximately $3,000 in capital loss carryforwards.

Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows:

Post-enactment losses

 

  Amounts in thousands  

SHORT-TERM

CAPITAL LOSS

CARRYFORWARD

 

LONG-TERM  

CAPITAL LOSS  

CARRYFORWARD  

Northern Engage360TM

  $6,813   $     990

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

           –       7,876

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

           –     35,654

At November 30, 2019, the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure’s last tax year end, the non-expiring short-term and long-term capital losses were approximately $7,035,000 and $20,467,000, respectively. The Fund may offset future capital gains with these capital loss carryforwards.

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains were as follows:

 

   

UNDISTRIBUTED

   
  Amounts in thousands  

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

 

UNREALIZED  

GAINS (LOSSES)  

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

  $   447   $6,753   $  (7,508)

Active M International Equity

    5,234            –   (83,124)

Northern Engage360TM

       315            –   (34,084)

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

           –            –   (32,747)

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

    1,028            –   (47,710)

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income, net long-term capital gains and unrealized gains (losses) at November 30, 2019, the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund’s and Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund’s last tax year end, were as follows:

 

   

UNDISTRIBUTED

   
  Amounts in thousands  

ORDINARY

INCOME*

 

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

 

UNREALIZED  

GAINS (LOSSES)  

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

  $7,077   $ –   $102,669

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

    1,964      –         7,357

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

   

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

  Amounts in thousands   ORDINARY
INCOME*
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
 

RETURN OF  

CAPITAL  

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

  $24,500   $20,900   $–

Active M International Equity

    20,146     30,000     –

Northern Engage360TM

      4,322            –     –

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

      4,297            –     –

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

    20,934            –     –

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

   

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

Amounts in thousands   ORDINARY
INCOME*
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
 

RETURN OF  

CAPITAL  

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

  $  8,500   $         –   $–

Active M International Equity

    30,000     35,000     –

Northern Engage360TM

      2,060              –     –

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

      5,641              –     –

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

    21,073              –     –

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund’s tax years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 and Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund’s tax years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 was designated for the purpose of the dividends paid deductions as follows:

 

   

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 AND  

NOVEMBER 30, 2018  

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM  

  Amounts in thousands   ORDINARY
INCOME*
 

LONG-TERM  

CAPITAL GAINS  

Multi-Manager Global Listed
Infrastructure (2019)

  $28,660   $65,734

Multi-Manager Global Listed
Infrastructure (2018)

    53,467     42,071

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate (2019)

      4,038            69

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate (2018)

      7,758       1,242
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    91    MULTI–MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS          

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued         

 

*

Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains, if any.

The Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund and the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund have a tax year end of November 30th. Therefore, the tax character of distributions paid for the period December 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020 will be determined at the end of its tax year.

As of March 31, 2020, no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Funds’ federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statements of Operations.

O) OTHER RISKS Certain Funds may invest in emerging market securities. Additional risks are involved when a Fund invests its assets in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. These countries generally are located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries. In general, the securities markets of these countries are less liquid, subject to greater price volatility and have smaller market capitalizations. As a result, the risks presented by investments in these countries are heightened.

The Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund invests in MLPs. The benefits derived from the Fund’s investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. If any of the MLPs held by the Fund were treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the after-tax return to the Fund with respect to its investments in such MLPs would be materially reduced, causing a decline in the value of the common stock. The Fund must include its allocable share of an MLP’s taxable income in its reportable taxable income, whether or not it receives a distribution in cash from the MLP. In such case, the Fund may have to liquidate securities to make required distributions to shareholders.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual

rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Funds had borrowings with the average loan amounts and weighted average interest rates as disclosed below:

 

  Amounts in thousands    DOLLAR
AMOUNT
   RATE  

Active M International Equity

   $9,500      1.17

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

     8,100      1.39  

No other Fund had any borrowings or incurred any interest expenses during the six months ended September 30, 2020. There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    92    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


        MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

       SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) of each Fund except for the Northern Engage360TM Fund, for which NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund, as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    CONTRACTUAL ANNUAL
MANAGEMENT FEES
 

CONTRACTUAL  

EXPENSE  

LIMITATIONS  

    

    

FIRST
$1 BILLION

  NEXT
$1 BILLION
  OVER
$2 BILLION

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

    1.08     1.048     1.017     1.10

Active M International Equity

    0.82     0.795     0.771     0.84

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

    0.90     0.873     0.847     1.00

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

    0.89     0.863     0.837     0.91

Northern Engage360TM

    0.68     0.660     0.640     0.70
    CONTRACTUAL ANNUAL
MANAGEMENT FEES
 

CONTRACTUAL  

EXPENSE  

LIMITATIONS  

    

    

FIRST
$1.5 BILLION

  NEXT
$1 BILLION
  OVER
$2.5 BILLION

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

    0.85     0.825     0.80     0.93

Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity

    0.83     0.805     0.781     0.85

The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically thereafter for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangements may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Trust, NTI is responsible for performing and overseeing investment management services to the Funds. In addition to selecting the overall investment strategies of the Funds, NTI oversees and monitors the selection and performance of Sub-Advisers and allocates resources among the Sub-Advisers. The Sub-Advisers manage each Fund’s investment portfolio pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with NTI.

As of September 30, 2020, Axiom International Investors LLC, Ashmore Investment Management Limited and Westwood Global Investments, LLC are the Sub-Advisers for the Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund.

As of September 30, 2020, Causeway Capital Management LLC, Polen Capital Management, LLC, Victory Capital Management Inc., WCM Investment Management, LLC and Wellington Management Company LLP are the Sub-Advisers for the Active M International Equity Fund.

As of September 30, 2020, First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd., Lazard Asset Management LLC and Maple-Brown Abbott Limited are the Sub-Advisers for the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund.

As of September 30, 2020, Janus Capital Management, LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company are the Sub-Advisers for the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund.

As of September 30, 2020, Ariel Investments, LLC, Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, ARK Investment Management, LLC, Earnest Partners, LLC, Mar Vista Investment Partners, LLC and Strategic Global Advisors, LLC are the Sub-Advisers for Northern Engage360TM Fund.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    93    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS          

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     continued         

 

As of September 30, 2020, Ashmore Investment Management Limited and Global Evolution USA, LLC are the Sub-Advisers for the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund.

As of September 30, 2020, DDJ Capital Management, LLC, Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management Inc. are the Sub-Advisers for Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund.

NTI is responsible for payment of sub-advisory fees to these sub-advisers.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees. Northern Trust also performs certain administrative services for certain Sub-Advisers pursuant to separate agreements with such Sub-Advisers. For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Funds, received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/or the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust and/or at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund

selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments

selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, each Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI and/or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Funds is invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse each Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Funds for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on each Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in each Fund’s Financial Highlights.

The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the following Funds engaged in purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated entity:

 

  Amount in thousands    PURCHASES    SALES*    

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

   $ -      $  (28)    

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

      5      (171)    

 

*

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the realized gains (losses) associated with these transactions were approximately $7,000 and $(13,000), respectively.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Active M Emerging Markets Equity and the Active M International Equity Funds received reimbursements from The NorthernTrust Company of approximately $41,000 and $26,000, respectively, in connection with an error. These reimbursements are included in

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    94    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

Net investment income in the Statements of Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets and in Net investment income in the Financial Highlights. These cash contributions represents less than $0.01 per share.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund received reimbursements from The Northern Trust Company of approximately $114,000 in connection with errors. These reimbursements are included in Net investment income and Net realized gains on investments in the Statements of Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets and in Net investment income and Net realized and unrealized gain in the Financial Highlights. These cash contributions represent less than $0.01 per share and had no effect on the Fund’s total return.

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Funds were as follows:

 

        PURCHASES     SALES  
     Amounts in
thousands
  U.S.
GOVERNMENT
    OTHER     U.S.
GOVERNMENT
    OTHER  
 

Active M
Emerging
Markets
Equity

    $–       $196,822       $–       $251,176  
 

Active M
International
Equity

          140,360         271,544  
 

Multi-Manager
Global
Listed
Infrastructure

          383,090       -       317,536  
 

Multi-Manager
Global
Real Estate

          111,240             69,394  
 

Northern
Engage360TM

          61,475             58,060  
 

Multi-Manager
Emerging
Markets Debt Opportunity

          64,142             46,808  
   

Multi-Manager
High Yield Opportunity

          94,423             142,579  

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain foreign currency contracts, the deferral of post-October currency and capital losses for tax purposes, and the timing of income recognition on investments in REITs and PFICs.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including the effects of foreign currency translation and derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

     Amounts in
thousands
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
    NET
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
   

COST

BASIS OF
INVESTMENTS

 
 

Active M
Emerging
Markets
Equity

  $ 72,798     $ (14,833   $ 57,965     $ 320,062  
 

Active M International Equity

    107,033       (58,273     48,760       515,275  
 

Multi-Manager Global
Listed Infrastructure

    67,037       (94,731     (27,694     1,087,611  
 

Multi-Manager Global
Real Estate

    9,754       (4,561     5,193       143,646  
 

Northern Engage360TM

    59,730       (21,192     38,538       279,132  
 

Multi-Manager Emerging
Markets Debt Opportunity

    6,560       (15,475     (8,915     177,211  
   

Multi-Manager
High Yield Opportunity

    5,792       (19,119     (13,327     192,091  
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

     Amounts in thousands   SHARES
SOLD
    PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
    SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
   

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

    SHARES
REDEEMED
    PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
    NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES
    NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS
 
 

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

    2,217       $  40,208             $     –       (6,096     $ (100,197)      (3,879     $ (59,989) 
 

Active M International Equity

    1,491       13,557                   (16,040     (145,436     (14,549     (131,879
 

Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

    19,903       225,979       435       4,982       (14,163     (159,541     6,175       71,420  
 

Multi-Manager Global Real Estate

    5,607       52,791       35       335       (2,033     (19,325     3,609       33,801  
 

Northern Engage360TM

    283       3,193                   (6     (58     277       3,135  
   

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt
Opportunity

    3,455       29,537                   (1,301     (11,123     2,154       18,414  

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    95    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

 

 

     Amounts in thousands   SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
 

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

  SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
  NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES
  NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS
    Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity   7,104   $  59,605   217   $1,862   (13,568)   $(113,638)   (6,247)   $  (52,171)

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

     Amounts in thousands   SHARES
SOLD
  PROCEEDS
FROM
SHARES SOLD
  SHARES FROM
REINVESTED
DIVIDENDS
 

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

  SHARES
REDEEMED
  PAYMENTS
FOR SHARES
REDEEMED
  NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN SHARES
  NET
INCREASE
(DECREASE)
IN NET ASSETS
  Active M Emerging Markets Equity   2,498   $  45,618   1,042   $20,404   (22,251)   $(411,326)   (18,711)   $(345,304)
  Active M International Equity   2,278   23,012   2,096   22,952   (23,554)   (229,013)   (19,180)   (183,049)
 

Multi-Manager Global Listed

Infrastructure

  21,219   260,169   706   8,607   (19,959)   (237,382)   1,966   31,394
  Multi-Manager Global Real Estate   3,817   37,902   219   2,487   (1,556)   (16,807)   2,480   23,582
  Northern Engage360TM   4,871   50,140   392   4,307   (187)   (1,894)   5,076   52,553
 

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets

Debt Opportunity

  3,922   36,789   489   3,942   (6,254)   (57,850)   (1,843)   (17,119)
   

Multi-Manager High Yield

Opportunity

  8,944   79,883   464   4,288   (20,816)   (192,228)   (11,408)   (108,057)

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

     Amounts in thousands
except shares
  AFFILIATE   VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
    PURCHASES     SALES
PROCEEDS
    NET CHANGE
IN UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
    NET
REALIZED
GAINS
(LOSSES)
    DIVIDEND
INCOME
    VALUE, END
OF PERIOD
    SHARES, END
OF PERIOD
 
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Active M Emerging
Markets Equity

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    $10,656       $208,298       $203,206       $–       $–       $5       $15,748       15,748,423  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Active M International
Equity

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
          218,611       201,036                   9       17,575       17,574,695  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Multi-Manager Global
Listed Infrastructure

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    30,334       365,457       344,681                   23       51,110       51,110,410  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Multi-Manager Global
Real Estate

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    8,005       61,466       63,762                   4       5,709       5,708,661  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Northern
Engage360TM

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    9,878       23,333       21,578                   5       11,633       11,633,205  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
 

Multi-Manager
Emerging Markets
Debt Opportunity

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    5,081       61,698       57,320                   3       9,459       9,459,342  
    Northern Institutional
Funds -
               
   

Multi-Manager High
Yield Opportunity

  U.S. Government
Portfolio (Shares)
    11,591       237,240       243,219                   4       5,612       5,612,080  

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    96    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

10.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Information concerning the types of derivatives in which the Funds invest, the objectives for using them and their related risks can be found in Note 2.

Below are the types of derivatives by primary risk exposure as presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020:

 

            ASSETS          LIABILITIES       
     Amounts in thousands   CONTRACT TYPE   STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS LOCATION
  VALUE     STATEMENTS OF
LIABILITIES LOCATION
  VALUE  
 

Active M Emerging Markets Equity

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized
appreciation
  $ 78*     Net Assets - Net unrealized
depreciation
  $  
 

Active M International Equity

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized
appreciation
        Net Assets - Net unrealized
depreciation
   
(175
)*
 

Multi-Manager Global Listed
Infrastructure

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized
appreciation
    187*     Net Assets - Net unrealized
depreciation
     
 

Northern Engage360TM

  Equity contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized
appreciation
    6*     Net Assets - Net unrealized
depreciation
    (49 )* 
    Foreign exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     13     Unrealized depreciation on
forward foreign currency exchange
contracts
    (50
 

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

  Foreign exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on
forward foreign currency exchange
contracts
    173     Unrealized depreciation on
forward foreign currency exchange
contracts
    (171
    Interest rate contracts   Net Assets - Net unrealized
appreciation
    41**     Net Assets - Net unrealized
depreciation
    (31 )** 
        Interest rate contracts   Unrealized appreciation on
bilateral interest rate swap
agreements
    22     Unrealized depreciation on
bilateral interest rate swap
agreements
     

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts as reported in the Schedules of Investments’ footnotes. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

**

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on centrally cleared swap agreements as reported in the Schedule of Investments’ footnotes. Only the current day’s variation margin, if any, is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, netting agreements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis. In the event of default where the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the defaulting party, realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited. In addition, the netting agreements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral.

As of September 30, 2020, gross amounts of assets and liabilities for forward foreign exchange contracts and swap agreements not offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, related collateral and net amounts after taking into account netting agreements, by counterparty, are as follows:

 

             GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
    Amounts in thousands   COUNTERPARTY    GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS
PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
  CASH
COLLATERAL
RECEIVED
   NET
AMOUNT

Northern Engage360TM

 

JPMorgan Chase

   $13   $(13)   $–    $ –

Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

  Barclays    $28   $(11)   $–    $17
  BNP    46     (31)      15
    Citibank    – *   –*     

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    97    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


 

    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

      

 

 

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

 

 

      

 

 

               GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE
            STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES            

Amounts in thousands

   COUNTERPARTY    GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS

PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

   FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

  CASH

COLLATERAL

RECEIVED

   NET

AMOUNT

  

JPMorgan Chase

   $    5    $  (5)   $    –    $  –
  

Merrill Lynch

       21       (21)         –        –
  

Morgan Stanley

       13         (8)         –        5
  

Santander

       57           –          –      57
  

Standard Chartered Bank

       25      (22)         –        3
  

Total

   $195    $(98)   $    –    $ 97
       
               GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Amounts in thousands

   COUNTERPARTY    GROSS AMOUNTS OF LIABILITIES

PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

   FINANCIAL

INSTRUMENTS

  CASH

COLLATERAL

PLEDGED

   NET

AMOUNT

  Northern Engage360TM

  

JPMorgan Chase

   $  (50)    $13   $  –    $(37)

  Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

  

Barclays

   $  (11)    $11   $  –    $    – 
  

BNP

       (31)      31       –          – 
  

Citibank

         (2)      –*       –        (2)
  

JPMorgan Chase

       (34)        5     29          – 
  

Merrill Lynch

       (63)      21       –      (42)
  

Morgan Stanley

         (8)        8       –          – 
  

Standard Chartered Bank

       (22)      22       –          – 
    

Total

   $(171)    $98   $29    $(44)

 

* 

Amount rounds to less than one thousand.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Funds’ realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended September 30, 2020:

 

     

        AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON         

        DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS        

 

 

  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

     VALUE  

  Active M Emerging Markets Equity

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      $1,408  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      (11

  Active M International Equity

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      3,047  

  Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      6,342  

  Northern Engage360TM

   Equity contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts      1,507  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      12  

  Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

   Foreign exchange contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      (296
     Interest rate contracts    Net realized gains (losses) on interest rate swap agreements      21  
     

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 

  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

     VALUE  

  Active M Emerging Markets Equity

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      $(113

  Active M International Equity

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts      (391

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS  98  NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

     

            CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION  (DEPRECIATION) ON            

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

  Amounts in thousands    CONTRACT TYPE   

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS LOCATION

  

VALUE  

  Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts    $ 147   

  Northern Engage360TM

   Equity contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts    (281)  
   Foreign exchange contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts    437   

  Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

   Foreign exchange contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts    494   
     Interest rate contracts    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on interest rate swap agreements    (20)  

Volume of derivative activity for the six months ended September 30, 2020*:

 

   FOREIGN EXCHANGE

CONTRACTS

   EQUITY

CONTRACTS

   INTEREST RATE

CONTRACTS

     NUMBER

OF

TRADES

   AVERAGE

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT**

   NUMBER

OF

TRADES

   AVERAGE

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT**

   NUMBER

OF

TRADES

   AVERAGE

NOTIONAL

AMOUNT**

  Active M Emerging Markets Equity

     15    $    2,205      39    $2,352       $    –

  Active M International Equity

       –               –      30      3,890             –

  Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure

       –               –    138      1,629             –

  Northern Engage360TM

     60        2,478      47         329             –

  Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity

   503      72,877        –             –    8      585

 

*

Activity for the period is measured by number of trades during the period and average notional amount for forward foreign currency exchange, futures equity, swap interest rate contracts.

 

**

Amounts in thousands.

 

11.

INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of their business, the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

 

12.

LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to

increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

 

13.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and

 

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    99    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS   

 

 

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Funds’ service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, negatively impact a Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds.

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note 4—Bank Borrowings.

    

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    100    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    FUND EXPENSES

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, including redemption fees on certain exchanges and redemptions in the Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate, Northern Engage360TM, Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity and Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Funds; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees or other costs such as advisory fees related to affiliated money market fund investments, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. For example, the information does not reflect redemption fees (See page 89), if any, in the Active M Emerging Markets Equity, Active M International Equity, Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate, Northern Engage360TM , Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity and Multi-Manager High

Yield Opportunity Funds. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements of advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 94), which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

ACTIVE M EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   1.10%    $1,000.00    $1,323.70    $6.39  

Hypothetical

   1.10%    $1,000.00    $1,019.50    $5.55    

ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.85%    $1,000.00    $1,290.50    $4.87  

Hypothetical

   0.85%    $1,000.00    $1,020.75    $4.29    

MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.96%    $1,000.00    $1,116.50    $5.08  

Hypothetical

   0.96%    $1,000.00    $1,020.20    $4.85    

MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.91%    $1,000.00    $1,156.90    $4.91  

Hypothetical

   0.91%    $1,000.00    $1,020.45    $4.60    

NORTHERN ENGAGE360TM

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.70%    $1,000.00    $1,296.10    $4.02  

Hypothetical

   0.70%    $1,000.00    $1,021.50    $3.54    

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    101    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS   

 

 

    FUND EXPENSES    continued

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

MULTI-MANAGER EMERGING MARKETS DEBT OPPORTUNITY

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.94%    $1,000.00    $1,150.70    $5.05  

Hypothetical

   0.94%    $1,000.00    $1,020.30    $4.75    

MULTI-MANAGER HIGH YIELD OPPORTUNITY

 

  SHARES    EXPENSE
RATIO
   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
4/1/2020
   ENDING
ACCOUNT
VALUE
9/30/2020
   EXPENSES
PAID*
4/1/2020-
9/30/2020
   

Actual

   0.86%    $1,000.00    $1,155.10    $4.63  

Hypothetical

   0.86%    $1,000.00    $1,020.70    $4.34    

 

*

Expenses are calculated using the Funds’ annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

    

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    102    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AND

    SUB- ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment funds covered by this Report (the “Multi-Manager Funds,” and each a “Multi-Manager Fund” or a “Fund”), at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Multi-Manager Funds’ fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue: (i) the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Multi-Manager Funds with Northern Trust Investments, Inc.

(“Northern”); and (ii) the sub-advisory agreements among Northern and the sub-advisers to the Multi-Manager Funds.

Management Agreement Approval

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Multi-Manager Funds by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the in-person annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at in-person Board meetings held on February 12-13, 2020 and April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Multi-Manager Funds’ Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Multi-Manager Funds in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports;

(iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and credit research, stress testing, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Multi-Manager Funds; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Multi-Manager Funds; (vii) information regarding flows in and out of the Multi-Manager Funds; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the shareholders in the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Multi-Manager Funds by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement and the multi-manager exemptive order; (ii) the Multi-Manager Funds’ investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Multi-Manager Funds in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) the management fees charged to the Multi-Manager Funds compared to the management fees charged by Northern to Northern’s other comparable institutional accounts; (v) Northern’s staffing for the Multi-Manager Funds and the experience of the portfolio managers and other personnel; (vi) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vii) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Multi-Manager Funds; (viii) the fees paid by the Multi-Manager Funds to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (ix) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Multi-Manager Funds with the funds included in their respective peer groups and peer universes. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for each of the Multi-Manager Funds, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed herein, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern to the Multi-Manager Funds. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Multi-Manager

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    103    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS   

 

 

    APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AND

    SUB- ADVISORY AGREEMENTS    continued

 

 

 

Funds by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Multi-Manager Funds’ administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Multi-Manager Funds and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates.

The Trustees considered, in evaluating whether to approve the Management Agreement, that Northern engaged sub-advisers, subject to the Trustees’ approval, to manage the assets of the Multi-Manager Funds. They considered that Northern provided overall general investment management services to the Multi-Manager Funds, including managing the day-to-day operations of the Multi-Manager Funds, and also had the ultimate responsibility to oversee the sub-advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement, subject to the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees discussed that Northern was also responsible for, among other things: (i) selecting each Multi-Manager Fund’s investment strategies; (ii) allocating and reallocating assets among the sub-advisers consistent with each Multi-Manager Fund’s investment objective and strategies; (iii) monitoring and evaluating each sub-adviser’s performance; (iv) compensating the sub-advisers; and (v) oversight over the sub-advisers’ compliance programs and compliance with the applicable Multi-Manager Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Trustees noted that Northern also managed the cash portion of each Multi-Manager Fund and managed Multi-Manager Funds during sub-adviser transitions, in addition to providing the foregoing services.

In addition, the Trustees considered that Northern selects the sub-advisers to manage the Multi-Manager Funds on the basis of both qualitative and quantitative analyses that assess a number of factors. They noted that Northern allocates a portion of the assets of each Multi-Manager Fund to a sub-adviser selected through this process on the basis of a particular strategy assigned to it. Therefore, the Trustees considered that the sub-advisers are chosen not only based on their performance but for their anticipated investment synergy with the other sub-advisers managing assets of the same Multi-Manager Fund. The Trustees also considered that the prospectuses for the Multi-Manager Funds disclose Northern’s role in selecting the sub-advisers and that shareholders may consider this factor in determining whether to invest in a Multi-Manager Fund. The Trustees also considered that at the time of the meeting, Northern supervised a significant number of sub-advisers. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expertise in managing multi-manager strategies and its investments in the multi-manager business.

The Trustees considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees believed that Northern had made significant commitments to

address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Multi-Manager Funds. In this regard, they noted that Northern’s staff conducted thorough operational and compliance due diligence on prospective and existing sub-advisers and monitored the sub-advisers on a continuing basis throughout the year. They also took into account information regarding the effectiveness and resources of the compliance and due diligence teams.

The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to the Multi-Manager Funds by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Multi-Manager Funds’ day-to-day operations and fund accounting, noting that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Multi-Manager Funds’ compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Multi-Manager Funds’ service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Multi-Manager Funds, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issues raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring its own and the Multi-Manager Funds’ compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. In this regard, they considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees also considered the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on the performance or size of the Multi-Manager Funds, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees also took into consideration Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Multi-Manager Funds and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Multi-Manager Funds.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of each of the Multi-Manager Funds, including whether it had operated within its respective investment objectives, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions. For Funds that had been in existence for the applicable periods, the Trustees received information on the Multi-Manager Funds’ investment

 

 

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MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. The Trustees compared the investment performance of the Multi-Manager Funds to the performance of other SEC-registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Multi-Manager Funds were ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where the first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Multi-Manager Funds’ investment performance relative to their respective performance benchmarks; and the Multi-Manager Funds’ three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Charts”).

The Trustees noted that the performance of each of Active M International Equity Fund, Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund and Northern Engage360TM Fund was in the first, second or third quintiles relative to its respective Broadridge peer performance universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020, as applicable, while:

 

  the Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund had performance in the fourth quintile for the one- and three-year periods;

 

  the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund had performance in the fifth quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods;

 

  the Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund had performance in the fifth quintile for the one-year period; and

 

  the Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund had performance in the fifth quintile for the one- period and in the fourth quartile for the three-year period.

They also considered that all of the Multi-Manager Funds underperformed against their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, except the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund and Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, which outperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods, and the Northern Engage360TM Fund, which generally performed in line with its benchmark for the one-year period. They took into account that the Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund was in the least desirable less return, more expenses quadrant of the Broadridge Bubble Charts, due to underperformance from the bank loans held by the Fund.

The Trustees also took into account management’s explanations for the performance rankings and comparisons, as well as any plans to address the performance of Multi-Manager Funds that were underperforming. They also considered Northern’s continual monitoring of sub-advisers and their performance during the year, which included due diligence visits and meetings. The Trustees expected and believed also that Northern was appropriately monitoring underperforming sub-advisers and Multi-Manager Funds. They noted the in-depth performance reviews had assisted them in evaluating performance issues with respect to any Multi-Manager Funds that were underperforming.

The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that Northern was devoting appropriate resources to improving the Multi-Manager Funds’ performance and monitoring any underperformance.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated: the Multi-Manager Funds’ contractual and net management (after expense reimbursements) fee rates; the Multi-Manager Funds’ total operating expense ratios; Northern’s contractual commitments to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Multi-Manager Funds; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees also noted certain other actions taken by Northern to reduce Fund expenses, such as service provider fee reductions and management fee reductions on several of the Multi-Manager Funds over recent years. The Trustees also considered that, for those Multi-Manager Funds that were sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was in each case rebating back to the investing Multi-Manager Fund all of the advisory fees that were received by Northern from the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees also reviewed information on the fee rates paid by the Funds under the Management Agreement and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of the Multi-Manager Funds against each Fund’s respective Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Multi-Manager Funds’ contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Multi-Manager Funds’ management fees included both advisory and administrative costs.

The Trustees noted that the actual management fees after expense reimbursements for all of the Multi-Manager Funds were higher than their respective Broadridge peer group and universe medians, with the exception of the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund, whose fees were at its peer group median and below its peer universe median, and the Northern Engage360TM Fund, whose fees were below its peer group and universe medians.

They also noted that the net total expenses after reimbursement of expenses of the Multi-Manager Funds were in the first and second quintiles of their respective peer group and universe, with the exception of the Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund and the Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund, which were each in the third quintile of their respective peer group and universe.

The Trustees received information describing the Multi-Manager Funds’ expenses, including the advisory fee structure and the amount retained by Northern after payment of the sub-advisory fees and the services provided by Northern under the

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    105    MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS


      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS   

 

 

    APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AND

    SUB- ADVISORY AGREEMENTS    continued

 

 

Management Agreement and in overseeing the sub-advisers. The Trustees also took into account that each of the Multi-Manager Funds utilized multiple sub-advisers.

They also reviewed information comparing the Multi-Manager Funds’ fee rates to the fee rates charged by Northern to other similarly managed, private institutional accounts, if any. They noted that there were not applicable comparisons for every Fund. For Multi-Manager Funds with applicable comparisons, the Trustees considered the difference in, and level of complexity of, services provided by Northern with regard to the private institutional accounts, as well as regulatory, operational and compliance differences, board and committee support provided by Northern to the Multi-Manager Funds and other differences. The Trustees considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in management of these different kinds of accounts. These comparisons assisted the Trustees in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees paid by the Multi-Manager Funds.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in each Multi-Manager Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship on a Fund-by-Fund basis and on an overall basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. It was noted that Northern had presented profitability information to the Trustees quarterly on a Fund-by-Fund basis as well as reports showing the expected impact on profitability by the addition of proposed sub-advisers, as required by the Multi-Manager Funds’ exemptive order. The Trustees reviewed Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to each Multi-Manager Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

The Trustees also weighed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors.

The Trustees also considered Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year. They also took into account the nature of the Funds and the quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Funds. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Multi-Manager Funds.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Multi-Manager Funds grew and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. The Trustees noted that the management fees for all of the Multi-Manager Funds have breakpoints, thus ensuring that as a Multi-Manager Fund’s assets grew, its shareholders would receive reduced fee rates. Materials provided to the Trustees indicated that one of the Multi-Manager Funds had the specified asset levels as of January 31, 2020 at which one or more breakpoints on its management fees were triggered. They also took into account Northern’s view that the Multi-Manager Funds were sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Funds’ management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Funds to specific levels.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Funds’ shareholders had other client relationships with Northern or its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of some of the Funds provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the benefits from many of the sub-advisory fee structures where the fee is based on all assets managed by the sub-adviser for the Funds and Northern’s other clients.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to each of the Multi-Manager Funds that the management fee paid by the Fund was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Funds’ asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement would be in the best interest of each of the Multi-Manager Funds and its respective shareholders and should be approved.

The Trustees next considered the sub-advisory agreements for the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees reviewed and discussed information and written materials from Northern and the sub-advisers regarding: (i) the nature and quality of the investment advisory services to be provided by the sub-advisers, including the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing such services; (ii) each sub-adviser’s financial condition, history of operations and ownership structure; (iii) the sub-advisers’ brokerage and soft dollar practices; (iv) the sub-advisers’ investment strategies and styles of investing; (v) the performance history of the sub-advisers with respect to the applicable Multi-Manager Fund; (vi) information with respect to each sub-adviser’s risk management and cybersecurity programs and each sub-adviser’s compliance policies and procedures

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    106    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


       

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

(including their codes of ethics) and the Trust’s CCO’s evaluations of such policies and procedures, as well as the sub-adviser’s regulatory history; (vii) the sub-advisers’ conflicts of interest in managing the Multi-Manager Funds, including each sub-adviser’s other financial or business relationships with Northern; and (viii) the terms of the existing sub-advisory agreements. The Trustees also reviewed and discussed Northern’s strategy for allocating assets among the various sub-advisers, as well as the current allocations of assets among the various sub-advisers.

In evaluating the sub-advisory agreements, the Trustees gave weight to various factors but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors. However, the Trustees relied upon the recommendations and performance evaluations of Northern with respect to each of the sub-advisers.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered the information and evaluations provided by Northern with respect to each sub-adviser’s operations, qualifications and experience in managing the type of strategies for which the sub-adviser was engaged in connection with a Multi-Manager Fund. The Trustees also placed emphasis on the CCO’s compliance program and the compliance monitoring schedule for each sub-adviser. The Trustees concluded that each sub-adviser had provided, and/or was able to provide, quality services to the Multi-Manager Funds.

Fees, Expenses and Performance

With respect to the sub-advisory fees, the Trustees considered that the sub-advisers were each paid by Northern out of its advisory fees and not by the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees also believed, based on Northern’s representations, that each sub-advisory agreement had been negotiated at arm’s-length among Northern and each sub-adviser and considered the reductions in certain of the sub-advisory fees in the past few years.

In addition, the Trustees reviewed and compared each sub-adviser’s fees paid by a Fund and fees paid to the sub-adviser by its other institutional accounts with similar strategies, if any. Finally, the Trustees also considered Northern’s representations that the fees to be paid to the sub-advisers were reasonable in light of the existing and anticipated quality of the services to be performed by them.

While the Trustees considered Northern’s profitability with respect to each Multi-Manager Fund, they did not consider the sub-advisers’ projected profitability as they did not consider it to be particularly relevant because Northern paid the sub-advisers out of its advisory fees. The Trustees therefore believed that Northern had an incentive to negotiate the lowest possible sub-advisory fees.

The Trustees considered and evaluated the performance information presented with respect to each sub-adviser and Northern’s evaluation of each sub-adviser’s performance. This information was compared to performance information with respect to each Fund’s applicable benchmark. It was noted that each sub-adviser had a different style, and that these styles would underperform in various markets. The Trustees concluded, based upon the information provided, that most of the sub-advisers’ performance records were generally satisfactory and where there had been sub-adviser underperformance, Northern had acted quickly to make changes to improve Fund performance, including replacing sub-advisers.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered information prepared by Northern that showed that the levels of aggregate sub-advisory fee rates decreased as the Multi-Manager Funds’ assets increased. However, the Trustees generally considered economies of scale with respect to the Multi-Manager Funds primarily at the management fee level given that Northern pays the sub-advisers out of its management fees. It was noted by the Trustees that most of the sub-advisers had breakpoints incorporated into their sub-advisory fee structures.

Other Benefits

The Trustees considered other benefits derived or to be derived by certain of the sub-advisers as a result of their relationship with the Multi-Manager Funds. These benefits included, in certain cases, research and other benefits in connection with brokerage commissions paid by the Multi-Manager Funds. The Trustees noted that they had received regular reports from the Trust’s CCO with respect to the quality of each sub-adviser’s trade execution on behalf of the Funds and soft dollar usage. The Trustees also considered the other relationships that certain of the sub-advisers had with Northern, including sub-advisory and/or custodial relationships.

Based on the Trustees’ deliberations and the recommendations by Northern, the Trustees concluded that the fees paid, or to be paid, to the sub-advisers on a Fund-by-Fund basis were reasonable in light of the services provided by each of them and that the sub-advisory agreements with respect to the Multi-Manager Funds should be reapproved for an additional one-year period.

APPROVAL OF NEW SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (MULTI-MANAGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE FUND AND ACTIVE M INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND)

At a meeting of the Board held on August 19-20, 2020 (the “August Meeting”), the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voting separately, approved the termination of Brookfield Public Securities Group (“Brookfield”) as a sub-adviser to the Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund (the “Global Real Estate Fund”), which was effective August 26, 2020

 

 

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      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS   

 

 

    APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AND

    SUB- ADVISORY AGREEMENTS    continued

 

 

and approved a new sub-advisory agreement (the “Janus Agreement”) with respect to the Global Real Estate Fund between Northern and Janus Capital Management LLC (“Janus”). Under the Janus Agreement, Janus began managing a portion of the Global Real Estate Fund’s assets effective September 8, 2020. At the August Meeting, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voting separately, approved a new sub-advisory agreement (the “Polen Agreement,” together with the Janus Agreement, the “New Agreements”) with respect to the Active M International Equity Fund (the “International Equity Fund”) between Northern and Polen Capital Management, LLC (“Polen”). Under the Polen Agreement, Polen began managing a portion of the International Equity Fund’s assets effective September 4, 2020.

The Trustees reviewed and discussed information and written materials from Northern about Janus and Polen (each, a “New Sub-Adviser”) including: (i) the nature and quality of the investment advisory services to be provided by each New Sub-Adviser, and the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing such services; (ii) each New Sub-Adviser’s financial condition, history of operations and ownership structures; (iii) each New Sub-Adviser’s brokerage and soft dollar practices; (iv) each New Sub-Adviser’s investment strategies and styles of investing; (v) Janus’ and Polen’s performance history with respect to accounts or funds managed similarly to the Global Real Estate Fund and International Equity Fund, respectively, and hypothetical performance information and portfolio attributes; (vi) information with respect to each New Sub-Adviser’s risk management and cybersecurity programs and their compliance policies and procedures (including their codes of ethics) and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer’s (the “CCO”) evaluations of such policies and procedures, as well as each New Sub-Adviser’s regulatory history; (vii) Janus’ and Polen’s conflicts of interest in managing the Global Real Estate Fund and International Equity Fund, respectively, including their financial or business relationships with Northern, if any; and (viii) the terms of each sub-advisory agreement. The Trustees also considered Northern’s discussion of the reasons that it anticipated that Janus and Polen may improve the performance of the Global Real Estate Fund and International Equity Fund, respectively. The Trustees also discussed the proposed allocation of assets among the New Sub-Adviser and the other sub-advisers to a Fund.

In evaluating each proposed sub-advisory agreement, the Trustees gave weight to various factors but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors. However, the Trustees relied upon the recommendations and performance evaluations of Northern with respect to each New Sub-Adviser.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered the information and evaluations provided by Northern with respect to each New Sub-Adviser’s operations, qualifications, performance and experience in

managing the type of strategy for which it was proposed to be engaged in connection with the respective Fund. The Board also considered Northern’s evaluation of each New Sub-Adviser’s ability to add alpha to the respective Fund’s returns. They also noted that the Polen had previously served as sub-adviser to another multi-manager fund in a different strategy. The Trustees also reviewed the CCO’s evaluation of each New Sub-Adviser’s compliance program, noting that the CCO believed the programs to be satisfactory and in compliance with regulatory requirements. The Trustees concluded that each New Sub-Adviser was able to provide quality services to the respective Fund.

Fees, Expenses and Performance

With respect to the sub-advisory fees, the Trustees considered that each New Sub-Adviser would be paid by Northern out of its management fees and not by the Fund. The Trustees also believed, based on Northern’s representations, that each sub-advisory agreement had been negotiated at arm’s-length between Northern and the New Sub-Adviser. The Trustees also considered comparisons of: (i) Janus’ fees at various asset levels of the Global Real Estate Fund and in relation to the other sub-advisers to the Fund; and (ii) Polen’s fees at various asset levels of the International Equity Fund and in relation to the other sub-advisers to the Fund. The Trustees also compared each New Sub-Adviser’s fees in relationship to its other similar institutional accounts. Finally, the Trustees considered Northern’s representations that the fees to be paid to each New Sub-Adviser were reasonable in light of the anticipated quality of the services to be performed by it.

The Trustees also considered the projected profitability to Northern of the Global Real Estate Fund before and after the addition of Janus and International Equity Fund before and after the addition of Polen. These comparisons showed that Northern’s profitability slightly increased in each case. The Trustees did not consider each New Sub-Adviser’s projected profitability as they did not consider it to be particularly relevant because Northern would be paying each New Sub-Adviser out of the management fees that Northern received from the Funds. The Trustees therefore believed that Northern had an incentive to negotiate the lowest possible sub-advisory fees.

The Trustees considered and evaluated each New Sub-Adviser’s performance information with respect to its other accounts using the same investment strategy and Northern’s evaluation of that performance. The Trustees reviewed reports prepared by Northern showing the hypothetical performance of each New Sub-Adviser over various time periods if it had been managing the Fund along with the other sub-advisers to the Fund. The Trustees also considered each New Sub-Adviser’s actual performance record in the strategy for which it was being engaged and against relevant performance benchmarks. It was noted that each New Sub-Adviser had a different style than the other sub-adviser, and that its style would underperform in various market

 

 

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MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

environments. The Trustees concluded, based upon the information provided, that each New Sub-Adviser’s performance record in its respective strategy was generally satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered information prepared by Northern that showed the impact on Northern’s net management fee (after payment of sub-advisory fees) at various asset levels. They took into account the levels of aggregate sub-advisory fees at various asset levels, including breakpoints in the sub-advisory fee structures. However, the Trustees generally considered economies of scale with respect to a Fund primarily at the management fee level given that Northern would be paying each Sub-Adviser out of its management fee. It was noted by the Trustees that each New Sub-Adviser had a breakpoint in its sub-advisory fee structure.

Other Benefits

The Trustees considered other benefits derived or to be derived by each New Sub-Adviser as a result of its relationships with the Funds. The Trustees also considered the other relationships that each New Sub-Adviser had with Northern or its affiliates, including other sub-advisory relationships to portfolios managed by Northern.

Based on the Trustees’ deliberations and the recommendations by Northern, the Trustees concluded that the proposed fees to be paid to Janus and Polen were reasonable in light of the services to be provided by each of them and that the Janus Agreement and the Polen Agreement should each be approved.

(1) Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Relief”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Relief was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

(2) Pursuant to relief granted by the SEC in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Relief”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Relief was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effect of COVID-19, the August Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

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      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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      MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS

 

  

 

 

    FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

    

 

 

MULTI-MANAGER FUNDS    112    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


  

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This report has been prepared for the general information of Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund summary prospectus or prospectus, which contains complete information about a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Investors are reminded to read the summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

 

 

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

 

 

      

     
     NOT FDIC INSURED  
     
    May lose value / No bank guarantee  
   
 

2

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

          

      

 

3

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

          
 

4

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          
 

5

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

          
 

6

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

          
 

6

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Ticker Symbol: BBALX

          
 

8

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          
 

15

 

FUND EXPENSES

          
 

16

 

APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

          
 

20

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

          
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    1    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

   GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

    Amounts in thousands, except per share data  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL

    ASSET ALLOCATION    

FUND

 

ASSETS:

 
 

Investments, at value

    $14,909        
 

Investments in affiliates, at value

    97,977  
 

Receivable for fund shares sold

    10  
 

Receivable from investment adviser

    2  
 

Prepaid and other assets

    20  
 

Total Assets

    112,918  

LIABILITIES:

 
 

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    68  
 

Payable to affiliates:

 
 

Management fees

    4  
 

Custody fees

    1  
 

Transfer agent fees

    4  
 

Trustee fees

    4  
 

Accrued other liabilities

    8  
 

Total Liabilities

    89  
   

Net Assets

    $112,829  
 

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

 
 

Capital stock

    $105,566  
 

Distributable earnings

    7,263  
 

Net Assets

    $112,829  
   

Shares Outstanding ($.0001 par value, unlimited authorization)

    8,797  
 

Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per Share

    $12.83  
 

Investments, at cost

    $14,010  
 

Investments in affiliates, at cost

    $95,682  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND     2    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND     

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

  

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

    Amounts in thousands   

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL

    ASSET ALLOCATION    

FUND

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

  
 

Dividend income

     $244        
 

Dividend income from investments in affiliates

     1,296  
 

Total Investment Income

     1,540  
 

EXPENSES:

  
 

Management fees

     129  
 

Custody fees

     1  
 

Transfer agent fees

     22  
 

Blue sky fees

     11  
 

Printing fees

     5  
 

Audit fees

     9  
 

Legal fees

     11  
 

Shareholder servicing fees

     11  
 

Trustee fees

     3  
 

Other

     10  
 

Total Expenses

     212  
 

Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser

     (66
 

Net Expenses

     146  
 

Net Investment Income

     1,394  
 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS:

  
 

Net realized gains on:

  
 

Investments

     396  
 

Investments in affiliates

     3,363  
 

Net changes in unrealized appreciation on:

  
 

Investments

     96  
 

Investments in affiliates

     11,735  
 

Net Gains

     15,590  
   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     $16,984  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    3    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, (UNAUDITED)

OR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

 

 

    

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL

    ASSET ALLOCATION    

FUND

 
    Amounts in thousands   

    SEP 30,    

2020

   

    MAR 31,    

2020

 
 

OPERATIONS:

    
 

Net investment income

     $1,394       $2,780  
 

Net realized gains

     3,759       918  
 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     11,831       (18,025
 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     16,984       (14,327
 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    
 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     (3,974     26,525  
 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

     (3,974     26,525  
 

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

    
 

Distributable earnings

     (1,337     (2,510
 

Total Distributions Paid

     (1,337     (2,510
 

Total Increase in Net Assets

     11,673       9,688  
 

NET ASSETS:

    
 

Beginning of period

     101,156       91,468  
 

End of period

     $112,829       $101,156  

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND     4    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


 

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

  GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

    Selected per share data   

SIX MONTHS

ENDED

SEP 30,

2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2020

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2019

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2018

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2017

 

FISCAL YEAR

ENDED

MAR 31,

2016

           

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $11.11             $12.69             $13.02             $12.41             $11.54             $12.20        
           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            
           

Net investment income

     0.16       0.36       0.38       0.33       0.32       0.33  
           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.71       (1.60     (0.25     0.72       0.90       (0.52
           

Net increase from payment by affiliate on affiliate transactions

                 0.03 (1)                    
           

Total from Investment Operations

     1.87       (1.24     0.16       1.05       1.22       (0.19
           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:

            
           

From net investment income

     (0.15     (0.34     (0.39     (0.33     (0.35 )(2)       (0.32 )(2)  
           

From net realized gains

                 (0.10     (0.11           (0.15
           

Total Distributions Paid

     (0.15     (0.34     (0.49     (0.44     (0.35     (0.47
           

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $12.83       $11.11       $12.69       $13.02       $12.41       $11.54  
           

Total Return(3)

     16.85     (10.14 )%      1.46 %(1)      8.55     10.73     (1.52 )% 
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:

            
           

Net assets, in thousands, end of period

     $112,829       $101,156       $91,468       $94,045       $84,298       $72,400  
           

Ratio to average net assets of:(4)

            
           

Expenses, net of reimbursements and credits(5)(6)

     0.26     0.26     0.28     0.27     0.27     0.27
           

Expenses, before reimbursements and credits(6)

     0.38     0.40     0.42     0.44     0.49     0.46
           

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and credits(5)

     2.49     2.85     2.99     2.53     2.67     2.78
           

Net investment income, before reimbursements and credits

     2.37     2.71     2.85     2.36     2.45     2.59
           

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     30.35     48.38     87.64     25.39     27.84     20.49

 

(1) 

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. reimbursed the Fund approximately $209,000. Without this reimbursement the total return would have been 1.25%.

 

(2) 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income include amounts related to foreign currency transactions, which are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

(3) 

Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of the period. The total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4) 

Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5) 

The net expenses and net investment income ratios include additional reimbursements of management fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds of approximately $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020, approximately $2,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, less than $1,000, which represents less than 0.01 percent of average net assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and less than 0.005 percent of average net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Absent the additional reimbursements, net investment income and reimbursements would have been decreased and net expenses would have been increased by a corresponding amount.

 

(6) 

Expense ratios reflect only the direct expenses of the Fund and not any expenses associated with the underlying funds.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    5    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

  
  

 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  

 

    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

     

  INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 100.1%

 

   

FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund(1)

     264,153           $14,481        

FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond Index Fund(1)

     73,795       4,588    

FlexShares® Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund(1)

     226,959       5,484    

FlexShares® Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund(1)

     42,445       2,228    

FlexShares® High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund(1)

     219,120       10,189    

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund(1)

     82,964       2,283    

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund(1)

     271,463       5,614    

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund(1)

     198,167       11,091    

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund(1)

     93,598       4,458    

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund(1)

     77,515       2,152    

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund(1)

     114,577       13,978    

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund(1)

     158,874       7,094    

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund(1)

     30,567       2,333    

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund(1)

     91,350       4,555    

FlexShares® US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund(1)

     168,910       7,169    

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

     18,234       2,977    

iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF

     1,749       233    

iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF

     13,452       1,639    

iShares Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF

     14,669       1,033    

iShares MBS ETF

     54,889       6,060    
    

NUMBER

OF SHARES

 

VALUE

(000S)

     

  INVESTMENT COMPANIES - 100.1%     continued

 

 

iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

     54,035           $2,967        

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares), 0.00%(1) (2)

     280,368       280    
       

Total Investment Companies

                        

(Cost $109,692)

       112,886    
      
       

Total Investments – 100.1%

                        

(Cost $109,692)

       112,886    

Liabilities less Other Assets – (0.1%)

             (57        

NET ASSETS – 100.0%

       $112,829    

 

(1) 

Investment in affiliated fund. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to other Northern Institutional Funds and FlexShares Trust.

(2) 

7-day current yield as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

MBS - Mortgage Backed Securities

TIPS - Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

    

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    6    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  
  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

    

At September 30, 2020, the asset class weightings for the Fund were:

 

    ASSET CLASS    WEIGHT    INVESTMENT VEHICLE

U.S. Equity

   12.4%    FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

U.S. Equity

   6.3       FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

U.S. Equity

   6.3       FlexShares® US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

Non U.S. Equity - Developed

   9.8       FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

Non U.S. Equity - Developed

   5.0       FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

Non U.S. Equity - Emerging Markets

   3.9       FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

Global Real Estate

   2.0       FlexShares® Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - High Yield

   9.0       FlexShares® High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   12.8       FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   5.4       iShares MBS ETF

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   4.9       FlexShares® Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   4.1       FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   2.6       iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   2.6       iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   2.1       FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   2.0       FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   1.5       iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   0.9       iShares Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF

U.S. Bonds - Investment Grade

   0.2       iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF

Global Infrastructure

   4.0       FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

Commodities/Natural Resources

   1.9       FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

Cash

   0.3       Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)
     

Total

   100.0%     

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date.

Level 2 - Other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices in active markets for similar securities, securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves, maturities, ratings and/or securities indices).

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (e.g., information about assumptions, including risk, market participants would use in pricing a security).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments, if any. The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020:

 

    INVESTMENTS   

 

LEVEL 1

(000S)

    

LEVEL 2

(000S)

    

LEVEL 3

(000S)

     TOTAL
(000S)
 

Investment Companies

     $112,886        $—        $—        $112,886  
 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    7    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

   GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
  

 

  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Northern Funds (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust offers 43 funds as of September 30, 2020, each with its own investment objective (e.g., long-term capital appreciation, total return or income consistent with preservation of capital). The Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) is a separate, diversified investment portfolio of the Trust. The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and current income by investing primarily in shares of a combination of underlying mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) for which Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), the Fund’s investment adviser, or an affiliate of NTI acts as investment adviser. The Fund also may invest in other unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs (together with affiliated underlying funds and ETFs, the “Underlying Funds”) and other securities and investments not issued by mutual funds.

NTI, a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”). Northern Trust serves as the custodian, transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust. NTI serves as the Trust’s administrator. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not an affiliate of NTI, is the Trust’s distributor.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Trust, which is an investment company, follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES Securities are valued at their fair value. Securities traded on United States (“U.S.”) securities exchanges or in the NASDAQ National Market System are principally valued at the regular trading session closing price (generally, 3:00 P.M. Central Time) on the exchange or market in which such securities are principally traded. If any such security is not traded on a valuation date, it is valued at the most recent

quoted bid price. Over-the-counter securities not reported in the NASDAQ National Market System are also generally valued at the most recent quoted bid price.

The values of securities of foreign issuers are generally based upon market quotations, which depending upon local convention or regulation, may be the last sale price, the last bid price or the mean between the last bid and asked price as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time.

Shares of open-end investment companies, other than ETFs, are valued at their NAV. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using an independent pricing service. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost, which NTI, as authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has determined approximates fair value.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed to be incorrect are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by NTI under the supervision of the Board. The Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of fair values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and U.S. GAAP. This may occur particularly with respect to certain foreign securities held by the Fund, in which case the Trust may use adjustment factors obtained from an independent evaluation service that are intended to reflect more accurately the fair value of those securities as of the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

B) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rates on the NYSE, generally at 3:00 P.M. Central Time. The gains or losses, if any, on investments from original purchase date to subsequent sales trade date resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statement of Operations in Net realized gains (losses) on investments and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The gains or losses, if any, on translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions are included in Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations in the Statement of Operations.

 

    

 

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    8    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)   

 

 

    

C) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS The Fund is authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, or forward currency exchange contracts, for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a specified exchange rate on a future date. The Fund and certain of the Underlying Funds may enter into these contracts when seeking to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Certain of the Underlying Funds may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts as a cross-hedge transaction or for speculative purposes. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are “marked-to-market” daily at the applicable exchange rates. Any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statement of Operations. Gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until settlement date. Realized gains or losses, if any, are included in Net realized gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Statement of Operations.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are privately negotiated transactions, and can have substantial price volatility. As a result, these contracts offer less protection against default by the other party than is available for instruments traded on an exchange. When used for hedging purposes, forward foreign currency exchange contracts tend to limit any potential gain that may be realized if the value of the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s foreign holdings increase because of currency fluctuations. When used for speculative purposes, the contracts may result in additional losses that are not otherwise related to the changes in value of the securities held by an Underlying Fund. The Fund bears the market risk from changes in forward foreign currency exchange rates and the credit risk if the counterparty to the contract fails to perform. The institutions that deal in forward foreign currency exchange contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. No forward foreign currency exchange contracts were held by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. The Fund determines the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method. Interest income, if any, is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The interest rates reflected in the Schedule of Investments represent the 7-day yield for money market funds. Dividend income, if any, is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, or as soon as the information is available.

E) EXPENSES The Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to the Fund. Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to the Fund generally are allocated among all funds in the Trust in proportion to each fund’s relative net assets.

Expenses included in the accompanying financial statements reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not include any expenses associated with the Underlying Funds.

F) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions of dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly.

Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Such amounts may differ from income and capital gains recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain capital accounts to reflect differences between financial reporting and federal income tax basis distributions. The reclassifications are reported in order to reflect the tax treatment for certain permanent differences that exist between income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP. These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses, expired capital loss carryforwards, and gains or losses on in-kind transactions. These reclassifications have no impact on the total net assets or the NAVs per share of the Fund. At March 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded for the Fund:

 

   Amounts in thousands   

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME (LOSS)

  

 

ACCUMULATED

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET REALIZED

GAINS (LOSSES)

  

CAPITAL

STOCK

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $12    $–    $(12)

G) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since the Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute, each year, substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders.

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term. The Fund’s ability to utilize capital loss carryforwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund utilized approximately $390,000 in capital loss carryforwards.

There were no capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    9    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

   GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
  

  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

 

At March 31, 2020, the tax components of undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gains and unrealized gains were as follows:

 

    

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

    
   Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
  

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAINS

   UNREALIZED  
GAINS (LOSSES)  

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $481    $615    $(9,477)

 

  *

Ordinary income includes short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

   Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
   LONG-TERM  
CAPITAL GAINS  

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $2,510    $–

 

  *

Ordinary income includes short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

    

 

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

   Amounts in thousands    ORDINARY
INCOME*
  

LONG-TERM  

CAPITAL GAINS  

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $2,762    $735

 

  *

Ordinary income includes short-term capital gains, if any.

As of March 31, 2020, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure. The Fund’s federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed. Interest or penalties incurred, if any, on future unknown, uncertain tax positions taken by the Fund will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses, respectively, on the Statement of Operations.

3. SERVICE PLAN

The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust, its affiliates or other institutions (together “Service Organizations”) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and, in some cases, personal and account maintenance services for their customers, whom are beneficial owners of shares of the Fund. As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan, the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of the Fund beneficially owned by their customers. There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Fund to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

Service Plan expenses, if any, are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

4. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds, a registered investment company also advised by NTI, jointly entered into a $250,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 18, 2019, which is administered by Citibank, N.A., for liquidity and other purposes (the “Credit Facility”). The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.00 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

At a meeting held on August 19-20, 2020, the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced, the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250,000,000 and will also be administered by Citibank, N.A. The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month LIBOR on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate, the amount by which it so exceeded, plus (iii) 1.25 percent. In addition, there is an annual commitment fee of 0.15 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. The New Credit Facility is anticipated to go into effect on November 16, 2020 and will expire on November 15, 2021, unless renewed.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Fund had borrowings with the average loan amounts and weighted average interest rates as disclosed below:

 

     Amounts in thousands    DOLLAR
AMOUNT
   RATE

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $292    1.20%  

There were no outstanding loan amounts at September 30, 2020.

5. MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

As compensation for advisory (asset allocation) and administration services and the assumption of related expenses, NTI is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets).

NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of the Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses, the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust, expenses of

 

    

 

 

  GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    10    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)   

 

 

    

third-party consultants engaged by the Board, membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum, expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility, extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statement of Operations, to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund exceed the expense limitation set forth below. The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement for the Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statement of Operations.

At September 30, 2020, the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Fund were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below.

 

    

 

CONTRACTUAL

     

ANNUAL

MANAGEMENT FEES

  

EXPENSE

LIMITATIONS

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   0.23%    0.25%

The contractual reimbursement arrangement described in the table above is expected to continue until at least July 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement arrangement will continue automatically thereafter for periods of one year (each such one-year period, a “Renewal Year”). The arrangement may be terminated, as to any succeeding Renewal Year, by NTI or the Fund upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangement at any time with respect to the Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

In addition, NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses.

As compensation for the services rendered as transfer agent, including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto, Northern Trust receives a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.0385 percent of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust, pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Fund. NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTI’s management fees.

For compensation as custodian, Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board. The Fund has entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses, unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return.

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, the distributor for the Fund, received no compensation from the Fund under its distribution agreement. However, it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI. All officers serve without compensation from the Fund. The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Prior to August 22, 2013, under the deferred compensation plan, Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan. Each Trustee’s account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the U.S Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds and/ or the Fund and/or, at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed-income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The net investment income, gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trustee’s account as provided in the plan.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may invest its uninvested cash in a money market fund advised by NTI or its affiliates. Accordingly, the Fund bears indirectly a proportionate share of that money market fund’s operating expenses. These operating expenses include the management, transfer agent and custody fees that the money market fund pays to NTI and/or its affiliates. At September 30, 2020, the uninvested cash of the Fund was invested in the Northern Institutional Funds U.S. Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The total annual portfolio operating expenses after expense reimbursement (other than certain excepted expenses as described in the fees and expenses table of the Portfolio’s prospectus) on any assets invested in the Portfolio is 0.25%. However, to the extent of any duplicative advisory fees, NTI will reimburse the Fund for a portion of the management fees attributable to and payable by the Fund for advisory services on any assets invested in an affiliated money market fund. This reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statement of Operations. This reimbursement’s impact on the Fund’s net expense and net investment income ratios is included in the Fund’s Financial Highlights.

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    11    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
  

 

   NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

 

7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Fund were as follows:

 

    

 

PURCHASES

   SALES
  Amounts in thousands   

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OTHER

   U.S. GOVERNMENT OTHER

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

         $–    $33,713    $-    $37,733

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

At September 30, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, net unrealized appreciation on investments (including the effects of foreign currency translation and derivative instruments, if any) and the cost basis of investments (including derivative instruments, if any) were as follows:

 

  Amounts in

  thousands

  

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

  

UNREALIZED

DEPRECIATION

  

 

NET

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

  

COST

BASIS OF

INVESTMENTS

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   $3,906    $(1,552)    $2,354    $110,532
 

 

8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands   

SHARES

SOLD

  

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

  

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

  

REINVESTMENTS
OF

DIVIDENDS

  

SHARES

REDEEMED

  

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

  

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

  

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   358    $4,363    85    $1,068    (753)    $(9,405)    (310)    $(3,974)

Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands   

SHARES

SOLD

  

PROCEEDS

FROM

SHARES SOLD

  

SHARES FROM

REINVESTED

DIVIDENDS

  

REINVESTMENTS

OF

DIVIDENDS

  

SHARES

REDEEMED

  

PAYMENTS

FOR SHARES

REDEEMED

  

 

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN SHARES

  

NET

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

IN NET ASSETS

Global Tactical Asset Allocation

   3,381    $44,740    153    $1,963    (1,633)    $(20,178)    1,901    $26,525

9. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Transactions in affiliated investments for the six months ended September 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

  Amounts in thousands except shares  

VALUE, BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  PURCHASES   SALES
PROCEEDS
 

NET CHANGE

IN UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

 

NET

REALIZED

GAINS

(LOSSES)

 

DIVIDEND

INCOME

 

VALUE, END

OF YEAR

 

SHARES, END

OF YEAR

FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund

    $  7,503             $  7,133             $  816             $  620             $  41             $  122             $14,481             264,153        

FlexShares® Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond Index Fund

    1,873       2,671       217       260       1       47       4,588       73,795  

FlexShares® Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund

    2,848       2,909       333       61       (1     62       5,484       226,959  

FlexShares® Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund

    4,862       77       3,098       951       (564     34       2,228       42,445  

FlexShares® High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund

    6,985       2,652       493       1,087       (42     297       10,189       219,120  

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

          2,247       68       103       1             2,283       82,964  

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

    5,137             379       913       (57     130       5,614       271,463  

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

    9,335       826       924       2,031       (177     164       11,091       198,167  

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

    1,956       2,183       106       436       (11     64       4,458       93,598  

 

    

 

 

  GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    12    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)   

 

 

    

  Amounts in thousands except shares   

VALUE, BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  PURCHASES  

SALES

PROCEEDS

 

NET CHANGE

IN UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

 

NET

REALIZED

GAINS

(LOSSES)

 

DIVIDEND

INCOME

 

VALUE, END

OF YEAR

 

SHARES, END

OF YEAR

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

     $  3,032             $    –       $  1,664             $  720             $  64             $  45             $2,152             77,515        

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

     22,050             13,436       1,461       3,903       122       13,978       114,577  

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

     7,616             2,217       1,443       252       99       7,094       158,874  

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

           2,314                   19             8       2,333       30,567  

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

     4,187             270       642       (4     59       4,555       91,350  

FlexShares® US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

     2,094       4,668       538       988       (43     43       7,169       168,910  

Northern Institutional Funds - U.S. Government Portfolio (Shares)

     150       37,893       37,763                         280       280,368  
                 
       $79,628       $65,573       $62,322       $11,735       $3,363       $1,296       $97,977       2,394,825  

 

10. INDEMNIFICATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In the ordinary course of its business, the Fund may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Fund. The maximum exposure to the Fund under these provisions is unknown, as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.

11. LIBOR TRANSITION

Certain of the Fund’s or the Underlying Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting

international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancelations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Fund (or the Underlying Funds) and its service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fund’s (or an Underlying Fund’s) service providers to perform essential services. Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fund’s (or an Underlying Fund’s) inability to achieve its investment objectives, cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund (or an Underlying Fund) invests, negatively impact a Fund’s (or an Underlying Fund’s) performance, and cause losses on your investment in a Fund. Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic, which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements, and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Fund (or the Underlying Funds).

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized

 
 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    13    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

           

 

 

  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    continued

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure, other than the New Credit Facility disclosed in Note4 - Bank Borrowings.

                    

 

    

 

 

      GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    14    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


    

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

    

 

  FUND EXPENSES

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)   

 

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, if any, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 4/1/2020 - 9/30/2020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. If these fees were included, your costs would have been higher. The information also does not reflect reimbursements on advisory fees incurred in connection with the investment of uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds (See page 11) which may result in different expense ratios in the Financial Highlights. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION

 

  SHARES   

EXPENSE

RATIO

  

BEGINNING

ACCOUNT

VALUE

4/1/2020

  

ENDING

ACCOUNT

VALUE

9/30/2020

  

EXPENSES

PAID*

4/1/2020-

9/30/2020

Actual

   0.26%    $1,000.00    $1,168.50    $1.41

Hypothetical

   0.26%    $1,000.00    $1,023.70    $1.32

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT    15    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND


 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
  

 

  APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust, including review of the investment performance and expenses of the investment fund covered by this Report (the “Fund”) at regularly scheduled meetings held during the Fund’s fiscal year. In addition, the Trustees determine annually whether to approve and continue the Trust’s management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) for the Fund with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“Northern”).

The Management Agreement was re-approved with respect to the Fund by the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”) voting separately, at the annual contract renewal meeting held on May 13-14, 2020 (the “Annual Contract Meeting”).(1)

In advance of, and at, the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees received, considered and discussed a variety of information relating to the Management Agreement and Northern and its affiliates. This information included written materials and verbal presentations at an in-person Board meeting held on February 12-13, 2020 and a Board meeting held through videoconference and telephonically on April 29, 2020 (the “February and April Board Meetings”). At the Annual Contract Meeting, the Trustees considered these reports and presentations and discussed the information that had been provided. Throughout the process, the Trustees also asked questions of and requested additional information from management. In connection with their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met separately with and were advised by their independent legal counsel and received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities under applicable law. They also met in executive sessions at the Annual Contract Meeting, and each of the other Board meetings, with their independent legal counsel without employees of Northern present.

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed Northern’s reports and presentations and discussed with their independent counsel the information that had been provided to them at the February and April Board Meetings and at the Annual Contract Meeting, as well as their interactions with Northern throughout the year and in past years at various meetings. The Trustees noted that the evaluation process with respect to Northern and the Management Agreement was an ongoing one throughout the year. The materials reviewed by the Trustees included, without limitation: (i) information on the investment performance of the Fund in comparison to other mutual funds and benchmark indices; (ii) compliance reports; (iii) information about Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes and stress testing, credit research, business continuity and cyber-security programs; (iv) fees charged to and expenses borne by the Fund; (v) Northern’s profitability and costs and compensation paid to affiliates of Northern; (vi) the qualifications

of Northern and its affiliates to provide services to the Fund; (vii) information regarding purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares; (viii) policies adopted by Northern regarding brokerage, including soft dollars, trade allocations and other matters; and (ix) the nature of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trustees also considered the nature, quality and extent of non-advisory services provided to the Fund by Northern’s affiliates.

More specifically, the Trustees reviewed, among other things, information relating to: (i) the terms of the Management Agreement; (ii) the Fund’s investment performance over different time periods in comparison to the investment performance of mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge, an independent third-party provider of mutual fund data; (iii) the contractual and net management fees and total expenses (after expense reimbursements and fee waivers) of the Fund in comparison to those borne by mutual fund peer groups and categories selected by Broadridge; (iv) Northern’s staffing for the Fund and the experience of the portfolio managers, credit research and other personnel; (v) Northern’s financial resources and its ability to attract and retain portfolio management talent; (vi) Northern’s investments in technology to benefit the Fund; (vii) the fees paid by the Fund to Northern and its affiliates for services, and the expenses incurred by them in connection with the provision of those services; and (viii) the benefits received by Northern and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund. The Trustees were provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in its peer group and peer universe. The Trustees also took into account factors such as conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry. In evaluating the Management Agreement for the Fund, the Trustees gave weight to various factors including those discussed herein, but did not identify any single factor as controlling their decision, and each Trustee may have attributed different weight to different factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Trustees considered, as part of their review, the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Northern. In this regard, they considered both the investment advisory services, and separately the administrative and other non-advisory services that are provided to the Fund by Northern and its affiliates. These services included acting as the Fund’s administrator and sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent and providing other services necessary for the operation of the Fund and the Trust. The Trustees understood that the Management Agreement encompassed both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by Northern and its affiliates. They considered the quality of Northern’s communications with and services to shareholders, as well as the expenditures made by Northern and its affiliates to improve the quality and scope of their services to the Fund. The Trustees considered the strength of Northern’s and its affiliates’ risk management processes. The Trustees also reviewed the compliance and administrative services provided to

 

    

 

 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    16    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)   

 

 

    

the Fund by Northern and its affiliates, including its oversight of the Fund’s day-to-day operations and fund accounting. The Trustees also noted that on a regular basis they received and reviewed information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. They also considered the quality of Northern’s compliance oversight program with respect to all of the Fund’s service providers and the continued involvement of Northern’s internal audit group in reviewing operations that support the Fund, as well as Northern’s responses to any compliance or operational issue raised during the year. The Trustees also took into account that the scope of services provided by Northern, and the undertakings required of Northern in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their own and the Fund’s compliance programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. They also considered Northern’s preparations with respect to the increased reporting requirements and liquidity risk management program required by SEC regulations.

The Trustees took into account the qualifications, background and responsibilities of Northern’s senior management and investment personnel. They also noted Northern’s recruitment and retention plans for attracting high quality investment professionals, as well as its portfolio management compensation structure, which was not based on performance or size of the Fund, and the consistency of investment approach with respect to the Fund. The Trustees also considered Northern’s and its affiliates’ strong financial position and stability. The Trustees concluded that Northern was able to commit, and had committed, substantial financial and other resources to the operations of the Fund and was able to continue to provide quality services to the Fund.

Performance

The Trustees considered the investment performance of the Fund, including whether it had operated within its investment objective, as well as its compliance with its investment restrictions and exemptive order conditions. The Trustees understood that the Fund had a “fund of funds” structure. The Trustees received information on the Fund’s investment performance for one, two, three, four, five and ten years, as well as performance for the most recent quarter and year-to-date. They compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance of other SEC registered funds and to rankings issued by Broadridge. The Fund was ranked by Broadridge in quintiles, ranging from first to fifth, where first is the most desirable quintile position and fifth is the least desirable. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance relative to its performance benchmark and the Fund’s three-year performance versus net expenses as calculated by Broadridge (“Broadridge Bubble Chart”). The Trustees noted that the performance of the Fund was in the second or third quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended January 31, 2020. They also considered that the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the one-, three- and fiver-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Trustees also took into account senior management’s and portfolio managers’ discussion of the Fund’s performance and explanations for differences in investment parameters of the Fund and its peers. They also considered the Fund’s investment performance relative to the investor base the Fund is intended to serve. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the consistency of Northern’s investment approach for the Fund and processes to address performance issues. The Trustees concluded, based on the information received, that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Fee Rates, Costs of Services and Profitability

The Trustees also evaluated the Fund’s contractual management fee rates and net (after expense reimbursements) management fees paid by the Fund; the Fund’s total operating expense ratio; Northern’s contractual commitment to continue expense reimbursements for at least one year with respect to the Fund; and whether a consistent methodology was in place for determining the fees and expenses of the Fund. The Trustees also considered that because the Fund was sweeping uninvested cash into a Northern-affiliated money market Portfolio, Northern was rebating back to the Fund all of the advisory fees received by Northern, if any, of the applicable money market Portfolio.

The Trustees reviewed information on the fee rate paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by unaffiliated investment management firms, as prepared by Broadridge. The Broadridge report compared the expenses of the Fund against its Broadridge peer group and universe. In comparing the Fund’s contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s management fee includes both advisory and administrative costs. Among other things, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s actual management fees were lower than its peer group and universe medians, and the Fund’s actual expenses, after reimbursements and fee waivers, were in the first quintile of its peer group and peer universe.

The Trustees took into account Northern’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses, and that Northern had reimbursed expenses for the Fund.

In addition, the Trustees considered the amount of assets in the Fund; the information provided by Northern relating to the costs of the services provided by it and its affiliates; and the profits realized by them through their relationship with the Fund and on an overall Trust basis and both before and after distribution and certain non-distribution costs. The Trustees considered Northern’s assumptions and methodology for allocating costs to the Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and not audited.

 

 

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    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
     

 

  APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT    continued

 

  

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)    

 

 

The Trustees also determined that the management fees charged under the Management Agreement were based on services provided that were in addition to, rather than duplicative of, services provided under the management agreement of any affiliated underlying funds in which the Fund invested in the prior year.

The Trustees also discussed information provided by Broadridge with respect to Northern’s profitability compared to other publicly traded advisers. They considered that comparisons of advisory agreement profitability across fund families are difficult because of numerous factors, including the type of funds managed, business mix, cost allocation methodologies and other factors. The Trustees also took into account Northern’s expense reimbursements during the year, the nature of the Fund and the high quality of the services provided by Northern. The Trustees understood that Northern should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit in exchange for the level of services it provides to the Fund. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of Northern was not unreasonable based on the services and benefits provided and the costs assumed by Northern and its affiliates. They also noted that Northern appeared to have the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its management and other agreements with the Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grow and whether fee levels reflected these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. They took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s management fee structure and considered Northern’s view that the Fund is sharing in economies of scale through the level at which the Fund’s management fees are set and through Northern’s contractual expense reimbursements that limit the expenses for the Fund to specific levels. They agreed that breakpoints were not necessary with respect to the Fund at this time based the level of management fees and the contractual expense reimbursements in place. The Trustees determined, on the basis of the foregoing, that the Fund’s current management fee structure was reasonable.

Other Benefits to Northern

The Trustees also reviewed other benefits accruing to Northern and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Those benefits included fees received by the affiliates for transfer agency, custodial and sub-administrative functions. The Trustees also considered that many of the Fund’s shareholders had other client relationships with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustees considered that the scale of the Fund provided opportunities to Northern to obtain securities trading advantages for its other advisory clients and that Northern and its affiliates benefit from their ability to leverage resources

over a larger asset base. The Trustees also took into account the extent to which Northern benefited from the receipt of research products and services generated by the Trust’s equity investment portfolios.

After deliberation, the Trustees concluded with respect to the Fund that the management fee to be paid by the Fund was reasonable in light of the services provided by Northern, its costs, the Fund’s asset levels, and other factors including those discussed above and that the renewal of the Management Agreement should be approved.

(1)Pursuant to relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Order”) and a determination by the Board that reliance on the Order was appropriate due to circumstances related to the current or potential effects of COVID-19, the Annual Contract Meeting was held through videoconference and telephonically.

 

 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    18    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


  

 

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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 

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   GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND

 

  
  

 

  FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Northern Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT (and its predecessor form, Form N-Q) are available on the SEC’s web site at sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING

Northern Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Funds’ web site at northerntrust.com/funds or the SEC’s web site at sec.gov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111.

                    

 

    

 

 

    GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION FUND    20    NORTHERN FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for this reporting period.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for this reporting period.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for this reporting period.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

The registrant has elected to include the schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.


Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) are effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

 

(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)   Not applicable.
(a)(2)   Exhibit 99.CERT: Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(a)(3)   Not applicable.
(a)(4)   There has been no change to the registrant’s independent public accountant during the reporting period.
(b)   Exhibit 99.906 CERT: Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Northern Funds

 

By:    /s/ Peter K. Ewing
  Peter K. Ewing, President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: December 3, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:    /s/ Peter K. Ewing
  Peter K. Ewing, President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: December 3, 2020

 

By:    /s/ Randal E. Rein
  Randal E. Rein, Treasurer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: December 3, 2020