<PAGE> 1
NORTHERN FUNDS
PROSPECTUS
November 30, 1998
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
California Municipal Money Market Fund
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
U.S. Government Fund
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
Fixed Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Fund
Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund
California Tax-Exempt Fund
International Fixed Income Fund
High Yield Municipal Fund
High Yield Fixed Income Fund
EQUITY FUNDS
Income Equity Fund
Stock Index Fund
Growth Equity Fund
Select Equity Fund
Mid Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Index Fund
Small Cap Fund
International Growth Equity Fund
International Select Equity Fund
Technology Fund
<PAGE> 2
NORTHERN FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISERS:
The Northern Trust Company 50 S. LaSalle Street
Northern Trust Quantitative Advisors, Inc. Chicago, Illinois 60675
TRANSFER AGENT AND CUSTODIAN: 1-800-595-9111
The Northern Trust Company
The shares offered by this Prospectus represent interests in Northern
Funds, a no-load management investment company consisting of twenty-seven funds
(the "Funds") designed to offer investors a range of investment opportunities.
Each Fund, other than the Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap
Funds, is advised by The Northern Trust Company ("Northern Trust"). The Stock
Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap Funds are advised by Northern Trust
Quantitative Advisors, Inc. ("NTQA" and, together with Northern Trust, the
"Investment Advisers"). Shares are sold and redeemed without any purchase or
redemption charge by Northern Funds, although Northern Trust and other
institutions may charge their customers for their services in connection with
investments.
Northern Funds consists of the following portfolios:
MONEY MARKET FUNDS:
Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
California Municipal Money Market Fund
FIXED INCOME FUNDS:
U.S. Government Fund
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
Fixed Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Fund
Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund
California Tax-Exempt Fund
International Fixed Income Fund
High Yield Municipal Fund
High Yield Fixed Income Fund
EQUITY FUNDS:
Income Equity Fund
Stock Index Fund
Growth Equity Fund
Select Equity Fund
Mid Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Index Fund
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Small Cap Fund
International Growth Equity Fund
International Select Equity Fund
Technology Fund
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This Prospectus provides information about the Funds that you should
know before investing. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Further information is included in a statement of additional information dated
November 30, 1998 (the "Additional Statement"), which is incorporated by
reference herein. For a free copy, write to Northern Funds' distributor,
Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC, at 207 E. Buffalo Street, Suite 400,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 or call 1-800-595-9111. The Securities and Exchange
Commission maintains a World Wide Web Site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
the Additional Statement and other information regarding Northern Funds. The
California Municipal Money Market, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds are
not available in certain states. Please call 1-800-595-9111 to determine
availability in your state.
SHARES OF NORTHERN FUNDS ARE NOT BANK DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED, ENDORSED OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTED BY, THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, ITS
PARENT COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, FEDERAL RESERVE
BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE MONEY MARKET FUND, U.S. GOVERNMENT
MONEY MARKET FUND, U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND, MUNICIPAL MONEY
MARKET FUND OR CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND (TOGETHER, THE "MONEY
MARKET FUNDS") WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER
SHARE. INVESTMENT IN THE FUNDS INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE
LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND MAY INVEST A SIGNIFICANT
PERCENTAGE OF ITS ASSETS IN A SINGLE ISSUER AND, THEREFORE, INVESTMENTS IN THIS
FUND MAY BE RISKIER THAN AN INVESTMENT IN OTHER TYPES OF MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
THE HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND AND HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND INVEST IN
LOWER QUALITY BONDS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "JUNK BONDS." INVESTMENTS OF THIS
TYPE ARE SUBJECT TO GREATER PRICE VOLATILITY AND GREATER RISK OF LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THAN INVESTMENTS IN HIGHER QUALITY SECURITIES. INVESTORS
SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENT IN THESE FUNDS.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is November 30, 1998.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
HIGHLIGHTS...................................................................1
EXPENSE SUMMARY..............................................................8
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS........................................................13
INVESTMENT INFORMATION......................................................24
Money Market Funds.....................................................24
Money Market Fund.....................................................24
U.S. Government Money Market Fund.....................................24
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund..............................25
Municipal Money Market Fund...........................................25
California Municipal Money Market Fund................................26
Other Information.....................................................26
Fixed Income Funds.....................................................27
U.S. Government Fund, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund and
Fixed Income Fund.....................................................27
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Tax-Exempt Fund,
Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and California Tax-Exempt Fund................28
International Fixed Income Fund.......................................29
High Yield Municipal Fund.............................................30
High Yield Fixed Income Fund..........................................31
Equity Funds...........................................................32
Income Equity Fund....................................................32
Stock Index Fund......................................................33
Growth Equity Fund....................................................34
Select Equity Fund....................................................34
Mid Cap Growth Fund...................................................34
Small Cap Index Fund..................................................35
Small Cap Fund........................................................36
International Growth Equity Fund......................................37
International Select Equity Fund......................................38
Technology Fund.......................................................38
Other Information.....................................................39
California Funds, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona
Tax-Exempt Fund -- Additional Risks and Considerations................39
Technology Fund -- Additional Risks and Considerations.................40
High Yield Funds -- Additional Risks and Considerations................41
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International Funds -- Further Information.............................42
Fundamentals of Fixed Income Investing.................................44
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION, RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS.................44
Description of Securities and Investment Techniques...................44
Investment Restrictions...............................................62
OPENING AN ACCOUNT AND PURCHASING SHARES....................................64
Purchasing Shares Directly from the Funds.............................64
Purchasing Shares Through Northern Trust and Other Institutions.......66
Additional Purchase Information.......................................67
REDEEMING AND EXCHANGING SHARES.............................................68
Redeeming and Exchanging Directly from the Funds......................68
Redeeming and Exchanging Through Northern Trust and Other
Institutions..........................................................71
Additional Redemption and Exchange Information........................71
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES.....................................................73
Distributions.........................................................73
Taxes.................................................................74
Tax Table.............................................................79
MANAGEMENT..................................................................79
Board of Trustees.....................................................79
Investment Advisers, Transfer Agent and Custodian.....................79
Year 2000.............................................................83
Administrator and Distributor.........................................84
Service Organizations.................................................85
Expenses..............................................................86
FURTHER INFORMATION.........................................................87
Determining Share Price...............................................87
Advertising Performance...............................................87
Voting Rights.........................................................89
Shareholder Reports...................................................90
Retirement Plans......................................................90
Miscellaneous.........................................................90
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HIGHLIGHTS
Q. WHAT IS NORTHERN FUNDS?
A. Northern Funds is an open-end management investment company (commonly
known as a mutual fund) that offers investors the opportunity to invest in
different investment portfolios, each having separate investment
objectives and policies. Northern Funds presently consists of twenty-seven
portfolios, including money market, domestic and international fixed
income and equity portfolios.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUND seeks to maximize current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity
by investing exclusively in high-quality money market instruments.
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND seeks to maximize current income to
the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance
of liquidity by investing exclusively in obligations of the U.S.
government, its agencies and instrumentalities and related repurchase
agreements.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND seeks to maximize current
income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and
maintenance of liquidity by investing solely in obligations of the U.S.
government, its agencies and instrumentalities.
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND seeks, to the extent consistent with the
preservation of capital and prescribed portfolio standards, a high level
of income exempt from regular federal income tax by investing primarily in
municipal instruments.
CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND seeks to provide to its
shareholders, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital
and prescribed portfolio standards, a high level of income exempt from
regular federal income tax and California state personal income tax.
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND seeks a high level of current income from
investment in U.S. government securities while maintaining a
dollar-weighted average maturity between one and ten years.
SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND seeks a high level of current
income from investment in a broad range of U.S. government securities
while maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity between two and five
years.
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INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current income exempt
from regular federal income tax by investing in municipal instruments
while maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity between three and ten
years.
CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current
income exempt from regular federal income tax and California state
personal income tax by investing in municipal instruments while
maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity between three and ten
years.
FLORIDA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current income
exempt from regular federal income tax by investing in municipal
instruments while maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity between
three and ten years. The Fund intends, but cannot guarantee, that its
shares will qualify for exemption from the Florida intangibles tax.
FIXED INCOME FUND seeks a high level of current income from investment in
fixed income securities while maintaining a dollar-weighted average
maturity between seven and twelve years.
TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current income exempt from regular
federal income tax by investing in municipal instruments while maintaining
a dollar-weighted average maturity between ten and thirty years.
ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current income exempt from
regular federal income tax and Arizona state personal income tax by
investing in municipal instruments while maintaining a dollar-weighted
average maturity between ten and thirty years.
CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND seeks a high level of current income exempt
from regular federal income tax and California state personal income tax
by investing in municipal instruments while maintaining a dollar-weighted
average maturity between ten and thirty years.
INTERNATIONAL FIXED INCOME FUND seeks to maximize total return consistent
with reasonable risk by investing primarily in bonds and other fixed
income securities of foreign issuers while maintaining a dollar-weighted
average maturity between three and eleven years.
HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND seeks a high level of current income exempt from
regular federal income tax.
HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND seeks a high level of current income. In
seeking current income, the Fund may also consider the potential for
capital appreciation.
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EQUITY FUNDS
INCOME EQUITY FUND seeks a high level of current income by investing
principally in convertible and other equity securities with long-term
capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
STOCK INDEX FUND seeks investment results, before expenses, approximating
the aggregate price and dividend performance of the securities included in
the Standard & Poor's 500(R) Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500
Index").
GROWTH EQUITY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
principally in common and preferred stocks and convertible securities of
growth companies.
SELECT EQUITY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
principally in common stocks of growth companies.
MID CAP GROWTH FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
primarily in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations
that are within the capitalization range of the Standard & Poor's MidCap
400 Stock Index ("S&P MidCap 400 Index") at the time of investment.
SMALL CAP INDEX FUND seeks investment results, before expenses,
approximating the aggregate price and dividend performance of the
securities included in the Russell 2000 Small Stock Index (the "Russell
Index").
SMALL CAP FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
principally in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations
that are below the median capitalization of stocks listed on the New York
Stock Exchange.
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH EQUITY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing principally in equity securities of foreign issuers.
INTERNATIONAL SELECT EQUITY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing principally in common stocks of foreign issuers that Northern
Trust believes to be growing more rapidly than their respective markets.
TECHNOLOGY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
principally in equity securities and securities convertible into common
stock.
Each portfolio is described in further detail in this Prospectus.
Q. WHO ADVISES THE FUNDS?
A. The Northern Trust Company ("Northern Trust"), the principal subsidiary
of Northern Trust Corporation, serves as investment adviser to each
Fund, other than the Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap Funds.
Northern Trust also serves as the Funds' transfer
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agent and custodian. The Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap Funds
are advised by Northern Trust Quantitative Advisors, Inc. ("NTQA" and,
together with Northern Trust, the "Investment Advisers"). Northern Trust
and its affiliates administered $1.13 trillion in assets as of September
30, 1998 in various capacities, including $220.7 billion for which
Northern Trust and its affiliates had investment management
responsibility. See "Management."
Q. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RISKS PRESENTED BY THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT
PRACTICES?
A. Investing in the Funds involves the risks common to any investment in
securities. The market value of fixed income securities, which
constitutes a major part of the investments of several of the Funds,
will generally vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates
as described below under "Investment Information -- Fundamentals of
Fixed Income Investing." The Fixed Income Funds (other than the High
Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income Fund) will invest in
securities rated investment grade or higher, or unrated securities of
comparable quality. The High Yield Municipal Fund will invest
primarily in medium and lower quality securities, and the High Yield
Fixed Income Fund will invest primarily in lower quality securities.
Lower quality securities are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." In
addition, the International Funds may invest up to 5% of their total
assets, and the Equity Funds may invest up to 10% of their total assets
(35% for the Income Equity Fund), in convertible securities that are
lower quality. Investments in lower quality securities involve greater
price volatility and risk of loss.
Several of the Funds may invest a substantial portion of their assets in
foreign securities directly, and indirectly through the purchase of
European Depository Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depository Receipts ("GDRs")
and American Depository Receipts ("ADRs"). Certain of these Funds may also
enter into foreign currency exchange contracts. Foreign securities may be
subject to certain risks in addition to those inherent in U.S.
investments, including the possible imposition of exchange control
regulations, freezes on convertibility of currency and adverse changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. The International Fixed Income Fund, as
well as Northern Funds' two other international investment portfolios, may
concentrate investments in issuers located in certain industrialized
countries and may also invest in issuers located in emerging countries.
Certain risks are presented by the California Municipal Money Market Fund,
the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the California Tax-Exempt
Fund (the "California Funds"), the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and the Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund as a result of their investments in Municipal
Instruments of issuers located in particular states. See "California
Funds, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund -
Additional Risks and Considerations." In addition, the California Funds,
the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund and
International Fixed Income Fund are non-diversified funds, which means
their portfolios can be dependent upon the performance of securities of a
smaller number of issuers than is the case with the other Funds, which are
diversified funds. The Funds may engage in certain transactions involving
puts and calls. Further, certain of the Funds may invest in the stocks of
smaller companies which present greater risk and price volatility.
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The Funds may lend their securities and enter into repurchase agreements
and reverse repurchase agreements with qualifying banks and broker/dealers
which may involve leveraging. The Funds may also purchase eligible
securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell securities on
a "forward commitment" or "delayed settlement" basis. The Funds may invest
up to 15% (10% in the case of the Money Market Funds) of their net assets
in illiquid securities.
The Funds may also purchase "derivative" instruments. "Derivative"
instruments are instruments that derive value from the performance of
underlying assets, interest or currency exchange rates, or indices, and
include (but are not limited to) interest rate, currency and equity swaps,
futures contracts, options, forward currency contracts and structured debt
obligations (including collateralized mortgage obligations and other types
of asset-backed securities, "stripped" securities and various floating
rate instruments, including "inverse" floaters). Derivative instruments
present, to varying degrees, market risk that the performance of the
underlying assets, exchange rates or indices will decline; credit risk
that the dealer or other counterparty to the transaction will fail to pay
its obligations; volatility and leveraging risk that, if interest or
exchange rates change adversely, the value of the "derivative" instrument
will decline more than the assets, rates or indices on which it is based;
liquidity risk that a Fund will be unable to sell a "derivative"
instrument when it wants because of lack of market depth or market
disruption; pricing risk that the value of a "derivative" instrument (such
as an option) will not correlate exactly to the value of the underlying
assets, rates or indices on which it is based; and operations risk that
loss will occur as a result of inadequate systems and controls, human
error or otherwise. Some "derivative" instruments are more complex than
others, and for those instruments that have been developed recently,
complete information is lacking regarding their actual performance over
entire market cycles. The Investment Advisers will evaluate the risks
presented by the "derivative" instruments purchased by the Funds, and will
determine, in connection with their day-to-day management of the Funds,
how they will be used in furtherance of the Funds' investment objectives.
It is possible, however, that the Investment Advisers' evaluations will
prove to be inaccurate or incomplete and, even when accurate and complete,
it is possible that the Funds will, because of the risks discussed above,
incur loss as a result of their investments in "derivative" instruments.
The foregoing is a summary of certain of the potential risks presented by
the Funds' investment practices. Details regarding these and other risks
presented by the policies of the Funds are described under "Additional
Investment Information, Risks and Considerations."
Q. HOW DOES ONE BUY AND REDEEM SHARES?
A. Shares of the Funds are distributed by Sunstone Distribution Services,
LLC. Shares may be purchased directly from Northern Funds or through a
qualified account at Northern Trust or certain other institutions.
Shares are sold and redeemed without any purchase or redemption charge
by Northern Funds, although Northern Trust and other institutions may
charge their customers for their services in connection with
investments. The
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<PAGE> 12
minimum initial investment for purchases directly with Northern Funds is
$2,500 ($500 for an IRA and $250 under the Automatic Investment Plan). The
minimum for subsequent investments is $50. Northern Trust or other
organizations may impose particular customer account requirements such as
minimum account sizes.
As of the date of this Prospectus, shares of the Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and
Small Cap Index Funds are not being offered.
Additional share purchase and redemption information for both purchases
and redemptions directly with Northern Funds or through qualified accounts
is provided below under "Opening an Account and Purchasing Shares" and
"Redeeming and Exchanging Shares."
Q. WHAT SHAREHOLDER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
A. Northern Funds offers the advantage of automatic dividend reinvestment
in shares of the same Fund or in another Northern Fund, exchange
privileges among Northern Funds should your investment goals change,
telephone exchange and redemption privileges, an Automatic Investment
Plan (with a reduced minimum initial investment) and a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan. See "Opening an Account and Purchasing Shares" and
"Redeeming and Exchanging Shares." Shares of Northern Funds may be
purchased in connection with a variety of tax-sheltered retirement
plans. See "Further Information -- Retirement Plans."
Q. WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE?
A. Dividends from the net investment income of the Money Market Funds, the
U.S. Government Fund, the Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, the
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the Fixed Income Fund,
the Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and the California
Tax-Exempt Fund are declared daily and paid monthly. Dividends from
the net investment income of the International Fixed Income Fund are
declared and paid quarterly. Dividends of the other Funds are declared
and paid as follows: Income Equity Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and
High Yield Fixed Income Fund -- monthly; Stock Index Fund, Growth
Equity Fund and Mid Cap Growth Fund -- quarterly; Select Equity Fund,
Small Cap Index Fund, Small Cap Fund, International Growth Equity Fund,
International Select Equity Fund and Technology Fund -- annually.
Net realized capital gains of each Fund are distributed at least
annually. See "Distributions and Taxes."
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EXPENSE SUMMARY
The following tables will help you understand the expenses you will bear
directly or indirectly as a shareholder of the Funds. SHAREHOLDER
TRANSACTION EXPENSES are charges you pay when buying or selling Fund
shares. ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES are paid out of a Fund's assets and
include fees for portfolio management, maintenance of shareholder
accounts, general Fund administration, accounting and other services.
Examples based on this information are also provided.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALI-
U.S. FORNIA
U.S. GOV'T MUNI- MUNI-
GOV'T SELECT CIPAL CIPAL
MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY
MARKET MARKET MARKET MARKET MARKET
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on
Purchases.............................. None None None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested
Distributions.......................... None None None None None
Deferred Sales Charge Imposed on
Redemptions............................ None None None None None
Redemption Fees(1)...................... None None None None None
Exchange Fees........................... None None None None None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees (after fee
reductions and waivers)................. 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40%
12b-1 Fees.............................. 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses (after fee
reductions and reimbursements).......... 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15%
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(After Fee Reductions, Waivers
and Reimbursements)..................... 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55%
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES(3)
Based on the foregoing table,
you would pay the following
expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return and redemption
at the end of each time period:
One Year................................ $6 $6 $6 $6 $6
Three Years............................. $18 $18 $18 $18 $18
Five Years.............................. $31 $31 $31 $31 $31
Ten Years............................... $69 $69 $69 $69 $69
</TABLE>
(1) A fee of $15.00 may be applicable for each wire redemption.
(2) The table and example shown do not reflect any charges that may be
imposed by Northern Trust or other institutions on their customers.
(3) The example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or rates of return. Actual operating expenses and investment
return may be more or less than those shown.
Except as noted in the next sentence, the above information reflects the
expenses these Funds incurred for Northern Funds' fiscal year ended March 31,
1998. The figures shown for the U.S. Government Select Money Market and
California Municipal Money Market Funds have been restated to reflect
anticipated fees during the next twelve months. Without voluntary fee
reductions, waivers and reimbursements, "Management Fees" would have been 0.60%
for each Fund; "Other Expenses" would have been 0.30%, 0.33%, 0.33%, 0.29% and
0.34%, respectively, for the Money Market, U.S. Government Money Market, U.S.
Government Select Money Market, Municipal Money Market and California Municipal
Money Market Funds; and "Total Operating Expenses" would have been 0.90%, 0.93%,
0.93%, 0.89% and 0.94%, respectively. In addition, during the last fiscal year
these Funds did not, and during the current fiscal year do not expect to, pay
any 12b-1 fees (otherwise payable at an annual rate of up to 0.25%) under
Northern Funds' Distribution and Service Plan. For more expense information, see
"Management."
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPENSE SUMMARY (CONTINUED) SHORT- CALIFORNIA FLORIDA
U.S. INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE FIXED
GOVERNMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT INCOME
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge
Imposed on Purchases None None None None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on
Reinvested Distributions None None None None None None
Deferred Sales Charge Imposed
on Redemptions None None None None None None
Redemption Fees(1) None None None None None None
Exchange Fees None None None None None None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees (after fee
reductions and waivers) 0.75% 0.75% 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% 0.75%
12b-1 Fees 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses (after fee
reductions and reimbursements) 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15%
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(After Fee Reductions, Waivers and
Reimbursements) 0.90% 0.90% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.90%
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES(3) Based on the
foregoing table, you would pay the
following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual
return and redemption at
the end of each time period:
One Year $ 9 $ 9 $ 9 $ 9 $ 9 $ 9
Three Years $ 29 $ 29 $ 27 $ 27 $ 27 $ 29
Five Years $ 50 N/A $ 47 N/A $ 47 $ 50
Ten Years $ 111 N/A $ 105 N/A $ 105 $ 111
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARIZONA CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD HIGH YIELD
TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME MUNICIPAL FIXED INCOME
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge
Imposed on Purchases None None None None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on
Reinvested Distributions None None None None None None
Deferred Sales Charge Imposed
on Redemptions None None None None None None
Redemption Fees(1) None None None None None None
Exchange Fees None None None None None None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees (after fee
reductions and waivers) 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% 0.90% 0.70% 0.75%
12b-1 Fees 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses (after fee
reductions and reimbursements) 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.25% 0 .15% 0 .15%
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(After Fee Reductions, Waivers and
Reimbursements) 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 1.15% 0.85% 0.90%
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES(3) Based on the
foregoing table, you would pay the
following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual
return and redemption at
the end of each time period:
One Year $ 9 $ 9 $ 9 $ 12 $ 9 $ 9
Three Years $ 27 $ 27 $ 27 $ 37 $ 27 $ 29
Five Years $ 47 N/A $ 47 $ 64 N/A N/A
Ten Years $ 105 N/A $ 105 $ 140 N/A N/A
</TABLE>
(1) A fee of $15.00 may be applicable for each wire redemption.
(2) The table and example shown do not reflect any charges that may be
imposed by Northern Trust or other institutions on their customers.
(3) The example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or rates of return. Actual operating expenses and investment
return may be more or less than those shown.
-9-
<PAGE> 16
Except as noted below, the above information reflects the expenses these Funds
incurred for Northern Funds' fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Since the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Arizona
Tax-Exempt, High Yield Municipal and High Yield Fixed Income Funds had not
commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, "Other Expenses" for
those Funds is based on estimated amounts the Funds expect to pay during the
current fiscal year. Without voluntary fee reductions, waivers and
reimbursements, "Management Fees" would have been 0.75% for the Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt and High Yield Municipal
Funds; "Other Expenses" would have been 0.32%, 0.42%, 0.32%, 0.37%, 0.66%,
0.34%, 0.34%, 0.50%, 0.85%, 0.97%, 1.94% and 1.95%, respectively, for the U.S.
Government, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed
Income, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt, International
Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal and High Yield Fixed Income Funds; and "Total
Operating Expenses" would have been 1.07%, 1.17%, 1.07%, 1.12%, 1.41%, 1.09%,
1.09%, 1.25%, 1.60%, 1.87%, 2.69% and 2.70%, respectively. In addition, during
the last fiscal year these Funds did not, and during the current fiscal year do
not expect to, pay any 12b-1 fees (otherwise payable at an annual rate of up to
0.25%) under Northern Funds' Distribution and Service Plan. For more expense
information, see "Management."
-10-
<PAGE> 17
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SMALL
INCOME STOCK GROWTH SELECT MID CAP CAP SMALL
EQUITY INDEX EQUITY EQUITY GROWTH INDEX CAP
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge
Imposed on Purchases ......... None None None None None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on
Reinvested Distributions ..... None None None None None None None
Deferred Sales Charge
Imposed on Redemptions ....... None None None None None None None
Redemption Fees(1) ............ None None None None None None None
Exchange Fees ................. None None None None None None None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of
average net assets)
Management Fees (after fee
reductions and waivers) ..... 0.85% 0.40% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.50% 0.85%
12b-1 Fees .................... 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses (after
fee reductions and
reimbursements) ............. 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15%
----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- -----
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(After Fee Reductions,
Waivers and Reimbursements) ... 1.00% 0.55% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 0.65% 1.00%
===== ===== ===== ===== ==== ==== =====
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES(3)
Based on the foregoing table,
you would pay the following
expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5%
annual return and redemption
at the end of each time period:
One Year ...................... $ 10 $ 6 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 7 $ 10
Three Years ................... $ 32 $ 18 $ 32 $ 32 $ 32 $ 21 $ 32
Five Years .................... $ 55 $ 31 $ 55 $ 55 N/A N/A $ 55
Ten Years ..................... $ 123 $ 69 $ 123 $ 123 N/A N/A $ 123
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTER- INTER-
NATIONAL NATIONAL
GROWTH SELECT TECH-
EQUITY EQUITY NOLOGY
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge
Imposed on Purchases ........ None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on
Reinvested Distributions .... None None None
Deferred Sales Charge
Imposed on Redemptions ...... None None None
Redemption Fees(1) ............ None None None
Exchange Fees ................. None None None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of
average net assets)
Management Fees (after fee
reductions and waivers) ..... 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
12b-1 Fees .................... 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses (after
fee reductions and
reimbursements) ............. 0.25% 0.25% 0.25%
----- -------- -------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(After Fee Reductions,
Waivers and Reimbursements) ... 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
===== ======= =======
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES(3)
Based on the foregoing table,
you would pay the following
expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5%
annual return and redemption
at the end of each time period:
One Year ...................... $ 13 $ 13 $ 13
Three Years ................... $ 40 $ 40 $ 40
Five Years .................... $ 69 $ 69 $ 69
Ten Years ..................... $ 152 $ 152 $ 152
</TABLE>
(1) A fee of $15.00 may be applicable for each wire redemption.
(2) The table and example shown do not reflect any charges that may be
imposed by Northern Trust or other institutions on their customers.
(3) The example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or rates of return. Actual operating expenses and investment
return may be more or less than those shown.
Except as noted below, the above information reflects the expenses these Funds
incurred for Northern Funds' fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Since the Mid Cap
Growth and Small Cap Index Funds had not commenced investment operations during
the last fiscal year, "Other Expenses" for those Funds is based on estimated
amounts the Funds expect to pay during the current fiscal year. Without
voluntary fee reductions, waivers and reimbursements, "Management Fees" would
have been 1.00%, 0.60%, 1.00%, 1.20%, 1.00%, 0.65%, 1.20%, 1.20%, 1.20% and
1.20%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Income Equity, Stock
Index, Growth Equity, Select Equity, Mid Cap Growth, Small Cap Index, Small Cap,
International Growth Equity, International Select Equity and Technology Funds;
"Other Expenses" would have been 0.37%, 0.58%, 0.30%, 0.38%, 0.46%, 0.36%,
0.33%, 0.42%, 0.44% and 0.39%, respectively; and "Total Operating Expenses"
would have been 1.37%, 1.18%, 1.30%, 1.58%, 1.46%, 1.01%, 1.53%, 1.62%, 1.64%
and 1.59%, respectively. In addition, during the last fiscal year these Funds
did not, and during the current fiscal year do not expect to, pay any 12b-1 fees
(otherwise payable at an annual rate of up to 0.25%) under Northern Funds'
Distribution and Service Plan. For more expense information, see "Management."
-11-
<PAGE> 18
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial information has been derived from the financial
statements incorporated by reference into the Additional Statement and has been
audited by Northern Funds' independent accountant. This financial information
should be read together with those financial statements. Further information
about the performance of the Funds is contained in Northern Funds' annual
shareholder reports. Both the Additional Statement and the annual shareholder
reports may be obtained without charge by calling the Northern Funds Center at
1-800-595-9111 or writing P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319.
-12-
<PAGE> 19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONEY MARKET
FUND
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ............. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ......... 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income .... (0.05) (0.05) (0.05) (0.04)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(3) .................. 5.31% 5.05% 5.57% 4.55%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ................... $ 3,296,030 $ 1,607,187 $ 1,061,813 $ 894,279
Ratio to average net assets of:(4)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.55% 0.55% 0.49% 0.45%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.90% 0.90% 0.91% 0.96%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements ............. 5.19% 4.94% 5.42% 4.94%
Net investment income,
before waivers and
reimbursements ............. 4.84% 4.59% 5.00% 4.43%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. GOVERNMENT
MONEY MARKET
FUND
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH. 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ............. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ......... 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income .... (0.05) (0.05) (0.05) (0.04)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(3) .................. 5.22% 4.93% 5.46% 4.47%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ................... $ 417,042 $ 314,259 $ 207,105 $ 227,543
Ratio to average net assets of:(4)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.55% 0.55% 0.49% 0.45%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.93% 0.96% 0.94% 1.01%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements ............. 5.10% 4.82% 5.33% 4.93%
Net investment income,
before waivers and
reimbursements ............. 4.72% 4.41% 4.88% 4.37%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. GOVERNMENT
SELECT
MONEY MARKET
FUND
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ............. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ......... 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.02
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income .... (0.05) (0.05) (0.05) (0.02)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(3) .................. 5.24% 5.07% 5.55% 1.75%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ................... $ 306,425 $ 168,128 $ 85,400 $ 82,162
Ratio to average net assets of:(4)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.46% 0.40% 0.33% 0.30%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements ......... 0.93% 0.97% 1.00% 1.32%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements ............. 5.13% 4.95% 5.43% 5.84%
Net investment income,
before waivers and
reimbursements ............. 4.66% 4.38% 4.76% 4.82%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period April 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1995.
(2) For the period December 12, 1994 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1995.
(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. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(4) Annualized for periods less than a full year.
-13-
<PAGE> 20
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MUNICIPAL
MONEY MARKET
FUND
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR .............. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......... 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ..... (0.03) (0.03) (0.03) (0.03)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR .................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(3) .................. 3.27% 3.14% 3.54% 2.90%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .................... $ 1,814,343 $ 1,420,041 $ 1,102,789 $ 927,747
Ratio to average net assets of:(4)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ........... 0.55% 0.55% 0.49% 0.45%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements ........... 0.89% 0.90% 0.91% 0.95%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements ............... 3.20% 3.08% 3.46% 3.10%
Net investment income,
before waivers and
reimbursements ............... 2.86% 2.73% 3.04% 2.60%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALIFORNIA
MUNICIPAL
MONEY MARKET
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR .............. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......... 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ..... (0.03) (0.03) (0.04) (0.01)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR .................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(3) .................. 3.20% 3.19% 3.63% 1.27%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .................... $ 224,843 $ 200,989 $ 165,087 $ 161,316
Ratio to average net assets of:(4)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ........... 0.49% 0.45% 0.39% 0.35%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements ........... 0.94% 0.94% 0.94% 1.07%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements ............... 3.14% 3.13% 3.55% 3.78%
Net investment income,
before waivers and
reimbursements ............... 2.69% 2.64% 3.00% 3.06%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period April 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1995.
(2) For the period November 29, 1994 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1995.
(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. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(4) Annualized for periods less than a full year.
-14-
<PAGE> 21
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERMEDIATE
U.S. GOVERNMENT TAX-EXEMPT
FUND FUND
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ............... $ 9.88 $ 10.06 $ 9.84 $ 10.00 $ 10.07 $ 10.22
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ........... 0.54 0.51 0.51 0.50 0.40 0.40
Net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on invest-
meanest, forward foreign cur-
rency contracts and foreign
currency transactions ......... 0.32 (0.11) 0.29 (0.16) 0.29 (0.06)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Income from Investment
Operations ...................... 0.86 0.40 0.80 0.34 0.69 0.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment
income ........................ (0.53) (0.51) (0.51) (0.50) (0.40) (0.40)
From net realized gains ......... (0.01) (0.05) (0.07) -- -- (0.07)
In excess of net
investment income ............ -- -- -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains.. -- (0.02) -- -- -- (0.02)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Distributions Paid .......... (0.54) (0.58) (0.58) (0.50) (0.40) (0.49)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ..................... $ 10.20 $ 9.88 $ 10.06 $ 9.84 $ 10.36 $ 10.07
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(2) ................... 8.90% 3.98% 7.65% 3.49% 6.95% 3.39%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ..................... $ 229,352 $ 181,921 $ 149,062 $ 116,443 $ 298,529 $ 264,630
Ratio to average net assets of:(3)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ............ 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.85% 0.85%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FLORIDA
INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE
TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT
FUND FUND
-------------------------------- ---------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1996 1995 1998 1997(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR .............. $ 10.03 $ 10.00 $ 10.03 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......... 0.41 0.40 0.40 0.24
Net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on invest-
meanest, forward foreign cur-
rency contracts and foreign
currency transactions ........ 0.26 0.03 0.44 0.03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Income from Investment
Operations ..................... 0.67 0.43 0.84 0.27
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment
income ....................... (0.41) (0.40) (0.40) (0.24)
From net realized gains ........ (0.07) -- -- --
In excess of net
investment income ............ -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains -- -- -- --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Distributions Paid ......... (0.48) (0.40) (0.40) (0.24)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR .................... $ 10.22 $ 10.03 $ 10.47 $ 10.03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN(2) .................. 6.81% 4.38% 8.51% 2.63%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .................... $ 244,139 $ 221,251 $ 25,329 $ 14,807
Ratio to average net assets of:(3)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements ........... 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE> 22
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. GOVERNMENT
FUND
----------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements......... 1.07% 1.09% 1.10% 1.12%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements............. 5.24% 5.19% 5.07% 5.20%
Net investment income,
before waivers
and reimbursements......... 5.07% 5.00% 4.87% 4.98%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE......................... 47.41% 83.41% 112.00% 42.29%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FLORIDA
INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE
TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT
FUND FUND
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1998 1997(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements......... 1.07% 1.07% 1.08% 1.09% 1.41% 2.31%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements............. 3.84% 3.90% 4.01% 4.09% 3.86% 3.84%
Net investment income,
before waivers
and reimbursements......... 3.62% 3.68% 3.78% 3.85% 3.30% 2.38%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE......................... 61.83% 61.39% 137.85% 78.87% 46.12% 50.77%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period August 15, 1996 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1997.
(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. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(3) Annualized for periods less than a full year.
-16-
<PAGE> 23
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED
INCOME
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ................................ $ 9.86 $ 10.10 $ 9.78 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ............................ 0.59 0.57 0.58 0.62
Net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on invest-
ments, forward foreign cur-
rency contracts and foreign
currency transactions ........................ 0.56 (0.12) 0.50 (0.22)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income from Investment
Operations ....................................... 1.15 0.45 1.08 0.40
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment
income ....................................... (0.58) (0.56) (0.59) (0.62)
From net realized gains .......................... (0.01) (0.10) (0.17) --
In excess of net
investment income ............................ -- (0.01) -- --
In excess of net realized gains................... -- (0.02) -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ............................. (0.59) (0.69) (0.76) (0.62)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ...................................... $ 10.42 $ 9.86 $ 10.10 $ 9.78
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(2) ...................................... 11.90% 4.59% 11.18% 4.16%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ...................................... $ 181,917 $ 122,444 $ 101,339 $ 65,929
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-EXEMPT
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ................................ $ 10.24 $ 10.35 $ 10.08 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ............................ 0.47 0.50 0.48 0.48
Net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on invest-
ments, forward foreign cur-
rency contracts and foreign
currency transactions ........................ 0.57 (0.06) 0.29 0.08
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income from Investment
Operations ....................................... 1.04 0.44 0.77 0.56
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment
income ....................................... (0.47) (0.47) (0.48) (0.48)
From net realized gains .......................... (0.08) (0.05) (0.02) --
In excess of net
investment income ............................ -- (0.03) -- --
In excess of net realized gains................... -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ............................. (0.55) (0.55) (0.50) (0.48)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ...................................... $ 10.73 $ 10.24 $ 10.35 $ 10.08
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(2) ...................................... 10.39% 4.32% 7.80% 5.78%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ...................................... $ 167,220 $ 136,372 $ 125,113 $ 118,690
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL
TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME
FUND FUND
---------- --------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998(1) 1998 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR ................................ $ 10.00 $ 10.08 $ 10.62 $ 10.64 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ............................ 0.41 0.43 0.56 0.78 0.58
Net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on invest-
ments, forward foreign cur-
rency contracts and foreign
currency transactions ........................ 0.76 0.02 (0.40) (0.16) 0.64
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income from Investment
Operations ....................................... 1.17 0.45 0.16 0.62 1.22
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment
income ....................................... (0.41) (0.59) (0.58) (0.62) (0.56)
From net realized gains .......................... -- (0.09) (0.11) (0.02) --
In excess of net
investment income ............................ -- -- -- -- (0.02)
In excess of net realized gains................... -- -- (0.01) -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ............................. (0.41) (0.68) (0.70) (0.64) (0.58)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR ...................................... $ 10.76 $ 9.85 $ 10.08 $ 10.62 $ 10.64
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(2) ...................................... 11.86% 4.61% 1.39% 5.84% 12.77%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year ...................................... $ 39,943 $ 13,675 $ 16,426 $ 15,665 $ 13,028
</TABLE>
-17-
<PAGE> 24
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED
INCOME
FUND
---------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio to average net assets of:(3)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements............................ 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 1.09% 1.12% 1.14% 1.18%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements................................ 5.71% 5.69% 5.79% 6.48%
Net investment income,
before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 5.52% 5.47% 5.55% 6.20%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE .............................................. 33.55% 87.64% 116.22% 55.27%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALIFORNIA
TAX-EXEMPT TAX-EXEMPT
FUND FUND
---------------------------------------------- ----
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1998(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio to average net assets of:(3)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements............................ 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 1.09% 1.10% 1.10% 1.11% 1.60%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements................................ 4.42% 4.61% 4.62% 4.95% 4.01%
Net investment income,
before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 4.18% 4.36% 4.37% 4.69% 3.26%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE .............................................. 74.32% 8.10% 60.50% 54.94% 22.22%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL
FIXED INCOME
FUND
----------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio to average net assets of:(3)
Expenses, net of waivers
and reimbursements............................ 1.15% 1.15% 1.15% 1.15%
Expenses, before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 1.87% 1.96% 2.00% 2.42%
Net investment income,
net of waivers and
reimbursements................................ 4.98% 5.49% 5.75% 5.96%
Net investment income,
before waivers
and reimbursements............................ 4.26% 4.68% 4.90% 4.69%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE .............................................. 30.26% 37.76% 52.05% 43.24%
</TABLE>
(1) For the period April 8, 1997 (commencement of operations) through March
31, 1998.
(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. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(3) Annualized for periods less than a full year.
-18-
<PAGE> 25
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
EQUITY FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME EQUITY
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 11.81 $ 11.59 $ 9.95 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................. 0.45 0.44 0.34 0.29
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions ................. 3.02 1.19 1.66 (0.08)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ............................ 3.47 1.63 2.00 0.21
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ............ (0.44) (0.44) (0.36) (0.26)
From net realized gains .............. (1.03) (0.97) -- --
In excess of net investment income .... -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains ...... -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid .............. (1.47) (1.41) (0.36) (0.26)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 13.81 $ 11.81 $ 11.59 $ 9.95
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ........................ 31.00% 14.42% 20.41% 2.21%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .......................... $ 117,562 $ 77,102 $ 55,919 $ 38,954
Ratio to average net assets of: (5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ................ 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ................ 1.37% 1.42% 1.48% 1.55%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements .......... 3.53% 3.71% 3.17% 3.08%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ................ 3.16% 3.29% 2.69% 2.53%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 81.24% 72.04% 67.32% 45.68%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STOCK INDEX GROWTH EQUITY
FUND FUND
------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997(1) 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 10.74 $ 10.00 $ 13.93 $ 13.15 $ 10.61 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................. 0.15 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.08 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions ................. 4.80 0.74 6.36 1.49 2.59 0.60
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ............................ 4.95 0.82 6.39 1.57 2.67 0.68
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ............ (0.15) (0.07) (0.03) (0.08) (0.08) (0.07)
From net realized gains .............. (0.51) (0.01) (1.67) (0.71) (0.05) --
In excess of net investment income .... -- -- -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains ...... -- -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid .............. (0.66) (0.08) (1.70) (0.79) (0.13) (0.07)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 15.03 $ 10.74 $ 18.62 $ 13.93 $ 13.15 $ 10.61
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ........................ 47.11% 8.21% 48.06% 11.72% 25.13% 6.90%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .......................... $ 93,907 $ 35,840 $ 479,782 $ 302,605 $ 224,571 $ 113,185
Ratio to average net assets of: (5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ................ 0.55% 0.55% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ................ 1.18% 2.23% 1.30% 1.33% 1.36% 1.40%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements .......... 1.23% 1.92% 0.18% 0.56% 0.70% 0.86%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ................ 0.60% 0.24% (0.12)% 0.23% 0.34% 0.46%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 32.06% 64.94% 73.85% 67.34% 73.20% 82.90%
</TABLE>
-19-
<PAGE> 26
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
EQUITY FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECT EQUITY
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 14.55 $ 13.12 $ 10.77 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................ 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions .............. 6.81 2.05 2.73 0.75
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ......................... 6.83 2.07 2.75 0.81
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ........... (0.02) (0.02) (0.03) (0.04)
From net realized gains .............. (2.20) (0.62) (0.37) --
In excess of net investment income ... -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains ...... -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ................ (2.22) (0.64) (0.40) (0.04)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 19.16 $ 14.55 $ 13.12 $ 10.77
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ......................... 49.71% 15.64% 25.70% 8.18%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .......................... $ 126,536 $ 63,677 $ 33,842 $ 15,123
Ratio to average net assets of:(5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.58% 1.67% 1.91% 2.61%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements ......... 0.15% 0.21% 0.22% 0.82%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... (0.43)% (0.46)% (0.69)% (0.79)%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 148.55% 72.68% 137.99% 48.88%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SMALL CAP
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1995(2) 1998 1997 1996
------- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 12.31 $ 11.58 $ 9.98 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................ 0.03 0.07 0.05 0.11
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions .............. 5.14 1.37 2.29 (0.05)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ......................... 5.17 1.44 2.34 0.06
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ........... (0.04) (0.06) (0.07) (0.08)
From net realized gains .............. (0.68) (0.65) (0.67) --
In excess of net investment income ... -- -- -- --
In excess of net realized gains ...... -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ................ (0.72) (0.71) (0.74) (0.08)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 16.76 $ 12.31 $ 11.58 $ 9.98
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ......................... 42.71% 12.48% 24.09% 0.57%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .......................... $ 368,579 $ 197,113 $ 155,238 $ 76,627
Ratio to average net assets of:(5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.53% 1.54% 1.61% 1.76%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements ......... 0.28% 0.54% 0.65% 1.36%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... (0.25)% 0.00% 0.04% 0.60%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 18.59% 18.92% 46.59% 82.46%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH EQUITY
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 10.05 $ 10.23 $ 9.61 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................ 0.09 0.09 0.17 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions .............. 1.98 0.18 0.65 (0.31)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ......................... 2.07 0.27 0.82 (0.27)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ........... (0.07) (0.09) (0.11) (0.03)
From net realized gains .............. (0.29) (0.23) -- --
In excess of net investment income ... (0.10) -- (0.09) --
In excess of net realized gains ...... -- (0.13) -- (0.09)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ................ (0.46) (0.45) (0.20) (0.12)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 11.66 $ 10.05 $ 10.23 $ 9.61
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ......................... 21.34% 2.61% 8.61% (2.65)%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of year .......................... $ 178,210 $ 165,892 $ 181,237 $ 114,673
Ratio to average net assets of:(5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 1.62% 1.63% 1.65% 1.71%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements ......... 0.79% 0.78% 0.92% 0.47%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ..................... 0.42% 0.40% 0.52% 0.01%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 145.02% 190.94% 216.86% 158.31%
</TABLE>
-20-
<PAGE> 27
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
EQUITY FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL
SELECT EQUITY
FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995(3)
---- ---- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 10.37 $ 10.73 $ 9.78 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. 0.22 0.04 0.01 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions ................. 2.19 (0.25) 0.99 (0.23)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ............................ 2.41 (0.21) 1.00 (0.19)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ............. (0.16) (0.03) (0.02) (0.03)
From net realized gains ................ -- -- -- --
In excess of net investment income ..... (0.10) (0.04) (0.03) --
In excess of net realized gains ........ -- (0.08) -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ............... (0.26) (0.15) (0.05) (0.03)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 12.52 $ 10.37 $ 10.73 $ 9.78
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ......................... 23.74% (1.95)% 10.20% (1.95)%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of period ......................... $ 117,618 $ 108,944 $ 102,719 $ 71,958
Ratio to average net assets of:(5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ...................... 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ...................... 1.64% 1.66% 1.71% 1.75%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements .......... 0.29% 0.47% 0.12% 0.47%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ...................... (0.10)% 0.06% (0.34)% (0.03)%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 98.22% 97.60% 176.71% 97.69%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TECHNOLOGY
FUND
-------------------------------
YEAR YEAR
ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1998 1997
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...... $ 11.95 $ 10.00
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. -- --
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments, options,
futures contracts and foreign
currency transactions ................. 6.06 2.10
----------- -----------
Total Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations ............................ 6.06 2.10
----------- -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID:
From net investment income ............. -- --
From net realized gains ................ (0.90) (0.15)
In excess of net investment income ..... -- --
In excess of net realized gains ........ -- --
----------- -----------
Total Distributions Paid ............... (0.90) (0.15)
----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ............ $ 17.11 $ 11.95
----------- -----------
TOTAL RETURN(4) ......................... 52.62% 20.82%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
Net assets, in thousands,
end of period ......................... $ 104,389 $ 43,754
Ratio to average net assets of:(5)
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements ...................... 1.25% 1.25%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements ...................... 1.59% 2.02%
Net investment income, net of
waivers and reimbursements .......... (0.96)% (0.75)%
Net investment income (loss),
before waivers and
reimbursements ...................... (1.30)% (1.52)%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ................. 74.75% 67.89%
</TABLE>
-21-
<PAGE> 28
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
EQUITY FUNDS
(1) For the period October 7, 1996 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 1997.
(2) For the period April 6, 1994 (commencement of operations) through March
31, 1995.
(3) For the period April 5, 1994 (commencement of operations) through March
31, 1995.
(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. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(5) Annualized for periods less than a full year.
-22-
<PAGE> 29
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
The investment objectives and policies of each of the Funds are described below.
Additional information regarding the securities, investment techniques and
restrictions of each Fund are described under "Additional Investment
Information, Risks and Considerations."
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUND. The investment objective of the Money Market Fund is to seek
to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing exclusively in
high-quality money market instruments. In pursuing its investment objective, the
Money Market Fund may invest in a broad range of government, bank and commercial
obligations that are available in the money markets. In particular, the Fund may
invest in:
(A) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of U.S. banks with total assets
in excess of $1 billion (including obligations of foreign branches of such
banks);
(B) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign commercial banks
with total assets in excess of $5 billion;
(C) high quality commercial paper and other obligations issued or
guaranteed by U.S. and foreign corporations and other issuers rated (at the time
of purchase) A-2 or higher by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"),
Prime-2 or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), D-2 or higher
by Duff & Phelps Credit Co. ("Duff"), F-2 or higher by Fitch IBCA, Inc.
("Fitch") or TBW-2 or higher by Thomson BankWatch, Inc. ("TBW");
(D) rated and unrated corporate bonds, notes, paper and other
instruments that are of comparable quality to the commercial paper permitted to
be purchased by the Fund;
(E) asset-backed securities (including interests in pools of assets
such as mortgages, installment purchase obligations and credit card
receivables);
(F) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
U.S. Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities and custodial receipts
with respect thereto;
(G) dollar-denominated securities issued or guaranteed by one or more
foreign governments or political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities
thereof;
(H) repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments; and
(I) securities issued or guaranteed by state or local governmental
bodies.
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND. The investment objective of the U.S.
Government Money Market Fund is also to seek to maximize current income to the
extent consistent with the
-23-
<PAGE> 30
preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high-quality money market instruments. The U.S. Government Money
Market Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in:
(A) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
U.S. government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities (including the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development);
(B) repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments; and
(C) custodial receipts with respect to securities issued or guaranteed
as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or by any of its agencies or
instrumentalities.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND. The investment objective of the U.S.
Government Select Money Market Fund is to seek to maximize current income to the
extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity
by investing exclusively in high-quality money market instruments. The U.S.
Government Select Money Market Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing solely in securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest
by the U.S. government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
In making investment decisions, Northern Trust will seek to acquire,
during normal market conditions, only those U.S. government securities the
interest on which is generally exempt from state income taxation. Securities
generally eligible for this exemption include, but are not limited to, those
issued by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. government agencies and
instrumentalities, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Home Loan
Bank and Federal Farm Credit Bank Funding Corp. The Fund intends to limit
investments to only exempt U.S. government securities. However, under
extraordinary circumstances, such as when appropriate exempt securities are
unavailable, the Fund may make investments in non-exempt U.S. government
securities and cash equivalents, and may hold uninvested cash. See
"Distributions and Taxes" below for certain tax considerations.
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND. The investment objective of the Municipal Money
Market Fund is to seek, to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and prescribed portfolio standards, a high level of income exempt from
regular federal income tax by investing primarily in municipal instruments. The
Municipal Money Market Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing in:
(A) fixed and variable rate notes and similar debt instruments rated
MIG-2, VMIG-2 or Prime-2 or higher by Moody's, SP-2 or A-2 or higher by S&P, D-2
or higher by Duff or F-2 or higher by Fitch;
(B) tax-exempt commercial paper and similar debt instruments rated
Prime-2 or higher by Moody's, A-2 or higher by S&P, D-2 or higher by Duff or F-2
or higher by Fitch;
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(C) rated and unrated municipal bonds, notes, paper or other
instruments that are of comparable quality to the tax-exempt commercial paper
permitted to be purchased by the Fund; and
(D) municipal bonds and notes which are guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the U.S. government or an agency or instrumentality thereof or which
otherwise depend directly or indirectly on the credit of the United States.
CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND. The investment objective of the
California Municipal Money Market Fund is to seek to provide, to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and prescribed portfolio standards,
a high level of income exempt from regular federal income tax and California
state personal income tax. The California Municipal Money Market Fund seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing in:
(A) fixed and variable rate notes and similar debt instruments rated
MIG-2, VMIG-2 or Prime-2 or higher by Moody's, SP-2 or A-2 or higher by S&P, D-2
or higher by Duff or F-2 or higher by Fitch;
(B) tax-exempt commercial paper and similar debt instruments rated
Prime-2 or higher by Moody's, A-2 or higher by S&P, D-2 or higher by Duff or F-2
or higher by Fitch;
(C) rated and unrated municipal bonds, notes, paper or other
instruments that are of comparable quality to the tax-exempt commercial paper
permitted to be purchased by the Fund; and
(D) municipal bonds and notes which are guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the U.S. government or an agency or instrumentality thereof or which
otherwise depend directly or indirectly on the credit of the United States.
Because the California Municipal Money Market Fund concentrates its
investments in obligations issued by California and its political subdivisions,
an investment in this Fund may be riskier than an investment in the other Money
Market Funds.
OTHER INFORMATION. All securities acquired by the Money Market Funds will be
determined at the time of purchase by Northern Trust to present minimal credit
risks and will be "Eligible Securities" as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Eligible Securities include, generally, (i)
securities that either (a) have short-term debt ratings at the time of purchase
in the two highest rating categories by at least two unaffiliated nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") (or one NRSRO if the
security is rated by only one NRSRO), or (b) are issued or guaranteed by, or
otherwise allow a Fund under specified conditions to demand payment from, a
person with such ratings, and (ii) securities that are unrated (including
securities of issuers that have long-term but not short-term ratings) but are
determined to be of comparable quality. The Additional Statement includes a
description of applicable NRSRO ratings.
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Each Money Market Fund is managed so that the average maturity of all
instruments in the Fund (on a dollar-weighted basis) will not exceed 90 days. In
no event will the Money Market Funds purchase any securities which mature more
than 397 days from the date of purchase (except for certain variable and
floating rate instruments and securities collateralizing repurchase agreements).
Securities in which the Money Market Funds invest may not earn as high a level
of income as longer term or lower quality securities, which generally have
greater market risk and more fluctuation in market value.
As a matter of fundamental policy, changeable only with the approval of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund, at least 80% of
the annual gross income of the Municipal Money Market Fund and the California
Municipal Money Market Fund will be derived from debt instruments, the interest
on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel or counsel for the issuers, exempt
from regular income tax ("Municipal Instruments"), except in extraordinary
circumstances such as when Northern Trust believes that market conditions
indicate that the Fund should adopt a temporary defensive posture by holding
uninvested cash or investing in taxable short-term securities ("Taxable
Investments"). In addition, as a non-fundamental policy, under normal market
conditions at least 65% of the value of the California Municipal Money Market
Fund's total assets will be invested in Municipal Instruments the interest on
which, in the opinion of bond counsel for the issuers, is exempt from California
state personal income tax ("California Municipal Instruments"). These opinions
may contain various assumptions, qualifications or exceptions that are
reasonably acceptable to Northern Trust. The Municipal Money Market and
California Municipal Money Market Funds are not limited in the amount of their
assets that may be invested in "private activity bonds" the interest on which
may be treated as an item of tax preference to shareholders under the federal
alternative minimum tax. Taxable Investments will consist exclusively of
instruments that may be purchased by the Money Market Fund. Under normal market
conditions, Taxable Investments will not exceed 20% of the value of the total
assets of either Fund; during temporary defensive periods, however, all or any
portion of a Fund's assets may be invested in such instruments.
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND, SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND AND FIXED INCOME
FUND. The investment objective of the U.S. Government Fund, the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund and the Fixed Income Fund is to seek a
high level of current income.
Both the U.S. Government Fund and the Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund seek to achieve their objective by investing primarily (at least
65% of the value of their respective total assets during normal market
conditions) in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities and repurchase agreements relating to such
securities. These securities may include mortgage-related securities issued by
agencies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Government Fund's dollar-weighted
average maturity will be between one and ten years. The Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund's dollar-weighted average maturity will be between two and five
years.
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The Fixed Income Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a
broad range of fixed income securities while maintaining its dollar-weighted
average maturity between seven and twelve years. The Fund will invest primarily
(at least 65% of the value of its total assets during normal market conditions)
in fixed income securities rated investment grade or better at the time of
purchase by at least one major rating agency (within the four highest rating
categories of S&P, Duff, Fitch or Moody's) or, if unrated, of comparable quality
as determined by Northern Trust. These securities may be of all types and in any
proportion, including obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, obligations of foreign, state and local governments,
obligations of U.S. and foreign corporations, obligations of U.S. and foreign
banks and repurchase agreements relating to such obligations. The Fund may
purchase bonds, debentures, mortgage and other asset-related securities,
convertible debentures and zero coupon, pay-in-kind and capital appreciation
bonds. The Fund may also invest in short-term obligations that are permissible
investments for the Money Market Fund. The obligations of a foreign issuer will
not be purchased by the Fixed Income Fund if, as a result of the purchase, more
than 20% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the obligations of
issuers within a single foreign country.
Each Fund will normally maintain the dollar-weighted average maturity
of its portfolio within the specified range described above. The maturities of
certain instruments, however, such as those subject to prepayment or redemption
by the issuers, are subject to estimation. There can be no assurance that the
estimations used by a Fund for such instruments will, in fact, be accurate or
that, if inaccurate, a Fund's dollar-weighted average maturity will remain
within the specified limits.
Each Fund may utilize options, interest rate swaps and futures
contracts and the Fixed Income Fund may enter into forward currency contracts as
described more fully under "Additional Investment Information, Risks and
Considerations."
INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, FLORIDA
INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, TAX-EXEMPT FUND, ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND AND
CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND. The investment objective of the Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund is to seek a high
level of current income exempt from regular federal income tax by investing in
Municipal Instruments while maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity
between three and ten years. The California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund seeks a
high level of current income exempt from regular federal income tax and
California state personal income tax by investing in Municipal Instruments while
maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity between three and ten years. The
Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and California Tax-Exempt Fund seek a
high level of current income exempt from regular federal income tax and, in the
case of the Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds, personal income
tax of the particular state in which the Fund concentrates, by investing in
Municipal Instruments while maintaining a dollar-weighted average maturity
between ten and thirty years.
Municipal Instruments purchased by the Funds will be investment grade
or better at the time of purchase by at least one major rating agency (within
the four highest rating categories of
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<PAGE> 34
S&P, Duff, Fitch or Moody's) or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined
by Northern Trust. Short-term obligations will be limited to those obligations
that are permissible investments for the Municipal Money Market Fund.
As a matter of fundamental policy, changeable only with the approval of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund, at least 80% of
the annual gross income of each of these Funds will be derived from Municipal
Instruments, except in extraordinary circumstances, such as when Northern Trust
believes that market conditions indicate that a Fund should adopt a temporary
defensive posture by holding uninvested cash or investing in Taxable
Investments. Interest earned by these Funds on "private activity bonds" (if any)
that is treated as an item of tax preference under the federal alternative
minimum tax ("AMT obligations") will not be deemed to have been derived from
Municipal Instruments for purposes of determining whether these Funds meet this
fundamental policy.
In addition, as a matter of non-fundamental policy which may be changed
by the Board of Trustees, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the
value of the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund's total assets will be
invested in Municipal Instruments issued by the state of Florida and its
municipalities, counties and other taxing districts, as well as other securities
exempt from the Florida intangibles tax ("Florida Municipal Instruments"); at
least 65% of the value of each of the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt and
California Tax-Exempt Funds' total assets will be invested in California
Municipal Instruments; and at least 65% of the value of the Arizona Tax-Exempt
Fund's total assets will be invested in Municipal Instruments the interest on
which is exempt from Arizona state personal income tax ("Arizona Municipal
Instruments"), in the opinion of bond counsel for the issuers. These opinions
may contain various assumptions, qualifications or exceptions that are
reasonably acceptable to Northern Trust.
Under normal market conditions, Taxable Investments will not exceed 20%
of the value of the total assets of a Fund; during temporary defensive periods,
however, all or any portion of a Fund's assets may be invested in such
instruments. Taxable Investments will consist exclusively of instruments that
may be purchased by the Fixed Income Fund. Certain Municipal Instruments
purchased by the Funds (such as "moral obligation" bonds) may be issued by
issuers with a "moral" but not legal obligation to provide for the payment of
the bonds. See "Additional Investment Information, Risks and Considerations --
Description of Securities and Investment Techniques -- Municipal Securities."
The California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds are each
classified as a non-diversified investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Investment return on a non-diversified portfolio
typically is dependent upon the performance of securities of a smaller number of
issuers relative to the number held in a diversified portfolio. Consequently,
the change in value of any one security may affect the overall value of a
non-diversified portfolio more than it would a diversified portfolio.
INTERNATIONAL FIXED INCOME FUND. The investment objective of the International
Fixed Income Fund is to seek to maximize total return consistent with reasonable
risk. In pursuing its
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<PAGE> 35
investment objective, the Fund invests primarily (at least 65% of the value of
its total assets under normal market conditions) in a broad range of fixed
income securities of foreign issuers. The Fund's dollar-weighted average
maturity will range between three and eleven years.
Securities purchased by the Fund will generally be rated investment
grade or better at the time of purchase (within the four highest rating
categories of S&P, Duff, Fitch or Moody's) or, if unrated, be of comparable
quality as determined by Northern Trust. These securities may include bonds,
debentures, mortgage and other asset-related securities, zero coupon bonds and
convertible debentures (i.e., debentures that may convert into other fixed
income debt) of foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities and
political subdivisions; supranational organizations (e.g., the European
Investment Bank and Inter-American Development Bank); and foreign corporations
and banks. The Fund may also invest in obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities (including repurchase agreements collateralized
by such obligations) and of U.S. corporations and banks. Currently, a
substantial portion of the Fund's assets is invested in foreign governmental
obligations. Commercial paper and other short-term obligations acquired by the
Fund will be rated within the two highest rating categories at the time of
purchase or, if unrated, will be determined by Northern Trust to be of
comparable quality.
The International Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 5% of its total
assets in non-investment grade convertible securities that are rated "B" or
higher by at least one major rating agency at the time of purchase or, if
unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by Northern Trust. See
"Additional Investment Information, Risks and Considerations -- Description of
Securities and Investment Techniques -- Convertible Securities." The
International Fixed Income Fund may make indirect investments in foreign
securities through the purchase of EDRs, GDRs and ADRs and may enter into
forward currency contracts and utilize options, swaps and futures contracts as
more fully described under "Additional Investment Information, Risks and
Considerations." Pending investment, as a temporary defensive measure and to
meet anticipated redemption requests, the International Fixed Income Fund may
also invest, in accordance with its investment policies, in various short-term
obligations that are permissible investments for the Money Market Fund, as well
as other similar foreign denominated short-term obligations.
The International Fixed Income Fund is classified as a non-diversified
investment company under the 1940 Act. Investment return on a non-diversified
portfolio typically is dependent upon the performance of securities of a smaller
number of issuers relative to the number held in a diversified portfolio.
Consequently, the change in value of any one security may affect the overall
value of the International Fixed Income Fund more than it would the other Funds.
HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND. The investment objective of the High Yield Municipal
Fund is to seek a high level of current income exempt from regular federal
income tax. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily (at
least 65% of the value of its total assets under normal market conditions) in
rated and unrated Municipal Instruments that are of low, medium or upper medium
quality. Upper medium quality securities are rated A by an NRSRO,
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and medium quality securities are rated BBB or Baa by an NRSRO. Lower quality
securities, also commonly referred to as "non-investment grade" or "junk bonds,"
are rated BB, Ba or lower by an NRSRO. Unrated Municipal Instruments purchased
by the Fund will be of comparable quality as determined by Northern Trust. Lower
quality securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with
similar maturities, but present greater risk of loss. There is no minimum rating
for a Municipal Instrument purchased or held by the Fund, and the Fund may
purchase or hold securities rated in the lowest rating category or securities in
default. Although under normal market conditions the Fund invests primarily in
low, medium or upper medium quality securities, it may invest a portion of its
assets in securities of higher quality when Northern Trust believes it is
appropriate to do so in pursuance of the Fund's investment objective, and may
invest all of its assets in higher quality securities during temporary defensive
periods.
As a matter of fundamental policy, changeable only with the approval of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, at least 80% of the
Fund's annual gross income will be derived from Municipal Instruments, except in
extraordinary circumstances, such as when Northern Trust believes the market
conditions indicate that a Fund should adopt a temporary defensive posture by
holding uninvested cash or investing in Taxable Investments. Under normal market
conditions, Taxable Investments will not exceed 20% of the value of the total
assets of the Fund; during temporary defensive periods, however, all or any
portion of the Fund's assets may be invested in such instruments. Taxable
Investments will consist of instruments that may be purchased by the High Yield
Fixed Income Fund. The Fund is not limited in the amount of its assets that may
be invested in "private activity bonds" the interest on which may be treated as
an item of tax preference to shareholders under the federal alternative minimum
tax.
The Fund does not have any minimum portfolio maturity limitation, and may invest
its assets from time to time primarily in instruments with short, medium or long
maturities. The types of Municipal Instruments held by the Fund are considered
speculative, and an investment in the Fund presents substantial risks. See "High
Yield Funds - Additional Risks and Considerations."
HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND. The investment objective of the High Yield Fixed
Income Fund is to seek a high level of current income. In seeking current
income, the Fund may also consider the potential for capital appreciation. In
pursuing its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily (at least 65% of
the value of its total assets under normal market conditions) in rated and
unrated fixed income instruments that are of lower quality. Lower quality
securities, also commonly referred to as "non-investment grade" or "junk bonds,"
are rated BB, Ba or lower by an NRSRO or, if unrated, of comparable quality as
determined by Northern Trust. Lower quality securities tend to offer higher
yields than higher rated securities with similar maturities, but present greater
risk of loss. There is no minimum rating for a security purchased or held by the
Fund, and the Fund may purchase or hold securities rated in the lowest rating
category or securities in default. Although under normal market conditions the
Fund invests primarily in lower quality securities, it may invest a portion of
its assets in securities of higher quality when Northern Trust believes it is
appropriate to do so in pursuance of the Fund's investment objectives, and may
invest all of its assets in higher quality securities during temporary defensive
periods.
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The Fund may purchase securities of all types and in any proportion, including
obligations of U.S. and foreign corporations and banks, obligations of foreign,
state and local governments, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements relating to such obligations. The
Fund may purchase senior and subordinated bonds and debentures, mortgage and
other asset-related securities, zero coupon, pay-in-kind and capital
appreciation bonds, convertible securities, preferred stock, structured
securities and loan participations. The Fund may also invest in common stocks,
warrants, rights and other equity securities, but will generally hold such
equity investments only when the Fund holds debt or preferred stock of the same
issuer. Foreign issuers whose securities are held by the Fund may be located in
countries with emerging markets or securities markets, which present special
risks. The securities of a foreign issuer will not be purchased by the Fund if,
as a result of the purchase, more than 20% of the Fund's total assets will be
invested in the securities of issuers within a single foreign country.
The Fund does not have any minimum or maximum portfolio maturity limitation, and
may invest its assets from time to time primarily in securities with short,
medium or long maturities.
The Fund may utilize options, interest rate swaps, futures contracts and forward
currency contracts as described more fully under "Additional Investment
Information, Risks and Considerations." The lower quality fixed income
securities held by the Fund are considered speculative, and an investment in the
Fund presents substantial risks. See "High Yield Funds - Additional Risks and
Considerations."
EQUITY FUNDS
INCOME EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the Income Equity Fund is to
seek a high level of current income with long-term capital appreciation as a
secondary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing, under
normal market conditions, at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
income-producing equity securities (i.e., common and preferred stocks,
convertible securities and other equity or equity-related securities).
Investments are selected based on factors such as current income, prospects for
growth and possible capital appreciation. The Fund expects to make significant
investments in convertible securities and, at times, may be fully invested in
such securities. Generally, convertible securities will be rated investment
grade or better at the time of purchase by at least one major rating agency or,
if unrated, will be determined to be of comparable quality by Northern Trust.
Investment-grade securities are rated BBB or higher by S&P, Duff or Fitch or Baa
or higher by Moody's. Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may, however, be
invested in non-investment grade convertible securities (commonly referred to as
"high risk" or "junk" bonds) that are rated "B" or higher by at least one major
rating agency or, if unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by
Northern Trust. See "Additional Investment Information, Risks and Considerations
- -- Description of Securities and Investment Techniques -- Convertible
Securities."
The Fund may also invest, under normal market conditions, up to 35% of
its total assets in a broad range of bonds and other fixed income securities
rated investment grade or better at the time of purchase. These fixed income
securities will be limited to the types that are
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<PAGE> 38
permissible investments for the Fixed Income Fund. The Fund may utilize interest
rate swaps as described more fully under "Additional Investment Information,
Risks and Considerations."
STOCK INDEX FUND. The investment objective of the Stock Index Fund is to seek
investment results approximating the aggregate price and dividend performance of
the securities included in the S&P 500 Index. Although the Fund may not always
hold securities of all 500 issuers included in the S&P 500 Index, it will
normally invest at least 65% of its total assets in the issues included in the
S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is a market value-weighted index consisting of
500 common stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, American
Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq National Market System and selected by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's") through a detailed screening process
starting on a macro-economic level and working toward a micro-economic level
dealing with company-specific information such as market value, industry group
classification, capitalization and trading activity. Standard & Poor's primary
objective for the S&P 500 Index is to be the performance benchmark for the U.S.
equity markets. The companies chosen for inclusion in the S&P 500 Index tend to
be leaders in important industries within the U.S. economy. However, companies
are not selected by Standard & Poor's for inclusion because they are expected to
have superior stock price performance relative to the market in general or other
stocks in particular. Standard & Poor's makes no representation or warranty,
implied or express, to purchasers of Fund shares or any member of the public
regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund or the ability of the S&P
500 Index to track general stock market performance.
The Fund is managed through the use of a "passive" or "indexing"
investment approach, which attempts to duplicate the investment composition and
performance of the S&P 500 Index through statistical procedures. As a result, in
this Fund, NTQA does not employ traditional methods of fund investment
management, such as selecting securities on the basis of economic, financial and
market analysis.
NTQA believes that under normal market conditions, the quarterly
performance of the Fund, before expenses, will be within a .95 correlation with
the S&P 500 Index. However, there is no assurance that the Fund will be able to
do so on a consistent basis. Deviations from the performance of the S&P 500
Index ("tracking variance") may result from shareholder purchases and
redemptions of shares of the Fund that occur daily, as well as from the expenses
borne by the Fund. Such purchases and redemptions may necessitate the purchase
and sale of securities by the Fund, and the resulting transaction costs may be
substantial because of the number and the characteristics of the securities
held. In addition, transaction costs may be incurred because sales of securities
received in connection with spin-offs and other corporate reorganizations will
be made to conform the Fund's holdings with its investment objective. Tracking
variance may also occur due to factors such as the size of the Fund, the
maintenance of a cash reserve pending investment or to meet expected
redemptions, changes made in the S&P 500 Index or the manner in which the S&P
500 Index is calculated or because NTQA's indexing and investment approach does
not produce the intended goal of the Fund. In the event the performance of the
Fund is not comparable to the performance of the S&P 500 Index, the Board of
Trustees will evaluate the reasons for the deviation and the availability of
corrective measures. If substantial deviation in
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the Fund's performance were to continue for extended periods, it is expected
that the Board of Trustees would consider possible changes to the Fund's
investment objective.
The Fund may invest in options, futures contracts and securities issued
by other investment companies (such as Standard & Poor's Depository Receipts -
"SPDRs") in a manner designed to achieve returns comparable to the S&P 500
Index. The Fund may also invest in certain short-term fixed income securities as
cash reserves. The Fund does not anticipate that it would use cash reserves,
options or futures contracts and related options as part of a temporary
defensive strategy such as lowering its investment in common stocks to protect
against potential stock market declines.
GROWTH EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the Growth Equity Fund is to
seek long-term capital appreciation. Any income received is incidental to this
objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily (at
least 65% of the value of its total assets under normal market conditions) in
equity securities of "growth companies" that Northern Trust believes have
demonstrated above average sales and earnings growth and return on equity
relative to their peers and the general market. Investments are selected based
on factors such as financial condition, market share, product leadership,
earnings growth rates as compared with those of relevant competitors, market
valuation in comparison to other stocks and the stock's own historical norms,
improving relative price trend and other investment criteria. The Fund will have
broad sector exposure and emphasis will be on issue selection rather than sector
rotation.
SELECT EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the Select Equity Fund is to
seek long-term capital appreciation. Any income received is incidental to this
objective. The Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal market
conditions, at least 65% of the value of its total assets in common stocks of
companies believed by Northern Trust to have superior quality and growth
characteristics. The Fund is not sector-weighted, and will purchase securities
of companies primarily based on their performance in the following areas over a
five-year period: growth of sales, growth of earnings per share, consistency of
earnings per share growth and return on equity. As companies which perform
relatively well in some or all of these categories often retain their earnings
to finance current and future growth, they generally pay low or no dividends.
The Fund intends to invest primarily in the securities of companies which
together with their predecessors have been in continuous operation for at least
five years and have stock market capitalizations in excess of $750 million. In
addition, the debt relative to capital total return is reviewed over a one-year
period.
MID CAP GROWTH FUND. The investment objective of the Mid Cap Growth Fund is to
seek long-term capital appreciation. Any income received is incidental to this
objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily (at
least 65% of the value of its total assets under normal market conditions) in
equity securities of companies with market capitalizations that are within the
capitalization range of the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the time of investment. The
S&P MidCap 400 Index is a market-weighted index composed of 400 common stocks
chosen by Standard & Poor's for market size, liquidity and industry group
representation. The purpose of the S&P MidCap 400 Index is to represent the
performance of the medium-capitalization sector of the U.S. securities market.
Medium capitalized stocks which are included
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in the S&P 500 Index are excluded from the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Except for a
limited number of Canadian securities, the S&P MidCap 400 does not include
foreign securities. As of June 1, 1998, the approximate market capitalization
range of the companies included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index was between $328
million and $17.5 billion. The stocks in which the Fund invests may or may not
be included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index.
The Fund will invest in companies with intermediate market
capitalizations which Northern Trust believes have demonstrated above-average
sales and earnings growth and return on equity relative to their peers.
Investments are selected based on factors such as financial condition, market
share, product leadership, earnings growth rates as compared with those of
relevant competitors, market valuation in comparison to other stocks and the
stock's own historical norms, improving relative price trend and other
investment criteria. The Fund will have broad sector exposure and emphasis will
be on issue selection rather than sector rotation. The Fund may also invest in
securities issued by other investment companies (such as Mid-Cap SPDRs) that
invest in medium capitalized companies.
Because medium capitalized companies normally have more limited product
lines, markets, distribution channels and financial and managerial resources,
investments in such companies entail greater risk and portfolio price volatility
than investments in larger capitalized companies.
SMALL CAP INDEX FUND. The investment objective of the Small Cap Index Fund is to
seek investment results approximating the aggregate price and dividend
performance of the securities included in the Russell Index. Under normal market
conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in the
securities included in the Russell Index. The Russell Index is a market
value-weighted index composed of the stocks of the smallest 2,000 companies in
the Russell 3000 Index, which is composed of the stocks of 3,000 large U.S.
domiciled companies (based on market capitalization) that represent
approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity markets. Because of its emphasis
on the smallest 2,000 companies, the Russell Index represents approximately 10%
of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. As of May 31, 1998
the average market capitalization of the companies included in the Russell Index
was approximately $467.3 million. The Russell Index is reconstituted annually to
reflect changes in market capitalization. The primary criteria used by Frank
Russell & Company ("Russell") to determine the initial list of securities
eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index (and, accordingly, the Russell
Index) is total market capitalization adjusted for large private holdings and
cross-ownership. However, companies are not selected by Russell for inclusion in
the Russell Index because they are expected to have superior stock price
performance relative to the market in general or other stocks in particular.
Russell makes no representation or warranty, implied or express, to purchasers
of Fund shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of
investing in the Fund or the ability of the Russell Index to track general
market performance of small capitalization stocks.
The Fund will be constructed to have aggregate investment
characteristics similar to those of the Russell Index as a whole. The Fund will
invest in securities which will be selected on the basis of such factors as
market capitalization, beta, industry sectors and economic factors. The
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number of issues included will be a function of the Fund's liquidity and size.
The Fund will be restructured annually when the Russell Index is reconstituted.
The Fund will use a proprietary rebalancing algorithm that attempts to screen
out extremely illiquid issues while minimizing portfolio turnover and related
expenses.
It should be noted that small companies in which the Fund may invest
may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or may be
dependent upon a small management group, and their securities may be subject to
more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies,
both because their securities typically are traded in lower volume and because
the issuers typically are subject to a greater degree of change in their
earnings and prospects. (See the description of the Small Cap Fund for more
information about the risks of investing in small companies.)
NTQA believes that under normal market conditions, the quarterly
performance of the Fund, before expenses, will be within a .95 correlation with
the Russell Index. However, there is no assurance that the Fund will be able to
do so on a consistent basis. Deviations from the performance of the Russell
Index ("tracking variance") may result from shareholder purchases and
redemptions of shares of the Fund that occur daily, as well as from the expenses
borne by the Fund. Such purchases and redemptions may necessitate the purchase
and sale of securities by the Fund, and the resulting transaction costs may be
substantial because of the number and the characteristics of the securities
held. In addition, transaction costs may be incurred because sales of securities
received in connection with spin-offs and other corporate reorganizations will
be made to conform the Fund's holdings to its investment objective. Tracking
variance may also occur due to factors such as the size of the Fund, the
maintenance of a cash reserve pending investment or to meet expected
redemptions, changes made in the Russell Index or the manner in which the
Russell Index is calculated or because NTQA's indexing and investment approach
does not produce the intended goal of the Fund. In the event the performance of
the Fund is not comparable to the performance of the Russell Index, the Board of
Trustees will evaluate the reasons for the deviation and the availability of
corrective measures. These measures may include adjustments to NTQA's portfolio
management practices. If substantial deviation in the Fund's performance were to
continue for extended periods, it is expected that the Board of Trustees would
consider possible changes to the Fund's investment objective.
The Fund may invest in options, futures contracts and securities issued
by other investment companies. The Fund may also invest in certain short-term
fixed income securities as cash reserves. However, the Fund will not invest in
cash reserves, options or futures contracts and related options as part of a
temporary defensive strategy such as lowering its investment in common stocks to
protect against potential stock market declines.
SMALL CAP FUND. The investment objective of the Small Cap Fund is to seek
long-term capital appreciation. Any income received is incidental to this
objective. In seeking to attain its investment objective, the Fund will invest,
under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
equity securities of companies with market capitalizations, at the time of
purchase, that are below the median capitalization of stocks listed on the New
York Stock Exchange. In selecting stocks, NTQA will consider the relationship
between price and book
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value, and other factors such as trading volume and bid-ask spreads in an effort
to allow the Fund to achieve cost-effective diversification.
While NTQA believes that smaller companies can provide greater growth
potential than larger, more mature firms, investing in the securities of such
companies also involves greater risk, portfolio price volatility and cost.
Historically, small capitalization stocks, which will be the Fund's primary
investments, and stocks of recently organized companies, in which the Fund may
also invest, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization
stocks included in the S&P 500 Index. Among the reasons for this greater price
volatility are the lower degree of market liquidity (the securities of companies
with small stock market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in limited
volume) and the greater sensitivity of small companies to changing economic
conditions. For example, these companies are associated with higher investment
risk due to the greater business risks of small size and limited product lines,
markets, distribution channels and financial and managerial resources.
The values of small company stocks will frequently fluctuate
independently of the values of larger company stocks. Small company stocks may
decline in price as large company stock prices rise, or rise in price as large
company stock prices decline. You should, therefore, expect that the net asset
value of the Fund's shares will be more volatile than, and may fluctuate
independently of, broad stock market indices such as the S&P 500 Index.
The additional costs associated with the acquisition of small company
stocks include brokerage costs, market impact costs (that is, the increase in
market prices which may result when the Fund purchases thinly traded stock) and
the effect of the "bid-ask" spread in small company stocks. These costs will be
borne by all shareholders and may negatively impact investment performance.
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the International
Growth Equity Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Any income
received is incidental to this objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by investing principally in common and preferred stocks and securities
convertible into common stock of foreign issuers. The Fund will, under normal
market conditions, invest at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
equity securities. The Fund emphasizes stocks of companies that Northern Trust
believes to be growing more rapidly than their respective markets and that have
low debt ratios and above-average returns on equity. The Fund is
country-weighted but not sector-weighted and selects investments based on such
factors as financial condition, market share, product leadership, earnings
growth rates as compared with those of relevant competitors in the same local
market, market valuation in comparison to other stocks and the stock's own
historical norms, improving relative price trend and other investment criteria.
The Fund will normally limit its equity investments to the securities of
companies which together with their predecessors have been in continuous
operation for at least five years and have stock market capitalizations in
excess of $750 million. The Fund invests in securities listed on foreign and
domestic securities exchanges and securities traded in foreign and domestic
over-the-counter markets. See "International Funds -- Further Information."
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INTERNATIONAL SELECT EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the International
Select Equity Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Any income
received is incidental to this objective. The Fund will pursue its objective by
investing primarily (at least 65% of the value of its total assets under normal
market conditions) in equity securities of foreign issuers that Northern Trust
believes to be growing more rapidly than their respective markets, including
stocks of companies that have medium to smaller stock market capitalizations
(generally less than $1 billion) and that transact a significant level of their
business in countries growing in excess of the world averages. The Fund is
neither country-weighted nor sector-weighted and will invest in stocks of
companies primarily based on their performance in the following areas over a
five-year period: growth of sales, growth of earnings per share, consistency of
earnings per share growth, return on equity and low debt relative to total
capital. As companies which perform relatively well in some or all of these
categories often retain their earnings to finance current and future growth,
they generally pay low or no dividends. The Fund will normally limit its equity
investments to the securities of companies which together with their
predecessors have been in continuous operation for at least five years and have
stock market capitalizations in excess of $750 million. The Fund invests in
securities listed on foreign and domestic securities exchanges and securities
traded in foreign and domestic over-the-counter markets. See "International
Funds -- Further Information."
TECHNOLOGY FUND. The Technology Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term
capital appreciation by investing principally in equity securities and
securities convertible into common stock of companies that develop, produce or
distribute products and services related to advances in technology. In addition,
the Fund will, under normal market conditions, invest at least 65% of the value
of its total assets in securities of companies principally engaged in technology
business activities. Northern Trust will consider an issuer principally engaged
in technology business activities if such issuer is listed on the Morgan Stanley
High-Technology 35 Index (the "Morgan Stanley Index"), the Hambrecht and Quist
Technology Index (the "H&Q Index"), the SoundView Technology Index (the
"SoundView Index"), the technology grouping of the S&P 500 Index or any other
comparable technology index. The Morgan Stanley Index is a broad-market
technology indicator dedicated exclusively to the electronics-based technology
sector. The 35 stocks in the Morgan Stanley Index include the most highly
capitalized American companies drawn from nine technology subsectors: computer
services/design software, server software, PC software and new media, networking
and telecom equipment, server hardware, PC hardware and peripherals, specialized
systems and semi-conductors. The H&Q Index is an index of computer and chip
makers, biotechnology concerns and other high-tech companies, and the SoundView
Index is an unweighted index consisting of more than 100 technology companies.
The Fund emphasizes stocks of companies that Northern Trust believes
have the potential to outperform the market over the next one-to two-year
period. Investments are selected based on factors such as financial condition,
market share, product leadership or market niches, earnings growth rates as
compared with those of relevant competitors, market valuation in comparison to
other stocks and the stock's own historical norms, improving relative price
trend and other investment criteria. Companies in which the Fund may invest
include industrial and business machines; communications; computers, software
and peripheral products; electronics; electronic media; environmental services;
office equipment and supplies; television and video
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equipment and services; and satellite technology and equipment. For the purposes
of the Fund's industry concentration policy all of the foregoing companies will
be deemed part of the technology industry. See "Additional Investment
Information, Risks and Considerations -- Investment Restrictions." Certain of
the policies of the Fund present additional risks which are described under
"Technology Fund -- Additional Risks and Considerations."
OTHER INFORMATION. The Income Equity, Growth Equity, Select Equity, Mid Cap
Growth, Small Cap, International Growth Equity, International Select Equity and
Technology Funds may purchase warrants and rights that entitle the holder to buy
equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. (Warrants
and rights will not be counted in determining a Fund's investments in equity
securities.) In addition to investing in foreign securities directly, the
International Growth Equity and International Select Equity Funds may make
indirect investments in foreign securities through the purchase of EDRs, GDRs
and ADRs. Each of the Income Equity, Stock Index, Growth Equity, Select Equity,
Mid Cap Growth, Small Cap Index, Small Cap and Technology Funds may invest up to
10% of its net assets in foreign securities directly and indirectly through the
purchase of EDRs and GDRs and up to 25% of its net assets in ADRs, in addition
to short-term investments in foreign time deposits as discussed below. The
Income Equity Fund may enter into interest rate swaps and the International
Growth Equity and International Select Equity Funds may enter into currency
swaps. The Funds may purchase convertible securities, enter into forward
currency contracts and equity swaps and utilize options and futures contracts as
more fully described under "Additional Investment Information, Risks and
Considerations." Pending investment, as a temporary defensive measure and to
meet anticipated redemption requests, the Funds may also invest, in accordance
with their respective investment policies, in various short-term obligations
that are permissible investments for the Money Market Fund and, with respect to
the International Growth Equity and International Select Equity Funds, other
similar foreign denominated short-term obligations.
CALIFORNIA FUNDS, FLORIDA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
- -- ADDITIONAL RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
The investments of the California Funds in California Municipal
Instruments, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund in Florida Municipal
Instruments and the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund in Arizona Municipal Instruments
raise additional considerations. Payment of the interest on and the principal of
these instruments is dependent upon the continuing ability of issuers in these
states to meet their obligations.
The California Funds' investments include obligations of California
governmental issuers which rely in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on
real property taxes as a source of revenue. "Proposition Thirteen" and similar
California constitutional and statutory amendments and initiatives in recent
years have restricted the ability of California taxing entities to increase real
property tax revenues. Other initiative measures approved by California voters
in recent years, through limiting various other taxes, have resulted in a
substantial reduction in state revenues. Decreased state revenues may result in
reductions in allocations of state revenues to local governments.
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Because of the complex nature of the various initiatives mentioned
above and certain possible ambiguities and inconsistencies in their terms and
the scope of various exemptions and exceptions, as well as the impossibility of
predicting the level of future appropriations for state and local California
governmental entities, the impact of these initiatives and related measures on
the ability of California governmental issuers to pay interest or repay
principal on their obligations is difficult to determine. There have, however,
been certain adverse developments with respect to California Municipal
Instruments over the past several years.
In addition to the various initiatives discussed above, economic
factors such as the reduction in defense spending, a decline in tourism and high
levels of unemployment have had an adverse impact on the economy of California.
In recent years, these economic factors reduced revenues to the state government
at a time when expenses of state government such as education costs, various
welfare costs and other expenses were rising. Such economic factors adversely
impacted the ability of state and local California governmental entities to
repay debt, and these factors, and others that cannot be predicted, may have an
adverse impact in the future.
Similarly, if Florida or Arizona or any of their respective political
subdivisions should suffer serious financial difficulties to the extent their
ability to pay their obligations might be jeopardized, the ability of such
entities to market their securities, and the value of the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund or the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, could be adversely affected.
In addition to the risk of nonpayment on California, Florida or Arizona
Municipal Instruments, if these obligations decline in quality and are
downgraded by the NRSROs, they may become ineligible for purchase by the Funds.
Since there are large numbers of buyers of these instruments, the supply of
California, Florida or Arizona Municipal Instruments that are eligible for
purchase by the Funds could become inadequate at certain times.
Investors should consider the greater risk inherent in the
concentration of the California Funds, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
and the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund in such obligations versus the relative safety
that comes with a less geographically concentrated investment portfolio, and
should compare the yield available on a portfolio of California, Florida or
Arizona Municipal Instruments with the yield of a more diversified portfolio
including other Municipal Instruments before making an investment decision.
A more detailed description of special factors affecting investments in
California, Florida and Arizona Municipal Instruments is provided in the
Additional Statement.
TECHNOLOGY FUND -- ADDITIONAL RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
The Technology Fund's concentration in technology securities presents
special risk considerations. Technology companies may produce or use products or
services that prove commercially unsuccessful, become obsolete or become
adversely impacted by government regulation. Competitive pressures in the
technology industry may affect negatively the financial condition of technology
companies, and the Fund's concentration in technology securities may subject it
to more volatile price movements than a more diversified securities portfolio.
In
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certain instances, technology securities may experience dramatic price movements
precipitated by investors' excessive optimism or pessimism with little or no
basis in fundamental economic conditions. As a result of these and other
reasons, investments in the technology industry can experience sudden and rapid
appreciation and depreciation. Investors should, therefore, expect that the net
asset value of the Fund's shares will be more volatile than, and may fluctuate
independently of, broad stock market indices such as the S&P 500 Index.
In addition, it is expected that more than 25% of the Technology Fund's
total assets will normally be invested in technology companies which develop or
sell computers, software and peripheral products. In addition to the risks
associated with other technology companies, these companies are often dependent
on the existence and health of other products or industries and face highly
competitive pressures, product licensing, trademark and patent uncertainties and
rapid technological changes which may have a significant effect on their
financial condition. For example, an increasing number of companies and new
product offerings can lead to price cuts and slower selling cycles, and many of
these companies may be dependent on the success of a principal product, may rely
on sole source providers and third-party manufacturers, and may experience
difficulties in managing growth.
The Technology Fund may invest in the stocks of both large and small
companies. While Northern Trust believes that smaller companies can provide
greater growth potential than larger, more mature firms, investing in the
securities of small companies also involves greater risk and portfolio price
volatility as described above under "Investment Information -- Small Cap Fund."
HIGH YIELD FUNDS - ADDITIONAL RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
The investments of the High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income
Fund (the "High Yield Funds") in medium and lower quality securities present
special risk considerations. Medium quality securities, although considered
investment grade, are also considered to have speculative characteristics. Lower
quality securities are considered predominately speculative by traditional
investment standards. In some cases, these obligations may be highly speculative
and have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing. Lower quality
securities are subject to the increased risk of an issuer's inability to meet
principal and interest obligations. These securities may also be subject to
greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments,
interest rate sensitivity, subordination to the issuer's other obligations,
negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less secondary
market liquidity.
The market value of lower quality securities tends to reflect individual
corporate developments to a greater extent than that of higher quality
securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of
interest rates. Issuers of lower quality securities may not be able to make use
of more traditional methods of financing and their ability to service debt
obligations may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher quality
securities by economic downturns, specific corporate developments or the
issuer's inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. Negative
publicity about the junk bond market and investor perceptions regarding lower
quality securities, whether or not based or fundamental analysis, may depress
the prices for such securities.
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Lower quality securities are often issued in connection with a corporate
reorganization or restructuring or as part of a merger, acquisition, takeover or
similar event. They are also issued by less established companies seeking to
expand. Such issuers are often highly leveraged, may not have available to them
more traditional methods of financing and are generally less able than more
established or less leveraged entities to make scheduled payments of principal
and interest in the event of adverse developments or business conditions.
A holder's risk of loss from default is significantly greater for lower quality
securities than is the case for holders of other debt securities because such
securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to the rights of
other creditors of the issuers of such securities. Investment by a Fund in
defaulted securities poses additional risk of loss should nonpayment of
principal and interest continue in respect of such securities. Even if such
securities are held to maturity, recovery by a Fund of its initial investment
and any anticipated income or appreciation will be uncertain. A Fund may also
incur additional expenses in seeking recovery on defaulted securities.
The secondary market for lower quality securities is concentrated in relatively
few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual
funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the
secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile
than, the secondary market for higher quality securities. In addition, market
trading volume for high yield fixed income securities is generally lower and the
secondary market for such securities could contract under adverse market or
economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the
condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on
the market price and a Fund's ability to dispose of particular portfolio
investments. A less developed secondary market also may make it more difficult
for a Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its
portfolio.
Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the
safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not,
however, evaluate the market value risk of non-investment grade securities and,
therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition,
credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect
changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market
value of a security. Consequently, credit ratings should be used only as one
indicator of investment quality. Investments in lower quality securities,
whether rated or unrated, will be more dependent on Northern Trust's credit
analysis than would be the case with investments in higher quality securities.
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS -- FURTHER INFORMATION
The International Fixed Income, International Growth Equity and International
Select Equity Funds (the "International Funds") will be invested at all times in
the securities of issuers located in at least three different foreign countries.
These countries may include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland,
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Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South
Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the
United Kingdom and Venezuela. Criteria for determining the appropriate
distribution of investments among various countries and regions include
prospects for relative economic growth, expected levels of inflation, government
policies influencing business conditions, the outlook for currency
relationships, and the range of investment opportunities available to
international investors.
Because the securities markets in the following countries are highly
developed, liquid and subject to extensive regulation, the International Growth
Equity and the International Select Equity Funds may invest more than 25% of
their respective total assets in the securities of issuers located in Japan and
the United Kingdom, and the International Fixed Income Fund may invest more than
25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers located in Canada, France,
Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Investment in a
particular country of 25% or more of a Fund's total assets will make a Fund's
performance more dependent upon the political and economic circumstances of a
particular country than a mutual fund that is more widely diversified among
issuers in different countries. For example, the expected introduction of a
single currency, the euro, on January 1, 1999 for participating European nations
in the Economic and Monetary Union presents unique risks and uncertainties,
including whether the payment and operational systems of banks and other
financial institutions will be ready by the scheduled launch date; the creation
of suitable clearing and settlement payment schemes for the euro; the legal
treatment of outstanding financial contracts after January 1, 1999 that refer to
existing currencies rather than the euro; the establishment and maintenance of
exchange rates for existing currencies being converted into the euro and the
euro; the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies during the
transition period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 and beyond; whether
the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of the European countries participating
in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the
currencies of other Economic and Monetary Union countries, such as the United
Kingdom, Denmark and Greece, into the euro and the admission of other
non-Economic and Monetary Union countries, such as Poland, Latvia and Lithuania,
as members of the Economic and Monetary Union, may have an adverse impact on the
euro. These or other factors, including political risks, could cause market
disruptions before or after the introduction of the euro, and could adversely
affect the value of securities and foreign currencies held by the Funds.
Moreover, the reunification of the former German Democratic Republic (East
Germany) with the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and other political
and social events in Europe have caused considerable economic and social
dislocations. Similarly, events in the Japanese economy as well as social and
political developments and natural disasters have affected Japanese securities
and currency markets, and have disrupted the relationship of the Japanese yen
with other currencies and with the U.S. dollar. Future political, economic and
social developments can be expected to produce continuing effects on securities
and currency markets. Investment in foreign securities, including securities of
issuers located in the countries listed above, involves other risks which are
described under "Additional Investment Information, Risks and Considerations."
Certain investments by the International Funds will involve risks
associated with investments in emerging market countries. In addition,
securities issued in certain countries are
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currently accessible to the International Funds only through investment in other
investment companies that are specifically authorized to invest in such
securities. Further information about these matters is provided under
"Additional Investment Information, Risks and Considerations."
FUNDAMENTALS OF FIXED INCOME INVESTING
Even though interest-bearing securities are investments which often
offer a stable stream of income, the prices of fixed income securities are
affected by changes in the prevailing level of interest rates. These securities
experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when
interest rates rise. A bond fund portfolio consisting of fixed income securities
will react in a similar manner. Generally, the longer the maturity of a fixed
income security, the higher its yield and the greater its price volatility.
Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield but the greater the
price stability. The values of fixed income securities also may be affected by
changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuing entities. A
security's rating normally depends on the likelihood that the borrower will meet
each interest and principal installment on a timely basis. As a result,
lower-rated bonds typically yield more than higher-rated bonds of the same
maturity. Credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments,
not market risk, and rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a
rating to reflect economic or company conditions that affect a security's market
value. As a result, the ratings of rating services are used by the Investment
Advisers only as indicators of investment quality. For a more complete
discussion of ratings, see Appendix A to the Additional Statement.
In addition, fixed income securities may be subject to both call risk
and extension risk. Call risk (i.e., where the issuer exercises its right to pay
principal on an obligation earlier than scheduled) causes cash flow to be
returned earlier than expected. This typically results when interest rates have
declined, and a Fund may be unable to recoup all of its initial investment and
will also suffer from having to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Extension
risk (i.e., where the issuer exercises its right to pay principal on an
obligation later than scheduled) causes cash flows to be returned later than
expected. This typically results when interest rates have increased and a Fund
will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities. As
stated above, certain Funds will normally maintain the average-weighted
maturities of their portfolios within specified ranges. The maturities of
certain instruments, however, such as variable and floating rate instruments, as
well as instruments subject to prepayment or redemption by the issuers, are
subject to estimation. There is no assurance that the estimations used by the
Funds for these instruments will, in fact, be accurate or that, if inaccurate, a
Fund's average-weighted maturity will remain within the specified limits.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION, RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Each Equity Fund (other than the Stock Index and Small
Cap Index Funds), the Fixed Income Fund, High Yield Fixed Income Fund and the
International Fixed Income Fund may invest in convertible securities including
convertible bonds, debentures, and
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preferred stock. A convertible security may be converted either at a stated
price or rate within a specified period of time into a specified number of
shares of common stock. By investing in convertible securities, a Fund seeks the
opportunity, through the conversion feature, to participate in a portion of the
capital appreciation of the common stock into which the securities are
convertible, while earning higher current income than is available from the
common stock. Convertible securities acquired by the High Yield Fixed Income
Fund will frequently be rated below investment grade. Convertible securities
acquired by the other Funds, will usually be rated investment grade by S&P,
Moody's, Duff or Fitch or, if unrated, will be of comparable quality as
determined by the Investment Advisers. Each of these other Funds, may, however,
acquire convertible securities rated below investment grade when the Investment
Advisers believe that their investment characteristics make them desirable, so
long as (a) under normal market and economic conditions, less than 10% of a
Fund's total assets (35% in the case of the Income Equity Fund and 5% in the
case of the International Fixed Income Fund, International Growth Equity Fund
and International Select Equity Fund) are invested in non-investment grade
convertible securities and (b) any such security is rated "B" or higher by at
least one major rating agency. As of March 31, 1998, the Income Equity Fund had
the following percentages of its portfolio assets invested in convertible
securities with the following ratings: 0.44% AAA, 1.58% AA, 23.47% A, 29.95%
BBB, 7.43% BB, 17.37% B and 19.75% unrated. For a description of applicable
securities ratings, see Appendix A to the Additional Statement. Non-investment
grade securities (those that are rated "Ba" or lower by Moody's or "BB" or lower
by S&P, Duff or Fitch) are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are
generally subject to the risks described under "High Yield Funds - Additional
Risks and Considerations."
WARRANTS. Each Equity Fund (other than the Stock Index and Small Cap Index
Funds) and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 5% of its net
assets at the time of purchase in warrants and similar rights in addition to
those that have been acquired in units or are attached to other securities.
Warrants represent rights to purchase securities at a specific price for a
specific period of time. A Fund may also purchase bonds that are issued in
tandem with warrants entitling the holder to purchase common stock at a
specified price during a specified period. The prices of warrants do not
necessarily correlate with the prices of the underlying securities.
MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS. The Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and
California Tax-Exempt (the "Tax-Exempt Funds") and the Municipal Money Market,
California Municipal Money Market and High Yield Municipal Funds (the "Municipal
Funds") intend to invest primarily in Municipal Instruments. Municipal
Instruments include debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states,
territories and possessions of the United States and their political
subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities.
Municipal Instruments include both "general" and "revenue" obligations.
General obligations are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit
and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue obligations
are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class
of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or
other specific revenue source such as lease revenue payments from the user of
the facility being financed. Industrial development bonds are in most cases
revenue securities
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and are not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. Consequently,
the credit quality of an industrial revenue bond is usually directly related to
the credit standing of the private user of the facility involved.
The Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds may also invest in "moral
obligation" bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public
authorities. If the issuer of a moral obligation bond is unable to meet its debt
service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund (if
such a fund has been established), the restoration of which is a moral
commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created
the issuer.
Within the principal classifications of Municipal Instruments described
above there are a variety of categories, including municipal bonds, municipal
notes, municipal leases, custodial receipts and participation certificates.
Municipal notes include tax, revenue and bond anticipation notes of short
maturity, generally less than three years, which are issued to obtain temporary
funds for various public purposes. Municipal leases are obligations issued by
state and local governments or authorities to finance the acquisition of
equipment and facilities. Certain municipal lease obligations may include
"non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the municipality has no
obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless
money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Custodial receipts are
underwritten by securities dealers or banks and evidence ownership of future
interest payments, principal payments or both on certain municipal securities.
Participation certificates are obligations issued by state or local governments
or authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may
represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract, or a
conditional sales contract. Municipal leases (and participations in such leases)
present the risk that a municipality will not appropriate funds for the lease
payments. Northern Trust, under the supervision of Northern Funds' Board of
Trustees, will determine the credit quality of any unrated municipal leases on
an ongoing basis, including an assessment of the likelihood that the leases will
not be cancelled.
The Tax-Exempt Funds and the High Yield Municipal Fund may also hold
tax-exempt derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely
to changing short-term rates and/or have imbedded interest rate floors and caps
that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall
below or rise above a specified rate. These derivative instruments represent
beneficial interests in Municipal Instruments that are marketed by investment
banking firms under various names such as FLOATs(SM), RITEs(SM), SAVRs(SM) and
RIBs(SM). These instruments represent relatively recent innovations in the
municipal bond markets, and the trading market for these instruments is less
developed than the markets for traditional types of Municipal Instruments. It is
uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and
interest-rate scenarios. Because certain of these instruments are leveraged,
their market values may be more volatile than other types of Municipal
Instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. On the
other hand, the imbedded option features of other derivative instruments could
limit the amount of appreciation a Fund can realize on its investment, could
cause a Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell or could force the sale
of a security at inopportune times or for prices that do not reflect current
market value. The possibility of default by the issuer or the issuer's credit
provider may be greater for these
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derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases it may
be difficult to determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a
lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for
some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has
not ruled on whether the interest received on a tax-exempt derivative instrument
is tax-exempt and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the
opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments. Neither the Funds nor
Northern Trust will review the municipal, corporate or other proceedings related
to the creation of any tax-exempt derivatives or the basis for such opinions.
Each Tax-Exempt Fund and Municipal Fund may acquire "stand-by
commitments" relating to the Municipal Instruments it holds. Under a standby
commitment, a dealer agrees to purchase, at the Fund's option, specified
Municipal Instruments at a specified price. A stand-by commitment may increase
the cost, and thereby reduce the yield, of the Municipal Instruments to which
the commitment relates. The Funds will acquire stand-by commitments solely to
facilitate portfolio liquidity and do not intend to exercise their rights for
trading purposes.
Municipal Instruments purchased by the Tax-Exempt Funds and the
Municipal Funds may be backed by letters of credit or other forms of credit
enhancement issued by domestic or foreign banks and other financial
institutions. The credit quality of these banks and financial institutions
could, therefore, cause loss to a Fund that invests in Municipal Instruments and
affect its share price. Foreign letters of credit may involve certain risks in
addition to those of domestic obligations. Foreign banks and foreign branches of
domestic banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements, and to
different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements than domestic
banks.
Neither the Tax-Exempt Funds nor the Municipal Funds intend to invest
25% or more of the value of their respective total assets in industrial
development bonds or similar obligations where the non-governmental entities
supplying the revenues from which such bonds or obligations are to be paid are
in the same industry. Each Fund may, however, invest 25% or more of its total
assets in Municipal Instruments the interest on which is paid solely from
revenues of similar projects. In addition, although the Funds, other than the
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and the
California Funds, do not expect to do so during normal market conditions, each
may invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in Municipal
Instruments whose issuers are in the same state. The Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund expects to invest principally in Florida Municipal Instruments,
the California Funds expect to invest principally in California Municipal
Instruments and the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund expects to invest principally in
Arizona Municipal Instruments. When a substantial portion of a Fund's assets is
invested in instruments which are used to finance facilities involving a
particular industry, whose issuers are in the same state or which are otherwise
related, there is a possibility that an economic, business or political
development affecting one instrument would likewise affect the related
instruments.
Funds in addition to the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds may
invest from time to time in Municipal Instruments or other securities issued by
state and local governmental bodies when the Investment Advisers believe such an
investment strategy is in the best interest of
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Northern Funds' shareholders. Dividends paid by Funds other than the Tax-Exempt
Funds and the Municipal Funds on such investments will be taxable to
shareholders.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The International Funds intend to invest primarily in the
securities of foreign issuers. In addition, each Equity Fund, the Fixed Income
Fund and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may invest a portion of their assets
in such securities, including (except with respect to the Fixed Income Fund)
eurodollar convertible securities, which are fixed income securities that are
issued in U.S. dollars outside the United States and are convertible into or
exchangeable for equity securities of the same or a different issuer. The Money
Market Fund may also invest in dollar-denominated obligations issued or
guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political
subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, as well as other foreign issuers.
These obligations may be issued by supranational entities, including
international organizations (such as the European Coal and Steel Community)
designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic
reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related
government agencies.
Investment in foreign securities involves special risks. These include
market risk, interest rate risk and the risks of investing in securities of
foreign issuers and of companies whose securities are principally traded outside
the United States and in investments denominated in foreign currencies. Market
risk involves the possibility that stock prices will decline over short or even
extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods of
generally rising prices and periods of generally declining prices. These cycles
will affect the value of a Fund that invests in foreign stocks. The holdings of
a Fund that invest in fixed income securities will be sensitive to changes in
interest rates and the interest rate environment. Generally, the prices of bonds
and debt securities fluctuate inversely with interest rate changes. In addition,
the performance of investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency
will depend on the strength of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar and
the interest rate environment in the country issuing the currency. Absent other
events which could otherwise affect the value of a foreign security (such as a
change in the political climate or an issuer's credit quality), appreciation in
the value of the foreign currency generally can be expected to increase the
value of a foreign currency-denominated security in terms of U.S. dollars. A
rise in foreign interest rates or decline in the value of the foreign currency
relative to the U.S. dollar generally can be expected to depress the value of a
foreign currency-denominated security.
There are other risks and costs involved in investing in foreign
securities which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments. Investment in foreign securities involves higher costs than
investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as
well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign
investments also involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange
rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market
liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Future political
and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings,
the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other
governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign
securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign
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branches of domestic banks are subject to less stringent reserve requirements,
and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements.
The Money Market Fund, the Fixed Income Fund, the High Yield Fixed
Income Fund, each Equity Fund and each International Fund may invest in foreign
debt, including the securities of foreign governments. Several risks exist
concerning such investments, including the risk that foreign governments may
default on their obligations, may not respect the integrity of such debt, may
attempt to renegotiate the debt at a lower rate, and may not honor investments
by United States entities or citizens.
To the extent consistent with their investment objectives, the Funds
may also invest in obligations of the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (also known as the World Bank) which are supported by subscribed,
but unpaid, commitments of its member countries. There is no assurance that
these commitments will be undertaken or complied with in the future.
In addition, the International Funds and High Yield Fixed Income Fund
may invest their assets in countries with emerging economies or securities
markets. These countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe,
Latin and South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of
these countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development,
and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability
characteristics of more developed countries. Some of these countries may have in
the past failed to recognize private property rights and may have at times
nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. In general, the
securities markets of these countries are less liquid, subject to greater price
volatility, have smaller market capitalizations and have problems with
securities registration and custody. As a result, the risks presented by
investments in these countries are heightened. Additionally, settlement
procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than
those in the United States and may involve a Fund's delivery of securities
before receipt of payment for their sale. Settlement or registration problems
may make it more difficult for a Fund to value its portfolio securities and
could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a
portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a
counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund's
inability to complete its contractual obligations.
Although a Fund (other than the Money Market Fund) may invest in
securities denominated in foreign currencies, its portfolio securities and other
assets are valued in U.S. dollars. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate
significantly over short periods of time causing, together with other factors, a
Fund's net asset value to fluctuate as well. Currency exchange rates can be
affected unpredictably by the intervention or the failure to intervene by U.S.
or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political
developments in the U.S. or abroad. To the extent that a Fund's total assets,
adjusted to reflect the Fund's net position after giving effect to currency
transactions, are denominated in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund
will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political
developments within those countries. In addition, through the use of forward
currency exchange contracts and other instruments, the respective net currency
positions of the International Funds may expose them to
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risks independent of their securities positions. Although the net long and short
foreign currency exposure of the International Funds will not exceed their
respective total asset values, to the extent that a Fund is fully invested in
foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed
to greater risk than it would have if it did not maintain the currency
positions. The Funds are also subject to the possible imposition of exchange
control regulations or freezes on the convertibility of currency.
The International Fixed Income Fund may invest in debt securities
denominated in the European Currency Unit ("ECU"), which is a "basket"
consisting of specified amounts in the currencies of certain of the member
states of the European Community. The specific amounts of currencies comprising
the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of the European Community
from time to time to reflect changes in relative values of the underlying
currencies. The Fund may also invest in securities denominated in other currency
"baskets."
Investors should understand that the expense ratios of the
International Funds can be expected to be higher than those of Funds investing
primarily in domestic securities. The costs attributable to investing abroad are
usually higher for several reasons, such as the higher cost of investment
research, higher cost of custody of foreign securities, higher commissions paid
on comparable transactions on foreign markets and additional costs arising from
delays in settlements of transactions involving foreign securities.
Dividends and interest payable on a Fund's foreign portfolio securities
may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. To the extent such taxes are not
offset by credits or deductions allowed to investors under U.S. federal income
tax law, they may reduce the net return to the shareholders. See "Distributions
and Taxes."
AMERICAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. Each Equity Fund and each International Fund can
invest in ADRs. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or
trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying foreign securities and are
denominated in U.S. dollars. Some institutions issuing ADRs may not be sponsored
by the issuer.
A non-sponsored depository may not provide the same shareholder information that
a sponsored depository is required to provide under its contractual arrangement
with the issuer.
EUROPEAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. Each Equity Fund and each International Fund can
also invest in EDRs and GDRs. EDRs and GDRs are receipts issued by a non-U.S.
financial institution evidencing ownership of underlying foreign or U.S.
securities and are usually denominated in foreign currencies. EDRs and GDRs may
not be denominated in the same currency as the securities they represent.
Generally, EDRs and GDRs are designed for use in the foreign securities markets.
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Equity Funds (other than the Stock
Index and Small Cap Index Funds), the International Funds, the Fixed Income Fund
and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may enter into forward currency exchange
contracts in an effort to hedge all or any portion of their portfolio positions.
Specifically, foreign currency contracts may be used
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for this purpose to reduce the level of volatility caused by changes in foreign
currency exchange rates or when such transactions are economically appropriate
for the reduction of risks in the ongoing management of the Fund. The
International Funds and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may also enter into
foreign currency exchange contracts to seek to increase total return when
Northern Trust anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate
in value, but securities denominated in that currency do not in Northern Trust's
view present attractive investment opportunities and are not held by the Fund.
In addition, the International Funds and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may
engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge
against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different
currency if Northern Trust believes that there is a pattern of correlation
between the two currencies.
A forward currency exchange contract is an obligation to purchase or
sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days
from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the
time of contract. Although these contracts may be used to minimize the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they
tend to limit any potential gain that might be realized should the value of such
currency increase. Consequently, a Fund may choose to refrain from entering into
such contracts. In connection with its forward currency exchange contracts, a
Fund will segregate liquid assets, such as cash, U.S. government securities or
other liquid securities, or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with
applicable requirements of the SEC.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. To the extent consistent with its investment
objective, each Fund (other than the Money Market Funds) may write covered call
options, buy put options, buy call options and write secured put options for the
purpose of hedging or earning additional income, which may be deemed speculative
or, with respect to the International Funds, cross-hedging. These options may
relate to particular securities, financial instruments, foreign currencies,
stock or bond indices or (in the case of the International Fixed Income Fund and
High Yield Income Fund) the yield differential between two securities, and may
or may not be listed on a securities exchange and may or may not be issued by
the Options Clearing Corporation. A Fund will not purchase put and call options
where the aggregate premiums on outstanding options exceed 5% of its net assets
at the time of purchase, and will not write options on more than 25% of the
value of its net assets (measured at the time an option is written). Options
trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary
investment risks. In addition, unlisted options are not subject to the
protections afforded purchasers of listed options issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation, which performs the obligations of its members if they default.
To the extent consistent with its investment objective, each Fund
(other than the Money Market Funds) may also invest in futures contracts and
options on futures contracts for hedging purposes or to maintain liquidity to
meet potential shareholder redemptions, invest cash balances or dividends or
minimize trading costs. The Funds may also invest in futures contracts and
options in futures contracts to increase total return (i.e. for speculative
purposes). The value of a Fund's futures contracts may equal up to 100% of the
Fund's total assets, although a Fund will not purchase or sell a futures
contract unless immediately afterwards the aggregate amount of
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margin deposits on its existing futures positions plus the amount of premiums
paid for related futures options entered into for other than bona fide hedging
purposes is 5% or less of its total assets.
Futures contracts obligate a Fund, at maturity, to take or make
delivery of certain securities, the cash value of a securities index or a stated
quantity of a foreign currency. When used as a hedge, a Fund may sell a futures
contract in order to offset an expected decrease in the value of its portfolio
that might otherwise result from a market decline or currency exchange
fluctuation. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its securities
portfolio 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 holdings or in currency exchange rates.
A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on futures contracts
traded on an exchange or board of trade. When a Fund purchases an option on a
futures contract, it has the right to assume a position as a purchaser or a
seller of a futures contract at a specified exercise price anytime during the
option period. When a Fund sells an option on a futures contract, it becomes
obligated to sell or buy a futures contract if the option is exercised. In
connection with a Fund's position in a futures contract or related option, the
Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in
accordance with applicable SEC requirements.
The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and
options are: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of
the instruments held by a Fund and the price of the futures contract or option;
(b) the possible inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses
caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; and
(d) the Investment Advisers' ability to predict correctly the direction of
securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic
factors. For further discussion of risks involved with domestic and foreign
futures and options, see "Futures Contracts and Related Options" and Appendix B
in the Additional Statement.
Northern Funds intends to comply with the regulations of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission exempting the Funds from registration as a "commodity
pool operator."
INTEREST RATE SWAPS, FLOORS AND CAPS AND CURRENCY SWAPS. In order to protect
their value from interest rate fluctuations and to hedge against fluctuations in
the floating rate market, each Fixed Income Fund and the Income Equity Fund may
enter into interest rate swaps, and the U.S. Government, Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government, Fixed Income, International Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal and
High Yield Fixed Income Funds may purchase interest rate floors or caps. The
Funds expect to enter into these hedging transactions primarily to preserve a
return or spread of a particular investment or portion of their respective
holdings and to protect against an increase in the price of securities the Funds
anticipate purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange
by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive
interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments).
The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent
that a specified index falls
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below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The
purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a
specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of
interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest
rate cap. In order to protect against currency fluctuations, the International
Funds and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may also enter into currency swaps.
Currency swaps involve the exchange of the rights of a Fund and another party to
make or receive payments in specified currencies.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each interest rate or currency swap will be accrued
on a daily basis and the Fund will segregate liquid assets having an aggregate
net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess. Except for the High Yield
Municipal and High Yield Fixed Income Funds (which are not subject to any
minimum rating criteria), a Fund will not enter into any interest rate swap,
floor or cap transaction or any currency swap unless the unsecured commercial
paper, senior debt, or claims paying ability of the other party is rated either
A or A-1 or better by S&P, Duff or Fitch, or A or P-1 or better by Moody's.
EQUITY SWAPS. Each Equity Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow
the parties to the swap agreement to exchange components of return on one equity
investment (e.g., a basket of equity securities or an index) for a component of
return on another non-equity or equity investment, including an exchange of
differential rates of return. An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in
a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in
circumstances where direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is
otherwise impractical. They may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to
increase total return. A Fund will normally enter into equity swaps on a net
basis whereby the two returns are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying,
as the case may be, only the net amount of the two returns. Equity swaps are
derivatives and their values can be very volatile. To the extent that the
Investment Advisers do not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative
fluctuation on the components swapped with the other party, a Fund may suffer a
loss. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a
common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore,
during the period a swap is outstanding, a Fund may suffer a loss if the
counterparty defaults. A Fund will not enter into any equity swap unless the
unsecured commercial paper, senior debt, or claims paying ability of the other
party is rated either A or A-1 or better by S&P, Duff or Fitch or A or P-1 or
better by Moody's. In connection with its investments in equity swaps, a Fund
will segregate cash or liquid assets or otherwise cover its obligations in a
manner required by the SEC.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. To the extent consistent with their
respective investment objectives, the Funds may invest in a variety of U.S.
Treasury obligations consisting of bills, notes and bonds, which principally
differ only in their interest rates, maturities and time of issuance. The Funds
may also invest in other securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities. Obligations of certain agencies and
instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury;
others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the
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Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to
purchase the agency's obligations; still others are supported only by the credit
of the instrumentalities. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government
would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities if it is
not obligated to do so by law.
Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities are deemed to include: (a)
securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or an agency or
instrumentality thereof; and (b) participations in loans made to foreign
governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed. The secondary market for
certain of these participations is limited. Such participations will therefore
be regarded as illiquid.
STRIPPED OBLIGATIONS. To the extent consistent with their respective investment
objectives, the Funds may purchase Treasury receipts and other "stripped"
securities that evidence ownership in either the future interest payments or the
future principal payments on U.S. government and other domestic and foreign
obligations. These participations, which may be issued by the U.S. government
(or a U.S. government agency or instrumentality), foreign governments or private
issuers such as banks and other institutions, are issued at a discount to their
"face value," and may include stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"),
which are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. Stripped securities,
particularly SMBS, may exhibit greater price volatility than ordinary debt
securities because of the manner in which their principal and interest are
returned to investors.
SMBS are usually structured with two or more classes that receive
different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of
mortgage-backed obligations. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving
all of the interest, while the other class receives all of the principal.
However, in some cases, one class will receive some of the interest and most of
the principal while the other class will receive most of the interest and the
remainder of the principal. If the underlying obligations experience greater
than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its
initial investment. The market value of the class consisting entirely of
principal payments can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest
rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest
are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed
obligations because their cash flow patterns are also volatile and there is a
greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.
SMBS issued by the U.S. government (or a U.S. government agency or
instrumentality) may be considered liquid under guidelines established by
Northern Funds' Board of Trustees if they can be disposed of promptly in the
ordinary course of business at a value reasonably close to that used in the
calculation of a Fund's per share net asset value.
CUSTODIAL RECEIPTS FOR TREASURY SECURITIES. To the extent consistent with their
respective investment objectives, the Funds, other than the U.S. Government
Select Money Market Fund, may also purchase participations in trusts that hold
U.S. Treasury securities (such as TIGRs and
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CATS) or other obligations where the trust participations evidence ownership in
either the future interest payments or the future principal payments on the
obligations. Like other stripped obligations, these participations are also
normally issued at a discount to their "face value," and can exhibit greater
price volatility than ordinary debt securities because of the way in which their
principal and interest are returned to investors. Investments by the U.S.
Government Money Market Fund in such participations will not exceed 35% of the
value of that Fund's total assets.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The U.S. Government Money Market Fund, the U.S.
Government Fund and the Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund may purchase
securities that are secured or backed by mortgages and that are issued by the
U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The other Funds may purchase
asset-backed securities that are secured or backed by mortgages or other assets
(e.g., automobile loans, credit card receivables and other financial assets) and
are issued by the U.S. government, GNMA, FNMA, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation, and private issuers such as commercial banks, financial companies,
finance subsidiaries of industrial companies, savings and loan associations,
mortgage banks, investment banks and certain special purpose entities. Except
for the two High Yield Funds, the Funds will not purchase non-mortgage
asset-backed securities that are not rated investment grade by S&P, Duff, Fitch
or Moody's.
Non-mortgage asset-backed securities involve certain risks that are not
presented by mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities do not have
the benefit of the same security interest in the underlying collateral. Credit
card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the
protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which
have given debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit
cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Most issuers of automobile receivables
permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the
servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that
the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the
related automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of
vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state
laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have an
effective security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables.
Therefore, there is a possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may
not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these securities.
The Funds may acquire several types of mortgage-backed securities,
including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which provide the
holder with a pro rata interest in the underlying mortgages, and collateralized
mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), which provide the holder with a specified
interest in the cash flow of a pool of underlying mortgages or other
mortgage-backed securities. Issuers of CMOs ordinarily elect to be taxed as
pass-through entities known as real estate mortgage investment conduits
("REMICs"). CMOs are issued in multiple classes, each with a specified fixed or
floating interest rate and a final distribution date. The relative payment
rights of the various CMO classes may be structured in a variety of ways. The
Funds will not purchase "residual" CMO interests, which normally exhibit greater
price volatility.
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The yield characteristics of asset-backed securities differ from
traditional debt securities. A major difference is that the principal amount of
the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e.,
loans) generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if an asset-backed
security is purchased at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than
expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower
than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity.
Conversely, if an asset-backed security is purchased at a discount, faster than
expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will
decrease, yield to maturity. In calculating the average weighted maturity of a
Fund (other than a Money Market Fund), the maturity of asset-backed securities
will be based on estimates of average life. There can be no assurance that these
estimates will be accurate.
Prepayments on asset-backed securities generally increase with falling
interest rates and decrease with rising interest rates; furthermore, prepayment
rates are influenced by a variety of economic and social factors. In general,
the collateral supporting non-mortgage asset-backed securities is of shorter
maturity than mortgage loans and is less likely to experience substantial
prepayments. Like other fixed income securities, when interest rates rise the
value of an asset-backed security generally will decline; however, when interest
rates decline, the value of an asset-backed security with prepayment features
may not increase as much as that of other fixed income securities.
CORPORATE AND BANK OBLIGATIONS. To the extent consistent with their respective
investment objectives, the Funds, other than the U.S. Government Select Money
Market Fund, may invest in debt obligations of domestic or foreign corporations
and banks, and may acquire commercial obligations issued by Canadian
corporations and Canadian counterparts of U.S. corporations, as well as
Europaper, which is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of a foreign
issuer. Bank obligations may include certificates of deposit, notes, bankers'
acceptances and fixed time deposits. These obligations may be general
obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch or
subsidiary by the terms of specific obligation or by government regulation. For
purposes of determining the permissibility of an investment in bank obligations,
the total assets of a bank are determined on the basis of the bank's most recent
annual financial statements.
EXCHANGE RATE-RELATED SECURITIES. The Fixed Income, International Fixed Income,
High Yield Fixed Income and Income Equity Funds may each invest in securities
for which the principal repayment at maturity, while paid in U.S. dollars, is
determined by reference to the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the
currency of one or more foreign countries ("Exchange Rate-Related Securities").
The interest payable on these securities is denominated in U.S. dollars and is
not subject to foreign currency risk and, in most cases, is paid at rates higher
than most other similarly rated securities in recognition of the foreign
currency risk component of Exchange Rate-Related Securities.
Investments in Exchange Rate-Related Securities entail certain risks.
There is the possibility of significant changes in rates of exchange between the
U.S. dollar and any foreign currency to which an Exchange Rate-Related Security
is linked. In addition, there is no
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assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a liquid secondary market
will exist for a particular Exchange Rate-Related Security due to conditions in
the debt and foreign currency markets. Illiquidity in the forward foreign
exchange market and the high volatility of the foreign exchange market may, from
time to time, combine to make it difficult to sell an Exchange Rate-Related
Security prior to maturity without incurring a significant price loss.
INSURANCE FUNDING AGREEMENTS. The Money Market Fund, the Fixed Income Fund and
the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may make limited investments in insurance
funding agreements ("IFAs") issued by U.S. and foreign insurance companies.
Pursuant to these contracts, a Fund makes cash contributions to a deposit fund
of the insurance company's general account. The insurance company then credits
to the Fund, on a monthly basis, interest which is based on an index (such as
the Salomon Brothers CD Index), but is guaranteed not to be less than a certain
minimum rate. The Money Market Fund and Fixed Income Fund will only purchase
highly rated IFAs. The High Yield Fixed Income Fund is not subject to any
minimum rating criteria. Generally, IFAs are not assignable or transferable
without the permission of the issuing insurance companies, and an active
secondary market in IFAs does not currently exist. Therefore, IFAs will be
subject to a Fund's limitation on illiquid investments when the Fund may not
demand payment of the principal amount within seven days and a reliable trading
market is absent. See "Illiquid Securities."
STRUCTURED SECURITIES. To the extent consistent with their respective investment
objectives, the Funds may invest in structured securities. The value of the
principal of and/or interest on such securities is determined by reference to
changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities,
indices or other financial indicators (the "Reference") or the relative change
in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable
upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes
in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide
that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore,
result in the loss of a Fund's investment. Structured securities may be
positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may
produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at
maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the
security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference.
Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market rise
than other types of fixed-income securities. Structured securities may also be
more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to accurately price than less
complex securities.
ZERO COUPON, PAY-IN-KIND AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION BONDS. To the extent
consistent with their respective investment objectives, the Funds may invest in
zero coupon and capital appreciation bonds. These are securities issued at a
discount from their face value because interest payments are typically postponed
until maturity. The amount of the discount rate varies depending on factors
including the time remaining until maturity, prevailing interest rates, the
security's liquidity and the issuer's credit quality. These securities also may
take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their interest
payments. The Funds may also invest in pay-in-kind securities which are
securities that have interest payable by the delivery of additional securities.
A portion of the discount with respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or
their coupons may be taxable. The market prices of zero coupon, pay-in-kind and
capital appreciation
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bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest-bearing
securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest
rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit
quality. A Fund's investments in zero coupon, pay-in-kind and capital
appreciation bonds may require the Fund to sell certain of its portfolio
securities to generate sufficient cash to satisfy certain income distribution
requirements.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. The High Yield Fixed Income Fund may invest in loan
participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or
foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial
intermediary. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a number of lenders,
usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant
to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of the co-lenders usually
agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.
Participation interests acquired by the High Yield Fixed Income Fund
may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate
borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another
participant, or a participation in the seller's share of the loan. When the High
Yield Fixed Income Fund act as co-lender in connection with a participation
interest or when the High Yield Fixed Income Fund acquires certain participation
interests, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund will have direct recourse against
the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In
cases where the High Yield Fixed Income Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look
to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.
In these cases, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may be subject to delays,
expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if
the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such
borrower. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the
corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses by
the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the agent bank. Moreover, under
the terms of the loan participation, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may be
regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying
corporate borrower), so that the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may also be
subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent. The secondary
market, if any, for these loan participations is limited and any loan
participations purchased by the High Yield Fixed Income Fund will be regarded as
illiquid.
For purposes of certain investment limitations pertaining to
diversification of the High Yield Fixed Income Fund's portfolio investments, the
issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. However, in
cases where the High Yield Fixed Income Fund does not have recourse directly
against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender
interposed between the High Yield Fixed Income Fund and the borrower will be
deemed issuers of a loan participation.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. In accordance with their respective
investment objectives, the Funds may purchase rated and unrated variable and
floating rate instruments. These instruments may include variable amount master
demand notes that permit the indebtedness to vary in addition to providing for
periodic adjustments in the interest rate and long-term variable and floating
rate bonds (sometimes referred to as "Put Bonds") where the Fund obtains at the
time of purchase the right to put the bond back to the issuer or a third party
at
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par at a specified date. A Fund may deem the maturity of variable and floating
rate instruments to be less than their stated maturities based on their variable
and floating rate features and/or their put features subject to applicable SEC
regulations. Unrated instruments will be determined by the Investment Advisers
to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments
purchasable by the Funds.
The Funds (other than the Money Market Funds) may also invest in
leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments ("inverse floaters"). The
interest rate of an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the
market rate of interest to which it is indexed. An inverse floater may be
considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a
magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of
interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is
associated with greater volatility in their market values.
The absence of an active secondary market with respect to particular
variable and floating rate instruments could make it difficult for a Fund to
dispose of the instruments if the issuer defaulted on its payment obligation or
during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise demand rights, and a
Fund could, for these or other reasons, suffer a loss with respect to such
instruments. Variable and floating rate instruments (including inverse floaters)
will be subject to a Fund's limitation on illiquid investments when the Fund may
not demand payment of the principal amount within seven days and a reliable
trading market is absent. See "Illiquid Securities."
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may agree to purchase portfolio securities from
financial institutions subject to the seller's agreement to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon date and price ("repurchase agreements"). Although the
securities subject to a repurchase agreement may bear maturities exceeding one
year, settlement for the repurchase agreement will never be more than one year
after a Fund's acquisition of the securities and normally will be within a
shorter period of time. Securities subject to repurchase agreements are held
either by Northern Funds' custodian or subcustodian (if any), or in the Federal
Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System. The seller under a repurchase agreement will
be required to maintain the value of the securities subject to the agreement in
an amount exceeding the repurchase price (including accrued interest). Default
by the seller would, however, expose a Fund to possible loss because of adverse
market action or delay in connection with the disposition of the underlying
obligations.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER BORROWINGS. Each Fund is authorized to
make borrowings as described below under "Investment Restrictions." If the
securities held by a Fund should decline in value while borrowings are
outstanding, the market value of the Fund's portfolio will decline
proportionately more than the decline in value it would otherwise suffer.
Borrowings may be made through reverse repurchase agreements under which a Fund
sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and
broker/dealers and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price. The
Funds may use the proceeds of reverse repurchase agreements to purchase other
securities either maturing, or under an agreement to resell, on a date
simultaneous with or prior to the expiration of the reverse repurchase
agreement. The Funds (other than the Municipal Money Market, U.S. Government
Select Money Market,
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California Municipal Money Market, Income Equity, Growth Equity, Select Equity
and Small Cap Funds) may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is
anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the
proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the
transaction. This use of reverse repurchase agreements may be regarded as
leveraging and, therefore, speculative. Reverse repurchase agreements involve
the risks that the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will
be less than the interest expense, that the market value of the securities sold
by a Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to
repurchase and that the securities may not be returned to the Fund. During the
time a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, a Fund will segregate liquid
assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price. A Fund's reverse
repurchase agreements, together with any other borrowings, will not exceed, in
the aggregate, 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. In addition, whenever
borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any
investments.
SECURITIES LENDING. Each Fund may seek additional income from time to time by
lending securities on a short-term basis to banks, brokers and dealers. The
securities lending agreements will require that the loans be secured by
collateral in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or irrevocable
bank letters of credit maintained on a current basis equal in value to at least
the market value of the loaned securities. A Fund may not make such loans in
excess of 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the loan
collateral). Securities loans involve risks of delay in receiving additional
collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or possibly loss of rights in
the collateral if the borrower of the securities becomes insolvent.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS.
Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time. Securities purchased or sold on a
when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss
if the value of the security to be purchased declines, or the value of the
security to be sold increases, before the settlement date. Although a Fund will
generally purchase securities with the intention of acquiring them, a Fund may
dispose of securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or a forward
commitment basis before settlement when deemed appropriate by the Investment
Advisers.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. In connection with the management of its daily cash
positions, each Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment
companies which invest in short-term, high-quality debt securities and which
determine their net asset value per share based on the amortized cost or
penny-rounding method of valuation. In addition, each Fund may invest in
securities issued by other investment companies if otherwise consistent with its
investment objectives and policies, including shares of investment companies
investing primarily in foreign securities, including so-called "country funds."
Country funds have portfolios consisting exclusively of securities of issuers
located in one or more specified foreign countries. As a shareholder of another
investment company, a Fund will bear, along with other shareholders, its pro
rata portion of the other investment company's expenses including advisory fees.
These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses the
Fund bears directly in
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connection with its own operations. Investments in other investment companies
will be subject to the limits imposed by the 1940 Act.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The High Yield Fixed Income, Income Equity, Small
Cap Index and Small Cap Funds may invest in real estate investment trusts
("REITs"), which are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either
real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by
changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage
loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon cash flow from their
investments to repay financing costs and the ability of the REITs' manager.
REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real
estate. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses,
including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest up to 15% (10% in the case of the
Money Market Funds) of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities.
Illiquid securities generally include repurchase agreements and time deposits
with notice/termination dates in excess of seven days, SMBS issued by private
issuers, certain unlisted over-the-counter options, certain IFAs and other
securities which are subject to trading restrictions because they are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act").
If otherwise consistent with its investment objective and policies,
each Fund may purchase commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the
1933 Act and securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act but can be
sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A under the
1933 Act. These securities will not be considered illiquid so long as the
Investment Advisers determine, under guidelines approved by Northern Funds'
Board of Trustees, that an adequate trading market exists. This practice could
increase the level of illiquidity during any period that qualified institutional
buyers become uninterested in purchasing these securities.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER. Northern Funds' Advisory Agreement provides
that in selecting brokers or dealers to place orders for transactions (a)
involving common and preferred stocks, the Investment Advisers shall use their
best judgment to obtain the best overall terms available and (b) involving bonds
and other fixed income obligations, the Investment Advisers shall attempt to
obtain best net price and execution. In assessing the best overall terms
available for any transaction, the Investment Advisers are to consider all
factors they deem relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security,
the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of
the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for
the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best
overall terms available and in selecting the broker or dealer to execute a
particular transaction, the Investment Advisers may consider the brokerage and
research services provided to the Funds and/or other accounts over which the
Investment Advisers or an affiliate exercises investment discretion. These
brokerage and research services may include industry and company analyses,
portfolio services, quantitative data, market information systems and economic
and political consulting and analytical services.
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The portfolio turnover rates of the Funds will vary from year to year,
and may be affected by changes in country and currency weightings, as well as
changes in the holdings of specific issuers. Investments in issuers in smaller
or emerging markets may also contribute to portfolio turnover for the
International Funds. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) may result in the
realization of short-term capital gains which are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. In addition, higher turnover rates can result in corresponding
increases in commissions and other transaction costs. The Investment Advisers
will not consider turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment
decisions. The portfolio turnover rate of each Fund (other than the Money Market
Funds, the Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, the California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, the Mid Cap Growth Fund and the
Small Cap Index Fund) is stated under "Financial Highlights." Northern Funds
expects that the annual turnover rate of each of the Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund, the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona
Tax-Exempt Fund, the California Tax-Exempt Fund and the Small Cap Index Fund
will generally not exceed 100%, and the annual portfolio turnover rate of High
Yield Municipal Fund and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund will generally not
exceed 300%.
MISCELLANEOUS. A security will be considered to be a permissible investment for
a Fund if it has received the minimum permitted rating for that Fund from one
major rating agency, even though it has received a lower rating from other
rating agencies. After its purchase by a Fund, a rated security may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for
purchase by the Fund. The Investment Advisers will consider such an event in
determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the security. Except with
respect to each of the two High Yield Funds, and except for the convertible
securities described above, the Investment Advisers expect to sell promptly any
fixed income securities that are non-investment grade which exceed 5% of a
Fund's net assets, or are below the minimum rating described above in the case
of the Money Market Funds, where it has determined that such sale is in the best
interest of the Fund.
For a description of applicable securities ratings, see Appendix A to
the Additional Statement. Investment grade securities rated BBB by S&P, Duff or
Fitch, or Baa by Moody's have certain speculative characteristics and changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to make principal and interest payments than in the case of higher
rated securities.
Each Fund may also purchase other types of financial instruments,
however designated, whose investment and credit quality characteristics are
determined by the Investment Advisers to be substantially similar to those of
any other investment otherwise permitted by the investment policies discussed
above.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
A Fund's investment objective may be changed by Northern Funds' Board of
Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will, however, be notified
of any changes. Any such change may result in a Fund having an investment
objective different from the objective which the
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shareholder considered appropriate at the time of investment in the Fund. No
assurance can be provided that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Each Fund has also adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions
that may be changed only with the approval of a majority of a Fund's outstanding
shares. The following description summarizes several of the Funds' fundamental
restrictions, which are set forth in full in the Additional Statement.
No Fund may:
1. invest 25% or more of its total assets at the time of purchase in
securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same
industry (a) with certain limited exceptions set forth in the Additional
Statement and (b) except that the Technology Fund may not invest less than 25%
of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of issuers
principally engaged in technology business activities, other than during
temporary defensive periods;
2. borrow money except in amounts up to 33 1/3% of the value of its
total assets at the time of borrowing;
3. purchase securities (with certain limited exceptions stated in the
Additional Statement) if more than 5% of its total assets at the time of
purchase will be invested in the securities of any one issuer, except that up to
25% (50% for the California Municipal Money Market Fund) of a Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to this 5% limitation; or
4. subject to the foregoing 25% exception (and certain other limited
exceptions as stated in the Additional Statement), purchase more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any issuer.
Restrictions 3 and 4 do not apply to the California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona
Tax-Exempt Fund, the California Tax-Exempt Fund or the International Fixed
Income Fund. Instead, as a non-fundamental investment restriction, these Funds
will not hold any securities (except U.S. government securities) that would
cause, at the end of any tax quarter, more than 5% of their respective total
assets to be invested in the securities of any one issuer, except that up to 50%
of the respective Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to this
limitation so long as no more than 25% of the Fund's total assets are invested
in any one issuer (except the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities).
In accordance with current SEC regulations, the Money Market, U.S.
Government Money Market, U.S. Government Select Money Market, Municipal Money
Market and California Municipal Money Market Funds intend, as a non-fundamental
policy, to limit investments in the securities of any single issuer (excluding
cash, cash items, certain repurchase agreements, U.S. government securities or
securities of other investment companies) to not more than 5% of the value of
their respective total assets at the time of purchase, except that (a) 25% of
the value of
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the total assets of the California Municipal Money Market Fund may be invested
in fewer than five issuers; (b) 25% of the value of the total assets of the
other Money Market Funds may be invested in any one issuer for a period of up to
three Business Days; and (c) securities subject to certain unconditional
guarantees are subject to different diversification requirements as described in
the Additional Statement. In addition, the Money Market, U.S. Government Money
Market and U.S. Government Select Money Market Funds will limit their
investments in all securities, and the Municipal Money Market and California
Municipal Money Market Funds will limit their investments in certain conduit
securities as described in the Additional Statement, that are not in the highest
rating category as prescribed by SEC regulations.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT AND PURCHASING SHARES
An investment account may be opened and shares purchased directly from
Northern Funds by following the instructions below under "Purchasing Shares
Directly from the Funds." If you maintain certain accounts at Northern Trust or
another institution (such as a bank or broker/dealer) that has entered into an
agreement with Northern Funds to provide services to its customers, you may
purchase shares through your institution in accordance with its procedures. See
"Purchasing Shares Through Northern Trust and Other Institutions" below for more
details. If you have any questions or need any assistance in opening an
investment account or purchasing shares, call 1-800-595-9111.
As of the date of this Prospectus, shares of the Short-Intermediate
U.S. Government, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and
Small Cap Index Funds are not being offered.
PURCHASING SHARES DIRECTLY FROM THE FUNDS
For your convenience, there are a number of ways to invest directly
with Northern Funds. When establishing an investment account directly with
Northern Funds, the minimum initial investment in a Fund is $2,500 ($500 for an
IRA; $250 under the Automatic Investment Plan; and $500 for employees of
Northern Trust and its affiliates). The minimum subsequent investment is $50
(except for reinvestments of distributions for which there is no minimum). The
Funds reserve the right to waive these minimums.
BY MAIL. You may purchase shares by mail by sending a Purchase Application, a
copy of which accompanies this Prospectus, together with a check or money order
payable to Northern Funds in the envelope provided or by addressing your
envelope to Northern Funds at P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319.
Purchase orders on behalf of corporations and other entities must be accompanied
by a certified corporate resolution or other acceptable evidence of authority.
If using overnight delivery use the following address: 801 South Canal Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60607, Attn: Northern Funds. Your check must be drawn on a
bank located in the U.S. and must be payable in U.S. dollars. When making
subsequent investments, enclose your check with the return remittance portion of
the confirmation of your previous investment, or indicate on your check or a
separate piece of paper your name, address and account number.
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A $20 fee will be charged by the Transfer Agent if any check used for
investment does not clear. In addition, you will be responsible for any loss
suffered by a Fund. If you purchase shares by check and subsequently request the
redemption of those shares, Northern Funds may delay the payment of redemption
proceeds until the Transfer Agent is satisfied that the check has cleared, which
may take up to 15 days from the purchase date. If you anticipate redemptions
soon after purchase, you may wish to wire funds to avoid delays. Northern Funds
will not accept payment in cash or third party checks for the purchase of
shares.
BY WIRE. You may make initial or subsequent investments in shares of the Funds
by wiring federal funds. If you are opening an account with a wire purchase, you
must call 1-800-595-9111 for instructions prior to wiring funds. You must
promptly complete a Purchase Application and forward it to the Transfer Agent in
the envelope provided herewith, or by addressing your envelope to Northern Funds
at P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319. Additional requirements may be
imposed. Redemptions will not be paid until your completed application has been
received by the Transfer Agent. If you wish to add to an existing account by
wire purchase, you may wire federal funds to:
The Northern Trust Company
Chicago, Illinois
ABA Routing No. 0710-00152
(Reference 10 Digit Fund Account Number)
(Reference Shareholder's Name)
DIRECT DEPOSIT. You may purchase additional shares through the Direct Payroll
Deposit Plan offered by Northern Funds. Through this plan, periodic investments
(minimum $50) are made automatically from your payroll check into your existing
Fund account. In order to participate in the plan, your employer must have
direct deposit capabilities through the Automated Clearing House ("ACH")
available to its employees. The plan may be used for other direct deposits, such
as social security checks, military allotments, and annuity payments. Northern
Funds reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to limit or
terminate the Direct Payroll Deposit privilege or its use in any manner by any
person.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT. Northern Funds offers an Automatic Investment Plan that
allows you to automatically purchase shares on a regular, monthly basis ($250
initial minimum, $50 monthly minimum additions). Under this plan the Transfer
Agent originates an ACH request to your financial institution which forwards
funds periodically to the Transfer Agent to purchase shares. The plan can be
established with any financial institution that participates in the ACH funds
transfer system. No service fee is currently charged by Northern Funds for
participation in the plan. You may establish the plan by completing the
appropriate section on the Purchase Application when opening an account. You may
also establish the plan after an account is opened by completing an Automatic
Investment Plan Application which may be obtained by calling 1-800-595-9111. If
an investor discontinues participation in the plan, the Funds reserve the right
to redeem the investor's account involuntarily, upon 30 days' written notice, if
the account's net asset value is $1,000 or less. Involuntary redemptions will
not be made because the
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value of shares in an account falls below the minimum amount solely because of a
decline in the Fund's net asset value.
DIRECTED REINVESTMENTS. In addition to having your income dividends and/or
capital gains distributions reinvested in shares of the Fund from which such
distributions are paid, you may elect the directed reinvestment option and have
dividends and capital gains distributions automatically invested in another
Northern Fund. In addition, systematic withdrawals from one account and
reinvestments in another account may be established. See "Redeeming and
Exchanging Directly from the Funds -- Systematic Withdrawals." Reinvestments can
only be directed to an existing Northern Funds' account (which must meet the
minimum investment requirement). Directed reinvestments may be used to invest
funds from a regular account to another regular account, from a qualified plan
account to another qualified plan account, or from a qualified plan account to a
regular account. Directed reinvestments from a qualified plan account to a
regular account may have adverse tax consequences including imposition of a
penalty tax and, therefore, you should consult your own tax adviser before
commencing these transactions.
BY EXCHANGE. You may open a new account or add to an existing account by
exchanging shares of one Fund for shares of any other Fund offered by Northern
Funds. See "Redeeming and Exchanging Shares" for details.
PURCHASING SHARES THROUGH NORTHERN TRUST AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Northern Trust customers may purchase shares through their qualified accounts
and should consult with their account officer for additional information and
instructions. Customers of other institutions (together with Northern Trust,
"Service Organizations"), such as banks or broker-dealers that have entered into
agreements with Northern Funds, should contact their account officers for
appropriate purchase instructions. Northern Trust or another Service
Organization may impose particular customer account requirements in connection
with investments in the Funds, such as minimum account size or minimum account
thresholds above which excess cash balances may be invested in Fund shares. To
determine whether you may purchase shares through your institution, contact your
institution directly or call 1-800-595-9111. Purchases (and redemptions) placed
through Northern Trust or another Service Organization are processed only on
days that both Northern Funds and the particular institution are open for
business.
Depending on the terms of the particular account used to purchase Fund
shares, Northern Trust or other institutions may impose charges against the
account. These charges could include asset allocation fees, account maintenance
fees, sweep fees, compensating balance requirements or other charges based upon
account transactions, assets or income. The charges will reduce the net return
on an investment in a Fund. For further discussion of Service Organizations and
the procedures for purchasing (and redeeming) shares through them, see
"Management --Service Organizations."
Northern Funds may authorize certain financial intermediaries
(including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) that provide
recordkeeping, reporting and
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processing services to their customers to accept on Northern Funds' behalf
purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of such
customers and, if approved by Northern Funds, to designate other intermediaries
to accept such orders. In these cases, a Fund will be deemed to have received an
order by or on behalf of a customer when the order is accepted in proper form by
the authorized intermediary on a Business Day (as defined below). A customer
should contact its intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept
orders for Northern Funds.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE INFORMATION
EFFECTIVE TIME AND PRICE OF PURCHASES -- NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS. Except as
provided below under "Further Information -- Miscellaneous," a purchase order
for Fund shares accepted by the Transfer Agent or other authorized
intermediaries by 3:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) on a Business Day (as defined below)
will be priced at the net asset value determined on that day, provided that
either: (a) the order is in proper form and accompanied by payment of the
purchase price; (b) the order is placed by Northern Trust or a Service
Organization that is acting on behalf of itself or its qualified customer
accounts and undertakes to make payment on the next Business Day in the form of
federal funds or other immediately available funds; or (c) the order is accepted
by an authorized intermediary and payment is to be made on the next Business Day
in accordance with procedures acceptable to Northern Funds. Orders received
after 3:00 p.m. will be effected at the next determined net asset value,
provided that payment is made as provided herein. If a Service Organization
accepts a purchase order from a Customer on a non-Business Day, the order will
not be executed until it is received and accepted by the Transfer Agent or other
authorized intermediary on a Business Day in accordance with the foregoing
procedures.
EFFECTIVE TIME AND PRICE OF PURCHASES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS. Except as provided
below under "Further Information -- Miscellaneous," a purchase order for Fund
shares accepted by the Transfer Agent or other authorized intermediaries by 1:00
p.m. (Chicago Time) on a Business Day will be priced at the net asset value
determined that day, provided that either: (a) the order is in proper form and
payment in immediately available funds has been received by the Transfer Agent
by that time; (b) the order is placed by Northern Trust or a Service
Organization that is acting on behalf of itself or its qualified customer
accounts and undertakes to make payment by the close of the same Business Day in
the form of Federal funds or other immediately available funds; or (c) the order
is accepted by an authorized intermediary and payment is to be made by the close
of the same Business Day in accordance with procedures acceptable to the
Northern Funds. Purchase orders received by the Transfer Agent that are
accompanied by payment in any form other than immediately available funds will
not be executed until payment is converted to Federal funds, which normally
occurs within two Business Days after receipt.
MISCELLANEOUS PURCHASE INFORMATION. You will be responsible for all losses and
expenses of the Funds as a result of a check that does not clear or an ACH
transfer that is rejected. Northern Funds may decline to accept a purchase order
when, in the judgment of Northern Funds or the Investment Advisers, it would not
be in the best interest of existing shareholders to accept the order. If payment
is not received as described above from a Service Organization on the next
Business Day following placement of an order (on the same Business Day for Money
Market
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Funds), or if payment is not received as described above from an authorized
intermediary on the Business Day following acceptance of an order (on the same
Business Day for Money Market Funds) by the authorized intermediary, the Service
Organization or authorized intermediary may be liable for resulting fees and
losses and the transactions may be cancelled.
Federal regulations require that you provide a social security number
or other certified taxpayer identification number upon opening or reopening an
account. Purchase Applications without such a number or an indication that a
number has been applied for will not be accepted. If a number has been applied
for, the number must be provided and certified within 60 days of the date of the
Purchase Application. Payment for shares of a Fund may, in the discretion of the
Transfer Agent, be made in the form of securities that are permissible
investments for the respective Fund. For further information, see the Additional
Statement. Additions or changes to any information in your account registration
(for example, a change in registration from a joint account to an individual
account) may be made by submitting a written request to the Transfer Agent
accompanied by a signature guarantee by a financial institution that is a
participant in the Stock Transfer Agency Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other means or evidence of authority as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent.
Additional requirements may be imposed. In the interests of economy and
convenience, certificates representing shares of the Funds are not issued.
Northern Funds may reproduce this Prospectus in an electronic format which may
be available on the Internet. If you have received this Prospectus in its
electronic format you, or your representative, may contact the Transfer Agent
for a free paper copy of this Prospectus by writing to Northern Funds Center at
P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319, calling 1-800-595-9111, or sending
an e-mail to: [email protected].
REDEEMING AND EXCHANGING SHARES
You can arrange to withdraw your investment in the Funds by selling some or all
of your shares. This process is known as "redeeming" your shares. The procedures
for redeeming shares differ depending on whether you purchase your shares
directly from Northern Funds or through Northern Trust or another Service
Organization. If you purchase your shares through an account at Northern Trust
or another Service Organization, you will redeem them in accordance with the
instructions pertaining to that account.
REDEEMING AND EXCHANGING DIRECTLY FROM THE FUNDS
When you purchase your shares directly from Northern Funds, you may redeem or
exchange shares by the methods described below. You may also use any of these
methods if you purchase your shares through an account at Northern Trust or
another Service Organization and you appear on Northern Funds' records as the
registered holder. You may call 1-800-595-9111 if you have any questions
regarding redemptions or exchanges.
Northern Funds imposes no charges when you redeem or exchange shares.
However, when shares of any Fund are purchased through Northern Trust or another
Service Organization, a fee may be charged by those institutions for providing
services in connection with your investment.
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BY MAIL. You may redeem shares in any number or dollar amount by sending a
written request to Northern Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319.
The redemption request must state the number of shares or the dollar amount to
be redeemed and identify the Fund account number. If the redemption proceeds are
to be sent elsewhere than the address of record, each request must be
accompanied by a signature guarantee by a financial institution that
participates in STAMP or such other means or evidence of authority as may be
acceptable to the Transfer Agent. In addition, written requests for redemptions
exceeding $50,000 must be accompanied by a signature guarantee by a financial
institution that participates in STAMP or such other means or evidence of
authority as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent. Additional requirements
may be imposed. A signature notarized by a notary public is unacceptable.
Northern Funds reserves the right to require signature guarantees in other
circumstances based on the amount of the redemption request or other factors,
and may impose additional requirements.
BY WIRE. If you authorize wire redemptions on your Purchase Application, shares
can be redeemed and the proceeds sent by federal wire transfer to a previously
designated account. You will be charged $15 for each wire redemption unless the
designated account is maintained at Northern Trust or an affiliated bank. The
minimum amount that may be redeemed by this method is $250. Northern Funds
reserves the right to change this minimum or to terminate the wire redemption
privilege at any time without notice. To change bank instructions, a written
request accompanied by a signature guarantee by a financial institution that
participates in STAMP, or such other means or evidence of authority acceptable
to the Transfer Agent, must be sent to Northern Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago,
Illinois 60690-6319. Additional requirements may be imposed.
BY CHECK. You may also redeem shares of the Money Market Funds by redemption
check in amounts of $250 or more once the checkwriting privilege has been
established. When the check is presented to the Transfer Agent for payment, the
Transfer Agent, as your agent, will cause the particular Fund involved to redeem
a sufficient number of your shares to cover the amount of the check. Dividends
are earned until the check clears the Transfer Agent. You can establish the
checkwriting privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Purchase
Application, or if your Fund account is already opened, by completing the
appropriate form which may be obtained by calling the Transfer Agent at
1-800-595-9111. When establishing checkwriting for an account that is already
opened, the form must be signed by each person whose name appears on the account
accompanied by signature guarantees by a financial institution that participates
in STAMP or such other means or evidence of authority as may be acceptable to
the Transfer Agent. Additional requirements may be imposed.
You may place stop payment requests on checks by calling the Transfer
Agent at 1-800-595-9111. A $20 fee will be charged for each stop payment
request. If there are insufficient shares in your account to cover the amount of
your redemption by check, the check will be returned, marked "insufficient
funds," and a fee of $20 will be charged to the account. You may not use checks
to close an account or redeem shares purchased within the past fifteen days.
Checks you write will not be returned to you, although copies are available upon
request.
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Northern Funds reserves the right, at any time without prior notice, to suspend,
limit or terminate the checkwriting privilege or its use in any manner by any
person.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS. Northern Funds offers a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. If
you own shares of a Fund with a minimum value of $10,000, you may elect to have
a fixed sum redeemed at regular intervals ($250 minimum amount per withdrawal)
and distributed in cash or reinvested in one or more of the other Funds offered
by Northern Funds. See "Purchasing Shares Directly from the Funds -- Directed
Reinvestments." An application form and additional information may be obtained
from the Transfer Agent by calling 1-800-595-9111.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Northern Funds offers an exchange privilege that permits you
to exchange shares of one Fund for shares of another Fund offered by Northern
Funds. To establish the exchange privilege, you must check the appropriate box
on the Purchase Application or, if your Fund account is already opened, you may
send a written request to the Transfer Agent, and must establish or maintain
accounts with an identical title in each Fund involved in an exchange
transaction. In addition, the shares being exchanged must have a value of at
least $1,000 ($2,500 if a new account is being established by the exchange).
Since an excessive number of exchanges may be disadvantageous to
Northern Funds, Northern Funds reserves the right, at any time without prior
notice, to suspend, limit or terminate the exchange privilege of any shareholder
who makes more than eight exchanges of shares in a year and/or two exchanges of
shares in a calendar quarter. A shareholder may continue making exchanges until
notified that the exchange privilege has been suspended, limited or terminated.
Northern Funds reserves the right to modify or terminate the exchange privilege
at any time and to reject any exchange request. Questions regarding the exchange
privilege may be directed to 1-800-595-9111 or to your account officer at your
Service Organization. Exchanges will be processed only when the shares being
acquired can be legally sold in the state of the investor's residence.
Exchanges may have tax consequences. No exchange fee is currently
imposed by Northern Funds on exchanges. Northern Funds reserves, however, the
right to impose a charge in the future.
TELEPHONE PRIVILEGE. This privilege permits you to redeem or exchange shares by
telephone. To establish the telephone privilege, you must check the appropriate
box on the Purchase Application, or if your Fund account is already opened, you
may send a written request to the Transfer Agent. The request must be signed by
each owner of the account and accompanied by signature guarantees as provided
below or such other means or evidence of authority as may be acceptable to the
Transfer Agent. Once you have established the telephone privilege, you may use
the telephone privilege by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-800-595-9111.
The Transfer Agent has adopted procedures in an effort to establish
reasonable safeguards against fraudulent telephone transactions. The proceeds
for redemption orders will be sent by check, by wire transfer or by transfer to
an account maintained at Northern Trust or an affiliated bank. All checks will
be made payable to the shareholder of record and mailed only to the
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shareholder's address of record. The address of record for redemption checks may
be changed only by a written request accompanied by signature guarantees by a
financial institution that participates in STAMP or such other means or evidence
of authority as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent and sent to Northern
Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-6319. Additionally, the Transfer
Agent utilizes recorded lines for telephone transactions and will request a form
of personal identification if such identification has been furnished to the
Transfer Agent. Neither Northern Funds nor its Transfer Agent will be
responsible for the authenticity of instructions received by telephone that are
reasonably believed to be genuine. To the extent that Northern Funds fails to
use reasonable procedures to verify the genuineness of telephone instructions,
it or its service providers may be liable for instructions that prove to be
fraudulent or unauthorized. In all other cases, you will bear the risk of loss.
Northern Funds reserves the right to refuse a telephone redemption if
it believes it is advisable to do so. Procedures for redeeming shares by
telephone may be modified or terminated by Northern Funds at any time without
notice. During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone
redemptions may be difficult to place. If you are unable to contact the Transfer
Agent by telephone, shares may also be redeemed by mail as described above under
the discussion of redemptions by mail.
REDEEMING AND EXCHANGING THROUGH NORTHERN TRUST AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
If you purchase your shares through an account at Northern Trust or another
Service Organization, you will redeem or exchange them in accordance with the
instructions pertaining to that account. If you are listed on the books of
Northern Funds as the shareholder of record, you may also redeem and exchange
your shares using any of the methods described above under "Redeeming and
Exchanging Directly from the Funds." Questions regarding these redemptions or
exchanges should be directed to your account representative at Northern Trust or
another Service Organization. Although Northern Funds imposes no charges when
you redeem, when shares are purchased through Northern Trust or another Service
Organization a fee may be charged by those institutions for providing services
in connection with your account.
ADDITIONAL REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION
EFFECTIVE TIME AND PRICE OF REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES. Except as provided below
under "Further Information --Miscellaneous," redemption orders for shares of a
non-Money Market Fund are processed at the net asset value next determined at
3:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) after receipt in good order by the Transfer Agent or an
authorized intermediary (see "Opening an Account and Purchasing Shares -
Purchasing Shares Through Northern Trust and Other Institutions" above) by 3:00
p.m. (Chicago Time) on a Business Day, and redemption orders for shares of a
Money Market Fund are processed at the net asset value next determined at 1:00
p.m. (Chicago Time) after receipt in good order by the Transfer Agent or an
authorized intermediary by 1:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) on a Business Day. Good
order means that the request must include the following information: the account
number and Fund name; the amount of the transaction (as specified in dollars or
number of shares); the signatures of all account owners exactly as they are
registered on the account (except for telephone and wire redemptions);
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required signature guarantees (if applicable); and other supporting legal
documents that might be required in the case of estates, corporations, trusts
and certain other accounts. Call 1-800-595-9111 for the additional documentation
that may be required of these entities. Exchange orders are likewise processed
at the net asset value per share next determined after receipt in good order by
the Transfer Agent or an authorized intermediary on a Business Day.
PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS -- NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS. The non-Money Market
Funds will make payment for redeemed shares typically within one or two Business
Days, but no later than the seventh day after receipt by the Transfer Agent or
an authorized intermediary of a request in good order on a Business Day, except
as otherwise provided by the rules of the SEC. However, if any portion of the
shares to be redeemed represents an investment made by check, the Funds may
delay the payment of the redemption proceeds until the Transfer Agent is
reasonably satisfied that the check has been collected, which could take up to
fifteen days from the purchase date. This procedure does not apply to shares
purchased by money order or wire payment.
PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS. If received by the
Transfer Agent by 1:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) on a Business Day, a redemption
request normally will result in proceeds being sent on the next Business Day,
unless payment in immediately available funds on the same Business Day is
specifically requested. Proceeds for redemption orders received on a
non-Business Day will normally be sent on the second Business Day after receipt
in good order. However, if any portion of the shares to be redeemed represents
an investment made by check, Northern Funds may delay the payment of the
redemption proceeds until the Transfer Agent is reasonably satisfied that the
check has been collected, which could take up to fifteen days from the purchase
date. Northern Funds reserves the right to defer crediting, sending or wiring
redemption proceeds for up to seven days after receiving the redemption order
if, in its judgment, an earlier payment could adversely affect a Fund.
MISCELLANEOUS REDEMPTION INFORMATION. All redemption proceeds will be sent by
check unless Northern Trust or the Transfer Agent is directed otherwise. The ACH
system may be utilized for payment of redemption proceeds. Redemptions may not
be processed if a shareholder has failed to submit a completed and signed
Purchase Application. Northern Funds may require any information reasonably
necessary to ensure that a redemption has been duly authorized.
To relieve Northern Funds of the cost of maintaining uneconomical
accounts, Northern Funds reserves the right to redeem the shares held in any
account if at the time of any redemption of shares in the account, the net asset
value of the remaining shares in the account falls below $1,000. Before such
involuntary redemption would occur, you would be given at least 60 days' written
notice and, during that period, you could make an additional investment to
restore the account to at least the minimum amount, in which case there would be
no such redemption. Involuntary redemptions will not be made because the value
of shares in an account falls below the minimum amount solely because of a
decline in a Fund's net asset value. Northern Funds also reserves the right to
redeem the shares held by any shareholder who provides incorrect or incomplete
account information or when such involuntary redemptions are necessary to avoid
adverse consequences to Northern Funds and its shareholders. Any involuntary
redemption
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would be at net asset value. Northern Funds also reserves the right to redeem
shares involuntarily if it is otherwise appropriate to do so under the 1940 Act
(see "Amortized Cost Valuation" in the Additional Statement).
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Money Market Fund's net investment income is declared as a dividend on each
Business Day. Net investment income includes interest accrued on the Fund's
assets less the Fund's estimated expenses. Dividends from net investment income
are paid monthly, except that dividends will be paid promptly upon a total
redemption of shares in an account not subject to a standing order for the
purchase of additional shares. Net realized short-term capital gains, after
reduction for capital loss carry-forwards, if any, of a Fund may be distributed
from time to time during Northern Funds' fiscal year (but not less frequently
than annually). The Money Market Funds do not expect to realize net long-term
capital gains. Money Market shares begin earning dividends on the day an order
is executed if payment in immediately available funds is received by Northern
Funds that day by the time designated under "Opening an Account and Purchasing
Shares - Additional Purchase Information - Effective Time and Price of Purchases
- - Money Market Funds;" otherwise, shares begin earning dividends on the day
after an order is executed.
Dividends from the net investment income of each of the U.S.
Government, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed
Income, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds are
declared daily on each Business Day and paid monthly. Shares of these Funds are
entitled to the dividends declared by a Fund beginning on the next Business Day
after the purchase order is executed.
Dividends from the net investment income of the other Funds are
declared and paid as follows:
DIVIDENDS
FUND DECLARED AND PAID
International Fixed Income........................... Quarterly
High Yield Municipal................................. Monthly
High Yield Fixed Income.............................. Monthly
Income Equity........................................ Monthly
Stock Index.......................................... Quarterly
Growth Equity........................................ Quarterly
Select Equity........................................ Annually
Mid Cap Growth....................................... Quarterly
Small Cap Index...................................... Annually
Small Cap ........................................... Annually
International Growth Equity.......................... Annually
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International Select Equity.......................... Annually
Technology........................................... Annually
The net realized capital gains of each Fund are distributed at least
annually.
Dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, will reduce the net
asset value of a Fund (other than a Money Market Fund) by the amount of the
dividend or capital gain distribution. Dividends and capital gain distributions,
if any, are automatically reinvested (without any sales charge or portfolio
transaction fee) in additional shares of the same Fund at their net asset value
determined on the payment date. You may, however, notify the Transfer Agent in
writing that you elect instead to have dividends and/or capital gain
distributions paid in cash or reinvested in shares of another Fund offered by
Northern Funds at their net asset value determined on the payment date (provided
you maintain an account in such Fund). This election will become effective for
distributions paid two days after its receipt by the Transfer Agent.
Net loss, if any, from certain foreign currency transactions or
instruments that is otherwise taken into account with respect to the
International Fixed Income Fund in calculating net investment income or net
realized capital gains for accounting purposes may not be taken into account in
determining the amount of dividends to be declared and paid, with the result
that a portion of the Fund's dividends may be treated as a return of capital,
nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares.
TAXES
As with any investment, you should consider the tax implications of an
investment in Northern Funds. The following is only a short summary of the
important tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their
shareholders. You should consult your tax adviser with specific reference to
your own tax situation. Northern Funds will send written notices to shareholders
annually regarding the tax status of distributions made by the Funds. The Funds
will determine annually the percentages of their respective net investment
income which are exempt from tax, which constitute an item of tax preference for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax, and which are fully taxable,
and will apply these percentages uniformly to all dividends declared from net
investment income during that year. These percentages may differ significantly
from the actual percentages for any particular day.
FEDERAL TAXES. Each Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), meaning that to the extent a
Fund's earnings are distributed to shareholders as required by the Code, the
Fund itself is not required to pay federal income taxes.
To qualify, a Fund will pay as dividends at least 90% of its investment
company taxable income and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt income (if any)
each year. Investment company taxable income includes, but is not limited to,
taxable interest, dividends and short-term capital gains less expenses.
Dividends based on either investment company taxable income (which
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includes income resulting from investments in options and futures contracts) or
the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are
treated as ordinary income in determining gross income for tax purposes, whether
or not the dividends are received in cash or additional shares. (Federal income
taxes for distributions to an IRA or other qualified retirement account are
deferred or eliminated under the Code.)
Dividends paid by the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds (but not
the other Funds) that are derived from interest on Municipal Instruments
("exempt-interest dividends") may be excludable from your federal taxable income
(unless because of your particular situation exclusion would be disallowed). You
should note that income that is not subject to federal income taxes may
nevertheless have to be considered along with other adjusted gross income in
determining whether any Social Security payments received by you are subject to
federal income taxes. You should also note that a portion of the exempt-interest
dividends paid by the Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and
California Tax-Exempt Funds may be, and a portion of such dividends by the
Municipal Money Market, California Municipal Money Market and High Yield
Municipal Funds generally will be, an item of tax preference for both corporate
and individual taxpayers in determining federal alternative minimum tax
liability. (Corporate taxpayers will be required to take into account all
exempt-interest dividends from the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds in
determining certain adjustments for alternative minimum tax purposes.) If you
hold shares for six months or less, and during that time receive exempt-interest
dividends, any loss realized on the sale of those shares will be disallowed to
the extent of the exempt-interest dividends.
Any distribution based on the excess of long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital loss will be taxable as a long-term capital gain, regardless
of how long you hold Fund shares. However, if you hold shares for six months or
less, and during that time receive a distribution that is taxable as a long-term
capital gain, any loss realized on the sale of those shares will be treated as a
long-term loss to the extent of the earlier capital gain distribution.
Before purchasing shares you should consider the effect of any capital
gain distributions and, for those Funds that do not declare dividends daily, any
net income dividends that are expected to be declared or that have been declared
but not yet paid. The net asset value of the shares will be reduced by the
amount of any such distribution, so that a shareholder will, in effect, have
paid full price for the shares and then received a portion of the price back as
a taxable distribution. This is because at any given time the value of your
shares includes the undistributed net gains, if any, realized by a Fund on the
sale of portfolio securities, and undistributed dividends and interest received,
less the Fund's expenses. Because such gains and dividends are included in the
price of your shares, when they are distributed, the price of your shares is
reduced by the amount of the distribution. Accordingly, if your distribution is
reinvested in additional shares, the distribution has no effect on the value of
your investment; while you own more shares, the price of each share has been
reduced by the amount of the distribution. Likewise, if you take your
distribution in cash, the value of your shares after the record date will be
reduced by the cash received.
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Any dividends declared in October, November or December and payable to
shareholders of record during those months will be deemed to have been paid by a
Fund and received by shareholders on December 31, so long as the dividends are
actually paid, as expected, in January of the following year.
Shareholders may realize a taxable gain or loss when redeeming,
transferring or exchanging their shares (or in using the Systematic Withdrawal
Plan to direct reinvestments), depending on the difference in the prices at
which the shares were originally purchased and when redeemed, transferred or
exchanged.
Dividends and certain interest income earned by a Fund from foreign
securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other taxes. So long
as more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of a taxable
year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may
elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat certain foreign taxes paid
by it, including generally any withholding taxes and other foreign income taxes,
as paid by its shareholders. It is possible that one or more of the
International Funds will make this election in certain years. Should a Fund make
the election, the amount of such foreign taxes paid by the Fund will be included
in its shareholders' income pro rata (in addition to taxable distributions
actually received by them), and each shareholder will be entitled either (a) to
credit his proportionate amounts of such taxes against applicable U.S. federal
income tax liabilities, or (b) if the shareholder itemizes deductions, to deduct
such proportionate amounts from applicable U.S. federal taxable income.
If a Fund invests in certain "passive foreign investment companies"
("PFICs"), it would be subject to federal income tax (and possibly additional
interest charges) on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the
disposition of such investments even if it distributes the income to its
shareholders. If a Fund elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund"
("QEF") and the PFIC furnishes certain financial information in the required
form, the Fund instead would be required to include in income each year its
allocable share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the QEF,
whether or not received, and such amounts would be subject to the various
distribution requirements described above. In addition, a Fund could, as an
alternative, elect to mark-to-market and recognize ordinary income each year
with respect to any appreciation in a PFIC investment.
Northern Funds will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit
to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the dividends and distributions payable to any
investor (i) who has provided either an incorrect Social Security Number or
Taxpayer Identification Number or no number at all, (ii) who is subject to
withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for prior failure to properly
include on his return payments of interest or dividends, or (iii) who has failed
to certify to Northern Funds, when required to do so, that he is not subject to
backup withholding or is an "exempt recipient."
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES GENERALLY. Because the state and local tax rules
applicable to an investment in Northern Funds may be different from the federal
tax rules described above, you should discuss your investment with your tax
adviser. In particular, dividends may be taxable
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under state or local law as dividend income even though all or part of those
dividends come from interest on obligations that, if held by you directly, would
be free of such income taxes. Additionally, although the U.S. Government Select
Money Market Fund intends to invest principally in U.S. government securities
the interest on which is generally exempt from state income taxation, you should
see your tax adviser to determine whether distributions from the Fund are exempt
in light of your particular circumstances.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES -- CALIFORNIA FUNDS. If, at the close of each quarter of
each of the California Funds' taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its
total assets consists of California Municipal Instruments and certain specified
federal obligations, and if the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company
for federal tax purposes, then the Fund will be qualified to pay dividends
exempt from California state personal income tax to its shareholders. If the
Fund so qualifies, dividends derived from interest attributable to California
Municipal Instruments and such federal obligations will be exempt from
California state personal income tax (unless, because of your particular
situation, exclusion would be disallowed). Any dividends paid to shareholders
subject to California state franchise tax or California state corporate income
tax may be taxed as ordinary dividends to such shareholders notwithstanding that
all or a portion of such dividends are exempt from California state personal
income tax.
Except as noted with respect to the California state personal income
tax, dividends paid by the California Funds may be taxable under state or local
law as dividend income even though all or part of those dividends come from
interest on obligations that, if held by you directly, would be free of such
income taxes. Moreover, to the extent, if any, that dividends paid by a Fund to
its shareholders are derived from taxable interest or from capital gains, such
dividends will be subject to federal income tax and California state personal
income tax, if applicable, whether or not such dividends are reinvested. Future
legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect
the tax consequences of investing in the California Funds.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES -- FLORIDA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND. Florida does not
currently have an income tax for individuals, and therefore individual
shareholders of this Fund will not be subject to any Florida income tax on
amounts received from the Fund. However, Florida does impose an income tax on
certain corporations, so that such amounts may be taxable to corporate
shareholders.
Florida also imposes an "intangibles tax" at the annual rate of 2 mills
or 0.2% on certain securities and other intangible assets owned by Florida
residents. With respect to the first mill, or first 0.1%, of the intangibles
tax, every natural person is entitled each year to an exemption of the first
$20,000 of the value of the property subject to the tax. A husband and wife
filing jointly will have an exemption of $40,000. With respect to the last one
mill, or last 0.1% of the intangibles tax, every natural person is entitled each
year to an exemption of the first $100,000 of the value of the property subject
to the tax. A husband and wife filing jointly will have an exemption of
$200,000.
Obligations issued by the State of Florida or its municipalities,
counties, and other taxing districts, or by the U.S. Government, certain U.S.
Government agencies and certain U.S.
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territories and possessions (such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands),
as well as cash, are exempt from this intangibles tax. If on December 31 of any
year the portfolio of the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund consists solely
of such exempt assets, then the Fund's shares will be entirely exempt from the
Florida intangibles tax payable in the following year.
The Fund intends, but cannot guarantee, that its shares will qualify
for exemption from the Florida intangibles tax.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES -- ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND. Individuals, trusts and
estates who are subject to Arizona income tax will not be subject to such tax on
dividends paid by the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, to the extent that such dividends
qualify as exempt-interest dividends of a regulated investment company under
Section 852(b)(5) of the Code and are attributable to either (i) obligations of
the State of Arizona or its political subdivisions thereof or (ii) obligations
issued by the governments of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. In
addition, dividends paid by the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund which are attributable
to interest payments on direct obligations of the United States government will
not be subject to Arizona income tax to the extent the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund
qualifies as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.
Other distributions from the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, however, such as
distributions of short-term or long-term capital gains, will generally not be
exempt from Arizona income tax.
There are no municipal income taxes in Arizona. Moreover, because
shares of the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund are intangibles, they are not subject to
Arizona property tax. Shareholders of the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund should consult
their tax advisors about other state and local tax consequences of their
investment in the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund.
TAX TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEDERAL
MARGINAL TAX-EXEMPT YIELDS
TAXABLE INCOME TAX RATE 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00%
-------------- -------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
SINGLE RETURN JOINT RETURN EQUIVALENT TAXABLE YIELDS
------------- ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0-$ 22,100 $0-$ 36,900 15% 2.35% 3.53% 4.71% 5.88% 7.06% 8.24% 9.41%
$ 22,101-$ 53,500 $ 36,901-$ 89,150 28% 2.78% 4.17% 5.56% 6.94% 8.33% 9.72% 11.11%
$ 53,501-$115,000 $ 89,151-$140,000 31% 2.90% 4.35% 5.80% 7.25% 8.70% 10.14% 11.59%
$115,001-$250,000 $140,001-$250,000 36% 3.13% 4.69% 6.25% 7.81% 9.38% 10.94% 12.50%
Over $250,000 Over $250,000 39.6% 3.31% 4.97% 6.62% 8.28% 9.93% 11.59% 13.25%
</TABLE>
The tax-exempt yields used here are hypothetical and no assurance can be made
that the Funds will attain any particular yield. A Fund's yield fluctuates as
market conditions change. The tax brackets and related yield calculations are
based on the 1998 federal marginal tax rates indicated in the table. The table
does not reflect the phase out of personal exemptions and itemized deductions
which will apply to certain higher income taxpayers. In addition, the brackets
do NOT take into consideration the California or Arizona state personal income
tax or the Florida intangibles tax or any other state tax.
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TAX TABLE
You may find it particularly useful to compare the tax-free yields of the
Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds to the equivalent yields from taxable
investments. For an investor in a low tax bracket, it may not be helpful to
invest in a tax-exempt investment if a higher after-tax yield can be achieved
from a taxable instrument.
The table above illustrates the difference between hypothetical
tax-free yields and tax-equivalent yields for different tax brackets. You should
be aware, however, that tax brackets can change over time and that your tax
adviser should be consulted for specific yield calculations.
MANAGEMENT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The business and affairs of Northern Funds are managed under the direction of
its Board of Trustees. The Additional Statement contains the name of each
Trustee and other background information.
INVESTMENT ADVISERS, TRANSFER AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
Northern Trust, with offices at 50 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675,
serves as Northern Funds' investment adviser (except with respect to the Stock
Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap Funds). NTQA, an affiliate of Northern
Trust which also has offices at 50 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675,
serves as investment adviser to the Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap
Funds. Northern Trust also serves as transfer agent and custodian for each Fund.
As transfer agent, Northern Trust provides various administrative servicing
functions, and any shareholder inquiries may be directed to it. Northern Trust's
transfer agency offices are located at 801 S. Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois
60607.
Northern Trust, a member of the Federal Reserve System, is an Illinois
state-chartered commercial bank and the principal subsidiary of Northern Trust
Corporation, a bank holding company. Northern Trust was formed in 1889 with
capitalization of $1 million. NTQA is an Illinois state-chartered trust company
formed in 1988. On December 31, 1997, NTQA became a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Northern Trust Corporation. NTQA serves as investment adviser principally to
defined benefit and defined contribution plans and manages over 60 equity and
bond commingled and common trust funds. As of September 30, 1998, Northern Trust
Corporation and its subsidiaries had approximately $28.1 billion in assets,
$17.0 billion in deposits and employed approximately 7,944 persons.
Northern Trust and its affiliates administered in various capacities
(including as master trustee, investment manager or custodian) $1.13 trillion in
assets as of September 30, 1998, including over $220.7 billion for which
Northern Trust and its affiliates had investment management responsibility.
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Subject to the general supervision of Northern Funds' Board of
Trustees, the Investment Advisers are responsible for making investment
decisions for the Funds and placing purchase and sale orders for portfolio
securities. The Investment Advisers are also responsible for monitoring and
preserving the records required to be maintained under the regulations of the
SEC (with certain exceptions unrelated to its activities for Northern Funds). In
making investment recommendations for the Funds, investment advisory personnel
must not inquire or take into consideration whether issuers of securities
proposed for purchase or sale for the Funds' accounts are customers of Northern
Trust's commercial banking department. These requirements are designed to
prevent investment advisory personnel for the Funds from knowing which companies
have commercial business with Northern Trust and from purchasing securities
where they know the proceeds will be used to repay loans to the bank.
As compensation for its advisory services and its assumption of related
expenses, Northern Trust is entitled to a fee, computed daily and payable
monthly, at an annual rate of 0.60% of the average daily net assets of each of
the Money Market Funds; 0.75% of the average daily net assets of each of the
U.S. Government, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed
Income, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds; 0.75% of
the average daily net assets of the High Yield Municipal and High Yield Fixed
Income Funds; 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the International Fixed
Income Fund; 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each of the Income Equity,
Growth Equity and Mid Cap Growth Funds; and 1.20% of the average daily net
assets of each of the Select Equity, International Growth Equity, International
Select Equity and Technology Funds. As compensation for its advisory services
and its assumption of related expenses, NTQA is entitled to a fee, computed
daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.60% of the average daily net
assets of the Stock Index Fund; 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the
Small Cap Index Fund; and 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Small Cap
Fund.
During Northern Funds' fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, Northern Trust
received investment management fees (after waivers) at the annualized rates of
0.31% and 0.34% of the average daily net assets of the U.S. Government Select
Money Market and California Municipal Money Market Funds, respectively, and at
the annualized rates set forth above under "Expense Summary" with respect to the
other Funds that had commenced operations.
Prior to April 1, 1998, Northern Trust served as investment adviser to
the Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap Funds on the same terms as those
currently in effect for such Funds.
Northern Trust also receives compensation as Northern Funds' custodian
and transfer agent. The fees payable by the Funds for these services are
described in the Additional Statement.
Northern Trust may, at its own expense, provide compensation to certain
dealers and other institutions whose customers purchase shares of a Fund. The
amount of such compensation may be made on a one-time and/or periodic basis, and
may equal or exceed the annual fees that
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are earned by Northern Trust from a Fund and are attributable to shares held by
such customers. Such compensation will not represent an additional expense to
the Funds or their shareholders, since it will be paid from the assets of
Northern Trust or its affiliates.
The Investment Advisers employ a team approach to the investment
management of the Funds, relying upon investment professionals in the Investment
Services Group. James M. Snyder, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice
President of Northern Trust and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NTQA,
oversees the management of all fixed income, equity and money market assets
managed by the Investment Advisers and is the head of the Investment Services
Group. Below is information regarding the management of each of the Funds, other
than the Money Market Funds and the Stock Index and Small Cap Index Funds.
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
The management team leaders for the Fixed Income Fund are Mark J.
Wirth, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust, and Michael J. Lannan, Vice
President of Northern Trust. Mr. Wirth has had such responsibility since July
1998 and Mr. Lannan has had such responsibility since the Fund commenced
operations in April 1994. Mr. Lannan joined Northern Trust in 1986 and during
the past five years has managed various fixed income portfolios. Mr. Wirth
joined Northern Trust in 1986 and during the past five years has managed various
fixed income portfolios.
The management team leaders for the U.S. Government Fund are Mark J.
Wirth and Monty M. Memler, Vice President of Northern Trust. Mr. Wirth has had
such responsibility for the Fund since July 1998. Mr. Memler has had such
responsibility for the Fund since November 1994. Mr. Memler joined Northern
Trust in 1986 and during the past five years has managed various fixed income
portfolios.
The management team leaders for the International Fixed Income Fund are
Michael J. Lannan and Steven M. Schafer, Vice President of Northern Trust. Mr.
Lannan has had such responsibility since the Fund commenced operations in April
1994 and Mr. Schafer has had such responsibility since July 1998. Mr. Schafer
joined Northern Trust in 1988 and during the past five years has managed various
fixed income portfolios and served as credit analyst following both industrial
and utility companies.
Messrs. Wirth and Schafer will be the management team leaders for the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund after it commences operations.
The management team leaders for the Tax-Exempt Fund and Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund are Eric M. Bergson, Vice President of Northern Trust, and
Timothy T. A. McGregor, Second Vice President of Northern Trust. Mr. Bergson and
Mr. McGregor have had such responsibility for the Tax-Exempt Fund since November
1998. Mr. Bergson has had such responsibility for the Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund since 1994. Mr. McGregor has had such responsibility for the Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund since 1998. Mr. Bergson joined Northern Trust in 1986 and during
the past five years has managed various municipal securities. Mr.
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McGregor joined Northern Trust in 1989 and during the past five years has
managed various municipal bond portfolios.
The management team leaders for the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund are Eric M. Bergson and Gregory A. Bell, Second Vice President of Northern
Trust. Mr. Bergson has had such responsibility for the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund since 1996. Mr. Bell has had such responsibility for the Fund
since November 1998. Mr. Bell joined Northern Trust in 1984 and during the past
five years has managed various municipal bond portfolios.
The management team leaders for the California Tax-Exempt Fund are Eric
M. Bergson and Eric V. Boeckman, Vice President in the Fixed Income Management
Division. Mr. Bergson has had such responsibility since November 1998 and Mr.
Boeckmann has had such responsibility since April 1998. Mr. Boeckmann joined
Northern Trust in 1985 and during the past five years has managed various
municipal bond portfolios, including common trust funds invested in municipal
securities. Messrs. Bergson and Boeckmann will also be the management team
leaders for the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt and Arizona Tax-Exempt Funds
after they commence operations.
Upon commencement of the portfolios, the management team leader for the
High Yield Fixed Income Fund and the High Yield Municipal Fund will be M. Jane
McCart, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust. Ms. McCart joined Northern
Trust in 1998. From 1983 to 1998, she was with Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
where she had been the portfolio manager of various municipal bond portfolios.
EQUITY FUNDS
Theodore T. Southworth, Vice President of Northern Trust, has led the
management team for the Income Equity Fund since 1995. He joined Northern Trust
in 1984 and during the past five years has managed various equity portfolios.
Jon D. Brorson, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust, and John J.
Zielinski, Vice President of Northern Trust, are the management team leaders for
the Growth Equity Fund. Mr. Brorson has had such responsibility since July 1998
and Mr. Zielinski has had such responsibility since April 1998. Mr. Brorson has
managed equity portfolios with Northern Trust since 1996, and from 1990 to 1996,
he was with Hartline Investment Corp., where his primary responsibilities
included portfolio management, investment research, sales and trading. Mr.
Zielinski joined Northern Trust in 1980 and during the past five years has
managed various equity portfolios.
Robert N. Streed, Vice President of Northern Trust, is the management
team leader for the Select Equity Fund. Mr. Streed has had such responsibility
for the Fund since it commenced operations in April 1994. Mr. Streed joined
Northern Trust in 1990 and during the past five years has managed various equity
portfolios.
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Theodore Breckel, Vice President of Northern Trust, is the management
team leader for the Mid Cap Growth Fund. Mr. Breckel has had such responsibility
for the Fund since April 1998. Mr. Breckel has been with Northern Trust since
1968. During the past five years he has managed various equity portfolios.
Susan J. French is the management team leader for the Small Cap Fund.
Ms. French serves as Vice President of Northern Trust and, since 1998, NTQA. Ms.
French has had such responsibility for the Fund since it commenced operations in
April 1994. Ms. French joined Northern Trust in 1986 and during the past five
years has managed various short-term investment and equity index portfolios.
The management team leader for the International Growth Equity Fund is
Robert A. LaFleur, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust. Mr. LaFleur has had
such responsibility for the Fund since it commenced operations in April 1994.
Mr. LaFleur joined Northern Trust in 1982 and during the past five years has
managed various international equity portfolios.
The management team leaders for the International Select Equity Fund
are Robert A. LaFleur and Svein Backer. Mr. LaFleur has had such responsibility
for the Fund since 1994 and Mr. Backer, Second Vice President of Northern Trust,
has had such responsibility for the Fund since July 1997. Mr. Backer joined
Northern Trust in 1992 and for the past five years has been responsible for the
stock selection and coverage of existing holdings for the United Kingdom,
Scandinavian, Australian, Canadian, South African and Emerging Market Europe
weightings in Northern Trust's international equity portfolios.
The management team leaders for the Technology Fund are John B. Leo and
George J. Gilbert, Vice Presidents of Northern Trust. Mr. Leo has had such
responsibility since the Fund commenced operations in April 1996. Mr. Gilbert
has had such responsibility since July 1997. Mr. Leo joined Northern in 1984.
During the past five years, Mr. Leo has managed various equity and bond
portfolios. Mr. Gilbert joined Northern Trust in 1980 and during the past five
years has managed a common trust technology fund, analyzed corporations and made
recommendations to portfolio managers on whether to buy, sell or hold securities
of issuers in a number of different industries.
YEAR 2000
Like every other business dependent upon computerized information
processing, Northern Trust Corporation and Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
("Sunstone") must deal with "Year 2000" issues, which stem from using two digits
to reflect the year in computer programs and data. Computer programmers and
other designers of equipment that use microprocessors have long abbreviated
dates by eliminating the first two digits of the year under the assumption that
those two digits will always be 19. As the Year 2000 approaches, many systems
may be unable to process accurately certain date-based information, which could
cause a variety of operational problems for businesses.
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Northern Trust Corporation's data processing software and hardware
provide essential support to virtually all of its business units, including the
units that provide services to Northern Funds, so successfully addressing Year
2000 issues is of the highest importance. Failure to complete renovation of the
critical systems used by Northern Trust Corporation on a timely basis could have
a materially adverse effect on its ability to provide such services -- as could
Year 2000 problems experienced by others. Although the nature of the problem is
such that there can be no complete assurance it will be successfully resolved,
Northern Trust Corporation has indicated that a renovation and risk mitigation
program is well under way and that it has a dedicated Year 2000 Project Team
whose members have significant systems development and maintenance experience.
Northern Trust Corporation's Year 2000 project includes a comprehensive testing
plan. Northern Trust Corporation has advised Northern Funds that it expects to
complete work on its critical systems by December 31, 1998, so that testing with
outside parties may be conducted during 1999.
Northern Trust Corporation also will have a program to monitor and
assess the efforts of other parties. However, it cannot control the success of
those efforts. Contingency plans will be established where appropriate to
provide Northern Trust Corporation with alternatives in case these entities
experience significant Year 2000 difficulties which impact Northern Trust
Corporation.
Sunstone and its affiliates depend on the consistent operations of
their computer software systems in providing services to Northern Funds.
Addressing Year 2000 issues is of the highest importance to Sunstone and its
affiliates. Sunstone does not utilize any proprietary software systems in
providing services to the Funds. Sunstone utilizes only software provided by
software vendors in providing services to the Funds. Sunstone and its affiliates
are monitoring and assessing the efforts of their software vendors for the
Funds. They cannot, however, control the success of those efforts. Sunstone and
its affiliates are in the process of developing contingency plans for the
systems they utilize to provide services to the Funds in the event these
entities experience significant Year 2000 difficulties. The inability of
Northern Funds and its service providers to successfully address the Year 2000
issue could result in interruptions in the Funds' business and have a materially
adverse effect on the Funds' operations.
ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., 207 E. Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202, acts as administrator for Northern Funds. As compensation for
its administrative services (which include clerical, compliance, regulatory and
other services) and the assumption of related expenses, Sunstone is entitled to
a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.15% of
Northern Funds' average net assets. No compensation was payable by Northern
Funds to Sunstone for its distribution services.
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Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC, 207 E. Buffalo Street, Suite 400,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, an affiliate of Sunstone, is currently the
distributor of the shares of Northern Funds. Effective on or after January 1,
1999, Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, an affiliate of Sunstone and Sunstone
Distribution Services, LLC, will replace Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC as
distributor of Northern Funds. Miriam M. Allison, an officer of Northern Funds,
is also an officer of Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC and Northern Funds
Distributors LLC. Shares of Northern Funds are sold by Sunstone Distribution
Services, LLC (and will be sold by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC effective on
or after January 1, 1999), as distributor, on a continuous basis. No
compensation is payable by Northern Funds to Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC
for its distribution services, nor will it be payable to Northern Funds
Distributors, LLC for its distribution services.
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Northern Funds may enter into agreements with Service Organizations such as
banks, corporations, broker-dealers and other financial institutions, including
Northern Trust, concerning the provision of support and/or distribution services
to their customers who own Fund shares. These services, which are described more
fully in the Additional Statement, may include support services such as
assisting investors in processing administrative purchase, exchange and
redemption requests; processing dividend and distribution payments from the
Funds; providing information to customers showing their positions in the Funds;
and providing subaccounting with respect to Fund shares beneficially owned by
customers or the information necessary for subaccounting. In addition, Service
Organizations may provide assistance, such as the forwarding of sales literature
and advertising to their customers, in connection with the distribution of Fund
shares. For their services, Service Organizations may receive fees from a Fund
at annual rates of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the
shares covered by their agreements.
Service Organizations may charge their customers fees for providing
administrative services in connection with investments in a Fund. Investors
should contact their Service Organization with respect to these fees and the
particular Service Organization's procedures for purchasing and redeeming
shares. It is the responsibility of Service Organizations to transmit purchase
and redemption orders and record those orders on a timely basis in accordance
with their agreements with their customers.
Conflict-of-interest restrictions may apply to the receipt of
compensation paid by Northern Funds in connection with the investment of
fiduciary funds in Fund shares. Institutions, including banks regulated by the
Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board and state banking
commissions, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the
jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities
commissions, are urged to consult their legal counsel before entering into
agreements with Northern Funds.
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws, among other things,
prohibit banks from engaging in the business of underwriting securities.
Accordingly, banks will be engaged
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under agreements with Northern Funds only to perform services that are
permissible under these laws.
Agreements that contemplate the provision of distribution services by
Service Organizations are governed by a Distribution and Service Plan (the
"Plan") that has been adopted by Northern Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act. Payments to Service Organizations, including Northern Trust, under the
Plan are not tied directly to their own out-of-pocket expenses and therefore may
be used as they elect (for example, to defray their overhead expenses), and may
exceed their direct and indirect costs.
EXPENSES
Except as set forth above and in the Additional Statement, each Fund is
responsible for the payment of its expenses. These expenses include, without
limitation, the fees and expenses payable to Northern Trust and Sunstone,
brokerage fees and commissions, fees for the registration or qualification of
Fund shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization
of Northern Funds, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity
bonds, indemnification or contribution, any costs, expenses or losses arising
out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against
Northern Funds for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and
expenses, expenses of preparing and printing prospectuses, statements of
additional information, proxy materials, reports and notices and the printing
and distributing of the same to the Funds' shareholders and regulatory
authorities, compensation and expenses of its Trustees, payments to Service
Organizations, fees of industry organizations such as the Investment Company
Institute, and miscellaneous and extraordinary expenses incurred by Northern
Funds.
Northern Trust and Sunstone intend to voluntarily reimburse a portion
of the Funds' expenses and/or reduce their advisory and administrative fees from
the Funds during the current fiscal year. The result of these reimbursements and
fee reductions will be to increase the performance of the Funds during the
periods for which the reductions and reimbursements are made.
FURTHER INFORMATION
DETERMINING SHARE PRICE
Except as provided below under "Further Information -- Miscellaneous," net asset
value per share for purposes of purchases and redemptions is calculated by
Northern Trust on each Business Day as of 3:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) for each
non-Money Market Fund, and as of 1:00 p.m. (Chicago Time) for each Money Market
Fund. Net asset value is calculated by dividing the value of all securities and
other assets belonging to a Fund, less the liabilities charged to a Fund, by the
number of the Fund's outstanding shares.
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In seeking to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share with
respect to each Money Market Fund for purposes of purchases and redemptions,
Northern Funds values the portfolio securities held by each of the Money Market
Funds pursuant to the amortized cost method of valuation described in the
Additional Statement under "Amortized Cost Valuation."
Securities held by the other Funds that are listed on a recognized U.S.
or foreign securities exchange are valued at the last quoted sales price on the
securities exchange on which the securities are primarily traded, except that
securities listed on an exchange in the United Kingdom are valued at the average
of the closing bid and ask prices. If securities listed on a U.S. exchange are
not traded on a valuation date, they will be valued at the last quoted bid
price. If securities traded on a foreign securities exchange are not traded on a
valuation date, they will be valued at the most recent quoted sales price.
Securities that are traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets, absent a last
quoted sales price, are valued at the last quoted bid price. Securities which
are traded in the foreign over-the-counter markets are valued at the last sales
price, except that such securities traded in the United Kingdom are valued at
the average of the closing bid and ask prices. Any securities for which no
current quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as determined
in good faith by Northern Trust under the supervision of the Board of Trustees.
Temporary short-term investments are valued at amortized cost which Northern
Trust has determined, pursuant to Board authorization, approximates market
value. Securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by independent
pricing services when those prices are believed to reflect the fair market value
of the securities.
ADVERTISING PERFORMANCE
The performance of each Fund may be compared to those of other mutual funds with
similar investment objectives and to stock, bond and other relevant indices or
to rankings prepared by independent services or other financial or industry
publications that monitor the performance of mutual funds. For example, the
performance of a Fund may be compared to data prepared by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. or to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Index, the Russell
2000 or 1000 Small Stock Index, the Consumer Price Index or the Dow Jones
Industrial Average. In addition, performance of the U.S. Government and Fixed
Income Funds may be compared to the Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index (or
its two components, the Treasury Bond Index and Agency Bond Index), the Lehman
Brothers Corporate Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government Bond
Index and the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index. Performance of
the Intermediate Tax-Exempt and Tax-Exempt Funds may be compared to the Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond or 5-Year Municipal Bond Indices; performance of the
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund may be compared to the Lehman Brothers
Mutual Fund California Intermediate Index; performance of the Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund may be compared to the Lehman Brothers Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Index; performance of the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund may be
compared to the Lehman Brothers Arizona Municipal Bond Index; performance of the
California Tax-Exempt Fund may be compared to the Lehman Brothers California
Municipal Exempt Index and performance of the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and
California Tax-Exempt Fund may be compared to the Lehman Brothers Mutual Fund
Intermediate Municipal Index. Performance of the High Yield Municipal Fund
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may be compared to Lehman Brothers High Yield Municipal Bond Index. Performance
of the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may be compared to Merrill Lynch High Yield
Master II Index, Lehman Brothers High Yield Index and Salomon Brothers Extended
High-Yield Market Index. Performance of the Income Equity Fund may be compared
to the Merrill Lynch Investment Grade Convertible Bond Index. Performance of the
International Funds may be compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australasia and Far East Index ("EAFE"), the Morgan Stanley EAFE blended
with Emerging Markets Free Index and the J.P. Morgan International Government
Bond Index. Performance of the Technology Fund may be compared to the Morgan
Stanley Index, the Hambrecht and Quist Technology Index, the SoundView
Technology Index, the technology grouping of the S&P 500 Index and any other
comparable technology index. Performance data as reported in national financial
publications such as Money, Forbes, Barron's, The Wall Street Journal and The
New York Times, or in publications of a local or regional nature, may also be
used in comparing the performance of a Fund. From time to time, the Funds may
also quote the mutual fund ratings of Morningstar, Inc. and other services in
their advertising materials.
A Fund calculates its total return on an "average annual total return"
basis for various periods from the date the Fund commences investment operations
and for other periods as permitted under SEC rules. Average annual total return
reflects the average annual percentage change in value of an investment over the
measuring period. Total return may also be calculated on an aggregate total
return basis for various periods. Aggregate total return reflects the total
percentage change in value over the measuring period. Both methods of
calculating total return reflect changes in the price of a Fund's shares and
assume that any dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. When
considering average total return figures for periods longer than one year, you
should note that the annual total return for any one year may be more or less
than the average for the entire period. A Fund may also advertise its total
return on an aggregate, year-by-year or other basis for various specified
periods through charts, graphs, schedules or quotations.
The yield of a Fund (other than the Money Market Funds) is computed
based on the Fund's net income during a specified 30-day (or one-month) period.
More specifically, the Fund's yield is computed by dividing its per share net
income during the relevant period by the per share net asset value on the last
day of the period and analyzing the result on a semi-annual basis. The yield of
a Money Market Fund is computed based on the Fund's net income during a
specified seven-day period. The net investment income is then "annualized." That
is, the amount of net investment income generated by the investment during the
period is assumed to be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown
as a percentage of the investment. The "effective" yield of a Money Market Fund
is calculated similarly but, when annualized, the net investment income
generated by the investment is assumed to be reinvested. The "effective" yield
will be slightly higher than the "yield" because of the compounding effect of
this assumed reinvestment.
The tax-equivalent yield for the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal
Funds shows the amount of taxable yield needed to produce an after-tax
equivalent of a tax-free yield, and is calculated by increasing the yield (as
calculated above) by the amount necessary to reflect the
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payment of federal and/or state income taxes at a stated rate. The
tax-equivalent yield for the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal Funds will
always be higher than the Fund's yield.
Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended to
indicate future performance. The investment return and principal value of an
investment in a Fund will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth
more or less than their original cost. Performance data may not provide a basis
for comparison with bank deposits and other investments which provide a fixed
yield for a stated period of time. Changes in the net asset value should be
considered in ascertaining the total return to shareholders for a given period.
Total return data should also be considered in light of the risks associated
with a Fund's composition, quality, operating expenses and market conditions.
Any fees charged by Northern Trust or a Service Organization directly to its
customers in connection with investments in the Funds will not be included in
Northern Funds' calculations of performance data.
VOTING RIGHTS
Northern Funds was formed as a Massachusetts Business Trust on October 12, 1993
under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust
Agreement permits the Board of Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest of one or more separate series representing interests in
different investment portfolios. Northern Funds has established twenty-seven
separate Funds, which are described in this Prospectus.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and
proportionate fractional votes for fractional shares held. Each series entitled
to vote on a matter will vote in the aggregate and not by series, except as
required by law or when the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of
shareholders of a particular series. The Additional Statement gives examples of
situations where the law requires voting by series. Voting rights are not
cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate
shares of Northern Funds may elect all of the Trustees.
Northern Funds does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of
shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Trustees will promptly call a meeting of
shareholders to vote upon the removal of any Trustee when so requested in
writing by the record holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares. To the
extent required by law, Northern Funds will assist in shareholder communications
in connection with the meeting.
As of September 30, 1998, Northern Trust possessed sole or shared
voting or investment power for its customer accounts with respect to more than
50% of the outstanding shares of Northern Funds.
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
Shareholders of record will be provided each year with a semi-annual report
showing portfolio investments and other information as of September 30 and,
after the close of the Funds' fiscal
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year March 31, with an annual report containing audited financial statements. To
eliminate unnecessary duplication, only one copy of shareholder reports will be
sent to shareholders with the same mailing address. Shareholders who desire a
duplicate copy of shareholder reports to be mailed to their residence should
call 1-800-595-9111 or send an e-mail to: [email protected].
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of the Funds may be purchased in connection with certain tax-sheltered
retirement plans, including profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, money purchase
pension plans, target benefit plans and individual retirement accounts. Further
information about how to participate in these plans, the fees charged and the
limits on contributions can be obtained from Northern Trust. To invest through
any of the tax-sheltered retirement plans, please call Northern Trust for
information and the required separate application. To determine whether the
benefits of a tax-sheltered retirement plan are available and/or appropriate, a
shareholder should consult with a tax adviser.
MISCELLANEOUS
The address of Northern Funds is 207 E. Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202 and the telephone number is 1-800-595-9111. Northern Funds is
registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and
each of the Funds (other than the California Funds, the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and the International Fixed Income
Fund) is classified under that Act as a diversified portfolio.
When a shareholder moves, the shareholder is responsible for sending
written notice to Northern Funds of any new mailing address. Northern Funds and
the Transfer Agent may charge a shareholder their reasonable costs in locating a
shareholder's current address in accordance with SEC regulations.
As used in this Prospectus, "Business Day" means, with respect to the
non-Money Market Funds, each day Northern Trust and the New York Stock Exchange
(the "Exchange) are open, which is Monday through Friday, except for holidays
observed by Northern Trust and/or the Exchange. In 1998, these holidays are New
Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 3rd), Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans
Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. "Business Day" means, with respect to the Money
Market Funds, each day that Northern Trust is open, which is a Monday through
Friday, except for holidays observed by it. In 1998, these holidays are New
Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. On days when
Northern Trust or the Exchange closes early as a result of unusual weather or
other conditions, the Funds reserve the right to advance the time on that day by
which purchase, redemption and exchange requests must be received. In addition,
on any Business Day when The Bond Market Association recommends that the
securities markets close or close early, the Funds reserve the right to cease or
to advance the deadline for accepting purchase, redemption and exchange orders
for same Business Day credit. Purchase, redemption and exchange requests
received after the advanced closing time
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will be effected on the next Business Day. Northern Trust is not required to
calculate the net asset value of a Fund on days during which no shares are
tendered to a Fund for redemption and no orders to purchase or sell shares are
received by a Fund, or on days on which there is an insufficient degree of
trading in the Fund's portfolio securities for changes in the value of such
securities to affect materially the net asset value per share. Each Fund
reserves the right, however, to reject any purchase order and also to defer
crediting, sending or wiring redemption proceeds for up to seven days after
receiving a redemption order if, in its judgment, an earlier payment would
adversely affect such Fund. See "Opening an Account and Purchasing Shares" and
"Redeeming and Exchanging Shares" above for more information.
From time to time, and subject to the applicable law, Northern Funds'
distributor may provide promotional incentives to brokers or banks, including
Northern Trust, whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell shares
of the Funds. At various times, the distributor may implement programs under
which an entity's sales force may be eligible to win cash or non-cash awards for
sales efforts, and may finance sales contests or recognition programs conforming
to criteria established by the distributor. The distributor may also provide
marketing services to entities consisting of written informational material
relating to sales incentive campaigns conducted by such entities for their
representatives.
Northern Trust is sometimes referred to as "The Northern Trust Bank" in
advertisements and other literature.
The Stock Index Fund and the Small Cap Index Fund are not sponsored,
endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's or Russell, respectively, nor
does Standard & Poor's or Russell guarantee the accuracy and/or completeness of
the S&P 500 Index or the Russell Index or any data included therein. Standard &
Poor's and Russell make no warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be
obtained by the Stock Index Fund or Small Cap Index Fund, respectively, the
shareholders of those Funds, any person or any entity from the use of the S&P
500 Index or the Russell Index, or any data included therein. Standard & Poor's
and Russell make no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaim all
such warranties of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose for use
with respect to the S&P 500 Index or the Russell Index, respectively, or any
data included therein.
--------------------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN NORTHERN FUNDS'
ADDITIONAL STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY NORTHERN FUNDS OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY NORTHERN FUNDS OR BY THE
DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
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PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MONEY MARKET FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
SHORT-INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
FLORIDA INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
FIXED INCOME FUND
TAX-EXEMPT FUND
ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
INTERNATIONAL FIXED INCOME FUND
HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
HIGH YIELD FIXED INCOME FUND
INCOME EQUITY FUND
STOCK INDEX FUND
GROWTH EQUITY FUND
SELECT EQUITY FUND
MID CAP GROWTH FUND
SMALL CAP INDEX FUND
SMALL CAP FUND
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH EQUITY FUND
INTERNATIONAL SELECT EQUITY FUND
TECHNOLOGY FUND
NORTHERN FUNDS
(THE "TRUST")
This Statement of Additional Information (the "Additional Statement")
dated November 30, 1998 is not a prospectus. This Additional Statement should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated November 30, 1998, as amended or
supplemented from time to time, for the Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Money
Market Fund, U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund, Municipal Money Market
Fund, California Municipal Money Market Fund (collectively, the "Money Market
Funds"), U.S. Government Fund, Short-Intermediate U.S.
<PAGE> 98
Government Fund, Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Fixed Income Fund,
Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, California Tax-Exempt Fund, High Yield
Municipal Fund, High Yield Fixed Income Fund, International Fixed Income Fund,
Income Equity Fund, Stock Index Fund, Growth Equity Fund, Select Equity Fund,
Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Index Fund, Small Cap Fund, International Growth
Equity Fund, International Select Equity Fund and Technology Fund (collectively,
the "Non-Money Market Funds," and together with the Money Market Funds, the
"Funds") of Northern Funds (the "Prospectus"). Copies of the Prospectus may be
obtained without charge from the Transfer Agent by writing to the Northern Funds
Center, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60690-9069 or by calling
1-800-595-9111. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined have the same meaning as
in the Prospectus.
----------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OR IN THE PROSPECTUS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY NORTHERN FUNDS OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THE PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY NORTHERN FUNDS OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
SHARES OF NORTHERN FUNDS ARE NOT BANK DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED, ENDORSED OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTED BY, THE NORTHERN TRUST BANK, ITS
PARENT COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR GUARANTEED
BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
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INDEX
Page
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION..............................................4
Investment Objectives and Policies.............................................4
Special Risk Factors and Considerations Relating to California
Municipal Instruments, Florida Municipal Instruments and Arizona
Municipal Instruments...................................................25
California Municipal Instruments..............................................25
Florida Municipal Instruments.................................................39
Arizona Municipal Instruments.................................................41
Investment Restrictions.......................................................43
ADDITIONAL TRUST INFORMATION..................................................47
Trustees and Officers.........................................................47
Investment Adviser, Transfer Agent and Custodian..............................50
Administrator and Distributor.................................................63
Service Organizations.........................................................66
Counsel and Auditors..........................................................67
In-Kind Purchases.............................................................67
Automatic Investing Plan......................................................68
Redemptions and Exchanges.....................................................68
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.......................................................69
Money Market Funds............................................................69
Non-Money Market Funds........................................................70
General Information...........................................................72
AMORTIZED COST VALUATION......................................................74
TAXES.........................................................................75
Federal - General Information.................................................75
Federal - Tax-Exempt Information..............................................77
Taxation of Certain Financial Instruments.....................................78
Special State Tax Considerations Pertaining to the California Funds...........80
Special State Tax Considerations Pertaining to the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund.........................................................82
Special State Tax Considerations Pertaining to the Arizona Tax-Exempt
Fund....................................................................82
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES.........................................................83
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..........................................................86
OTHER INFORMATION.............................................................86
APPENDIX A...................................................................A-1
APPENDIX B...................................................................B-1
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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following supplements the investment objectives and policies of the
Funds as set forth in the Prospectus.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Money Market Fund seeks to maximize current income to the
extent consistent with the preservation of capital and
maintenance of liquidity by investing only in high-quality
money market instruments.
U.S. Government Money Market Fund has the same objective as
the Money Market Fund but invests primarily in securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies
or instrumentalities and related repurchase agreements.
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund seeks to maximize
current income to the extent consistent with the preservation
of capital and maintenance of liquidity by investing
exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
Municipal Money Market Fund seeks high current income exempt
from regular federal tax to the extent consistent with
preserving capital by investing mainly in short-term Municipal
Instruments.
California Municipal Money Market Fund seeks to provide its
shareholders to the extent consistent with the preservation of
capital and prescribed portfolio standards, a high level of
income exempt from regular federal income tax and California
state personal income tax.
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
U.S. Government Fund seeks high current income from U.S.
Government securities. The Fund's dollar-weighted average
maturity is anticipated to range between one and ten years. It
is designed for investors who seek greater principal stability
than is generally available from higher yielding corporate
bonds.
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund seeks high current
income from a broad range of U.S. Government securities. The
Fund's dollar-weighted average maturity is anticipated to
range between two and five years. It is
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designed for investors who seek greater principal stability
than is generally available from higher yielding corporate
bonds.
Fixed Income Fund seeks high current income from a broad range
of bonds and other fixed income securities. The Fund's average
maturity is anticipated to range between seven and twelve
years. This Fund generally presents greater risk and reward
potential than the U.S. Government Fund and the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund.
International Fixed Income Fund seeks to maximize total return
consistent with reasonable risk while investing in foreign
securities markets. Total return is comprised of current
income and value fluctuations from investing in bonds and
other fixed income securities of foreign issuers.
High Yield Municipal Fund seeks a high level of current income
exempt from regular federal income tax.
High Yield Fixed Income Fund seeks a high level of current
income. In seeking current income, the Fund may also consider
the potential for capital appreciation. In pursuing its
investment objective, the Fund invests in high yield fixed
income instruments.
TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current income exempt
from regular federal income tax by investing in a broad range
of Municipal Instruments with an expected average maturity of
three to ten years.
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current
income exempt from regular federal income tax and California
state personal income tax by investing in Municipal
Instruments with an expected average maturity of three to ten
years.
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current income
exempt from regular federal income tax by investing in
Municipal Instruments with an expected average maturity of
three to ten years. The Fund intends, but cannot guarantee,
that its shares will qualify for exemption from the Florida
intangibles tax.
Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current income exempt from regular
federal income tax by investing in Municipal Instruments with
an expected average maturity of ten to thirty years.
Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current income exempt from
regular federal income tax and Arizona state personal income
tax by investing in
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Municipal Instruments with an expected average maturity of ten
to thirty years.
California Tax-Exempt Fund seeks high current income exempt
from regular federal income tax and California state personal
income tax by investing in Municipal Instruments with an
expected average maturity of ten and thirty years.
EQUITY FUNDS
Income Equity Fund seeks to achieve high current income and,
as a secondary objective, longer-term capital appreciation.
The Fund invests in convertible and other equity securities.
Because it emphasizes high current income, this Fund is likely
to have the least price fluctuation of Northern Funds' equity
funds.
Stock Index Fund seeks to provide investment results
approximating the aggregate price and dividend performance of
the securities included in the S&P 500 Index.
Growth Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing mainly in the equity securities of growth companies.
It is designed for investors willing to accept above-average
price volatility in search of long-term reward.
Select Equity Fund is also for the more aggressive investor,
seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing
principally in common stocks of companies the adviser believes
to have superior growth characteristics. Any income is
incidental to this objective.
Mid Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with
market capitalizations that are within the capitalization
range of the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Stock Index at the
time of investment.
Small Cap Index Fund seeks to provide investment results
approximating the aggregate price and dividend performance of
the securities included in the Russell 2000 Small Stock Index
(the "Russell Index").
Small Cap Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation; any
income is incidental to this objective. Because it invests
principally in the equity securities of smaller companies,
this Fund is likely to have more price volatility than the
Growth Equity and Select Equity Funds.
International Growth Equity Fund offers the potential benefits
of international diversification to investors willing to
accept above-average
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price volatility while seeking long-term capital appreciation.
While subject to additional risks such as currency
fluctuations and the higher volatility of foreign securities,
this Fund uses diversification, in an effort to control risk.
International Select Equity Fund seeks long-term growth by
investing principally in common stock of foreign issuers that
the adviser believes are growing faster than their markets.
Because fewer countries and securities are generally
represented in this Fund than in the International Growth
Equity Fund, it is likely to experience more price volatility.
Technology Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing principally in equity securities and securities
convertible into common stock of companies that develop,
produce or distribute products and services related to
advances in technology. The Fund will, under normal market
conditions, invest at least 65% of the value of its total
assets in securities of companies principally engaged in
technology business activities. An issuer is considered
principally engaged in technology business activities if such
issuer is listed on the Morgan Stanley High-Technology 35
Index (the "Morgan Stanley Index"), the Hambrecht and Quist
Technology Index (the "H&Q Index"), the SoundView Technology
Index, the technology grouping of the S&P 500 Index or any
other comparable index.
The Morgan Stanley Index is a broad-market technology
indicator dedicated exclusively to the electronics-based
technology sector. The 35 stocks in the Index include highly
capitalized companies drawn from nine technology subsectors:
computer services, design software, server software, PC
software and new media, networking and telecom equipment,
server hardware, PC hardware and peripherals, specialized
systems and semi-conductors. The SoundView Technology Index
includes approximately 100 companies from the design,
automation, communications, mainframe computer, microcomputer,
minicomputer, peripherals, semiconductor, software and related
services industries. The H&Q Index is comprised of publicly
traded stocks of approximately 200 technology companies. The
H&Q Index includes companies in the electronics, medical and
related technologies industries and is a market capitalization
weighted index. Changes in the indices may occur when Morgan
Stanley, SoundView or H&Q choose to modify their indices or as
mergers, acquisitions and failures dictate. Such changes may
happen with fair regularity owing to the fast-changing nature
of the technology industries.
COMMERCIAL PAPER, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, TIME
DEPOSITS AND BANK NOTES. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured
promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies,
corporations and finance companies. Certificates of deposit are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers' acceptances are
negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or
exporter to pay for specific merchandise,
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<PAGE> 104
which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and
bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand
by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary
depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation.
There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial
interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party. Bank notes and bankers'
acceptances rank junior to deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with
other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Bank notes are classified as
"other borrowings" on a bank's balance sheet, while deposit notes and
certificates of deposit are classified as deposits. Bank notes are not insured
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other insurer. Deposit notes
are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation only to the extent of
$100,000 per depositor per bank.
A Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in the obligations of
foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such obligations include
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit ("ECDs"), which are U.S. dollar-denominated
certificates of deposit issued by offices of foreign and domestic banks located
outside the United States; Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs"), which are U.S.
dollar-denominated deposits in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or a foreign
bank; Canadian Time Deposits ("CTDs"), which are essentially the same as ETDs
except they are issued by Canadian offices of major Canadian banks; Schedule Bs,
which are obligations issued by Canadian branches of foreign or domestic banks;
Yankee Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee Cds"), which are U.S. dollar-denominated
certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in
the United States; and Yankee Bankers' Acceptances ("Yankee Bas"), which are
U.S. dollar-denominated bankers' acceptances issued by a U.S. branch of a
foreign bank and held in the United States.
INSURANCE FUNDING AGREEMENTS. An insurance funding agreement ("IFA") is
normally a general obligation of the issuing insurance company and not a
separate account. The purchase price paid for an IFA becomes part of the general
assets of the insurance company, and the contract is paid from the company's
general assets. The Money Market Fund and Fixed Income Fund will only purchase
highly rated IFAs. The High Yield Fixed Income Fund is not subject to any
minimum rating criteria. Generally, IFAs are not assignable or transferable
without the permission of the issuing insurance companies, and an active
secondary market in IFAs may not exist.
ZERO COUPON, PAY-IN-KIND AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION BONDS. To the extent
consistent with their respective investment objectives, each Fund may invest in
zero coupon bonds, capital appreciation bonds and pay-in-kind ("PIK")
securities. Zero coupon and capital appreciation bonds are debt securities
issued or sold at a discount from their face value and which do not entitle the
holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified
date. The original issue discount varies depending on the time remaining until
maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the
security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. These securities also
may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons, the coupons themselves or receipts or certificates
representing interests in such stripped debt obligations or coupons. The market
prices of zero coupon bonds, capital appreciation bonds and PIK securities
generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest bearing
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<PAGE> 105
securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest
rates than interest bearing securities having similar maturities and credit
quality.
PIK securities may be debt obligations or preferred shares that provide
the issuer with the option of paying interest or dividends on such obligations
in cash or in the form of additional securities rather than cash. Similar to
zero coupon bonds, PIK securities are designed to give an issuer flexibility in
managing cash flow. PIK securities that are debt securities can either be senior
or subordinated debt and generally trade flat (i.e., without accrued interest).
The trading price of PIK debt securities generally reflects the market value of
the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last
interest payment.
Zero coupon bonds, capital appreciation bonds and PIK securities involve
the additional risk that, unlike securities that periodically pay interest to
maturity, a Fund will realize no cash until a specified future payment date
unless a portion of such securities is sold and, if the issuer of such
securities defaults, a Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. In
addition, even though such securities do not provide for the payment of current
interest in cash, the Funds are nonetheless required to accrue income on such
investments for each taxable year and generally are required to distribute such
accrued amounts (net of deductible expenses, if any) to avoid being subject to
tax. Because no cash is generally received at the time of the accrual, a Fund
may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient
cash to satisfy federal tax distribution requirements applicable to the Fund.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. The High Yield Fixed Income Fund may invest in loan
participations. Such loans must be to issuers in whose obligations the High
Yield Fixed Income Fund may invest. A loan participation is an interest in a
loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and
sold by a financial intermediary. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a
number of lenders, usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a
specified sum pursuant to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of
the co-lenders usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.
Participation interests acquired by the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may
take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate
borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another
participant, or a participation in the seller's share of the loan. When the High
Yield Fixed Income Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation
interest or when the High Yield Fixed Income Fund acquires certain participation
interests, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund will have direct recourse against
the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In
cases where the High Yield Fixed Income Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look
to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.
In these cases, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may be subject to delays,
expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if
the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such
borrower. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the
corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses by
the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the agent bank. Moreover, under
the terms of the loan participation, the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may be
regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying
corporate borrower), so that the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may also be
subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent. The secondary
market, if any,
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for these loan participations is limited and any loan participations purchased
by the High Yield Fixed Income Fund will be regarded as illiquid.
For purposes of certain investment limitations pertaining to
diversification of the High Yield Fixed Income Fund's portfolio investments, the
issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. However, in
cases where the High Yield Fixed Income Fund does not have recourse directly
against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender
interposed between the High Yield Fixed Income Fund and the borrower will be
deemed issuers of a loan participation.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may agree to purchase portfolio
securities from financial institutions subject to the seller's agreement to
repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price ("repurchase
agreements"). Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Although the securities subject
to a repurchase agreement may bear maturities exceeding one year, settlement for
the repurchase agreement will never be more than one year after a Fund's
acquisition of the securities and normally will be within a shorter period of
time. Securities subject to repurchase agreements are held either by Northern
Funds' custodian or subcustodian (if any), or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury
Book-Entry System. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to
maintain the value of the securities subject to the agreement in an amount
exceeding the repurchase price (including accrued interest). Default by the
seller would, however, expose a Fund to possible loss because of adverse market
action or delay in connection with the disposition of the underlying
obligations.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A Fund may borrow funds by selling
portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker/dealers
and agreeing to repurchase them at a mutually specified date and price ("reverse
repurchase agreements"). Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be
borrowings under the 1940 Act. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk
that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the
repurchase price. A Fund will pay interest on amounts obtained pursuant to a
reverse repurchase agreement. While reverse repurchase agreements are
outstanding, a Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount at least equal to
the market value of the securities, plus accrued interest, subject to the
agreement.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. With respect to the variable and
floating rate instruments that may be acquired by the Funds as described in the
Prospectus, the Investment Advisers will consider the earning power, cash flows
and other liquidity ratios of the issuers and guarantors of such instruments
and, if the instruments are subject to demand features, will monitor their
financial status and ability to meet payment on demand. In determining weighted
average portfolio maturity, an instrument may, subject to applicable Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations, be deemed to have a maturity
shorter than its nominal maturity based on the period remaining until the next
interest rate adjustment or the time a Fund can recover payment of principal as
specified in the instrument. Where necessary to ensure that a variable or
floating rate instrument is of the minimum required credit quality for a Fund,
the issuer's obligation to pay the principal of the instrument will be backed by
an unconditional bank letter or line of credit, guarantee or commitment to lend.
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FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY
TRANSACTIONS. Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or
purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment (sometimes called delayed
delivery) basis. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase
or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying securities
(usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be
delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the
transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment
transactions are normally negotiated directly with the other party.
A Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing
the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed
advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or
negotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Fund also may sell securities
it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund
on the settlement date.
When a Fund purchases securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or
forward commitment basis, the Fund will segregate liquid assets having a value
(determined daily) at least equal to the amount of the Fund's purchase
commitments until three days prior to the settlement date, or otherwise cover
its position. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Fund will
maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under
when-issued purchases, forward commitments and delayed-delivery transactions.
For purposes of determining a Fund's average dollar-weighted maturity, the
maturity of when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment securities will
be calculated from the commitment date.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Examples of the types of U.S.
Government obligations that may be acquired by the Funds include U.S. Treasury
Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds and the obligations of Federal Home
Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Small Business Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services
Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Maritime
Administration.
SUPRANATIONAL BANK OBLIGATIONS. A Fund may invest in obligations of
supranational banks. Supranational banks are international banking institutions
designed or supported by national governments to promote economic
reconstruction, development or trade among nations (e.g., the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development). Obligations of supranational banks may be
supported by appropriated but unpaid commitments of their member countries and
there is no assurance that these commitments will be undertaken or met in the
future.
STRIPPED OBLIGATIONS. The Treasury Department has facilitated transfers of
ownership of zero coupon securities by accounting separately for the beneficial
ownership of particular interest coupon and principal payments on Treasury
securities through the Federal Reserve book-entry record-keeping system. The
Federal Reserve program as established by the Treasury Department is known as
"STRIPS" or "Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of
Securities." The
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Funds may purchase securities registered in the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS
program, the Funds are able to have their beneficial ownership of zero coupon
securities recorded directly in the book-entry record-keeping system in lieu of
having to hold certificates or other evidences of ownership of the underlying
U.S. Treasury securities.
In addition, the Funds, other than the U.S. Government Select Money Market
Fund, may acquire U.S. Government obligations and their unmatured interest
coupons that have been separated ("stripped") by their holder, typically a
custodian bank or investment brokerage firm. Having separated the interest
coupons from the underlying principal of the U.S. Government obligations, the
holder will resell the stripped securities in custodial receipt programs with a
number of different names, including "Treasury Income Growth Receipts" ("TIGRs")
and "Certificate of Accrual on Treasury Securities" ("CATS"). The stripped
coupons are sold separately from the underlying principal, which is usually sold
at a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future
fixed payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic
interest (cash) payments. The underlying U.S. Treasury bonds and notes
themselves are held in book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the
case of bearer securities (i.e., unregistered securities which are ostensibly
owned by the bearer or holder), in trust on behalf of the owners. Counsel to the
underwriters of these certificates or other evidences of ownership of U.S.
Treasury securities have stated that, in their opinion, purchasers of the
stripped securities most likely will be deemed the beneficial holders of the
underlying U.S. Government obligations for federal tax purposes. Northern Funds
is unaware of any binding legislative, judicial or administrative authority on
this issue.
The Prospectus discusses other types of stripped securities that may be
purchased by the Funds, including stripped mortgage-backed securities.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. To the extent described in the Prospectus, the
Funds may purchase asset-backed securities, which are securities backed by
mortgages, installment contracts, credit card receivables or other assets.
Asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of assets in which
payments of both interest and principal on the securities are made periodically,
thus in effect "passing through" such payments made by the individual borrowers
on the assets that underlie the securities, net of any fees paid to the issuer
or guarantor of the securities. The average life of asset-backed securities
varies with the maturities of the underlying instruments, and the average life
of a mortgage-backed instrument, in particular, is likely to be substantially
less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities
as a result of mortgage prepayments. For this and other reasons, an asset-backed
security's stated maturity may be shortened, and the security's total return may
be difficult to predict precisely. Asset-backed securities acquired by the Funds
may include collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") issued by private
companies.
There are a number of important differences among the agencies and
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities
and among the securities that they issue. Mortgage-related securities guaranteed
by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as "Ginnie
Maes"), which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest
by GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA is a
wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and
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Urban Development. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA
to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee.
Mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage
Pass-Through Certificates (also known as "Fannie Maes"), which are solely the
obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and
credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to
borrow from the Treasury. FNMA is a government-sponsored organization owned
entirely by private stockholders. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely
payment of the principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities
issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as
"Freddie Macs" or "Pcs"). FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United
States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress, which is owned entirely by
Federal Home Loan Banks. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed and do not constitute a
debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank.
Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is
guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely
payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC
does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due
on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after
default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it
becomes payable.
MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS. Opinions relating to the validity of Municipal
Instruments (including California, Florida and Arizona Municipal Instruments)
and to federal and state tax issues relating to these securities are rendered by
counsel to the respective issuing authorities at the time of issuance. Such
opinions may contain various assumptions, qualifications or exceptions that are
reasonably acceptable to Northern Trust. Neither Northern Funds nor Northern
Trust will review the proceedings relating to the issuance of Municipal
Instruments or the bases for such opinions.
An issuer's obligations under its Municipal Instruments are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any,
which may be enacted by federal or state legislatures extending the time for
payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon
enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy
taxes. The power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment
of interest on and principal of its Municipal Instruments may be materially
adversely affected by litigation or other conditions.
From time to time proposals have been introduced before Congress for the
purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for
interest on Municipal Instruments. For example, under the Tax Reform Act of 1986
interest on certain private activity bonds must be included in an investor's
federal alternative minimum taxable income, and corporate investors must include
all tax-exempt interest in their federal alternative minimum taxable income.
Northern Funds cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the
future in Congress as regards the federal income tax status of interest on
Municipal Instruments or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such
proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of
Municipal Instruments for investment by the Municipal Money Market, California
Municipal Money Market, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt,
California Tax-Exempt and High Yield Municipal Funds and the Funds' liquidity
and value. In such an event the Board of Trustees
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would reevaluate the Funds' investment objectives and policies and consider
changes in their structure or possible dissolution.
Certain of the Municipal Instruments held by a Fund may be insured as to
the timely payment of principal and interest. The insurance policies will
usually be obtained by the issuer of the Municipal Instrument at the time of its
original issuance. In the event that the issuer defaults on an interest or
principal payment, the insurer will be notified and will be required to make
payment to the bondholders. There is, however, no guarantee that the insurer
will meet its obligations. In addition, such insurance will not protect against
market fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates and other factors. A
Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in Municipal Instruments
covered by insurance policies.
Interest earned by the Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, California
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Tax-Exempt
Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund or California Tax-Exempt Fund on private activity
bonds (if any) that is treated as a specific tax preference item under the
federal alternative minimum tax will not be deemed to have been derived from
Municipal Instruments for purposes of determining whether that Fund meets its
fundamental policy that at least 80% of its annual gross income be derived from
Municipal Instruments.
As described in the Prospectus, the Tax-Exempt Funds and the Municipal
Money Market, California Municipal Money Market and High Yield Municipal Funds
may invest in municipal leases, which may be considered liquid under guidelines
established by Northern Funds' Board of Trustees. The guidelines will provide
for determination of the liquidity of a municipal lease obligation based on
factors including the following: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the
obligation; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security
and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the willingness of dealers to
undertake to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the
marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the security, the
method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer. Northern Trust, under
the supervision of Northern Funds' Board of Trustees, will also consider the
continued marketability of a municipal lease obligation based upon an analysis
of the general credit quality of the municipality issuing the obligation and the
essentiality to the municipality of the property covered by the lease.
STANDBY COMMITMENTS. The Tax-Exempt Funds and Municipal Money Market,
California Municipal Money Market and High Yield Municipal Funds may enter into
standby commitments with respect to Municipal Instruments held by them. Under a
standby commitment, a dealer agrees to purchase at a Fund's option a specified
Municipal Instrument. Standby commitments may be exercisable by a Fund at any
time before the maturity of the underlying Municipal Instruments and may be
sold, transferred or assigned only with the instruments involved.
The Funds expect that standby commitments will generally be available
without the payment of any direct or indirect consideration. However, if
necessary or advisable, the Funds may pay for a standby commitment either
separately in cash or by paying a higher price for Municipal Instruments which
are acquired subject to the commitment (thus reducing the yield to maturity
otherwise available for the same securities). The total amount paid in either
manner for outstanding standby commitments held by a Fund will not exceed 1/2 of
1% of the value of the Fund's total assets calculated immediately after each
standby commitment is acquired.
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The Funds intend to enter into standby commitments only with dealers,
banks and broker-dealers which, in Northern Trust's opinion, present minimal
credit risks. The Funds will acquire standby commitments solely to facilitate
portfolio liquidity and do not intend to exercise their rights thereunder for
trading purposes. The acquisition of a standby commitment will not affect the
valuation of the underlying Municipal Instrument. The actual standby commitment
will be valued at zero in determining net asset value. Accordingly, where a Fund
pays directly or indirectly for a standby commitment, its cost will be reflected
as an unrealized loss for the period during which the commitment is held by the
Fund and will be reflected in realized gain or loss when the commitment is
exercised or expires.
WARRANTS. The Income Equity, Growth Equity, Select Equity, Mid Cap Growth,
Small Cap, International Growth Equity, International Select Equity, Technology
and High Yield Fixed Income Funds may purchase warrants and similar rights,
which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the owners to subscribe to
and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified
price during a specified period of time. The purchase of warrants involves the
risk that a Fund could lose the purchase value of a warrant if the right to
subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrant's
expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants involves the risk that the effective
price paid for the warrant added to the subscription price of the related
security may exceed the value of the subscribed security's market price such as
when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. In order to protect against a possible loss
on investments resulting from a decline or appreciation in the value of a
particular foreign currency against the U.S. dollar or another foreign currency
or for other reasons, the Fixed Income, International Fixed Income, High Yield
Fixed Income , Income Equity, Growth Equity, Select Equity, Mid Cap Growth,
Small Cap, International Growth Equity, International Select Equity and
Technology Funds are authorized to enter into forward currency exchange
contracts. These contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specified
currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward
currency contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the values of portfolio
securities but rather may allow a Fund to establish a rate of exchange for a
future point in time.
A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in
several circumstances. For example, when entering into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security, a Fund may enter into a forward foreign currency
exchange contract for the amount of the purchase or sale price to protect
against variations, between the date the security is purchased or sold and the
date on which payment is made or received, in the value of the foreign currency
relative to the U.S. dollar or other foreign currency.
In addition, when an Investment Adviser anticipates that a particular
foreign currency may decline substantially relative to the U.S. dollar or other
leading currencies, in order to reduce risk, a Fund may enter into a forward
contract to sell, for a fixed amount, the amount of foreign currency
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's securities denominated in
such foreign currency. Similarly, when the securities held by a Fund create a
short position in a foreign currency, a Fund may enter into a forward contract
to buy, for a fixed amount, an amount of foreign currency approximating the
short position. With respect to any forward foreign currency contract,
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it will not generally be possible to match precisely the amount covered by that
contract and the value of the securities involved due to the changes in the
values of such securities resulting from market movements between the date the
forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. While forward
contracts may offer protection from losses resulting from declines or
appreciation in the value of a particular foreign currency, they also limit
potential gains which might result from changes in the value of such currency. A
Fund will also incur costs in connection with forward foreign currency exchange
contracts and conversions of foreign currencies and U.S. dollars.
In addition, Northern Trust may purchase or sell forward currency exchange
contracts for the International Fixed Income Fund, International Growth Equity
Fund and International Select Equity Fund (collectively, the "International
Funds") and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund to seek to increase total return
when Northern Trust anticipates that the foreign currency will appreciate or
depreciate in value.
Liquid assets equal to the amount of a Fund's assets that could be
required to consummate forward contracts will be segregated except to the extent
the contracts are otherwise "covered." The segregated assets will be valued at
market or fair value. If the market or fair value of such assets declines,
additional liquid assets will be segregated daily so that the value of the
segregated assets will equal the amount of such commitments by the Fund. A
forward contract to sell a foreign currency is "covered" if a Fund owns the
currency (or securities denominated in the currency) underlying the contract, or
holds a forward contract (or call option) permitting the Fund to buy the same
currency at a price that is (i) no higher than the Fund's price to sell the
currency or (ii) greater than the Fund's price to sell the currency provided the
Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A forward
contract to buy a foreign currency is "covered" if a Fund holds a forward
contract (or put option) permitting the Fund to sell the same currency at a
price that is (i) as high as or higher than the Fund's price to buy the currency
or (ii) lower than the Fund's price to buy the currency provided the Fund
segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
OPTIONS. Each Non-Money Market Fund may buy put options and buy call
options and write covered call and secured put options. Such options may relate
to particular securities, foreign and domestic securities indices, financial
instruments, foreign currencies or (in the case of the International Fixed
Income Fund and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund) the yield differential between
two securities ("yield curve options"), and may or may not be listed on a
domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the
Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity
which entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis,
an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an
investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option
the right to buy, and a writer the obligation to sell, the underlying security
at the stated exercise price prior to the expiration of the option, regardless
of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in
consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put
option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the
security at the stated exercise price prior to the expiration date of the
option, regardless of the market price of the security. Options on indices and
yield curve options provide the holder with the right to make or receive a cash
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settlement upon exercise of the option. With respect to options on indices, the
amount of the settlement will equal the difference between the closing price of
the index at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the option expressed
in dollars, times a specified multiple. With respect to yield curve options, the
amount of the settlement will equal the difference between the yields of
designated securities.
The Funds will write call options only if they are "covered." In the case
of a call option on a security or currency, the option is "covered" if a Fund
owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right
to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if
additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are
segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. For a
call option on an index, the option is covered if a Fund maintains with its
custodian securities comprising the index or liquid assets equal to the contract
value. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same
instrument or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call
held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or
(ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the Fund
segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. The Funds will write
put options only if they are "secured" by segregated liquid assets in an amount
not less than the exercise price of the option at all times during the option
period.
With respect to yield curve options, a call (or put) option is covered if
the International Fixed Income Fund or High Yield Fixed Income Fund holds
another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and
maintains in a segregated account liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund's
net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund's liability for such a
covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of the
Fund's liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the
option held by the Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other
manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with
which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve
options are traded over-the-counter, and because they have been only recently
introduced, established trading markets for these securities have not yet
developed.
A Fund's obligation to sell an instrument subject to a covered call option
written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a secured put option
written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by
the Fund's execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by
purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying
instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously
written. Such a purchase does not result in the ownership of an option. A
closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on
an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to
permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new
option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of
such a liquidation purchase plus transaction costs may be greater than the
premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have
incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer, unable
to effect a closing purchase transaction, will not be able to sell the
underlying instrument (in the case of a covered call option) or liquidate the
segregated assets (in the case of a secured put option) until the option expires
or the optioned instrument or currency is delivered upon exercise with the
result that the
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writer in such circumstances will be subject to the risk of market decline or
appreciation in the instrument during such period.
When a Fund purchases an option, the premium paid by it is recorded as an
asset of the Fund. When a Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net
premium (the premium less the commission) received by a Fund is included in the
liability section of the Fund's statement of assets and liabilities as a
deferred credit. The amount of this asset or deferred credit will be
subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option
purchased or written. The current value of the traded option is the last sale
price or, in the absence of a sale, the current bid price. If an option
purchased by a Fund expires unexercised the Fund realizes a loss equal to the
premium paid. If a Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option
purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the
Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the
option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by a Fund expires on the
stipulated expiration date or if a Fund enters into a closing purchase
transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase
transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold) and the
deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If an option written
by a Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net
premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For
example, there are significant differences between the securities, currency and
options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition,
a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded
over-the-counter or on an exchange may be absent for reasons which include the
following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options;
restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing
transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be
imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying
securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt
normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options
Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading
value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or
be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a
particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be
exercisable in accordance with their terms.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS. The Funds (other than the Money
Market Funds) may purchase and sell futures contracts and may purchase and sell
call and put options on futures contracts. Participation in foreign futures and
foreign options transactions involves the execution and clearing of trades on or
subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade. Neither the National Futures
Association nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign boards
of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has
the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign board of trade or any
applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to
a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a
transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary
depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options
transaction occurs.
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For these reasons, persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options
contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the
Commodity Exchange Act, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's ("CFTC")
regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic
exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and
arbitration proceedings provided them by the National Futures Association or any
domestic futures exchange. In particular, a Fund's investments in foreign
futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections
in respect of transactions on United States futures exchanges. In addition, the
price of any foreign futures or foreign options contract and, therefore, the
potential profit and loss thereon may be affected by any variance in the foreign
exchange rate between the time an order is placed and the time it is liquidated,
offset or exercised. For a detailed description of futures contracts and related
options, see Appendix B to this Additional Statement.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The High Yield Fixed Income Fund, Income
Equity Fund, Small Cap Index Fund and Small Cap Fund may invest in equity real
estate investment trusts ("REITs"). REITs pool investors' funds for investment
primarily in commercial real estate properties. Investments in REITs may subject
the Fund to certain risks. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the
underlying property owned by the trusts. REITs are dependent upon specialized
management skill, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of
financing projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency,
defaults by borrowers, self liquidation and the possibility of failing to
qualify for the beneficial tax treatment available to REITs under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
As a shareholder in a REIT, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders,
its pro rata portion of the REIT's operating expenses. These expenses would be
in addition to the advisory and other expenses the Fund bears directly in
connection with its own operations.
SECURITIES LENDING. Collateral for loans of portfolio securities made by a
Fund may consist of cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government
or its agencies or (except for the U.S. Government Money Market Fund, U.S.
Government Select Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Fund and Short-Intermediate
U.S. Government Fund) irrevocable bank letters of credit (or any combination
thereof). The borrower of securities will be required to maintain the market
value of the collateral at not less than the market value of the loaned
securities, and such value will be monitored on a daily basis. When a Fund lends
its securities, it continues to receive dividends and interest on the securities
loaned and may simultaneously earn interest on the investment of the cash
collateral. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, attendant to
securities on loan pass to the borrower, such loans will be called so that the
securities may be voted by a Fund if a material event affecting the investment
is to occur.
INTEREST RATE SWAPS, FLOORS AND CAPS AND CURRENCY SWAPS. The U.S.
Government, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed
Income, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt, International
Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield Fixed Income and Income Equity
Funds may enter into interest rate swaps for hedging purposes and not for
speculation. The U.S. Government, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government, Fixed
Income, International Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal and High Yield Fixed
Income Funds may also purchase interest rate floors or caps for hedging purposes
and not for speculation. A Fund will
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typically use interest rate swaps to preserve a return on a particular
investment or portion of its portfolio or to shorten the effective duration of
its portfolio investments. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund
with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest,
such as an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. The
purchase of an interest rate floor or cap entitles the purchaser to receive
payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the seller, to the
extent the specified index falls below (floor) or exceeds (cap) a predetermined
interest rate. The International Funds and the High Yield Fixed Income Fund may
also enter into currency swaps, which involve the exchange of the rights of a
Fund and another party to make or receive payments in specific currencies.
A Fund will only enter into interest rate swaps or interest rate floor or
cap transactions on a net basis, i.e. the two payment streams are netted out,
with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the
two payments. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the
entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for good
faith hedging purposes, the Funds and the Investment Advisers believe that such
obligations do not constitute senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act and,
accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Funds' borrowing
restrictions.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds' obligations over their
entitlements with respect to each interest rate or currency swap will be accrued
on a daily basis, and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset
value at least equal to such accrued excess, will be segregated by the Funds.
Except for the High Yield Fixed Income Fund (which is not subject to any
minimum rating criteria), a Fund will not enter into a currency or interest rate
swap or interest rate floor or cap transaction 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, Duff or Fitch, or A or P-1 or better by
Moody's. 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 swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a
large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and
as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap
market has become relatively liquid in comparison with markets for other similar
instruments which are traded in the Interbank market.
EQUITY SWAPS. Each Equity Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to
invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in
circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is
otherwise impracticable. Equity swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or
to seek to increase total return. The counterparty to an equity swap contract
will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. Equity swap
contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may
agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the
equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in
particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have
been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the
counterparty the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have
decreased in value had it been invested in the stocks. Therefore, the return to
the Fund on any equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on
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the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the
Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may
each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment
performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity
swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).
A Fund will enter into equity swaps only on a net basis, which means that
the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as
the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made
at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term.
Equity swaps do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying
assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is limited to
the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If
the other party to an equity swap defaults, a Fund's risk of loss consists of
the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive,
if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis
and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at
least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by
a Fund's custodian. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging
purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets, as permitted by
applicable law, the Funds and their Investment 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.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large
number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as
agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market
has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar
instruments which are traded in the over-the-counter market.
The Funds will not enter into any swap transactions unless the unsecured
commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party is
rated A or better by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. If
there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, a Fund will have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary
portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Advisers are incorrect in
their forecasts of market values, the investment performance of a Fund would be
less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not
used.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities entitle the holder to
receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock
until the convertible securities mature or are redeemed, converted or exchanged.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to
ordinary debt securities in that they normally provide a stable stream of income
with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar
issuers. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's
capital structure and therefore generally entail less risk than the
corporation's common stock, although the extent to which such risk is
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reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible
security sells above its value as a fixed income security.
In selecting convertible securities, the Investment Advisers will
consider, among other factors: its evaluation of the creditworthiness of the
issuers of the securities; the interest or dividend income generated by the
securities; the potential for capital appreciation of the securities and the
underlying common stocks; the prices of the securities relative to other
comparable securities and to the underlying common stocks; whether the
securities are entitled to the benefits of sinking funds or other protective
conditions; diversification of the Fund's portfolio as to issuers; and whether
the securities are rated by a rating agency and, if so, the ratings assigned.
The value of convertible securities is a function of their investment
value (determined by yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of
comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and
their conversion value (their worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying common stock). The investment value of convertible securities is
influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as
interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline, and by the
credit standing of the issuer and other factors. The conversion value of
convertible securities is determined by the market price of the underlying
common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value,
the price of the convertible securities is governed principally by their
investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock
approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible
securities will be increasingly influenced by their conversion value. In
addition, convertible securities generally sell at a premium over their
conversion value determined by the extent to which investors place value on the
right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding fixed income
securities.
Capital appreciation for a Fund may result from an improvement in the
credit standing of an issuer whose securities are held in the Fund or from a
general lowering of interest rates, or a combination of both. Conversely, a
reduction in the credit standing of an issuer whose securities are held by a
Fund or a general increase in interest rates may be expected to result in
capital depreciation to the Fund.
In general, investments in lower quality convertible securities are
subject to a significant risk of a change in the credit rating or financial
condition of the issuing entity. Investments in convertible securities of medium
or lower quality are also likely to be subject to greater market fluctuation and
to greater risk of loss of income and principal due to default than investments
of higher quality fixed-income securities. Such lower quality securities
generally tend to reflect short-term corporate and market developments to a
greater extent than higher quality securities, which react more to fluctuations
in the general level of interest rates. A Fund will generally reduce risk to the
investor by diversification, credit analysis and attention to current
developments in trends of both the economy and financial markets. However, while
diversification reduces the effect on a Fund of any single investment, it does
not reduce the overall risk of investing in lower quality securities.
RISKS RELATED TO LOWER QUALITY SECURITIES. While any investment carries
some risk, certain risks associated with lower quality securities are different
from those for investment-grade
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securities. The risk of loss through default is greater because lower quality
securities are usually unsecured and are often subordinate to an issuer's other
obligations. Additionally, the issuers of these securities frequently have high
debt levels and are thus more sensitive to difficult economic conditions,
individual corporate developments and rising interest rates. Consequently, the
market price of these securities may be quite volatile and may result in wider
fluctuations of a Fund's net asset value per share.
There remains some uncertainty about the performance level of the market
for lower quality securities under adverse market and economic environments. An
economic downturn or increase in interest rates could have a negative impact on
both the markets for lower quality securities (resulting in a greater number of
bond defaults) and the value of lower quality securities held in the portfolio
of investments.
The economy and interest rates can affect lower quality securities
differently than other securities. For example, the prices of lower quality
securities are more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual
corporate developments than are the prices of higher quality investments. In
addition, during an economic downturn or period in which interest rates are
rising significantly, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial
difficulties, which, in turn, would adversely affect their ability to service
their principal and interest payment obligations, meet projected business goals
and obtain additional financing.
If an issuer of a security defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses
to seek recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty would likely
result in increased volatility for the market prices of lower quality securities
as well as a Fund's net asset value. In general, both the prices and yields of
lower quality securities will fluctuate.
In certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine a security's
fair value due to a lack of reliable objective information. Such instances occur
where there is not an established secondary market for the security or the
security is lightly traded. As a result, a Fund's valuation of a security and
the price it is actually able to obtain when it sells the security could differ.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on
fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of lower quality
convertible securities held by a Fund, especially in a thinly traded market.
Illiquid or restricted securities held by a Fund may involve special
registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs, and could involve other
liquidity and valuation difficulties.
Current laws, such as those requiring federally-insured savings and loan
associations to remove investments in lower quality securities from their
portfolios, as well as other pending proposals, may have a material impact on
the market for lower quality securities.
The ratings assigned by a rating agency evaluate the safety of a lower
quality security's principal and interest payments, but do not address market
value risk. Because the ratings of the rating agencies may not always reflect
current conditions and events, in addition to using recognized rating agencies
and other sources, the Investment Adviser performs its own analysis of the
issuers whose lower quality securities a Fund holds. Because of this, a Fund's
performance may
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depend more on its Investment Adviser's credit analysis than is the case of
mutual funds investing in higher quality securities.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. With respect to the investments of the Funds in the
securities of other investment companies, such investments will be limited so
that, as determined after a purchase is made, either (a) not more than 3% of the
total outstanding stock of such investment company will be owned by a Fund,
Northern Funds as a whole and their affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940
Act) or (b) (i) not more than 5% of the value of the total assets of a Fund will
be invested in the securities of any one investment company; (ii) not more than
10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in
securities of investment companies as a group; and (iii) not more than 3% of the
outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the
Fund.
An investment company whose securities are purchased by a Fund or Northern
Funds may not be obligated to redeem such securities in an amount exceeding 1%
of the investment company's total outstanding securities during any period of
less than 30 days. Therefore, such securities that exceed this amount may be
illiquid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Fund may adhere to more restrictive
limitations with respect to its investments in securities issued by other
investment companies if required by the SEC or deemed to be in the best
interests of Northern Funds. If required by the 1940 Act, each Fund expects to
vote the shares of other investment companies that are held by it in the same
proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
YIELDS AND RATINGS. The yields on certain obligations, including the money
market instruments in which the Funds invest, are dependent on a variety of
factors, including general economic conditions, conditions in the particular
market for the obligation, financial condition of the issuer, size of the
offering, maturity of the obligation and ratings of the issue. The ratings of
Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Duff, Fitch and Thomson BankWatch, Inc. represent
their respective opinions as to the quality of the obligations they undertake to
rate. Ratings, however, are general and are not absolute standards of quality.
Consequently, obligations with the same rating, maturity and interest rate may
have different market prices.
CALCULATION OF PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE. The portfolio turnover rate for
the Funds is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of
portfolio investments for the reporting period by the monthly average value of
the portfolio investments owned during the reporting period. The calculation
excludes all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration dates
at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover may vary
greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be
affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which
enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998, the turnover rates with respect to the U.S. Government,
Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed Income,
Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt Fund, International Fixed Income, Income
Equity, Stock Index, Growth Equity, Select Equity, Small Cap, International
Growth Equity, International Select Equity and Technology Funds were 47.41%,
61.83%, 46.12%, 33.55%, 74.32%, 22.22%, 30.26%, 81.24%, 32.06%, 73.85%, 148.55%,
18.59%, 145.02%, 98.22% and 74.75%, respectively. The Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt
Fund, California Tax-Exempt Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund, High Yield Fixed
Income
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Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund and Small Cap Index Fund had not commenced operations
during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
MISCELLANEOUS. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to
portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time
to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may
dictate. Securities may be purchased on margin only to obtain such short-term
credits as are necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.
The Funds will not engage in selling securities short. The Funds may, however,
make short sales against the box although the Funds have no current intention to
do so in the coming year. "Selling short against the box" involves selling a
security that a Fund owns for delivery at a specified date in the future.
SPECIAL RISK FACTORS AND CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
INSTRUMENTS, FLORIDA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS AND ARIZONA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS
Some of the risk factors relating to investments by the California,
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt and Arizona Tax-Exempt Funds in California,
Florida, and Arizona Municipal Instruments are summarized below. This summary
does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all relevant factors.
Although the Trust has no reason to believe that the information summarized
herein is not correct in all material respects, this information has not been
independently verified for accuracy or thoroughness by the Trust. Rather, the
information presented herein with respect to California Municipal Instruments
was culled from official statements and prospectuses issued in connection with
various securities offerings of the State of California and local agencies in
California available as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information
and, with respect to the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt and Arizona Tax-Exempt
Funds, the information is derived principally from official statements relating
to issues of Florida and Arizona Municipal Instruments released prior to the
date of this Additional Statement. Further, any estimates and projections
presented herein should not be construed as statements of fact. They are based
upon assumptions which may be affected by numerous factors and there can be no
assurance that target levels will be achieved.
CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS
ECONOMIC FACTORS
FISCAL YEARS PRIOR TO 1996-97. By the close of the 1989-90 Fiscal
Year, California's revenues had fallen below projections so that the State's
budget reserve, the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (the "Special
Fund"), was fully depleted by June 30, 1990. A recession which had begun in
mid-1990, combined with higher health and welfare costs driven by the State's
rapid population growth, adversely affected General Fund revenues and raised
expenditures above initial budget appropriations.
As a result of these factors and others, the State confronted a
period of budget imbalance. Beginning with the 1990-91 Fiscal Year and for
several years thereafter, the budget required multi-billion dollar actions to
bring projected revenues and expenditures into balance. During this period,
expenditures exceeded revenues in four out of six years, and the State
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accumulated and sustained a budget deficit in the Special Fund -- approaching
$2.8 billion at its peak on June 30, 1993.
By the 1993-94 Fiscal Year, the accumulated deficit was too large to
be prudently retired in one year and a two-year program was implemented. This
program used revenue anticipation warrants to carry a portion of the deficit
over to the end of the fiscal year.
The 1994-95 Budget Act projected General Fund revenues and transfers
of $41.9 billion. Expenditures were projected to be $40.9 billion -- an increase
of $1.6 billion over the prior year. As a result of the improving economy,
however, the fiscal year ultimately produced revenues and transfers of $42.7
billion which more than offset expenditures of $42.0 billion and thereby reduced
the accumulated budget deficit.
With strengthening revenues and reduced caseload growth driven by an
improving economy, the State entered the 1995-96 Fiscal Year budget negotiations
with the smallest nominal "budget gap" to be closed in many years. The 1995-96
Budget Act projected General Fund revenues and transfers of $44.1 billion, a 3.5
percent increase from the prior year, and expenditures were budgeted at $43.4
billion. In addition, the Department of Finance projected that after repaying
the last of the carryover budget deficit, there would be a positive balance of
$28 million in the budget reserve as of June 30, 1996.
1996-97 FISCAL YEAR.
The 1996-97 Governor's Budget, released January 10, 1996, projected
General Fund revenues and transfers of $45.6 billion, a 1.3% increase over
1995-96. The Governor's budget proposed two major initiatives, a 15% personal
and corporate income tax cuts and a revision of the trial court funding program,
which would have the effect of reducing General Fund revenues. The Governor's
Budget proposed General Fund expenditures of $45.2 billion. The Governor's
Budget also proposed Special Fund revenues equal to expenditures, at a level of
$13.3 billion.
The May Revision of the Governor's Budget, released on May 21, 1996
("The May Revision"), updated revenue estimates for the 1996-97 Fiscal Year,
reflecting stronger economic activity in the State and thus greater revenue
growth. The revised estimate was for $47.1 billion of revenues, still assuming
the Governor's tax cut would be enacted, and $46.5 billion of expenditures.
1996-97 Budget Act
The 1996-97 Budget Act was signed by the Governor on July 15, 1996,
along with various implementing bills. The Governor vetoed about $82 million of
appropriations (both General Fund and Special Fund). With the signing of the
Budget Act, the State implemented its regular cash flow borrowing program with
the issuance of $3.0 billion of Revenue Anticipation Notes to mature on June 30,
1997. The Budget Act appropriated a budget reserve in the Special Fund of $305
million, as of June 30, 1997.
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Revenues - The Legislature rejected the Governor's proposed 15% cut
in personal income taxes (to be phased in over three years), approved a 5% cut
in bank and corporation taxes, to be effective for income years commencing on
January 1, 1997.
Expenditures - The Budget Act contained General Fund appropriations
totaling $47.251 billion, a 4.0 percent increase over the final estimated
1995-96 expenditures. Special Fund expenditures were budgeted at $12.6 billion.
The following were principal features of the 1996-97 Budget Act:
1. Proposition 98 funding for schools and community college
districts increased by almost $1.6 billion (General Fund) and $1.65 billion
above revised 1995-96 levels. Almost half of this money was budgeted to fund
class-size reductions in kindergarten and grades 1-3. Also, for the second
consecutive year, the full cost of living allowance (3.2 percent) was funded.
Proposition 98 increases have brought K-12 expenditures to almost $4,900 per
pupil (also called ADA, or Average Daily Attendance), an almost 15% increase
over the level prevailing during the recession years. Out of this $1.6 billion
total community colleges received an increase in funding of $157 million for
1996-97.
Due to higher than projected revenues in 1995-96, an additional $1.1
billion ($190 per K-12 ADA and $145 million for community colleges) was
appropriated and retroactively applied towards the 1995-96 Proposition 98
guarantee, bringing K-12 expenditures in that year to over $4,600 per ADA.
Similar retroactive increases totaling $230 million, based on final figures on
revenues and State population growth, were made to the 1991-92 and the 1994-95
Proposition 98 guarantees, most of which was allocated to each school site.
2. The Budget Act assumed savings of approximately $660 million in
health and welfare costs which required changes in federal law, including
federal welfare reform. The Budget Act further assumed federal law changes in
August 1996 which would allow welfare cash grant levels to be reduced by October
1, 1996. These cuts totaled approximately $163 million of the anticipated $660
million savings. See "Federal Welfare Reform."
3. A 5.2 percent increase in funding for the University of
California ($130 million General Fund) and the California State University
system ($101 million General Fund), with no increases in student fees.
4. The Budget Act assumed the federal government will provide
approximately $700 million in new aid for incarceration and health care costs of
illegal immigrants. These funds reduce appropriations in these categories that
would otherwise have to be paid from the General Fund. (For purposes of cash
flow projections, the Department of Finance expects $540 million of this amount
to be received during the 1996-97 fiscal year.)
5. General Fund support for the Department of Corrections was
increased by about 7 percent over the prior year, reflecting estimates of
increased prison population.
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6. With respect to aid to local governments, the principal new
programs included in the Budget Act are $100 million in grants to cities and
counties for law enforcement purposes, and budgeted $50 million for competitive
grants to local governments for programs to combat juvenile crime.
The Budget Act did not contain any tax increases. As noted, there
was a reduction in bank and corporate taxes. In addition, the Legislature
approved another one-year suspension of the Renters Tax Credit, saving $520
million in expenditures.
1997-98 FISCAL YEAR
On January 9, 1997, the Governor released his proposed budget for
the 1997-98 Fiscal Year (the "Governor's Budget"). The Governor's Proposed
Budget projected General Fund revenues and transfers in 1997-98 of $50.7
billion, a 4.6% increase from revised 1996-97 figures. The Governor proposed
expenditures of $50.3 billion, a 3.9% increase from 1996-97. The Governor's
Budget projected a balance in the SFEU of $553 million on June 30, 1998. The
Governor's Budget also anticipated about $3 billion of external borrowing for
cash flow purposes during the year, with no requirement for cross-fiscal year
borrowing.
At the time of the Department of Finance May Revision, released on
May 14, 1997, the Department of Finance increased its revenue estimate for the
upcoming fiscal year by $1.3 billion, in response to the continued strong growth
in the State's economy. Budget negotiations continued into the summer, with
major issues to be resolved including final agreement on State welfare reform,
an increase in State employee salaries and consideration of the tax cut proposed
by the Governor.
In May, 1997, action was taken by the California Supreme Court in an
ongoing lawsuit, PERS v. Wilson, below, which made final a judgment against the
State requiring an immediate payment from the General Fund to the Public
Employees Retirement Fund ("PERF") to make up certain deferrals in annual
retirement fund contributions which had been legislated in earlier years for
budget savings, and which the courts found to be unconstitutional. On July 30,
1997, following a direction from the Governor, the Controller transferred $1.235
billion from the General Fund to the PERF in satisfaction of the judgment,
representing the principal amount of the improperly deferred payments from
1995-96 and 1996-97. In late 1997, the plaintiffs filed a claim with the State
Board of Control for payment of interest under the Court rulings in an amount of
$308 million. The Department of Finance has recommended approval of this claim.
If approved by the Board of Control, the claim would become part of an annual
claims bill in the 1998-99 Budget.
FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 BUDGET ACT
Following the transfer of funds to the PERF, final agreement was
reached within a few weeks on the welfare package and remainder of the budget.
The Legislature passed the Budget Bill on August 11, 1997, along with numerous
related bills to implement its provisions. Agreement was not finally reached at
that time on one aspect of the budget plan, concerning the Governor's proposal
for a comprehensive educational testing program.
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On August 18, 1997, the Governor signed the Budget Act, but vetoed
about $214 million of specific spending items, primarily in health and welfare
and education areas from both the General Fund and Special Funds. Approximately
$200 million of this amount was restored in subsequent legislation passed before
the end of the Legislative Session.
The Budget Act anticipated General Fund revenues and transfers of
$52.8 billion (a 6.8 percent increase over the final 1996-97 amount), and
expenditures of $52.8 billion (an 8.0 percent increase from the 1996-97 levels).
The Budget Act also included Special Fund expenditures of $14.4 billion (as
against estimated Special Fund revenues of $14 billion), and $2.1 billion of
expenditures from various Bond Funds. Subsequent to the Budget Act enactment,
the State undertook its normal cash flow borrowing program by issuing $3 billion
of Notes which mature June 30, 1998.
Among the major initiatives and features of the Governor's Budget
are the following:
1. A proposed 10% cut in the Bank and Corporation Tax rate, to be
phased in over two years.
2. Proposition 98 funding for K-14 schools was increased again, as a
result of stronger revenues. Per-pupil funding for K-12 schools would reach
$5,010, compared to $4,220 as recently as the 1993-94 Fiscal Year. Part of the
new funding was proposed to be dedicated to the completion of the program to
reduce class size to 20 pupils in lower elementary grades, and to expand the
program by one grade, so that it would cover K-3rd grade.
3. The Budget Act reflected the $1.228 billion pension case judgment
payment, and brings funding of the State's pension contribution back to the
quarterly basis which existed prior to the deferral actions which were
invalidated by the courts.
4. Continuing the third year of a four-year "compact" which the
Administration had made with higher education units, funding from the General
Fund for the University of California and the California State University system
was increased by approximately 6 percent ($121 million and $107 million,
respectively). There was no increase in student fees.
5. Because of the effect of the pension payment, most other State
programs were continued at 1996-97 levels, adjusted for caseload changes.
6. Health and welfare costs were contained, continuing generally the
grant levels from prior years, as part of the initial implementation of the new
CalWORKs program.
7. Unlike prior years, this Budget Act did not depend on uncertain
federal budget actions. About $300 million in general funds, already included in
the federal FY 1997 and 1998 budgets, were included in the Budget Act, to offset
incarceration costs for illegal aliens.
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8. The Budget Act contained no tax increases, and no tax reductions.
The Renters Tax Credit was suspended for another year, saving approximately $500
million. The Legislature has not made any decision on conformity of State tax
laws to the recent federal tax reduction bill; a comprehensive review of this
subject is expected to take place next year.
At the end of the Legislative Session on September 13, 1997, the
Legislature passed and the Governor later signed several bills encompassing a
coordinated package of fiscal reforms, mostly to take effect after the 1997-98
Fiscal Year. Included in the package are a variety of phased-in tax cuts,
conformity with certain provisions of the federal tax reform law passed earlier
in the year, and reform of funding for county trial courts, with the State to
assume greater financial responsibility. The Department of Finance estimates
that the major impact of these fiscal reforms will occur in Fiscal Year 1998-99
and subsequent years.
The Department of Finance released updated estimates for the 1997-98
Fiscal Year on January 9, 1998 as part of the Governor's 1998-99 Fiscal Year
Budget Proposal. Total revenues and transfers are projected at $52.9 billion, up
approximately $360 million from the Budget Act projection. Expenditures for the
fiscal year are expected to rise approximately $200 million above the original
Budget Act, to $53 billion. The balance in the budget reserve, the SFEU, is
projected to be $329 million at June 30, 1998, compared to $461 million at June
30, 1997.
PROPOSED 1998-99 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
On January 9, 1998, the Governor released his Budget Proposal for
the 1998-99 Fiscal Year (the "Governor's Budget"). The Governor's Budget
projects total General Fund revenues and transfers of $55.4 billion, a $2.5
billion increase (4.7 percent) over revised 1997-98 revenues. The revenue
increase takes into account reduced revenues of approximately $600 million from
the 1997 tax cut package, but also assume approximately $500 million additional
revenues primarily associated with capital gains realizations. The Governor's
Budget notes, however, that capital gains activity and the resultant revenues
derived from it are very hard to predict.
Total General Fund expenditures for 1998-99 are recommended at $55.4
billion, an increase of $2.4 billion (4.5 percent) above the revised 1997-98
level. The Governor's Budget includes funds to pay the interest claim relating
to the court decision on pension fund payments PERS v. Wilson (See "1997-98
Fiscal Year" above). The Governor's Budget projects that the State will carry
out its normal intra-year cash flow external borrowing in 1998-99, in an
estimated amount of $3 billion. The Governor's Budget projects that the budget
reserve, the SFEU, will be $296 million at June 30, 1999, slightly lower than
the projected level at June 30, 1998 PERS liability.
The Governor's Budget projects Special Fund revenues of $14.7
billion, and Special Fund expenditures of $15.2 billion, in the 1998-99 Fiscal
Year. A total of $3.2 billion of bond fund expenditures are also proposed.
THE ORANGE COUNTY BANKRUPTCY. On December 6, 1994, Orange County,
California and its Investment Pool (the "Pool") filed for bankruptcy under
Chapter 9 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The subsequent restructuring led
to the sale of substantially all of the
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Pool's portfolio and resulted in losses estimated to be approximately $1.7
billion (or approximately 22% of amounts deposited by the Pool investors).
Approximately 187 California public entities -- substantially all of which are
public agencies within the county -- had various bonds, notes or other forms of
indebtedness outstanding. In some instances the proceeds of such indebtedness
were invested in the Pool.
In April, 1996, the County emerged from bankruptcy after closing on
a $900 million recovery bond transaction. At that time, the County and its
financial advisors stated that the County had emerged from the bankruptcy
without any structural fiscal problems and assured that the County would not
slip back into bankruptcy. However, for many of the cities, schools and special
districts that lost money in the County portfolio, repayment remains contingent
on the outcome of litigation which is pending against investment firms and other
finance professionals. Thus, it is impossible to determine the ultimate impact
of the bankruptcy and its aftermath on these various agencies and their claims.
In May 1996, a taxpayer action was filed against the City of San Diego
("San Diego") and the San Diego Convention Center Expansion Authority (the
"Authority") challenging the validity of a lease revenue financing involving a
lease (the "San Diego Lease") having features similar to the leases commonly
used in California lease-based financings such as certificates of participation
(the "Rider Case"). The Rider Case plaintiffs alleged that voter approval is
required for the San Diego Lease (a) since the lease constituted indebtedness
prohibited by Article XVI, Section 18 of the California Constitution without a
two-thirds vote of the electorate, and (b) since San Diego was prohibited under
its charter from issuing bonds without a two-thirds vote of the electorate, and
the power of the Authority, a joint powers' authority, one of the members of
which is San Diego, to issue bonds is no greater than the power of San Diego. In
response to San Diego's motion for summary judgment, the trial court rejected
the plaintiffs' arguments and ruled that the San Diego Lease was
constitutionally valid and that the Authority's related lease revenue bonds did
not require voter approval. The plaintiffs appealed the matter to the Court of
Appeals for the Fourth District, which affirmed the validity of the plaintiffs
appealed the matter to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth District, which
affirmed the validity of the San Diego Lease and of the lease revenue bond
financing arrangements. The plaintiffs then filed a petition for review with the
California State Supreme Court, and, on April 2, 1997, the Court granted the
plaintiff's petition for review. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected
within the 1998 term.
CONSTITUTIONAL, LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER FACTORS.
Certain California constitutional amendments, legislative measures,
executive orders, administrative regulations and voter initiatives could produce
the adverse effects described below, among others.
REVENUE DISTRIBUTION. Certain California Municipal Instruments may
be obligations of issuers which rely in whole or in part on California State
revenues for payment of these obligations. Property tax revenues and a portion
of the State's general fund surplus are distributed to counties, cities and
their various taxing entities and the State assumes certain obligations
theretofore paid out of local funds. Whether and to what extent a portion of the
State's general fund will be distributed in the future to counties, cities and
their various entities is unclear.
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HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION. Certain California Municipal Instruments
may be obligations which are payable solely from the revenues of health care
institutions. Certain provisions under California law may adversely affect these
revenues and, consequently, payment on those Instruments.
The Federally sponsored Medicaid program for health care services to
eligible welfare beneficiaries in California is known as the Medi-Cal program.
Historically, the Medi-Cal program has provided for a cost-based system of
reimbursement for inpatient care furnished to Medi-Cal beneficiaries by any
hospital wanting to participate in the Medi-Cal program, provided such hospital
met applicable requirements for participation. California law now provides that
the State of California shall selectively contract with hospitals to provide
acute inpatient services to Medi-Cal patients. Medi-Cal contracts currently
apply only to acute inpatient services. Generally, such selective contracting is
made on a flat per diem payment basis for all services to Medi-Cal
beneficiaries, and generally such payment has not increased in relation to
inflation, costs or other factors. Other reductions or limitations may be
imposed on payment for services rendered to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in the
future.
Under this approach, in most geographical areas of California, only
those hospitals which enter into a Medi-Cal contract with the State of
California will be paid for non-emergency acute inpatient services rendered to
Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The State may also terminate these contracts without
notice under certain circumstances and is obligated to make contractual payments
only to the extent the California legislature appropriates adequate funding
therefor.
California enacted legislation in 1982 that authorizes private
health plans and insurers to contract directly with hospitals for services to
beneficiaries on negotiated terms. Some insurers have introduced plans known as
"preferred provider organizations" ("PPOs"), which offer financial incentives
for subscribers who use only the hospitals which contract with the plan. Under
an exclusive provider plan, which includes most health maintenance organizations
("HMOs"), private payors limit coverage to those services provided by selected
hospitals. Discounts offered to HMOs and PPOs may result in payment to the
contracting hospital of less than actual cost and the volume of patients
directed to a hospital under an HMO or PPO contract may vary significantly from
projections. Often, HMO or PPO contracts are enforceable for a stated term,
regardless of provider losses or of bankruptcy of the respective HMO or PPO. It
is expected that failure to execute and maintain such PPO and HMO contracts
would reduce a hospital's patient base or gross revenues. Conversely,
participation may maintain or increase the patient base, but may result in
reduced payment and lower net income to the contracting hospitals.
These California Municipal Instruments may also be insured by the
State of California pursuant to an insurance program implemented by the Office
of Statewide Health Planning and Development for health facility construction
loans. If a default occurs on insured Municipal Instruments, the State Treasurer
will issue debentures payable out of a reserve fund established under the
insurance program or will pay principal and interest on an unaccelerated basis
from unappropriated State funds. At the request of the Office of Statewide
Health Planning and Development, Arthur D. Little, Inc. prepared a study in
December 1983, to evaluate the adequacy of the reserve fund established under
the insurance program and based on certain formulations and
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assumptions found the reserve fund substantially underfunded. In September of
1986, Arthur D. Little, Inc. prepared an update of the study and concluded that
an additional 10% reserve be established for "multi-level" facilities. For the
balance of the reserve fund, the update recommended maintaining the current
reserve calculation method. In March of 1990, Arthur D. Little, Inc. prepared a
further review of the study and recommended that separate reserves continue to
be established for "multi-level" facilities at a reserve level consistent with
those that would be required by an insurance company.
MORTGAGES AND DEEDS. Certain California Municipal Instruments may be
obligations which are secured in whole or in part by a mortgage or deed of trust
on real property. California has five principal statutory provisions which limit
the remedies of a creditor secured by a mortgage or deed of trust. Two statutes
limit the creditor's right to obtain a deficiency judgment, one limitation being
based on the method of foreclosure and the other on the type of debt secured.
Under the former, a deficiency judgment is barred when the foreclosure is
accomplished by means of a nonjudicial trustee's sale. Under the latter, a
deficiency judgment is barred when the foreclosed mortgage or deed of trust
secures certain purchase money obligations. Another California statute, commonly
known as the "one form of action" rule, requires creditors secured by real
property to exhaust their real property security by foreclosure before bringing
a personal action against the debtor. The fourth statutory provision limits any
deficiency judgment obtained by a creditor secured by real property following a
judicial sale of such property to the excess of the outstanding debt over the
fair value of the property at the time of the sale, thus preventing the creditor
from obtaining a large deficiency judgment against the debtor as the result of
low bids at a judicial sale. The fifth statutory provision gives the debtor the
right to redeem the real property from any judicial foreclosure sale as to which
a deficiency judgment may be ordered against the debtor.
Upon the default of a mortgage or deed of trust with respect to
California real property, the creditor's nonjudicial foreclosure rights under
the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust are subject to the
constraints imposed by California law upon transfers of title to real property
by private power of sale. During the three-month period beginning with the
filing of a formal notice of default, the debtor is entitled to reinstate the
mortgage by making any overdue payments. Under standard loan servicing
procedures, the filing of the formal notice of default does not occur unless at
least three full monthly payments have become due and remain unpaid. The power
of sale is exercised by posting and publishing a notice of sale for at least 20
days after expiration of the three-month reinstatement period. The debtor may
reinstate the mortgage, in the manner described above, up to five business days
prior to the scheduled sale date. Therefore, the effective minimum period for
foreclosing on a mortgage could be in excess of seven months after the initial
default. Such time delays in collections could disrupt the flow of revenues
available to an issuer for the payment of debt service on the outstanding
obligations if such defaults occur with respect to a substantial number of
mortgages or deeds of trust securing an issuer's obligations.
In addition, a court could find that there is sufficient involvement
of the issuer in the nonjudicial sale of property securing a mortgage for such
private sale to constitute "state action," and could hold that the
private-right-of-sale proceedings violate the due process requirements of the
Federal or State Constitutions, consequently preventing an issuer from using the
nonjudicial foreclosure remedy described above.
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Certain California Municipal Instruments may be obligations which
finance the acquisition of single family home mortgages for low and moderate
income mortgagors. These obligations may be payable solely from revenues derived
from the home mortgages, and are subject to California's statutory limitations
described above applicable to obligations secured by real property. Under
California antideficiency legislation, there is no personal recourse against a
mortgagor of a single family residence purchased with the loan secured by the
mortgage, regardless of whether the creditor chooses judicial or nonjudicial
foreclosure.
Under California law, mortgage loans secured by single-family
owner-occupied dwellings may be prepaid at any time. Prepayment charges on such
mortgage loans may be imposed only with respect to voluntary prepayments made
during the first five years during the term of the mortgage loan, and then only
if the borrower prepays an amount in excess of 20% of the original principal
amount of the mortgage loan in a 12-month period; a prepayment charge cannot in
any event exceed six months' advance interest on the amount prepaid during the
12-month period in excess of 20% of the original principal amount of the loan.
This limitation could affect the flow of revenues available to an issuer for
debt service on the outstanding debt obligations which financed such home
mortgages.
PROPOSITION 13. Certain California Municipal Instruments may be
obligations of issuers who rely in whole or in part on ad valorem real property
taxes as a source of revenue. On June 6, 1978, California voters approved an
amendment to the California Constitution known as Proposition 13, which added
Article XIIIA to the California Constitution. The effect of Article XIIIA was to
limit ad valorem taxes on real property and to restrict the ability of taxing
entities to increase real property tax revenues.
Section 1 of Article XIIIA, as amended, limits the maximum ad
valorem tax on real property to 1% of full cash value to be collected by the
counties and apportioned according to law. The 1% limitation does not apply to
ad valorem taxes or special assessments to pay the interest and redemption
charges on any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real
property approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by the voters voting on the
proposition. Section 2 of Article XIIIA defines "full cash value" to mean "the
County Assessor's valuation of real property as shown on the 1975/76 tax bill
under 'full cash value' or, thereafter, the appraised value of real property
when purchased, newly constructed, or a change in ownership has occurred after
the 1975 assessment." The full cash value may be adjusted annually to reflect
inflation at a rate not to exceed 2% per year, or reduction in the consumer
price index or comparable local data, or reduced in the event of declining
property value caused by damage, destruction or other factors.
Legislation enacted by the California Legislature to implement
Article XIIIA provides that notwithstanding any other law, local agencies may
not levy any ad valorem property tax except to pay debt service on indebtedness
approved by the voters prior to July 1, 1978, and that each county will levy the
maximum tax permitted by Article XIIIA.
PROPOSITION 9. On November 6, 1979, an initiative known as
"Proposition 9" or the "Gann Initiative" was approved by the California voters,
which added Article XIIIB to the California Constitution. Under Article XIIIB,
State and local governmental entities have an annual
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"appropriations limit" and are not allowed to spend certain moneys called
"appropriations subject to limitation" in an amount higher than the
"appropriations limit." Article XIIIB does not affect the appropriation of
moneys which are excluded from the definition of "appropriations subject to
limitation," including debt service on indebtedness existing or authorized as of
January 1, 1979, or bonded indebtedness subsequently approved by the voters. In
general terms, the "appropriations limit" is required to be based on certain
1978/79 expenditures, and is to be adjusted annually to reflect changes in
consumer prices, population, and certain services provided by these entities.
Article XIIIB also provides that if these entities' revenues in any year exceed
the amounts permitted to be spent, the excess is to be returned by revising tax
rates or fee schedules over the subsequent two years.
PROPOSITION 98. On November 8, 1988, voters of the State approved
Proposition 98, a combined initiative constitutional amendment and statute
called the "Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act."
Proposition 98 changed State funding of public education below the university
level and the operation of the State Appropriations Limit, primarily by
guaranteeing K-14 schools a minimum share of General Fund revenues. Under
Proposition 98 (modified by Proposition 111 as discussed below), K-14 schools
are guaranteed the greater of (a) in general, a fixed percent of General Fund
revenues ("Test 1"), (b) the amount appropriated to K-14 schools in the prior
year, adjusted for changes in the cost of living (measured as in Article XIII B
by reference to State per capita personal income) and enrollment ("Test 2"), or
(c) a third test, which would replace Test 2 in any year when the percentage
growth in per capita General Fund revenues from the prior year plus one half of
one percent is less than the percentage growth in State per capita personal
income ("Test 3"). Under Test 3, schools would receive the amount appropriated
in the prior year adjusted for changes in enrollment and per capita General Fund
revenues, plus an additional small adjustment factor. If Test 3 is used in any
year, the difference between Test 3 and Test 2 would become a "credit" to
schools which would be the basis of payments in future years when per capita
General Fund revenue growth exceeds per capita personal income growth.
Proposition 98 permits the Legislature -- by two-thirds vote of both
houses, with the Governor's concurrence -- to suspend the K-14 schools' minimum
funding formula for a one-year period. Proposition 98 also contains provisions
transferring certain State tax revenues in excess of the Article XIII B limit to
K-14 schools.
During the recession years of the early 1990s, General Fund revenues
for several years were less than originally projected, so that the original
Proposition 98 appropriations turned out to be higher than the minimum
percentage provided in the law. The Legislature responded to these developments
by designating the "extra" Proposition 98 payments in one year as a "loan" from
future years' Proposition 98 entitlements, and also intended that the "extra"
payments would not be included in the Proposition 98 "base" for calculating
future years' entitlements. In 1992, a lawsuit was filed, California Teachers'
Association v. Gould, which challenged the validity of these off-budget loans.
During the course of this litigation, a trial court determined that almost $2
billion in "loans" which had been provided to school districts during the
recession violated the constitutional protection of support for public
education. A settlement was reached on April 12, 1996 which ensures that future
school funding will not be in jeopardy over repayment of these so-called loans.
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PROPOSITION 111. On June 30, 1989, the California Legislature
enacted Senate Constitutional Amendment 1, a proposed modification of the
California Constitution to alter the spending limit and the education funding
provisions of Proposition 98. Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 -- on the June
5, 1990 ballot as Proposition 111 -- was approved by the voters and took effect
on July 1, 1990. Among a number of important provisions, Proposition 111
recalculated spending limits for the State and for local governments, allowed
greater annual increases in the limits, allowed the averaging of two years' tax
revenues before requiring action regarding excess tax revenues, reduced the
amount of the funding guarantee in recession years for school districts and
community college districts (but with a floor of 40.9 percent of State general
fund tax revenues), removed the provision of Proposition 98 which included
excess moneys transferred to school districts and community college districts in
the base calculation for the next year, limited the amount of State tax revenue
over the limit which would be transferred to school districts and community
college districts, and exempted increased gasoline taxes and truck weight fees
from the State appropriations limit. Additionally, Proposition 111 exempted from
the State appropriations limit funding for capital outlays.
PROPOSITION 62. On November 4, 1986, California voters approved an
initiative statute known as Proposition 62. This initiative provided the
following:
1. Requires that any tax for general governmental purposes imposed
by local governments be approved by resolution or ordinance adopted by a
two-thirds vote of the governmental entity's legislative body and by a majority
vote of the electorate of the governmental entity;
2. Requires that any special tax (defined as taxes levied for other
than general governmental purposes) imposed by a local governmental entity be
approved by a two-thirds vote of the voters within that jurisdiction;
3. Restricts the use of revenues from a special tax to the purposes
or for the service for which the special tax was imposed;
4. Prohibits the imposition of ad valorem taxes on real property by
local governmental entities except as permitted by Article XIIIA;
5. Prohibits the imposition of transaction taxes and sales taxes on
the sale of real property by local governments;
6. Requires that any tax imposed by a local government on or after
August 1, 1985 be ratified by a majority vote of the electorate within two years
of the adoption of the initiative;
7. Requires that, in the event a local government fails to comply
with the provisions of this measure, a reduction in the amount of property tax
revenue allocated to such local government occurs in an amount equal to the
revenues received by such entity attributable to the tax levied in violation of
the initiative; and
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8. Permits these provisions to be amended exclusively by the voters
of the State of California.
In September 1988, the California Court of Appeal in City of
Westminster v. County of Orange, 204 Cal.App. 3d 623, 215 Cal.Rptr. 511
(Cal.Ct.App. 1988), held that Proposition 62 is unconstitutional to the extent
that it requires a general tax by a general law city, enacted on or after August
1, 1985 and prior to the effective date of Proposition 62, to be subject to
approval by a majority of voters. The Court held that the California
Constitution prohibits the imposition of a requirement that local tax measures
be submitted to the electorate by either referendum or initiative. It is
impossible to predict the impact of this decision on charter cities, on special
taxes or on new taxes imposed after the effective date of Proposition 62. The
California Court of Appeal in City of Woodlake v. Logan, (1991) 230 Cal.App.3d
1058, subsequently held that Proposition 62's popular vote requirements for
future local taxes also provided for an unconstitutional referenda. The
California Supreme Court declined to review both the City of Westminster and the
City of Woodlake decisions.
In Santa Clara Local Transportation Authority v. Guardino, (Sept.
28, 1995) 11 Cal.4th 220, reh'g denied, modified (Dec. 14, 1995) 12 Cal.4th
344e, the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Proposition
62's popular vote requirements for future taxes, and specifically disapproved of
the City of Woodlake decision as erroneous. The Court did not determine the
correctness of the City of Westminster decision, because that case appeared
distinguishable, was not relied on by the parties in Guardino, and involved
taxes not likely to still be at issue. It is impossible to predict the impact of
the Supreme Court's decision on charter cities or on taxes imposed in reliance
on the City of Woodlake case.
Senate Bill 1590 (O'Connell), introduced February 16, 1996, would
make the Guardino decision inapplicable to any tax first imposed or increased by
an ordinance or resolution adopted before December 14, 1995. The California
State Senate passed the Bill on May 16, 1996 and it is currently pending in the
California State Assembly. It is not clear whether the Bill, if enacted, would
be constitutional as a non-voted amendment to Proposition 62 or as a non-voted
change to Proposition 62's operative date.
PROPOSITION 218. On November 5, 1996,the voters of the State
approved Proposition 218, a constitutional initiative, entitled the "Right to
Vote on Taxes Act" ("Proposition 218"). Proposition 218 adds Articles XIII C and
XIII D to the California Constitution and contains a number of interrelated
provisions affecting the ability of local governments to levy and collect both
existing and future taxes, assessments, fees and charges. Proposition 218 became
effective on November 6, 1996. The Sponsors are unable to predict whether and to
what extent Proposition 218 may be held to be constitutional or how its terms
will be interpreted and applied by the courts. However, if upheld, Proposition
218 could substantially restrict certain local governments' ability to raise
future revenues and could subject certain existing sources of revenue to
reduction or repeal, and increase local government costs to hold elections,
calculate fees and assessments, notify the public and defend local government
fees and assessments in court.
Article XIII C of Proposition 218 requires majority voter approval
for the imposition, extension or increase of general taxes and two-thirds voter
approval for the imposition,
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extension or increase of special taxes, including special taxes deposited into a
local government's general fund. Proposition 218 also provides that any general
tax imposed, extended or increased without voter approval by any local
government on or after January 1, 1995 and prior to November 6, 1996 shall
continue to be imposed only if approved by a majority vote in an election held
within two years of November 6, 1996.
Article XIII C of Proposition 218 also expressly extends the
initiative power to give voters the power to reduce or repeal local taxes,
assessments, fees and charges, regardless of the date such taxes, assessments,
fees or charges were imposed. This extension of the initiative power to some
extent constitutionalizes the March 6, 1995 State Supreme Court decision in
Rossi v. Brown, which upheld an initiative that repealed a local tax and held
that the State constitution does not preclude the repeal, including the
prospective repeal, of a tax ordinance by an initiative, as contrasted with the
State constitutional prohibition on referendum powers regarding statutes and
ordinances which impose a tax. Generally, the initiative process enables
California voters to enact legislation upon obtaining requisite voter approval
at a general election. Proposition 218 extends the authority stated in Rossi v.
Brown by expanding the initiative power to include reducing or repealing
assessments, fees and charges, which had previously been considered
administrative rather than legislative matters and therefore beyond the
initiative power.
The initiative power granted under Article XIII C of Proposition
218, by its terms, applies to all local taxes, assessments, fees and charges and
is not limited to local taxes, assessments, fees and charges that are property
related.
Article XIII D of Proposition 218 adds several new requirements
making it generally more difficult for local agencies to levy and maintain
"assessments" for municipal services and programs. "Assessment" is defined to
mean any levy or charge upon real property for a special benefit conferred upon
the real property.
Article XIII D of Proposition 218 also adds several provisions
affecting "fees" and "charges" which are defined as "any levy other than an ad
valorem tax, a special tax, or an assessment, imposed by a local government upon
a parcel or upon a person as an incident of property ownership, including a user
fee or charge for a property related service." All new and, after June 30, 1997,
existing property related fees and charges must conform to requirements
prohibiting, among other things, fees and charges which (i) generate revenues
exceeding the funds required to provide the property related service, (ii) are
used for any purpose other than those for which the fees and charges are
imposed, (iii) are for a service not actually used by, or immediately available
to, the owner of the property in question, or (iv) are used for general
governmental services, including police, fire or library services, where the
service is available to the public at large in substantially the same manner as
it is to property owners. Further, before any property related fee or charge may
be imposed or increased, written notice must be given to the record owner of
each parcel of land affected by such fee or charges. The local government must
then hold a hearing upon the proposed imposition or increase of such property
based fee, and if written protests against the proposal are presented by a
majority of the owners of the identified parcels, the local government may not
impose or increase the fee or charge. Moreover, except for fees or charges for
sewer, water and refuse collection services, no property related fee or charge
may be imposed or
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increased without majority approval by the property owners subject to the fee or
charge or, at the option of the local agency, two-thirds voter approval by the
electorate residing in the affected area.
PROPOSITION 87. On November 8, 1988, California voters approved
Proposition 87. Proposition 87 amended Article XVI, Section 16, of the
California Constitution by authorizing the California Legislature to prohibit
redevelopment agencies from receiving any of the property tax revenue raised by
increased property tax rates levied to repay bonded indebtedness of local
governments which is approved by voters on or after January 1, 1989.
FLORIDA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS
The financial condition of the State of Florida may be affected by
various financial, social, economic and political factors. Those factors can be
very complex, may vary from fiscal year to fiscal year, and are frequently the
result of actions taken not only by the State and its agencies and
instrumentalities but also by entities that are not under the control of the
State. Adverse developments affecting the State's financing activities, its
agencies or its political subdivisions could adversely affect the State's
financial condition.
The State's revenues increased from $29,115,034,000 during the
1993-94 fiscal year ended June 30, 1994 to $31,178,025,000 during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1995. The State's expenses increased from $27,878,146,000
during the 1993-94 fiscal year ended June 30, 1994 to $30,775,597,000 during the
1994-95 fiscal year ended June 30, 1995. The Florida Comptroller also projected
non-agricultural jobs to gross 3.2% and 3.0% in fiscal years 1995-96 and
1996-97, respectively.
The Constitution of the State of Florida limits the right of the
State and its local governments to tax. The Constitution requires the State to
have a balanced budget and to raise revenues to defray its operating expenses.
The State may not borrow for the purpose of maintaining ordinary operating
expenses, but may generally borrow for capital improvements.
There are a number of methods by which the State of Florida may
incur debt. The State may issue bonds backed by the State's full faith and
credit to finance or refinance certain capital projects authorized by its
voters. The State also may issue certain bonds backed by the State's full faith
and credit to finance or refinance pollution control, solid waste disposal and
water facilities for local governments; county roads; school districts and
capital public education projects without voter authorization. The State may
also, pursuant to specific constitutional authorization, directly guarantee
certain obligations of the State's authorities, agencies and instrumentalities.
Payments of debt service on State bonds backed by the State's full faith and
credit and State-guaranteed bonds and notes are legally enforceable obligations
of the State. Revenue bonds to finance or refinance certain capital projects
also may be issued by the State of Florida without voter authorization. However,
revenue bonds are payable solely from funds derived directly from sources other
than state tax revenues.
The State of Florida currently imposes, among other taxes, an ad
valorem tax on intangible property and a corporate income tax. The Florida
Constitution prohibits the levying of a personal income tax. Certain other taxes
the State of Florida imposes include: an estate or
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inheritance tax which is limited by the State's Constitution to an amount not in
excess of the amount allowed to be credited upon or deducted from federal estate
taxes or the estate taxes of another state; and a 6% sales tax on most goods and
certain services with an option for counties to impose up to an additional 1%
sales tax on such goods and services.
The Constitution reserves the right to charge an ad valorem tax on
real estate and tangible personal property to Florida's local governments. All
other forms of taxation are preempted to the State of Florida except as may be
provided by general law. Motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, trailers, trailer
coaches and mobile homes, as defined by law, may be subject to a license tax for
their operation, but may not be subject to an ad valorem tax.
Under the Constitution, ad valorem taxes may not be levied in excess
of the following millage upon the assessed value of real estate and tangible
personal property: for all county purposes, ten mills; for all municipal
purposes, ten mills; for all school purposes, ten mills; for water management
purposes for the northwest portion of the State, .05 mills; for water management
purposes for the remaining portion of the State, one mill; and for all other
special districts a millage authorized by law and approved by referendum. When
authorized by referendum, the above millage caps may be exceeded for up to two
years. Counties, school districts, municipalities, special districts and local
governmental bodies with taxing powers may issue bonds to finance or refinance
capital projects payable from ad valorem taxes in excess of the above millage
cap when approved by referendum. It should be noted that several municipalities
and counties have charters that further limit either ad valorem taxes or the
millage that may be assessed.
The Florida legislature has passed a number of mandates which limit
or place requirements on local governments without providing the local
governments with compensating changes in their fiscal resources. The Florida
legislature enacted a comprehensive growth management act which forces local
governments to establish and implement comprehensive planning programs to guide
and control future development. This legislation prohibits public or private
development that does not conform with the locality's comprehensive plan. Local
governments may face greater requirements for services and capital expenditures
than they had previously experienced if their locality experiences increased
growth or development. The burden for funding these potential services and
capital expenditures which has been left to the local governments may be quite
large.
The State of Florida enacted an amendment to the Florida
Constitution ("Amendment 10") which limits ad valorem taxes on homestead real
property, effective as of January 1994. Beginning in 1995, Amendment 10 limits
the assessed value of homestead real property for ad valorem tax purposes to the
lower of (A) three percent (3%) of the assessed value for the prior year; or (B)
the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar
year. In addition, no such assessed value shall exceed "just value" and such
just value shall be reassessed (notwithstanding the 3% cap) as of January 1 of
the year following a change of ownership of the assessed real property.
The payment on most Florida Municipal Instruments held by the Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund will depend upon the issuer's ability to meet its
obligations. If the State or any of its
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political subdivisions were to suffer serious financial difficulties
jeopardizing their ability to pay their obligations, the marketability of
obligations issued by the State or localities within the State, and the value of
the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund's portfolio, could be adversely
affected.
ARIZONA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS
Under its constitution, the State of Arizona is not permitted to issue
general obligation bonds secured by the full faith and credit of the State.
However, certain agencies and instrumentalities of the State are authorized to
issue bonds secured by revenues from specific projects and activities. The State
enters into certain lease transactions which are subject to annual renewal at
the option of the State. Local governmental units in the State are also
authorized to incur indebtedness. The major source of financing for such local
government indebtedness is an ad valorem property tax. In addition, in order to
finance public projects, local governments in the State can issue revenue bonds
payable from the revenues of a utility or enterprise or from the proceeds of an
excise tax, or assessment bonds payable from special proceeds of an excise tax,
or assessment bonds payable from special assessments. Arizona local governments
have also financed public projects through leases which are subject to annual
appropriation at the option of the local government.
There is a statutory restriction on the amount of annual increases in
taxes that can be levied by the various taxing jurisdictions in the State
without electoral approval. This restriction does not apply to taxes levied to
pay general obligation debt.
There are periodic attempts in the form of voter initiatives and
legislative proposals to further limit the amount of annual increases in taxes
that can be levied by the various taxing jurisdictions without voter approval.
It is possible that if such a proposal were enacted, there would be an adverse
impact on State or local government financing. It is not possible to predict
whether any such proposals will be enacted in the future or what would be their
possible impact on state or local government financing.
Arizona is required by law to maintain a balanced budget. To achieve this
objective, the State has, in the past, utilized a combination of spending
reductions and tax increases. In recent years, the State's fiscal situation has
improved, even while tax reduction measures have been enacted each year since
1992. In 1992, Arizona voters passed a measure that requires a two-thirds vote
of the legislature to increase state taxes. Accordingly, it will be more
difficult to reverse tax reductions, which may adversely affect state fund
balances and fiscal conditions.
Arizona state government general fund revenue growth for fiscal years
1996, 1997 and 1998 is forecast to increase 4.1%, 3.7% and 3.2%, respectively,
although growth would be projected at 10.9%, 4.8% and 7.6%, respectively, for
the three years but for legislative changes, principally income and property tax
reduction measures as described below. The 5.5% increase in sales and use tax
revenue adjusted for reductions resulting from legislative changes, reflects
continued strong economic growth in the state. With revenue growth outpacing
increased expenditures, the state general fund is projected to end fiscal year
1997 with a total general fund balance of approximately $431 million. The amount
of this balance is approximately 8.9% of total general fund revenue for fiscal
year 1997. Included in the total balance is a general fund ending
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balance of approximately $190 million, and a budget stabilization ("rainy day")
fund balance of approximately $241 million.
The fiscal year 1997 budget adopted by the legislature assumed that the
total general fund balance carried forward from fiscal year 1996 would be drawn
down by approximately $157 million during the course of fiscal year 1997. Based
on this assumption and state projections, the total general fund balance at the
end of fiscal year 1997 will be lower than for fiscal year 1996.
Additionally, the 1995 legislature enacted a $200 million income tax
reduction package, the 1996 legislature enacted a $200 million property tax
reduction package, and the 1997 legislature enacted a $110 million income tax
reduction package. There may be additional legislative action during 1998 in the
area of tax and school reform, and the 1998 general election ballot may include
one or more questions related to these issues and the state's tax structure
generally. The outcomes of any legislative actions or ballot questions may
adversely affect state fund balances and fiscal conditions.
Arizona has a diversified economic base which is not dependent on any
single industry. Principal economic sectors include services, manufacturing,
mining, tourism, and the military. Agriculture, which was at one time a major
sector, now plays a much smaller role in the State's economy. For several
decades, the population of the State has grown at a substantially higher rate
than the population of the United States. While the State's economy flourished
during the early 80's, a substantial amount of overbuilding occurred, adversely
affecting Arizona-based financial institutions, many of which were placed under
the control of the Resolution Trust Corporation. The spillover effects produced
further weakening in the State's economy. The Arizona economy has begun to grow
again, albeit at a slower pace than experienced before the real estate collapse.
The Northern American Free Trade Agreement is generally viewed as beneficial to
the State. However, further proposed reductions in Federal military expenditures
may adversely affect the Arizona economy.
OTHER INFORMATION ON CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA AND ARIZONA MUNICIPAL INSTRUMENTS
Northern Trust believes that it is likely that sufficient California,
Florida and Arizona Municipal Instruments and certain specified federal
obligations should be available to satisfy the respective investment objectives,
policies and limitations of the California, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt and
the Arizona Tax-Exempt Funds and, with respect to the California Funds, to
enable those Funds to invest at least 50% of their respective assets in
California Municipal Instruments. If Northern Funds' Board of Trustees, after
consultation with Northern Trust, should for any reason determine that it is
impracticable to satisfy a Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations
because of the unavailability of suitable investments, the Board would
re-evaluate the particular Fund's investment objective and policies and consider
changes in its structure and name or possible dissolution.
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Funds are subject to the fundamental investment restrictions
enumerated below which may be changed with respect to a particular Fund only by
a vote of the holders of a majority of such Fund's outstanding shares.
No Fund may:
(1) Make loans, except (a) through the purchase of debt
obligations in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and
policies, (b) through repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions, and (c) loans of securities.
(2) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets (other than
pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements) except to secure permitted
borrowings.
(3) Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited
partnerships, but this restriction shall not prevent a Fund from investing
directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or
interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts
or other issuers that deal in real estate.
(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts or oil
or gas or other mineral exploration or development programs or leases,
except that each Fund may, to the extent appropriate to its investment
policies, purchase securities of companies engaging in whole or in part in
such activities, and (other than the Money Market Funds) may enter into
futures contracts and related options and forward currency exchange
contracts in accordance with its investment objective and policies.
(5) Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.
(6) Act as underwriter of securities, except as a Fund may be
deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
Act") in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio instruments in
accordance with its investment objective and portfolio management
policies.
(7) Write puts, calls or combinations thereof, except for
transactions in options on securities, financial instruments, currencies
and indices of securities; futures contracts; options on futures
contracts; forward currency exchange contracts; short sales against the
box; interest rate and currency swaps; and pair-off transactions. (This
restriction does not apply to the Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, Small
Cap Index Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income
Fund. In addition, this restriction does not apply to any type of option,
futures contract, forward contract, short sale, swap or pair-off
transaction unless it involves a put, call or combination thereof written
by a Fund.)
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(8) Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase
would cause more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be
held by the Fund, except that up to 25% of the value of its total assets
may be invested without regard to this 10% limitation; provided that this
restriction does not apply to the International Fixed Income Fund, the
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund or the California Tax-Exempt
Fund. (Investments by the Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund,
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, Small
Cap Index Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High
Yield Fixed Income Fund in the securities of other investment companies
are not subject to this investment restriction.)
In addition, as summarized in the Prospectus, no Fund may:
(9) Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and
repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations) if, except for
the Technology Fund, such purchase would cause 25% or more in the
aggregate of the market value of the total assets of the Fund to be
invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal
business activities in the same industry, provided that with respect to
each Money Market Fund there is no limitation, and each Money Market Fund
reserves freedom of action, when otherwise consistent with its investment
policies, to concentrate its investments in obligations (other than
commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks (including foreign
branches of U.S. banks) and U.S. branches of foreign banks and repurchase
agreements and securities loans collateralized by such bank obligations.
For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and
their agencies and authorities are not deemed to be industries; as to
utility companies, the gas, electric, water and telephone businesses are
considered separate industries; personal credit finance companies and
business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries;
and wholly-owned finance companies are considered to be in the industries
of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing
the activities of their parents. The Technology Fund may not, except
during temporary defensive periods, purchase the securities of any issuer,
if, as a result of such purchase, less than 25% of the assets of the
Technology Fund would be invested in the securities of issuers principally
engaged in technology business activities. (Investments by the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, Small Cap Index Fund, Mid Cap
Growth Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income Fund in
the securities of other investment companies are not subject to this
investment restriction.)
(10) Borrow money (other than pursuant to reverse repurchase
agreements), except (a) as a temporary measure, and then only in amounts
not exceeding 5% of the value of a Fund's total assets or (b) from banks,
provided that immediately after any such borrowing all borrowings of the
Fund do not exceed one-third of the Fund's total assets. The exceptions in
(a) and (b) to this restriction are not for investment leverage purposes
but are solely for extraordinary or emergency purposes or to facilitate
management of a Fund by enabling Northern Funds to meet redemption
requests when the liquidation of portfolio instruments is deemed to be
disadvantageous or not possible.
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If due to market fluctuations or other reasons the total assets of a Fund
fall below 300% of its borrowings, Northern Funds will reduce the
borrowings of such Fund in accordance with the 1940 Act. In addition, as a
matter of fundamental policy, the Funds may not enter into reverse
repurchase agreements exceeding in the aggregate one-third of their
respective total assets.
(11) Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, if immediately after such purchase more than 5% of the
value of such Fund's total assets would be invested in such issuer, except
that: (a) up to 50% of the value of the California Municipal Money Market
Fund's total assets (so long as no more than 25% of the value of its total
assets are invested in the securities of any one issuer) and up to 25% of
the value of the total assets of each of the other Funds may be invested
in any securities without regard to this 5% limitation; and (b) with
respect to each Fund, such 5% limitation shall not apply to repurchase
agreements collateralized by obligations of the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities. (This restriction does not apply to the
International Fixed Income Fund, the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund,
the California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund
and the California Tax-Exempt Fund.) (Investments by the
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, Small Cap Index Fund, High Yield
Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income Fund in the securities of other
investment companies are not subject to this investment restriction.)
In addition, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Funds will not issue
senior securities except as stated in the Prospectus or this Additional
Statement.
As a non-fundamental investment restriction, the International Fixed
Income, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
Arizona Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds may not, at the end of any
tax quarter, hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
issuer, except that up to 50% of the total value of the assets of each Fund may
be invested in any securities without regard to this 10% limitation so long as
no more than 25% of the total value of its assets is invested in the securities
of any one issuer (except the U.S. Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities).
Except as otherwise provided in Investment Restriction (9), for the
purpose of such restriction in determining industry classification with respect
to the Funds other than the International Funds and the Technology Fund,
Northern Funds intends to use the industry classification titles in the Standard
Industrial Classification Manual. With respect to the International Funds,
Northern Funds intends to use the Morgan Stanley Capital International industry
classification titles. With respect to the Technology Fund, Northern Funds
intends to consider an issuer to be principally engaged in technology business
activities if such issuer is listed in the Morgan Stanley Index, the H&Q Index,
the SoundView Technology Index, the technology grouping of the S&P 500 Index or
any other comparable index. The freedom of action reserved in Investment
Restriction (9) above with respect to U.S. branches of foreign banks is subject
to the requirement that they are subject to the same regulation as domestic
branches of U.S. banks, and
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such freedom with respect to foreign branches of U.S. banks is subject to the
requirement that the domestic parent be unconditionally liable in the event that
a foreign branch fails to pay on its instruments for any reason. Securities held
in escrow or separate accounts in connection with the Funds' investment
practices described in this Additional Statement and in the Prospectus are not
deemed to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated for purposes of the foregoing
Investment Restrictions.
A security is considered to be issued by the entity, or entities, whose
assets and revenues back the security. A guarantee of a security is not deemed
to be a security issued by the guarantor when the value of all securities issued
and guaranteed by the guarantor, and owned by a Fund, does not exceed 10% of the
value of the Fund's total assets.
As stated in the Prospectus under "Additional Investment Information,
Risks and Considerations -- Investment Restrictions," the Money Market, U.S.
Government Money Market, U.S. Government Select Money Market, Municipal Money
Market and California Municipal Money Market Funds intend, as a non-fundamental
policy, to diversify their investments in accordance with current SEC
regulations. Investments in the securities of any single issuer (excluding cash,
cash items, certain repurchase agreements, U.S. Government securities and
securities of other investment companies) will be limited to not more than 5% of
the value of a Portfolio's total assets at the time of purchase, except that (a)
25% of the total assets of the California Municipal Money Market Fund may be
invested in fewer than five issuers; and 25% of the value of the total assets of
the other Money Market Funds may be invested in the securities of any one issuer
for a period of up to three Business Days. A security that has an unconditional
guarantee meeting special SEC requirements (a "Guarantee") does not need to
satisfy the foregoing issuer diversification requirements that would otherwise
apply, but the Guarantee is instead subject to the following diversification
requirements: Immediately after the acquisition of the security, a Money Market
Fund may not have invested more than 10% of its total assets in securities
issued by or subject to Guarantees from the same person, except that a Fund,
subject to certain conditions, may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
securities issued or subject to Guarantees of the same persons. This percentage
is 100% if the Guarantee is issued by the U.S. Government or an agency thereof.
In addition, as mentioned in the Prospectus, the Municipal Money Market and
California Municipal Money Market Funds will limit their investments in certain
conduit securities that are not in the highest rating category as prescribed by
SEC regulations ("Second Tier Securities") to 5% of their total assets, with
investments in any one such issuer being limited to no more than 1% of a Fund's
total assets or $1 million, whichever is greater, measured at the time of
purchase. Conduit securities subject to this limitation are Municipal
Instruments that are not subject to a Guarantee and involve an arrangement
whereunder a person, other than a municipal issuer, provides for or secures
repayment of the security and are not: (i) fully and unconditionally guaranteed
by a municipal issuer; or (ii) payable from the general revenues of the
municipal issuer or other municipal issuers; or (iii) related to a project owned
and operated by a municipal issuer; or (iv) related to a facility leased to and
under the control of an industrial or commercial enterprise that is part of a
public project which, as a whole, is owned and under the control of a municipal
issuer. The Money Market, U.S. Government and U.S. Government Select Money
Market Funds will limit their investments in all Second Tier Securities (that
are not subject to Guarantees) in accordance with the foregoing percentage
limitations.
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In addition to the foregoing, each Money Market Fund is subject to
additional diversification requirements imposed by SEC regulations on the
acquisition of securities subject to other types of demand features and puts
whereunder a Fund has the right to sell the securities to third parties.
Each Investment Restriction which involves a maximum percentage (other
than the restriction set forth above in Investment Restriction (10)) will not be
considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately
after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets
of the Fund. The 1940 Act requires that if the asset coverage for borrowings at
any time falls below the limits described in Investment Restriction (10), the
Fund involved will, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and
holidays), reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the net asset
coverage of such borrowings shall conform to such limits.
Although the foregoing Investment Restrictions would permit the Money
Market Funds to acquire options, enter into forward currency contracts and
engage in short sales and interest rate and currency swaps, they are not
currently permitted to engage in these transactions under SEC regulations. In
addition, the U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund does not intend to
purchase any bank or corporate obligation during the current fiscal year.
ADDITIONAL TRUST INFORMATION
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of Northern Funds is
set forth below.
Mr. Silas S. Cathcart,*,** Chairman of the Board and President, Age
72, 222 Wisconsin Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045. Chairman of Kidder
Peabody Inc. from May 1987 until his retirement in December 1989.
Director/Trustee of General Electric Co., Baxter International, Inc. (worldwide
development, distribution and manufacture of health care products, systems and
services), The Quaker Oats Co., Montgomery Ward, American Academics, Inc., and
Allegiance Corporation (healthcare products, systems and services). Retired
Director and Trustee of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., and Bradley Trust,
respectively.
Mr. James W. Cozad, Trustee, Age 71, 1205 Central Road, Glenview,
Illinois 60025. Vice Chairman of Amoco Corporation from September 1983 to
December 1989 and Chairman and CEO of Whitman Corporation (holding company for
Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers, Inc.), Midas International Corporation (automotive
services) and Hussmann Corporation (refrigeration systems and equipment) from
January 1990 until his retirement in May 1992. Retired Director of Whitman
Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company (life science products), Inland Steel
Company, Inland Steel Industries, Inc., Sears, Roebuck & Company and GATX
Corporation (transportation, distribution and warehousing).
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Mr. Wesley M. Dixon, Jr.,* Trustee, Age 70, 400 Skokie Blvd., Suite
300, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. Director of Earl Kinship Capital Corporation
since 1985. Vice Chairman and Director of G.D. Searle & Co. (manufacture and
sale of food products and pharmaceuticals) from 1977 to 1983 and President of
G.D. Searle & Co. prior thereto.
Mr. William J. Dolan, Jr., Trustee, Age 66, 1534 Basswood Circle,
Glenview, Illinois 60025. Partner of Arthur Andersen & Co. S.C. (accounting
firm) from 1966 until his retirement in December 1989. Financial Consultant,
Ernst & Young from 1992 to 1993, Director of Household Bank, Federal Savings
Bank.
Mr. Raymond E. George, Jr.,** Trustee, Age 68, 703 Prospect Avenue,
Winnetka, Illinois 60093. Senior Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer of
The Northern Trust Company from 1988 until his retirement in October 1993.
Mr. Michael E. Murphy,** Trustee, Age 61, Suite 2222, 20 South Clark
Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60603. President of Sara Lee Foundation since
November 1997. Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of Sara Lee
Corporation (consumer products) from November 1994 to October 1997. Vice
Chairman and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Sara Lee Corporation
from July 1993 to November 1994. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
and Administrative Officer of Sara Lee Corporation from June 1979 to June 1993.
Director of Payless Shoe Source, Inc., True North Communications, Inc., American
General Corporation, GATX Corporation, and Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
Mary Jacobs Skinner, Esquire,** Trustee, Age 41, One First National
Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Partner in the law firm of Sidley & Austin.
Miriam M. Allison, Vice President and Treasurer, Age 51, 207 E.
Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. President and Director of
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc. since 1990, President and Member of Sunstone
Investor Services, LLC and Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC since August 1996
and October 1996 respectively, and Vice President of Firstar Trust Company prior
thereto.
Mary M. Tenwinkel, Vice President, Age 50, 207 E. Buffalo Street,
Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Vice President of Sunstone Financial
Group, Inc. since August of 1993 and Senior Vice President since January, 1996,
Vice President of Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC from October 1996 to July
1998, and First Vice President and head of Personal Services Group at Firstar
Trust Company prior thereto.
Anita M. Zagrodnik, Assistant Treasurer, Age 38, 207 E. Buffalo
Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Vice President of Sunstone
Investor Services, LLC since January
- ----------
* Messrs. Cathcart and Dixon are first cousins.
** Messrs. Cathcart, George and Murphy, and Ms. Skinner are considered to
be "interested persons" of Northern Funds as defined in the 1940 Act.
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1997. Vice President, Accounting and Tax Services of Sunstone Financial Group,
Inc. since 1994. Client Services Manager of Sunstone Financial Group, Inc. from
1990 to 1994.
Jeffrey A. Dalke, Secretary, Age 48, Philadelphia National Bank
Building, 1345 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. Partner in the
law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
Certain of the Trustees and officers and the organizations with which they
are associated have had in the past, and may have in the future, transactions
with Northern Trust, Sunstone and their respective affiliates. Northern Funds
has been advised by such Trustees and officers that all such transactions have
been and are expected to be in the ordinary course of business and the terms of
such transactions, including all loans and loan commitments by such persons,
have been and are expected to be substantially the same as the prevailing terms
for comparable transactions for other customers. Ms. Allison holds similar
positions with one or more investment companies that are distributed by
Sunstone. As a result of the responsibilities assumed by Northern Trust under
its Advisory Agreement, Transfer Agency Agreement and Custodian Agreement and by
Sunstone under its Administration Agreement and Distribution Agreement, Northern
Funds itself requires no employees.
Each Trustee, except the Chairman, earns an annual fee of $25,000 and an
additional fee of $1,250 for each meeting attended, plus reimbursement of
expenses incurred as a Trustee. The Chairman of the Board earns an annual fee of
$30,000 and an additional fee of $1,250 for each meeting attended, plus
reimbursement of expenses incurred as a Trustee. Northern Funds' officers do not
receive fees from Northern Funds for services in such capacities, although
Sunstone, of which Mmes. Allison, Tenwinkel and Zagrodnik are also officers,
receives fees from Northern Funds for administrative services. Drinker Biddle &
Reath LLP, of which Mr. Dalke is a partner, receives legal fees as counsel to
Northern Funds.
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For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Trustees received the
following compensation:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension or
Retirement Total
Aggregate Benefits Accrued Compensation
Compensation from as Part of Trust from the Trust
Name of Trustee the Trust Expense Complex*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Silas S. Cathcart $27,500 None $27,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James W. Cozad $22,500 None $22,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wesley M. Dixon, Jr. $20,000 None $20,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William J. Dolan, Jr. $22,500 None $22,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond E. George, Jr. $22,500 None $22,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael E. Murphy(1) $7,500 None $7,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Jacobs Skinner(2) N/A N/A N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* This column presents the same information as the first column because none of
the Trustees served on a board of another mutual fund related to the Trust.
(1) Mr. Murphy was appointed to the Board of Trustees on February 18, 1998.
(2) Ms. Skinner was appointed to the Board of Trustees on September 18, 1998.
INVESTMENT ADVISER, TRANSFER AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
Northern Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Northern Trust
Corporation, a Chicago-based multi-bank holding company with subsidiaries in
Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, New York, Arizona, Georgia, California
and Texas. Northern Trust has for more than 100 years managed the assets of
individuals, charitable organizations, foundations and large corporate
investors. One of the nation's leading providers of trust and investment
management services, Northern Trust first entered the mutual fund business in
1983 by offering money market funds to institutional clients. As part of its
investment advisory services, Northern Trust offers extensive research services
to its clients. As of the date of this Additional Statement, nearly 300
financial institutions nationwide purchase Northern Trust's economic advisory
services. As of September 30, 1998, Northern Trust Corporation and its
subsidiaries had approximately $28.1 billion in assets and $17.0 billion in
deposits. Northern Trust is one of the strongest banking organizations in the
United States and its clients include public and private retirement funds,
endowments, foundations, trusts, corporations and individuals. Northern Funds
complements the banking and personal trust services available through Northern
Trust by allowing Northern Trust's banking and trust clients to consolidate the
management of their finances and thereby move one step closer to one-stop
financial shopping. Northern Funds utilizes a state-of-the-art investor services
center. Also, trained investment representatives are available at Northern
Trust's offices to assist investors in allocating their investments. Northern
Trust believes it has built its organization by serving clients with integrity,
a commitment to quality, and personal attention. Its stated
-5-
<PAGE> 147
mission with respect to all its financial products and services is to achieve
unrivaled client satisfaction. Northern Trust manages the Funds through a team
of professionals, led by portfolio managers who follow a disciplined process to
develop investment strategies. The purpose of this approach is to promote
consistent management. The portfolio managers draw upon the resources of
Northern Trust's research department with specialists in economic analysis,
investment strategy, credit quality and tax law, and which supplies information
on interest rates, GNP growth, corporate profits and other factors. NTQA, also a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation, serves as investment
adviser principally to defined benefit and defined contribution plans and
manages over 60 equity and bond commingled and common trust funds. As of
September 30, 1998, the Investment Advisers and their affiliates administered
approximately $1.13 trillion in assets, including $220.7 billion for which the
Investment Advisers had investment management responsibility, for clients
including public and private retirement funds, endowments, foundations, trusts,
corporations, other investment companies and individuals.
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, Northern
Trust makes decisions with respect to and places orders for all purchases and
sales of portfolio securities for the Funds (other than the Stock Index, Small
Cap Index and Small Cap Funds), and also provides certain ancillary services.
NTQA provides similar services to the Stock Index, Small Cap Index and Small Cap
Funds.
Northern Funds' Investment Advisory and Ancillary Services Agreement
with Northern Trust and NTQA (the "Advisory Agreement") has been approved by the
Board of Trustees, including the "non-interested" Trustees, and the initial
shareholder of Northern Funds. The Advisory Agreement provides that in executing
portfolio transactions and in selecting brokers or dealers (a) with respect to
common and preferred stocks, the Investment Advisers shall use their best
judgment to obtain the best overall terms available, and (b) with respect to
other securities, the Investment Advisers shall attempt to obtain best net price
and execution. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges involve the payment of
negotiated brokerage commissions. On exchanges on which commissions are
negotiated, the cost of transactions may vary among different brokers.
In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the
Investment Advisers are to consider all factors they deem relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available and in
selecting the broker or dealer to execute a particular transaction, the
Investment Advisers may consider the brokerage and research services provided to
the Funds and/or other accounts over which the Investment Advisers or an
affiliate of the Investment Advisers exercise investment discretion. These
brokerage and research services may include industry and company analyses,
portfolio services, quantitative data, market information systems and economic
and political consulting and analytical services.
Supplemental research information so received is in addition to, and
not in lieu of, services required to be performed by the Investment Advisers and
does not reduce the advisory fees payable to the Investment Advisers by the
Funds. The Trustees will periodically review the commissions paid by the Funds
to consider whether the commissions paid over representative periods of time
appear to be reasonable in relation to the benefits inuring to the Funds. It is
possible that certain of
-51-
<PAGE> 148
the supplemental research or other services received will primarily benefit one
or more other investment companies or other accounts for which investment
discretion is exercised. Conversely, a Fund may be the primary beneficiary of
the research or services received as a result of portfolio transactions effected
for such other account or investment company.
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, the amount of commissions
paid by each Fund was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 1998 March 31, 1997 March 31, 1996(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income Equity Fund $91,382 $67,369 $39,293
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund $32,541 $27,972 N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $475,781 $364,847 $305,583
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $312,832 $96,747 $82,834
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund $324,908 $170,785 $303,800
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $1,455,258 $2,043,586 $2,216,573
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $610,796 $634,588 $1,189,658
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $79,005 $40,228 N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
No commissions were paid by the Funds to any "affiliated" persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds. Transactions on foreign stock exchanges
involve payment for brokerage commissions which are generally fixed.
Over-the-counter issues, including corporate debt and government securities, are
normally traded on a "net" basis (i.e., without commission) through dealers, or
otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of an instrument. With
respect to over-the-counter transactions, the Investment Advisers will normally
deal directly with dealers who make a market in the instruments involved except
in those circumstances where more favorable prices and execution are available
elsewhere. The cost of foreign and domestic securities purchased from
underwriters includes an underwriting commission or concession, and the prices
at which securities are purchased from and sold to dealers include a dealer's
mark-up or mark-down.
Northern Funds is required to identify any securities of its "regular
brokers or dealers" or their parents which Northern Funds acquired during its
most recent fiscal year.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Money Market Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas, Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, General Electric Capital, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
Lehman Brothers. As of March 31, 1998 the Money Market Fund owned securities of
Banque Paribas and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in the amounts of $60,494,000
and $250,000,000 respectively.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the U.S. Government Money
Market Fund acquired or sold securities of HSBC Security and SBC Warburg. As of
March 31, 1998, the U.S.
-52-
<PAGE> 149
Government Money Market Fund owned securities of HSBC Security and SBC Warburg
in the amounts of $100,000,000 and $71,125,000 respectively.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the U.S. Government Select
Money Market Fund did not acquire or sell securities of its regular
broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Municipal Money Market
Fund did not acquire or sell securities of its regular broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the California Municipal
Money Market Fund did not acquire or sell securities of its regular
broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the U.S. Government Fund
did not acquire or sell securities of its regular broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund did not acquire or sell securities of its regular
broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998; the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund did not acquire or sell securities of its regular
broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Fixed Income Fund
acquired or sold securities of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, its regular
broker-dealer. As of March 31, 1998, the Fixed Income Fund owned securities of
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in the amount of $166,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Tax-Exempt Fund did
not acquire or sell securities of its regular broker-dealers.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the International Fixed
Income Fund acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas, Deutsche Bank and
Societe Generale Securities. As of March 31, 1998, the International Fixed
Income Fund owned securities of Banque Paribas in the amount of $1,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Income Equity Fund
acquired or sold securities of Societe Generale Securities, its regular
broker-dealer.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Stock Index Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas, Toronto Dominion and West
Deutsche Landesbank. As of March 31 1998, the Stock Index Fund owned securities
of Banque Paribas in the amount of $4,376,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Growth Equity Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe
Generale Securities. As of March 31, 1998, the Growth Equity Fund owned
securities of Banque Paribas in the amount of $4,729,000.
-53-
<PAGE> 150
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Select Equity Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas and Societe Generale Securities.
As of March 31, 1998, the Select Equity Fund owned securities of Banque Paribas
in the amount of $644,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Small Cap Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas and Societe Generale Securities.
As of March 31, 1998, the Small Cap Fund owned securities of Banque Paribas in
the amount of $6,115,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the International Growth
Equity Fund acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas, Deutsche Bank and
Societe Generale Securities. As of March 31, 1998 the International Growth
Equity Fund owned securities of Deutsche Bank and Societe Generale Securities in
the amount of $3,010,000 and $3,202,000, respectively.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the International Select
Equity Fund acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas and Societe Generale.
As of March 31, 1998, the International Select Equity Fund owned securities of
Banque Paribas and Societe Generale Securities in the amount of $4,684,000 and
$2,402,000, respectively.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Technology Fund
acquired or sold securities of Banque Paribas and Societe Generale Securities.
As of March 31, 1998, the Technology Fund owned securities of Banque Paribas in
the amount of $1,786,000.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 the Mid Cap Growth Fund,
Small Cap Index Fund, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, California
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund, California Tax-Exempt
Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fixed Income Fund had not yet
commenced operations.
During the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998, Northern Funds directed
brokerage transactions to brokers because of research services provided. The
amount of such transactions and related commissions were as follows: for the
Income Equity Fund, $49,163,298 in research commission transactions and $76,541
in research commissions; for the Stock Index Fund, $62,748,694 in research
commission transactions and $32,228 in research commissions; for the Growth
Equity Fund, $302,474,555 in research commission transactions and $393,830 in
research commissions; for the Select Equity Fund, $191,006,224 in research
commission transactions and $251,643 in research commissions; for the Small Cap
Fund, $8,875,175 in research commission transactions and $16,309 in research
commissions; for the International Growth Equity Fund, $229,881,000 in research
commission transactions and $713,913 in research commissions; for the
International Select Equity Fund, $110,614,844 in research commission
transactions and $319,271 in research commissions; and for the Technology Fund,
$49,775,366 in research commission transactions and $69,816 in research
commissions.
The Funds may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding for the
purchase of portfolio securities directly from an issuer in order to take
advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of a bidding group.
The Funds will engage in this practice, however, only when the Investment
Advisers believe such practice to be in the Funds' interests.
-54-
<PAGE> 151
Northern Trust's investment advisory duties for Northern Funds are
carried out through its Trust Department. On occasions when an Investment
Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of
a Fund as well as other fiduciary or agency accounts managed by it (including
any other portfolio, investment company or account for which an Investment
Adviser acts as adviser), the Agreement provides that the Investment Adviser, to
the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the
securities to be sold or purchased for such Fund with those to be sold or
purchased for such other accounts in order to obtain the best overall terms
available with respect to common and preferred stocks and the best net price and
execution with respect to other securities. In such event, allocation of the
securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the
transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser in the manner it considers
to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund
and other accounts involved. In some instances, this procedure may adversely
affect the size of the position obtainable for the Fund or the amount of the
securities that are able to be sold for the Fund. To the extent that the
execution and price available from more than one broker or dealer are believed
to be comparable, the Agreement permits each Investment Adviser, at its
discretion but subject to applicable law, to select the executing broker or
dealer on the basis of the Investment Adviser's opinion of the reliability and
quality of broker or dealer.
The Advisory Agreement provides that the Investment Advisers may render
similar services to others so long as their services under such Agreement are
not impaired thereby. The Advisory Agreement also provides that Northern Funds
will indemnify the Investment Advisers against certain liabilities (including
liabilities under the federal securities laws relating to untrue statements or
omissions of material fact and actions that are in accordance with the terms of
the Agreement) or, in lieu thereof, contribute to resulting losses.
From time to time, the Investment Advisers may voluntarily waive a
portion or all of their fees otherwise payable to it with respect to the Funds.
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, Northern Trust received
advisory fees, after fee waivers, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
31, 1998(1) March 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $9,490,597 $5,197,260 $3,642,012
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market Fund $1,364,316 $950,352 $863,091
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund $673,956 $297,792 $844,168
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $6,064,365 $4,796,468 $3,667,465
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money Market Fund $719,108 $494,616 $379,811
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $1,527,868 $1,199,667 $974,550
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $1,973,661 $1,741,679 $1,603,749
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-55-
<PAGE> 152
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
31, 1998(1) March 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $125,977 $ 0 N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $1,105,332 $779,240 $626,406
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-Exempt Fund $1,035,810 $874,423 $818,528
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $88,551 N/A N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $129,287 $111,384 $101,335
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $818,335 $519,235 $353,591
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund(3) $226,431 $ 0 N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $3,339,695 $2,267,044 $1,386,300
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $802,297 $369,460 $150,939
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund(3) $2,460,252 $1,468,705 $991,788
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $1,756,185 $1,817,708 $1,557,622
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $1,138,571 $1,111,449 $844,168
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $754,963 $198,909 N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
3. NTQA assumed investment advisory responsibilities for these Funds on
April 1, 1998.
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, Northern Trust voluntarily
waived and reimbursed advisory fees for each of the Funds as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 1998(1) March 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $4,745,304 $2,622,157 $2,296,290
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market Fund $682,159 $519,441 $569,924
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund $632,972 $419,570 $370,057
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $3,032,186 $2,417,444 $2,325,487
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money Market Fund $568,061 $497,282 $471,687
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $ 0 $31,267 $37,209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $140,974 $153,096 $142,338
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $26,197 $53,960 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $ 0 $36,750 $39,601
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-56-
<PAGE> 153
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 1998(1) March 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tax-Exempt Fund $73,985 $99,421 $92,578
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $53,795 N/A N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $10,037 $34,638 $34,758
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $144,411 $138,239 $109,869
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund(3) $117,685 $70,191 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $589,353 $440,662 $297,405
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $330,356 $209,152 $124,497
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund(3) $1,013,041 $639,770 $474,217
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $351,234 $368,198 $311,526
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $227,712 $225,196 $168,832
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $150,991 $89,958 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996;
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
3. NTQA assumed investment advisory responsibilities for these Funds on
April 1, 1998.
Under its Transfer Agency Agreement with Northern Funds, Northern Trust
has undertaken, among other things, to perform the following services: (1)
answer shareholder inquiries and respond to requests for information regarding
Northern Funds; (2) process purchase and redemption transactions; (3) establish
and maintain shareholder accounts and subaccounts; (4) furnish confirmations in
accordance with applicable law, and provide periodic account statements to each
shareholder; (5) furnish proxy statements and proxies, annual and semi-annual
financial statements, and dividend, distribution and tax notices to
shareholders; (6) act as income disbursing agent; and (7) maintain appropriate
records relating to its services. Northern Trust may appoint one or more
sub-transfer agents in the performance of its services.
As compensation for the services rendered by Northern Trust under the
Transfer Agency Agreement and the assumption by Northern Trust of related
expenses, Northern Trust is entitled to a fee from Northern Funds, payable
monthly, at an annual rate of .10% of the average daily net asset value of each
of the Funds.
-57-
<PAGE> 154
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, the amount of transfer
agency fees incurred by each of the Funds was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended
31, 1998(1) 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $2,372,628 $1,299,295 $989,707
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market Fund $341,076 $244,185 $238,819
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money $217,819 $119,115 $96,072
Market Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $1,516,077 $1,199,098 $998,815
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money Market $214,526 $164,871 $141,916
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $203,714 $164,123 $134,900
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $281,949 $251,858 $232,809
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt $20,290 $6,302 N/A
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $147,377 $108,797 $88,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-Exempt Fund $147,971 $129,549 $121,479
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $18,926 N/A N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $15,480 $16,224 $15,121
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $96,274 $65,560 $46,345
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund $57,352 $8,670 N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $392,901 $270,025 $168,369
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $94,387 $48,045 $22,952
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund $289,438 $175,244 $122,166
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $175,617 $181,765 $155,762
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $113,856 $111,143 $84,415
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $75,496 $23,916 N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996;
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
Northern Trust maintains custody of the assets of the Funds (other than
the International Funds) pursuant to the terms of its Custodian Agreement with
Northern Funds. Northern Trust
-58-
<PAGE> 155
maintains custody of the assets of the International Funds pursuant to the terms
of its Foreign Custody Agreement with Northern Funds. Under each of these
agreements, Northern Trust (l) holds each Fund's cash and securities, (2)
maintains such cash and securities in separate accounts in the name of the Fund,
(3) makes receipts and disbursements of funds on behalf of the Fund, (4)
receives, delivers and releases securities on behalf of the Fund, (5) collects
and receives all income, principal and other payments in respect of the Fund's
investments held by Northern Trust under the agreement, and (6) maintains the
accounting records of Northern Funds. Northern Trust may employ one or more
subcustodians under the Custody Agreement, provided that Northern Trust shall,
subject to certain monitoring responsibilities, have no more responsibility or
liability to Northern Funds on account of any action or omission of any
subcustodian so employed than such subcustodian has to Northern Trust and that
the responsibility or liability of the subcustodian to Northern Trust shall
conform to the resolution of the Trustees of Northern Funds authorizing the
appointment of the particular subcustodian. Northern Trust may also appoint an
agent to carry out such of the provisions of the Custody Agreement as Northern
Trust may from time to time direct. Under its Foreign Custody Agreement,
Northern Trust has entered into agreements with financial institutions and
depositories located in foreign countries with respect to the custody of the
International Funds' foreign securities.
As compensation for the services rendered to each Fund (other than the
International Funds) under the Custodian Agreement, and the assumption by
Northern Trust of certain related expenses, Northern Trust is entitled to
payment from each of the Funds as follows: (a) a basic custodial fee of (i)
$18,000 annually for each Fund, plus (ii) 1/100th of 1% annually of each Fund's
average daily net assets to the extent they exceed $100 million, plus (b) a
basic accounting fee of (i) $25,000 annually for each Fund, plus (ii) 1/100th of
1% annually of each Fund's average daily net assets to the extent they exceed
$50 million, plus (c) a fixed dollar fee for each trade in portfolio securities,
plus (d) a fixed dollar fee for each time that Northern Trust as Custodian
receives or transmits funds via wire, plus (e) reimbursement of expenses
incurred by Northern Trust as Custodian for telephone, postage, courier fees,
office supplies and duplicating. The fees referred to in clauses (c) and (d) are
subject to annual upward adjustments based on increases in the Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers, provided that Northern Trust may permanently or
temporarily waive all or any portion of any upward adjustment.
As compensation for the services rendered to the International Funds
under the Foreign Custody Agreement, and the assumption by Northern Trust of
certain related expenses, Northern Trust is entitled to payment from each of
those Funds as follows: (i) $35,000 annually for each Fund, plus (ii) 9/100th of
1% annually of each Fund's average daily net assets, plus (iii) reimbursement
for fees incurred by Northern Trust as foreign Custodian for telephone, postage,
courier fees, office supplies and duplicating. As compensation for basic
accounting services rendered to the International Funds by Northern Trust,
Northern Trust is entitled to receive $25,000 for the first $50 million of each
of those Fund's average daily net assets and 1/100th of 1% of each Fund's
average daily net assets in excess of $50 million.
Northern's fees under the Custodian Agreement and Foreign Custody
Agreement are subject to reduction based on the Funds' daily uninvested cash
balances (if any).
-59-
<PAGE> 156
[End of Page.]
-60-
<PAGE> 157
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, the amount of custody and
fund accounting fees incurred by each of the Funds was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 1998(1) March 31, 1997(2) March 31, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $540,182 $319,698 $254,569
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market $114,701 $90,285 $90,960
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money $79,062 $61,237 $57,944
Market Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $358,220 $280,150 $258,554
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money $86,643 $72,486 $68,080
Market Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $72,223 $65,101 $58,756
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $91,127 $87,303 $85,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt $46,979 $31,173 N/A
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $64,094 $57,834 $54,631
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-Exempt Fund $64,384 $60,461 $59,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $48,223 N/A N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $74,075 $75,592 $74,119
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $56,325 $54,136 $51,559
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund $133,408 $64,425 N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $115,833 $92,102 $75,707
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $60,090 $51,726 $53,054
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund $136,631 $88,231 $93,498
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $228,550 $239,257 $213,761
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $167,301 $168,250 $146,744
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $55,245 $63,987 N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996;
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
-61-
<PAGE> 158
Unless sooner terminated, Northern Funds' Advisory Agreement, Transfer
Agency Agreement, Custodian Agreement and Foreign Custody Agreement will
continue in effect with respect to a particular Fund until March 31, 1999, and
thereafter for successive 12-month periods, provided that the continuance is
approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the agreement or "interested persons" (as such term is defined in
the 1940 Act) of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval and (b) by the Trustees or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined under "Description of
Shares"). Each agreement is terminable at any time without penalty by Northern
Funds (by specified Trustee or shareholder action) on 60 days' written notice to
Northern Trust (or NTQA) and by Northern Trust (or NTQA) on 60 days' written
notice to Northern Funds.
Banking laws and regulations currently prohibit a bank holding company
registered under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or any bank or
non-bank affiliate thereof from sponsoring, organizing, controlling or
distributing the shares of a registered open-end investment company continuously
engaged in the issuance of its shares, but such banking laws and regulations do
not prohibit such a holding company or affiliate or banks generally from acting
as investment adviser, transfer agent or custodian to such an investment
company, or from purchasing shares of such a company as agent for and upon the
order of customers. Northern Trust and NTQA believe that they may perform the
services contemplated by its agreements with Northern Funds without violation of
such banking laws or regulations, which are applicable to them. It should be
noted, however, that future changes in either federal or state statutes and
regulations relating to the permissible activities of banks and their
subsidiaries or affiliates, as well as future judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations of current and future statutes and regulations,
could prevent Northern Trust and NTQA from continuing to perform such services
for Northern Funds.
Should future legislative, judicial or administrative action prohibit
or restrict the activities of Northern Trust or NTQA in connection with the
provision of services on behalf of Northern Funds, Northern Funds might be
required to alter materially or discontinue its arrangements with Northern Trust
and NTQA and change its method of operations. It is not anticipated, however,
that any change in Northern Funds' method of operations would affect the net
asset value per share of any Fund or result in a financial loss to any
shareholder. Moreover, if current restrictions preventing a bank from legally
sponsoring, organizing, controlling or distributing shares of an open-end
investment company were relaxed, Northern Funds expects that Northern Trust and
its affiliates would consider the possibility of offering to perform some or all
of the services now provided by Sunstone. It is not possible, of course, to
predict whether or in what form such restrictions might be relaxed or the terms
upon which Northern Trust and its affiliates might offer to provide services for
consideration by the Trustees.
Northern is active as an underwriter of municipal instruments. Under
the 1940 Act, the Portfolios are precluded, subject to certain exceptions, from
purchasing in the primary market those municipal instruments with respect to
which Northern is serving as a principal underwriter. In the opinion of
Northern, this limitation will not significantly affect the ability of the
Portfolios to pursue their respective investment objectives.
-62-
<PAGE> 159
In the Advisory Agreement, Northern Trust agrees that the name
"Northern" may be used in connection with Northern Funds' business on a
royalty-free basis. Northern Trust has reserved to itself the right to grant the
non-exclusive right to use the name "Northern" to any other person. The Advisory
Agreement provides that at such time as the Agreement is no longer in effect,
Northern Funds will cease using the name "Northern."
ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR
Under its Administration Agreement, Sunstone has agreed, subject to the
direction and control of Northern Funds' Board of Trustees and utilizing
information provided by Northern Funds and its agents, to (1) provide office
space, facilities, equipment and personnel to carry out its services; (2)
compile data for and prepare with respect to the Funds timely Notices to the SEC
required pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act and Semi-Annual Reports on
Form N-SAR; (3) prepare for execution by Northern Funds and file all federal
income and excise tax returns and state income tax returns (and such other
required tax filings as may be agreed to by the parties) other than those
required to be made by Northern Funds' custodian and transfer agent; (4) prepare
compliance filings relating to the registration of the securities of the Funds
pursuant to state securities laws with the advice of Northern Funds' counsel;
(5) assist the Fund accountants with preparing the Annual and Semi-Annual
Reports required pursuant to Section 30(d) under the 1940 Act; (6) assist to the
extent requested by Northern Funds with the preparation of the Registration
Statement for the Funds (on Form N-1A or any replacement therefor) and any
amendments thereto, and proxy materials; (7) prepare and monitor each Fund's
expense accruals and cause all appropriate expenses to be paid from Fund assets
on proper authorization from the Fund; (8) assist in the acquisition of the
Funds' fidelity bond required by the 1940 Act, monitor the amount of the bond
and make the necessary SEC filings related thereto; (9) from time to time as
Northern Funds may reasonably request or as Sunstone deems appropriate, check
each Fund's compliance with the policies and limitations relating to portfolio
investments as set forth in the Prospectus, Additional Statement and Declaration
of Trust and monitor each Fund's status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (but this function shall
not relieve the Fund's Investment Adviser of its day-to-day responsibility for
such compliance); (10) maintain, and/or coordinate with the other service
providers the maintenance of, the accounts, books and other documents required
pursuant to Rule 31a-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act; and (11) generally assist
in each Fund's administrative operations. In addition, Sunstone has agreed to
monitor Northern Funds' arrangements with respect to services provided by
Service Organizations. Under the Administration Agreement, Sunstone is not
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by
the Funds in connection with the performance of the Administration Agreement,
except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on the part of Sunstone in the performance of its duties or from its reckless
disregard of its duties and obligations under the Agreement.
Unless sooner terminated the Administration Agreement will continue in
effect with respect to a particular Fund until March 31, 1999, and thereafter
for successive 12-month periods, provided that the agreement is approved
annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to
the agreement or "interested persons" (as such term is defined by the 1940 Act)
of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval, and (b) by the Trustees or by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of such Fund (as defined
-63-
<PAGE> 160
under "Description of Shares"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Administration Agreement shall continue automatically for an indefinite period
unless the Board of Trustees shall have provided Sunstone with at least 90 days'
written notice of its determination not to renew the Agreement.
For its administrative services, Sunstone is entitled to an
administration fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of
0.15% of the Funds' average aggregate daily net assets. For the fiscal years or
periods indicated, Sunstone received, after waivers, administrative fees as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended
31, 1998 31, 1997(1) March 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $1,186,568 $1,164,584 $754,629
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market $217,652 $218,281 $197,052
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money $124,207 $23,962 $0
Market Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $929,212 $1,075,662 $779,183
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money $131,467 $81,496 $64,242
Market Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $124,997 $195,647 $161,659
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $178,379 $301,417 $284,325
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt $11,284 $7,174 N/A
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $85,293 $129,589 $106,147
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-Exempt Fund $92,041 $154,841 $151,378
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $6,684 N/A N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $10,534 $19,435 $18,998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $57,142 $77,746 $55,453
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index Fund $30,318 $9,252 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $235,526 $320,662 $188,961
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $53,548 $56,368 $24,949
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund $157,708 $208,264 $136,098
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $115,012 $219,176 $188,090
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-64-
<PAGE> 161
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $74,312 $133,479 $103,687
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $41,187 $27,287 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996;
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
For the fiscal years or periods indicated, Sunstone waived
administrative fees with respect to each Fund as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended March Fiscal Year Ended
31, 1998 31, 1997(1) March 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market Fund $2,372,408 $790,270 $729,948
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Money Market Fund $293,967 $149,167 $161,180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Select Money Market $202,525 $155,378 $143,942
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Money Market Fund $1,344,926 $727,816 $719,057
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Municipal Money Market Fund $244,331 $166,479 $148,632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Fund $180,577 $51,170 $40,693
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $244,548 $77,538 $64,892
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund $19,151 $2,308 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Income Fund $135,774 $34,026 $27,055
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax-Exempt Fund $129,918 $39,928 $30,843
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Tax-Exempt Fund $21,785 N/A N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fixed Income Fund $12,687 $4,953 $3,684
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Equity Fund $87,270 $20,875 $14,066
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Index $55,711 $3,836 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund $353,831 $85,494 $63,595
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Equity Fund $88,034 $15,958 $9,481
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund $276,453 $55,295 $47,153
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth Equity Fund $148,415 $54,062 $45,554
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Select Equity Fund $96,473 $33,602 $22,936
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund $72,057 $8,821 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
1. The California Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997.
-65-
<PAGE> 162
2. The Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund commenced operations on August
15, 1996; the Stock Index Fund commenced operations on October 7, 1996;
and the Technology Fund commenced operations on April 1, 1996.
Northern Funds has also entered into a Distribution Agreement under
which Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC, as agent, sells shares of each Fund
on a continuous basis. Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC pays the cost of
printing and distributing prospectuses to persons who are not shareholders of
Northern Funds (excluding preparation and typesetting expenses) and of certain
other distribution efforts. No compensation is payable by Northern Funds to
Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC for such distribution services. Effective
January 1, 1999, Northern Funds Distributors, LLC will replace Sunstone
Distribution Services, LLC as distributor of Northern Funds on the same terms
and conditions. Both Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC and Northern Funds
Distributors, LLC are affiliates of Sunstone. Miriam M. Allison, Vice President
and Treasurer of Northern Funds has been President of Sunstone Distribution
Services, LLC since October 1996 and will be President of Northern Funds
Distributors, LLC.
The Administration Agreement and the Distribution Agreement provide
that Sunstone and Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC, respectively, may render
similar services to others so long as their services under the respective
Agreements are not impaired thereby. The Administration and Distribution
Agreements provide that Northern Funds will indemnify Sunstone and Sunstone
Distribution Services, LLC, respectively, against certain liabilities (including
liabilities under the federal securities laws relating to untrue statements or
omissions of material fact and actions that are in accordance with the terms of
such Agreements) under certain circumstances.
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
As stated in the Funds' Prospectus, the Funds may enter into agreements
from time to time with Service Organizations providing for support and/or
distribution services to customers of the Service Organizations who are the
beneficial owners of Fund shares. Under the agreements, the Funds may pay
Service Organizations up to .25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily
net asset value of the shares beneficially owned by their customers. Support
services provided by Service Organizations under their agreements may include:
(a) processing dividend and distribution payments from a Fund; (b) providing
information periodically to customers showing their share positions; (c)
arranging for bank wires; (d) responding to customer inquiries; (e) providing
subaccounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by customers or the
information necessary for subaccounting; (f) forwarding shareholder
communications; (g) assisting in processing share purchase, exchange and
redemption requests from customers; (h) assisting customers in changing dividend
options, account designations and addresses; and (i) other similar services
requested by the Funds. In addition, Service Organizations may provide
assistance (such as the forwarding of sales literature and advertising to their
customers) in connection with the distribution of Fund shares.
The Funds' arrangements with Service Organizations under the agreements
are governed by two Plans (a Service Plan and a Distribution and Service Plan),
which have been adopted by the Board of Trustees and (in the case of the
Distribution and Service Plan) by the initial shareholder of Northern Funds.
Because the Distribution and Service Plan contemplates the provision of services
related to the distribution of Fund shares (in addition to support services),
that Plan has been
-66-
<PAGE> 163
adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the
Plans, the Board of Trustees reviews, at least quarterly, a written report of
the amounts expended in connection with the Funds' arrangements with Service
Organizations and the purposes for which the expenditures were made. In
addition, the Funds' arrangements with Service Organizations must be approved
annually by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in such arrangements (the "Disinterested
Trustees").
The Board of Trustees believes that there is a reasonable likelihood
that their arrangements with Service Organizations will benefit each Fund and
its shareholders. Any material amendment to the arrangements with Service
Organizations under the agreements must be approved by a majority of the Board
of Trustees (including a majority of the Disinterested Trustees), and any
amendment to increase materially the costs under the Distribution and Service
Plan with respect to a Fund must be approved by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund involved. So long as the Distribution and Service
Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the members of the Board of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Northern Funds will be committed to the discretion of such disinterested
Trustees.
For the fiscal period ended March 31, 1998, the Money Market Fund, U.S.
Government Money Market Fund, Income Equity Fund, Growth Equity Fund, Select
Equity Fund, Small Cap Fund, International Select Equity Fund and Technology
Fund paid fees of $107, $40,296, $181, $145, $440, $368, $78 and $449,
respectively, under the Service Plan. No other Funds paid fees under either
Plan.
COUNSEL AND AUDITORS
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, with offices at 1345 Chestnut Street, Suite
1100, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, serve as counsel to Northern Funds.
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent accountants, 33 West Monroe Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60603-5385 serve as auditors for Northern Funds. The financial
statements dated March 31, 1998, incorporated by reference into this Additional
Statement have been incorporated in reliance on the report of Arthur Andersen
LLP given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
IN-KIND PURCHASES
Payment for shares of a Fund may, in the discretion of Northern Trust,
be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Fund
as described in the Prospectus. For further information about this form of
payment, contact the Transfer Agent. In connection with an in-kind securities
payment, a Fund will require, among other things, that the securities be valued
on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing methods used by the Fund
and that the Fund receive satisfactory assurances that it will have good and
marketable title to the securities received by it; that the securities be in
proper form for transfer to the Fund; and that adequate information be provided
concerning the basis and other tax matters relating to the securities.
-67-
<PAGE> 164
AUTOMATIC INVESTING PLAN
The Automatic Investing Plan permits an investor to use "Dollar Cost
Averaging" in making investments. Instead of trying to time market performance,
a fixed dollar amount is invested in shares at predetermined intervals. This may
help investors reduce their average cost per share because the agreed upon fixed
investment amount allows more shares to be purchased during periods of lower
share prices and fewer shares during periods of higher share prices. In order to
be effective, Dollar Cost Averaging should usually be followed on a sustained,
consistent basis. Investors should be aware, however, that shares bought using
Dollar Cost Averaging are purchased without regard to their price on the day of
investment or to market trends. Dollar Cost Averaging does not assure a profit
and does not protect against losses in a declining market. In addition, while
investors may find Dollar Cost Averaging to be beneficial, it will not prevent a
loss if an investor ultimately redeems shares at a price which is lower than
their purchase price. An investor may want to consider his or her financial
ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.
REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES
Exchange requests received on a Business Day prior to the time shares
of the Funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the date of
receipt. "Processing" a request means that shares in the Fund from which the
shareholder is withdrawing an investment will be redeemed at the net asset value
per share next determined on the date of receipt. Shares of the new Fund into
which the shareholder is investing will also normally be purchased at the net
asset value per share next determined coincident to or after the time of
redemption. Exchange requests received on a Business Day after the time shares
of the Funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the next
Business Day in the manner described above.
Northern Funds reserves the right to make payment for redemptions in
readily marketable securities. If this occurred, a shareholder would bear any
brokerage or other transaction costs incurred in converting the securities so
received to cash. Northern Funds also reserves the right to require a
shareholder to redeem involuntarily shares in a Fund if the balance held of
record by the shareholder drops below $1,000 and the shareholder does not
increase such balance to $1,000 or more upon 30 days' notice. Northern Funds
will not require a shareholder to redeem shares of a Fund if the balance held of
record by the shareholder is less than $1,000 solely because of a decline in the
net asset value of the Fund's shares or because the shareholder has made an
initial investment in a lower amount in accordance with the Automatic Investment
Plan. Northern Funds may also redeem shares involuntarily if the redemption is
appropriate to carry out Northern Funds' responsibilities under the 1940 Act
(see, e.g., "Amortized Cost Valuation").
Northern Funds may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse a Fund for
any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full
payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge
relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder which is
applicable to Fund shares as provided in the Funds' Prospectus from time to
time.
-68-
<PAGE> 165
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
From time to time Northern Funds may advertise quotations of "yields"
and "effective yields" with respect to each Money Market Fund, and
"tax-equivalent yields" with respect to shares of the Municipal Money Market
Fund and the California Municipal Money Market Fund, computed in accordance with
a standardized method based upon the seven-day period ended on the date of
calculation. In arriving at quotations as to "yield," Northern Funds first
determines the net change during the period in the value of a hypothetical
pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the
period (such net change being inclusive of the value of any additional shares
issued in connection with distributions of net investment income as well as net
investment income accrued on both the original share and any such additional
shares, but exclusive of realized gains and losses from the sale of securities
and unrealized appreciation and depreciation), then divides such net change by
the value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain the base
period return, and then multiplies the base period return by 365/7. Based on the
foregoing calculations, for the period ended March 31, 1998, the 7-day yields
for the Money Market Funds, after fee waivers, were as follows: Money Market
Fund, 5.16%; U.S. Government Money Market Fund, 5.15%; U.S. Government Select
Money Market Fund, 5.07%; Municipal Money Market Fund, 3.22%; and California
Municipal Money Market Fund, 3.14%. For the period ended March 31, 1998, the
7-day yields for the Money Market Funds, absent fee waivers, were as follows:
Money Market Fund, 5.11%; U.S. Government Money Market Fund, 5.03%; U.S.
Government Select Money Market Fund, 4.95%; Municipal Money Market Fund, 3.17%
and California Municipal Money Market Fund, 2.92%.
The "effective yield" with respect to the shares of a Money Market Fund
is computed by adding 1 to the base period return (calculated as above), raising
the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
Based on the foregoing calculations, for the period ended March 31, 1998, the
7-day effective yields for the Money Market Funds, after fee waivers, were as
follows: Money Market Fund, 5.29%; U.S. Government Money Market Fund, 5.28%;
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund, 5.19%; Municipal Money Market Fund,
3.27%; and California Municipal Money Market Fund, 3.19%.
"Tax-equivalent yield" is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion
of the yield by 1 minus a stated income tax rate and then adding the product to
the taxable portion of the yield, if any. There may be more than one
tax-equivalent yield if more than one stated income tax rate is used. For the
period ended March 31, 1998, and using a federal income tax rate of 31%, the
7-day tax-equivalent yields, after fee waivers, were 4.67% and 4.55% for the
Municipal Money Market and California Municipal Money Market Funds,
respectively.
A Money Market Fund may also quote, from time to time, total return
information using the formula described in the following section.
-69-
<PAGE> 166
NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS
A Non-Money Market Fund calculates its "average annual total return" by
determining the average annual compounded rate of return during specified
periods that equates the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value
of such investment according to the following formula:
ERV 1/n
T = [(---------)-1]
P
Where: T = average annual total return;
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical
$1,000 payment made at the beginning of the
1, 5 or 10 year (or other) periods at the
end of the applicable period (or a fractional
portion thereof);
P = hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; and
n = period covered by the computation, expressed
in years.
Based on the foregoing calculations, the average annual total returns
for the Non-Money Market Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 and for
the period from the respective dates they commenced operations to March 31,
1998, were as follows: U.S. Government Fund, 8.90% and 5.98%; Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund, 6.95% and 5.36%; Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, 8.51%
and 6.84%; Fixed Income Fund, 11.90% and 7.89%; Tax-Exempt Fund, 10.39% and
7.04%; International Fixed Income Fund, 4.61% and 6.07%; Income Equity Fund,
31.00% and 16.53%; Stock Index Fund, 47.11% and 36.92%; Growth Equity Fund,
48.06% and 21.98%; Select Equity Fund, 49.71% and 23.94%; Small Cap Fund, 42.71%
and 18.95%; International Growth Equity Fund, 21.34% and 7.11%; International
Select Equity Fund, 23.74% and 7.01%; and Technology Fund, 52.62% and 35.79%.
The Mid Cap Growth Fund, Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, California
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and Small Cap Index Fund
had not commenced operations during these periods. The California Tax-Exempt
Fund commenced operations on April 8, 1997. During these periods, Northern Trust
and Sunstone waived a portion of their fees.
A Non-Money Market Fund calculates its "aggregate total return" by
determining the aggregate compounded rates of return during specified periods
that likewise equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value
of such investment. The formula for calculating aggregate total return is as
follows:
ERV
Aggregate Total Return = [(-----) - 1]
P
-70-
<PAGE> 167
The calculations are made assuming that (a) all dividends and capital
gain distributions are reinvested on the reinvestment dates at the price per
share existing on the reinvestment date, and (b) all recurring fees charged to
all shareholder accounts are included. The ending redeemable value (variable
"ERV" in the formula) is determined by assuming complete redemption of the
hypothetical investment after deduction of all nonrecurring charges at the end
of the measuring period. Based on the foregoing calculations, the aggregate
total return for the Non-Money Market Funds for the periods from the respective
dates they commenced operations to March 31, 1998, were as follows: U.S.
Government Fund, 26.16%; Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, 23.26%; Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, 11.37%; Fixed Income Fund, 35.53%; Tax-Exempt
Fund, 31.32%; California Tax-Exempt Fund, 11.86%; International Fixed Income
Fund, 26.59%; Income Equity Fund, 84.46%; Stock Index Fund, 59.18%; Growth
Equity Fund, 121.53%; Select Equity Fund, 135.42%; Small Cap Fund, 100.31%;
International Growth Equity Fund, 31.65%; International Select Equity Fund,
31.08%; and the Technology Fund, 84.39%. The Mid Cap Growth Fund,
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund, Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund and Small Cap Index Fund had not commenced
operations during these periods. During these periods, Northern Trust and
Sunstone waived a portion of their fees.
A Non-Money Market Fund calculates its 30-day (or one month) standard
yield in accordance with the method prescribed by the SEC for mutual funds:
a - b
Yield = 2 [(------- +1)(6) - 1]
cd
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period;
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements);
c = average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period entitled to receive dividends;
and
d = net asset value per share on the last day of the
period.
Based on the foregoing calculations, for the 30-day period ended March
31, 1998, the yields for the U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed Income, Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt and
International Fixed Income Funds, after fee waivers, were 5.22%, 3.21%, 3.71%,
5.25%, 3.98%, 3.59% and 3.60%, respectively. Also for the 30-day period ended
March 31, 1998, the yields for the U.S. Government, Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Fixed Income, Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt
and International Fixed Income Funds, absent fee waivers, were 5.12%, 3.11%,
3.31%, 5.13%, 3.87%, 3.08% and 3.02%, respectively.
A Non-Money Market Fund's "tax-equivalent" yield is computed by: (a)
dividing the portion of the Fund's yield (calculated as above) that is exempt
from federal income tax by one minus a stated federal income tax rate; and (b)
adding the quotient to that portion, if any, of the Fund's yield that is not
exempt from federal income tax. For the 30-day period ended March 31, 1998, and
using a federal income tax rate of 31%, the 30-day tax-equivalent yields, after
fee
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waivers, were 4.65%, 5.38%, 5.77% and 5.20% for the Intermediate Tax-Exempt,
Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Tax-Exempt and California Tax-Exempt Funds,
respectively.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The performance information set forth above includes the reinvestment
of dividends and distributions. Certain performance information set forth above
reflects fee waivers in effect; in the absence of fee waivers, these performance
figures would be reduced. Any fees imposed by Northern Trust, NTQA or other
Service Organizations on their customers in connection with investments in the
Funds are not reflected in Northern Funds' calculations of performance for the
Funds.
Each Fund's performance will fluctuate, unlike bank deposits or other
investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Past
performance is not necessarily indicative of future return. Actual performance
will depend on such variables as portfolio quality, average portfolio maturity,
the type of portfolio instruments acquired, changes in interest rates, portfolio
expenses and other factors. Performance is one basis investors may use to
analyze a Fund as compared to other funds and other investment vehicles.
However, performance of other funds and other investment vehicles may not be
comparable because of the foregoing variables, and differences in the methods
used in valuing their portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and
determining performance.
From time to time, a Fund's performance may also be compared to other
mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications and periodicals. For
example, a Fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its advertising materials.
Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating service that rates mutual funds on the
basis of risk-adjusted performance. Rankings that compare the performance of the
Funds to one another in appropriate categories over specific periods of time may
also be quoted in advertising.
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois ("Ibbotson") provides
historical returns of the capital markets in the United States, including common
stocks, small capitalization stocks, long-term corporate bonds,
intermediate-term government bonds, long-term government bonds, Treasury bills,
the U.S. rate of inflation (based on the Consumer Price Index), and combinations
of various capital markets. The performance of these capital markets is based on
the returns of different indices. The Funds may use the performance of these
capital markets in order to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment
scenarios. Performance comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical
investment in any of these capital markets. The risks associated with the
security types in any capital market may or may not correspond directly to those
of the Funds. The Funds may also compare performance to that of other
compilations or indices that may be developed and made available in the future.
The Funds may also from time to time include discussions or
illustrations of the effects of compounding in advertisements. "Compounding"
refers to the fact that, if dividends or other distributions on a Fund
investment are reinvested by being paid in additional Fund shares, any future
income or capital appreciation of a Fund would increase the value, not only of
the original investment in the Fund, but also of the additional Fund shares
received through reinvestment.
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The Funds may include discussions or illustrations of the potential
investment goals of a prospective investor (including materials that describe
general principles of investing, such as asset allocation, diversification, risk
tolerance, and goal setting, questionnaires designed to help create a personal
financial profile, worksheets used to project savings needs based on assumed
rates of inflation and hypothetical rates of return and action plans offering
investment alternatives), investment management techniques, policies or
investment suitability of a Fund (such as value investing, market timing, dollar
cost averaging, asset allocation, constant ratio transfer, automatic account
rebalancing, the advantages and disadvantages of investing in tax-deferred and
taxable investments), economic and political conditions, the relationship
between sectors of the economy and the economy as a whole, the effects of
inflation and historical performance of various asset classes, including but not
limited to, stocks, bonds and Treasury bills. From time to time advertisements,
sales literature, communications to shareholders or other materials may
summarize the substance of information contained in shareholder reports
(including the investment composition of a Fund), as well as the views of
Northern Trust and NTQA as to current market, economic, trade and interest rate
trends, legislative, regulatory and monetary developments, investment strategies
and related matters believed to be of relevance to a Fund. In addition, selected
indices may be used to illustrate historic performance of selected asset
classes. The Funds may also include in advertisements, sales literature,
communications to shareholders or other materials, charts, graphs or drawings
which illustrate the potential risks and rewards of investment in various
investment vehicles, including but not limited to, stocks, bonds, treasury bills
and shares of a Fund. In addition, advertisements, sales literature,
communications to shareholders or other materials may include a discussion of
certain attributes or benefits to be derived by an investment in a Fund and/or
other mutual funds, shareholder profiles and hypothetical investor scenarios,
timely information on financial management, tax and retirement planning and
investment alternative to certificates of deposit and other financial
instruments. Such sales literature, communications to shareholders or other
materials may include symbols, headlines or other material which highlight or
summarize the information discussed in more detail therein.
Materials may include lists of representative clients of Northern Trust
and NTQA. Materials may refer to the CUSIP numbers of the Funds and may
illustrate how to find the listings of the Funds in newspapers and periodicals.
Materials may also include discussions of other Funds, products, and services.
The Funds may quote various measures of volatility and benchmark
correlation in advertising. In addition, the Funds may compare these measures to
those of other funds. Measures of volatility seek to compare the historical
share price fluctuations or total returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of
benchmark correlation indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may be.
Measures of volatility and correlation may be calculated using averages of
historical data.
The Fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment
plans, including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an
investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a Fund at periodic intervals, thereby
purchasing fewer shares when prices are high and more shares when prices are
low. While such a strategy does not assure a profit or guard against loss in a
declining market, the investor's average cost per share can be lower than if
fixed numbers of shares
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are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such a plan, investors should
consider their ability to continue purchasing shares during periods of low price
levels.
A Fund may advertise its current interest rate sensitivity, duration,
weighted average maturity or similar maturity characteristics.
Advertisements and sales materials relating to a Fund may include
information regarding the background and experience of its portfolio managers.
AMORTIZED COST VALUATION
As stated in the Prospectus, each Money Market Fund seeks to maintain a
net asset value of $1.00 per share and, in this connection, values its
instruments on the basis of amortized cost pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940
Act. This method values a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter assumes a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price a Fund would receive if the Fund sold the
instrument. During such periods the yield to investors in the Fund may differ
somewhat from that obtained in a similar entity which uses available indications
as to market value to value its portfolio instruments. For example, if the use
of amortized cost resulted in a lower (higher) aggregate Fund value on a
particular day, a prospective investor in the Fund would be able to obtain a
somewhat higher (lower) yield and ownership interest than would result from
investment in such similar entity and existing investors would receive less
(more) investment income and ownership interest. However, Northern Funds expects
that the procedures and limitations referred to in the following paragraphs of
this section will tend to minimize the differences referred to above.
Under Rule 2a-7, Northern Funds' Board of Trustees, in supervising the
Funds' operations and delegating special responsibilities involving portfolio
management to Northern Trust, has established procedures that are intended,
taking into account current market conditions and the Funds' investment
objectives, to stabilize the net asset value of each Money Market Fund, as
computed for the purposes of purchases and redemptions, at $1.00 per share. The
Trustees' procedures include periodic monitoring of the difference (the "Market
Value Difference") between the amortized cost value per share and the net asset
value per share based upon available indications of market value. Available
indications of market value consist of actual market quotations or appropriate
substitutes which reflect current market conditions and include (a) quotations
or estimates of market value for individual portfolio instruments and/or (b)
values for individual portfolio instruments derived from market quotations
relating to varying maturities of a class of money market instruments. In the
event the Market Value Difference exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Trustees' procedures
provide that the Trustees will take such steps as they consider appropriate
(e.g., selling portfolio instruments to shorten average portfolio maturity or to
realize capital gains or losses, reducing or suspending shareholder income
accruals, redeeming shares in kind, or utilizing a net asset value per share
based upon available indications of market value which under such circumstances
would vary from $1.00) to eliminate or reduce to the extent reasonably
practicable any material dilution or other unfair results to investors or
existing shareholders which might arise
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from Market Value Differences. In particular, if losses were sustained by a
Fund, the number of outstanding shares might be reduced in order to maintain a
net asset value per share of $1.00. Such reduction would be effected by having
each shareholder proportionately contribute to the Fund's capital the necessary
shares to restore such net asset value per share. Each shareholder will be
deemed to have agreed to such contribution in these circumstances by investing
in the Fund.
Rule 2a-7 requires that each Money Market Fund limit its investments to
instruments which Northern Trust determines to present minimal credit risks and
which are "Eligible Securities" as defined by the SEC and described in the
Prospectus. The Rule also requires that each Money Market Fund maintain a
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity (not more than 90 days) appropriate
to its policy of maintaining a stable net asset value per share and precludes
the purchase of any instrument deemed under the Rule to have a remaining
maturity of more than 397 days. Should the disposition of a portfolio security
result in a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of more than 90 days, the
Rule requires a Money Market Fund to invest its available cash in such a manner
as to reduce such maturity to the prescribed limit as soon as reasonably
practicable.
TAXES
The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations
generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not described in
the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax
treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the discussions here and in
the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to
their own tax situations.
The discussions of federal and state tax consequences in the Prospectus
and this Additional Statement are based on the Code and the laws and regulations
issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Additional Statement. Future
legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly
change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may
have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
FEDERAL - GENERAL INFORMATION
Each Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under
Part I of Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company, each Fund is
generally exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and
realized capital gains which it distributes to shareholders, provided that it
distributes an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its tax-exempt income
and 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the
excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss), if any,
for the year (the "Distribution Requirement") and satisfies certain other
requirements of the Code that are described below.
In addition to satisfaction of the Distribution Requirement, each Fund
must derive with respect to a taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans and gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or
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foreign currencies, or from other income derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock, securities, or currencies (the "Income Requirement").
In addition to the foregoing requirements, at the close of each quarter
of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of each Fund's assets must
consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other
regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which a
Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of such issuer and as to which a Fund does not hold more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the
value of each Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any one
issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated
investment companies), or in two or more issuers which such Fund controls and
which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses.
Each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders any excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss ("net capital gain") for
each taxable year. Such gain is distributed as a capital gain dividend and is
taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of
time the shareholder has held the shares, whether such gain was recognized by
the Fund prior to the date on which a shareholder acquired shares of the Fund
and whether the distribution was paid in cash or reinvested in shares. In
addition, investors should be aware that any loss realized upon the sale,
exchange or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as
a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that have
been paid with respect to such shares.
In the case of corporate shareholders, distributions of a Fund for any
taxable year generally qualify for the dividends received deduction to the
extent of the gross amount of "qualifying dividends" from domestic corporations
received by the Fund for the year. A dividend usually will be treated as a
"qualifying dividend" if it has been received from a domestic corporation. A
portion of the dividends paid by the Income Equity Fund, Stock Index Fund,
Growth Equity Fund, Select Equity Fund, Mid Cap Growth, Small Cap Index Fund,
Small Cap Fund and Technology Fund, may constitute "qualifying dividends." The
other Funds, however, are not expected to pay qualifying dividends.
If for any taxable year any Fund does not qualify as a regulated
investment company, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular
corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In such
event, all distributions (whether or not derived from exempt-interest income)
would be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of such Fund's current and
accumulated earnings and profits and would be eligible for the dividends
received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
The Code imposes a non-deductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment
companies that fail to currently distribute an amount equal to specified
percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess
of capital gains over capital losses). Each Fund intends to make sufficient
distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital
gain net income each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.
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Although each Fund expects to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes,
depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which
its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are
located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, each Fund
may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.
FEDERAL - TAX-EXEMPT INFORMATION
As described in the Prospectus, the Municipal Money Market, California
Municipal Money Market, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate
Tax-Exempt, Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt, California
Tax-Exempt and High Yield Municipal Funds are designed to provide investors with
federally tax-exempt interest income. The Funds are not intended to constitute a
balanced investment program and are not designed for investors seeking capital
appreciation or maximum tax-exempt income irrespective of fluctuations in
principal. Shares of the Funds would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions
or for retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Code, H.R. 10 plans
and individual retirement accounts because such plans and accounts are generally
tax-exempt and, therefore, would not gain any additional benefit from the Funds'
dividends being tax-exempt. In addition, the Funds may not be an appropriate
investment for persons or entities that are "substantial users" of facilities
financed by private activity bonds or "related persons" thereof. "Substantial
user" is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to include a non-exempt person
which regularly uses a part of such facilities in its trade or business and
whose gross revenues derived with respect to the facilities financed by the
issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total revenues derived by all users of
such facilities, which occupies more than 5% of the usable area of such
facilities or for which such facilities or a part thereof were specifically
constructed, reconstructed or acquired. "Related persons" include certain
related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a partnership and its partners
and an S corporation and its shareholders.
In order for the Municipal Money Market, California Municipal Money
Market, Intermediate Tax-Exempt, California Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Florida
Intermediate Tax-Exempt, Tax-Exempt, Arizona Tax-Exempt, California Tax-Exempt
or High Yield Municipal Funds to pay federal exempt-interest dividends with
respect to any taxable year, at the close of each taxable quarter at least 50%
of the aggregate value of the Fund must consist of tax-exempt obligations. An
exempt-interest dividend is any dividend or part thereof (other than a capital
gain dividend) paid by a Fund and designated as an exempt-interest dividend in a
written notice mailed to shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of
the Fund's taxable year. However, the aggregate amount of dividends so
designated by a Fund cannot exceed the excess of the amount of interest exempt
from tax under Section 103 of the Code received by the Fund during the taxable
year over any amounts disallowed as deductions under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2)
of the Code. The percentage of total dividends paid by a Fund with respect to
any taxable year which qualifies as federal exempt-interest dividends will be
the same for all shareholders receiving dividends from the Fund with respect to
such year.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry
shares of a tax exempt Fund generally is not deductible for federal income tax
purposes to the extent attributable to exempt-interest-dividends. If a
shareholder holds Fund shares for six months or less, any loss on
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the sale or exchange of those shares will be disallowed to the extent of the
amount of exempt-interest dividends earned with respect to the shares. The
Treasury Department, however, is authorized to issue regulations reducing the
six-month holding requirement to a period of not less than the greater of 31
days or the period between regular distributions for investment companies that
regularly distribute at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest. No such
regulations had been issued as of the date of this Additional Statement.
Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal income tax
consequences of distributions made by the Funds.
TAXATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Special rules govern the federal income tax treatment of financial
instruments that may be held by the Funds. These rules may have a particular
impact on the amount of income or gain that the Funds must distribute to their
respective shareholders to comply with the Distribution Requirement or on the
income or gain qualifying under the Income Requirement.
Generally, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and certain
foreign currency contracts held by a Fund (collectively, the "Instruments") at
the close of its taxable year are treated for federal income tax purposes as
sold for their fair market value on the last business day of such year, a
process known as "mark-to-market." Forty percent of any gain or loss resulting
from such constructive sales is treated as short-term capital gain or loss and
60% of such gain or loss is treated as long-term capital gain or loss without
regard to the period the Fund holds the Instruments ("the 40-60 rule"). The
amount of any capital gain or loss actually realized by the Fund in a subsequent
sale or other disposition of those Instruments is adjusted to reflect any
capital gain or loss taken into account by the Fund in a prior year as a result
of the constructive sale of the Instruments. Losses with respect to Instruments
that are regarded as parts of a "mixed straddle" because their values fluctuate
inversely to the values of specific securities held by the Fund are subject to
certain loss deferral rules which limit the amount of loss currently deductible
on either part of the straddle to the amount thereof which exceeds the
unrecognized gain (if any) with respect to the other part of the straddle, and
to certain wash sales regulations. With respect to certain Instruments,
deductions for interest and carrying charges may not be allowed. Notwithstanding
the rules described above, with respect to Instruments that are part of a "mixed
straddle" and are properly identified as such, a Fund may make an election which
will exempt (in whole or in part) those identified Instruments from the rules of
Section 1256 of the Code including "the 40-60 rule" and the mark-to-market rule
on gains and losses being treated for federal income tax purposes as sold on the
last business day of the Fund's taxable year, but gains and losses will be
subject to such wash sales and loss deferral rules and the requirement to
capitalize interest and carrying charges. Under Temporary Regulations, a Fund
would be allowed (in lieu of the foregoing) to elect either (a) to offset gains
or losses from portions which are part of a mixed straddle by separately
identifying each mixed straddle to which such treatment applies, or (b) to
establish a mixed straddle account for which gains and losses would be
recognized and offset on a periodic basis during the taxable year. Under either
election, "the 40-60 rule" will apply to the net gain or loss attributable to
the Instruments, but in the case of a mixed straddle account election, not more
than 50% of any net gain may be treated as long-term and no more than 40% of any
net loss may be treated as short-term. Options on futures contracts generally
receive federal tax treatment similar to that described above.
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With respect to futures contracts and other financial instruments
subject to the mark-to-market rules, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled in
private letter rulings that a gain realized from such a futures contact or
financial instrument will be treated as being derived from a security held for
three months or more (regardless of the actual period for which the contract or
instrument is held) if the gain arises as a result of a constructive sale under
the mark-to-market rules, and will be treated as being derived from a security
held for less than three months only if the contract or instrument is terminated
(or transferred) during the taxable year (other than by reason of
mark-to-market) and less than three months have elapsed between the date the
contract or instrument is acquired and the termination date.
Certain foreign currency contracts entered into by a Fund may be
subject to the mark-to-market process, but gain or loss will be treated as 100%
ordinary income or loss. A foreign currency contract must meet the following
conditions in order to be subject to the mark-to-market rules described above:
(1) the contract must require delivery of, or settlement by reference to the
value of, a foreign currency of a type in which regulated futures contracts are
traded; (2) the contract must be entered into at arm's length at a price
determined by reference to the price in the interbank market; and (3) the
contract must be traded in the interbank market. The Treasury Department has
broad authority to issue regulations under the provisions respecting foreign
currency contracts. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Treasury
Department has not issued any such regulations. Other foreign currency contracts
entered into by a Fund may result in the creation of one or more straddles for
federal income tax purposes, in which case certain loss deferral, short sales,
and wash sales rules and the requirement to capitalize interest and carrying
charges may apply.
Some of the non-U.S. dollar denominated investments that certain Funds
may make, such as foreign debt securities and foreign currency contracts, may be
subject to the provisions of Subpart J of the Code, which govern the federal
income tax treatment of certain transactions denominated in terms of a currency
other than the U.S. dollar or determined by reference to the value of one or
more currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The types of transactions covered by
these provisions include the following: (1) the acquisition of, or becoming the
obligor under, a bond or other debt instrument (including, to the extent
provided in Treasury regulations, preferred stock); (2) the accruing of certain
trade receivables and payables; and (3) the entering into or acquisition of any
forward contract, futures contract, option and similar financial instrument. The
disposition of a currency other than the U.S. dollar by a U.S. taxpayer also is
treated as a transaction subject to the special currency rules. However,
regulated futures contracts and nonequity options are generally not subject to
the special currency rules if they are or would be treated as sold for their
fair market value at year-end under the marking-to-market rules, unless an
election is made to have such currency rules apply. With respect to transactions
covered by the special rules, foreign currency gain or loss is calculated
separately from any gain or loss on the underlying transaction and is normally
taxable as ordinary gain or loss. A taxpayer may elect to treat as capital gain
or loss foreign currency gain or loss arising from certain identified forward
contracts, futures contracts and options that are capital assets in the hands of
the taxpayer and which are not part of a straddle. In accordance with Treasury
regulations, certain transactions that are part of a "Section 988 hedging
transaction" (as defined in the Code and Treasury regulations) may be integrated
and treated as a single transaction or otherwise treated consistently for
purposes of the Code. "Section 988 hedging
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transactions" are not subject to the marking-to-market or loss deferral rules
under the Code. Gain or loss attributable to the foreign currency component of
transactions engaged in by the Fund which are not subject to the special
currency rules (such as foreign equity investments other than certain preferred
stocks) is treated as capital gain or loss and is not segregated from the gain
or loss on the underlying transaction.
Certain of the Funds may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a
portion of any "excess distribution" from or a gain from the disposition of
shares of a passive foreign investment company.
If a Fund invests in certain "passive foreign investment companies"
("PFICs"), it would be subject to federal income tax (and possibly additional
interest charges) on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the
disposition of such investments even if it distributes the income to its
shareholders. If a Fund elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund"
("QEF") and the PFIC furnishes certain financial information in the required
form, the Fund instead would be required to include in income each year its
allocable share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the QEF,
whether or not received, and such amounts would be subject to the various
distribution requirements described above. In addition, a Fund could, as an
alternative, elect to mark-to-market and recognize ordinary income each year
with respect to any appreciation in a PFIC investment.
SPECIAL STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS PERTAINING TO THE CALIFORNIA FUNDS
Assuming each of the California Funds qualifies as a regulated
investment company, it will be relieved of liability for California state
franchise and corporate income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to
its shareholders. Each of the California Funds may be taxed on its undistributed
taxable income. If for any year one of the California Funds does not qualify as
a regulated investment company, all of that Fund's taxable income (including
interest income on California Municipal Instruments for franchise tax purposes
only) may be subject to California state franchise or income tax at regular
corporate rates.
If, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of
the value of the total assets of a regulated investment company, or series
thereof, consists of (i) obligations the interest on which, if held by an
individual, is exempt from taxation by California ("California Municipal
Instruments") and (ii) certain U.S. Government and U.S. possession obligations
("Federal Obligations"), then a regulated investment company, or series thereof,
will be qualified to pay dividends exempt from California state personal income
tax to its non-corporate shareholders (hereinafter referred to as "California
exempt-interest dividends"). "Series" of a regulated investment company is
defined as a segregated portfolio of assets, the beneficial interest in which is
defined as a series of stock of the company. Each of the California Funds
intends to qualify under the above requirements so that it can pay California
exempt-interest dividends. If one of the California Funds fails to so qualify,
no part of that Fund's dividends to shareholders will be exempt from the
California state personal income tax. Each of the California Funds may reject
purchase orders for shares if it appears desirable to avoid failing to so
qualify.
Within 60 days after the close of its taxable year, each of the
California Funds will notify each shareholder of the portion of the dividends
paid by the Fund to the shareholder with respect to such taxable year which is
exempt from California state personal income tax. The total amount of
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California exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund with respect to any
taxable year cannot exceed the excess of the amount of interest received by the
Fund for such year on California Municipal Instruments and Federal Obligations
over any amounts that, if the Fund were treated as an individual, would be
considered expenses related to tax-exempt income or amortizable bond premium and
would thus not be deductible under federal income or California state personal
income tax law. The percentage of total dividends paid by the Fund with respect
to any taxable year which qualifies as California exempt-interest dividends will
be the same for all shareholders receiving dividends from the Fund with respect
to such year.
In cases where shareholders are "substantial users" or "related
persons" with respect to California Municipal Instruments held by one of the
California Funds, such shareholders should consult their tax advisers to
determine whether California exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund with
respect to such obligations retain California state personal income tax
exclusion. In this connection, rules similar to those regarding the possible
unavailability of federal exempt-interest dividend treatment to "substantial
users" are applicable for California state tax purposes. See "Federal -
Tax-Exempt Information" above.
To the extent any dividends paid to shareholders are derived from the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, such
dividends will not constitute California exempt-interest dividends and will
generally be taxed as long-term capital gains under rules similar to those
regarding the treatment of capital gain dividends for federal income tax
purposes. See "Federal - General Information" above. Moreover, interest on
indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of one of the
California Funds is not deductible for California state personal income tax
purposes if that Fund distributes California exempt-interest dividends during
the shareholder's taxable year.
California may tax income derived from repurchase agreements involving
federal obligations because such income represents a premium paid at the time
the government obligations are repurchased rather than interest paid by the
issuer of the obligations.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important California
state personal income tax considerations generally affecting the California
Funds and their shareholders. No attempt is made to present a detailed
explanation of the California state personal income tax treatment of the
California Funds or their shareholders, and this discussion is not intended as a
substitute for careful planning. Further, it should be noted that the portion of
a Fund's dividends constituting California exempt-interest dividends is
excludable from income for California state personal income tax purposes only.
Any dividends paid to shareholders subject to California state franchise tax or
California state corporate income tax may therefore be taxed as ordinary
dividends to such purchasers notwithstanding that all or a portion of such
dividends is exempt from California state personal income tax. Accordingly,
potential investors in one of the California Funds, including, in particular,
corporate investors which may be subject to either California franchise tax or
California corporate income tax, should consult their tax advisers with respect
to the application of such taxes to the receipt of Fund dividends and as to
their own California state tax situation, in general.
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SPECIAL STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS PERTAINING TO THE FLORIDA INTERMEDIATE
TAX-EXEMPT FUND
The State of Florida does not currently impose an income tax on
individuals. Thus, individual shareholders of the Florida Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund will not be subject to any Florida income tax on distributions
received from the Fund. However, Florida does currently impose an income tax on
certain corporations. Consequently, distributions may be taxable to corporate
shareholders.
The State of Florida currently imposes an "intangibles tax" at the
annual rate of 2 mills or 0.20% on certain securities and other intangible
assets owned by Florida residents. With respect to the first mill, or first
.10%, of the intangibles tax, every natural person is entitled each year to an
exemption of the first $20,000 of the value of the property subject to the tax.
A husband and wife filing jointly will have an exemption of $40,000. With
respect to the last 1 mill, or last .10%, of the intangibles tax, every natural
person is entitled each year to an exemption of the first $100,000 of the value
of the property subject to the tax. A husband and wife filing jointly will have
an exemption of $200,000. Notes, bonds and other obligations issued by the State
of Florida or its municipalities, counties, and other taxing districts, or by
the United States Government, its agencies and certain U.S. territories and
possessions (such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) as well as cash
are exempt from this intangibles tax. If on December 31 of any year the
portfolio of the Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund consists solely of such
exempt assets, then the Fund's shares will be exempt from the Florida
intangibles tax payable in the following year.
In order to take advantage of the exemption from the intangibles tax in
any year, the Fund must sell any non-exempt assets held in its portfolio during
the year and reinvest the proceeds in exempt assets including cash prior to
December 31. Transaction costs involved in restructuring the portfolio in this
fashion would likely reduce the Fund's investment return and might exceed any
increased investment return the Fund achieved by investing in non-exempt assets
during the year.
Outside the State of Florida, income distributions may be taxable to
shareholders under state or local law as dividend income even though all or a
portion of such distributions may be derived from interest on tax-exempt
obligations or U.S. Government obligations which, if realized directly, would be
exempt from such income taxes. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax
advisers concerning the application of state and local taxes.
SPECIAL STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS PERTAINING TO THE ARIZONA TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Individuals, trusts and estates who are subject to Arizona income tax
will not be subject to such tax on dividends paid by the Arizona Tax-Exempt
Fund, to the extent that such dividends qualify as exempt-interest dividends of
a regulated investment company under Section 852(b)(5) of the Code and are
attributable to either (i) obligations of the State of Arizona or its political
subdivisions thereof or (ii) obligations issued by the governments of Guam,
Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. In addition, dividends paid by the Arizona
Tax-Exempt Fund which are attributable to interest payments on direct
obligations of the United States government will not be subject to Arizona
income tax to the extent the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund qualifies as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Other distributions from the
Arizona Tax-Exempt
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Fund, however, such as distributions of short-term or long-term capital gains,
will generally not be exempt from Arizona income tax.
There are no municipal income taxes in Arizona. Moreover, because
shares of the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund are intangibles, they are not subject to
Arizona property tax. Shareholders of the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund should consult
their tax advisors about other state and local tax consequences of their
investment in the Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust Agreement permits Northern Funds' Board of Trustees to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of one
or more separate series representing interests in different investment
portfolios. Northern Funds may hereafter create series in addition to Northern
Funds' existing series, which represent interests in twenty-seven portfolios,
each of which is discussed in this Additional Statement. Under the terms of the
Trust Agreement, each share of each Fund has a par value of $.0001, represents a
proportionate interest in the particular Fund with each other share of its class
and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging
to the Fund as are declared by the Trustees. Upon any liquidation of a Fund,
shareholders of each class of a Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net
assets belonging to that class available for distribution. Shares do not have
any preemptive or conversion rights. The right of redemption is described under
"Redeeming and Exchanging Shares" in the Prospectus. Pursuant to the terms of
the 1940 Act, the right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of
payment by a Fund may be suspended for more than seven days (a) for any period
during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary
weekends or holidays, or trading in the markets the Fund normally utilizes is
closed or is restricted as determined by the SEC, (b) during any emergency, as
determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for
the Fund to dispose of instruments owned by it or fairly to determine the value
of its net assets, or (c) for such other period as the SEC may by order permit
for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund. Northern Funds may also
suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the
occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions. In addition, Northern Funds
reserves the right to adopt, by action of the Trustees, a policy pursuant to
which it may, without shareholder approval, redeem upon not less than 30 days'
notice all of a Fund's shares if such shares have an aggregate value below a
designated amount and if the Trustees determine that it is not practical,
efficient or advisable to continue the operation of such Fund and that any
applicable requirements of the 1940 Act have been met. Shares when issued as
described in the Prospectus are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable,
except as stated below.
The proceeds received by each Fund for each issue or sale of its
shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds
thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated
to and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of
each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with
the liabilities in respect to that Fund and with a share of the general
liabilities of Northern Funds. Expenses with respect to the portfolios of
Northern Funds are normally allocated in proportion to the net asset value of
the respective portfolios except where allocations of direct expenses can
otherwise be fairly made.
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Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required by the
provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to be
submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment
company such as Northern Funds shall not be deemed to have been effectively
acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of each investment portfolio affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further
provides that an investment portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter
unless the interests of each investment portfolio in the matter are
substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of the
investment portfolio. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment advisory
agreement, a distribution plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or any
change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with
respect to an investment portfolio only if approved by a majority of the
outstanding shares of such investment portfolio. However, the Rule also provides
that the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants, the
approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of Trustees are
exempt from the separate voting requirements stated above.
The term "majority of the outstanding shares" of either Northern Funds
or a particular Fund or investment portfolio means, with respect to the approval
of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a
fundamental investment policy, the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the
shares of Northern Funds or such Fund or portfolio present at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Northern Funds or such
Fund or portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of Northern Funds or such Fund or portfolio.
As of September 4, 1998, Northern and its affiliates held of record
substantially all of the outstanding shares of the Non-Money Market Funds as
agent, custodian, trustee or investment adviser on behalf of their customers. At
such date, The Northern Trust Company, 50 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois
60675, and its affiliate banks held as beneficial owner five percent or more of
the outstanding shares of the Non-Money Market Funds because they possessed sole
or shared voting or investment power with respect to such shares. As of
September 4, 1998, the names and share ownership of the entities or individuals
which held of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
any Fund were as follows: Money Market Fund: Northern Trust Bank - Miami on
behalf of its customers, 19.23%, Short Term Investment Fund, 25.31%, Northern
Trust Bank - M&I Sweep Account, 6.37%; U.S. Government Money Market Fund: Sahara
Enterprises, Inc. Fixed Income Portfolio, 9.43%, Northern Trust Bank - M&I Sweep
Account, 10.97%; Municipal Money Market Fund: Northern Trust Bank - Miami on
behalf of its customers, 27.08%; U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund:
Mousetrap Limited Partnership, 7.97% and Northern Trust Bank - Miami on behalf
of its customers, 19.73%; Florida Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund: Abraham General
Partnership, 8.10%, Richard Coren, 5.26% and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette,
5.87%; California Municipal Money Market Fund: Northern Trust Bank - M&I Sweep
Account, 10.63%; Stock Index Fund: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, 6.08%; Select
Equity Fund: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, 10.59%; International Select Equity
Fund: James L. Knight, 6.38%. The address of all of the above persons is c/o The
Northern Trust Bank, 50 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675.
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As a general matter, Northern Funds does not hold annual or other
meetings of shareholders. This is because the Trust Agreement provides for
shareholder voting only for the election or removal of one or more Trustees, if
a meeting is called for that purpose, and for certain other designated matters.
Each Trustee serves until the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for
the purpose of considering the election or reelection of such Trustee or of a
successor to such Trustee, and until the election and qualification of his
successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or until such Trustee sooner dies,
resigns, retires or is removed by the shareholders or two-thirds of the
Trustees. In addition, the Trustees have adopted a by-law (changeable without
shareholder approval) that provides that a Trustee will cease to serve as a
Trustee effective as of the last calendar day in the semi-annual fiscal period
of Northern Funds in which the earlier of the following events occurs: (a) the
date such Trustee attains the age of seventy-three years; and (b) the twelfth
anniversary of the date of such Trustee's written acceptance to serve as a
Trustee.
Under Massachusetts law, there is a possibility that shareholders of a
business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as
partners for the obligations of the trust. The Trust Agreement contains an
express disclaimer of shareholder (as well as Trustee and officer) liability for
acts or obligations of Northern Funds and requires that notice of such
disclaimer be given in each contract, undertaking or instrument entered into or
executed by Northern Funds or the Trustees. The Trust Agreement provides for
indemnification out of Trust property of any shareholder charged or held
personally liable for the obligations or liabilities of Northern Funds solely by
reason of being or having been a shareholder of Northern Funds and not because
of such shareholder's acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Trust
Agreement also provides that Northern Funds shall, upon proper and timely
request, assume the defense of any charge made against any shareholder as such
for any obligation or liability of Northern Funds and satisfy any judgment
thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which Northern Funds itself
would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Trust Agreement provides that each Trustee of Northern Funds will
be liable for his own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of
Trustee ("disabling conduct"), and for nothing else, and will not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trust Agreement provides
further that Northern Funds will indemnify Trustees and officers of Northern
Funds against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation
and other proceedings in which they may be involved (or with which they may be
threatened) by reason of their positions with Northern Funds, except that no
Trustee or officer will be indemnified against any liability to Northern Funds
or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of
disabling conduct.
The Trust Agreement provides that each shareholder, by virtue of
becoming such, will be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms
of the Trust Agreement and to have become a party thereto.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements and related report of the Trust's
independent auditors, contained in the annual report to shareholders for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 (the "Annual Report") are hereby incorporated
herein by reference. No other part of the Annual Report is incorporated by
reference herein. Copies of the Annual Report may be obtained, without charge,
from the Transfer Agent by writing to the Northern Funds Center, P.O. Box 75986,
Chicago, Illinois 60690-9069 or by calling 1-800-595-9111.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Prospectus and this Additional Statement do not contain all the
information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the
1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by Northern Funds' Prospectus.
Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the
Prospectus and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the SEC. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith,
may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this Additional Statement
as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which the Prospectus and this Additional Statement form a part, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
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APPENDIX A
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's ("S&P") commercial paper rating is a
current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an
original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by Standard and Poor's for commercial paper:
"A-1" - Obligations are rated in the highest category
indicating that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated
with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its
financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
"A-2" - Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
"A-3" - Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
"B" - Obligations are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
"C" - Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and
are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for
the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"D" - Obligations are in payment default. The "D" rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due
even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if
payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Moody's commercial paper ratings are opinions of the ability
of issuers to repay punctually senior debt obligations not having an original
maturity in excess of one year, unless explicitly noted. The following
summarizes the rating categories used by Moody's for commercial paper:
"Prime-1" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well-established
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industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization
structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad
margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash
generation; and well-established access to a range of financial markets and
assured sources of alternate liquidity.
"Prime-2" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
"Prime-3" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The
effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high
financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
"Not Prime" - Issuers do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
The three rating categories of Duff & Phelps for investment
grade commercial paper and short-term debt are "D-1," "D-2" and "D-3." Duff &
Phelps employs three designations, "D-1+," "D-1" and "D-1-," within the highest
rating category. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Duff &
Phelps for commercial paper:
"D-1+" - Debt possesses the highest certainty of timely
payment. Short-term liquidity, including internal operating factors and/or
access to alternative sources of funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below
risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term obligations.
"D-1" - Debt possesses very high certainty of timely payment.
Liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are minor.
"D-1-" - Debt possesses high certainty of timely payment.
Liquidity factors are strong and supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are very small.
"D-2" - Debt possesses good certainty of timely payment.
Liquidity factors and company fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding
needs may enlarge total financing requirements, access to capital markets is
good. Risk factors are small.
"D-3" - Debt possesses satisfactory liquidity and other
protection factors qualify issues as investment grade. Risk factors are larger
and subject to more variation. Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
"D-4" - Debt possesses speculative investment characteristics.
Liquidity is not sufficient to insure against disruption in debt service.
Operating factors and market access may be subject to a high degree of
variation.
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"D-5" - Issuer has failed to meet scheduled principal and/or
interest payments.
Fitch IBCA short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that
have time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three
years for U.S. public finance securities. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by Fitch IBCA for short-term obligations:
"F1" - Securities possess the highest credit quality. This
designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments and may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit
feature.
"F2" - Securities possess good credit quality. This
designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the
higher ratings.
"F3" - Securities possess fair credit quality. This
designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a
reduction to non-investment grade.
"B" - Securities possess speculative credit quality. This
designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and
economic conditions.
"C" - Securities possess high default risk. This designation
indicates that default is a real possibility and that the capacity for meeting
financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and
economic environment.
"D" - Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.
Thomson BankWatch short-term ratings assess the likelihood of
an untimely payment of principal and interest of debt instruments with original
maturities of one year or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by
Thomson BankWatch:
"TBW-1" - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's
highest category and indicates a very high likelihood that principal and
interest will be paid on a timely basis.
"TBW-2" - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's
second-highest category and indicates that while the degree of safety regarding
timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, the relative degree of
safety is not as high as for issues rated "TBW-1."
"TBW-3" - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's
lowest investment-grade category and indicates that while the obligation is more
susceptible to adverse developments (both internal and external) than those with
higher ratings, the capacity to service principal and interest in a timely
fashion is considered adequate.
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"TBW-4" - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's
lowest rating category and indicates that the obligation is regarded as
non-investment grade and therefore speculative.
CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor's
for corporate and municipal debt:
"AAA" - An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating
assigned by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
"AA" - An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest rated
obligations only in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is very strong.
"A" - An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
"BBB" - An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
Obligations rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded
as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least
degree of speculation and "C" the highest. While such obligations will likely
have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by
large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
"BB" - An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to
nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
"B" - An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment
than obligations rated "BB", but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or
economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"CCC" - An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to
nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic
conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
In the event of adverse business, financial or economic
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conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
"CC" - An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable
to nonpayment.
"C" - The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a
bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but
payments on this obligation are being continued.
"D" - An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D"
rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also
will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar
action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AA" through "CCC"
may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
"r" - This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments
with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility
of expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples
include: obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk--such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate and
municipal long-term debt:
"Aaa" - Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
"Aa" - Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the "Aaa" group they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the "Aaa"
securities.
"A" - Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
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"Baa" - Bonds are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
"Ba," "B," "Caa," "Ca," and "C" - Bonds that possess one of
these ratings provide questionable protection of interest and principal ("Ba"
indicates speculative elements; "B" indicates a general lack of characteristics
of desirable investment; "Caa" are of poor standing; "Ca" represents obligations
which are speculative in a high degree; and "C" represents the lowest rated
class of bonds). "Caa," "Ca" and "C" bonds may be in default.
Con. (---) - Bonds for which the security depends upon the
completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated
conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under
construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operating experience, (c)
rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some
other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit
stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each
generic rating classification from "Aa" through "Caa". The modifier 1 indicates
that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the
modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking
in the lower end of its generic rating category.
The following summarizes the long-term debt ratings used by
Duff & Phelps for corporate and municipal long-term debt:
"AAA" - Debt is considered to be of the highest credit
quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only slightly more than for
risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
"AA" - Debt is considered to be of high credit quality.
Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to
time because of economic conditions.
"A" - Debt possesses protection factors which are average but
adequate. However, risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of
economic stress.
"BBB" - Debt possesses below-average protection factors but
such protection factors are still considered sufficient for prudent investment.
Considerable variability in risk is present during economic cycles.
"BB," "B," "CCC," "DD," and "DP" - Debt that possesses one of
these ratings is considered to be below investment grade. Although below
investment grade, debt rated "BB" is deemed likely to meet obligations when due.
Debt rated "B" possesses the risk that obligations will not be met when due.
Debt rated "CCC" is well below investment grade and has considerable uncertainty
as to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Debt
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rated "DD" is a defaulted debt obligation, and the rating "DP" represents
preferred stock with dividend arrearages.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the
"AA," "A," "BBB," "BB" and "B" ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus
(+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major categories.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Fitch IBCA for
corporate and municipal bonds:
"AAA" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the
highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit
risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely
payment of financial commitments. This capacity is very unlikely to be adversely
affected by foreseeable events.
"AA" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very
high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk
and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
"A" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high
credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk and
indicate strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse changes in
circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
"BBB" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of good
credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation
of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is
considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic
conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
"BB" - Bonds considered to be speculative. These ratings
indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as
the result of adverse economic changes over time; however, business or financial
alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
"B" - Bonds are considered highly speculative. These ratings
indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety
remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for
continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and
economic environment.
"CCC", "CC", "C" - Bonds have high default risk. Default is a
real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely
reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. "CC"
ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and "C" ratings
signal imminent default.
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"DDD," "DD" and "D" - Bonds are in default. Securities are not
meeting obligations and are extremely speculative. "DDD" designates the highest
potential for recovery of amounts outstanding on any securities involved and "D"
represents the lowest potential for recovery.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the
Fitch IBCA ratings from and including "AA" to "B" may be modified by the
addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these
major rating categories.
Thomson BankWatch assesses the likelihood of an untimely
repayment of principal or interest over the term to maturity of long term debt
and preferred stock which are issued by United States commercial banks, thrifts
and non-bank banks; non-United States banks; and broker-dealers. The following
summarizes the rating categories used by Thomson BankWatch for long-term debt
ratings:
"AAA" - This designation indicates that the ability to repay
principal and interest on a timely basis is extremely high.
"AA" - This designation indicates a very strong ability to
repay principal and interest on a timely basis, with limited incremental risk
compared to issues rated in the highest category.
"A" - This designation indicates that the ability to repay
principal and interest is strong. Issues rated "A" could be more vulnerable to
adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher
ratings.
"BBB" - This designation represents the lowest
investment-grade category and indicates an acceptable capacity to repay
principal and interest. Issues rated "BBB" are more vulnerable to adverse
developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings.
"BB," "B," "CCC," and "CC," - These designations are assigned
by Thomson BankWatch to non-investment grade long-term debt. Such issues are
regarded as having speculative characteristics regarding the likelihood of
timely payment of principal and interest. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and "CC" the highest degree of speculation.
"D" - This designation indicates that the long-term debt is in
default.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AAA" through "CC"
may include a plus or minus sign designation which indicates where within the
respective category the issue is placed.
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MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS
A Standard and Poor's rating reflects the liquidity concerns
and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The
following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group for
municipal notes:
"SP-1" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess very
strong characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.
"SP-2" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit
satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to
adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
"SP-3" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit
speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moody's ratings for state and municipal notes and other
short-term loans are designated Moody's Investment Grade ("MIG") and variable
rate demand obligations are designated Variable Moody's Investment Grade
("VMIG"). Such ratings recognize the differences between short-term credit risk
and long-term risk. The following summarizes the ratings by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. for short-term notes:
"MIG-1"/"VMIG-1" - This designation denotes best quality.
There is presently strong protection by established cash flows, superior
liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for
refinancing.
"MIG-2"/"VMIG-2" - This designation denotes high quality, with
margins of protection ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
"MIG-3"/"VMIG-3" - This designation denotes favorable quality,
with all security elements accounted for but lacking the undeniable strength of
the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and
market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
"MIG-4"/"VMIG-4" - This designation denotes adequate quality.
Protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present
and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific
risk.
"SG" - This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt
instruments in this category lack of margins of protection.
Fitch IBCA and Duff & Phelps use the short-term ratings
described under Commercial Paper Ratings for municipal notes.
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APPENDIX B
As stated in the Prospectus, the Funds (other than the Money
Market Funds) may enter into certain futures transactions. Such transactions are
described in this Appendix.
I. Interest Rate Futures Contracts
Use of Interest Rate Futures Contracts. Bond prices are
established in both the cash market and the futures market. In the cash market,
bonds are purchased and sold with payment for the full purchase price of the
bond being made in cash, generally within three business days after the trade.
In the futures market, only a contract is made to purchase or sell a bond in the
future for a set price on a certain date. Historically, the prices for bonds
established in the futures markets have tended to move generally in the
aggregate in concert with the cash market prices and have maintained fairly
predictable relationships. Accordingly, a Fund may use interest rate futures
contracts as a defense, or hedge, against anticipated interest rate changes. As
described below, this would include the use of futures contract sales to protect
against expected increases in interest rates and futures contract purchases to
offset the impact of interest rate declines.
A Fund presently could accomplish a similar result to that
which it hopes to achieve through the use of futures contracts by selling bonds
with long maturities and investing in bonds with short maturities when interest
rates are expected to increase, or conversely, selling short-term bonds and
investing in long-term bonds when interest rates are expected to decline.
However, because of the liquidity that is often available in the futures market,
the protection is more likely to be achieved, perhaps at a lower cost and
without changing the rate of interest being earned by a Fund, by using futures
contracts.
Interest rate future contracts can also be used by a Fund for
non-hedging (speculative) purposes to increase total return.
Description of Interest Rate Futures Contracts. An interest
rate futures contract sale would create an obligation by a Fund, as seller, to
deliver the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at
a specific future time for a specified price. A futures contract purchase would
create an obligation by a Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of the specific
type of financial instrument at a specific future time at a specific price. The
specific securities delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would
not be determined until at or near that date. The determination would be in
accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract sale or
purchase was made.
Although interest rate futures contracts by their terms call
for actual delivery or acceptance of securities, in most cases the contracts are
closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery
of securities. Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by the Fund's
entering into a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the
specific type of financial instrument and the same delivery date. If the price
of the sale exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund is
immediately paid the difference and thus realizes a
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gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the
difference and realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a futures contract
purchase is effected by the Fund entering into a futures contract sale. If the
offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain, and
if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the Fund realizes a
loss.
Interest rate futures contracts are traded in an auction
environment on the floors of several exchanges -- principally, the Chicago Board
of Trade, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange.
Each exchange guarantees performance under contract provisions through a
clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange
membership.
A public market now exists in futures contracts covering
various financial instruments including long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes;
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) modified pass-through mortgage
backed securities; three-month U.S. Treasury Bills; and ninety-day commercial
paper. The Funds may trade in any interest rate futures contracts for which
there exists a public market, including, without limitation, the foregoing
instruments.
II. Index Futures Contracts
General. A stock or bond index assigns relative values to the
stocks or bonds included in the index, which fluctuates with changes in the
market values of the stocks or bonds included. Some stock index futures
contracts are based on broad market indexes, such as Standard & Poor's 500 or
the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index. In contrast, certain exchanges
offer futures contracts on narrower market indexes, such as the Standard &
Poor's 100 or indexes based on an industry or market indexes, such as Standard &
Poor's 100 or indexes based on an industry or market segment, such as oil and
gas stocks. Futures contracts are traded on organized exchanges regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Transactions on such exchanges are cleared
through a clearing corporation, which guarantees the performance of the parties
to each contract. To the extent consistent with its investment objective, a Fund
may also engage in transactions, from time to time, in foreign stock index
futures such as the ALL-ORDS (Australia), CAC-40 (France), TOPIX (Japan) and the
FTSE-100 (United Kingdom).
A Fund may sell index futures contracts in order to offset a
decrease in market 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 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
will purchase index futures contracts in anticipation of purchases of
securities. A long futures position may be terminated without a corresponding
purchase of securities.
In addition, a Fund may utilize index futures contracts in
anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings. For
example, in the event that a Fund expects to narrow the range of industry groups
represented in its holdings it may, prior to making purchases of the actual
securities, establish a long futures position based on a more restricted index,
such as an index comprised of securities of a particular industry group. A Fund
may also sell futures contracts in
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connection with this strategy, in order to protect against the possibility that
the value of the securities to be sold as part of the restructuring of the
portfolio will decline prior to the time of sale.
Index futures contracts may also be used by a Fund for
non-hedging (speculative) purposes to increase total return.
III. Futures Contracts on Foreign Currencies
A futures contract on foreign currency creates a binding
obligation on one party to deliver, and a corresponding obligation on another
party to accept delivery of, a stated quantity of foreign currency, for an
amount fixed in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency futures may be used by a Fund to
hedge against exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar
and other currencies arising from multinational transactions.
IV. Margin Payments
Unlike purchases or sales of portfolio securities, no price is
paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract.
Initially, a Fund will be required to deposit with the broker or in a segregated
account with a custodian or sub-custodian an amount of liquid assets, known as
initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin
in futures transactions is different from that of margin in security
transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of
funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is
in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which
is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called
variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the
price of the underlying instruments fluctuates making the long and short
positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as
marking-to-the-market. For example, when a particular Fund has purchased a
futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise
in the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and
the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment
equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a
futures contract and the price of the future contract has declined in response
to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable
and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker.
Prior to expiration of the futures contract, Northern Trust or NTQA may elect to
close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability
of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund's position in
the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made,
additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund
realizes a loss or gain.
V. Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures
by a Fund. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between
movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the
instruments which are the subject of the hedge. The price of the future may move
more than or less than the price of the instruments being hedged. If the price
of
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the futures moves less than the price of the instruments which are the subject
of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the price of the
instruments being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, the Fund would
be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the
instruments being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will
be partially offset by the loss on the futures. If the price of the futures
moves more than the price of the hedged instruments, the Fund involved will
experience either a loss or gain on the futures which will not be completely
offset by movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the
hedge. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of
instruments being hedged and movements in the price of futures contracts, a Fund
may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar
amount of instruments being hedged if the volatility over a particular time
period of the prices of such instruments has been greater than the volatility
over such time period of the futures, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate
by the Investment Advisers. Conversely, a Fund may buy or sell fewer futures
contracts if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the
instruments being hedged is less than the volatility over such time period of
the futures contract being used, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the
Investment Advisers. It is also possible that, where a Fund has sold futures to
hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance and
the value of instruments held in the Fund may decline. If this occurred, the
Fund would lose money on the futures and also experience a decline in value in
its portfolio securities.
When futures are purchased to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of securities or a currency before a Fund is able to
invest its cash (or cash equivalents) in an orderly fashion, it is possible that
the market may decline instead; if the Fund then concludes not to invest its
cash at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or
for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures contract that is
not offset by a reduction in the price of the instruments that were to be
purchased.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect
correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the futures and the
instruments being hedged, the price of futures may not correlate perfectly with
movement in the cash market due to certain market distortions. Rather than
meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures
contracts through off-setting transactions which could distort the normal
relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, with respect to
financial futures contracts, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into off-setting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced thus producing distortions. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore,
increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the
futures market, and because of the imperfect correlation between the movements
in the cash market and movements in the price of futures, a correct forecast of
general market trends or interest rate movements by the adviser may still not
result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time frame.
Positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange or
board of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Although the
Funds intend to purchase or sell futures
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only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appear to be active secondary
markets, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on any exchange or
board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time.
In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures investment position,
and in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be
required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. However, in the event
futures contracts have been used to hedge portfolio securities, such securities
will not be sold until the futures contract can be terminated. In such
circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially
or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, as described
above, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities will in fact
correlate with the price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an
offset on a futures contract.
Further, it should be noted that the liquidity of a secondary
market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by "daily price
fluctuation limits" established by commodity exchanges which limit the amount of
fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the
daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a
price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures
positions. The trading of futures contracts is also subject to the risk of
trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment failures,
government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or
other disruptions of normal activity, which could at times make it difficult or
impossible to liquidate existing positions or to recover excess variation margin
payments.
Successful use of futures by a Fund is also subject to the
Investment Advisers' ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of
the market. For example, if a particular Fund has hedged against the possibility
of a decline in the market adversely affecting securities held by it and
securities prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the
benefit to the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it
will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to
meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of securities may be, but
will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. A
Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do
so.
VI. Options on Futures Contracts
A Fund may purchase and write options on the futures contracts
described above. A futures option gives the holder, in return for the premium
paid, the right to buy (call) from or sell (put) to the writer of the option a
futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period of the
option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option is obligated to pay the
difference between the cash value of the futures contract and the exercise
price. Like the buyer or seller of a futures contract, the holder, or writer, of
an option has the right to terminate its position prior to the scheduled
expiration of the option by selling, or purchasing an option of the same series,
at which time the person entering into the closing transaction will realize a
gain or loss. A Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and variation
margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it
pursuant to brokers' requirements similar to those described above. Net option
premiums received will be included as initial margin deposits. As an example, in
anticipation of a decline in interest rates, a Fund may purchase call options on
futures contracts as a substitute for the purchase of futures contracts to hedge
against a possible increase in the price of
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securities which the Fund intends to purchase. Similarly, if the value of the
securities held by a Fund is expected to decline as a result of an increase in
interest rates, the Fund might purchase put options or sell call options on
futures contracts rather than sell futures contracts.
Investments in futures options involve some of the same
considerations that are involved in connection with investments in futures
contracts (for example, the existence of a liquid secondary market). In
addition, the purchase or sale of an option also entails the risk that changes
in the value of the underlying futures contract will not correspond to changes
in the value of the option purchased. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based, or upon the
price of the securities being hedged, an option may or may not be less risky
than ownership of the futures contract or such securities. In general, the
market prices of options can be expected to be more volatile than the market
prices on the underlying futures contract. Compared to the purchase or sale of
futures contracts, however, the purchase of call or put options on futures
contracts may frequently involve less potential risk to the Fund because the
maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction
costs). The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to
those risks relating to the sale of futures contracts.
VII. Other Matters
Accounting for futures contracts will be in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
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