Signon to Passport
February 2012
Northern Trust ranked #1 in the Mixed-Equity Funds asset class category in Barron’s 2011 Best Fund Families ranking. Overall, we ranked #15 out of 58 fund families based on performance of our Northern Funds stock and bond funds, according to Barron’s annual survey.
The article, entitled “Where 2011’s Top Funds See Opportunity in 2012,” highlights that Northern Trust provided downside protection in a tough market. The article also notes that:
- The Northern Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund’s1, 2, 4, 5 (BBALX) 2011 return was flat versus global stock market declines of nearly 7%.
- Despite a weak convertible bonds market, the Northern Income Equity Fund2, 3, 4 (NOIEX) “beat the S&P 500 for the fourth year in a row,” up 2.18% in 2011.
- Bob Browne, chief investment officer at Northern Trust, finds gold (hedge against potential global crises) and high yield (income potential) as attractive asset classes in 2012.
Read the Barron’s article reprint
Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here. Performance data current to the most recent month end is available by calling 800-595-9111.
The Funds’ standardized performance is available on the article reprint.
1 Asset Allocation Risk: An asset allocation strategy does not guarantee any specific result or profit nor protect against a loss.
2 Equity Risk: Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.
3 High Yield Risk: Although a high yield fund’s yield may be higher than that of fixed income funds that purchase higher-rated securities, the potentially higher yield is a function of the greater risk that a high yield fund’s share price will decline.
4 Interest Rate Risk: Increases in prevailing interest rates will cause fixed-income securities, including convertible securities, held by the Fund to decline in value.
5 International Risk: International investing involves increased risk and volatility.
Barron’s Methodology: Overall fund family rankings are based on the one-year performance of funds across five categories: U.S. equity, world equity (including international and global), mixed equity (stocks, bonds and other securities), taxable bonds and tax-exempt bonds. Northern Trust Ranked #1 in the Mixed-Equity Funds asset class category in Barron’s 2011 Best Fund Family ranking. Overall Northern Trust ranked #15 out of 58 fund families.
