Talk:Northern Funds

Would these funds-


 * Stock Index
 * International Index
 * Bond Index

make a good addition to Three-fund portfolio? --LadyGeek 20:09, 5 August 2012 (CDT)


 * Yes, although as with the TSP, this would not have as much diversification as "total market" investing enthusiasts would desire.


 * For the TSP, the three-fund portfolio lacks small and mid cap US stocks (which can be added by using the plan's Extended Market Index Fund which makes the portfolio a four-fund portfolio). In addition, the TSP's international index fund tracks the EAFE index, and thus, does not have exposure to emerging market stocks.


 * The Northern Fund's three fund portfolio mirrors the TSP plan, although additional options allow for coming close to the "total market" position. For this allocation, one would need to add the Northern Mid Cap and Northern Small Cap index funds to the US allocation, and add the Northern Emerging Markets index fund to the International Index (thus a six-fund portfolio).


 * In both the TSP and Northern instances, the international indexes being tracked by the funds do not include market weightings of small cap stocks, which the Vanguard Total International Index Fund now includes. --Blbarnitz 21:43, 5 August 2012 (CDT)