|
(a) |
As
of the end of the period, October 31, 2025, the Registrant has adopted a
code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal
financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons
performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are
employed by the Registrant or a third party (the “Code of Ethics”).
|
|
(b) |
Not
Applicable. |
|
(c) |
The
Registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by
this report. |
|
(d) |
The
Registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from
any provisions of its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this
report. |
|
(e) |
Not
Applicable. |
|
(f) |
A
copy of the Registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as exhibit 13(a)(1) to
this Form N-CSR. |
|
|
2025 | ||
|
|
All fees and
services to the Trust that were pre-approved |
All fees and services to Service Affiliates(a) that were pre- approved |
|
|
Audit
Fees |
$687,420 |
N/A |
|
|
Audit
Related Fees(b) |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
Tax
Fees(c)
|
$209,599 |
$0 |
|
|
All
Other Fees(d) |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
Total: |
$897,019 |
$0 |
|
|
|
2024 | ||
|
|
All fees and
services to the Trust that were pre-approved |
All fees and services to Service Affiliates(a) that were pre- approved |
|
|
Audit
Fees |
$723,840 |
N/A |
|
|
Audit
Related Fees(b) |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
Tax
Fees(c)
|
$82,360 |
$0 |
|
|
All
Other Fees(d) |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
Total: |
$806,200 |
$0 |
|
|
(a) |
“Service
affiliates” as it relates to the aggregate “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related
Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” that were billed by Deloitte for
the periods ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024 are Northern
Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) and entities controlling, controlled by or
under common control with NTI that provide ongoing services to the
Registrant. |
|
(b) |
“Audit-Related
Fees” are fees for assurance and related services rendered by Deloitte
that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of
the Registrant’s financial statements, but not reported as “Audit Fees.”
|
|
(c) |
“Tax
Fees” are fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
|
(d) |
“All
Other Fees” are for products and services provided by Deloitte other than
those reported as Audit, Audit-Related or Tax Fees.
|
|
(e)(1) |
The
Registrant’s Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee is
responsible for the approval of, prior to the appointment of, the
engagement of the principal accountant to annually audit the Registrant’s
financial statements. The Audit Committee must also pre-approve the
engagement of the principal accountant to provide non-audit services to
the Registrant, NTI or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under
common control with NTI that provides ongoing services to the Registrant,
if the engagement has a direct impact on the operations or financial
reporting of the Registrant. The pre-approvals may be delegated to a
designated representative (or representatives) of the audit committee and
such pre-approvals and approvals must be reported to the full Audit
Committee at its next meeting. Each designated representative must be a
member of the Audit Committee. |
(e)(2) No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services were approved pursuant to the waiver provision of paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) or (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. (f) Not Applicable. (g) The aggregate non-audit fees and services billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant and Service Affiliates for the periods ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024, respectively, were $4,953,585 and $4,358,755. (h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to Service Affiliates, not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the registered public accountant’s independence in performing audit services.