N-CSRS 1 ncsr63008.txt UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-CSR CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Investment Company Act file number 811-03074 Northeast Investors Growth Fund (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 150 Federal Street Boston, MA 02110 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) David Randall 150 Federal Street Boston, MA 02110 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-523-3588 Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2008 Date of reporting period: June 30, 2008 Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles. A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. 3507. Item 1. Reports to Stockholders. NORTHEAST INVESTORS GROWTH FUND A NO-LOAD FUND Semi-Annual Report For the Period Ended June 30, 2008 Table of Contents Letter to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fund Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Investment Sectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Schedule of Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11 Financial Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14 Notes to the Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 Trustees & Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Dear Fellow Shareholders: The past six months were difficult for Northeast Investors Growth Fund, though it outperformed its benchmark through the end of June, ending down 9.91% as compared to the S&P 500 Index, which was down 11.91%. The Fund did better than the S&P 500 by 2%, but neither one performed well on an absolute basis. The market was characterized by high volatility. The year began with a swift pullback in the domestic markets and problems continued until the Federal Reserve Bank orchestrated rescue of Bear Stearns in March. The market appeared to be reassured by the Fed's actions and buyers began to return in April. By the end of May, the market stood in slightly positive territory. Still, with the slowdown in the US economy, the continued credit squeeze, and the increasing price of oil, the markets sharply contracted during the month of June, erasing all gains made the prior month. Our strategy is to buy high-quality companies with a particular focus on unique services or products. We believe we have stayed true to that course. Still, it does not guarantee positive returns, and this proved particularly true in the performance of our technology holdings during these six months. This sector began the year by significantly underperforming the market. At one point during the period Google, Inc. and Apple, Inc. had each dropped more than 40%. Apple, Inc. recovered some ground and ended the six-month period down approximately 15%. Google, Inc., too, gained back some of the lost ground, but still ended the six-month period down over 20%. We remain committed to Apple, Inc., Google, Inc. and other long-term holdings such as Akamai Technologies, Inc. and Corning, Inc., which we believe offer innovative products with relative strength in their respective industries. International Business Machines Corp. was added at the start of the year, and has been a favorable addition to the Fund. It out-performed the majority of the other Technology holdings in the Fund. We believe the company will continue to benefit from strong domestic and international demand for their information technology services. We began the year with a heavy exposure to the energy sector, and it was a great help to the Fund's performance. The Fund's top performers were concentrated in this area with Weatherford International, Ltd., and Encana Corp. each returning better than 30% for the six-month period. Weatherford International Ltd., an oil service and equipment company, has benefited as oil companies expanded their exploration to meet increased demand. Apache Corp, which is focused more on natural gas exploration and production also increased strongly during the first half of the year, up almost 30%. Despite the positive correlation of high energy prices to higher levels of inflation, over the long-term demand for oil should remain strong as both the developed and developing economies have access to few viable substitutes. The other exceptional performers in the Fund during first six months of the year were concentrated in the materials sector. Our holdings in this area, BHP Billiton Ltd. (+22%), Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (+15%), and Companhia Vale Rio Doce (+10%) landed among the top ten performers for the first half. Like energy, rising commodity prices, though helpful to the return of these securities, contribute to inflationary concerns in the broader US and world economy. In retrospect, the Fund's performance was hurt by a decision to increase its exposure to the financial sector during the first half of the year. As markets regrouped in April, we pared back our over-exposure to energy and added names such as Bank of America Corp., Fifth Third Bancorp, and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. to the portfolio, bringing our exposure to a neutral weight as compared to the Index. Unfortunately, markets were not as calm as we believed them to be, and we pared down our exposure recently. These institutions continued to face extreme difficulties in the credit markets and more challenges shoring up their reserves in light of the slowing economy. We remained committed to companies such as Eaton Vance Corp., T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and State Street Corp. throughout the year and still see them as better positioned in the near-term than companies with greater exposure to the credit markets. While we are concerned that the economy may remain challenged over the near-term, we expect that over time, the markets will recover.We remain confident the Fund owns good companies, providing good products and services to the US and global markets, and that ultimately the share values will increase. Our lines of communication are always open to our most important partners, our fellow shareholders. Please call us directly or visit our website at www.northeastinvestors.com where you can view the Fund's closing price, portfolio composition, and historical performance. If you follow your investments on-line, the ticker symbol for the Fund is NTHFX. We continue to appreciate your support. William A. Oates, Jr. July 2008 Average Annual Total Return (unaudited) One year ended June 30, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 4.07% Five years ended June 30, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 9.56% Ten years ended June 30, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.99% Performance Graph (Ten Years) (unaudited) The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Northeast Investors Growth Fund shares over the ten preceding years to the cumulative total share return on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, assuming an investment of $10,000 in both at their closing prices on December 31, 1997 and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Keep in mind that past performance does not guarantee future returns, and an investment in the Fund is not guaranteed. For management's discussion of the Growth Fund's 2008 performance, including strategies and market conditions which influenced such performance, see the President's letter to shareholders. Table Omitted Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 1999 2000 2010 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Northeast Investors Growth $13,334 $17,218 $14,642 $12,131 $9,381 $12,044 $13,075 $14,563 $15,909 $18,120 $16,325 Fund Standard & Poor's $12,834 $15,534 $14,121 $12,443 $9,693 $12,473 $13,830 $14,509 $16,800 $17,721 $15,610 500 Index
Returns and Per Share Data Six Months Ended Year Ended December 31, June 30, 2008 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 (unaudited) Net Asset Value 20.47 26.08 20.23 15.43 11.91 15.26 16.52 18.40 20.10 20.19 18.19 Income Dividend 0.05 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 Capital Gains Dist. 0.55 0.31 2.05 1.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.60 0.00 NEIG Return (%) 33.34 29.13 14.96 17.15 22.67 28.39 8.56 11.38 9.24 13.90 9.91 S&P 500 Return (%) 28.34 21.04 9.10 11.88 22.10 28.68 10.88 4.91 15.79 5.48 11.91 Table Omitted
Quarterly Portfolio Holdings: Each fiscal quarter-end the Fund is required to file a complete schedule of investments with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The schedules of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters appear in the semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund makes the information on Form N-Q available on its website at www.northeastinvestors.com or upon request. Shareholders may also access and review information and reports of the Fund, including Form N-Q, at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the SEC's internet site at http://www.sec.gov. and copies may be obtained for a duplicating fee by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Center of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The Fund's reference number as a registrant under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is 811-3074. About Your Fund's Expenses (unaudited) Beginning Account Value Ending Account Value Expenses Paid During Period 12/31/2007 6/30/2008 12/31/2007 - 6/30/2008 Actual Return -9.91% $1,000.00 $ 900.90 $5.34 Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,019.08 $5.84
Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand these expenses of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, 12/31/2007 - 6/30/2008. Actual Expenses: The first line of the table above provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on you account during this period. Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes: The second line of the table above provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. Ten Largest Investment Holdings (unaudited) June 30, 2008 Percent Market of Net Ten Largest Investment Holdings Value Assets Eaton Vance Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,470,976 4.29% T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,658,775 3.66% Google, Inc., Class A . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000,792 3.14% CVS Caremark Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,827,606 3.00% Schlumberger Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,760,050 2.95% Apple, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,666,936 2.88% Weatherford International Ltd. . . . . . . . . . 3,421,710 2.69% Corning, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,344,555 2.62% Procter & Gamble Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,314,145 2.60% Akamai Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,231,991 2.54% Summary of Sector Weightings as a Percentage of Net Assets (unaudited) June 30, 2008 Northeast Market Investors S&P 500 Major Sectors Value Growth Fund Index ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Consumer Discretionary . . . . . . .$ 1,639,275 1.29% 8.12% Consumer Staples . . . . . . . . . .$14,657,693 11.50% 10.79% Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,020,388 16.49% 16.22% Financials . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,105,182 16.56% 14.25% Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . $13,434,003 10.54% 11.92% Industrials . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,521,761 12.97% 11.13% Information Technology . . . . . . $19,903,329 15.62% 16.44% Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,681,345 5.24% 3.83% Telecommunication Services . . . . $ 7,425,824 5.83% 3.32% Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,130,608 2.46% 3.98% Cash, other assets and liabilities .$ 1,906,753 1.50% 0.00% ------ ------ 100.00% 100.00% Summary of Net Assets by Industry (unaudited) June 30, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ % of Value Net Assets Common Stocks Aerospace & Defense . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,108,850 3.22% Asset Management & Custody . . . . . . . . 12,311,810 9.66% Biotechnology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,922,840 2.29% Communications Equipment . . . . . . . . . 5,054,165 3.96% Computer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,970,766 3.90% Construction & Farming . . . . . . . . . . 3,664,809 2.87% Diversified Financial Services . . . . . . 4,391,733 3.45% Diversified Metals & Mining . . . . . . . . 2,402,395 1.89% Diversified Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . 4,278,950 3.36% Drug Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,827,606 3.00% Electrical Components & Equipment. . . . . .5,582,945 4.38% Electrical Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,130,608 2.46% Footwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,639,275 1.29% Health Care Distributors . . . . . . . . . 1,979,505 1.55% Health Care Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 8,531,658 6.70% Household Products . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,314,145 2.60% Hypermarkets & Supercenters . . . . . . . . 1,595,685 1.25% Industrial Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . 2,744,150 2.15% Integrated Oil & Gas . . . . . . . . . . . 9,159,114 7.19% Integrated Telecommunication Services. . . .5,280,327 4.15% Internet Software & Services . . . . . . . 7,232,783 5.68% Investment Banking & Brokerage . . . . . . 4,401,639 3.45% Oil & Gas Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,181,760 5.64% Oil & Gas Exploration & Production . . . . 4,679,513 3.67% Packaged Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,848,860 2.24% Railroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,066,623 2.41% Soft Drinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,071,397 2.41% Wireless Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,145,497 1.68% --------- ----- Total Common Stocks. . . . . . . . . . . 125,519,408 98.50% Total Cash Equivalents . . . . . . . . . . 17,216,167 13.51% ----------- ------ Total Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . 142,735,575 112.01% Net Other Assets and Liabilities . . . .. (15,309,414) 12.01% ----------- ------- Total Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 127,426,161 100.00% Schedule of Investments June 30, 2008 (unaudited) Number Market Percent Common Stock Sector of Value of Net Name of Issuer Shares (Note B) Assets Consumer Discretionary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nike, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27,500 $1,639,275 1.29% Consumer Staples ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Costco Wholesale Corp. #. . . . . . . . 22,750 1,595,685 CVS Caremark Corp. . . . . . . . . . . 96,730 3,827,606 Nestle SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,200 2,848,860 PepsiCo, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,300 3,071,397 Procter & Gamble Co. . . . . . . . . . 54,500 3,314,145 ---------- 14,657,693 11.50% Energy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apache Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,900 2,488,100 Chevron Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,700 2,547,641 ConocoPhillips . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,000 2,548,530 EnCana Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,100 2,191,413 Exxon Mobil Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 22,582 1,990,152 Schlumberger Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . 35,000 3,760,050 Suncor Energy, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 35,664 2,072,792 Weatherford International Ltd. ^ .. . . 69,000 3,421,710 ---------- 21,020,388 16.49% Financials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank of America Corp. . . . . . . . . . 93,000 2,219,910 Eaton Vance Corp. # . . . . . . . . . 137,600 5,470,976 Goldman Sachs Group . . . . . . . . . 13,400 2,343,660 JPMorgan Chase & Co. . . . . . . . . . 63,300 2,171,823 Merrill Lynch & Co, Inc. . . . . . . . 64,900 2,057,979 State Street Corp. . . . . . . . .. . . 34,100 2,182,059 T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. #. . . . . . 82,500 4,658,775 ---------- 21,105,182 16.56% Health Care ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AmerisourceBergen Corp. . . . . . . . . 49,500 1,979,505 Gilead Sciences, Inc. ^ . . . . . . . . 55,200 2,922,840 Hologic, Inc. ^# . . . . . . . . . . . 99,780 2,175,204 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. . . . . . . 7,350 1,980,090 Medtronic, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,600 1,842,300 Stryker Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,300 2,534,064 ---------- 13,434,003 10.54% Industrials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Boeing Company. . . . . . . . . . . 26,000 1,708,720 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. . . 30,700 3,066,623 Caterpillar, Inc. #. . . . . . . . .. . 28,100 2,074,342 Danaher Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,500 2,744,150 Deere & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,050 1,590,466 Emerson Electric Co. . . . . . . . . . 59,400 2,937,330 United Technologies Corp. . . . . . . . 38,900 2,400,130 ---------- 16,521,761 12.97% Information Technology ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Akamai Technologies, Inc .^# . . . .. . 92,900 3,231,991 Apple, Inc. ^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,900 3,666,936 Cisco Systems, Inc. ^ . . . . . . . . . 73,500 1,709,610 Corning, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 145,100 3,344,555 Google, Inc., Class A ^ . . . . . . . . 7,600 4,000,792 International Business Machines Corp. . 11,000 1,303,830 Itron, Inc. ^#. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,900 2,645,615 ---------- 19,903,329 15.62% Materials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BHP Billiton, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . 25,000 2,129,750 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. . 20,500 2,402,395 Companhia Vale Rio Doce . . . . . . . . 60,000 2,149,200 ----------- 6,681,345 5.24% Telecommunication Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- America Movil, ADR. . . . . . . . . . 34,500 1,819,875 American Tower Corp., Class A ^ . . . 50,781 2,145,497 AT&T, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,800 1,846,212 Verizon Communications. . . . . . . . . 45,600 1,614,240 ----------- 7,425,824 5.83% Utilities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exelon Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,800 3,130,608 2.46% Total Common Stocks (Cost- $98,005,793) . . . . .. $125,519,408 98.50% ------------ Repurchase Agreement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State Street Bank & Trust Co. Repurchase Agreement, 1.05% due 7/1/08 @ . . . . . . 1,960,563 Total Repurchase Agreement (Cost-$1,960,563) . . . $ 1,960,563 1.54% ----------- Cash Equivalents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State Street Bank & Trust Navigator Prime~ . . . .. 15,255,604 Total Cash Equivalents (Cost-$15,255,604). . . . . $ 15,255,604 11.97% ------------ Total Investment Portfolio (Cost- $115,221,960) . . 142,735,575 112.01% ------------ Total Assets and Liabilities . . . . . . . . .. . . (15,309,414) -12.01% Total Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,426,161 100.00% ------------- @ Acquired on June 30, 2008. Collateralized by $2,021,847 of market value of U.S. Government mortgagebacked securities due through 08/15/36. The maturity value is $1,960,620. ^ Non-income producing security # All or a portion of this security is currently out on loan (See Note I) ~ Security held as collateral for securities on loan. The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) June 30, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investments-at market value (including securities loaned of $14,866,601) (cost $115,221,960) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $142,735,575 Dividends receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,569 Receivable for shares sold . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,414 Other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,480 ------------ Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142,824,038 Liabilities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collateral on securities loaned, at value . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 15,255,604 Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,689 Accrued investment advisory fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,928 Payable for shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,656 ------------ Total Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 15,397,877 ------------ Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,426,161 Net Assets Consist of: Capital paid-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,925,519 Accumulated net investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203,800 Accumulated net realized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,783,227 Net unrealized appreciation of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,513,615 ------------ Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,426,161 ------------ Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($127,426,161/7,006,471 shares) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.19 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. Statement of Operations (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Investment Income ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividend income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . $929,094 Security lending income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 36,043 Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,907 Other income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 ------------ Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 969,381 Expenses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment advisory fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . $381,852 Administrative expenses and salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177,820 Audit fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,295 Legal fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,300 Printing, postage, and stationery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 22,750 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 20,930 Registration and Filing fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,200 Trustee fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 15,000 Computer and related expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 14,925 Commitment fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,574 Telephone expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,100 Custodian fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,188 Interest fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,097 Miscellaneous fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,550 ----------- Total Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765,581 ----------- Net Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203,800 Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments: Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions . . .. . . . . $3,783,227 Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments . . (18,313,021) ----------- Net gain (loss)on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (14,529,794) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations . ($14,325,994) The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. Statements of Changes in Net Assets Six Months Ended June 30, Year Ended 2008 December 31, (unaudited) 2007 Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations: Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $203,800 $152,107 Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions . . . . . . . . 3,783,227 7,592,914 Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments . . (18,313,021) 10,742,593 ----------- ---------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (14,325,994) 18,487,614 ----------- ---------- Distributions to Shareholders From net investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - (254,770) From net realized gains from investment transactions . . . . . . . . . . . - (16,714,448) ----------- ---------- Total Distributions to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - (16,969,218) From Net Fund Share Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,687,505) 3,994,441 ----------- ---------- Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (18,013,499) 5,512,837 Net Assets: Beginning of Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145,439,660 139,926,823 ----------- ----------- End of Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,426,161 $145,439,660
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. Financial Highlights Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Year Ended December 31, Per Share Data ^ (unaudited) 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 Net Asset Value: Beginning of Period . . . . . . . . $20.19 $20.10 $18.40 $16.52 $15.26 $11.91 Income From Investment Operations: Net investment income (loss) . . . . 0.03 0.02 0.01 (0.02) 0.04 0.03 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment . . . . . . . . (2.03) 2.71 1.69 1.90 1.27 3.35 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total from investment operations . . (2.00) 2.73 1.70 1.88 1.31 3.38 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less Distributions: Net investment income . . . . . . . 0.00 (0.04) 0.00 0.00 (0.05) (0.03) Capital Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 (2.60) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Distributions . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 (2.64) 0.00 0.00 (0.05) (0.03) Net Asset Value: End of Period . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.19 $20.19 $20.10 $18.40 $16.52 $15.26 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -9.91%# 13.90% 9.24% 11.38% 8.56% 28.39% Ratios & Supplemental Data Net assets end of period (in thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $127,426 $145,440 $139,927 $134,412 $136,238 $141,561 Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets (includes interest expense) . . . . . . . . . . 1.16%~ 1.10% 1.15% 1.18% 1.32% 1.43% Ratio of interest expense to average net assets . . . . . . . . . 0.00%~* 0.01% 0.00%* 0.00%* 0.07% 0.22% Ratio of net investment income to average net assets . . . . . . . . . 0.31%~ 0.11% 0.08% -0.15% 0.29% 0.21% Portfolio turnover rate . . . . . . . . . 23%# 40% 52% 57% 19% 25% ^ Average share method used to calculate per share data * Amount is less than 0.01% ~ Annualized # Not annualized
Notes to Financial Statements Note A-Organization Northeast Investors Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified, no-load, open-end, seriestype management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund presently consists of one portfolio and is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund's objective is to produce long term growth for its shareholders. Note B-Significant Accounting Policies Significant accounting policies of the Fund are as follows: Valuation of Investments: Investments in securities traded on national securities exchanges are valued based upon closing prices on the exchanges. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities with no sales on the date of valuation are valued at closing bid prices. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost with earned interest included in interest receivable. Other short-term investments, when held by the Fund, are valued at cost plus earned discount or interest which approximates market value. Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities, if any) are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may use fair value pricing for foreign securities if a material event occurs that may effect the price of a security after the close of the foreign market or exchange (or on days the foreign market is closed) but before the Fund prices it's portfolio, generally at 4:00 p.m. ET. Fair value pricing may also be used for securities acquired as a result of corporate restructurings or reorganizations as reliable market quotations for such issues may not be readily available. At June 30, 2008 there were no securities priced at fair value as determined in good faith. Security Transactions: Security transactions are accounted for as of trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Federal Income Taxes: No provision for federal income taxes is necessary since the Fund has elected to qualify under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and its policy is to distribute all of its taxable income, including net realized capital gains, within the prescribed time periods. State Income Taxes: Because the Fund has been organized by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust executed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it is not subject to state income or excise taxes. Distributions and Income: Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for capital loss carryovers and losses deferred due to wash sales. Permanent book and tax differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in-capital. The Fund's distributions and dividend income are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, which consists of interest from repurchase agreements, is accrued as earned. Net Asset Value: In determining the net asset value per share, rounding adjustments are made for fractions of a cent to the next higher cent. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Note C-Investment Advisory and Service Contract The Fund has its investment advisory and service contract with Northeast Management & Research Company, Inc. (the "Advisor"). Under the contract, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee at a maximum rate of 1% of the first $10,000,000 of the Fund's average daily net assets, 3.4 of 1% of the next $20,000,000 and 1.2 of 1% of the average daily net assets in excess of $30,000,000, in monthly installments on the basis of the average daily net assets during the month preceding payment. All trustees except Messrs. John C. Emery, Michael Baldwin, and F. Washington Jarvis are officers or directors of the Advisor. The compensation of all disinterested trustees of the Fund is borne by the Fund. Under the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement"), personnel of the Advisor provide the Fund with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions, and otherwise maintain the Fund's organization. The Advisor also provides the Fund with necessary office space and portfolio accounting and bookkeeping services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund or of the Advisor performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities are paid by the Advisor. The Fund pays expenses, including the salaries of employees engaged in the following activities, related to its role as transfer, dividend paying and shareholder servicing agent. Note D-Purchases and Sales of Investments The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, other than short-term securities, aggregated $30,886,351 and $37,918,577, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Note E-Shares of Beneficial Interest At June 30, 2008, there was an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with no par value. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows: June 30, 2008 December 31, 2007 ------------- ----------------- Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191,303 $3,517,492 292,188 $6,243,717 Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions from net investment income and realized gains from security transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 $0 790,393 $15,570,737 ------- ---------- ------- ---------- 191,303 $3,517,492 1,082,581 $21,814,454 Shares repurchased. . . . . . . . . (389,309) $(7,204,997) (840,605) $(17,820,013) ------- ---------- ------- ---------- Net Increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . (198,006) $(3,687,505) 241,976 $3,994,441
Note F-Repurchase Agreement On a daily basis, the Fund invests any cash balances into repurchase agreements hypothecated by U.S. Government obligations. Securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements are held by the Fund's custodian bank until maturity of the repurchase agreement. Provisions of the agreement ensure that the market value of the collateral is sufficient in the event of default. However, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. Note GCommitted Line of Credit Short-term bank borrowings, which do not require maintenance of compensating balances, are generally on a demand basis and are at rates equal to adjusted money market interest rates in effect during the period in which such loans are outstanding. At June 30, 2008, the Fund had an unused line of credit amounting to $25,000,000. In addition the Fund pays a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum, payable at the end of each quarter based on the unused portion of the line of credit. The committed line of credit may be terminated at the bank's option at the annual renewal date. The following information relates to aggregate short-term borrowings during the six months ended June 30, 2008: Average amount outstanding (total of daily outstanding principal balances divided by number of days with debt outstanding during the period) . . .$834,101 Weighted average interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.32% Note H-Additional Tax Information Dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 were $0 and $254,770 respectively, and such dividends were classified for tax purposes as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 were $0 and $16,714,448 respectively, and such capital gain distributions were classified for tax purposes as long term capital gains. As of December 31, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax basis were as follows: 2007 ---- Unrealized appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $46,793,933 Unrealized depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (967,297) Net unrealized appreciation of investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,826,636 Capital paid-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,613,024 At December 31, 2007 the Fund's aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows: 2007 ---- Tax cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $124,904,199 Gross unrealized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,793,933 Gross unrealized loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (967,297) ------------ Net unrealized security gain (loss) . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . $ 45,826,636 On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" (FIN 48). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions will 'more-likely-than-not' be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the Fund's current fiscal year. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits and management has concluded that no provision is required in the Fund's accompanying financial statements, however each of the open tax years (2005-2007) remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Note I-Securities Lending The Fund may seek additional income by lending portfolio securities to qualified institutions. The Fund will receive cash as collateral in an amount equal to at least 102% of the current market value of any loaned securities plus accrued interest. By reinvesting any cash collateral it receives in these transactions, the Fund could realize additional gains and losses. If the borrower fails to return the securities and the value of the collateral has declined during the term of the loan, the Fund will bear the loss. At June 30, 2008, the value of securities loaned and the value of collateral was $14,866,601 and $15,255,604, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, income from securities lending amounted to $36,043. Note J-Financial Accounting Standards No. 157("FAS 157") In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 ("FAS 157"), "Fair Value Measurements." FAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements in financial statements, effective for the Fund's current fiscal period. The various inputs that may be used to determine the value of the Fund's investments are summarized in three broad levels. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Level 1-Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2-Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) Level 3-Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). The following table summarized the Fund's investment as of June 30, 2008, based on the inputs used to value them. Investments Valuation Inputs in Securities Level 1 - Quoted prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125,519,408 Level 2 - Other significant observable inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 ------------- Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125,519,408 Trustees & Officers The Trustees of Northeast Investors Growth Fund are William A. Oates, Jr., Ernest E. Monrad, Robert B. Minturn, John C. Emery, Michael Baldwin, and F. Washington Jarvis. Under Massachusetts Law, the Trustees are generally responsible for protecting the interests of the shareholders by overseeing the operation and management of the Fund. The table below provides certain information about the Fund's Trustees and Officers. The mailing address for the Trustees and Officers of the Fund is 150 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110-1745. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains additional information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call the Fund at 800-225-6704 or visit our website at www.northeastinvestors.com. Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years/and Name/Age/Service* Position Other Directorships ----------------- -------- ------------------------------ Affiliated Trustees and Fund Officers Williams A. Oates, Jr. Trustee and Trustee and President of Northeast Age: 66 President Investors Growth Fund; President and Years of Service: 27 Director of Northeast Investment Management, Inc. Ernest E. Monrad Trustee Trustee of Northeast Investors Trust; Age: 78 Director of New America High Income Years of Service: 27 Fund, Inc. Gordon C. Barrett Executive Vice Chief Financial Officer of Northeast Age: 51 President, Chief Investors Growth Fund, Chief Financial Years of Service: 14 Financial Officer, Officer of Northeast Investors Trust, and and Chief Officer of Northeast Investment Compliance Officer Management, Inc. Robert B. Minturn Trustee, Clerk, Vice Officer of Northeast Investors Trust; Age: 69 President, and Trustee and Officer of Northeast Years of Service: 27 Chief Legal Officer Investors Growth Fund; Officer of Northeast Investment Management, Inc. Independent Trustees John C. Emery Trustee Partner, Law Firm of Sullivan & Age: 77 Worcester Years of Service: 27 Michael Baldwin Trustee Partner, Baldwin Brothers, Registered Age: 67 Investment Advisor Years of Service: 8 F. Washington Jarvis Trustee Headmaster Emeritus at Roxbury Latin Age: 69 School Years of Service: 4 * The Trustees serve until their resignation or the appointment of a successor and the officers serve at the pleasure of the Trustees.
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contract At its meeting held on May 21, 2008, the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including the Independent Trustees voting separately, voted to extend the Fund's investment management agreement with Northeast Management & Research Company, Inc. (the "Investment Adviser"). The Investment Adviser presented detailed information to the Board requested by the Independent Trustees. Such information included (i) information confirming the financial condition of the Investment Adviser and the Investment Adviser's profitability derived from its relationship with the Fund; (ii) a description of the personnel and services provided by the Investment Adviser; (iii) comparative information on investment performance; and (iv) information regarding brokerage and portfolio transactions. The Board reviewed and discussed financial information provided by the Investment Adviser and the Investment Adviser's profitability derived from its relationship with the Fund. Specifically, the Board reviewed and considered a profit contribution analysis of the Investment Adviser showing its fees, income, and expenses in connection with the Fund and the methodology used in the analysis. The Board determined that the Investment Adviser is solvent and sufficiently well capitalized to perform the ongoing responsibilities to the Fund and to satisfy its obligations under the Act and the advisory agreement. The Board reviewed the advisory fee and the effective investment advisory fee rate paid by the Fund and the appropriateness of such advisory fee. The Board reviewed and considered any economies of scale realized by the Fund and how the current advisory fee for the Fund reflects the economies of scale for the benefit of the shareholders of the Fund. The Board also reviewed and considered the fees or other payments received by the Investment Adviser. Specifically, the Board reviewed and considered comparison of fees charged by investment advisers to fund peers of the Fund. The Board also considered and reviewed information regarding brokerage. The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the current and anticipated portfolio managers to manage the portfolio of the Fund, including their history managing investments generally and growth oriented investments in particular, as well as the background and expertise of the key personnel and amount of time they would be able to devote to the affairs of the Fund. The Board concluded, in light of the particular requirements of the Fund, that it was satisfied with the professional qualifications and overall commitment to the Fund of the anticipated portfolio management team. The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of services rendered to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and the investment performance of the Fund based on the data provided which included comparisons with index data and data concerning performance relative to other funds with generally similar objectives and management policies. The Board determined that in light of the data taken as a whole and the nature of the investment program of the Fund, the investment performance was reasonable and acceptable. The Board discussed the Investment Adviser's profitability, and it was noted that the profitability percentage was within ranges generally determined to be reasonable, given the services rendered and the Fund's performance and services provided. The Board concluded that the Fund's fees paid to the Investment Adviser were reasonable in light of comparative performance and advisory fee information, costs of the services provided and profits to be realized and benefits derived by the Investment Adviser from the relationship with the Fund. Trustees ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William A. Oates, Jr. John C. Emery Ernest E. Monrad Michael Baldwin Robert B. Minturn F. Washington Jarvis Officers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William A. Oates, Jr., President Gordon C. Barrett, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer Ernest E. Monrad, Assistant Treasurer Robert B. Minturn, Vice President, Clerk & Chief Legal Officer Richard J. Semple, Vice President Bruce H. Monrad, Vice President David A. Randall, Vice President John F. Francini, Vice President Nancy M. Mulligan, Vice President Investment Advisor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northeast Management & Research Company, Inc. 150 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Custodian ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State Street Bank & Trust Company 200 Clarendon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Legal Counsel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. One Financial Center Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Transfer Agent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northeast Investors Growth Fund 150 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 This report is prepared for the information of the shareholders of Northeast Investors Growth Fund and must not be given to others unless preceded or accompanied by a copy of the current Prospectus by which all offerings of the Fund shares are made. It should be noted in reading this report and the letter to shareholders that the record of past performance is not a representation as to the Fund's future performance, and that the Fund's investments are subject to market risks. For a free copy of the Fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record visit www.northeastinvestors.com/growth/proxypolicy.stm, call 1-800-225-6704 or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s website at www.sec.gov. Shares of the Fund are sold to investors at net asset value by Northeast Investors Growth Fund 150 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 800-225-6704 * 617-523-3588 www.northeastinvestors.com Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semi-annual report. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semi-annual report. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable for semi-annual report. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable to the registrant. Item 6. Schedule of Investments Included as part of Item 1 above. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to the registrant. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to the registrant. Item 9. Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Company and Affiliated Purchasers Not applicable to the registrant. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The registrant has not adopted procedures for the submission of nominees for Trustee. Item 11. Controls and Procedures. (a) The registrant's principal executive and financial officers, after evaluating the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), have concluded that, based on such evaluation, the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report. (b) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 12. Exhibits. (a) 99.CERT Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. (b) 99.906CERT A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. (Registrant) Northeast Investors Growth Fund By (Signature and Title) William A. Oates, Jr. President (principal executive officer) Date: September 5, 2008 By (Signature and Title) Gordon C. Barrett Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) Date: September 5, 2008 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By (Signature and Title) William A. Oates, Jr. President (principal executive officer) Date: September 5, 2008 By (Signature and Title) Gordon C. Barrett Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) Date: September 5, 2008 Exhibit 99.CERT Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act I, William A. Oates, Jr., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Northeast Investors Growth Fund; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: September 5, 2008 William A. Oates, Jr. President (principal executive officer) Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act I, Gordon C. Barrett, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Northeast Investors Growth Fund; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: September 5, 2008 Gordon C. Barrett Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) Exhibit 99.906CERT Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Northeast Investors Growth Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Registrant"), does hereby certify, to such officer's knowledge, that: The report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2008 of the Registrant (the "Form N-CSR") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. Dated: September 5, 2008 William A. Oates, Jr. President (Principal Executive Officer) Dated: September 5, 2008 Gordon C. Barrett Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is not being filed as a separate disclosure document. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.