N-CSR 1 johnson_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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 811-07254

 

Johnson Mutual Funds Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

3777 West Fork Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Marc E. Figgins, CFO, 3777 West Fork Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(513) 661-3100

 

Date of fiscal year end:12/31

 

Date of reporting period:12/31/23

 

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.

 

(COVER PAGE)

 

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

Table of Contents

 

Letter from the Fund President 1
Performance Review and Management Discussion  
Equity Income Fund 3
Opportunity Fund 5
International Fund 7
Municipal Income Fund 8
Portfolio of Investments  
Equity Income Fund 10
Opportunity Fund 11
International Fund 13
Municipal Income Fund 15
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 20
Statements of Operations 22
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 24
Financial Highlights  
Equity Income Fund 27
Opportunity Fund 29
International Fund 31
Municipal Income Fund 32
Notes to the Financial Statements 33
Disclosure of Expenses 41
Operation and Effectiveness of the Funds’ Liquidity Risk management Program 42
Additional Information 43
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 44
Trustees and Officers 45
Trustees and Officers, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant, Custodian, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Legal Counsel Back Page

 

 

LETTER FROM THE FUND PRESIDENT DECEMBER 2023

 

We are pleased to present you with the Johnson Mutual Funds’ 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders. On the following pages, we have provided commentary on the performance of each of the Funds for 2023 as well as their relative performance compared to an appropriate benchmark.

 

The remainder of the report provides the holdings of each Johnson Mutual Fund as well as other financial data and notes.

 

2023 was the year of the market mood swing. The year began plagued by fear and uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) aggressively tightened policy, and economists were all but certain this would be the year the economy would buckle under the Fed’s pressure. By early spring, Leading Economic Indicators were at levels only previously seen in a recession or on the verge of entering a recession. To make matters worse, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank rattled investors and sent markets tumbling.

 

By summer, optimism emerged as investors grew confident that the banking crisis was contained, and overall market sentiment began to improve. Throughout the second half of the year the combination of steady economic data and convincing progress on inflation propelled risk assets higher.

 

One notable exception, however, was the bond market. The combination of stronger than expected economic data and inflation still running hotter than desired propelled interest rates to new highs as the market embraced the Fed’s promise to keep rates “higher for longer”. For a moment, the Bloomberg Aggregate Index (“AGG”) seemed destined to post its third straight year of negative returns.

 

However, that changed abruptly, after a slowing pace of hiring was revealed in the October payrolls report. The Federal Reserve further added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it disclosed plans to cut rates a few times in the coming year. From its October lows, the AGG climbed nearly 10% and erased its entire YTD deficit, closing the year up 5.53%.

 

The sudden dovish shift from the Federal Reserve sent equities even higher with the S&P 500 returning 11.69% in the fourth quarter alone. The swift decline in rates and increasing hopes of an economic soft landing were celebrated by the market, leading to significant gains in interest rate-sensitive sectors, such as Real Estate (18.83%), Technology (17.17%), and Financials (14.03%).

 

All told the S&P 500 climbed 26.29% during 2023 to finish the year just below its all-time record high set in January 2022. On the surface the stock market appears to be signaling that the Fed has engineered a soft landing for the economy. However, the story of equity markets in 2023 remained the market concentration of the largest mega-cap, growth-oriented stocks. While the market-cap weighted S&P 500 is close to reaching a new all-time high, the equal weighted S&P 500 lagged materially, finishing the year up only 13.88%, the largest spread between the two indices since 1998.

 

Diversification was not only detrimental within the large cap equity space, but across market capitalization and geographic regions as well. The US mid and small cap stocks underperformed their large cap peers by a wide margin. Globally both developed and emerging market equities failed to keep pace with domestic indices.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

 

Diversification in portfolios will matter again as it always has. This narrow equity market leadership is unlikely to last forever. If history teaches us anything, it is that we would be wise to avoid that level of concentration in portfolios. From energy producers in 1980, to Japanese conglomerates in the 1990s, to tech stocks in the 2000s, to emerging markets commodity producers in the 2010s, every decade provides a new example of why it is unwise to concentrate on themes that drove the market in the recent past.

 

The Johnson forward looking outlook on the market remains mixed. While the Fed’s perceived more dovish commentary in December marked a notable potential shift in policy, a full cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. The continuation of slowing economic trends and a potential recession could result in increased stock market volatility.

 

It is also important to highlight that the valuation on the market is not cheap, and that is based on earnings that may come under further pressure. Utilizing current consensus earnings estimates, the S&P 500 is trading at 19.5x forward earnings. While valuation is a poor predictor of return in the short term, it can provide a good indication toward longer term, 10-year return expectations. With the starting Price-to-Earnings ratio of 19.5x the regression would indicate equity returns over the next 10 years to average in the 3-6% range.

 

1

 

LETTER FROM THE FUND PRESIDENT DECEMBER 2023

 

Bonds, for their part, look to be particularly attractive. The yield on an intermediate duration bond portfolio is near 4.5%. While yields have come down slightly from their highs earlier in the year, fixed income securities once again provide for the diversification benefit that did not exist in the lower rate environments of the past several years. In periods of risk aversion, fixed income will again be able to provide a benefit to portfolios as a hedge against increasing risks. And with bond portfolios yielding near 4.5% or better, the outlook for bond returns going forward has not been this high in many years (The best indication of long-term returns for fixed income is the starting yield).

 

Either way, the playbook here at Johnson will remain the same: a diversified portfolio of high-quality securities is the most resilient and reliable path to long-term success.

 

Disclaimer: Any expectations presented should not be taken as a guarantee or other assurance as to future results. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this presentation was created, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The material contained herein is based upon proprietary information and is provided purely for reference and as such is confidential and intended solely for those to whom it was provided by Johnson Investment Counsel. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

 

2

 

JOHNSON EQUITY INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

The Johnson Equity Income Fund achieved a total return of 13.42% in 2023, underperforming the S&P 500 Index’s (the “Index”) 26.29% return. While the Fund’s absolute return for the year was positive, the significant outperformance of a few mega-cap stocks in the Index, dubbed the ‘Magnificent 7’, was the defining feature of 2023. These seven stocks hailed from three sectors – Information Technology (+58%), Communication Services (+55%), and Consumer Discretionary (+42%). These sectors provided outsized returns during the year and were the only three sectors that outperformed the Index. The other seven sectors severely underperformed the Index with four of these sectors – Health Care (+2%), Consumer Staples (+0.5%), Energy (-1%), and Utilities (-7%) – not participating at all.

 

Both sector allocation and stock selection contributed to the Fund’s underperformance in 2023. The Fund was meaningfully underweighted each of the three outperforming sectors and modestly overweight each of the four sectors mentioned above that did not participate in the year’s strong appreciation. As for stock selection, overconcentration of the Index in the ‘Magnificent 7’ mega cap companies, which now comprise ~29% of the overall Index, was a significant contributor to the Fund’s underperformance.

 

The Fund benefited from a few standout performers. Adobe and Intuit collectively provided over 120 bps of positive relative performance within Technology. The Fund’s position in Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) and not owning pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson resulted in a positive Health Care sector contribution. Infrastructure spending beneficiary, nVent Electric, has increased 40.2% over the Fund’s holding period during the year, which resulted in a positive contribution from the Industrials sector.

 

In summary, 2023 was a difficult environment for dividend-focused strategies like this Fund, given the factors mentioned above. With the Federal Reserve’s perceived policy shift in December, the market has begun to anticipate that interest rate cuts may come quicker than anticipated. Against a backdrop of weakening economic indicators, the perceived shift raises questions about whether the economy is headed for a soft landing or a recession. A near term headwind to the Fund’s relative performance could be an environment led by lower quality, cyclical stocks. However, if we do see stock market volatility increase due to the return of recession fears, the Fund has a strong history of relative outperformance during significant market declines. We will continue to maintain our bottom-up quality discipline to provide positive shareholder value over the full market cycle.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
  EQUITY INCOME FUND  
  — CLASS I SHARES S&P 500 INDEX
ONE YEAR 13.42% 26.29%
THREE YEARS 8.84% 10.00%
FIVE YEARS 14.18% 15.69%
TEN YEARS 10.30% 12.03%

 

HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY SECTOR
SECTOR ALLOCATION  % OF NET ASSETS
TECHNOLOGY   24.6%
HEALTH CARE   15.2%
FINANCIALS   13.6%
INDUSTRIALS   12.1%
CONSUMER STAPLES   7.7%
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY   6.7%
ENERGY   5.9%
UTILITIES   5.9%
COMMUNICATIONS   5.2%
REAL ESTATE   2.1%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   0.9%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   0.1%
    100.0%


Above average dividend income and long-term capital growth is the objective of the Johnson Equity Income Fund, and the primary assets are stocks of large-sized U.S. companies. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Six-month returns are not annualized. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas the Index does not incur fees or expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the S&P 500 Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The S&P 500 Index is the established benchmark. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

3

 

JOHNSON EQUITY INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
  EQUITY INCOME FUND  
  — CLASS S SHARES S&P 500 INDEX
SINCE INCEPTION* 5.46% 7.66%

 

*Inception date was September 15, 2023


Above average dividend income and long-term capital growth is the objective of the Johnson Equity Income Fund, and the primary assets are stocks of large-sized U.S. companies. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Six-month returns are not annualized. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas the Index does not incur fees or expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the S&P 500 Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The S&P 500 Index is the established benchmark. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

4

 

JOHNSON OPPORTUNITY FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

The Johnson Opportunity Fund delivered a net total return of +17.12% in 2023, slightly trailing the Russell 2500 Index’s +17.42% return. It was a year of ebb and flow for SMID (small to mid) Cap stocks, with four major market corrections occurring within the year, notably a more than 20% decline following a banking industry crisis in March that led to a few large bank failures. Markets also grappled with interest rate volatility, assessing when Federal Reserve policy would transition from tightening to easing. As the Fed communicated a more dovish message late in the year, stocks finished the final two months of 2023 with a robust market rally.

 

The Fund’s performance in 2023 benefited from its strategic preference for high quality stocks. The team’s quantitative factor inputs emphasizing quality, valuation, and momentum were also a favorable influence. Sector positioning and security selection had positive attribution effects, and the slight Fund underperformance on a net basis can be attributed to fees and the drag of a small cash position.

 

The top contributing stock was Hawkins, a specialty chemicals manufacturer benefiting from robust pricing trends that drove record cash flows and balance sheet strengthening. Other top performers included Coca-Cola Consolidated, a distributor of Coca-Cola brands, and Fair Isaac Corp., best known for its FICO score credit assessment product. Both stocks were driven higher by robust earnings growth that exceeded market expectations. An overweight position in Industrials proved valuable with nVent Electric and Watsco among the biggest winners. A strategic underweight position in the Energy sector also proved advantageous as oil prices slid 11% over the course of the year.

 

On the downside, the worst performing stock was Signature Bank, which was taken over by regulators after an unexpected bank run on deposits, rendering its shares nearly worthless. The Health Care sector was a material underperformer for the year and included many of the Fund’s bottom performers, including AMN Healthcare Services, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Global Medical. This sector has faced challenges in the post-pandemic recovery and many companies continued to have disappointing earnings as they struggled to resume normal growth trends.

 

Market valuation appears contingent on companies achieving the mid-teens earnings growth rate indicated by the 2024 consensus. While annual forecasts often begin with such growth expectations, they rarely finish there as the year progresses. It is troubling to see that revision trends have not yet turned positive, and growth rates would likely still turn negative in a recession, which remains a threat. Amid a year marked by transitioning monetary policy, significant U.S. elections, and ongoing international conflicts, the team maintains a bottom-up focus in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty. Quality investing minimizes the reliance on timing the market cycle and aligns with companies well-equipped to navigate hard-to-predict market environments.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
  OPPORTUNITY  
  FUND  
  — CLASS I SHARES RUSSELL 2500 INDEX
ONE YEAR 17.12% 17.42%
THREE YEARS 10.22% 4.24%
FIVE YEARS 13.18% 11.67%
TEN YEARS 8.39% 8.36%

 

HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
TECHNOLOGY   21.1%
INDUSTRIALS   17.1%
FINANCIALS   12.8%
HEALTH CARE   12.2%
MATERIALS   9.5%
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY   9.1%
REAL ESTATE   6.0%
UTILITIES   4.0%
CONSUMER STAPLES   3.2%
ENERGY   2.4%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   1.4%
COMMUNICATIONS   1.3%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   -0.1%
    100.0%


Long-term capital growth is the objective of the Johnson Opportunity Fund, and the primary assets are equity securities of medium sized companies. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. Six-month returns are not annualized. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas the Index does not incur fees or expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Russell 2500 Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Russell 2500 Index is the established benchmark. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

5

 

JOHNSON OPPORTUNITY FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
  OPPORTUNITY FUND  
  — CLASS S SHARES RUSSELL 2500 INDEX
SINCE INCEPTION* 10.35% 9.95%

 

*Inception date was September 15, 2023


Long-term capital growth is the objective of the Johnson Opportunity Fund, and the primary assets are equity securities of medium sized companies. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. Six-month returns are not annualized. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas the Index does not incur fees or expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Russell 2500 Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Russell 2500 Index is the established benchmark. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

6

 

JOHNSON INTERNATIONAL FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

The Johnson International Fund had a total net return of +20.07% in 2023, outperforming the MSCI ACWI ex-US Index’s +15.62% return. This result placed the Fund in the top 20% of funds within its Morningstar Foreign Large Value peer group for the calendar year.

 

Without its own group of mega-cap technology stocks driving index returns higher, the less concentrated MSCI ACWI ex-US Index lagged the more technology-weighted US stock market. The positive absolute international returns were despite foreign company earnings slipping into negative growth and were further explained by rising valuation. Stocks corrected in August through October as interest rates rose but recaptured those losses in the final months of the year as the economy continued to avoid a decline, and investors looked ahead to the end of tight central bank monetary policies.

 

The Fund’s outperformance can mostly be attributed to positive security selection, which was shown in eight of the eleven sectors. An overweight tilt in developed markets (+18.2%) versus emerging markets (+9.8%) was also additive. The top performing Technology sector was a favorable overweight position, reflecting high demand for capacity-constrained products and capturing optimism for secular growth related to artificial intelligence. Five of the top ten stocks were from the Technology space, including Lenovo Group, Open Text, United Microelectronics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and SAP. Another significant contributor was Novo Nordisk, whose earnings boomed in large part due to its first mover advantage in the marketing of GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

 

Chinese stocks broadly declined for the second straight year, and this included many of the Fund’s weakest performers, including Daqo New Energy, JD.com, Alibaba Group, and Tencent Holdings. The Fund was underweight Chinese stocks, though, which added value. The most negative stock contributor was Kering, a luxury apparel and accessories company known for its Gucci brand that struggled to grow as expected due to a weak Chinese consumer and poor brand momentum.

 

Earnings revision trends have not yet turned positive, and a global recession remains a threat. The direction of the global economy and stock markets is likely to be shaped by the success of central bank monetary policy transitions and the course of events in ongoing international conflicts (both military and political). In the face of macroeconomic uncertainty, valuation can help buffer a riskier path. If the economy sees a soft-landing recovery, international stocks, after lagging U.S. stocks for multiple years, may see a relative growth rate advantage as well, as companies return to positive earnings growth after a down year for profits.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
  INTERNATIONAL MSCI ACWI EX US
  FUND INDEX
ONE YEAR 20.03% 15.62%
THREE YEARS 4.61% 1.55%
FIVE YEARS 7.87% 7.08%
TEN YEARS 4.21% 3.83%

 

HOLDINGS BY COUNTRY
% OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS   AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
JAPAN 16.66%   AUSTRALIA 2.17%
UNITED KINGDOM 10.45%   MEXICO 2.80%
FRANCE 9.18%   UNITED STATES 1.00%
CANADA 8.38%   INDIA 2.47%
SWITZERLAND 7.39%   SOUTH KOREA 2.45%
GERMANY 6.97%   SPAIN 1.99%
TAIWAN 3.76%   BRAZIL 2.75%
HONGKONG 3.91%   DENMARK 2.29%
CHINA 3.10%   NETHERLANDS 2.05%
CAYMAN ISLANDS 2.38%   OTHER* 7.85%

 

*Countries in “Other” category include: Israel, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg, Phillipines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Sweden


Long-term capital growth is the objective of the Johnson International Fund, and the primary assets are equity securities of foreign companies traded on U.S. exchanges and ADRs (American Depository Receipts). The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Six-month returns are not annualized. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas neither Index incurs fees nor expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the MSCI ACWI ex US Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The MSCI ACWI ex US Index is the primary benchmark. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

7

 

JOHNSON MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

The Johnson Municipal Income fund provided a total return of 5.76% during 2023 compared to 6.40% for the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index.

 

After rising sharply throughout 2022, municipal bond yields fell across every tenor of the curve in 2023 with majority of the downward move occurring toward the end of the year. Dovish communications from the Federal Reserve indicated the end of their rate hiking cycle following their acknowledgment of the progress made on inflation throughout the year. Tax-exempt municipal bonds outperformed most other fixed-income products as municipal bond yields rallied to a greater degree relative to U.S. treasury yields. Despite the strong performance, municipal bond mutual funds continued to experience outflows over the year as investors remained fearful of rising interest rates, and tax-loss harvesting activity continued. New municipal bond issuance in 2023 remained below that of 2022 and the trailing five-year average as issuers were reluctant to issue debt amidst the volatile interest rate environment and lackluster investor demand. Longer maturity bonds and lower quality issuers outperformed the general market as municipal bond rates fell and lower quality spreads tightened, as the low level of supply underwhelmed the market. As a result, the Fund’s longer duration positioning relative to its benchmark was a deterrent to performance while its focus on higher-quality securities acted as a headwind. We maintain a high-quality focus as lower quality securities remain expensive relative to prior periods and offer minimal compensation in terms of additional yield.

 

Investor sentiment regarding municipal credit health remained optimistic thanks to the tailwinds of strong tax revenue collection growth from pre-pandemic levels and a strong labor market. However, a degree of uncertainty remains for lower quality and economically sensitive-revenue dependent municipal issuers. Weakening economic conditions and the digestion of higher interest rates could result in a slowing of revenue collections, stretching the credit health of economically sensitive sectors. Still, higher-quality issuers’ balance sheets remain robust as reserve balances are near all-time highs, supporting a more advantageous foundation for a potential economic slowdown relative to lower quality. The Fund avoids economically sensitive securities by maintaining a strict focus on high quality municipal issuers, as over 71% of the Fund is rated AA or higher.

 

Looking forward to next year, municipal bond yields remain well-above decade-long averages across the curve, positioning municipal bonds to provide investors with meaningful current income and act as a reliable hedge against risk asset volatility. Despite proactive measures from the Fed to ease policy restrictions, a full cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant, leading the Fund to maintain a defensive posture in the portfolio driven by valuation paired with a modestly longer duration than the benchmark.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
      BLOOMBERG
  MUNICIPAL BLOOMBERG MUNICIPAL
  INCOME MUNICIPAL BOND 5 YEAR
  FUND BOND INDEX GO INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.76% 6.40% 4.05%
THREE YEARS -0.85% -0.40% -0.30%
FIVE YEARS 1.60% 2.25% 1.71%
TEN YEARS 1.99% 3.03% 1.80%


A high level of federally tax-free income over the long term consistent with preservation of capital is the objective of the Johnson Municipal Income Fund, and the primary assets are intermediate term Ohio municipal bonds. The data on this page is unaudited and represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Six-month returns are not annualized. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees and expenses, whereas the Index does not incur fees or expenses. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Bloomberg Capital Municipal Bond Index nor in the Bloomberg Capital Five Year General Obligation Municipal Bond Index. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Bloomberg Capital Municipal Bond Index is the primary benchmark, and the Bloomberg Capital Five Year General Obligation Municipal Bond Index is a supplementary index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

8

 

JOHNSON MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

*As rated by either Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Rating Agencies.

 

(If rated by both, the lower rating is represented.)

 

HOLDINGS BY STATE OF ISSUANCE % OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
OHIO 77.03%   INDIANA 1.26   
KENTUCKY 6.47%   SOUTH CAROLINA 0.65%
N/A 3.34%   ALABAMA 0.57%
MISSOURI 2.89%   VIRGINIA 0.57%
PENNSYLVANIA 2.70%   GEORGIA 0.54%
COLORADO 1.80%   MICHIGAN 0.40%
TEXAS 1.45%   NORTH DAKOTA 0.33%


 

9

 

EQUITY INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%    Shares     Value 
Communications — 5.2%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A (a)   175,812   $24,559,178 
Comcast Corp. - Class A   177,800    7,796,530 
         32,355,708 
Consumer Discretionary — 6.7%          
Genuine Parts Co.   72,000    9,972,000 
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.   57,000    12,685,350 
McDonald’s Corp.   42,500    12,601,675 
TJX Cos., Inc. (The)   65,485    6,143,148 
         41,402,173 
Consumer Staples — 7.7%          
Coca-Cola Co. (The)   215,320    12,688,807 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The) - Class A   80,000    11,700,000 
PepsiCo, Inc.   35,900    6,097,256 
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)   36,690    5,376,553 
Walmart, Inc.   75,555    11,911,246 
         47,773,862 
Energy — 5.9%          
Chevron Corp.   125,760    18,758,362 
Williams Cos., Inc. (The)   514,300    17,913,069 
         36,671,431 
Financials — 13.6%          
American Financial Group, Inc.   158,900    18,891,621 
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.   215,050    11,907,319 
Everest Group Ltd.   30,200    10,678,116 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.   61,600    11,671,352 
Nasdaq, Inc.   349,300    20,308,302 
Willis Towers Watson plc   44,870    10,822,644 
         84,279,354 
Health Care — 15.2%          
Abbott Laboratories   100,518    11,064,016 
Cencora, Inc.   94,000    19,305,719 
Danaher Corp.   75,343    17,429,849 
Medtronic plc   108,836    8,965,910 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   35,250    18,558,068 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.   103,900    12,644,630 
Zoetis, Inc.   32,892    6,491,894 
         94,460,086 
Industrials — 12.1%          
Amphenol Corp. - Class A   132,300    13,114,899 
Honeywell International, Inc.   53,350    11,188,029 
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.   52,000    13,620,880 
Nordson Corp.   46,300    12,230,608 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   27,000    12,639,780 
Waste Management, Inc.   68,600    12,286,260 
         75,080,456 
Real Estate — 2.1%          
American Tower Corp.   61,187    13,209,050 
COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%    Shares     Value 
Technology — 24.6%          
Accenture plc - Class A   41,790   $14,664,528 
Adobe, Inc. (a)   20,060    11,967,796 
Analog Devices, Inc.   59,200    11,754,752 
Apple,Inc.   61,760    11,890,653 
ASML Holding N.V.   9,100    6,887,972 
Intuit, Inc.   21,250    13,281,888 
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   29,750    12,688,673 
Microsoft Corp.   60,260    22,660,169 
Roper Technologies, Inc.   26,000    14,174,420 
S&P Global,Inc.   28,657    12,623,982 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR   63,000    6,552,000 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   50,600    13,173,710 
         152,320,543 
Utilities — 5.9%          
Alliant Energy Corp.   352,910    18,104,283 
American Electric Power Co., Inc.   227,600    18,485,672 
         36,589,955 
Total Common Stocks          
(Cost $436,991,063)       $614,142,618 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.9%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (b) (Cost $5,511,764)   5,511,764    5,511,764 
           
Investments at Value — 99.9%          
(Cost $442,502,827)       $619,654,382 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.1%        502,027 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $620,156,409 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

 

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap

 

plc - Public Limited Company



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

10

 

OPPORTUNITY FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
Communications — 1.3%          
New York Times Co. (The) - Class A   34,300   $1,680,357 
           
Consumer Discretionary — 9.1%          
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. - Class A (a)   9,900    1,104,444 
LKQ Corp.   40,100    1,916,379 
NVR, Inc. (a)   250    1,750,113 
Rush Enterprises, Inc. - Class A   38,100    1,916,430 
Steven Madden Ltd.   42,300    1,776,600 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   11,900    1,454,537 
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.   10,900    2,199,402 
         12,117,905 
Consumer Staples — 3.2%          
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (a)   28,700    1,913,142 
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.   2,500    2,321,000 
         4,234,142 
Energy — 2.4%          
DT Midstream, Inc.   25,000    1,370,000 
World Kinect Corp.   81,300    1,852,014 
         3,222,014 
Financials — 12.8%          
American Financial Group, Inc.   18,000    2,140,020 
Arrow Financial Corp.   55,597    1,553,380 
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.   36,700    2,032,079 
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.   4,900    811,391 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   28,700    2,064,965 
Everest Group Ltd.   5,400    1,909,332 
Farmers National Banc Corp.   100,400    1,450,780 
SEI Investments Co.   35,100    2,230,605 
Wintrust Financial Corp.   30,300    2,810,325 
         17,002,877 
Health Care — 12.2%          
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (a)   12,000    2,836,800 
Chemed Corp.   3,500    2,046,625 
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (a)   11,600    1,426,800 
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.   35,400    2,009,304 
Option Care Health, Inc. (a)   55,500    1,869,795 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   7,100    978,948 
Repligen Corp. (a)   9,900    1,780,020 
U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.   19,400    1,806,916 
Universal Health Services, Inc. - Class B   10,200    1,554,888 
         16,310,096 
Industrials — 17.1%          
A.O. Smith Corp.   30,900    2,547,396 
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (a)   19,700    1,475,136 
COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   14,700   $2,538,543 
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.   6,200    1,275,154 
Core & Main, Inc. - Class A (a)   31,900    1,289,079 
Donaldson Co., Inc.   29,100    1,901,685 
Gorman-Rupp Co. (The)   50,500    1,794,265 
Hubbell, Inc.   5,200    1,710,436 
IDEX Corp.   6,900    1,498,059 
Littelfuse, Inc.   4,600    1,230,776 
Nordson Corp.   9,300    2,456,688 
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. (a)   8,200    1,332,500 
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. - Class A   8,400    1,750,056 
         22,799,773 
Materials — 9.5%          
Avery Dennison Corp.   11,600    2,345,056 
H.B. Fuller Co.   27,600    2,246,916 
Hawkins, Inc.   34,000    2,394,280 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.   3,400    950,912 
RPM International, Inc.   15,600    1,741,428 
Sonoco Products Co.   26,700    1,491,729 
UFP Industries, Inc.   11,700    1,468,935 
         12,639,256 
Real Estate — 6.0%          
Camden Property Trust   6,400    635,456 
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   49,300    1,313,352 
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   13,000    917,020 
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. (a)   8,800    1,662,056 
NNN REIT, Inc.   46,900    2,021,390 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   37,400    1,468,324 
         8,017,598 
Technology — 21.1%          
Amdocs Ltd.   18,600    1,634,754 
Bentley Systems, Inc. - Class B   25,200    1,314,936 
Blackbaud, Inc. (a)   23,800    2,063,460 
CACI International, Inc. - Class A (a)   5,300    1,716,458 
Dynatrace, Inc. (a)   36,600    2,001,654 
Fair Isaac Corp. (a)   1,200    1,396,812 
Genpact Ltd.   42,200    1,464,762 
Globant S.A. (a)   5,700    1,356,486 
ICF International, Inc.   8,700    1,166,583 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   8,400    1,372,644 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.   19,700    2,132,328 
MAXIMUS, Inc.   22,800    1,912,008 
Paylocity Holding Corp. (a)   6,900    1,137,465 
PTC, Inc. (a)   9,200    1,609,632 
Sapiens International Corp. N.V.   57,300    1,658,262 
Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)   4,350    1,818,822 
WEX, Inc. (a)   4,900    953,295 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

11

 

OPPORTUNITY FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
Zebra Technologies Corp. - Class A (a)   5,000   $1,366,650 
         28,077,011 
Utilities — 4.0%          
Atmos Energy Corp.   14,500    1,680,550 
Portland General Electric Co.   32,200    1,395,548 
Unitil Corp.   42,200    2,218,454 
         5,294,552 
Total Common Stocks          
(Cost $103,192,570)       $131,395,581 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 1.4%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (b) (Cost $1,865,482)   1,865,482    1,865,482 
           
Investments at Value — 100.1%          
(Cost $105,058,052)       $133,261,063 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1%)        (135,531)
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $133,125,532 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

S.A. - Societe Anonyme



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

12

 

INTERNATIONAL FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
Communications — 8.8%          
Baidu, Inc. - ADR (a)   1,800   $214,362 
Deutsche Telekom AG - ADR   7,100    171,323 
KDDI Corp. - ADR   22,600    355,950 
Orange S.A. - ADR   7,500    85,725 
PDLT, Inc. - ADR   11,000    257,730 
Publicis Groupe S.A. - ADR   22,100    512,366 
RTL Group S.A. - ADR   15,000    57,929 
SK Telecom Co. Ltd. - ADR   4,600    98,440 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. - ADR   8,400    317,436 
WPP plc - ADR   1,800    85,626 
         2,156,887 
Consumer Discretionary — 8.2%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - ADR   2,000    155,020 
Bridgestone Corp. - ADR   8,200    168,510 
Bunzl plc - ADR   7,700    315,238 
CIE Financiere Richemont S.A. - ADR   22,000    303,050 
Daimler Truck Holding AG - ADR   2,200    41,140 
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. - ADR   5,500    170,005 
JD.com, Inc. - ADR   1,700    49,113 
Magna International, Inc.   6,000    354,480 
Mercedes-Benz Group AG   3,600    248,760 
Toyota Motor Corp. - ADR   1,100    201,718 
         2,007,034 
Consumer Staples — 8.2%          
ITOCHU Corp. - ADR   3,700    301,328 
L’Oreal S.A. - ADR   2,800    278,348 
Nestlé S.A. - ADR   2,800    323,764 
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc - ADR   5,900    81,066 
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. - ADR   32,100    474,599 
Unilever plc - ADR   2,200    106,656 
Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V.-ADR   10,600    447,532 
         2,013,293 
Energy — 3.1%          
BP plc - ADR   4,000    141,600 
Gazprom PJSC - ADR (a)(b)   14,000    140 
Shell plc - ADR   4,600    302,680 
TotalEnergies SE - ADR   2,352    158,478 
Woodside Energy Group Ltd. - ADR   7,599    160,263 
         763,161 
Financials — 19.0%          
Admiral Group plc - ADR   8,200    278,718 
Allianz SE - ADR   10,700    285,583 
Banco Santander S.A. - ADR   37,155    153,822 
Bank of Montreal   1,240    122,686 
Barclays plc - ADR   15,000    118,200 
BNP Paribas S.A. - ADR   6,100    211,914 
COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
China Construction Bank Corp. - ADR   23,000   $273,010 
Deutsche Boerse AG - ADR   7,000    143,815 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. - ADR   33,800    328,536 
KB Financial Group, Inc. - ADR   2,400    99,288 
Legal & General Group plc - ADR   9,900    161,964 
Manulife Financial Corp.   7,720    170,612 
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. - ADR   40,000    344,400 
ORIX Corp. - ADR   2,450    228,806 
Royal Bank of Canada   1,900    192,147 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. - ADR   56,100    543,047 
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. - ADR   18,900    470,988 
Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)   2,700    174,474 
United Overseas Bank Ltd. - ADR   4,100    177,448 
Zurich Insurance Group AG - ADR   3,240    169,403 
         4,648,861 
Health Care — 9.5%          
Alcon, Inc.   2,900    226,548 
Astellas Pharma, Inc. - ADR   17,600    209,440 
Bayer AG - ADR   10,700    98,761 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. - ADR   3,340    232,397 
Novartis AG - ADR   2,480    250,406 
Novo Nordisk A/S - ADR   5,400    558,630 
Roche Holding AG - ADR   10,500    380,415 
Sandoz Group A.G. - ADR (a)   496    15,877 
Sanofi - ADR   2,000    99,460 
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. - ADR   9,340    133,282 
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries  Ltd. (a)   3,000    125,340 
         2,330,556 
Industrials — 7.8%          
ABB Ltd. - ADR   2,900    128,470 
Accelleron Industries AG   145    4,520 
Atlas Copco AB - ADR   28,400    488,764 
BAE Systems plc - ADR   3,800    219,708 
Compass Group plc - ADR   6,500    180,765 
Schneider Electric SE - ADR   13,200    531,037 
Sensata Technologies Holding plc   2,200    82,654 
Siemens AG - ADR   2,900    271,266 
         1,907,184 
Materials — 9.9%          
Air Liquide S.A. - ADR   5,025    195,724 
BASF SE - ADR   7,400    99,308 
BHP Group Ltd. - ADR   5,400    368,874 
Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. - ADR (a)   30,300    234,825 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

13

 

INTERNATIONAL FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%    Shares     Value 
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional S.A.-ADR   57,100   $224,403 
Newmont Corp. - ADR   4,360    180,460 
Nitto Denko Corp. - ADR   9,000    335,160 
POSCO Holdings, Inc. - ADR   4,200    399,462 
Rio Tinto plc - ADR   1,570    116,902 
Vale S.A. - ADR   17,300    274,378 
         2,429,496 
Real Estate — 1.6%          
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. - ADR   34,700    374,760 
           
Technology — 19.1%          
ASML Holding N.V.   660    499,567 
Capgemini SE - ADR   4,000    167,400 
CGI, Inc. (a)   5,100    546,771 
Infosys Ltd. - ADR   20,100    369,438 
Lenovo Group Ltd. - ADR   20,700    578,979 
Open Text Corp.   11,500    483,230 
PDD Holdings, Inc. - ADR (a)   1,200    175,572 
RELX plc - ADR   4,200    166,572 
SAPSE-ADR   2,200    340,098 
Sony Group Corp. - ADR   4,500    426,105 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR   4,300    447,200 
United Microelectronics Corp. - ADR   55,700    471,222 
         4,672,154 
Utilities — 3.5%          
Enel S.p.A. - ADR   33,700    249,212 
Iberdrola S.A. - ADR   6,300    330,749 
National Grid plc - ADR   1,629    110,756 
SSE plc - ADR   6,900    165,738 
         856,455 
           
Total Common Stocks          
(Cost $16,916,192)       $24,159,841 
PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.7%    Shares     Value 
Financials — 0.7%          
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. - ADR (Cost $129,573)   24,800   $172,360 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.3%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (c) (Cost $63,663)   63,663    63,663 
           
Investments at Value — 99.7%          
(Cost $17,109,428)       $24,395,864 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.3%        55,055 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $24,450,869 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)This security is currently restricted from trading and is valued using Level 3 inputs as of December 31, 2023. The total fair value of Level 3 securities as of December 31, 2023 is $140.

 

(c)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

A/S - Aktieselskab

 

AB - Aktiebolag

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

 

AG - Aktiengesellschaft

 

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

PJSC - Public Joint Stock Company

 

S.A. - Societe Anonyme

 

S.A.B. de C.V. - Societe Anonima Bursatil de Capital Variable

 

S.p.A. - Societa per azioni

 

SE - Societe Europaea



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

14

 

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.0%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
General Obligation - City — 6.9%                
Cincinnati Ohio GO Unlimited, Series 2017-A  4.000%  12/01/32  $1,000,000   $1,057,826 
Columbus Ohio GO Unlimited, Series 2015-A  3.000%  07/01/27   2,565,000    2,560,468 
Columbus Ohio GO Unlimited, Series 2022-A  5.000%  04/01/38   750,000    866,900 
Columbus Ohio GO Unlimited, Series 2022-A  5.000%  04/01/41   3,120,000    3,557,033 
Copley Township Ohio Safety Facilities Improvement, Series 2023  4.000%  12/01/36   775,000    807,070 
Copley Township Ohio Safety Facilities Improvement, Series 2023  4.000%  12/01/37   810,000    839,243 
Lakewood Ohio GO Limited, Series A  4.000%  12/01/28   840,000    877,861 
Reynoldsburg Ohio GO Limited, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/30   1,000,000    1,064,930 
Strongsville Ohio GO Limited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/30   350,000    354,470 
               11,985,801 
General Obligation - County — 1.5%                
Lorain County Ohio GO Unlimited, Series 2017  4.000%  12/01/30   450,000    455,617 
Lucas County Ohio GO Limited, Series 2017  4.000%  10/01/28   1,000,000    1,027,901 
Lucas County Ohio GO Limited, Series 2018  4.000%  10/01/29   605,000    622,502 
Summit County Ohio GO Limited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/31   500,000    505,976 
               2,611,996 
General Obligation - State — 1.9%                
Pennsylvania GO Unlimited, Series 2018  4.000%  03/01/37   1,000,000    1,032,933 
Washington GO Unlimited, Series 2022-A  5.000%  08/01/44   2,000,000    2,217,914 
               3,250,847 
Higher Education — 27.9%                
Bowling Green State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2017-B  5.000%  06/01/30   750,000    808,108 
Bowling Green State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  5.000%  06/01/37   1,000,000    1,108,086 
Bowling Green State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  06/01/45   2,830,000    2,851,368 
Cuyahoga County Ohio Community College GO Unlimited, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/33   1,275,000    1,323,650 
Indiana Financial Authorities Educational Facilities Revenue, Series 2021  4.000%  02/01/29   940,000    986,721 
Indiana Financial Authorities Educational Facilities Revenue, Series 2021  5.000%  02/01/32   1,065,000    1,199,642 
Kent State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2019  5.000%  05/01/31   1,000,000    1,174,360 
Kent State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2022  5.000%  05/01/35   2,000,000    2,354,758 
Kent State University Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  5.000%  05/01/45   950,000    1,029,526 
Miami University Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2017  5.000%  09/01/31   735,000    779,400 
Miami University Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  09/01/36   1,000,000    1,054,463 
Miami University Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  09/01/45   3,110,000    3,148,201 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Case Western Reserve University, Series 2021-A  4.000%  12/01/44   1,250,000    1,269,280 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Denison University, Series 2017-A  5.000%  11/01/42   1,700,000    1,785,734 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Denison University  5.000%  11/01/53   5,000,000    5,498,948 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Oberlin College, Series A  5.250%  10/01/53   1,000,000    1,123,356 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - University of Dayton, Series 2018-B  4.000%  12/01/33   620,000    641,073 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - University of Dayton, Series 2018-A  5.000%  02/01/35   1,350,000    1,497,971 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - University of Dayton  4.000%  02/01/36   1,050,000    1,092,603 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - University of Dayton, Series 2018-A  5.000%  12/01/36   2,010,000    2,150,187 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - University of Dayton, Series 2018-B  5.000%  12/01/36   470,000    502,780 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University, Series 2020  5.000%  05/01/29   540,000    602,051 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

15

 

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.0%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University, Series  2020  5.000%  05/01/30  $570,000   $645,305 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University, Series 2020  5.000%  05/01/32   630,000    709,357 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University, Series 2015-C  5.000%  05/01/32   1,000,000    1,028,771 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University  4.500%  05/01/36   1,000,000    1,024,494 
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Revenue - Xavier University, Series 2020  4.000%  05/01/38   600,000    611,241 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2016-A  5.000%  01/01/27   350,000    368,235 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2015-A  5.000%  01/01/28   410,000    418,066 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2016-A  5.000%  01/01/29   435,000    458,175 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2014-A  5.000%  01/01/29   650,000    650,945 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2015-A  5.000%  01/01/30   720,000    734,340 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2016-A  5.000%  01/01/33   1,000,000    1,053,403 
University of Akron Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2018-A  5.000%  01/01/34   400,000    434,123 
University of Cincinnati General Receipts Revenue, Series 2019-A  5.000%  06/01/36   1,250,000    1,400,243 
University of Cincinnati General Receipts Revenue, Series C  5.000%  06/01/39   1,250,000    1,276,494 
University of North Dakota Certificate of Participation, Series 2021-A  4.000%  06/01/37   555,000    573,688 
University of Toledo Revenue, Series B  5.000%  06/01/27   1,590,000    1,704,198 
University of Toledo Revenue, Series B  5.000%  06/01/31   500,000    572,655 
University of Toledo Revenue, Series 2017-A  5.000%  06/01/34   1,000,000    1,068,445 
               48,714,444 
Hospital/Health Bonds — 8.6%                
Franklin County Ohio Hospital Revenue Nationwide Childrens, Series 2016-C  5.000%  11/01/32   500,000    545,822 
Franklin County Ohio Hospital Revenue Nationwide Childrens, Series 2016-C  4.000%  11/01/36   800,000    818,852 
Franklin County Ohio Hospital Revenue Nationwide Childrens, Series 2016-C  4.000%  11/01/40   1,340,000    1,347,062 
Franklin County Ohio Hospital Revenue Nationwide Childrens, Series 2019-A  5.000%  11/01/48   3,100,000    3,468,020 
Hamilton County Ohio Hospital Facilities Revenue Cincinnati Children’s, Series 2019-CC  5.000%  11/15/41   2,410,000    2,797,501 
Hamilton County Ohio Hospital Facilities Revenue Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Series 2019-CC  5.000%  11/15/49   1,300,000    1,486,012 
Ohio Hospital Facility Revenue Refunding Cleveland Clinic Health, Series 2017-A  4.000%  01/01/36   3,100,000    3,204,069 
Ohio Hospital Facility Revenue Refunding Cleveland Clinic Health, Series 2019-B  4.000%  01/01/42   1,320,000    1,332,502 
               14,999,840 
Housing — 9.2%                
Colorado State Certificate of Participation, Series 2020-A  4.000%  12/15/34   1,000,000    1,071,994 
Colorado State Certificate of Participation, Series 2020-A  4.000%  12/15/39   2,000,000    2,062,374 
FHLMC, Series M-053  2.550%  06/15/35   3,785,000    3,141,529 
FHLMC Multifamily ML Certificates (Freddie Mac Guaranty Agreement), Series A-US  3.400%  01/25/36   1,853,241    1,696,035 
Kentucky Certificates of Participation, Series 2018-A  4.000%  04/15/28   695,000    732,821 
Kentucky Certificates of Participation, Series A  4.000%  04/15/31   500,000    520,943 
Kentucky Property and Buildings Commission Revenue, Series A  5.000%  05/01/34   2,340,000    2,739,694 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

16

 

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.0%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Missouri State Housing Development Commission Single Family Mortgage Revenue, Series 2019 SER C  3.875%  05/01/50  $1,125,000   $1,126,286 
Missouri State Housing Development Commission Single Family Mortgage Revenue, Series 2020-C  3.500%  11/01/50   1,935,000    1,917,324 
Missouri State Housing Development Commission Single Family Mortgage Revenue, Series 2020-A  3.500%  11/01/50   605,000    599,588 
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Residential Mortgage Revenue, Series 2017-A  3.700%  03/01/32   520,000    519,867 
               16,128,455 
Other Revenue — 6.7%                
Akron Ohio Income Tax Revenue, Series 2019  4.000%  12/01/31   870,000    921,767 
Cincinnati Ohio Economic Development Revenue (Baldwin 300 Project), Series D  4.750%  11/01/30   500,000    524,969 
Cincinnati Ohio Economic Development Revenue (Baldwin 300 Project), Series D  5.000%  11/01/32   525,000    554,990 
Hamilton County Ohio Economic Development King Highland Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. Revenue, Series 2015  5.000%  06/01/30   655,000    673,417 
Mobile Alabama Industrial Development Board Pollution Control Revenue, Series 2008-B  2.900%  07/15/34   1,000,000    999,242 
Monroe County Georgia Development Authority Pollution Control Revenue, Series 2009  1.000%  07/01/49   1,000,000    940,396 
Ohio Special Obligation Revenue, Series 2016-C  5.000%  12/01/29   510,000    547,719 
Ohio Special Obligation Revenue, Series 2020-B  5.000%  04/01/39   1,000,000    1,108,760 
Ohio Turnpike Revenue, Series 2021-A  5.000%  02/15/46   1,990,000    2,175,381 
Riversouth Ohio Authority Revenue, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/31   700,000    720,258 
St. Xavier High School, Inc. Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  04/01/36   400,000    411,604 
St. Xavier High School, Inc. Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  04/01/37   575,000    586,523 
St. Xavier High School, Inc. Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  04/01/38   400,000    405,115 
St. Xavier High School, Inc. Ohio Revenue, Series 2020-A  4.000%  04/01/39   400,000    403,132 
Summit County Ohio Development Finance Authority, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/27   220,000    225,403 
Summit County Ohio Development Finance Authority, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/28   435,000    446,208 
               11,644,884 
Revenue Bonds - Facility — 0.7%                
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Series 2019  5.000%  12/01/30   600,000    694,571 
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Series 2019  5.000%  12/01/32   505,000    584,081 
               1,278,652 
Revenue Bonds - Water & Sewer — 7.2%                
Ohio State Water Development Authority Revenue, Series 2020-A  5.000%  12/01/39   1,165,000    1,306,584 
Ohio State Water Development Authority Revenue, Series 2021  5.000%  06/01/46   4,215,000    4,695,209 
Ohio State Water Development Authority Revenue, Series 2021-A  4.000%  12/01/46   3,880,000    3,973,289 
Ohio Water Development Authority Revenue Pollution Control, Series 2021-A  5.000%  12/01/40   1,000,000    1,143,459 
St. Charles County Missouri Public Water Supply Dist. 2 Certificates of Participation, Series 2016-C  4.000%  12/01/31   400,000    412,417 
Wise County Virginia Soil & Wastewater, Series 2010-A  1.200%  11/01/40   1,000,000    986,387 
               12,517,345 
School District — 22.2%                
Arcanum-Butler Ohio LSD GO, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/29   675,000    683,268 
Arcanum-Butler Ohio LSD GO, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/30   650,000    657,969 
Athens City School District, Series 2019-A  4.000%  12/01/33   750,000    802,604 
Baytown Texas Certificates Obligation, Series 2022  4.250%  02/01/40   1,045,000    1,101,921 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

17

 

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.0%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Ohio LSD GO Unlimited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/31  $325,000   $335,478 
Bellefontaine Ohio SCD GO Unlimited (National RE Insured), Series 2005  5.500%  12/01/26   615,000    638,920 
Berea Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2017  4.000%  12/01/31   500,000    515,154 
Bexar Texas Refunding Limited, Series 2019  4.000%  06/15/37   1,360,000    1,415,598 
Big Walnut Ohio LSD GO Unlimited, Series 2019  4.000%  12/01/33   500,000    531,689 
Brecksville Ohio GO Limited, Series 2022  4.000%  12/01/51   1,885,000    1,898,510 
Bullit Kentucky School District Finance Corp., Series 2023-A  4.000%  03/01/37   1,255,000    1,301,731 
Chillicothe Ohio SD GO Unlimited (AGM Insured), Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/29   400,000    403,991 
Cleveland Heights and University Heights Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2017  4.000%  12/01/32   1,000,000    1,041,214 
Columbus Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2016-B  4.000%  12/01/29   400,000    416,191 
Dexter Michigan CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2017  4.000%  05/01/31   670,000    701,693 
Dublin Ohio CSD Facilities Construction and Improvement, Series 2019-A  4.000%  12/01/34   500,000    531,016 
Elyria Ohio SCD GO Unlimited (SDCP), Series A  4.000%  12/01/30   1,000,000    1,045,529 
Grandview Heights Ohio Municipal Facilities Construction and Improvement, Series 2023  4.000%  12/01/46   3,000,000    3,081,324 
Green County Ohio Vocational SD GO Unlimited, Series 2019  4.000%  12/01/35   1,000,000    1,055,728 
Hudson Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/33   800,000    830,525 
Johnstown-Monroe Ohio LSD GO Unlimited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/29   800,000    836,777 
Kettering Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/30   400,000    412,139 
Kettering Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2007  5.250%  12/01/31   500,000    555,987 
Lakewood Ohio GO Limited, Series A  5.000%  12/01/36   500,000    537,644 
Logan Hocking Ohio LSD Certificates of Participation, Series 2018  4.000%  12/01/32   420,000    427,902 
McCracken County Kentucky SD Finance Corp., Series 2022  5.000%  08/01/32   580,000    686,342 
McCreary County Kentucky SD Finance Corp., Series 2022  4.000%  12/01/35   560,000    582,455 
Menifee County Kentucky SD Financial Corp. Revenue, Series 2019  3.000%  08/01/27   615,000    612,428 
Milford Ohio Exempt Village SD Go Unlimited (AGM Insured), Series 2007  5.500%  12/01/30   1,260,000    1,418,932 
Olentangy LSD Ohio Go Unlimited, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/31   1,000,000    1,039,339 
Owen County Kentucky SD Revenue, Series 2017  4.000%  04/01/27   1,320,000    1,376,291 
Palm Beach Florida SD Certificate of Participation, Series 2021-A  5.000%  08/01/39   1,000,000    1,118,242 
Pickerington Ohio LSD Capital Appreciation Refunding, Series 2023  4.375%  12/01/49   1,000,000    1,043,409 
Popular Bluff Missouri R-I School District Lease Certificates of Participation, Series 2023  5.000%  03/01/30   500,000    555,082 
Princeton Ohio CSD GO Unlimited (National RE Insured), Series 2006  5.250%  12/01/30   1,735,000    2,001,894 
Pulaski County Kentucky SD Finance Corp. School Building Revenue, Series 2023  4.250%  06/01/40   1,000,000    1,036,059 
Teays Valley Ohio LSD Refunding, Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/32   580,000    591,997 
Toledo Ohio CSD GO Unlimited, Series 2015  5.000%  12/01/29   660,000    690,961 
Trotwood-Madison Ohio CSD GO Unlimited (SDCP), Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/28   410,000    427,778 
Trotwood-Madison Ohio CSD GO Unlimited (SDCP), Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/29   500,000    522,459 
Trotwood-Madison Ohio CSD GO Unlimited (SDCP), Series 2016  4.000%  12/01/30   350,000    365,735 
Upper Arlington Ohio Special Obligation Income Tax Revenue Community Center, Series 2023  4.000%  12/01/35   500,000    537,911 
Upper Arlington Ohio Special Obligation Income Tax Revenue Community Center, Series 2023  4.000%  12/01/37   500,000    527,633 
Wentzville R-IV SD Of Saint Charles County Missouri Certificates of Participation, Series 2016  4.000%  04/01/30   395,000    401,018 
Westerville Ohio SCD Certificate of Participation, Series 2018  5.000%  12/01/32   555,000    607,314 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

18

 

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.0%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Willoughby-Eastlake Ohio CSD Certificates of Participation (BAM Insured), Series 2017  4.000%  03/01/30  $810,000   $816,284 
               38,720,065 
State Agency — 6.2%                
Kentucky Association of Counties Finance Corp. Revenue, Series 2018-E  4.000%  02/01/29   575,000    595,261 
Kentucky Property and Buildings Commission Revenue, Series A  5.000%  08/01/29   600,000    619,170 
Kentucky Property and Buildings Commission Revenue  5.000%  08/01/30   600,000    621,300 
Ohio Common Schools, Series 2019-A  5.000%  06/15/39   2,000,000    2,202,725 
Ohio Higher Education, Series 2017-A  5.000%  05/01/31   850,000    877,491 
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Residential Mortgage Revenue, Series 2021-A  3.000%  03/01/52   1,700,000    1,647,597 
Ohio Infrastructure Improvement, Series 2021-A  5.000%  03/01/41   1,500,000    1,708,364 
Pennsylvania State Refunding, Series 2017  4.000%  01/01/30   645,000    672,958 
South Carolina Jobs Economic Development Authority Hospital Facilities Revenue, Series 2022-A  5.000%  10/01/35   1,000,000    1,124,954 
Washington Certificates of Participation, Series 2022-A  5.000%  01/01/41   675,000    761,795 
               10,831,615 
                 
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $180,680,087)             $172,683,944 
                 
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.5%  Shares   Value 
Dreyfus AMT-Free Tax Cash Management Fund - Institutional Class, 3.90% (a) (Cost $950,706)  951,302   $951,207 
                 
Investments at Value — 99.5% (Cost $181,630,793)             $173,635,151 
                 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.5%              908,597 
                 
Net Assets — 100.0%             $174,543,748 

 

(a)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

19

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Assets and Liabilities  

 

   Equity   Opportunity 
   Income Fund   Fund 
Assets:          
Investment Securities at Value*  $619,654,382   $133,261,063 
Dividends Receivable   691,691    119,820 
Fund Shares Sold Receivable   249,545    4,840 
Total Assets  $620,595,618   $133,385,723 
           
Liabilities:          
Accrued Management Fees  $390,560   $99,330 
Accrued Shareholder Servicing Fees — Class S   28,345    4,183 
Fund Shares Redeemed Payable   20,304    156,678 
Total Liabilities  $439,209   $260,191 
           
Net Assets  $620,156,409   $133,125,532 
           
Net Assets Consist of:          
Paid-In Capital  $436,450,598   $104,922,485 
Distrbutable Earnings   183,705,811    28,203,047 
           
Net Assets  $620,156,409   $133,125,532 
           
Pricing of Class I Shares          
Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares  $484,818,921   $112,884,318 
Shares Outstanding (Unlimited Amount Authorized)   14,198,458    2,262,848 
Offering, Redemption and Net Asset Value Per Share  $34.15   $49.89 
           
Pricing of Class S Shares          
Net Assets applicable to Class S Shares  $135,337,488   $20,241,214 
Shares Outstanding (Unlimited Amount Authorized)   3,964,066    405,757 
Offering, Redemption and Net Asset Value Per Share  $34.14   $49.89 
           
*     Identified Cost of Investment Securities  $442,502,827   $105,058,052 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

20

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Assets and Liabilities – Continued  

 

   International   Municipal 
   Fund   Income Fund 
Assets:          
Investment Securities at Value*  $24,395,864   $173,635,151 
Dividends and Interest Receivable   19,498    1,356,344 
Reclaims Receivable   54,428     
Fund Shares Sold Receivable   4,502    415,071 
Total Assets  $24,474,292   $175,406,566 
           
Liabilities:          
Accrued Management Fees  $20,269   $44,858 
Fund Shares Redeemed Payable   3,154    817,960 
Total Liabilities  $23,423   $862,818 
           
Net Assets  $24,450,869   $174,543,748 
           
Net Assets Consist of:          
Paid-In Capital  $17,627,860   $189,103,467 
Distrbutable Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)   6,823,009    (14,559,719)
           
Net Assets  $24,450,869   $174,543,748 
Shares Outstanding (Unlimited Amount Authorized)   792,892    10,514,181 
           
Offering, Redemption and Net Asset Value Per Share  $30.84 **  $16.60 
           
*     Identified Cost of Investment Securities  $17,109,428   $181,630,793 

 

**Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset values for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

21

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Operations  

 

   Equity   Opportunity 
   Income Fund   Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2023 
Investment Income:          
Dividends  $11,327,238   $1,970,938 
Less: Foreign withholding taxes on dividends   (9,486)   (8,162)
Total Investment Income   11,317,752    1,962,776 
           
Expenses:          
Management Fee  $5,387,027   $1,168,007 
Shareholder Servicing Fees - Class S   92,847    13,352 
Net Expenses  $5,479,874   $1,181,359 
           
Net Investment Income  $5,837,878   $781,417 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gains:          
Net Realized Gains from Security Transactions and Foreign Currency Transactions  $11,095,008   $3,951,347 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Currency Translations   56,843,463    14,933,265 
           
Net Gains on Investments  $67,938,471   $18,864,612 
           
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $73,776,349   $19,666,029 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

22

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Operations – Continued  

 

   International   Municipal 
   Fund   Income Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2023 
Investment Income:          
Dividends  $853,941   $89,864 
Less: Foreign withholding taxes on dividends   (113,033)    
Interest       6,551,717 
Total Investment Income   740,938    6,641,581 
           
Expenses:          
Management Fee  $233,349   $1,117,303 
Interest Expense       14 
Net Expenses  $233,349   $1,117,317 
           
Net Investment Income  $507,559   $5,524,264 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses):          
Net Realized Gains (Losses) from Security Transactions and Foreign Currency Transactions  $247,799   $(3,138,283)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Currency Translations   3,470,002    6,601,639 
           
Net Gains on Investments  $3,717,801   $3,463,356 
           
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $4,225,360   $8,987,620 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

23

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Equity Income Fund   Opportunity Fund 
   Year/Period       Year/Period     
   Ended   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022 
Operations:                    
Net Investment Income  $5,837,878   $4,742,153   $781,417   $689,723 
Net Realized Gains from Security Transactions   11,095,008    22,613,287    3,951,347    4,000,716 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments   56,843,463    (87,056,215)   14,933,265    (20,425,797)
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $73,776,349   $(59,700,775)  $19,666,029   $(15,735,358)
                     
Distributions to Shareholders (see Note 2)                    
From Class I  $(12,642,180)  $(33,573,348)  $(4,032,219)  $(4,854,826)
From Class S   (3,415,845)       (704,024)    
Total Distributions to Shareholders  $(16,058,025)  $(33,573,348)  $(4,736,243)  $(4,854,826)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
From Class I                    
Proceeds from Sale of Shares  $73,001,239   $63,916,017   $13,471,424   $15,283,773 
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions   12,608,501    33,429,609    4,023,813    4,843,718 
Cost of Shares Redeemed   (72,780,277)   (62,514,498)   (14,417,459)   (10,533,218)
Net Assets in Conjunction with Transfer to Class S   (133,449,635)       (19,032,778)    
Net Change in Net Assets from Class I Capital Share Transactions  $(120,620,172)  $34,831,128   $(15,955,000)  $9,594,273 
                     
From Class S                    
Proceeds from Sale of Shares  $1,462,885   $   $222,296   $ 
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions   3,405,891        703,374     
Cost of Shares Redeemed   (6,530,448)       (899,418)    
Net Assets in Conjunction with Transfer from Class I   133,449,635        19,032,778     
Net Change in Net Assets from Class S Capital Share Transactions  $131,787,963   $   $19,059,030   $ 
                     
Net Change in Net Assets  $68,886,115   $(58,442,995)  $18,033,816   $(10,995,911)
                     
Net Assets at Beginning of Year/Period  $551,270,294   $609,713,289   $115,091,716   $126,087,627 
Net Assets at End of Year/Period  $620,156,409   $551,270,294   $133,125,532   $115,091,716 

 

*Equity Income Fund Class S and Opportunity Fund Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

24

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued

 

   Equity Income Fund   Opportunity Fund 
   Year/Period       Year/Period     
   Ended   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022 
Capital Share Activity(a)                    
Class I                    
Shares Sold   2,248,347    1,921,920    288,812    328,998 
Share Reinvested   368,993    1,076,638    80,188    109,044 
Shares Redeemed   (2,233,847)   (1,898,568)   (306,555)   (227,509)
Shares in Conjunction with Transfer to Class S   (4,018,357)       (406,423)    
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding   (3,634,864)   1,099,990    (343,978)   210,533 
                     
Shares Outstanding, beginning of Year   17,833,322    16,733,332    2,606,826    2,396,293 
Shares Outstanding, end of Year   14,198,458    17,833,322    2,262,848    2,606,826 
                     
Class S                    
Shares Sold   43,665        4,648     
Share Reinvested   99,675        14,017     
Shares Redeemed   (197,631)       (19,331)    
Shares in Conjunction with Transfer from Class I   4,018,357        406,423     
Net Increase in Shares Outstanding   3,964,066        405,757     
                     
Shares Outstanding, beginning of Period                
Shares Outstanding, end of Period   3,964,066        405,757     

 

*Equity Income Fund Class S and Opportunity Fund Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

(a)There were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized for each Fund. Each Fund records purchases of its capital shares at the daily net asset value determined after receipt of a shareholder’s order in proper form. Redemptions are recorded at the net asset value determined following receipt of a shareholder’s written or telephone request in proper form.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

25

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued

 

   International Fund   Municipal Income Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Operations:                    
Net Investment Income  $507,559   $432,254   $5,524,264   $4,933,576 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) from Security Transactions and Foreign Currencies   247,799    (505,496)   (3,138,283)   (3,424,940)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Currencies   3,470,002    (3,140,573)   6,601,639    (25,029,424)
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $4,225,360   $(3,213,815)  $8,987,620   $(23,520,788)
                     
Distributions to Shareholders (see Note 2)  $(501,175)  $(259,658)  $(5,541,344)  $(4,943,306)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from Sale of Shares  $1,707,346   $2,727,725   $73,610,081   $123,997,751 
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions   500,514    259,556    5,449,190    4,869,439 
Cost of Shares Redeemed   (2,955,541)   (2,946,103)   (98,462,347)   (184,886,138)
Net Change in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions  $(747,681)  $41,178   $(19,403,076)  $(56,018,948)
                     
Net Change in Net Assets  $2,976,504   $(3,432,295)  $(15,956,800)  $(84,483,042)
                     
Net Assets at Beginning of Year  $21,474,365   $24,906,660   $190,500,548   $274,983,590 
Net Assets at End of Year  $24,450,869   $21,474,365   $174,543,748   $190,500,548 
                     
Capital Share Activity(a)                    
Shares Sold   59,753    101,529    4,534,312    7,566,583 
Share Reinvested   16,229    9,809    336,777    300,932 
Shares Redeemed   (101,896)   (106,074)   (6,155,140)   (11,362,467)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding   (25,914)   5,264    (1,284,051)   (3,494,952)
                     
Shares Outstanding, beginning of Year   818,806    813,542    11,798,232    15,293,184 
Shares Outstanding, end of Year   792,892    818,806    10,514,181    11,798,232 

 

(a)There were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized for each Fund. Each Fund records purchases of its capital shares at the daily net asset value determined after receipt of a shareholder’s order in proper form. Redemptions are recorded at the net asset value determined following receipt of a shareholder’s written or telephone request in proper form.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

26

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS EQUITY INCOME FUND - CLASS I SHARES

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $30.91   $36.44   $31.35   $28.50   $22.48 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.33 (a)   0.28    0.21    0.25    0.29 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   3.81    (3.82)   7.92    3.24    7.37 
Total Operations  $4.14   $(3.54)  $8.13   $3.49   $7.66 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.30)   (0.30)   (0.21)   (0.25)   (0.29)
Net Realized Capital Gains   (0.60)   (1.69)   (2.83)   (0.39)   (1.35)
Total Distributions  $(0.90)  $(1.99)  $(3.04)  $(0.64)  $(1.64)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $34.15   $30.91   $36.44   $31.35   $28.50 
                          
Total Return(b)   13.42%   (9.74%)   25.96%   12.24%   34.07%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $484.82   $551.27   $609.71   $464.81   $400.82 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.94(c)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   1.00%   0.84%   0.62%   0.91%   1.11%
                          
Portfolio turnover rate (d)   32.38%   22.66%   29.91%   27.55%   31.91%

 

(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Effective September 15, 2023, the Management Fee reduced from 1.00% to 0.75%. (Note 5)

 

(d)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

27

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS EQUITY INCOME FUND - CLASS S SHARES

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period:

 

   Period 
   Ended 
   December 31, 
   2023* 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $33.21 
      
Operations:     
Net Investment Income(a)   0.10 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains on Securities   1.71 
Total Operations  $1.81 
      
Distributions:     
Net Investment Income   (0.28)
Net Realized Capital Gains   (0.60)
Total Distributions  $(0.88)
      
Net Asset Value, end of period  $34.14 
      
Total Return(b)   5.46% (c)
      
Net Assets, end of period (millions)  $135.34 
      
Ratios/supplemental data     
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.00(d)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   1.00(d)
      
Portfolio turnover rate (e)   32.38(c)

 

*Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Not annualized.

 

(d)Annualized.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

28

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OPPORTUNITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $44.15   $52.62   $45.55   $42.48   $34.47 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.31 (a)   0.29    0.38    0.25    0.28 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   7.26    (6.83)   13.55    3.08    9.58 
Total Operations  $7.57   $(6.54)  $13.93   $3.33   $9.86 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.31)   (0.29)   (0.39)   (0.26)   (0.30)
Net Realized Capital Gains   (1.52)   (1.64)   (6.47)       (1.39)
Return of Capital                   (0.16)
Total Distributions  $(1.83)  $(1.93)  $(6.86)  $(0.26)  $(1.85)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $49.89   $44.15   $52.62   $45.55   $42.48 
                          
Total Return(b)   17.12%   (12.46%)   30.59%   7.84%   28.63%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $112.88   $115.09   $126.09   $93.29   $76.50 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.97(c)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   0.66%   0.63%   0.84%   0.67%   0.67%
                          
Portfolio turnover rate (d)   22.66%   26.51%   38.97%   32.89%   36.19%

 

(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Effective September 15, 2023, the Management Fee reduced from 1.00% to 0.90%. (Note 5)

 

(d)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

29

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OPPORTUNITY FUND - CLASS S SHARES

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period:

 

   Period 
   Ended 
   December 31, 
   2023* 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $46.83 
      
Operations:     
Net Investment Income(a)   0.06 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains on Securities   4.79 
Total Operations  $4.85 
      
Distributions:     
Net Investment Income   (0.27)
Net Realized Capital Gains   (1.52)
Total Distributions  $(1.79)
      
Net Asset Value, end of period  $49.89 
      
Total Return(b)   10.35% (c)
      
Net Assets, end of period (millions)  $20.24 
      
Ratios/supplemental data     
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.15(d)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   0.44(d)
      
Portfolio turnover rate (e)   22.66%

 

*Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Not annualized.

 

(d)Annualized.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

30

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL FUND

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023*   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $26.23   $30.62   $28.60   $27.13   $23.17 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.65    0.53    0.64    0.43    0.53 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities and Foreign Currencies   4.60    (4.60)   2.22    1.36    4.03 
Total Operations  $5.25   $(4.07)  $2.86   $1.79   $4.56 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.64)   (0.32)   (0.77)   (0.32)   (0.60)
Return of Capital           (0.07)        
Total Distributions  $(0.64)  $(0.32)  $(0.84)  $(0.32)  $(0.60)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $30.84   $26.23   $30.62   $28.60   $27.13 
                          
Total Return(a)   20.03%   (13.30%)   10.00%   6.59%   19.69%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $24.45   $21.47   $24.91   $21.10   $21.08 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   2.17%   2.02%   2.09%   1.77%   2.02%
                          
Portfolio turnover rate   8.31%   6.63%   6.62%   7.85%   4.33%

 

(a)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

*Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset values for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

31

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $16.15   $17.98   $18.28   $17.73   $17.12 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.46    0.37    0.32    0.33    0.32 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.45    (1.83)   (0.27)   0.57    0.64 
Total Operations  $0.91   $(1.46)  $0.05   $0.90   $0.96 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.46)   (0.37)   (0.32)   (0.33)   (0.32)
Net Realized Capital Gains           (0.03)   (0.02)   (0.03)
Return of Capital           (0.00(a)        
Total Distributions  $(0.46)  $(0.37)  $(0.35)  $(0.35)  $(0.35)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $16.60   $16.15   $17.98   $18.28   $17.73 
                          
Total Return(b)   5.76%   (8.10%)   0.30%   5.12%   5.66%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $174.54   $190.50   $274.98   $259.73   $225.13 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.56(c)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   2.78%   2.14%   1.78%   1.86%   1.90%
                          
Portfolio turnover rate   17.28%   21.30%   9.11%   5.98%   10.54%

 

(a)Amount rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Effective September 15, 2023, the Management Fee was reduced from 0.65% to 0.30%. (Note 5)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

32

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

1)Organization:

 

The Johnson Equity Income Fund, Johnson Opportunity Fund, Johnson International Fund, and Johnson Municipal Income Fund (each individually a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are each a series of the Johnson Mutual Funds Trust (the “Trust”), and are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as no-load, open-end investment companies. The Johnson Mutual Funds Trust was established as an Ohio business trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 30, 1992. The Opportunity Fund and Municipal Income Fund began offering their shares publicly on May 16, 1994. The Equity Income Fund began offering its shares publicly on December 30, 2005. The International Fund began offering its shares publicly on December 8, 2008. All the Funds are managed by Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. (the “Adviser”).

 

The Equity Income Fund and Opportunity Fund both have an additional share class, Class S shares. Each class of shares for each Fund has identical rights and privileges except with respect to shareholder servicing fees fees and voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares. Class S shares have a maximum shareholder servicing fee of 0.25%.

 

The investment objectives of the Funds are as follows:

 

Equity Income Fund Above average dividend income and long-term capital growth
Opportunity Fund Long-term capital growth
International Fund Long-term capital growth
Municipal Income Fund A high level of federally tax-free income over the long-term consistent with preservation of capital

 

The Funds are each diversified. The Municipal Income Fund invests primarily in debt instruments of municipal issuers whose ability to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in the state of Ohio.

 

2)Significant Accounting Policies:

 

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING:

 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The Funds are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services — Investment Companies.” Regulatory update:

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) – Effective January 24, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted rule and form amendments to require mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

 

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividend and interest income are recorded net of foreign taxes. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends have been recorded in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Gains and losses on sales of investments are calculated using the specific identification method, mainly using high-cost lots. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the lives or to the earliest call date of the respective securities in accordance with GAAP. Distributions received from investments in securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investment or as a realized gain, respectively. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from the Funds’ investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are reported to the Funds after the end of the calendar year;

 

33

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

accordingly, the Funds estimate these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distributions information available. Gains and losses on paydowns of mortgage-backed securities are reflected in interest income on the Statements of Operations. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Funds to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region.

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION:

 

Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in or expected to settle in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates on the following basis:

 

A.The fair values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities are translated as of the close of the NYSE each day.

 

B.Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the respective date of such transactions.

 

C.The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations caused by changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from those caused by changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from 1) purchases and sales of foreign currencies, 2) currency gains or losses realized between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and 3) the difference between the amounts of dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Reported net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, that result from changes in exchange rates.

 

FEDERAL INCOME TAX:

 

Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Qualification generally will relieve the Fund of liability for federal income taxes to the extent is net investment income and net realized capital gains are distributed in accordance with the Code.

 

In order to avoid imposition of a federal excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also the Funds’ intention to declare and pay as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the 12 months ended December 31, 2023 for the Opportunity, and Municipal Income Funds, and October 31, 2023 for the Equity Income and International Funds) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.

 

The following information is computed for each item as of December 31, 2023:

 

   Equity Income   Opportunity   International   Municipal Income 
Cost of Portfolio Investments  $442,517,389   $105,058,052   $17,281,741   $181,631,626 
Gross unrealized appreciation   182,206,343    31,911,002    8,844,676    1,543,316 
Gross unrealized depreciation   (5,069,350)   (3,707,991)   (1,730,553)   (9,539,791)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   177,136,993    28,203,011    7,114,123    (7,996,475)
Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency           (12)    
Undistributed ordinary income   535,930        134,858     
Undistributed long-term gains   6,032,888    36         
Accumulated capital and other losses           (425,960)   (6,563,244)
Distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)  $183,705,811   $28,203,047   $6,823,009   $(14,559,719)

 

The difference between the federal income tax cost and the financial statement cost of Funds’ portfolio investments is due to wash sales and Passive Foreign Investment Companies adjustments.

 

34

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

As of December 31, 2023, the following Funds had capital loss carryovers which will reduce each Fund’s taxable income arising from future net realized gain on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code and thus will reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. The capital loss carryovers, which may be carried forward on indefinite period of time, are as follows:

 

   Long-term   Short-term   Total 
Johnson International Fund  $147,347   $278,613   $425,960 
Johnson Municipal Income Fund   6,300,775    262,469    6,563,244 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the International Fund utilized $413,464 long-term capital loss carryovers.

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits or expenses of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has reviewed the tax positions taken on Federal income tax returns for all open tax years (generally three years) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognized tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements. The Funds identify its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and certain State tax authorities. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably likely that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits or expenses will change materially in the next twelve months. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax expenses as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

ALLOCATIONS BETWEEN CLASSES:

 

Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Class specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses which are not attributable to a specific class are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund.

 

DISTRIBUTIONS:

 

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fixed Income Fund and Municipal Income Fund intend to distribute net investment income on a calendar quarter basis. The Equity Income, Opportunity and International Funds intend to distribute net investment income, if any, at least once a year. The Funds intend to distribute their net realized long-term capital gains and their net realized short-term capital gains, if any, at least once a year. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations, or net asset values (“NAV”) per share of the Funds.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds made the following reclassifications to increase (decrease) the components of the net assets:

 

   Paid in   Accumulated 
   Capital   Earnings 
Equity Income Fund   (1)   1 
Municipal Income Fund   (16,654)   16,654 

 

Reasons for the reclassification of components of net assets are attributable to return of capital distributions.

 

35

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

The tax character of the distributions paid, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, is as follows:

 

              Net Realized   Total Taxable       Total 
      Ordinary   Tax Exempt   Long-Term   Distributions   Return of   Distributions 
      Income   Income   Capital Gain   Paid   Capital   Paid 
Johnson Equity Income Fund  12/31/2022  $13,206,417   $   $20,366,931   $33,573,348   $   $33,573,348 
   12/31/2023   6,120,765        9,937,260    16,058,025        16,058,025 
Johnson Opportunity Fund  12/31/2022   907,777        3,947,049    4,854,826        4,854,826 
   12/31/2023   781,417        3,954,826    4,736,243        4,736,243 
Johnson International Fund  12/31/2022   259,658            259,658        259,658 
   12/31/2023   501,175            501,175        501,175 
Johnson Municipal Income Fund  12/31/2022       4,934,004        4,934,004    9,302    4,943,306 
   12/31/2023   161,996    5,379,348        5,541,344        5,541,344 

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions

 

The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis. The Board has assigned the Adviser as their Valuation Designee to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities, in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and fair value determinations. The Funds’ portfolio securities are valued as of the close of business of the regular session of the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time).

 

Securities for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the Investment Adviser are valued as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Trustees. Various inputs may be reviewed in order to make a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. These inputs include, but are not limited to, the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations of investments that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

 

GAAP established a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:

 

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.

 

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

36

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions, continued

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

 

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows:

 

Equity Securities (Common Stock, Real Estate Investment Trusts). Securities traded on a national securities exchange (or reported on the NASDAQ national market) are stated at the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. When adjustments to observable prices are applied or when the market is considered inactive, securities will be categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Corporate Bonds. The fair value of Corporate Bonds is estimated using quotations from pricing vendors, which may consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations for similar securities (where observable), bond spreads, fundamental data relating to the issuer, and credit default swap spreads adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. While most corporate bonds are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, in instances where lower relative weight is placed on transaction prices, quotations, or similar observable inputs, they would be categorized in Level 3.

 

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of Deposit are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. Certificates of Deposit which are traded on the open market are normally valued using a market approach valuation technique that incorporates observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Certificates of Deposit are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds are normally valued using quotations from pricing vendors that incorporate observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Municipal Bonds are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury Obligations, are normally valued using market approach valuation techniques that incorporate observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. U.S. government securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

U.S. Agency Securities. U.S. agency securities are comprised of two main categories consisting of agency issued debt and mortgage-backed securities. Agency issued debt securities are generally valued in a manner similar to U.S. government securities. Mortgage-backed securities are generally valued based on models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establishes a benchmark yield, and develops an estimated tranche-specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. Depending on market activity levels and whether quotations or other data are used, these securities are typically categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Preferred Stocks. Securities traded on a national securities exchange (or reported on the NASDAQ national market) are stated at the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Money Market. Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds (notated throughout these financial statements as cash equivalents), are generally priced at the ending NAV provided by the service agent of the funds. These securities will be categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

37

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions, continued

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investment securities as of December 31, 2023:

 

Equity Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Common Stocks*  $614,142,618   $   $   $614,142,618 
Money Market Funds   5,511,764            5,511,764 
Total  $619,654,382   $   $   $619,654,382 
                     
Opportunity Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Common Stocks*  $131,395,581   $   $   $131,395,581 
Money Market Funds   1,865,482            1,865,482 
Total  $133,261,063   $   $   $133,261,063 
                     
International Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Common Stocks*  $24,106,772   $52,929   $140**  $24,159,841 
Preferred Stocks   172,360            172,360 
Money Market Funds   63,663            63,663 
Total  $24,342,795   $52,929   $140   $24,395,864 
                     
Municipal Income Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Municipal Bonds*  $   $172,683,944   $   $172,683,944 
Money Market Funds   951,207            951,207 
Total  $951,207   $172,683,944   $   $173,635,151 

 

*See Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications

 

**Includes a Russian ADR valued at $0.01 per share by management, given the halting of foreign investors’ ability to sell Russian securities and ADRs. The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of this security that is reflected in the Statement of Operations is $0. Given the insignificance of Level 3 securities, a rollforward of Level 3 activity is not presented.

 

Other than Johnson International Fund, no other Fund held Level 3 securities during the year.

 

In accordance with GAAP, the Funds are required to enhance the disclosures relating to transactions in derivatives and hedging activities, including how such activities are accounted for and their effect on the Funds’ financial position, performance, and cash flows. The Funds did not engage in any derivative transactions as of or during the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

4)Portfolio Risks:

 

Pandemics and other wide-spread public health events can result in significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely impacting individual companies, sectors, industries, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, and investor sentiment. The duration and extent of such events cannot be reasonably estimated. Governmental responses to these events may negatively impact the capabilities of the Funds’ service providers and disrupt the Funds’ operations. These events may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

 

5)Investment Advisory Agreements and Shareholder Servicing Fees:

 

The investment advisory agreements provide that the Adviser will pay all of the Funds’ operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest), and extraordinary expenses. The investment advisory agreements provide for fees to be paid monthly at an annual rate listed below, of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

38

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

5)Investment Advisory Agreements and Shareholder Servicing Fees, continued

 

The Funds incurred management fees for the year ended December 31, 2023, as indicated below.

 

          Payable as of 
      Management   December 31, 
Fund  Fee  Fee   2023 
Equity Income Fund  0.75%*  $5,387,027   $390,560 
Opportunity Fund  0.90%*   1,168,007    99,330 
International Fund  1.00%   233,349    20,269 
Municipal Income Fund  0.30%*   1,117,303    44,858 

 

Effective September 15, 2023, Management Fees were reduced from 1.00% to 0.75%, 1.00% to 0.90%, and 0.65% to 0.30% for the Equity Income Fund, Opportunity Fund, and Municipal Income Fund, respectively.

 

Equity Income Fund and Opportunity Fund Class S Shares also incur Shareholder Servicing Fees at the annual rate of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, attributable to the Class, which is accrued daily.

 

6)Related Party Transactions:

 

All officers and one trustee of the Trust are employees of the Adviser. Total compensation for the independent Trustees as a group was $150,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, and as a group they received no additional compensation from the Trust. Compensation of the Trustees was paid by the Adviser. The Trust consists of nine Funds: Johnson Equity Income Fund, Johnson Opportunity Fund, Johnson International Fund, Johnson Municipal Income Fund, Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund, Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund and Johnson Enhanced Return Fund. The Adviser is not a registered broker-dealer of securities and thus does not receive commissions on trades made on behalf of the Funds.

 

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund creates a presumption of control of the Fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. At December 31, 2023, client accounts managed by the Adviser and held by Charles Schwab & Co, with full advisory discretion, held in aggregate the following:

 

Equity Income Fund   77.41%
Opportunity Fund   84.31%
International Fund   35.77%
Municipal Income Fund   97.98%

 

Johnson Financial, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. Johnson Financial, Inc. provided transfer agency and administration services to the Funds until March 31, 2023. These services were paid for by the Adviser.

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) provides fund accounting to the Funds. Effective March 31, 2023, Ultimus started providing administration services to the Funds and transfer agency services effective April 24, 2023. All services are paid for by the Adviser.

 

7)Purchases and Sales of Securities:

 

From January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities aggregated:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Johnson Equity Income Fund  $186,259,146   $185,876,589 
Johnson Opportunity Fund   26,983,798    29,265,956 
Johnson International Fund   1,898,442    2,200,122 
Johnson Municipal Income Fund   32,930,687    48,410,589 

 

39

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

8)       Borrowings:

 

The Equity Income Fund, Opportunity Fund, International Fund, and Municipal Income Fund each has an unsecured line of credit through April 29, 2024 with U.S. Bank National Association, up to 33.3% of its net assets, with a total maximum borrowing limit of $60,000,000 for the Trust.

 

Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at the Prime lending rate which was 8.5% as of December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Municipal Income Fund borrowed from the line for one (1) calendar day in the amount of $59,000. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Municipal Income Fund incurred $14 of interest expense and fees related to the borrowings. The average debt outstanding and average interest rate for the days with borrowing during the year ended December 31, 2023 were $162 and 8.62%. As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings for the Funds. There were no borrowings for any of the other Funds at any time during the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

9)Estimates:

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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.

 

10)Indemnification:

 

In the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications.

 

The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

11)Subsequent Events:

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

40

 

DISCLOSURE OF EXPENSES (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

Shareholders of the Johnson Equity Income, Opportunity, International, and Municipal Income Funds (the “Funds”) incur ongoing operating expenses consisting solely of management fees. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and to compare these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in the Funds on July 1, 2023 and held through December 31, 2023.

 

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6) and then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid by a shareholder for the period. Shareholders may use this information to compare the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in other funds’ shareholder reports.

 

            Expenses Paid During
            Period
   Beginning Account Value  Ending Account Value     July 1, 2023 -
   July 1, 2023^  December 31, 2023  Net Expense Ratio*  December 31, 2023**
Johnson Equity Income Fund            
Class I - Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,047.70  0.83%  $4.28
Class I - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,021.02  0.83%  $4.23
Class S - Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,054.60  1.00%  $3.01
Class S - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,011.73  1.00%  $2.95
Johnson Opportunity Fund            
Class I - Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,090.70  0.92%  $4.85
Class I - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,020.57  0.92%  $4.69
Class S - Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,103.50  1.15%  $3.55
Class S - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,011.29  1.15%  $3.39
Johnson International Fund            
Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,066.20  1.00%  $5.21
Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,020.16  1.00%  $5.09
Johnson Municipal Fund            
Actual Fund Return  $1,000  $ 1,037.50  0.46%  $2.36
Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000  $ 1,022.89  0.46%  $2.35

 

^For Johnson Equity Income Fund Class S and Johnson Opportunity Fund Class S, this relects the classes’ commencement of operations, September 15, 2023.

 

*Annualized, based on the most recent one-half year expenses, except for Class S Shares which is annualized, based on the expense during the period since the commencement of operations.

 

**Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized net expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period) except for Class S shares, which are equal to the annualized net expense ratio multiplied oby the average account value over the period, multiplied by 107/365 (to reflect the period since the commencement of operations, September 15, 2023, to December 31, 2023) and 184/365 (to reflect the one-half period), for Actual Fund Return and Hypothetical 5% Return information, respectively.

 

41

 

OPERATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FUNDS’ LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (UNAUDITED)

 

The Johnson Mutual Funds Trust (“Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to manage the portfolio liquidity risk for each fund in the Trust (each a “Fund”) in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“the Rule”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of compliance personnel and portfolio managers of the Adviser. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program is designed to enable the Funds to assess and manage their liquidity risk in compliance with the requirements of the Rule. Liquidity risk means the risk that a Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program also includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and the periodic classification and re-classification of the Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

The Board met on November 29, 2023 to review the liquidity risk management program applicable to each Fund. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively to manage each Fund’s liquidity risk since implementation. The Committee reported during the meeting that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. There were no material changes to the Program during the reporting period. The report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions of the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Rule.

 

42

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

PROXY DISCLOSURE

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds voted those proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended December 31 are available without charge: (1) upon request by calling the Funds at 513-661-3100 or toll free at 1-800-541-0170; or (2) from the Fund’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

AVAILABILITY OF SCHEDULES OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS:

 

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year at www.johnsonmutualfunds.com or on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ holdings are available, without charge, (1) upon request by calling the Funds at 513-661-3100 or toll free at 1-800-541-0170; (2) by visiting www.johnsonmutualfunds.com; or (3) from the Fund’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Trust’s Code of Ethics is available on request without charge; please call for your copy at 513-661-3100 or 1-800-541-0170 or write us at:

 

Johnson Mutual Funds
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati OH 45247

 

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

Qualified Dividend Income - The Equity Income Fund, Opportunity Fund, and International Fund designates 88.65%,100.00%, and 98.92%, respectively, of their ordinary income dividends, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate.

 

Dividends Received Deduction - Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the percentage of ordinary income dividends qualified for the corporate dividends receivable deduction for the Equity Income Fund, Opportunity Fund, and International Fund were 86.62%, 100.00%, and 1.21%,respectively.

 

Long-Term Capital Gains - The Equity Income Fund and Opportunity Fund paid long-term capital gains in the amounts of $9,937,260 and $3,954,826, respectively.

 

Foreign Source Income and Expense – International Fund intends to elect to pass through to shareholders the income tax credit for taxes paid to foreign countries. The Fund’s foreign source income per share was $1.0761 and the foreign tax expense per share was $0.1170. The pass-through of the foreign tax credit will only affect those persons who are shareholders on the dividend record date. These shareholders will receive more detailed information with their 2023 Form 1099-DIV.

 

43

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Johnson Mutual Funds Trust

 

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Johnson Equity Income Fund, Johnson Opportunity Fund, Johnson International Fund and Johnson Municipal Income Fund, each a series of Johnson Mutual Funds Trust ( the “Funds”), as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the each of the Funds as of December 31, 2023, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

BASIS FOR OPINION

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Funds’ auditor since 2004.

 

(SIGNATURE)

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
February 29, 2024

 

44

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (UNAUDITED)

 

Information pertaining to the Trustees and Officers of the Trust is provided below. Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as Interested Trustees. Each Trustee serves as a Trustee until the termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, or is removed.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,
(YEAR OF BIRTH)
  CURRENT
POSITION HELD
WITH TRUST
  LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED
  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
  NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
OVERSEEN
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD DURING
THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
Interested Trustee               
                
Timothy E. Johnson (1942)*
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Trustee  Since 1992  Chairman of Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc., the Trust’s Adviser, and Professor of Finance at the University of Cincinnati  9  None
Independent Trustees               
                
James J. Berrens (1965)
3777 West Fork Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2006  Christian Community Health Services: Chief Executive Officer since May 2015  9  None
                
John R. Green (1942)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2006  Retired from The Procter & Gamble Company, Purchases Director, Global Baby Care  9  None
                
Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts (1957)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2013  Retired Director of Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program, University of Cincinnati (2002-2018); Associate Professor Emeritus of Accounting, University of Cincinnati since 1986.  9  None
                
Mr. Dale Coates (1958)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Coates is currently retired. He previously was Vice President and a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. During his time with the Adviser, Mr. Coates served as Vice President to the Johnson Mutual Funds Trust from 1993 through his retirement in 2021.  9  None
                
Ms. Julie Murphy (1963)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Ms. Murphy is vice president of Territorium, Inc., an educational technology company (2022 to present), and a consultant and owner of The Marketing Alliance, a consulting company (2005 to present). She was also the General Manager of Act, Inc., a testing company from 2019 through 2022.  9  None

 

45

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (UNAUDITED)

 

NAME, ADDRESS,
(YEAR OF BIRTH)
  CURRENT
POSITION HELD
WITH TRUST
  LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED
  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
  NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
OVERSEEN
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD DURING
THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
Independent Trustees (continued)
                
Mr. Jonathan Adams (1977)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Adams is currently President of the SALIX Data company, a data analytics company (1999 to present). He is also a board member of the following entities: City Gospel Mission (homeless shelter, 2016 to present), Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (private school, 2016 to 2022), Risksource (insurance agency, 2018 to present) and the Goering Center (center for business, 2019 to present).  9  None
                
Mr. Gregory Simpson (1962)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Simpson is currently retired but provides technical consulting as an independent consultant. Previously, he served as Chief Technology Officer and AI Leader of Synchrony Financial Services (2014-2021).  9  None
Officers               
                
Jason O. Jackman (1971)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  President  Since 2013  President of the Adviser  N/A  N/A
                
Marc E. Figgins (1964)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Vice President  Since 2002  Director of Fund Services for the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A
                
Scott J. Bischoff (1966)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Chief Compliance Officer  Since 2005  Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A
                
Jennifer J. Kelhoffer (1971)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Secretary/ Treasurer  Since 2007  Fund Administration and Compliance Associate for the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A

 

*Mr. Johnson is an interested person of the Trust because he is a director, officer and employee of the Trust’s Adviser and an officer of the Trust.

 

46

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

Trustees and Officers
     
Dale Coates   Independent Trustee, Chairman
Timothy E. Johnson   Interested Trustee
Jonathan Adams   Independent Trustee
James J. Berrens   Independent Trustee
John R. Green   Independent Trustee
Julie Murphy   Independent Trustee
Jeri B. Ricketts   Independent Trustee
Gregory Simpson   Independent Trustee
     
Jason Jackman   President
Marc E. Figgins   Vice President
Scott J. Bischoff   Chief Compliance Officer
Jennifer J. Kelhoffer   Secretary/Treasurer

 

Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
 
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
 
Custodian
 
US Bank
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
 
Legal Counsel
 
Thompson Hine LLP
312 Walnut Street, 14th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

This report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when accompanied or preceded by the Funds’ prospectus, which illustrates each Fund’s objectives, policies, management fees, and other information that may be helpful in making an investment decision.

 

Investment Company Act #811-7254

 

 

 

 
 

(COVER PAGE)

 

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

Table of Contents

 

Our Message to You 1
Performance Review and Management Discussion  
Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund 3
Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund 5
Institutional Core Bond Fund 7
Enhanced Return Fund 9
Core Plus Bond Fund 10
Portfolio of Investments  
Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund 11
Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund 15
Institutional Core Bond Fund 18
Enhanced Return Fund 23
Core Plus Bond Fund 27
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 30
Statements of Operations 32
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 34
Financial Highlights  
Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund 37
Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund 39
Institutional Core Bond Fund 41
Enhanced Return Fund 44
Core Plus Bond Fund 45
Notes to the Financial Statements 46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 60
Liquidity Risk Management Program 61
Disclosure of Expenses 62
Additional Information 63
Trustees and Officers 64
   

 

 

LETTER FROM THE FUND PRESIDENT DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

We are pleased to present you with the Johnson Mutual Funds’ 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders. On the following pages, we have provided commentary on the performance of each of the Funds for 2023 as well as their relative performance compared to an appropriate benchmark.

 

The remainder of the report provides the holdings of each Johnson Mutual Fund as well as other financial data and notes.

 

2023 was the year of the market mood swing. The year began plagued by fear and uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) aggressively tightened policy, and economists were all but certain this would be the year the economy would buckle under the Fed’s pressure. By early spring, Leading Economic Indicators were at levels only previously seen in a recession or on the verge of entering a recession. To make matters worse, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank rattled investors and sent markets tumbling.

 

By summer, optimism emerged as investors grew confident that the banking crisis was contained, and overall market sentiment began to improve. Throughout the second half of the year the combination of steady economic data and convincing progress on inflation propelled risk assets higher.

 

One notable exception, however, was the bond market. The combination of stronger than expected economic data and inflation still running hotter than desired propelled interest rates to new highs as the market embraced the Fed’s promise to keep rates “higher for longer”. For a moment, the Bloomberg Aggregate Index (“AGG”) seemed destined to post its third straight year of negative returns.

 

However, that changed abruptly, after a slowing pace of hiring was revealed in the October payrolls report. The Federal Reserve further added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it disclosed plans to cut rates a few times in the coming year. From its October lows, the AGG climbed nearly 10% and erased its entire YTD deficit, closing the year up 5.53%.

 

The sudden dovish shift from the Federal Reserve sent equities even higher with the S&P 500 returning 11.69% in the fourth quarter alone. The swift decline in rates and increasing hopes of an economic soft landing were celebrated by the market, leading to significant gains in interest rate-sensitive sectors, such as Real Estate (18.83%), Technology (17.17%), and Financials (14.03%).

 

All told the S&P 500 climbed 26.29% during 2023 to finish the year just below its all-time record high set in January 2022. On the surface the stock market appears to be signaling that the Fed has engineered a soft landing for the economy. However, the story of equity markets in 2023 remained the market concentration of the largest mega-cap, growth-oriented stocks. While the market-cap weighted S&P 500 is close to reaching a new all-time high, the equal weighted S&P 500 lagged materially, finishing the year up only 13.88%, the largest spread between the two indices since 1998.

 

Diversification was not only detrimental within the large cap equity space, but across market capitalization and geographic regions as well. The US mid and small cap stocks underperformed their large cap peers by a wide margin. Globally both developed and emerging market equities failed to keep pace with domestic indices.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

 

Diversification in portfolios will matter again as it always has. This narrow equity market leadership is unlikely to last forever. If history teaches us anything, it is that we would be wise to avoid that level of concentration in portfolios. From energy producers in 1980, to Japanese conglomerates in the 1990s, to tech stocks in the 2000s, to emerging markets commodity producers in the 2010s, every decade provides a new example of why it is unwise to concentrate on themes that drove the market in the recent past.

 

The Johnson forward looking outlook on the market remains mixed. While the Fed’s perceived more dovish commentary in December marked a notable potential shift in policy, a full cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. The continuation of slowing economic trends and a potential recession could result in increased stock market volatility.

 

It is also important to highlight that the valuation on the market is not cheap, and that is based on earnings that may come under further pressure. Utilizing current consensus earnings estimates, the S&P 500 is trading at 19.5x forward earnings. While valuation is a poor predictor of return in the short term, it can provide a good indication toward longer term, 10-year return expectations. With the starting Price-to-Earnings ratio of 19.5x the regression would indicate equity returns over the next 10 years to average in the 3-6% range.

 

 

1

 

LETTER FROM THE FUND PRESIDENT DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

Bonds, for their part, look to be particularly attractive. The yield on an intermediate duration bond portfolio is near 4.5%. While yields have come down slightly from their highs earlier in the year, fixed income securities once again provide for the diversification benefit that did not exist in the lower rate environments of the past several years. In periods of risk aversion, fixed income will again be able to provide a benefit to portfolios as a hedge against increasing risks. And with bond portfolios yielding near 4.5% or better, the outlook for bond returns going forward has not been this high in many years (The best indication of long-term returns for fixed income is the starting yield).

 

Either way, the playbook here at Johnson will remain the same: a diversified portfolio of high-quality securities is the most resilient and reliable path to long-term success.

 

Disclaimer: Any expectations presented should not be taken as a guarantee or other assurance as to future results. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this presentation was created, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The material contained herein is based upon proprietary information and is provided purely for reference and as such is confidential and intended solely for those to whom it was provided by Johnson Investment Counsel. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

 

 

2

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

The Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund provided a total return of 4.78% during 2023, compared to a 4.66% return for the ICE BofA U.S. Corporate & Government 1-3 Year Index (“Index”).

 

The year 2023 began plagued by fear and uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) aggressively tightened policy, and economists were all but certain this would be the year the economy would buckle under the Fed’s pressure. To make matters worse, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank in the spring rattled investors and sent credit spreads back to near market cycle highs. After sharply rising during the spring, credit spreads gradually began to decline during the summer as optimism emerged. For the year, index level credit spreads tightened 30 basis points (0.30%). As a result, the primary driver of the Fund’s relative performance during the year was its overweight position in corporate bonds relative to the Index, which benefited as spreads tightened. This was partially offset by the Fund’s corporate security selection.

 

Short duration bonds delivered modestly positive returns throughout the initial three quarters of the year, benefiting from elevated portfolio income levels that helped offset the price impact of increasing expectations of Fed rate hikes. By mid-October, the two-year Treasury yield had climbed over 140 basis points from its March low as the market embraced the Fed’s commitment to keeping rates “higher for longer.” This trend shifted abruptly after the October payrolls report revealed a slower pace of job gains.

 

The Fed added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it disclosed plans to cut rates a few times in the coming year. From its October peak, the 2-year treasury fell 97 basis points to finish the year at 4.25%. For the year, the 2-year Treasury fell 12 basis points, despite the intra-year volatility. The Fund maintained a modestly longer duration relative to its benchmark throughout the year, resulting in a modest drag to performance. Throughout the year, the team gradually increased exposure to its out of index allocation to agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) as valuations became more attractive. This was beneficial to the Fund’s performance as MBS spread tightening during the final two months nearly kept pace with investment grade corporate bonds.

 

Despite the Fed’s proactive measures to ease policy restrictions, a full market cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. Credit spreads are at the tighter end of recent ranges, indicating expectations of a more tranquil 2024 than we believe is likely. Consequently, we are maintaining a somewhat defensive posture in the portfolio, paired with a modestly longer duration than the benchmark.

Performance Information
Class I Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL ICE BOFA
  SHORT DURATION GOVERNMENT &
  BOND FUND - CORPORATE 1-3 YEAR
  CLASS I SHARES INDEX
ONE YEAR 4.78% 4.66%
FIVE YEARS 1.56% 1.53%
TEN YEARS 1.43% 1.29%


 

3

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

Performance Information
Class F Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL ICE BOFA
  SHORT DURATION GOVERNMENT &
  BOND FUND - CORPORATE 1-3 YEAR
  CLASS F SHARES INDEX
ONE YEAR 4.68% 4.66%
FIVE YEARS 1.39% 1.53%
SINCE INCEPTION* 1.47% 1.69%
     
*Inception date was May 1, 2018
HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY AND SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
FINANCE   30.5%
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS   16.6%
INDUSTRIALS   14.4%
UTILITIES   13.4%
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   12.7%
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES   6.0%
MUNICIPAL BONDS   5.3%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   0.4%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   0.7%
    100.0%
      


 

A high level of income over the long term consistent with capital preservation is the objective of the Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees, whereas the Index does not incur fees. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ICE BofA Corporate & Government 1-3 year Index is the established benchmark. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the ICE BofA Corporate & Government 1-3 year Index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

 

4

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

The Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund provided a total return of 5.38% during 2023, compared to a 5.24% return for the Bloomberg Intermediate Government/Credit Index (the “Index”).

 

The year 2023 began plagued by fear and uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) aggressively tightened policy, and economists were all but certain this would be the year the economy would buckle under the Fed’s pressure. To make matters worse, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank rattled investors and sent credit spreads back to near-term highs. After sharply rising during the spring, credit spreads gradually began to decline during the summer as optimism emerged. For the year, index level credit spreads tightened 30 basis points (0.30%). As a result, the primary driver of the Fund’s relative performance during the year was its overweight to corporate bonds relative to the Index, which benefited as spreads tightened. This was partially offset by the Fund’s corporate security selection, specifically the Fund’s underweight to longer duration corporate bonds.

 

Intermediate duration bonds experienced mostly positive performance throughout the year, only turning negative in October as the market embraced the Fed’s commitment to keeping rates “higher for longer”. That changed abruptly after a slowing pace of hiring was revealed in the October payrolls report. The Fed added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it disclosed plans to cut rates a few times in the coming year. From its October peak, the 10-year treasury fell 111 basis points to finish the year at 3.88%. On the year, the 10-year treasury rose just 14 basis points, despite the intra year volatility. The Fund maintained a modestly longer duration relative to its benchmark throughout the year, resulting in a modest drag to performance. Throughout the year, the team gradually increased exposure to its out of index allocation to agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS) as valuations became more attractive. This was beneficial to the Fund’s performance as MBS spread tightening during the final two months nearly kept pace with investment grade corporate bonds.

 

Despite the Fed’s proactive measures to ease policy restrictions, a full market cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. Credit spreads are at the tighter end of recent ranges, indicating expectations of a more tranquil 2024 than we believe is likely. Consequently, we are maintaining a somewhat defensive posture in the portfolio, paired with a modestly longer duration than the benchmark.

Performance Information
Class I Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL BLOOMBERG
  INTERMEDIATE BOND BARCLAYS CAPITAL
  FUND - CLASS I INTERMEDIATE GOVT/
  SHARES CREDIT INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.38% 5.24%
FIVE YEARS 1.65% 1.59%
TEN YEARS 2.02% 1.72%


 

5

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

Performance Information
Class F Shares

 

()LINE GRAPH

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL BLOOMBERG
  INTERMEDIATE BOND BARCLAYS CAPITAL
  FUND - CLASS F INTERMEDIATE GOVT/
  SHARES CREDIT INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.20% 5.24%
FIVE YEARS 1.47% 1.59%
SINCE INCEPTION* 1.60% 1.85%

 

*Inception date was May 1, 2018
HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY AND SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS   33.3%
FINANCE   23.7%
UTILITIES   12.4%
INDUSTRIALS   11.3%
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   7.6%
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES   7.3%
MUNICIPAL BONDS   2.0%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   0.7%
PREFERRED STOCKS   0.6%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   1.1%
    100.0%


 

A high level of income over the long term consistent with capital preservation is the objective of the Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees, whereas the Index does not incur fees. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Bloomberg Intermediate Government/Credit Index is the established benchmark. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

 

6

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

The Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund provided a total return of 5.43% in 2023, compared to a 5.53% return for the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index (“AGG”).

 

The year 2023 began plagued by economic uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) aggressively tightened monetary policy, and economists were all but certain this would be the year the economy would buckle under the Fed’s pressure. To compound matters, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank rattled investors and sent credit spreads back to near cycle highs. After a sharp rise during the spring, credit spreads gradually began to decline during the summer as optimism emerged. For the year, index level credit spreads tightened 31 basis points (0.31%). Consequently, the primary driver of the Fund’s relative performance during the year was its overweight position in corporate bonds relative to the AGG, benefiting as spreads tightened. This was partially offset by the Fund’s corporate security selection, specifically the Fund’s underweight position in longer duration corporate bonds.

 

For a period of time, AGG seemed destined to post its third straight year of negative returns as the 10-year treasury rose 113 basis points to peak just under 5.00% in mid-October. This changed abruptly after a slowing pace of hiring was revealed in the October payrolls report. The Fed added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it forecast plans to lower the Fed Funds rate in the upcoming year. From its October peak, the 10-year treasury fell 111 basis points to finish the year at 3.88%. On the year, the 10-year treasury rose just 1 basis point, despite the intra year volatility. The Fund maintained a modestly longer duration relative to its benchmark throughout the year, resulting in a slight drag to performance. Throughout the year, the team gradually increased exposure to agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) as valuations became more attractive. This was also beneficial, as MBS spread tightening during the final two months nearly kept pace with investment grade corporate bonds.

 

Despite the Fed’s proactive measures to ease policy restrictions, a full market cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. Credit spreads are at the tighter end of recent ranges, indicating expectations of a more tranquil 2024 than we believe is likely. Consequently, we are maintaining a somewhat defensive posture in the portfolio, paired with a modestly longer duration than the benchmark.

Performance Information
Class I Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL CORE BLOOMBERG U.S.
  BOND FUND - CLASS I AGGREGATE BOND
  SHARES INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.43% 5.53%
FIVE YEARS 1.27% 1.10%
TEN YEARS 2.17% 1.81%


 

7

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

Performance Information
Class F Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

    AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL CORE BLOOMBERG U.S.
  BOND FUND - CLASS AGGREGATE BOND
  F SHARES INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.29% 5.53%
FIVE YEARS 1.10% 1.10%
SINCE INCEPTION* 1.35% 1.41%

 

*Inception date was May 1, 2018

Performance Information
Class S Shares

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

  AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  JOHNSON  
  INSTITUTIONAL CORE BLOOMBERG U.S.
  BOND FUND - CLASS AGGREGATE BOND
  S SHARES INDEX
SINCE INCEPTION* 5.35% 5.25%
     
*Inception date was September 15, 2023

 

HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY AND SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS   33.1%
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   20.9%
FINANCE   17.2%
UTILITIES   11.5%
INDUSTRIALS   10.2%
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES   2.8%
MUNICIPAL BONDS   2.4%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   0.6%
PREFERRED STOCKS   0.5%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   0.8%
    100.0%


 

A high level of income over the long term consistent with capital preservation is the objective of the Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund and the primary assets are investment-grade government and corporate bonds. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees, whereas the Index does not incur fees. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is the established benchmark. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

 

8

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

The total return for the Johnson Enhanced Return Fund in 2023 was 24.91% compared to 26.29% for the S&P 500 Index. The Fund’s underperformance was driven by elevated cost-of-carry within its equity futures positions that exceeded the return of the Fund’s bond portfolio. Reminder that the Fund uses futures contracts in seeking to replicate the S&P 500 Index and a bond portfolio to enhance the Fund’s returns.

 

2023 marked a sharp reversal for equity investors with the S&P 500 returning over 26%, more than recouping 2022’s -18.11% decline. This occurred despite a generally bearish economic outlook to begin the year, with many market strategists predicting a recession that ultimately failed to materialize. The biggest story of the year was the relative outperformance of the so-called “Magnificent 7” stocks that returned 107% during the year, biasing the Index’s return much higher than the returns generated by most other large-cap stocks. The best performing sectors were Technology, Communication Services, and Consumer Discretionary and most returns by sector were positive, with only Energy and Utilities posting negative returns.

 

The bond portion of the Fund delivered modestly positive returns throughout the initial three quarters of the year, benefiting from elevated portfolio income levels that helped offset the price impact of increasing expectations of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) rate hikes. By mid-October, the two-year Treasury yield had climbed over 140 basis points (1.40%) from its March low as the market embraced the Fed’s commitment to keeping rates “higher for longer.” This trend shifted abruptly after the October payrolls report revealed a slower pace of job gains. The Fed added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it disclosed plans to cut rates a few times in the coming year, boosting the rally in fixed income and contributing positively to the Fund’s total return. In addition, after a sharp rise in credit spreads earlier in the year driven by the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank during the spring, credit spreads gradually began to decline during the summer as optimism emerged. This tightening in credit spreads was another positive contributor to the Fund’s relative performance during the year as it resulted in price appreciation in the Fund’s corporate bond allocation. In the end, however, the positive returns experienced in the bond portfolio were not enough to overcome the Fund’s futures positions’ cost-of-carry, which remained elevated throughout the year due to the Fed’s restrictive policy stance.

 

Despite the potential of proactive measures from the Fed to ease the amount of policy restrictions, a full market cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. Credit spreads are at the tighter end of recent ranges, indicating expectations of a more tranquil 2024 than we believe is likely. Consequently, we are maintaining a somewhat defensive posture in the portfolio, paired with a modestly longer duration than in recent quarters to benefit from the transition to an easing cycle.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

  AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
  ENHANCED  
  RETURN FUND S&P 500 INDEX
ONE YEAR 24.91% 26.29%
FIVE YEARS 14.05% 15.69%
TEN YEARS 11.16% 12.03%
     
HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY AND SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
FINANCE   27.1%
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS   20.6%
INDUSTRIALS   18.2%
UTILITIES   13.5%
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   11.6%
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES   4.5%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   2.2%
MUNICIPAL BONDS   1.8%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   0.5%
    100.0%


 

Outperforming the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, over a full market cycle is the objective of the Johnson Enhanced Return Fund and the primary assets are stock index futures contracts and short-term investment-grade fixed income securities. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees, whereas the Index does not incur fees. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the S&P 500 Index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

 

9

 

JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW – DECEMBER 31, 2023
   

The Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund provided a total return of 5.81% during 2023, outperforming the 5.53% return for the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index (“AGG”).

 

The year 2023 began plagued by economic uncertainty as the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) aggressively tightened monetary policy, with economists expecting the economy to strain under the Fed’s pressure. To compound matters, the abrupt failure of Silicon Valley Bank in March rattled investors and sent credit spreads near cycle highs. As the year progressed though, credit spreads gradually declined starting in the summer, reflecting growing optimism. Index level credit spreads tightened 31 basis points (0.31%) for the year. The Fund’s relative performance was primarily driven by its overweight to corporate bonds relative to AGG, benefiting from the tightening spreads. The Fund’s flexibility to own securities rated below Investment Grade also contributed to maximizing return. High yield bond spreads followed a similar path as investment grade spreads but with a greater magnitude of tightening during the year. However, the Fund’s underweight position in longer duration corporate bonds partially offset these gains.

 

For a period of time, AGG seemed headed for its third straight year of negative returns, with the 10-year treasury peaking just under 5.00% in mid-October, following a 113-basis point increase in yield. This changed abruptly after a slowing pace of hiring was revealed in the October payrolls report. The Fed added fuel to the fourth-quarter bond market rally at its December meeting, when it forecast plans to lower the Fed Funds rate in the coming year. From its October peak, the 10-year treasury fell 111 basis points to finish the year at 3.88%. On the year, the 10-year treasury rose just 1 basis point, despite the intra year volatility. The Fund maintained a modestly longer duration relative to its benchmark (AGG) throughout the year, resulting in a slight drag to performance. The use of Treasury Futures to adjust duration and yield curve exposure added to the negative impact of duration on the portfolio. Throughout the year, the team gradually increased exposure to agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) as valuations became more attractive. This was also beneficial for the Fund, as MBS spread tightening during the final two months nearly kept pace with investment grade corporate bonds.

 

Despite the potential of proactive measures from the Fed to ease the amount of policy restraint in the new year, a full market cyclical upswing in the economy seems distant. Credit spreads are at the tighter end of recent ranges, indicating expectations of a more tranquil 2024 than we believe is likely. Consequently, we are maintaining a somewhat defensive posture in the portfolio, paired with a modestly longer duration than the benchmark to benefit from the transition to an easing cycle.

(LINE GRAPH)

 

  AS OF
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS DECEMBER 31, 2023
    BLOOMBERG U.S.
  CORE PLUS BOND AGGREGATE BOND
  FUND INDEX
ONE YEAR 5.81% 5.53%
SINCE INCEPTION* -4.00% -3.80%
     
HOLDINGS BY INDUSTRY AND SECTOR
   % OF
SECTOR ALLOCATION  NET ASSETS
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   26.8%
INDUSTRIALS   24.6%
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS   18.6%
FINANCE   18.2%
UTILITIES   8.1%
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES   1.6%
MONEY MARKET FUNDS   0.7%
PREFERRED STOCKS   0.7%
OTHER:     
NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES)   0.7%
    100.0%

 

*Fund Inception was November 17, 2021


 

The investment objective of the Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund is to maximize total return over the long term consistent with the preservation of capital, and the primary assets are government and corporate bonds and other fixed income securities. The data on this page is unaudited. The data on this page represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The average annual total return numbers include changes in the Fund’s or Index’s share price, plus reinvestment of any income and capital gains. The Fund’s performance is after all fees, whereas the Index does not incur fees. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is the established benchmark. A shareholder cannot invest directly in the Index. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-541-0170.

 

 

10

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 58.3%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Finance — 30.5%                
American Express Co.  2.500%  07/30/24  $2,900,000   $2,850,535 
AON plc  3.500%  06/14/24   635,000    628,716 
AON plc  3.875%  12/15/25   2,700,000    2,643,786 
Bank of America Corp., Series L  3.875%  08/01/25   2,765,000    2,726,221 
Branch Banking & Trust Co.  3.625%  09/16/25   1,500,000    1,452,097 
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc.  3.350%  05/15/24   2,697,000    2,672,975 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.875%  05/01/24   1,950,000    1,937,550 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.375%  04/15/26   1,654,000    1,595,507 
Fifth Third Bancorp  4.300%  01/16/24   1,685,000    1,682,572 
Fifth Third Bancorp  2.375%  01/28/25   1,770,000    1,712,472 
Fifth Third Bancorp  6.339%  07/27/29   1,500,000    1,560,559 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  2.625%  08/06/24   4,500,000    4,412,856 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.875%  09/10/24   1,745,000    1,724,430 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.540%  05/01/28   1,000,000    954,973 
KeyCorp, Series O  4.150%  10/29/25   4,200,000    4,097,894 
Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.  3.500%  06/03/24   1,365,000    1,352,862 
Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.  3.500%  03/10/25   1,000,000    982,204 
Microsoft Corp.  3.125%  11/03/25   2,500,000    2,442,174 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  3.700%  10/23/24   1,675,000    1,652,798 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  4.000%  07/23/25   2,750,000    2,710,981 
National Retail Properties, Inc.  3.900%  06/15/24   1,197,000    1,186,735 
National Retail Properties, Inc.  4.000%  11/15/25   2,965,000    2,904,205 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.900%  04/29/24   3,440,000    3,417,884 
Private Export Funding Corp., 144A  5.500%  03/14/25   2,000,000    2,009,793 
Suntrust Bank, Inc.  4.000%  05/01/25   3,002,000    2,950,536 
U.S. Bancorp, Series W  3.600%  09/11/24   1,594,000    1,571,952 
U.S. Bancorp, Series MTN  3.100%  04/27/26   2,655,000    2,545,473 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series N  3.550%  09/29/25   600,000    586,656 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series M  4.100%  06/03/26   2,550,000    2,493,462 
               61,460,858 
Industrials — 14.4%                
Becton Dickinson and Co.  3.363%  06/06/24   2,235,000    2,212,599 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe  3.750%  04/01/24   1,460,000    1,452,844 
CVS Health Corp.  3.875%  07/20/25   3,295,000    3,236,233 
Dover Corp.  3.150%  11/15/25   4,548,000    4,400,846 
Enterprise Products Operating, LLC  3.750%  02/15/25   1,500,000    1,480,240 
Johnson Controls International plc  3.625%  07/02/24   2,936,000    2,901,659 
Johnson Controls International plc  3.900%  02/14/26   555,000    542,336 
MPLX, L.P.  4.875%  12/01/24   2,800,000    2,782,529 
Norfolk Southern Corp.  5.590%  05/17/25   1,000,000    1,006,262 
Roper Technologies, Inc.  1.000%  09/15/25   3,510,000    3,281,573 
Shell International  3.250%  05/11/25   3,115,000    3,055,815 
Union Pacific Corp.  3.150%  03/01/24   1,700,000    1,692,932 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  2.100%  03/22/28   1,000,000    904,039 
               28,949,907 
Utilities — 13.4%                
Duke Energy Corp.  0.900%  09/15/25   3,507,000    3,270,408 
Eversource Energy, Series H  3.150%  01/15/25   1,900,000    1,853,201 
Eversource Energy, Series U  1.400%  08/15/26   1,240,000    1,131,082 
Florida Power & Light Co.  4.400%  05/15/28   4,390,000    4,398,632 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

11

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 58.3%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Georgia Power Co., Series 2019-A  2.200%  09/15/24  $3,043,000   $2,967,909 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  3.400%  08/15/25   4,472,000    4,344,711 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  2.950%  02/07/24   1,830,000    1,824,168 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  2.850%  01/27/25   1,705,000    1,660,937 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  3.250%  11/01/25   900,000    874,395 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A  3.500%  03/15/27   1,000,000    966,443 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  3.300%  06/01/25   3,720,000    3,631,503 
               26,923,389 
                 
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $120,854,048)             $117,334,154 
                 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 12.7%                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 4.5%                
FHLMC, Series 2989, Class TG  5.000%  06/01/25  $25,233   $25,109 
FHLMC, Pool #SB-0037  2.500%  12/01/27   374,466    362,403 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-5973  3.000%  07/01/31   740,001    708,898 
FHLMC, Pool #V6-1479, Series V6-1479  2.500%  01/01/32   2,634,573    2,486,535 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-8642  3.500%  04/01/32   867,988    839,225 
FHLMC, Pool #ZT-1964  3.500%  06/01/32   734,250    710,453 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-6330  3.500%  08/01/32   731,772    710,282 
FHLMC, Series 4980, Class DB  1.250%  10/25/34   2,212,686    1,956,137 
FHLMC, Pool #ZS-9286  4.500%  04/01/35   697,426    694,720 
FHLMC, Series 4198, Class BE  2.000%  10/15/40   53,675    52,798 
FHLMC, Series 4125, Class KP  2.500%  05/15/41   410,048    389,018 
FHLMC, Series 4009, Class PA  2.000%  06/15/41   60,905    57,734 
FHLMC, Pool #2B-0350 (RFUCCT1Y + 186) (a)  4.610%  04/01/42   11,183    11,115 
               9,004,427 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 8.2%                
FNMA, Series 2013-1, Class LA  1.250%  02/25/28   575,095    542,672 
FNMA, Pool #AL9230  3.500%  12/01/29   364,034    354,703 
FNMA, Pool #MA0384  5.000%  04/01/30   156,809    157,062 
FNMA, Pool #MA4424  1.500%  09/01/31   5,343,307    4,894,667 
FNMA, Pool #FM1926  3.000%  09/01/32   768,662    738,043 
FNMA, Series 2013-3, Class DK  1.750%  02/25/33   486,410    447,312 
FNMA, Pool #FM2287  4.500%  03/01/34   797,665    793,417 
FNMA, Series 2020 B  4.500%  07/01/34   1,019,491    1,010,079 
FNMA, Pool #FM2989  3.000%  09/01/34   751,027    717,578 
FNMA, Pool #AL7077  4.000%  07/01/35   466,643    455,203 
FNMA, Pool #CA7891  1.500%  11/01/35   1,133,641    1,013,188 
FNMA, Series 2020-044, Class TE  2.000%  12/25/35   1,586,091    1,465,225 
FNMA, Series 2013-6, Class BC  1.500%  12/25/42   97,277    93,435 
FNMA, Pool #AY0089 (RFUCCT1Y + 160) (a)  5.572%  12/01/44   109,711    109,794 
FNMA, Pool #AL8183 (RFUCCT1Y + 160) (a)  7.108%  02/01/46   79,533    79,798 
FNMA, Series 2020-95, Class GA  1.000%  01/25/51   4,841,406    3,726,242 
               16,598,418 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

12

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 12.7%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Government National Mortgage Association — 0.0% (b)                
GNMA, Pool #726475X  4.000%  11/15/24  $7,549   $7,471 
                 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $28,245,514)             $25,610,316 
                 
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 5.3%                
Allegheny County Pennsylvania, Series C-79  0.843%  11/01/24  $600,000   $579,946 
Allegheny County Pennsylvania, Series C-79  0.973%  11/01/25   1,835,000    1,719,723 
Commonwealth Financing Authority Pennsylvania Revenue, Series 2006-C  5.197%  06/01/26   1,035,000    1,040,004 
Franklin County Ohio Convention Facilities Authority, Series 2020-B  1.255%  12/01/25   500,000    468,187 
Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission Revenue, Series 2009C  6.155%  11/01/29   1,830,000    1,891,777 
Pennsylvania State University, Series D  1.545%  09/01/24   1,145,000    1,117,371 
Pennsylvania State University, Series D  1.645%  09/01/25   2,000,000    1,901,972 
Wisconsin State GO Revenue, Series A  4.330%  05/01/27   2,000,000    1,999,848 
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $11,009,211)             $10,718,828 
                 
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 6.0%                
Federal National Mortgage Association — 1.3%                
FNMA  0.500%  06/17/25  $1,195,000   $1,127,622 
FNMA  0.375%  08/25/25   1,630,000    1,525,150 
               2,652,772 
Federal Home Loan Bank — 2.8%                
FHLB  4.625%  03/14/25   670,000    668,778 
FHLB  1.375%  08/26/26   3,700,000    3,439,004 
FHLB  1.375%  09/29/26   1,585,000    1,470,099 
               5,577,881 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 1.9%                
FHLMC  0.450%  07/22/24   4,000,000    3,894,298 
                 
Total U.S. Government & Agencies (Cost $12,776,911)             $12,124,951 
                 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS — 16.6%                
U.S. Treasury Notes — 16.6%                
U.S. Treasury Notes  0.375%  04/30/25  $1,300,000   $1,230,227 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.000%  11/15/26   2,300,000    2,174,758 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.750%  07/31/27   10,310,000    9,897,600 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.750%  02/15/28   10,700,000    10,226,859 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.875%  05/15/28   10,420,000    9,992,617 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $33,235,046)             $33,522,061 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

13

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.4%  Shares   Value 
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (c) (Cost $724,356)   724,356   $724,356 
           
Investments at Value — 99.3% (Cost $206,845,086)       $200,034,666 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.7%        1,417,857 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $201,452,523 
           
(a)Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically.

 

(b)Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

(c)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

144A - Security was purchased in a transaction exempt from registration in compliance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of such securities is $2,009,793 as of December 31, 2023, representing 1.0% of net assets.

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

RFUCCT - Refinitiv USD IBOR Cash Fallbacks.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

14

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 47.4%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Finance — 23.7%                
Allstate Corp. (The)  5.250%  03/30/33  $1,000,000   $1,021,548 
American Express Co.  3.950%  08/01/25   4,250,000    4,182,152 
Bank of America Corp.  5.202%  04/25/29   5,370,000    5,402,775 
Branch Banking & Trust Co.  3.625%  09/16/25   1,145,000    1,108,434 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  4.000%  03/01/29   1,216,000    1,159,915 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.000%  01/15/30   3,120,000    2,780,285 
Fifth Third Bancorp  4.300%  01/16/24   1,210,000    1,208,256 
Fifth Third Bancorp  6.339%  07/27/29   3,604,000    3,749,502 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  4.000%  05/15/25   1,225,000    1,200,325 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  4.443%  08/04/28   2,775,000    2,690,298 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.875%  09/10/24   3,065,000    3,028,871 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (SOFR + 379) (a)  4.493%  03/24/31   2,500,000    2,438,335 
KeyCorp, Series O  4.150%  10/29/25   2,000,000    1,951,378 
Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.  3.500%  06/03/24   1,500,000    1,486,662 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  3.700%  10/23/24   4,135,000    4,080,191 
Morgan Stanley, Series I (SOFR + 166.9) (a)  4.679%  07/17/26   1,674,000    1,658,524 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.500%  01/23/24   2,000,000    1,997,188 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.450%  04/23/29   1,000,000    947,581 
Prologis, Inc.  5.125%  01/15/34   3,100,000    3,198,818 
Truist Financial Corp., Series H  3.875%  03/19/29   1,000,000    936,240 
Truist Financial Corp.  2.250%  03/11/30   2,200,000    1,825,121 
U.S. Bancorp, Series BB  4.967%  07/22/33   5,625,000    5,338,344 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series M  4.100%  06/03/26   2,050,000    2,004,548 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series Q  3.196%  06/17/27   1,000,000    956,118 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series O  4.300%  07/22/27   2,600,000    2,545,934 
               58,897,343 
Industrials — 11.3%                
Becton Dickinson & Co.  3.700%  06/06/27   4,000,000    3,876,541 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe  3.650%  09/01/25   485,000    476,540 
CVS Health Corp.  4.300%  03/25/28   3,200,000    3,145,460 
Dover Corp.  3.150%  11/15/25   2,650,000    2,564,258 
Dover Corp.  2.950%  11/04/29   1,495,000    1,353,195 
Johnson Controls International plc  3.900%  02/14/26   2,282,000    2,229,931 
Kroger Co. (The)  3.500%  02/01/26   2,100,000    2,045,309 
Norfolk Southern Corp.  2.900%  06/15/26   3,790,000    3,636,213 
Union Pacific Corp.  3.750%  07/15/25   535,000    526,551 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  4.016%  12/03/29   3,935,000    3,807,186 
Xylem, Inc.  3.250%  11/01/26   4,000,000    3,854,609 
Xylem, Inc.  1.950%  01/30/28   500,000    452,453 
               27,968,246 
Utilities — 12.4%                
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  3.250%  04/15/28   3,500,000    3,325,071 
Duke Energy Corp.  2.650%  09/01/26   2,750,000    2,609,562 
Eversource Energy, Series AA  4.750%  05/15/26   3,028,000    3,012,648 
Eversource Energy, Series M  3.300%  01/15/28   1,200,000    1,136,078 
Florida Power & Light Co.  4.400%  05/15/28   5,315,000    5,325,449 
Georgia Power Co., Series 2019-A  2.200%  09/15/24   975,000    950,940 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  3.400%  08/15/25   1,035,000    1,005,540 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  4.100%  09/26/28   2,367,000    2,300,055 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  2.300%  06/01/30   1,067,000    914,044 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

15

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 47.4%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  3.400%  02/07/28  $3,090,000   $2,961,306 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series 2014A  3.450%  02/15/24   565,000    562,711 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series 2015A  3.100%  05/15/25   394,000    384,348 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A  3.800%  04/01/28   2,250,000    2,182,329 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  3.300%  06/01/25   4,050,000    3,953,653 
               30,623,734 
                 
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $121,412,679)             $117,489,323 
                 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 7.6%                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 3.4%                
FHLMC, Series 2985, Class GE  5.500%  06/15/25  $9,676   $9,645 
FHLMC, Pool #J1-2635  4.000%  07/01/25   32,969    32,527 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-8642  3.500%  04/01/32   462,598    447,269 
FHLMC, Series 4151, Class PA  2.000%  01/15/33   845,143    789,128 
FHLMC, Pool #SB-0297  3.000%  03/01/35   1,802,603    1,709,212 
FHLMC, Pool #G0-8068  5.500%  07/01/35   70,459    72,637 
FHLMC, Pool #SC-0047  3.000%  01/01/40   2,892,712    2,683,736 
FHLMC, Series 3946, Class LN  3.500%  04/15/41   188,813    182,824 
FHLMC, Pool #2B-0350 (RFUCCT1Y + 186) (a)  4.610%  04/01/42   11,981    11,908 
FHLMC, Series 5189, Class PG  2.500%  09/25/51   2,829,541    2,563,253 
               8,502,139 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 3.2%                
FNMA, Pool #MA0384  5.000%  04/01/30   62,724    62,825 
FNMA, Pool #MA1237  3.000%  11/01/32   740,887    701,888 
FNMA, Pool #FM5050  2.500%  02/01/35   1,983,962    1,893,803 
FNMA, Series 2016-99, Class TA  3.500%  03/25/36   174,241    170,224 
FNMA, Pool #FS0140  4.000%  11/01/37   3,272,731    3,198,253 
FNMA, Pool #AA4392  4.000%  04/01/39   78,275    76,109 
FNMA, Series 2011-52, Class PC  3.000%  03/25/41   241,393    234,385 
FNMA, Pool #AJ7509 (RFUCCT1Y + 178) (a)  4.915%  12/01/41   35,853    35,548 
FNMA, Series 2012-128, Class TP  2.000%  11/25/42   423,114    389,946 
FNMA, Series 2015-37, Class BA  3.000%  08/25/44   606,343    564,766 
FNMA, Pool #AY0089 (RFUCCT1Y + 160) (a)  5.572%  12/01/44   112,687    112,773 
FNMA, Series 2016-39, Class LA  2.500%  03/25/45   464,635    426,442 
               7,866,962 
Government National Mortgage Association — 1.0%                
GNMA  2.000%  02/20/37   2,874,642    2,557,580 
                 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $20,484,889)             $18,926,681 
                 
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 2.0%                
Kansas Development Finance Authority, Series 2015 H  4.091%  04/15/27  $3,000,000   $2,960,666 
Pennsylvania State University, Series 2020 D  1.893%  09/01/26   2,000,000    1,868,897 
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $5,083,670)             $4,829,563 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

16

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 7.3%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 0.9%                
FNMA  3.320%  04/01/28  $2,500,000   $2,365,618 
                 
Federal Home Loan Bank — 6.4%                
FHLB  2.875%  09/13/24   1,000,000    984,753 
FHLB  1.950%  09/10/25   4,000,000    3,831,046 
FHLB  3.250%  11/16/28   1,800,000    1,748,401 
FHLB  4.750%  12/10/32   9,000,000    9,221,893 
               15,786,093 
                 
Total U.S. Government & Agencies (Cost $18,811,506)             $18,151,711 
                 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS — 33.3%                
U.S. Treasury Notes — 33.3%                
U.S. Treasury Notes  1.375%  10/31/28  $14,550,000   $12,951,773 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.125%  11/15/28   13,000,000    12,560,234 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.625%  02/15/29   14,000,000    13,187,344 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.500%  01/31/30   12,550,000    12,280,371 
U.S. Treasury Notes  1.500%  02/15/30   6,350,000    5,533,926 
U.S. Treasury Notes  0.875%  11/15/30   3,250,000    2,671,094 
U.S. Treasury Notes  1.375%  11/15/31   14,000,000    11,630,938 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.875%  05/15/32   12,650,000    11,728,922 
                 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $82,954,900)             $82,544,602 
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.6%  Shares   Value 
Financials — 0.6%          
Allstate Corp. (The), 5.100%, 01/15/53 (Cost $1,446,031)   59,890   $1,505,635 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.7%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (b) (Cost $1,851,138)   1,851,138    1,851,138 
           
Investments at Value — 98.9% (Cost $252,044,813)       $245,298,653 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 1.1%        2,829,509 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $248,128,162 
           
(a)Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically.

 

(b)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

RFUCCT - Refinitiv USD IBOR Cash Fallbacks.

 

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

17

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 38.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Finance — 17.2%                
Allstate Corp. (The)  5.250%  03/30/33  $27,775,000   $28,373,503 
American Express Co.  1.650%  11/04/26   2,870,000    2,649,011 
American Express Co.  2.550%  03/04/27   6,011,000    5,631,412 
AON Corp.  3.750%  05/02/29   10,646,000    10,186,939 
AON plc  3.875%  12/15/25   850,000    832,303 
Bank of America Corp.  5.202%  04/25/29   29,610,000    29,790,724 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.000%  01/15/30   9,426,000    8,399,669 
Essex Property Trust, Inc.  3.625%  05/01/27   2,298,000    2,192,351 
Fifth Third Bancorp  4.300%  01/16/24   11,815,000    11,797,972 
Fifth Third Bancorp  2.375%  01/28/25   2,763,000    2,673,198 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  2.625%  08/06/24   2,275,000    2,230,943 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  4.443%  08/04/28   8,500,000    8,240,552 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  2.550%  02/04/30   10,628,000    9,095,853 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (SOFR + 379) (a)  4.493%  03/24/31   6,360,000    6,203,124 
KeyCorp, Series O  4.100%  04/30/28   3,640,000    3,424,868 
KeyCorp  2.550%  10/01/29   9,755,000    8,282,001 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.  4.375%  03/15/29   14,892,000    14,830,760 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  4.000%  07/23/25   2,050,000    2,020,913 
PNC Financial Services  5.939%  08/18/34   7,400,000    7,712,657 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.450%  04/23/29   11,850,000    11,228,836 
Prologis, Inc.  3.875%  09/15/28   3,470,000    3,354,375 
Prologis, Inc.  5.125%  01/15/34   6,085,000    6,278,971 
Truist Financial Corp., Series H  3.875%  03/19/29   14,735,000    13,795,503 
Truist Financial Corp.  2.250%  03/11/30   22,716,000    18,845,206 
U.S. Bancorp, Series Y  3.000%  07/30/29   22,455,000    20,322,629 
U.S. Bancorp, Series BB  4.967%  07/22/33   10,985,000    10,425,194 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series M  4.100%  06/03/26   17,030,000    16,652,414 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series O  4.300%  07/22/27   14,199,000    13,903,737 
               279,375,618 
Industrials — 10.2%                
Becton Dickinson & Co.  3.700%  06/06/27   9,500,000    9,206,786 
Becton Dickinson & Co.  2.823%  05/20/30   11,000,000    9,833,129 
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Series 2016Y  2.853%  11/15/26   1,835,000    1,726,761 
CVS Health Corp.  4.300%  03/25/28   19,898,000    19,558,862 
CVS Health Corp.  3.750%  04/01/30   5,000,000    4,713,808 
Dover Corp.  3.150%  11/15/25   4,302,000    4,162,806 
Dover Corp.  2.950%  11/04/29   16,705,000    15,120,480 
Duke Energy Corp.  2.450%  06/01/30   16,000,000    13,980,126 
Enterprise Products Operating, LLC  4.150%  10/16/28   16,617,000    16,432,517 
Johnson Controls International plc  3.900%  02/14/26   6,430,000    6,283,286 
Kroger Co. (The)  3.500%  02/01/26   4,350,000    4,236,711 
Lowes Cos., Inc.  4.500%  04/15/30   22,502,000    22,392,217 
Parker-Hannifin Corp.  4.250%  09/15/27   1,033,000    1,024,035 
Roper Technologies, Inc.  2.950%  09/15/29   1,000,000    916,050 
Starbucks Corp.  2.250%  03/12/30   2,185,000    1,919,010 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  4.329%  09/21/28   1,675,000    1,657,817 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  4.016%  12/03/29   28,211,000    27,294,672 
Xylem, Inc.  1.950%  01/30/28   5,000,000    4,524,526 
               164,983,599 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

18

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 38.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Utilities — 11.5%                
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  3.700%  07/15/30  $2,900,000   $2,746,989 
Duke Energy Corp.  2.650%  09/01/26   12,350,000    11,719,305 
Eversource Energy, Series M  3.300%  01/15/28   8,940,000    8,463,782 
Eversource Energy, Series O  4.250%  04/01/29   17,808,000    17,303,393 
Eversource Energy, Series R  1.650%  08/15/30   232,000    188,880 
Florida Power & Light Co.  5.050%  04/01/28   4,730,000    4,836,905 
Florida Power & Light Co.  5.100%  04/01/33   27,180,000    28,082,308 
Georgia Power Co., Series 2019B  2.650%  09/15/29   28,141,000    25,513,860 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  3.400%  08/15/25   2,525,000    2,453,129 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  4.100%  09/26/28   20,685,000    20,099,973 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  2.300%  06/01/30   6,410,000    5,491,115 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  3.400%  02/07/28   2,335,000    2,237,751 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  3.700%  03/15/29   4,323,000    4,107,900 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  2.400%  03/15/30   15,950,000    13,828,598 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series B  2.950%  11/15/26   4,625,000    4,419,248 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A  3.500%  03/15/27   4,777,000    4,616,699 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  4.000%  06/15/28   19,682,000    19,206,921 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  3.400%  06/01/30   11,250,000    10,373,685 
               185,690,441 
                 
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $685,602,728)             $630,049,658 
                 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 20.9%                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 7.4%                
FHLMC, Pool #J0-9921  4.000%  07/01/24  $3,774   $3,749 
FHLMC, Series 2877, Class AL  5.000%  10/15/24   1,434    1,429 
FHLMC, Series 2985, Class GE  5.500%  06/15/25   20,562    20,495 
FHLMC, Series 4287, Class AB  2.000%  12/15/26   314,389    297,612 
FHLMC, Pool #ZA-3721  3.000%  06/01/29   3,781,478    3,646,629 
FHLMC, Pool #ZK-6713  3.000%  06/01/29   2,390,616    2,305,570 
FHLMC, Pool #C0-1005  8.000%  06/01/30   492    530 
FHLMC, Pool #V6-1479, Series V6-1479  2.500%  01/01/32   2,358,358    2,225,840 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-8642  3.500%  04/01/32   2,049,446    1,981,534 
FHLMC, Pool #ZT-1964  3.500%  06/01/32   2,969,597    2,873,353 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-8667  3.500%  11/01/32   1,283,338    1,239,914 
FHLMC, Series 4151, Class PA  2.000%  01/15/33   1,479,596    1,381,530 
FHLMC, Pool #78-0439 (H15T1Y + 222.3) (a)  5.223%  04/01/33   8,161    8,158 
FHLMC, Pool #G0-8068  5.500%  07/01/35   548,560    565,522 
FHLMC, Pool #G0-1880  5.000%  08/01/35   27,284    27,603 
FHLMC, Pool #G0-6616  4.500%  12/01/35   245,476    244,093 
FHLMC, Pool #G3-0933  4.000%  01/01/36   9,829,271    9,595,657 
FHLMC, Series 3109, Class ZN  5.500%  02/15/36   575,072    587,769 
FHLMC, Pool #G3-1087  4.000%  07/01/38   1,668,539    1,639,458 
FHLMC, Series 4887, Class A  3.250%  09/15/38   528,576    503,461 
FHLMC, Pool #A8-9335  5.000%  10/01/39   57,242    58,287 
FHLMC, Series 3592, Class BZ  5.000%  10/15/39   375,276    378,509 
FHLMC, Pool #SC-0047  3.000%  01/01/40   21,777,376    20,204,126 
FHLMC, Series 3946, Class LN  3.500%  04/15/41   293,590    284,277 
FHLMC, Series 4105, Class PJ  3.500%  06/15/41   323,427    313,090 
FHLMC, Pool #2B-0350 (RFUCCT1Y + 186) (a)  4.610%  04/01/42   62,819    62,437 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

19

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 20.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
FHLMC, Series 4087, Class PT  3.000%  07/15/42  $353,984   $332,161 
FHLMC, Series 4180, Class ME  2.500%  10/15/42   806,178    749,279 
FHLMC, Series 4161, Class QA  3.000%  02/15/43   91,005    85,536 
FHLMC, Series 4517, Class PC  2.500%  05/15/44   571,635    537,650 
FHLMC, Series 4689, Class DA  3.000%  07/15/44   539,034    520,946 
FHLMC, Series 4831, Class BA  3.500%  10/15/44   260,692    256,173 
FHLMC, Series 4567, Class LA  3.000%  08/15/45   113,540    105,525 
FHLMC, Series 4582, Class PA  3.000%  11/15/45   1,531,175    1,414,425 
FHLMC, Series 4709, Class EA  3.000%  01/15/46   821,431    769,041 
FHLMC, Series 4906, Class DE  2.500%  09/25/49   3,487,204    3,079,238 
FHLMC, Pool #SD-2170  3.000%  07/01/51   23,412,818    20,882,961 
FHLMC, Pool #SD-7556  3.000%  08/01/52   44,142,776    39,391,232 
               118,574,799 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 12.3%                
FNMA, Pool #MA0384  5.000%  04/01/30   297,153    297,633 
FNMA, Pool #AL6923  3.000%  05/01/30   4,262,312    4,105,626 
FNMA, Pool #AS5794  3.000%  09/01/30   812,750    779,719 
FNMA, Pool #AS6548  2.500%  01/01/31   1,905,368    1,804,444 
FNMA, Pool #MA4424  1.500%  09/01/31   32,107,400    29,411,561 
FNMA, Pool #AL9309  3.500%  10/01/31   669,104    647,848 
FNMA, Pool #MA1107  3.500%  07/01/32   269,550    259,338 
FNMA, Pool #725027  5.000%  11/01/33   126,102    127,096 
FNMA, Pool #FM5394  3.000%  03/01/34   4,794,843    4,547,862 
FNMA, Pool #FM3388  4.000%  03/01/34   589,337    580,042 
FNMA, Pool #725704  6.000%  08/01/34   50,096    52,197 
FNMA, Pool #FM5050  2.500%  02/01/35   1,055,468    1,007,503 
FNMA, Pool #AL7077  4.000%  07/01/35   1,865,639    1,819,903 
FNMA, Series 2005-64, Class PL  5.500%  07/25/35   22,505    22,987 
FNMA, Pool #BM1971  3.500%  12/01/35   1,173,296    1,130,803 
FNMA, Pool #888223  5.500%  01/01/36   175,979    181,215 
FNMA, Series 2016-99, Class TA  3.500%  03/25/36   147,434    144,036 
FNMA, Pool #995112  5.500%  07/01/36   185,926    190,530 
FNMA, Series 2014-20, Class AC  3.000%  08/25/36   77,155    75,289 
FNMA, Pool #MA2773  3.000%  10/01/36   4,134,159    3,875,134 
FNMA, Pool #AL9623  4.000%  12/01/36   1,488,869    1,451,752 
FNMA, Pool #889050  6.000%  05/01/37   106,734    111,684 
FNMA, Pool #MA3186  4.000%  11/01/37   5,073,618    4,957,566 
FNMA, Pool #MA3337  4.000%  04/01/38   1,912,473    1,868,617 
FNMA, Pool #AA4392  4.000%  04/01/39   393,334    382,450 
FNMA, Pool #FM9469  4.000%  08/01/39   5,906,571    5,801,674 
FNMA, Pool #CB0114  2.500%  04/01/41   15,732,513    14,020,105 
FNMA, Series 2011-53, Class DT  4.500%  06/25/41   96,683    96,003 
FNMA, Pool #AJ7509 (RFUCCT1Y + 178) (a)  4.915%  12/01/41   35,853    35,548 
FNMA, Series 2012-128, Class TP  2.000%  11/25/42   529,781    488,250 
FNMA, Series 2013-6, Class BC  1.500%  12/25/42   145,915    140,153 
FNMA, Series 2015-72, Class GB  2.500%  12/25/42   1,309,724    1,243,300 
FNMA, Series 2013-75, Class EG  3.000%  02/25/43   234,180    218,130 
FNMA, Series 2014-28, Class PA  3.500%  02/25/43   189,919    184,316 
FNMA, Series 2013-83, Class MH  4.000%  08/25/43   126,344    122,032 
FNMA, Pool #AU7025  3.000%  11/01/43   9,570,796    8,729,821 
FNMA, Series 2014-4, Class PC  3.000%  02/25/44   861,857    822,049 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

20

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 20.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
FNMA, Series 2016-79, Class L  2.500%  10/25/44  $1,026,796   $949,394 
FNMA, Series 2016-39, Class LA  2.500%  03/25/45   1,641,712    1,506,761 
FNMA, Series 2016-64, Class PG  3.000%  05/25/45   1,920,989    1,791,197 
FNMA, Series 2016-40, Class PA  3.000%  07/25/45   100,113    93,009 
FNMA, Series 4768, Class GA  3.500%  09/15/45   1,993,101    1,929,292 
FNMA, Series 2016-49, Class PA  3.000%  09/25/45   777,603    720,599 
FNMA, Series 2016-99, Class PH  3.000%  01/25/46   1,421,682    1,322,265 
FNMA, Series 2016-02, Class PB  2.000%  02/25/46   199,124    183,319 
FNMA, Series 2018-67, Class BA  4.500%  03/25/46   1,586,809    1,585,909 
FNMA, Series 2018-25, Class P  3.500%  03/25/46   2,166,758    2,064,388 
FNMA, Pool #BM5003  4.000%  03/01/47   1,167,518    1,132,289 
FNMA, Series 2022-25, Class KA  4.000%  09/25/48   8,761,067    8,429,212 
FNMA, Series 2019-60, Class DA  2.500%  03/25/49   1,695,812    1,478,219 
FNMA, Series 2020-95, Class GA  1.000%  01/25/51   7,039,799    5,418,261 
FNMA, Pool #FM9631  3.000%  11/01/51   7,924,986    7,081,752 
FNMA, Pool #FS3678  3.000%  12/01/51   13,196,697    11,831,070 
FNMA, Pool #CB3051  3.000%  03/01/52   7,301,231    6,548,949 
FNMA, Pool #FS4520  3.000%  04/01/52   34,951,358    31,292,758 
FNMA, Pool #FS4608  3.000%  05/01/52   9,832,542    8,825,540 
FNMA, Pool #FS2724  3.000%  07/01/52   15,170,069    13,527,270 
               199,445,669 
Government National Mortgage Association — 1.2%                
GNMA, Pool #004847M  4.000%  11/01/25   28,386    27,947 
GNMA, Pool #780400X  7.000%  12/01/25   287    289 
GNMA, Pool #780420X  7.500%  08/01/26   213    215 
GNMA, Pool #002658M  6.500%  10/01/28   4,591    4,814 
GNMA, Pool #002945M  7.500%  07/01/30   388    399 
GNMA, Pool #004187M  5.500%  07/01/38   7,136    7,367 
GNMA, Series 2021-175, Class DG  2.000%  10/20/51   22,972,821    19,600,925 
               19,641,956 
                 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $355,107,962)             $337,662,424 
                 
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 2.4%                
Hamilton County Ohio Health Care FACS Revenue, Series 2019  3.374%  06/01/34  $5,000,000   $4,413,279 
Kansas Development Finance Authority, Series 2015 H  3.741%  04/15/25   3,705,000    3,651,206 
Kansas Development Finance Authority, Series 2015 H  4.091%  04/15/27   125,000    123,361 
Kansas Development Finance Authority Revenue, Series 2015 H  3.941%  04/15/26   8,000,000    7,885,339 
Kentucky Property and Buildings Commission Revenue, Series 2010C  5.373%  11/01/25   305,000    304,511 
Ohio University General Receipts, Series 2020  1.766%  12/01/26   2,000,000    1,842,018 
Pennsylvania State University, Series 2020 D  1.893%  09/01/26   4,635,000    4,331,170 
Texas Natural Gas Securitization Finance Corp. Revenue, Series 2023 A-1  5.102%  04/01/35   10,000,000    10,198,829 
University of Cincinnati Ohio General Receipts Revenue, Series 2019 B  2.162%  06/01/25   2,185,000    2,109,283 
University of Washington Revenue, Series 2009B  5.400%  06/01/36   3,000,000    3,189,353 
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $39,055,321)             $38,048,349 
                 
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 2.8%                
Federal National Mortgage Association — 1.8%                
FNMA  3.320%  04/01/28  $9,000,000   $8,516,226 
FNMA  3.740%  07/01/28   8,938,000    8,523,934 
FNMA  3.650%  01/01/29   5,000,000    4,835,475 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

21

 

JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 2.8%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
FNMA  3.150%  06/01/29  $8,000,000   $7,523,352 
               29,398,987 
Federal Home Loan Bank — 1.0%                
FHLB  4.750%  12/10/32   16,325,000    16,727,488 
                 
Total U.S. Government & Agencies (Cost $48,218,928)             $46,126,475 
                 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS — 33.1%                
U.S. Treasury Bonds — 13.6%                
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.375%  02/15/42  $100,000,000   $76,875,000 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.500%  02/15/45   100,000,000    75,812,500 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.500%  05/15/46   44,300,000    33,218,078 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.750%  08/15/47   44,290,000    34,566,961 
               220,472,539 
U.S. Treasury Notes — 19.5%                
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.875%  05/15/32   31,500,000    29,206,406 
U.S. Treasury Notes  4.125%  11/15/32   81,500,000    82,888,047 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.500%  02/15/33   87,100,000    84,500,609 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.375%  05/15/33   91,830,000    88,185,497 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.875%  08/15/33   30,000,000    29,981,250 
               314,761,809 
                 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $558,250,676)             $535,234,348 
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.5%  Shares   Value 
Financials — 0.5%          
Allstate Corp. (The), 5.100%, 01/15/53 (Cost $8,526,035)   347,996   $8,748,619 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.6%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (b) (Cost $9,532,334)   9,532,334    9,532,334 
           
Investments at Value — 99.2% (Cost $1,704,293,984)       $1,605,402,207 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.8%        12,620,634 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $1,618,022,841 
           
(a)Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically.

 

(b)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

H15T1Y - U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for U.S. Treasury note with a constant maturity of 1 year.

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

RFUCCT - Refinitiv USD IBOR Cash Fallbacks.

 

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

22

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 58.8%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Finance — 27.1%                
Allstate Corp.  0.750%  12/15/25  $3,875,000   $3,573,827 
American Express Co.  2.500%  07/30/24   3,647,000    3,584,794 
AON plc  3.875%  12/15/25   3,999,000    3,915,741 
Bank of America Corp., Series L  3.875%  08/01/25   4,599,000    4,534,499 
Branch Banking & Trust Co.  3.625%  09/16/25   4,540,000    4,395,015 
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc.  3.350%  05/15/24   3,164,000    3,135,814 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.875%  05/01/24   2,177,000    2,163,101 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.500%  04/01/25   1,720,000    1,683,720 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.375%  04/15/26   565,000    545,019 
Fifth Third Bancorp  4.300%  01/16/24   3,964,000    3,958,287 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)  3.625%  02/20/24   1,000,000    997,001 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  2.625%  08/06/24   3,840,000    3,765,636 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.875%  09/10/24   4,704,000    4,648,551 
KeyCorp, Series O  4.150%  10/29/25   4,562,000    4,451,093 
Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.  3.500%  06/03/24   3,010,000    2,983,234 
Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.  3.500%  03/10/25   765,000    751,386 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  3.700%  10/23/24   200,000    197,349 
Morgan Stanley, Series F  4.000%  07/23/25   4,200,000    4,140,408 
National Retail Properties, Inc.  4.000%  11/15/25   3,450,000    3,379,260 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.900%  04/29/24   1,345,000    1,336,353 
Private Export Funding Corp., 144A  5.500%  03/14/25   2,000,000    2,009,793 
U.S. Bancorp, Series MTN  3.100%  04/27/26   4,790,000    4,592,398 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series N  3.550%  09/29/25   830,000    811,541 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series M  4.100%  06/03/26   2,770,000    2,708,584 
               68,262,404 
Industrials — 18.2%                
Becton Dickinson and Co.  3.363%  06/06/24   750,000    742,483 
Becton Dickinson and Co.  3.734%  12/15/24   2,269,000    2,232,712 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe  3.750%  04/01/24   500,000    497,549 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe  3.650%  09/01/25   3,970,000    3,900,752 
CVS Health Corp.  3.875%  07/20/25   4,100,000    4,026,875 
Dover Corp.  3.150%  11/15/25   4,515,000    4,368,914 
Enterprise Products Operating, LLC  3.750%  02/15/25   500,000    493,413 
Johnson Controls International plc  3.625%  07/02/24   4,252,000    4,202,266 
Kroger Co. (The)  4.000%  02/01/24   3,795,000    3,788,724 
MPLX, L.P.  4.875%  12/01/24   3,505,000    3,483,130 
Norfolk Southern Corp.  5.590%  05/17/25   1,280,000    1,288,016 
Norfolk Southern Corp.  3.650%  08/01/25   3,300,000    3,232,263 
Parker-Hannifin Corp.  4.250%  09/15/27   3,665,000    3,633,192 
Roper Technologies, Inc.  1.000%  09/15/25   1,555,000    1,453,802 
Union Pacific Corp.  3.150%  03/01/24   2,800,000    2,788,359 
Union Pacific Corp.  3.750%  03/15/24   450,000    448,330 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  2.100%  03/22/28   1,000,000    904,039 
Walt Disney Co. (The)  1.750%  01/13/26   3,429,000    3,244,979 
Xylem, Inc.  1.950%  01/30/28   1,200,000    1,085,886 
               45,815,684 
Utilities — 13.5%                
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  3.500%  02/01/25   1,300,000    1,279,775 
Duke Energy Corp.  2.650%  09/01/26   4,610,000    4,374,575 
Eversource Energy, Series H  3.150%  01/15/25   1,495,000    1,458,177 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

23

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 58.8%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Eversource Energy, Series AA  4.750%  05/15/26  $795,000   $790,969 
Eversource Energy, Series U  1.400%  08/15/26   1,260,000    1,149,326 
Florida Power & Light Co.  4.400%  05/15/28   4,370,000    4,378,592 
Georgia Power Co., Series 2019-A  2.200%  09/15/24   3,450,000    3,364,865 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  3.250%  12/01/24   1,910,000    1,870,234 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  3.400%  08/15/25   2,895,000    2,812,598 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  2.950%  02/07/24   2,625,000    2,616,634 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  2.850%  01/27/25   1,875,000    1,826,544 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A  3.800%  04/01/28   3,585,000    3,477,177 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  3.300%  06/01/25   4,610,000    4,500,330 
               33,899,796 
                 
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $151,670,762)             $147,977,884 
                 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 11.6%                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 3.3%                
FHLMC, Pool #J1-2635  4.000%  07/01/25  $10,362   $10,223 
FHLMC, Series 4287, Class AB  2.000%  12/15/26   167,674    158,726 
FHLMC, Pool #J3-2364  2.500%  11/01/28   704,889    676,933 
FHLMC, Pool #ZS-7207  3.500%  07/01/30   680,196    661,185 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-8642  3.500%  04/01/32   647,637    626,176 
FHLMC, Pool #ZT-1964  3.500%  06/01/32   1,427,691    1,381,419 
FHLMC, Pool #G1-6330  3.500%  08/01/32   692,217    671,889 
FHLMC, Pool #SB-0380  3.500%  02/01/34   737,384    720,265 
FHLMC, Series 4198, Class BE  2.000%  10/15/40   148,109    145,690 
FHLMC, Series 5050, Class BG  1.000%  01/15/41   767,520    684,971 
FHLMC, Series 5902, Class XC  1.500%  01/15/41   1,763,862    1,529,138 
FHLMC, Series 4009, Class PA  2.000%  06/15/41   210,824    199,849 
FHLMC, Series 4709, Class EA  3.000%  01/15/46   696,128    651,730 
               8,118,194 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 8.3%                
FNMA, Pool #AN2351  2.150%  09/01/26   2,000,000    1,880,295 
FNMA, Pool #AT2060  2.500%  04/01/28   677,705    651,219 
FNMA, Pool #AL9230  3.500%  12/01/29   606,724    591,172 
FNMA, Pool #FM1536  2.500%  11/01/30   265,467    256,195 
FNMA, Pool #MA4424  1.500%  09/01/31   1,056,433    967,731 
FNMA, Pool #MA1106  3.000%  07/01/32   1,774,807    1,684,567 
FNMA, Series 2013-3, Class DK  1.750%  02/25/33   486,410    447,312 
FNMA, Pool #FM2287  4.500%  03/01/34   600,530    597,332 
FNMA, Pool #FM2989  3.000%  09/01/34   863,681    825,215 
FNMA, Pool #AL7077  4.000%  07/01/35   938,119    915,122 
FNMA, Pool #833200  5.500%  09/01/35   213,364    219,682 
FNMA, Pool #CA7891  1.500%  11/01/35   4,903,550    4,382,528 
FNMA, Series 2020-044, Class TE  2.000%  12/25/35   1,941,828    1,793,854 
FNMA, Pool #FM2293  4.000%  09/01/36   1,661,421    1,619,964 
FNMA, Pool #FM7224  4.500%  11/01/38   841,447    833,302 
FNMA, Pool #AJ7509 (RFUCCT1Y + 178) (a)  4.915%  12/01/41   35,853    35,548 
FNMA, Series 2013-6, Class BC  1.500%  12/25/42   65,727    63,132 
FNMA, Series 2015-28, Class P  2.500%  05/25/45   2,119,016    1,938,289 
FNMA, Series 2020-95, Class GA  1.000%  01/25/51   1,580,867    1,216,732 
               20,919,191 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

24

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 11.6%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Government National Mortgage Association — 0.0% (b)                
GNMA, Pool #726475X  4.000%  11/15/24  $7,549   $7,471 
GNMA, Pool #728920  4.000%  12/15/24   9,337    9,236 
               16,707 
                 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $31,585,446)             $29,054,092 
                 
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 1.8%                
Franklin County Ohio Convention Facilities, Series 2020 B  1.155%  12/01/24  $550,000   $530,284 
Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission Revenue, Series 2009C  6.155%  11/01/29   3,970,000    4,104,020 
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $4,646,962)             $4,634,304 
                 
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 4.5%                
Federal Farm Credit Bank — 0.8%                
FFCB  4.750%  10/13/27  $2,000,000   $2,047,407 
                 
Federal Home Loan Bank — 2.1%                
FHLB  1.375%  08/26/26   4,100,000    3,810,787 
FHLB  1.375%  09/29/26   1,600,000    1,484,012 
               5,294,799 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 1.6%                
FHLMC  0.450%  07/22/24   4,000,000    3,894,298 
                 
Total U.S. Government & Agencies (Cost $11,691,304)             $11,236,504 
                 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS — 20.6%                
U.S. Treasury Notes — 20.6%                
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.250%  04/30/24  $1,100,000   $1,088,914 
U.S. Treasury Notes (13WK T-BILL + 750) (a)  5.256%  04/30/24   3,000,000    2,998,032 
U.S. Treasury Notes  1.500%  02/15/25   4,000,000    3,860,781 
U.S. Treasury Notes (d)  2.000%  08/15/25   5,800,000    5,581,367 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.750%  07/31/27   9,485,000    9,105,600 
U.S. Treasury Notes (d)  2.750%  02/15/28   12,210,000    11,670,090 
U.S. Treasury Notes  2.875%  05/15/28   10,535,000    10,102,900 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.125%  11/15/28   7,640,000    7,381,553 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $51,596,378)             $51,789,237 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

25

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 2.2%  Shares   Value 
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (c) (Cost $5,528,308)   5,528,308   $5,528,308 
           
Investments at Value — 99.5% (Cost $256,719,160)       $250,220,329 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.5%        1,297,740 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $251,518,069 
           
(a)Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically.

 

(b)Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

(c)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

(d)All or a portion of the security is segregated as collateral on futures contracts. Total fair value of collateral as of December 31,2023 is $13,992,242.

 

144A - Security was purchased in a transaction exempt from registration in compliance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of such securities is $2,009,793 as of December 31, 2023, representing 0.8% of net assets.

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

RFUCCT - Refinitiv USD IBOR Cash Fallbacks.

 

JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND SCHEDULE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
         Notional   Notional   Value/ 
      Expiration  Value   Value   Unrealized 
FUTURES CONTRACTS  Contracts  Date  at Purchase   12/31/2023   Appreciation 
Index Futures                     
E-MINI S&P 500 Future  1,029  3/22/2024  $230,638   $247,989,000   $5,752,727 
                      

The average monthly notional value of futures contracts during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $221,908,851.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

26

 

JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 50.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Finance — 18.2%                
Allstate Corp. (The)  5.250%  03/30/33  $300,000   $306,464 
American Express Co.  1.650%  11/04/26   250,000    230,750 
AON plc  3.875%  12/15/25   220,000    215,420 
Bank of America Corp.  5.202%  04/25/29   325,000    326,984 
Essex Portfolio, L.P.  3.000%  01/15/30   225,000    200,501 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  2.625%  08/06/24   230,000    225,546 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (SOFR + 379) (a)  4.493%  03/24/31   295,000    287,724 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.  4.375%  03/15/29   205,000    204,157 
MSCI, Inc., 144A  4.000%  11/15/29   240,000    225,624 
National Retail Properties, Inc.  4.300%  10/15/28   220,000    213,081 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)  3.450%  04/23/29   335,000    317,440 
Prologis, Inc.  5.125%  01/15/34   300,000    309,563 
Truist Financial Corp.  2.250%  03/11/30   315,000    261,324 
U.S. Bancorp, Series Y  3.000%  07/30/29   450,000    407,267 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series O  4.300%  07/22/27   395,000    386,786 
               4,118,631 
Industrials — 24.6%                
Becton Dickinson & Co.  3.700%  06/06/27   110,000    106,605 
Becton Dickinson & Co.  2.823%  05/20/30   230,000    205,602 
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 144A  5.375%  06/01/29   220,000    208,176 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 144A  4.250%  05/01/28   230,000    219,565 
CVS Health Corp.  4.300%  03/25/28   295,000    289,972 
Dover Corp.  3.150%  11/15/25   100,000    96,764 
Dover Corp.  2.950%  11/04/29   250,000    226,287 
Duke Energy Corp.  2.450%  06/01/30   235,000    205,333 
Enterprise Products Operating, LLC  3.750%  02/15/25   290,000    286,180 
HCA, Inc.  5.000%  03/15/24   325,000    324,336 
Hologic, Inc., 144A  3.250%  02/15/29   290,000    262,748 
Lowes Cos., Inc.  4.500%  04/15/30   290,000    288,585 
Mattel, Inc., 144A  3.750%  04/01/29   365,000    333,676 
MPLX, L.P.  4.875%  12/01/24   310,000    308,066 
Parker-Hannifin Corp.  3.300%  11/21/24   330,000    324,028 
Roper Technologies, Inc.  1.000%  09/15/25   205,000    191,659 
SS&C Technologies, Inc., 144A  5.500%  09/30/27   265,000    261,590 
Starbucks Corp.  3.800%  08/15/25   175,000    171,874 
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.  2.625%  04/15/26   350,000    333,026 
United Rentals North America Inc  4.875%  01/15/28   225,000    219,762 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  4.016%  12/03/29   280,000    270,905 
Walt Disney Co. (The)  3.350%  03/24/25   200,000    196,345 
Yum Brands, Inc., 144A  4.750%  01/15/30   230,000    222,694 
               5,553,778 
Utilities — 8.1%                
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  3.250%  04/15/28   220,000    209,004 
Eversource Energy, Series R  1.650%  08/15/30   250,000    203,534 
Florida Power & Light Co.  5.100%  04/01/33   300,000    309,960 
Georgia Power Co., Series 2019B  2.650%  09/15/29   230,000    208,528 
Interstate Power & Light Co.  4.100%  09/26/28   210,000    204,061 
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (The)  3.400%  02/07/28   290,000    277,922 
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A  3.500%  03/15/27   215,000    207,785 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

27

 

JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
CORPORATE BONDS — 50.9%  Coupon  Maturity  Par Value   Value 
Xcel Energy, Inc.  3.400%  06/01/30  $220,000   $202,863 
               1,823,657 
                 
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $11,905,932)             $11,496,066 
                 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 26.8%                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 8.9%                
FHLMC, Pool #ZS-9278  4.000%  05/01/37  $327,745   $321,789 
FHLMC, Series 4709, Class EA  3.000%  01/15/46   706,838    661,756 
FHLMC, Series 5220, Class KC  3.500%  01/25/46   352,887    338,828 
FHLMC, Series 5189, Class PG  2.500%  09/25/51   312,635    283,213 
FHLMC, Pool #SD-0767  3.000%  11/01/51   442,680    396,205 
               2,001,791 
Federal National Mortgage Association — 15.3%                
FNMA, Pool #MA4424  1.500%  09/01/31   380,452    348,508 
FNMA, Pool #MA1222  4.000%  10/01/32   329,864    322,060 
FNMA, Pool #AL5491  4.000%  06/01/34   283,308    277,264 
FNMA, Pool #MA3071  4.000%  07/01/37   355,176    347,052 
FNMA, Pool #FM9469  4.000%  08/01/39   213,448    209,658 
FNMA, Pool #AU7025  3.000%  11/01/43   345,051    314,731 
FNMA, Pool #MA2895  3.000%  02/01/47   421,624    380,603 
FNMA, Pool #CB0734  3.000%  06/01/51   590,947    528,801 
FNMA, Pool #FS4520  3.000%  04/01/52   438,661    392,743 
FNMA, Pool #FS4608  3.000%  05/01/52   371,219    333,201 
               3,454,621 
Government National Mortgage Association — 2.6%                
GNMA  2.000%  02/20/37   667,328    593,724 
                 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $6,179,513)             $6,050,136 
                 
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES — 1.6%                
Federal Home Loan Bank — 1.6%                
FHLB (Cost $365,732)  4.750%  12/10/32  $350,000   $358,629 
                 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS — 18.6%                
U.S. Treasury Bonds — 12.1%                
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.250%  05/15/41  $920,000   $702,075 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.375%  02/15/42   1,060,000    814,876 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.500%  02/15/45   810,000    614,081 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.000%  02/15/50   260,000    171,478 
U.S. Treasury Bonds  2.000%  08/15/51   645,000    422,374 
               2,724,884 
U.S. Treasury Notes — 6.5%                
U.S. Treasury Notes (c)  1.500%  11/30/24   365,000    354,050 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.125%  11/15/28   500,000    483,086 
U.S. Treasury Notes  3.500%  02/15/33   660,000    640,303 
               1,477,439 
                 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $4,441,857)             $4,202,323 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

28

 

JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.7%  Shares   Value 
Financials — 0.7%          
Allstate Corp. (The), 5.100%, 01/15/53 (Cost $170,386)   6,500   $163,410 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.7%          
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z, 5.25% (b) (Cost $163,983)   163,983    163,983 
           
Investments at Value — 99.3% (Cost $23,227,403)       $22,434,547 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.7%        168,264 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $22,602,811 
           
(a)Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically.

 

(b)The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

(c)All or a portion of the security is segregated as collateral on futures contracts. Total fair value of collateral as of December 31, 2023 is $58,200.

 

144A - Security was purchased in a transaction exempt from registration in compliance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of such securities is $1,734,073 as of December 31, 2023, representing 7.7% of net assets.

 

plc - Public Limited Company

 

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

 

JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
   
         Notional   Notional   Value/ 
      Expiration  Value   Value   Unrealized 
FUTURES CONTRACTS  Contracts  Date  at Purchase   12/31/2023   Appreciation 
Treasury Futures                     
Ultra 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Future  9  3/29/2024  $908,750   $1,062,141   $40,258 
Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond Future  4  3/19/2024   248,563    534,375    29,920 
Total Futures Contracts        $1,157,313   $1,596,516   $70,178 
                      

The average monthly notional value of futures contracts during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $872,672.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

29

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Assets and Liabilities  
   
   Johnson   Johnson   Johnson 
   Institutional   Institutional   Institutional 
   Short Duration   Intermediate   Core 
   Bond Fund   Bond Fund   Bond Fund 
Assets:               
Investment Securities at Value*  $200,034,666   $245,298,653   $1,605,402,207 
Dividends and Interest Receivable   1,444,263    2,011,567    12,893,851 
Fund Shares Sold Receivable   31,033    928,625    718,786 
Paydowns Receivable   31    33    229 
Total Assets  $201,509,993   $248,238,878   $1,619,015,073 
                
Liabilities:               
Accrued Management Fee  $42,432   $51,933   $340,085 
Accrued Distribution Fee - Class F   1    1    769 
Accrued Shareholder Servicing Fee - Class S           8,324 
Fund Shares Redeemed Payable   15,037    58,782    643,054 
Total Liabilities  $57,470   $110,716   $992,232 
                
Net Assets  $201,452,523   $248,128,162   $1,618,022,841 
                
Net Assets Consist of:               
Paid-in Capital  $214,711,358   $272,545,855   $1,822,650,830 
Accumulated Deficit   (13,258,835)   (24,417,693)   (204,627,989)
                
Net Assets  $201,452,523   $248,128,162   $1,618,022,841 
                
Pricing of Class I Shares               
Net assets applicable to Class I Shares  $201,445,271   $248,121,115   $1,572,037,750 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   13,711,021    17,009,980    108,407,290 
Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price  $14.69   $14.59   $14.50 
                
Pricing of Class F Shares               
Net assets applicable to Class F Shares  $7,252   $7,047   $6,286,958 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   488    473    426,924 
Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price   $14.87 ^   $14.89 ^  $14.73 
                
Pricing of Class S Shares               
Net assets applicable to Class S Shares   N/A    N/A   $39,698,133 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   N/A    N/A    2,737,904 
Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price   N/A    N/A   $14.50 
                
*    Identified Cost of Investment Securities  $206,845,086   $252,044,813   $1,704,293,984 
                
^Net Assets divided by Shares do not calculate to the stated Net Asset Value because Net Assets and Shares shown are rounded.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

30

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Assets and Liabilities – Continued  
   
   Johnson   Johnson 
   Enhanced   Core Plus 
   Return Fund   Bond Fund 
Assets:          
Investment Securities at Value*  $250,220,329   $22,434,547 
Margin deposits for futures contracts       541 
Dividend and Interest Receivable   2,002,636    179,116 
Fund Shares Sold Receivable   48     
Total Assets  $252,223,013   $22,614,204 
           
Liabilities:          
Accrued Management Fee  $72,797   $8,424 
Fund Shares Redeemed Payable   1,885     
Variation Margin Payable   630,262    2,969 
Total Liabilities  $704,944   $11,393 
           
Net Assets  $251,518,069   $22,602,811 
           
Net Assets Consist of:          
Paid-in Capital  $283,465,416   $24,672,868 
Accumulated Deficit   (31,947,347)   (2,070,057)
           
Net Assets  $251,518,069   $22,602,811 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   16,682,996    1,744,348 
Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price  $15.08   $12.96 
           
*    Identified Cost of Investment Securities  $256,719,160   $23,227,403 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

31

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Operations  
   
   Johnson   Johnson   Johnson 
   Institutional   Institutional   Institutional 
   Short Duration   Intermediate   Core 
   Bond Fund   Bond Fund   Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2023   12/31/2023 
Investment Income:               
Interest  $4,670,068   $7,493,829   $28,267,569 
Dividends   85,671    196,329    653,372 
Total Investment Income  $4,755,739   $7,690,158   $28,920,941 
                
Expenses:               
Gross Management Fee   637,395    732,325    2,557,806 
Shareholder Servicing Fees - Class S           27,467 
Distribution Fee - Class F   14    14    7,714 
Interest Expense           1,318 
Total Expenses  $637,409   $732,339   $2,594,305 
Management Fee Waiver (Note 5)   (106,235)   (122,057)   (426,312)
Distribution Fee Waiver (Note 5)   (4)   (4)   (2,103)
Net Expenses  $531,170   $610,278   $2,165,890 
                
Net Investment Income  $4,224,569   $7,079,880   $26,755,051 
                
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses):               
Net Realized Losses from Security Transactions  $(2,008,772)  $(7,577,720)  $(32,829,121)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments   7,529,742    13,066,509    89,663,016 
                
Net Gains on Investments  $5,520,970   $5,488,789   $56,833,895 
                
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $9,745,539   $12,568,669   $83,588,946 
                
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

32

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS DECEMBER 31, 2023
Statements of Operations – Continued  
   
   Johnson   Johnson 
   Enhanced   Core Plus 
   Return Fund   Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/23   12/31/23 
Investment Income:          
Interest  $5,419,453   $623,171 
Dividends   271,631    32,671 
Total Investment Income  $5,691,084   $655,842 
           
Expenses:          
Management Fee  $786,032   $78,596 
Fund Administration       85,822 
Shareholder Servicing Fees       22,124 
Trustee Fees       16,000 
Audit & Tax Fees       12,250 
Registration       6,371 
Pricing       5,557 
Filing       4,887 
Other       2,000 
Total Expenses  $786,032   $233,607 
Fee Waiver (Note 5)       (155,011)
Net Expenses  $786,032   $78,596 
           
Net Investment Income  $4,905,052   $577,246 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses):          
Net Realized Losses from Security Transactions  $(958,032)  $(664,005)
Net Realized Gains (Losses) from Futures Contracts   26,171,644    (42,001)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments   6,025,642    1,180,535 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts   14,522,830    73,392 
           
Net Gains on Investments  $45,762,084   $547,921 
           
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $50,667,136   $1,125,167 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

33

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
   Johnson Institutional Short   Johnson Institutional   Johnson Institutional 
   Duration Bond Fund   Intermediate Bond Fund   Core Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022 
Operations:                              
Net Investment Income  $4,224,569   $2,800,438   $7,079,880   $5,338,963   $26,755,051   $11,954,537 
Net Realized Losses from Security Transactions   (2,008,772)   (3,627,011)   (7,577,720)   (9,646,154)   (32,829,121)   (19,214,620)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments   7,529,742    (12,626,694)   13,066,509    (21,903,838)   89,663,016    (81,050,130)
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $9,745,539   $(13,453,267)  $12,568,669   $(26,211,029)  $83,588,946   $(88,310,213)
                               
Distributions to Shareholders (see Note 2):                              
From Class I   (4,447,438)   (3,205,467)   (7,258,613)   (5,586,931)   (26,833,431)   (12,972,468)
From Class F   (140)   (74)   (188)   (132)   (114,381)   (87,351)
From Class S   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    (383,192)    
Total Distributions to Shareholders  $(4,447,578)  $(3,205,541)  $(7,258,801)  $(5,587,063)  $(27,331,004)  $(13,059,819)
                               
Capital Share Transactions:                              
From Class I                              
Proceeds from Shares Sold  $28,856,430   $33,124,435   $67,404,621   $100,013,627   $207,049,177   $156,618,484 
Net Asset Value of Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends   1,383,952    1,170,546    3,216,130    2,466,260    23,303,871    9,837,264 
Payments for Shares Redeemed   (63,563,323)   (135,485,750)   (61,466,557)   (91,743,251)   (253,627,523)   (136,712,628)
Net Assets Received in Conjunction with Fund Merger (Note 1)                   971,030,502     
Net Increase (Decrease) from Class I share capital transactions  $(33,322,941)  $(101,190,769)  $9,154,194   $10,736,636   $947,756,027   $29,743,120 
                               
From Class F                              
Proceeds from Shares Sold  $   $   $       $3,490,784   $2,845,544 
Net Asset Value of Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends   140    74    188    132    114,381    80,952 
Payments for Shares Redeemed                   (549,255)   (3,319,363)
Net Increase (Decrease) from Class F share capital transactions  $140   $74   $188   $132   $3,055,910   $(392,867)
                               
*Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

34

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued
 
   Johnson Institutional Short   Johnson Institutional   Johnson Institutional 
   Duration Bond Fund   Intermediate Bond Fund   Core Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Period Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023*   12/31/2022 
From Class S                              
Proceeds from Shares Sold   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   $943,495    N/A 
Net Asset Value of Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    380,070    N/A 
Payments for Shares Redeemed   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    (2,783,995)   N/A 
Net Assets Received in Conjunction with Fund Merger (Note 1)   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    39,530,597    N/A 
Net Increase from Class S share capital transactions  $N/A   $N/A   $N/A   $N/A   $38,070,167   $N/A 
                               
Net Change in Net Assets  $(28,024,840)  $(117,849,503)  $14,464,250   $(21,061,324)  $1,045,140,046   $(72,019,779)
                               
Net Assets at Beginning of Year  $229,477,363   $347,326,866   $233,663,912   $254,725,236   $572,882,795   $644,902,574 
Net Assets at End of Year  $201,452,523   $229,477,363   $248,128,162   $233,663,912   $1,618,022,841   $572,882,795 
                               
*Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund Class S began operations on September 15, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

35

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued
 
   Johnson Enhanced Return Fund   Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Operations:                    
Net Investment Income  $4,905,052   $2,350,473   $577,246   $318,723 
Net Realized Losses from Security Transactions   (958,032)   (5,197,795)   (664,005)   (388,563)
Net Realized Gains (Losses) from Futures Contracts   26,171,644    (45,276,080)   (42,001)   (220,931)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments   6,025,642    (10,460,513)   1,180,535    (1,987,737)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts   14,522,830    (13,965,599)   73,392    5,553 
Net Change in Net Assets from Operations  $50,667,136   $(72,549,514)  $1,125,167   $(2,272,955)
                     
Distributions to Shareholders (see Note 2)  $(5,197,873)  $(15,063,308)  $(592,529)  $(367,362)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from Shares Sold  $15,630,493   $20,528,636   $12,528,321   $1,126,671 
Net Asset Value of Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends   5,193,594    14,970,444    488,450    367,362 
Payments for Shares Redeemed   (21,257,319)   (64,297,348)   (5,305,005)   (916,246)
Net Increase (Decrease) from capital transactions  $(433,232)  $(28,798,268)  $7,711,766   $577,787 
                     
Net Change in Net Assets  $45,036,031   $(116,411,090)  $8,244,404   $(2,062,530)
Net Assets at Beginning of Year  $206,482,038   $322,893,128   $14,358,407   $16,420,937 
Net Assets at End of Year  $251,518,069   $206,482,038   $22,602,811   $14,358,407 
                     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

36

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND
Class I  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.32   $15.15   $15.44   $15.12   $14.80 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.29 (a)   0.14    0.13    0.26    0.35 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.39    (0.79)   (0.27)   0.33    0.33 
Total Operations  $0.68   $(0.65)  $(0.14)  $0.59   $0.68 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.31)   (0.18)   (0.15)   (0.27)   (0.36)
Return of Capital                   (0.00(b)
Total Distributions  $(0.31)  $(0.18)  $(0.15)  $(0.27)  $(0.36)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.69   $14.32   $15.15   $15.44   $15.12 
                          
Total Return(c)   4.78%   (4.29%)   (0.91%)   3.91%   4.65%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $201.45   $229.47   $347.32   $327.10   $164.80 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(d)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   1.94%   1.00%   0.76%   1.54%   2.30%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   1.99%   1.05%   0.81%   1.59%   2.35%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)   36.84%   21.53%   58.31%   37.11%   48.01%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Return of Capital is less than $0.005 per share.

 

(c)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(d)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

37

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION BOND FUND
Class F  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.49   $15.33   $15.63   $15.20   $14.91 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.27 (a)   0.14    0.10    0.16    0.32 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.40    (0.82)   (0.27)   0.42    0.33 
Total Operations  $0.67   $(0.68)  $(0.17)  $0.58   $0.65 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.29)   (0.16)   (0.13)   (0.15)   (0.36)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.87   $14.49   $15.33   $15.63   $15.20 
                          
Total Return(b)   4.68%   (4.47%)   (1.09%)   3.82%   4.36%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $0.007   $0.007   $0.007   $0.007   $0.003 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(c)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   1.70%   0.75%   0.51%   1.33%   1.98%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   1.85%   0.90%   0.66%   1.48%   2.13%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d)   36.84%   21.53%   58.31%   37.11%   48.01%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%, and a portion of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee to sustain a new distribution fee of 0.15%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the rights to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(d)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

38

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Class I  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.26   $16.03   $16.60   $15.98   $15.27 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.41 (a)   0.30    0.25    0.34    0.41 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.34    (1.77)   (0.52)   0.80    0.73 
Total Operations  $0.75   $(1.47)  $(0.27)  $1.14   $1.14 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.42)   (0.30)   (0.26)   (0.35)   (0.42)
Net Realized Capital Gains           (0.04)   (0.17)   (0.01)
Total Distributions  $(0.42)  $(0.30)  $(0.30)  $(0.52)  $(0.43)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.59   $14.26   $16.03   $16.60   $15.98 
                          
Total Return(b)   5.38%   (9.18%)   (1.66%)   7.20%   7.53%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $248.12   $233.65   $254.72   $219.62   $153.73 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(c)(d)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   2.85%   1.93%   1.45%   1.99%   2.57%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   2.90%   1.98%   1.50%   2.04%   2.62%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)   46.33%   46.94%   32.34%   41.17%   32.83%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(d)Interest Expense had less than a 0.01% impact on the ratios of net investment income and expenses to average net assets.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

39

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Class F  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.55   $16.37   $16.84   $16.09   $15.39 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.40 (a)   0.27    0.22    0.26    0.37 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.34    (1.80)   (0.53)   0.87    0.75 
Total Operations  $0.74   $(1.53)  $(0.31)  $1.13   $1.12 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.40)   (0.29)   (0.12)   (0.21)   (0.41)
Net Realized Capital Gains           (0.04)   (0.17)   (0.01)
Total Distributions  $(0.40)  $(0.29)  $(0.16)  $(0.38)  $(0.42)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.89   $14.55   $16.37   $16.84   $16.09 
                          
Total Return(b)   5.20%   (9.32%)   (1.83%)   7.07%   7.35%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $0.007   $0.007   $0.007   $0.008   $0.003 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(c)(d)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   2.59%   1.66%   1.20%   1.75%   2.26%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   2.74%   1.81%   1.35%   1.90%   2.41%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)   46.33%   46.94%   32.34%   41.17%   32.83%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%, and a portion of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee to sustain a new distribution fee of 0.15%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the rights to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024 (Note 4)

 

(d)Interest Expense had less than a 0.01% impact on the ratios of net investment income and expenses to average net assets.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

40

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND
Class I  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.17   $16.80   $17.45   $16.41   $15.49 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.44 (a)   0.32    0.26    0.34    0.43 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.31    (2.61)   (0.62)   1.24    0.94 
Total Operations  $0.75   $(2.29)  $(0.36)  $1.58   $1.37 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.42)   (0.34)   (0.29)   (0.36)   (0.44)
Net Realized Capital Gains               (0.18)   (0.01)
Total Distributions  $(0.42)  $(0.34)  $(0.29)  $(0.54)  $(0.45)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.50   $14.17   $16.80   $17.45   $16.41 
                          
Total Return(b)   5.43%   (13.70%)   (2.04%)   9.71%   8.94%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $1,572.04   $569.86   $640.68   $559.67   $261.28 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(c)(d)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   3.08%   2.04%   1.46%   1.83%   2.59%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   3.13%   2.09%   1.51%   1.88%   2.64%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)   31.63%   33.21%   42.67%   30.08%   28.83%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(d)Interest Expense had less than a 0.01% impact on the ratios of net investment income and expenses to average net assets.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

41

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND
Class F  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $14.39   $17.06   $17.61   $16.49   $15.61 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.42 (a)   0.32    0.33    0.26    0.40 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities   0.33    (2.66)   (0.71)   1.31    0.92 
Total Operations  $0.75   $(2.34)  $(0.38)  $1.57   $1.32 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment Income   (0.41)   (0.33)   (0.17)   (0.27)   (0.43)
Net Realized Capital Gains               (0.18)   (0.01)
Total Distributions  $(0.41)  $(0.33)  $(0.17)  $(0.45)  $(0.44)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $14.73   $14.39   $17.06   $17.61   $16.49 
                          
Total Return(b)   5.29%   (13.81%)   (2.15%)   9.57%   8.56%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $6.29   $3.02   $4.22   $6.87   $0.15 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data(c)(d)                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   2.79%   1.76%   1.19%   1.33%   2.18%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   2.89%   1.91%   1.34%   1.48%   2.33%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)   31.63%   33.21%   42.67%   30.08%   28.83%
                          
(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(d)Interest Expense had less than a 0.01% impact on the ratios of net investment income and expenses to average net assets.

 

(e)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

42

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL CORE BOND FUND
Class S  
   
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period:  
   
   Period 
   Ended 
   December 31, 
   2023* 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $13.90 
      
Operations:     
Net Investment Income(a)   0.13 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains on Securities   0.61 
Total Operations  $0.74 
      
Distributions:     
Net Investment Income   (0.14)
      
Net Asset Value, end of period  $14.50 
      
Total Return(b)   5.35(c)
      
Net Assets, end of period (millions)  $39.70 
      
Ratios/supplemental data(d)(e)     
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   0.55(f)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.50(f)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   3.10(f)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   3.15(f)
      
Portfolio Turnover Rate(g)   31.63%
      
*Fund began operations on September 15 , 2023.

 

(a)Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

(b)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(c)Not annualized.

 

(d)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(e)Interest Expense had less than a 0.01% impact on the ratios of net investment income and expenses to average net assets.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

(g)Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

43

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON ENHANCED RETURN FUND
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year:  
   
   Year Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Net Asset Value, beginning of year  $12.35   $17.41   $19.12   $16.97   $14.21 
                          
Operations:                         
Net Investment Income   0.30    0.14    0.16    0.21    0.37 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities and Futures   2.75    (4.25)   4.92    3.00    4.40 
Total Operations  $3.05   $(4.11)  $5.08   $3.21   $4.77 
                          
Distributions:                         
Net Investment income   (0.32)   (0.17)   (0.18)   (0.23)   (0.38)
Net Realized Capital Gains       (0.78)   (6.61)   (0.83)   (1.63)
Total Distributions  $(0.32)  $(0.95)  $(6.79)  $(1.06)  $(2.01)
                          
Net Asset Value, end of year  $15.08   $12.35   $17.41   $19.12   $16.97 
                          
Total Return(a)   24.91%   (23.56%)   26.51%   19.38%   33.80%
                          
Net Assets, end of year (millions)  $251.52   $206.48   $322.89   $261.29   $183.93 
                          
Ratios/supplemental data                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets   2.18%   0.96%   0.65%   1.27%   2.21%
                          
Portfolio Turnover Rate   36.66%   42.99%   40.89%   96.76%   46.04%
                          
(a)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

44

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS JOHNSON CORE PLUS BOND FUND
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout each Period:  
   
           Period 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2021^ 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $12.66   $15.04   $15.00 
                
Operations:               
Net Investment Income   0.41    0.29    0.03 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities and Futures   0.31    (2.34)   0.04 
Total Operations  $0.72   $(2.05)  $0.07 
                
Distributions:               
Net Investment Income   (0.42)   (0.33)   (0.03)
                
Net Asset Value, end of period  $12.96   $12.66   $15.04 
                
Total Return(a)   5.81%   (13.71%)   0.44(b)
                
Net Assets, end of period (millions)  $22.60   $14.36   $16.42 
                
Ratios/supplemental data(c)               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before Waiver   1.34%   1.14%   0.55(d)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after Waiver   0.45%   0.45%   0.45(d)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets before Waiver   2.41%   1.43%   1.55(d)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to average net assets after Waiver   3.30%   2.12%   1.65(d)
                
Portfolio Turnover Rate   45.24%   42.09%   69.02(b)
                
^Fund began operations on November 17,2021.

 

(a)Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total return would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced fees.

 

(b)Not annualized.

 

(c)The Adviser waived a portion of the 0.30% management fee to sustain a net fee of 0.25%. The Adviser intends this fee waiver to be permanent, although the Adviser retains the right to remove the waiver after April 30, 2024. (Note #4)

 

(d)Annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

45

 

JOHNSON MUTUAL FUNDS  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

1)Organization:

 

The Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund (the “Bond Funds,”), Johnson Enhanced Return Fund and the Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund (each individually a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of the Johnson Mutual Funds Trust (the “Trust”), and are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as no-load, open-end investment companies. The Johnson Mutual Funds Trust was established as an Ohio business trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 30, 1992. The Bond Funds began offering their shares publicly on August 31, 2000. The Johnson Enhanced Return Fund began offering shares publicly on December 30, 2005. The Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund began offering shares publicly on November 17, 2021. All Funds are managed by Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. (the “Adviser”).

 

The Bond Funds also have an additional share class, Class F shares. Each class of shares for each Fund has identical rights and privileges except with respect to distribution (12b-1) fees, shareholder servicing fees, and voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares. Class F shares have a maximum distribution (12b-1) fee of 0.25%, currently waived by the Adviser to 0.15% (see Note 5). The Institutional Core Bond Fund also has an additional share class, Class S shares. Class S shares have a maximum shareholder servicing fee of 0.25%.

 

The investment objective of the Bond Funds is a high level of income over the long term consistent with preservation of capital. The investment objective of the Johnson Enhanced Return Fund is to outperform the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, over a full market cycle. The investment objective of the Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund is to maximize total return over the long term consistent with the preservation of capital.

 

The shareholders of the Johnson Fixed Income Fund (Target Fund) approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for the transfer of all assets and liabilities of the Target Fund to the Core Bond Fund (Survivor Fund). The tax-free reorganization took place on September 15, 2023.

 

The following is a summary of shares outstanding, net assets, NAV per share, and unrealized depreciation immediately before and after the reorganization:

 

           Net Asset Value 
   Total Net Assets   Shares   Per Share 
Before Reorganization               
Target Fund  $1,010,561,099    70,231,503   $14.39 
Survivor Fund Class I  $566,121,196    40,733,372   $13.90 
Survivor Fund Class F  $3,609,156    255,739   $14.11 
Survivor Fund Class S             
                
Pro Forma Adjustment*               
Class I  $971,030,502    69,867,357   $13.90 
Class F             
Class S  $39,530,597    2,844,269   $13.90 
                
After Reorganization               
Pro Forma - Survivor Fund               
Survivor Fund Class I  $1,537,151,698    110,600,729   $13.90 
Survivor Fund Class F  $3,609,156    255,739   $14.11 
Survivor Fund Class S **  $39,530,597    2,844,269   $13.90 

 

*Shareholders of the Target Fund who had a minimum account balance of $1,000,000 will receive Class I shares of the Survivor Fund. All other shareholders of the Target Fund will receive Class S shares of the Survivor Fund. For every 1 share of the Target Fund, shareholders received 1.0353 shares of the Survivor Fund.

 

**Class S is a newly-created share class of the Survivor Fund. The initial NAV per share of the Class S shares will be set at the NAV per share of the Class I shares of the Survivor Fund.

 

46

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

1)Organization, continued

 

           After 
   Before Reorganization   Reorganization 
   Target Fund   Survivor Fund   Survivor Fund 
Unrealized Depreciation  $(111,762,383)  $(66,380,154)  $(178,142,537)

 

Assuming the reorganization had been completed on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Core Bond Fund, the Core Bond Fund’s pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 would have been as follows:

 

    Net Realized Gains and Net    
    Change in Unrealized Appreciation    
Net Investment Income   (Depreciation) on Investments   Change in Net Assets from Operations
$43,684,246   $(78,670,410)   $(34,986,164)

 

2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING:

 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of Americas (GAAP). The Funds are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services — Investment Companies”.

 

Regulatory update:

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) – Effective January 24, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted rule and form amendments to require mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS:

 

The Enhanced Return Fund invests in stock index futures (equity risk) in an attempt to replicate the returns of the leading large capitalization companies in the leading industries in the U.S. economy. The Fund enters into S&P 500 E-Mini contracts four times a year generally near the time the contracts would expire (contracts expire the third Friday of March, June, September and December). The contracts are generally held until it is time to roll into the next contracts. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, or other assets, equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin deposit). Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the fair value of the futures contract. The Fund recognizes an unrealized gain or loss equal to the daily variation margin. The amount of the daily variation margin is reflected as an asset or liability within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, while the cumulative change in unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts is reported separately within the Statements of Operations. The Net Unrealized Gains on futures contracts, as of December 31, 2023, was $5,752,727. Should market conditions move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss at the contract settlement date. A realized gain or loss is recognized when a contract is sold and is the difference between the fair value of the contract at purchase and the fair value of the contract when sold. Realized gains (losses) on futures contracts are reported separately within the Statements of Operations. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates, and the underlying hedged asset, as well as the risk that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations. The net variation margin payable on futures contracts as of December 31, 2023 was $630,262.

 

47

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

The Core Plus Bond Fund may enter into various exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivative transactions for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including for purposes of enhancing returns. These derivative transactions may include futures, options, swaps, foreign currency futures and forwards. In particular, the Fund may use interest rate swaps, credit default swaps (including buying and selling credit default swaps on individual securities and/or baskets of securities), options (including options on credit default swaps and options on futures) and futures contracts to a significant extent, although the amounts invested in these instruments may change from time to time. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, or other assets, equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin deposit). Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the fair value of the futures contract. The Fund recognizes an unrealized gain or loss equal to the daily variation margin. The amount of the daily variation margin is reflected as an asset or liability within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, while the cumulative change in unrealized gain/loss on futures contracts is reported separately within the Statements of Operations. The Net Unrealized Gains on futures contracts, as of December 31, 2023, was $70,178. As of December 31, 2023, Wells Fargo Services holds U.S. Treasury Notes with the custodian, which serves as collateral for future contracts, with a value of $58,200. The net variation margin payable on these futures contracts as of December 31, 2023 was $2,969.

 

OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

 

The Enhanced Return Fund and the Core Plus Bond Fund have adopted financial reporting rules regarding offsetting assets and liabilities and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The Fund’s policy is to recognize a net asset/liability equal to the net variation margin for the futures contracts. As of December 31, 2023, the Funds each have only one position and the variation margin applicable to each of those positions is presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following table presents the Enhanced Return Fund and Core Plus Bond Fund’s liability derivatives available for offset under a master netting agreement, net of collateral pledged as of December 31, 2023.

 

Enhanced Return Fund

Liabilities

 

               Gross Amounts Not     
               Offset in the Statement     
               of Assets and Liabilities     
       Gross                 
       Amounts   Net Amounts             
   Gross   Offset in the   Presented in       Cash     
   Amounts of   Statement of   the Statement       Collateral     
   Recognized   Assets and   of Assets and   Financial   Pledged/     
Description  Liabilities   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments*   Received   Net Amount 
Futures Contracts  $(630,262)  $   $(630,262)  $630,262   $   $ 

 

*The Amount is limited to the derivative balance, and accordingly, does not include excess collateral pledged.

 

48

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

Core Plus Bond Fund

Liabilities

 

               Gross Amounts Not     
               Offset in the Statement     
               of Assets and Liabilities     
       Gross                 
       Amounts   Net Amounts             
   Gross   Offset in the   Presented in       Cash     
   Amounts of   Statement of   the Statement       Collateral     
   Recognized   Assets and   of Assets and   Financial   Pledged/     
Description  Liabilities   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments*   Received   Net Amount 
Futures Contracts  $(2,969)  $   $(2,969)  $2,969   $   $ 

 

*The Amount is limited to the derivative balance, and accordingly, does not include excess collateral pledged.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

 

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividend and interest income are recorded net of foreign taxes. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends have been recorded in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Gains and losses on sales of investments are calculated using the specific identification method, mainly using high-cost lots. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the lives or to the earliest call date of the respective securities in accordance with GAAP. Distributions received from investments in securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investment or as a realized gain, respectively. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from the Funds’ investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are reported to the Funds after the end of the calendar year; accordingly, the Funds estimate these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distributions information available. Gains and losses on paydowns of mortgage-backed securities are reflected in interest income on the Statements of Operations. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Funds to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region.

 

FEDERAL INCOME TAX:

 

The Funds have qualified and intend to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Qualification generally will relieve the Fund of liability for federal income taxes to the extent is net investment income and net realized capital gains are distributed in accordance with the Code.

 

In order to avoid imposition of a federal excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also the Funds’ intention to declare and pay as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the 12 months ended December 31 for the Bond Funds, and October 31 for the Enhanced Return and Core Plus Bond Fund) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.

 

49

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

The following information is computed for each item as of December 31, 2023:

 

               Enhanced     
   Short Duration   Intermediate   Core   Return   Core Plus 
Cost of Portfolio Investments  $206,973,291   $252,149,663   $1,704,486,993   $257,213,489   $23,227,403 
Gross unrealized appreciation   574,715    2,483,379    10,935,416    816,592    303,075 
Gross unrealized depreciation   (7,513,340)   (9,334,389)   (110,020,202)   (7,809,752)   (1,095,931)
Net unrealized depreciation   (6,938,625)   (6,851,010)   (99,084,786)   (6,993,160)   (792,856)
Undistributed ordinary income   77,460    76,069    181,013    108,424    4,038 
Accumulated capital and other losses   (6,397,670)   (17,642,752)   (105,724,216)   (25,062,611)   (1,281,239)
Accumulated Deficit  $(13,258,835)  $(24,417,693)  $(204,627,989)  $(31,947,347)  $(2,070,057)

 

The difference between the federal income tax cost and the financial statement cost of Funds’ investments is due to certain timing differences in the recognition of capital gains and losses under income tax regulations and GAAP. The timing differences are temporary in nature and are due to the tax deferral of losses on amortization of bonds, mark to market on futures contracts and wash sales.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the following Funds had capital loss carryovers which will reduce each Fund’s taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code and thus will reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. The capital loss carryovers which may be carried forward for an indefinite period are as follows:

 

   Long-term   Short-term   Total 
Short Duration   4,209,631    2,188,039   $6,397,670 
Intermediate   12,622,755    5,019,997    17,642,752 
Core   69,071,385    36,652,831    105,724,216 
Enhanced Return   14,966,185    10,096,426    25,062,611 
Core Plus   774,721    506,517    1,281,239 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Enhanced Return Fund utilized $23,755,031 long-term and $15,951,216 short-term capital loss carryovers.

 

As a result of the reorganization of the Fixed Income Fund into the Core Fund, the Core Fund acquired $39,996,550 of long-term capital loss carryover and $10,326,215 of short-term capital loss carryover, which are available to offset future capital gains. In addition, as a result of a change in control due to the merger, $21,904,287 of the Core Fund’s capital loss carryovers are subject to an annual limitation of $18,057,023 (prorated in the initial year) under IRC Section 382.

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits or expenses of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has reviewed the tax positions taken on Federal income tax returns for all open tax years (generally three years) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognized tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements. The Funds identify its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and certain State tax authorities. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably likely that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits or expenses will change materially in the next twelve months. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax expenses as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

ALLOCATIONS BETWEEN CLASSES:

 

Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Class specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses which are not attributable to a specific class are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund.

 

50

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

 

DISTRIBUTIONS:

 

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Funds intend to distribute net investment income on a monthly basis for the Bond Funds and Core Plus Fund, and on a calendar quarter basis for the Enhanced Return Fund. The Funds intend to distribute their net realized long-term capital gains and their net realized short-term capital gains, if any, at least once a year. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations, or net asset values per share of the Funds.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Core Fund reclassified $50,322,765 of accumulated deficit against paid-in capital on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities due to losses incurred from the reorganization with the Fixed Income Fund. Such reclassification, the result of permanent differences between the financial statement and income tax reporting requirements, had no effect on the Fund’s net assets or NAV per share. Reclassifications are made to a Fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under current income tax regulations.

 

The tax character of the distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

          Net Realized   Total Taxable   Total 
      Ordinary   Long-Term   Distributions   Distributions 
      Income   Capital Gain   Paid   Paid 
Short Duration Bond Fund  12/31/2022  $3,205,541   $   $3,205,541   $3,205,541 
   12/31/2023   4,447,578        4,447,578    4,447,578 
Intermediate Bond Fund  12/31/2022   5,587,063        5,587,063    5,587,063 
   12/31/2023   7,258,801        7,258,801    7,258,801 
Core Bond Fund  12/31/2022   13,059,819        13,059,819    13,059,819 
   12/31/2023   27,331,004        27,331,004    27,331,004 
Enhanced Return Fund  12/31/2022   7,515,155    7,548,153    15,063,308    15,063,308 
   12/31/2023   5,197,873        5,197,873    5,197,873 
Core Plus Fund  12/31/2022   367,362        367,362    367,362 
   12/31/2023   592,529        592,529    592,529 

 

*Short-Term Capital Gains were combined with Ordinary Income, as they are taxed at the Ordinary Income tax rate.

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions:

 

The Funds’ portfolio securities are valued as of the close of business of the regular session of the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). The Board has assigned the Adviser as their Valuation Designee to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities, in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and fair value determinations. Fixed income securities typically are valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Adviser believes such prices accurately reflect the market value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. When the Adviser decides that a price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the market value of the securities, when prices are not readily available from the pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Board of Trustees. Various inputs may be reviewed in order to make a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. These inputs include, but are not limited to, the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange

 

51

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions, continued

 

rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations of investments that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

 

The Funds utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

GAAP established a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:

 

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.

 

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

 

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows.

 

Corporate Bonds. Corporate bonds are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. The fair value of corporate bonds is estimated using market approach valuation techniques, which may consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations for similar securities (where observable), bond spreads, fundamental data relating to the issuer, and credit default swap spreads adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. While most corporate bonds are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, in instances where lower relative weight is placed on transaction prices, quotations, or similar observable inputs, they will be categorized in Level 3.

 

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of Deposit are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. Certificates of Deposit which are traded on the open market are normally valued using a market approach valuation technique that incorporates observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Certificates of Deposit are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury Obligations, are normally valued using market approach valuation techniques that incorporate observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. U.S. government securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

52

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions, continued

 

U.S. Agency Securities. U.S. agency securities are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. U.S. agency securities are comprised of two main categories consisting of agency issued debt and mortgage-backed securities. Agency issued debt securities are generally valued in a manner similar to U.S. government securities. Mortgage-backed securities are generally valued based on models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield, and develop an estimated tranche-specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. Depending on market activity levels and whether quotations or other data are used, these securities are typically categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds are generally valued at prices obtained from pricing vendors. Municipal Bonds are normally valued using a market approach valuation technique that incorporates observable market data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Municipal Bonds are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Preferred Stocks. Securities traded on a national securities exchange (or reported on the NASDAQ national market) are stated at the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Money Market. Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds (notated throughout these financial statements as cash equivalents), are generally priced at the ending net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the service agent of the funds. These securities will be categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

Derivative Instruments. Listed derivatives, including futures contracts that are actively traded, are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023:

 

Short Duration Bond Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $117,334,154   $   $117,334,154 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations       25,610,316        25,610,316 
Municipal Bonds       10,718,828        10,718,828 
U.S. Government & Agencies       12,124,951        12,124,951 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       33,522,061        33,522,061 
Cash Equivalents   724,356            724,356 
Total  $724,356   $199,310,310   $   $200,034,666 
                     
Intermediate Bond Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $117,489,323   $   $117,489,323 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations       18,926,681        18,926,681 
Municipal Bonds       4,829,563        4,829,563 
U.S. Government & Agencies       18,151,711        18,151,711 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       82,544,602        82,544,602 
Preferred Stocks   1,505,635            1,505,635 
Cash Equivalents   1,851,138            1,851,138 
Total  $3,356,773   $241,941,880   $   $245,298,653 

 

53

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

3)Security Valuation and Transactions, continued

 

Core Bond Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $630,049,658   $   $630,049,658 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations       337,662,424        337,662,424 
Municipal Bonds       38,048,349        38,048,349 
U.S. Government & Agencies       46,126,475        46,126,475 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       535,234,348        535,234,348 
Preferred Stocks   8,748,619            8,748,619 
Cash Equivalents   9,532,334            9,532,334 
Total  $18,280,953   $1,587,121,254   $   $1,605,402,207 
                     
Enhanced Return Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $147,977,884   $   $147,977,884 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations       29,054,092        29,054,092 
Municipal Bonds       4,634,304        4,634,304 
U.S. Government & Agencies       11,236,504        11,236,504 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       51,789,237        51,789,237 
Cash Equivalents   5,528,308            5,528,308 
Sub-total  $5,528,308   $244,692,021   $   $250,220,329 
Other Financial Instruments**   5,752,727            5,752,727 
Total  $11,281,035   $244,692,021   $   $255,973,056 
                     
Core Plus Bond Fund  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Totals 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $11,496,066   $   $11,496,066 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations       6,050,136        6,050,136 
U.S. Government & Agencies       358,629        358,629 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       4,202,323        4,202,323 
Preferred Stocks   163,410            163,410 
Cash Equivalents   163,983            163,983 
Sub-total  $327,393   $22,107,154   $   $22,434,547 
Other Financial Instruments**   70,178            70,178 
Total  $397,571   $22,107,154   $   $22,504,725 

 

*See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**Other financial instruments are futures contracts reflected separately in the Portfolio of Investments, and are reflected at the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts.

 

The Funds did not hold any investments at any time during the reporting period in which unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value. Therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

4)Portfolio Risks:

 

Pandemics and other wide-spread public health events can result in significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely impacting individual companies, sectors, industries, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, and investor sentiment. The duration and extent of such events cannot be reasonably estimated. Governmental responses to these events may negatively impact the capabilities of the Funds’ service providers and disrupt the Funds’ operations. These events may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

 

54

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

5)Investment Advisory Agreement, 12b-1 Fees and Shareholder Servicing Fees:

 

The Funds incurred management fees for the year ended December 31, 2023, as indicated below:

 

           Payable as of 
       Management   December 31, 
Fund  Fee   Fee   2023 
Short Duration Bond Fund   0.30%  $637,395   $42,432 
Intermediate Bond Fund   0.30%   732,325    51,933 
Core Bond Fund   0.30%   2,557,806    340,085 
Enhanced Return Fund   0.35%   786,032    72,797 
Core Plus Bond Fund   0.45%   78,596    8,424 

 

The Short Duration, Intermediate and Core Bond Funds F share classes also incur 12b-1 fee at the annual rate of 0.25% (before the contractual waiver described below) of the Fund’s average daily net assets, which is accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

Effective May 1, 2022, the Adviser has agreed to waive a part of the management fee for the Short Duration, Intermediate and Core Bond Funds from a maximum of 0.30% to an effective fee ratio of 0.25%, unchanged from the prior period. In addition, the Adviser has agreed to waive a part of the 12b-1 fee from a maximum of 0.25% to an effective annual rate of 0.15%. The Adviser has the right to remove this fee waiver any time after April 30, 2024. These waivers are not subject to recoupment.

 

For the Core Plus Bond Fund, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or to reimburse expenses to limit Fund expenses, at least until April 30, 2024, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the adviser)) of the Fund will not exceed 0.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three years from the date in which the fees were waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limit and any expense limitation in place at the time of recoupment. The Adviser does not intend to recoup these waived amounts. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board of Trustees on 60 days written notice to the adviser.

 

The Core Bond Fund S Shares class also incur shareholder servicing fees at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, which is accrued daily.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the remaining cumulative unreimbursed amount paid and/or waived by the Adviser on behalf of the Core Plus Fund was $271,583. The Adviser may recapture a portion of the above amount no later than the dates as stated below:

 

   Expires   Expires   Expires     
Fund  12/31/24   12/31/25   12/31/26   Total 
Core Plus Bond Fund  $12,347   $104,225   $155,011   $271,583 

 

6)Related Party Transactions:

 

All officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of the Adviser. Total compensation for the Independent Trustees as a group was $150,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was paid by the Adviser, and as a group they received no additional compensation from the Trust. The Trust consists of nine Funds: Johnson Equity Income Fund, Johnson Opportunity Fund, Johnson International Fund, Johnson Municipal Income Fund, Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund, Johnson Enhanced Return Fund and Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund. The Adviser is not a registered broker-dealer of securities and thus does not receive commissions on trades made on behalf of the Funds. The beneficial

 

55

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

6)Related Party Transactions, continued

 

ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the Fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. As of December 31, 2023, the following are identified as having an ownership of more than 25%:

 

Short Duration Bond Fund:     
Covenant Trust Company   47.89%
Client accounts managed by the Advisor and held by Charles Schwab & Co.   25.68%
      
Intermediate Bond Fund:     
Covenant Trust Company   33.92%
Client accounts managed by the Advisor and held by Charles Schwab & Co.   32.94%
National Financal Services, LLC   30.58%
      
Core Bond Fund:     
Client accounts managed by the Advisor and held by Charles Schwab & Co.   73.58%
      
Enhanced Return Fund:     
Client accounts managed by the Advisor and held by Charles Schwab & Co.   97.99%
      
Core Plus Bond Fund:     
Client accounts managed by the Advisor and held by Charles Schwab & Co.   77.85%

 

Johnson Financial, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc., the Adviser. Johnson Financial, Inc. provided transfer agency and administration services to the Funds until March 31, 2023. These services were paid for by the Adviser.

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) provides fund accounting services to the Funds. Effective March 31, 2023, Ultimus started providing administration services to the Funds and transfer agency services effective April 24, 2023. All services are paid for by the Adviser, except as relates to the Core Plue Bond Fund.

 

7)Purchases and Sales of Securities:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities aggregated:

 

   Investment Securities Other Than     
   Short-Term Investments and     
   U.S. Government Obligations   U.S. Government Obligations 
Fund  Purchases   Sales   Purchases   Sales 
Short Duration Bond Fund  $31,819,024   $68,378,113   $44,659,001   $41,087,888 
Intermediate Bond Fund   36,510,587    43,035,581    83,674,770    68,637,298 
Core Bond Fund   56,178,729    126,397,498    215,487,420    158,536,695 
Enhanced Return Fund   46,569,748    34,838,196    71,183,524    43,777,768 
Core Plus Bond Fund   7,284,584    5,207,903    7,317,959    2,299,034 

 

56

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

8)Capital Share Transactions:

 

As of December 31, 2023, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized for each Fund. Each Fund records purchases of its shares at the daily net asset value determined after receipt of a shareholder’s order in proper form. Redemptions are recorded at the net asset value determined following receipt of a shareholder’s written or telephone request in proper form.

 

   Short Duration Bond Fund 
   Class I Shares   Class F Shares 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Issued   1,997,902    2,260,082         
Reinvested   95,943    80,605    10    5 
Redeemed   (4,410,956)   (9,243,938)        
Change in Shares outstanding   (2,317,111)   (6,903,251)   10    5 
Shares outstanding, beginning of year   16,028,132    22,931,383    478    473 
Shares outstanding, end of year   13,711,021    16,028,132    488    478 
                     
   Intermediate Bond Fund 
   Class I Shares   Class F Shares 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Issued   4,703,902    6,600,967         
Reinvested   225,129    168,372    13    9 
Redeemed   (4,309,323)   (6,271,324)        
Change in Shares outstanding   619,708    498,015    13    9 
Shares outstanding, beginning of year   16,390,272    15,892,257    460    451 
Shares outstanding, end of year   17,009,980    16,390,272    473    460 

 

   Core Bond Fund 
   Class I Shares   Class F Shares   Class S Shares 
   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Period Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2022   12/31/2023* 
Issued   14,700,775    10,511,107    247,178    175,932    68,245 
Reinvested   1,657,989    663,377    7,949    5,355    27,316 
Redeemed   (18,030,739)   (9,097,881)   (38,375)   (218,589)   (201,953)
Received in conjunction with fund merger   69,867,357                2,844,296 
Change in Shares outstanding   68,195,382    2,076,603    216,752    (37,302)   2,737,904 
Shares outstanding, beginning of year/ period   40,211,908    38,135,305    210,172    247,474     
Shares outstanding, end of year/period   108,407,290    40,211,908    426,924    210,172    2,737,904 

 

*Core Bond Fund Class S began operations on September 15, 2023

 

57

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

8)Capital Share Transactions, continued

 

   Enhanced Return Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Issued   1,134,130    1,416,102 
Reinvested   374,315    1,210,951 
Redeemed   (1,550,460)   (4,451,944)
Change in Shares outstanding   (42,015)   (1,824,891)
Shares outstanding, beginning of year   16,725,011    18,549,902 
Shares outstanding, end of year   16,682,996    16,725,011 
           
   Core Plus Bond Fund 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Issued   986,949    82,986 
Reinvested   38,606    27,848 
Redeemed   (415,472)   (68,506)
Change in Shares outstanding   610,083    42,328 
Shares outstanding, beginning of year   1,134,265    1,091,937 
Shares outstanding, end of year   1,744,348    1,134,265 

 

9)Borrowings:

 

The Short Duration Bond Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund, Core Bond Fund, Enhanced Return Fund, and Core Plus Bond Fund each has an unsecured line of credit through April 27, 2024 with U.S. Bank National Association, up to 33.3% of its net assets, with a total maximum borrowing limit of $60,000,000 for the Trust.

 

Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at the Prime lending rate which was 8.5% as of December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Core Bond Fund borrowed from the line for two (2) calendar days in the amount of $5,750,000. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Core Bond Fund incurred $1,318 of interest expense and fees related to the borrowings. The average debt outstanding and average interest rate for the days with borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2023 were $31,507 and 4.18%. As of December 31, 2023, there were not outstanding borrowings for the Funds. There were no borrowings for any of the other Funds at any time during the year.

 

10)Estimates:

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.

 

11)Indemnification:

 

In the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

58

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

12)Subsequent Events:

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements except for the following:

 

The Funds paid the following distributions to shareholders subsequent to December 31, 2023:

 

         Per Share 
   Record Date  Ex-Date  Ordinary Income 
Short Duration Bond Fund           
Class I  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0380 
Class F  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0370 
Intermediate Bond Fund           
Class I  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0430 
Class F  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0420 
Core Bond Fund           
Class I  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0420 
Class F  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0410 
Class S  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0400 
Core Plus Bond Fund  1/26/2024  1/29/2024  $0.0440 

 

59

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Johnson Mutual Funds Trust

 

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments and schedules of futures contracts, of the Funds listed below, each a series of Johnson Mutual Funds Trust (the “Funds”), as of December 31, 2023, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of December 31, 2023, the results of their operations, the changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

   Statements of  Statements of   
Fund Name  Operations  Changes in Net Assets  Financial Highlights
Johnson Institutional Short Duration Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Intermediate Bond Fund, Johnson Institutional Core Bond Fund, and Johnson Enhanced Return Fund  For the year ended December 31, 2023  For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022  For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019
Johnson Core Plus Bond Fund  For the year ended December 31, 2023  For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022  For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and for the period from November 17, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021

 

BASIS FOR OPINION

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Funds’ auditor since 2004.

 

(SIGNATURE)

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio

February 29, 2024

 

60

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

The Johnson Mutual Funds Trust (“Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to manage the portfolio liquidity risk for each fund in the Trust (each a “Fund”) in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“the Rule”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of compliance personnel and portfolio managers of the Adviser. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program is designed to enable the Funds to assess and manage their liquidity risk in compliance with the requirements of the Rule. Liquidity risk means the risk that a Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program also includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and the periodic classification and re-classification of the Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

The Board met on November 29, 2023 to review the liquidity risk management program applicable to each Fund. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively to manage each Fund’s liquidity risk since implementation. The Committee reported during the meeting that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. There were no material changes to the Program during the reporting period. The report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions of the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Rule.

 

61

 

DISCLOSURE OF EXPENSES (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

Shareholders of the Short Duration Bond, Intermediate Bond, Core Bond, Enhanced Return, and Core Plus Bond Funds (the “Funds”) incur ongoing operating expenses consisting of management fees, and for the Core Plus Bond Fund, additional operational and administrative fees. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and to compare these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in the Funds on July 1, 2023 and held through December 31, 2023.

 

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6) and then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid by a shareholder for the period. Shareholders may use this information to compare the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in other funds’ shareholder reports.

 

            Expenses Paid
   Beginning Account  Ending Account     During Period
   Value  Value  Net  July 1, 2023 -
   July 1, 2023^  December 30, 2023  Expense Ratio*  December 31, 2023**
Short Duration Bond Fund            
Class I - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,035.00  0.25%  $1.28
Class I - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.95  0.25%  $1.28
Class F - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,034.80  0.40%  $2.05
Class F - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.19  0.40%  $2.04
Intermediate Bond Fund            
Class I - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,038.90  0.25%  $1.28
Class I - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.95  0.25%  $1.28
Class F - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,037.40  0.40%  $2.05
Class F - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.19  0.40%  $2.04
Core Bond Fund            
Class I - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,033.00  0.25%  $1.28
Class I - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.95  0.25%  $1.28
Class F - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,032.00  0.40%  $2.05
Class F - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.19  0.40%  $2.04
Class S - Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,053.30  0.50%  $1.50
Class S - Hypothetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,013.19  0.50%  $1.48
Enhanced Return Fund            
Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,085.20  0.35%  $1.84
Hypoethetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,023.44  0.35%  $1.79
Core Plus Bond Fund            
Actual Fund Return  $1,000.00  $1,035.50  0.45%  $2.31
Hypoethetical 5% Return  $1,000.00  $1,022.94  0.45%  $2.29

 

^For Core Bond Fund Class S, this reflects the class’s commencement of operations, September 15, 2023.

 

*Annualized, based on the most recent one-half year expenses, except for Class S shares which is annualized, based on the expense during the period since the commencement of operations.

 

**Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized net expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period) except for Class S shares, which are equal to the annualized net expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 107/365 (to reflect the period since the commencement of operations, September 15,2023, to December 31, 2023) and 184/365 (to reflect the one-half period), for Actual Return and Hypothetical 5% Return information, respectively.

 

62

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

PROXY DISCLOSURE

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds voted those proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended December 31 are available without charge: (1) upon request by calling the Funds at 513-661-3100 or toll free at 1-800-541-0170; or (2) from the Fund’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

AVAILABILITY OF SCHEDULES OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS:

 

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year at www.johnsonmutualfunds.com or on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ holdings are available, without charge, (1) upon request by calling the Funds at 513-661-3100 or toll free at 1-800-541-0170; (2) by visiting www.johnsonmutualfunds.com; or (3) from the Fund’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Trust’s Code of Ethics is available on request without charge; please call for your copy at 513-661-3100 or 1-800-541-0170 or write us at:

 

Johnson Mutual Funds

3777 West Fork Road

Cincinnati OH 45247

 

63

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

Information pertaining to the Trustees and Officers of the Trust is provided below. Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as Interested Trustees. Each Trustee serves as a Trustee until the termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, or is removed.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,
(YEAR OF BIRTH)
  CURRENT
POSITION HELD
WITH TRUST
  LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED
  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
  NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
OVERSEEN
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD DURING
THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
Interested Trustee               
Timothy E. Johnson (1942)*
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Trustee  Since 1992  Chairman of Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc., the Trust’s Adviser, and Professor of Finance at the University of Cincinnati  9  None
Independent Trustees               
James J. Berrens (1965)
3777 West Fork Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2006  Christian Community Health Services: Chief Executive Officer since May 2015  9  None
John R. Green (1942)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2006  Retired from The Procter & Gamble Company, Purchases Director, Global Baby Care  9  None
Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts (1957)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2013  Retired Director of Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program, University of Cincinnati (2002-2018); Associate Professor Emeritus of Accounting, University of Cincinnati since 1986.  9  None
Mr. Dale Coates (1958)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Coates is currently retired. He previously was Vice President and a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. During his time with the Adviser, Mr. Coates served as Vice President to the Johnson Mutual Funds Trust from 1993 through his retirement in 2021.  9  None
Ms. Julie Murphy (1963)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Ms. Murphy is vice president of Territorium, Inc., an educational technology company (2022 to present), and a consultant and owner of The Marketing Alliance, a consulting company (2005 to present). She was also the General Manager of Act, Inc., a testing company from 2019 through 2022.  9  None

 

64

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

NAME, ADDRESS,
(YEAR OF BIRTH)
  CURRENT
POSITION HELD
WITH TRUST
  LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED
  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
  NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
OVERSEEN
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD DURING
THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
Independent Trustees (Continued)
Mr. Jonathan Adams (1977)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Adams is currently President of the SALIX Data company, a data analytics company (1999 to present). He is also a board member of the following entities: City Gospel Mission (homeless shelter, 2016 to present), Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (private school, 2016 to 2022), Risksource (insurance agency, 2018 to present) and the Goering Center (center for business, 2019 to present).  9  None
Mr. Gregory Simpson (1962)
3777 West Fork Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45247
  Trustee  Since 2023  Mr. Simpson is currently retired but provides technical consulting as an independent consultant. Previously, he served as Chief Technology Officer and AI Leader of Synchrony Financial Services (2014-2021).  9  None
Officers               
Jason O. Jackman (1971)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  President  Since 2013  President of the Adviser  N/A  N/A
Marc E. Figgins (1964)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Vice President  Since 2002  Director of Fund Services for the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A
Scott J. Bischoff (1966)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Chief Compliance Officer  Since 2005  Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A
Jennifer J. Kelhoffer (1971)
3777 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
  Secretary/ Treasurer  Since 2007  Fund Administration and Compliance Associate for the Trust’s Adviser  N/A  N/A

 

*Mr. Johnson is an interested person of the Trust because he is a director, officer and employee of the Trust’s Adviser and an officer of the Trust.

 

65

 

Trustees and Officers
     
Dale Coates   Independent Trustee, Chairman
Timothy E. Johnson   Interested Trustee
Jonathan Adams   Independent Trustee
James J. Berrens   Independent Trustee
John R. Green   Independent Trustee
Julie Murphy   Independent Trustee
Jeri B. Ricketts   Independent Trustee
Gregory Simpson   Independent Trustee
     
Jason Jackman   President
Marc E. Figgins   Vice President
Scott J. Bischoff   Chief Compliance Officer
Jennifer J. Kelhoffer   Secretary/Treasurer

 

Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
 
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
 
Custodian
 
US Bank
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
 
Legal Counsel
 
Thompson Hine LLP
312 Walnut Street, 14th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

This report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when accompanied or preceded by the Funds’ prospectus, which illustrates each Fund’s objectives, policies, management fees, and other information that may be helpful in making an investment decision.

 

Investment Company Act #811-7254

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)       As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's 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.

 

(b)        For purposes of this item, “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

(1)Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2)Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;

(3)        Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

(4)The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

(5)        Accountability for adherence to the code.

 

(c)        Amendments: During the period covered by the report, the code of ethics was not amended.

 

(d)        Waivers: During the period covered by the report, the registrant has not granted any express or implicit waivers from the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

(e)       Not applicable.

 

(f)       The Trust's Code of Ethics is available on request without charge; please call for your copy at

513-661-3100 or 1-800-541-0170 or write us at:

 

Johnson Mutual Funds

3777 West Fork Road

Cincinnati OH 45247

 

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant’s board of trustees has determined that that the registrant does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee as defined by the SEC. The board determined that, although none of the Audit Committee members meet the technical definition of an audit committee financial expert as defined by the SEC, the members have sufficient financial expertise to address any issues that are likely to come before the committee. It was the consensus of the Trustees that it is not necessary at the present time for the committee to have an audit committee financial expert and that, if an issue ever arises, the committee will consider hiring an expert to assist as needed.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

 

(a)Audit Fees

 

 
 

   
FY 2022 $ 72,000.00
FY 2023 $ 92,500.00

 

 

(b)Audit-Related Fees

  

   Registrant  Adviser
FY 2022  $ 0.00 $ 0.00
FY 2023  $ 0.00 $ 0.00

 

(c)Tax Fees

 

   Registrant  Adviser
FY 2022  $ 27,000.00 $ 0.00
FY 2023  $ 30,000.00 $ 0.00

 

 

Nature of the services: The auditor completed the annual tax returns.

 

(d)All Other Fees

 

   Registrant  Adviser
FY 2022  $ 0.00 $ 0.00
FY 2023  $ 0.00 $ 0.00

  

(e)(1) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies

 

The audit committee has not adopted pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. All non-audit services provided to the Trust or the Adviser by the Trust’s principal accountant are specifically approved in advance on a case-by-case basis by the Board’s audit committee.

 

(2)Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee

 

None of the services described in paragraph (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. All non-audit services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(A) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) During audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

 

 
 

(g)        The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:

 

   Registrant  Adviser
FY 2022  $ 27,000.00 $ 0.00
FY 2023  $ 30,000.00 $ 0.00

 

(h)        Not applicable.

 

(i)       Not applicable.

 

(j)       Not applicable.

 

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

Not applicable – schedule filed with Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

The registrant has not adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of trustees.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)       Based on an evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 14, 2023, the disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Forms N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

 
 

(b)       There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Revised code of ethics is filed herewith.

 

(a)(1) Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) are filed herewith.

 

 

 
 

 

 

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.

 

Johnson Mutual Funds Trust

 

 

By: /s/Jason O. Jackman

Jason O. Jackman, President

Date March 6, 2024

 

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: /s/Jason O. Jackman

Jason O. Jackman, President

Date March 6, 2024

 

 

By: /s/ Marc E. Figgins

Marc E. Figgins, Treasurer

Date March 6, 2024