Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS) Sets New 1-Year High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Northern Trust Corporation (NASDAQ:NTRS) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $166.48 and last traded at $165.8980, with a volume of 247155 shares. The stock had previously closed at $158.99.

The asset manager reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.19. Northern Trust had a return on equity of 14.87% and a net margin of 12.15%.The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.90 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Northern Trust News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Northern Trust this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat: Northern Trust reported EPS of $2.71 (ahead of consensus) and revenue of ~$2.21B, with net income of $525.5M and year-over-year revenue growth ~14%. These beats are the primary catalyst for the rally. Business Wire — Q1 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Operating leverage and margins: Management highlighted strong operating leverage (~700+ bps of positive operating leverage and a ~32% pre-tax FTE margin), which amplified earnings versus revenue growth. QuiverQuant — Operating Leverage
• Positive Sentiment: Capital returns: The company returned a large amount of capital in the quarter (dividends plus ~$359M of buybacks), signaling confidence and directly supporting the share price. QuiverQuant — Capital Return
• Positive Sentiment: Business growth drivers: Fee income benefited from strong markets (AUC/AUM growth) and net interest income rose—both supported revenue and helped the beat. Reuters — Fee Income & AUM
• Neutral Sentiment: Management messaging and strategy: Company released a review of 2025 performance and strategic priorities at the annual meeting—helpful context but not an immediate earnings surprise. TipRanks — Strategic Priorities
• Negative Sentiment: Expenses and valuation concerns: Some coverage notes rising expenses and warns that the stock may already reflect a full valuation despite the strong quarter—this could limit upside if margins or growth slow. Seeking Alpha — Valuation Caution
• Negative Sentiment: Insider & institutional flows: Recent insider sales and large institutional position reductions (highlighted in coverage) are potential soft signals for longer‑term ownership trends. QuiverQuant — Insider & Institutional Activity

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Northern Trust from $136.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Northern Trust from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Evercore lifted their price objective on Northern Trust from $142.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Northern Trust from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $148.00 to $151.00 in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Northern Trust in a report on Monday, February 23rd. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $154.55.

Insider Transactions at Northern Trust

In other Northern Trust news, CFO David W. Fox, Jr. sold 3,255 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.89, for a total value of $468,361.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 14,552 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,093,887.28. This represents a 18.28% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Guy Gibson sold 3,009 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.39, for a total transaction of $428,451.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 29,332 shares in the company, valued at $4,176,583.48. This trade represents a 9.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 34,905 shares of company stock valued at $5,166,714. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northern Trust

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NTRS. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new stake in Northern Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Northern Trust during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Board of the Pension Protection Fund purchased a new position in shares of Northern Trust during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northern Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Northern Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.19% of the company’s stock.

Northern Trust Trading Up 8.0%

The stock has a market cap of $31.83 billion, a PE ratio of 19.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.69. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $144.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $139.21.

Northern Trust Company Profile

Northern Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: NTRS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in Chicago that provides asset servicing, asset management and wealth management solutions to institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals. The company’s core businesses include custody and fund administration, investment operations outsourcing, trust and fiduciary services, private banking, and retirement and defined contribution plan services.

Northern Trust’s product and service offerings span custody and fund accounting, portfolio and performance analytics, securities lending, cash management and foreign exchange, as well as discretionary and non-discretionary investment management.