Investment Comparison: Northern Trust vs. S&P Global
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 22 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Northern Trust Financial Performance: In FY 2025, Northern Trust reported revenue of approximately $8.1 billion, a nearly 3% decline year-over-year, with net income close to $1.7 billion and a net margin of about 21%, indicating stability in high-end wealth management but facing market volatility risks.
- S&P Global Growth Momentum: S&P Global achieved revenue of approximately $15.4 billion in FY 2025, marking an 8% increase year-over-year, with net income nearing $4.5 billion and a net margin of about 29.2%, reflecting strong performance and demand in the financial intelligence sector.
- Risk Profile Comparison: Northern Trust's fee-based revenue model exposes it to market and interest rate volatility risks, while its complex IT systems make it vulnerable to cyber threats; conversely, S&P Global faces technological risks and rising compliance costs.
- Valuation Discrepancy: Northern Trust's forward P/E ratio stands at 16.5x, significantly lower than S&P Global's 20.9x, and with projected sales growth of 20% and net income growth of 23% in 2026, it presents a more attractive investment value.
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Analyst Views on NTRS
Wall Street analysts forecast NTRS stock price to fall
11 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
8 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 175.600
Low
97.50
Averages
108.65
High
128.00
Current: 175.600
Low
97.50
Averages
108.65
High
128.00
About NTRS
Northern Trust Corporation is a provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. The Company’s segments include Asset Servicing and Wealth Management. Asset Servicing is a global provider of asset servicing and related services to corporate and public retirement funds, foundations, endowments, fund managers, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, and other institutional investors around the globe. Asset servicing and related services encompass a full range of capabilities, including custody, fund administration, investment operations outsourcing, investment management, investment risk and analytical services, securities lending, and others. Wealth Management provides trust, investment management, custody, and philanthropic services; financial consulting; guardianship and estate administration; family business consulting; family financial education; brokerage services; and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Custody Banks Outperform Traditional Banks Significantly
- Strong Performance of Custody Banks: Year-to-date, custody banks like State Street and BNY Mellon have surged 32% and 26% respectively, indicating their ability to attract more client assets during market volatility, thereby enhancing revenue and market position.
- Revenue Growth Drivers: BNY Mellon reported first-quarter revenue of $5.4 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase, with fee income and net interest income rising by 12% and 18% respectively, reflecting improved profitability in a high-interest-rate environment.
- Increase in Client Assets: Amid market uncertainty, BNY Mellon saw a 12% rise in assets under custody and a 13% surge in average deposits, which not only boosted fee income but also strengthened client trust and market share.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With the S&P 500 rising nearly 15% in Q2, custody banks are expected to report new records in assets and revenue in their upcoming Q2 earnings, further solidifying their market leadership.
See More
Custody Banks Show Strong Performance, Investment Opportunities Arise
- Strong Market Performance: State Street's stock has surged 32% this year, while BNY Mellon and Northern Trust have increased by 26% and 29% respectively, indicating strong performance in the custody banking sector that attracts investor interest.
- Significant Revenue Growth: BNY Mellon reported first-quarter revenue of $5.4 billion, up 13% year-over-year, with fee income rising 12% to $3.8 billion and net income soaring 36% to $1.6 billion, demonstrating profitability growth even in volatile markets.
- Asset Management Advantage: BNY Mellon oversees $59 trillion in client assets, with custody assets increasing by 12% and average deposits surging 13% year-over-year, reflecting heightened demand for safe assets among clients, which further drives revenue growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With the S&P 500 rising nearly 15% in Q2, custody banks are expected to see record highs in assets under custody and revenue, as State Street, BNY Mellon, and Northern Trust prepare to release their Q2 earnings, generating market anticipation for their performance.
See More
Northern Trust Named to The Civic 50 for 2026
- Corporate Citizenship Recognition: Northern Trust has been named to The Civic 50 for 2026, honoring its outstanding performance in corporate citizenship, community engagement, and social impact, reflecting the company's long-standing commitment to philanthropic investment and employee involvement worldwide.
- Significant Charitable Contributions: In 2025, Northern Trust contributed $16 million in charitable giving globally, while employees dedicated a record 121,000 hours to over 2,000 nonprofit organizations, showcasing the company's proactive role in advancing social responsibility.
- Enhanced Community Impact: Through efforts across four focus areas, Northern Trust provided over 11 million meals, funded nearly 670,000 safe shelter nights, supported more than 27,000 students, and enabled over 218,000 individuals to receive healthcare services, significantly improving community quality of life.
- Longstanding Commitment: With over 135 years of history, Northern Trust has consistently worked alongside communities, mobilizing resources and relationships to enhance quality of life and create long-term value for all stakeholders.
See More
Investment Comparison: Northern Trust vs. S&P Global
- Northern Trust Financial Performance: In FY 2025, Northern Trust reported revenue of approximately $8.1 billion, a nearly 3% decline year-over-year, with net income close to $1.7 billion and a net margin of about 21%, indicating stability in high-end wealth management but facing market volatility risks.
- S&P Global Growth Momentum: S&P Global achieved revenue of approximately $15.4 billion in FY 2025, marking an 8% increase year-over-year, with net income nearing $4.5 billion and a net margin of about 29.2%, reflecting strong performance and demand in the financial intelligence sector.
- Risk Profile Comparison: Northern Trust's fee-based revenue model exposes it to market and interest rate volatility risks, while its complex IT systems make it vulnerable to cyber threats; conversely, S&P Global faces technological risks and rising compliance costs.
- Valuation Discrepancy: Northern Trust's forward P/E ratio stands at 16.5x, significantly lower than S&P Global's 20.9x, and with projected sales growth of 20% and net income growth of 23% in 2026, it presents a more attractive investment value.
See More
Northern Trust Appointed by TirNua Capital for Fund Services
- Fund Launch and Size: TirNua Capital Partners has secured €340 million in commitments for its inaugural infrastructure fund, marking the start of investments aimed at supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, reflecting strong market demand for sustainable investments.
- Service Provision and Partnership: Northern Trust has been appointed to provide fund administration, depositary, and banking services, leveraging its extensive experience in private capital management to ensure oversight and control throughout the investment lifecycle, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Investment Focus and Goals: The fund aims to invest primarily in critical infrastructure projects that support the low-carbon transition in Ireland and other OECD markets, targeting sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation, highlighting the emphasis on green economy initiatives.
- Company Background and Strength: Northern Trust, a leading global asset servicing provider, manages $18.6 trillion in assets and boasts 135 years of industry experience and innovation, further solidifying its leadership position in the global investment management landscape.
See More
Northern Trust Establishes New Branch in Ireland
- Branch Establishment: Northern Trust has received a license from the Central Bank of Ireland to establish the Ireland Branch, which will offer a range of custodial and capital markets services, enhancing its market position in Ireland.
- Strategic Expansion: The establishment of this branch is part of Northern Trust's broader European expansion strategy aimed at meeting EU client needs while complying with the upcoming CRD VI and CRR III regulatory frameworks.
- Local Service Capability: The Ireland Branch will leverage the expertise of over 1,800 employees to provide efficient and flexible services to institutional clients domestically and globally, marking a new chapter in Northern Trust's 25-year history in Ireland.
- Industry Leadership: Having serviced Irish clients since 1989, Northern Trust has played a key role in the development of Ireland's funds industry, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.
See More
Custody Banks Outperform Traditional Banks Significantly
- Strong Performance of Custody Banks: Year-to-date, custody banks like State Street and BNY Mellon have surged 32% and 26% respectively, indicating their ability to attract more client assets during market volatility, thereby enhancing revenue and market position.
- Revenue Growth Drivers: BNY Mellon reported first-quarter revenue of $5.4 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase, with fee income and net interest income rising by 12% and 18% respectively, reflecting improved profitability in a high-interest-rate environment.
- Increase in Client Assets: Amid market uncertainty, BNY Mellon saw a 12% rise in assets under custody and a 13% surge in average deposits, which not only boosted fee income but also strengthened client trust and market share.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With the S&P 500 rising nearly 15% in Q2, custody banks are expected to report new records in assets and revenue in their upcoming Q2 earnings, further solidifying their market leadership.
See More
Custody Banks Show Strong Performance, Investment Opportunities Arise
- Strong Market Performance: State Street's stock has surged 32% this year, while BNY Mellon and Northern Trust have increased by 26% and 29% respectively, indicating strong performance in the custody banking sector that attracts investor interest.
- Significant Revenue Growth: BNY Mellon reported first-quarter revenue of $5.4 billion, up 13% year-over-year, with fee income rising 12% to $3.8 billion and net income soaring 36% to $1.6 billion, demonstrating profitability growth even in volatile markets.
- Asset Management Advantage: BNY Mellon oversees $59 trillion in client assets, with custody assets increasing by 12% and average deposits surging 13% year-over-year, reflecting heightened demand for safe assets among clients, which further drives revenue growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With the S&P 500 rising nearly 15% in Q2, custody banks are expected to see record highs in assets under custody and revenue, as State Street, BNY Mellon, and Northern Trust prepare to release their Q2 earnings, generating market anticipation for their performance.
See More
Northern Trust Named to The Civic 50 for 2026
- Corporate Citizenship Recognition: Northern Trust has been named to The Civic 50 for 2026, honoring its outstanding performance in corporate citizenship, community engagement, and social impact, reflecting the company's long-standing commitment to philanthropic investment and employee involvement worldwide.
- Significant Charitable Contributions: In 2025, Northern Trust contributed $16 million in charitable giving globally, while employees dedicated a record 121,000 hours to over 2,000 nonprofit organizations, showcasing the company's proactive role in advancing social responsibility.
- Enhanced Community Impact: Through efforts across four focus areas, Northern Trust provided over 11 million meals, funded nearly 670,000 safe shelter nights, supported more than 27,000 students, and enabled over 218,000 individuals to receive healthcare services, significantly improving community quality of life.
- Longstanding Commitment: With over 135 years of history, Northern Trust has consistently worked alongside communities, mobilizing resources and relationships to enhance quality of life and create long-term value for all stakeholders.
See More
Investment Comparison: Northern Trust vs. S&P Global
- Northern Trust Financial Performance: In FY 2025, Northern Trust reported revenue of approximately $8.1 billion, a nearly 3% decline year-over-year, with net income close to $1.7 billion and a net margin of about 21%, indicating stability in high-end wealth management but facing market volatility risks.
- S&P Global Growth Momentum: S&P Global achieved revenue of approximately $15.4 billion in FY 2025, marking an 8% increase year-over-year, with net income nearing $4.5 billion and a net margin of about 29.2%, reflecting strong performance and demand in the financial intelligence sector.
- Risk Profile Comparison: Northern Trust's fee-based revenue model exposes it to market and interest rate volatility risks, while its complex IT systems make it vulnerable to cyber threats; conversely, S&P Global faces technological risks and rising compliance costs.
- Valuation Discrepancy: Northern Trust's forward P/E ratio stands at 16.5x, significantly lower than S&P Global's 20.9x, and with projected sales growth of 20% and net income growth of 23% in 2026, it presents a more attractive investment value.
See More
Northern Trust Appointed by TirNua Capital for Fund Services
- Fund Launch and Size: TirNua Capital Partners has secured €340 million in commitments for its inaugural infrastructure fund, marking the start of investments aimed at supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, reflecting strong market demand for sustainable investments.
- Service Provision and Partnership: Northern Trust has been appointed to provide fund administration, depositary, and banking services, leveraging its extensive experience in private capital management to ensure oversight and control throughout the investment lifecycle, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Investment Focus and Goals: The fund aims to invest primarily in critical infrastructure projects that support the low-carbon transition in Ireland and other OECD markets, targeting sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation, highlighting the emphasis on green economy initiatives.
- Company Background and Strength: Northern Trust, a leading global asset servicing provider, manages $18.6 trillion in assets and boasts 135 years of industry experience and innovation, further solidifying its leadership position in the global investment management landscape.
See More
Northern Trust Establishes New Branch in Ireland
- Branch Establishment: Northern Trust has received a license from the Central Bank of Ireland to establish the Ireland Branch, which will offer a range of custodial and capital markets services, enhancing its market position in Ireland.
- Strategic Expansion: The establishment of this branch is part of Northern Trust's broader European expansion strategy aimed at meeting EU client needs while complying with the upcoming CRD VI and CRR III regulatory frameworks.
- Local Service Capability: The Ireland Branch will leverage the expertise of over 1,800 employees to provide efficient and flexible services to institutional clients domestically and globally, marking a new chapter in Northern Trust's 25-year history in Ireland.
- Industry Leadership: Having serviced Irish clients since 1989, Northern Trust has played a key role in the development of Ireland's funds industry, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.
See More
