Entropy Technologies LP Grows Holdings in Northern Trust Co. (NASDAQ:NTRS)

Entropy Technologies LP grew its stake in Northern Trust Co. (NASDAQ:NTRS - Free Report) by 106.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,094 shares of the asset manager's stock after purchasing an additional 8,803 shares during the quarter. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in Northern Trust were worth $1,752,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Y.D. More Investments Ltd grew its position in shares of Northern Trust by 118.4% in the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 249 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Empirical Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Northern Trust during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in Northern Trust during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position in Northern Trust by 51.2% during the fourth quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 378 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Northern Trust during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.19% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Northern Trust news, Vice Chairman Steven L. Fradkin sold 9,100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.00, for a total transaction of $1,010,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 47,797 shares in the company, valued at $5,305,467. The trade was a 15.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Peter Cherecwich sold 26,132 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.36, for a total transaction of $2,936,191.52. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 26,586 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,987,202.96. This trade represents a 49.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 40,631 shares of company stock valued at $4,550,459 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.64% of the company's stock.

Northern Trust Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of Northern Trust stock traded up $1.40 on Thursday, reaching $111.50. The company had a trading volume of 702,286 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,170,344. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $106.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $98.90. The firm has a market cap of $22.10 billion, a PE ratio of 11.40, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.08. Northern Trust Co. has a 52-week low of $78.24 and a 52-week high of $114.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.68.

Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The asset manager reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.30. Northern Trust had a net margin of 12.77% and a return on equity of 13.74%. Sell-side analysts predict that Northern Trust Co. will post 8.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northern Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. Northern Trust's payout ratio is currently 30.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NTRS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Northern Trust from $113.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Northern Trust from $86.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Northern Trust from $127.00 to $125.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Northern Trust from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Northern Trust from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $112.58.

Northern Trust Company Profile

Northern Trust Corporation, a financial holding company, provides wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families, and individuals worldwide. It operates in two segments, Asset Servicing and Wealth Management. The Asset Servicing segment offers asset servicing and related services, including custody, fund administration, investment operations outsourcing, investment management, investment risk and analytical services, employee benefit services, securities lending, foreign exchange, treasury management, brokerage services, transition management services, banking, and cash management services.