Morgan Stanley Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS) Stock Price

Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS - Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Morgan Stanley from $138.00 to $136.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. Morgan Stanley currently has an equal weight rating on the asset manager's stock.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on NTRS. StockNews.com lowered shares of Northern Trust from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Northern Trust from $113.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Northern Trust from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Northern Trust from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on Northern Trust from $110.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $113.50.

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Northern Trust Stock Up 0.5 %

NTRS stock traded up $0.49 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $104.32. 1,294,515 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,244,378. Northern Trust has a fifty-two week low of $79.30 and a fifty-two week high of $114.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $108.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $101.80. The stock has a market cap of $20.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.07.

Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The asset manager reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.30. Northern Trust had a return on equity of 13.74% and a net margin of 12.77%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Northern Trust will post 8.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northern Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.75 dividend. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. Northern Trust's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.67%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Jane Karpinski sold 2,262 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.33, for a total value of $251,828.46. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,236 shares in the company, valued at $1,918,883.88. This represents a 11.60 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Thomas A. South sold 3,804 shares of Northern Trust stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.00, for a total value of $429,852.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 81,794 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,242,722. The trade was a 4.44 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 35,335 shares of company stock valued at $3,970,211. Company insiders own 0.64% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Northern Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its stake in Northern Trust by 118.4% during the 4th quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 249 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Colonial Trust Co SC boosted its position in Northern Trust by 6,400.0% in the fourth quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 260 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northern Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in shares of Northern Trust by 51.2% during the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 378 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Northern Trust by 528.3% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 377 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the period. 83.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Northern Trust

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.