Northern Trust Corporation
's (
NTRS
) fourth-quarter 2012 earnings of 71 cents per share lagged the
Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents. However, this was favorable
compared with the prior-year quarter earnings of 67 cents.
For 2012, Northern Trust's earnings were $2.86 per share,
marginally missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88. Yet,
this was up 7.5% year over year from $2.66 in 2011.
Considering certain non-recurring items, net income in the fourth
quarter was $167.7 million or 69 cents per share compared with
$130.2 million or 53 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.
Also, for 2012, net income totaled $687.3 million or $2.81 per
share versus $603.6 million or $2.47 per share in 2011.
Quarterly results on a year-over-year basis benefited from top
line growth and decline in operating expenses. Further, improving
credit quality and strong capital ratios were the tailwinds.
Performance in Detail
Total revenue was $969.7 million in the quarter, inching up 1%
year over year, reflecting rise in non-interest income. However,
it was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $986.0 million.
For 2012, total revenue reported was $3.90 million, up 3% from
the prior year. Yet, it was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of
$3.94 million.
Net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) totaled $243.6
million in the reported quarter, down 13% year over year. The
downside was spurred by a fall in net interest margin (NIM) and
lower average earning assets.
NIM was 1.17%, down 11 basis points from 1.28% in the prior
quarter. The decrease reflects lower yields on earning assets,
partly offset by a higher percentage of funding from
non-interest-bearing sources.
Non-interest income surged 8% from the year-ago quarter to $735.5
million, largely due to rise in trust, investment and other
servicing fees. This was partially offset by decline in foreign
exchange trading income.
Trust, investment and other servicing fees from the Corporate and
Institutional Services segment improved 13% year over year to
$344.3 million in the quarter. Further, Trust, investment and
other servicing fees from the Personal Financial Services segment
jumped 18% from the last year quarter to $278.3 million.
Non-interest expenses totaled $741.5 million in the quarter,
dipping 3.9% year over year. The decline was primarily
attributable to a lower compensation expense, employee benefit
expense, lower equipment and software expenses along with reduced
outside services expenses. These declines were partly offset by
higher other operating expense.
Credit Quality
Northern Trust witnessed improvement in asset quality as
nonperforming assets decreased to $275.1 million from $314.9 as
of December 31, 2011. Additionally, net charge-offs declined
70.3% from $18.2 million in 2011 to $5.4 million.
Further, nonperforming loans and leases decreased 13.2% year over
year to $254.8 million. Provision for credit losses was $25
million in 2012, down 55% from $55 million recorded in 2011.
Share Repurchase
During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, Northern Trust
repurchased 1.3 million shares worth $62.9 million at an average
price of $47.62 per share. In total, the company repurchased 3.5
million shares in 2012. Moreover, the company's common stock
repurchase authorization was replaced in March 2012, under which
up to $77.1 million worth of common stock can be repurchased
after December 31, 2012 through March 2013.
Assets Position
As of December 31, 2012, assets under management surged 14% year
over year to $758.9 billion. Likewise, assets under custody rose
13% from the last year period to $4.8 trillion.
However, average earning assets declined 5% from the prior-year
period to $82.9 billion. The fall primarily reflects drop in
Federal Reserve deposits.
Capital Ratios Evaluation
Northern Trust's risk-based capital ratios remained strong as of
December 31, 2012, with tier 1 capital ratio of 12.8%, total
risk-based capital ratio of 14.3%, and leverage ratio of 8.2%,
each exceeding the regulatory requirements of 6%, 10%, and 5%,
respectively. This classifies Northern Trust as a
well-capitalized institution.
The ratio of Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets, a
non-GAAP financial measure, was 12.4%, up from 12.1% in the
prior-year quarter.
Our Viewpoint
We expect enhanced asset management and servicing fees based on
significant equity markets improvement and higher volumes.
Further, continuously falling expenses depict better expenses
management. However, the Dodd-Frank Act will bring in numerous
regulatory changes over the next several years, which might act
as deterrents to the company's fundamentals.
An investor with an appetite to absorb risks related to the
market volatility should not be disappointed with an investment
in Northern Trust over the long run. Northern Trust's
fundamentals remain highly promising with a diverse business
model and a strong balance sheet.
Northern Trust currently retains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Considering the fundamentals, we also maintain a long-term
Neutral recommendation on the stock.
Among Northern Trust's peers,
Fifth Third Bancorp
(
FITB
) and
BB&T Corporation
(
BBT
) are scheduled to release their fourth-quarter 2012 results on
January 17.
BB&T CORP (BBT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
FIFTH THIRD BK (FITB): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NORTHERN TRUST (NTRS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research
