Ares Management Corporation (ARES) vs Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS)

ARES leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics, though NTRS is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Ares Management Corporation and Northern Trust Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ARES vs NTRS

growth of $100 · last 12y
ARES +512.5%NTRS +187.5%ARES compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100201620182020202220242026$612$288
ARES NTRS

ARES vs NTRS: by the numbers

  • ARES is the larger company ($37.41B vs $32.19B market cap).
  • NTRS trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.21 vs 47.87 P/E).
  • NTRS converts more revenue to profit (12.83% vs 9.87% net margin).
  • ARES grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.56% vs 18.70% CAGR).
  • ARES pays the higher dividend yield (4.34% vs 1.84%).

Which is better, ARES or NTRS?

Metric tally: ARES 7 · NTRS 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNTRS(lower P/E)
GrowthARES(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeARES(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricARESNTRS
P/E ratio47.8718.21
Forward P/E18.9716.03
P/S ratio4.052.23
P/B ratio6.342.50
PEG ratio2.801.84

Profitability

MetricARESNTRS
Gross margin70.73%57.34%
Operating margin22.90%17.23%
Net margin9.87%12.83%
ROE15.47%14.40%
ROIC5.14%5.04%

Dividends

MetricARESNTRS
Dividend yield4.34%1.84%
Payout ratio252.04%36.41%

Growth (annualized)

MetricARESNTRS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)27.56%18.70%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.11%9.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.04%12.07%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ARES or NTRS?
It depends on your goal. value: NTRS (lower P/E); growth: ARES (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ARES (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, ARES leads 7 to 6.
Is ARES or NTRS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NTRS is cheaper: ARES trades at a 47.87 P/E and NTRS at 18.21.
Which has grown faster, ARES or NTRS?
Over the past five years, ARES grew revenue faster — ARES at a 27.56% CAGR versus NTRS at 18.70%.
Does ARES or NTRS pay a bigger dividend?
ARES yields 4.34% and NTRS yields 1.84% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ARES or NTRS more profitable?
NTRS runs the higher net margin — ARES at 9.87% versus NTRS at 12.83%.
Which has been the better investment, ARES or NTRS?
Over the past 10-year, ARES delivered the higher annualized total return — ARES at 29.08% versus NTRS at 13.31%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 25, 2026.