Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) vs Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW)
A side-by-side comparison of Northern Trust Corporation and Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NTRS
Northern Trust Corporation
$180.17Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 10:59 AM EDT
WTW
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company
$326.52Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 10:59 AM EDT
Total return — NTRS vs WTW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 25yNTRS +370.8%WTW +1094.5%WTW compounded faster
NTRS WTW
NTRS vs WTW: by the numbers
- •NTRS is the larger company ($32.96B vs $30.84B market cap).
- •WTW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.43 vs 18.60 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WTW converts more revenue to profit (16.84% vs 12.83% net margin).
- •NTRS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.70% vs 1.91% CAGR).
- •NTRS pays the higher dividend yield (1.80% vs 1.19%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NTRS | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 18.60 | 18.43 |
| Forward P/E | 15.58 | 16.20 |
| P/S ratio | 2.27 | 3.06 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66 | 3.79 |
| PEG ratio | 1.88 | 1.13 |
Profitability
| Metric | NTRS | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 57.34% | 38.16% |
| Operating margin | 17.23% | 22.73% |
| Net margin | 12.83% | 16.84% |
| ROE | 14.94% | 20.90% |
| ROIC | 5.04% | 11.52% |
Dividends
| Metric | NTRS | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.80% | 1.19% |
| Payout ratio | 36.41% | 23.01% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NTRS | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 18.70% | 1.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.91% | 16.30% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.69% | 10.66% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NTRS or WTW?
- WTW has the lower trailing P/E: NTRS trades at 18.60 and WTW at 18.43. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NTRS or WTW?
- Over the past five years, NTRS grew revenue faster — NTRS at a 18.70% CAGR versus WTW at 1.91%.
- Does NTRS or WTW pay a bigger dividend?
- NTRS yields 1.80% and WTW yields 1.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NTRS or WTW more profitable?
- WTW runs the higher net margin — NTRS at 12.83% versus WTW at 16.84%.
- How have NTRS and WTW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NTRS delivered 13.20% and WTW delivered 11.38% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Northern Trust P/E ratioWillis Towers Watson Public P/E ratioNorthern Trust dividend yieldWillis Towers Watson Public dividend yieldNorthern Trust ROEWillis Towers Watson Public ROENorthern Trust operating marginWillis Towers Watson Public operating marginNorthern Trust revenue growthWillis Towers Watson Public revenue growthNorthern Trust free cash flowWillis Towers Watson Public free cash flow
Northern Trust & Willis Towers Watson Public appear in these rankings
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 July 30, 2026.