Free cash flow
Northern Trust Free cash flow decreased by 192.6% to -$329.40M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 112.0%, from $2.74B to -$329.40M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 44.3% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | -$1.26B | $455.90M | $2.01B | $721.10M | -$1.63B | -$919.20M | $4.09B | -$176.40M | -$119.50M | $65.60M | $2.74B | -$1.47B | $2.97B | $585.40M | -$2.68B | $2.74B | $1.86B | $509.40M | $355.60M | -$329.40M |
| QoQ Change | — | +136.1% | +341.2% | -64.1% | -326.3% | +43.7% | +545.4% | -104.3% | +32.3% | +154.9% | >999% | -153.5% | +302.4% | -80.3% | -557.0% | +202.3% | -32.2% | -72.6% | -30.2% | -192.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -29.1% | -301.6% | +103.5% | -124.5% | +92.7% | +107.1% | -33.1% | -731.6% | >999% | +792.4% | -197.7% | +286.6% | -37.5% | -13.0% | +113.3% | -112.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Northern Trust's free cash flow?
- Northern Trust (NTRS) reported free cash flow of -$329.40M in Q1 2026.
- How has Northern Trust's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Northern Trust's free cash flow decreased by 112.0% year-over-year, from $2.74B to -$329.40M.
- What is the long-term trend for Northern Trust's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Northern Trust's free cash flow has grown at a 44.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.26B to $5.46B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.