Results of Operations

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549     FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 21, 2020   NORTHERN TRUST CORP ORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Delaware   001-36609   36-2723087 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)           50 South LaSalle Street     60603 Chicago, Illinois       (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices)         Registrant’s telephone number, including area code ( 312 )  630-6000   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $1.66 2/3 Par Value NTRS The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series E Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock NTRSO The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐   Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition The information contained in the registrant’s April 21, 2020 press release, reporting on the registrant’s earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2020 , a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is incorporated herein by reference. Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits:   Exhibit Number Description   99.1 April 21, 2020 Press Release   104 The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.         NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION       (Registrant)             Dated: April 21, 2020   By:   /s/ Jason J. Tyler           Jason J. Tyler           Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer