Which Is the Better Tech ETF, Vanguard's VGT or State Street's XLK?

Analysts updated ratings and price targets for Ares Management (ARES), State Street (STT), and US Bancorp (USB). Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on ARES with a $136 target. Bank of America reiterated a Hold on STT with a $186 target. Barclays kept a Buy on USB with a $75 target. All three stocks have consensus Moderate Buy ratings with upside potential.

The SEC issued a warning to major asset managers (BlackRock, State Street, Vanguard) and Climate Action 100+ over their 2021 campaign to replace ExxonMobil board members. The SEC found no violations but expressed concerns about their actions, which some view as an attempt to suppress climate advocacy.

State Street (STT) reported Q3 earnings with a 35% pretax margin, 25% ROTCE, and an 80% payout ratio. Despite strong financial metrics, the stock price remained cautious, with recent weak returns. Investors seem to view current levels as a defensive bar rather than a bonus, sensitive to fee trends and flows.

State Street reported Q3 2026 earnings with EPS of $3.69, up 33% YoY, driven by double-digit growth in fee revenue and NII. The company achieved record servicing and management fees, FX client volumes, and assets under custody and administration at $59 trillion. State Street also announced an agreement to acquire Santander CACEIS Latin American Securities Services business, expected to close in 2027.

RBC Capital reduced its price target for State Street (STT) to $175 from $196, citing valuation. STT trades at $165.06, down 5% in a week but up 46% in a year. Q3 2026 earnings beat estimates at $3.69 EPS, though revenue missed at $4B. Analysts have mixed views on STT's outlook.

State Street (STT) reported Q3 earnings, with key metrics including a 5.5% Tier 1 Leverage Ratio, 1.1% net interest margin, and $6.3T in AUM. Most figures met or exceeded analyst estimates, with notable items being $3.14B in total fee revenue and $864M in net interest income.