Research Analysts Set Expectations for PFG Q3 Earnings

Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for Principal Financial Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, December 3rd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will earn $2.45 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $2.40. The consensus estimate for Principal Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $8.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Principal Financial Group’s FY2026 earnings at $9.31 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.48 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $10.27 EPS.

Several other brokerages have also commented on PFG. Morgan Stanley upgraded Principal Financial Group from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and upped their target price for the company from $80.00 to $81.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Principal Financial Group from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Principal Financial Group from $73.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $80.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $88.90.

Principal Financial Group Stock Performance

PFG stock opened at $87.52 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $19.50 billion, a PE ratio of 13.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $82.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $80.33. Principal Financial Group has a 1-year low of $68.39 and a 1-year high of $90.31.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.12. Principal Financial Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 14.68%. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.05 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Principal Financial Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the second quarter worth $3,269,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its stake in Principal Financial Group by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 25,037 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,989,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares in the last quarter. LVW Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Principal Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth $297,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 72,348 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,747,000 after acquiring an additional 2,469 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 14.3% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 156,900 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,462,000 after acquiring an additional 19,644 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.08% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Principal Financial Group

In related news, EVP Wee Yee Cheong sold 1,887 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.04, for a total value of $160,470.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 81,421 shares in the company, valued at $6,924,041.84. This trade represents a 2.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.08% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.79 per share. This is a positive change from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 3rd. Principal Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.00%.

About Principal Financial Group

Principal Financial Group, Inc provides retirement, asset management, and insurance products and services to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients worldwide. The company operates through Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Asset Management, and Benefits and Protection segments. The Retirement and Income Solutions segment provides retirement, and related financial products and services.