Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG – Free Report) had its target price boosted by Bank of America from $95.00 to $96.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.
PFG has been the topic of a number of other reports. Barclays reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $85.00 price target on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $103.00 price target on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research note on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $93.22.
Principal Financial Group Price Performance
Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.22 by ($0.03). Principal Financial Group had a return on equity of 14.68% and a net margin of 9.74%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.94 earnings per share. Principal Financial Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.010-9.260 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Principal Financial Group will post 8.5 earnings per share for the current year.
Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 11th. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Principal Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is 46.00%.
Insider Activity
In related news, CEO Deanna D. Strable-Soethout sold 7,340 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.00, for a total value of $697,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 136,828 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,998,660. This trade represents a 5.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 24,965 shares of company stock worth $2,352,460. 1.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Principal Financial Group
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $617,000. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 5,801 shares of the company’s stock valued at $483,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in Principal Financial Group by 50.4% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 53,126 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,686,000 after acquiring an additional 17,814 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Principal Financial Group by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,498,766 shares of the company’s stock worth $220,416,000 after purchasing an additional 135,631 shares during the period. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 5.8% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 51,491 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,542,000 after purchasing an additional 2,824 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.08% of the company’s stock.
More Principal Financial Group News
Here are the key news stories impacting Principal Financial Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Company raised FY‑2026 EPS guidance to $9.01–$9.26, above consensus, signaling management confidence in earnings momentum and underlying business trends. Principal Financial Group Announces Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 Results as Well as 2026 Outlook
- Positive Sentiment: Board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.80 (1.3% increase vs prior), supporting a ~3.5% yield — a direct income-positive signal for yield-focused investors (ex‑dividend March 11).
- Positive Sentiment: Management emphasized disciplined underwriting and solid segment performance on the Q4 call; the firm also cited roughly $1.6B of excess capital to fund continued buybacks and dividend growth. Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
- Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America nudged its price target slightly to $96 but maintains a “neutral” rating — a modest upside but not a bullish endorsement. Benzinga
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces highlight PFG’s attractive yield and steady capital return profile, useful for income investors but already well known to the market. Why Principal Financial (PFG) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now
- Negative Sentiment: Reported Q4 EPS of $2.19 missed consensus by a few cents, and higher expenses offset revenue gains in some segments — a near‑term headwind and reason for the intraday selloff. Principal Financial Q4 Earnings Miss, Revenues & Premiums Rise Y/Y
- Negative Sentiment: An analyst note downgraded PFG to “Hold,” saying much of the 2026 outlook and capital returns are already priced in — that reduces near‑term upside despite the solid fundamentals. Principal Financial Group: Capital Returns Reflected In Valuation (Downgrade)
About Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group, commonly known as Principal, is a global financial services company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The firm provides a broad range of retirement, investment management and insurance solutions for individual, employer and institutional clients. Its core businesses include retirement plan services and recordkeeping, asset management, and life and disability insurance, supported by distribution through employers, financial advisors and direct channels.
On the retirement side, Principal offers 401(k) and other workplace retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and annuity products designed to help clients accumulate and manage retirement savings.
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