Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Bank of America Analyst Says

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) had its target price raised by equities research analysts at Bank of America from $95.00 to $96.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. Bank of America‘s price target would suggest a potential upside of 3.44% from the stock’s previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group boosted 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. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Principal Financial Group from $74.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Principal Financial Group from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $93.00 target price on Principal Financial Group in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and set a $85.00 price target on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $93.22.

Principal Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of PFG opened at $92.81 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $90.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $84.53. Principal Financial Group has a 52-week low of $68.39 and a 52-week high of $97.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.68 billion, a PE ratio of 13.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.89.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $2.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.22 by ($0.03). Principal Financial Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 14.68%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.94 earnings per share. Principal Financial Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.010-9.260 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Principal Financial Group will post 8.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Principal Financial Group

In other news, CEO Deanna D. Strable-Soethout sold 9,300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total transaction of $884,616.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 144,168 shares in the company, valued at $13,713,260.16. The trade was a 6.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 24,965 shares of company stock valued at $2,352,460. Company insiders own 1.08% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Principal Financial Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFG. Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new position in Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth $832,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 10,908 shares of the company’s stock worth $962,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Wellspring Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $276,000. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its stake in Principal Financial Group by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 108,712 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,589,000 after buying an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC grew its stake in Principal Financial Group by 58.9% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 11,385 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,004,000 after buying an additional 4,222 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.08% of the company’s stock.

Principal Financial Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Principal Financial Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.80/share (annualized yield ~3.4%), a 1.3% increase that supports income-focused holders and signals capital return priority.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks highlights PFG as an attractive dividend stock, reinforcing the stock’s appeal to income investors. Why Principal Financial (PFG) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now
• Neutral Sentiment: Management presented at the Bank of America Financial Services Conference (transcript available) — useful for incremental visibility into strategy and outlook but no major new guidance changes. Principal Financial Group Presents at Bank of America Financial Services Conference 2026 Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America raised its PFG price target slightly to $96 but kept a “neutral” rating — modest upside implied but no bullish re-rating. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings presentation and call transcripts are posted (slides and Q&A) — they provide detail on segment performance and capital deployment but largely reiterate previously disclosed numbers. 2025 Q4 Results – Earnings Call Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed consensus narrowly ($2.19 vs. $2.22) and higher expenses offset revenue gains in several segments — this near-term earnings miss likely pressured the stock. Principal Financial Q4 Earnings Miss, Revenues & Premiums Rise Y/Y
• Negative Sentiment: Equity analyst note downgraded PFG to “Hold” arguing that the company’s strong run, in-line Q4, and capital returns are largely priced in — limits upside and can weigh on momentum. The same note still acknowledges robust buybacks/dividend capacity from excess capital. Principal Financial Group: Capital Returns Reflected In Valuation (Downgrade)

Principal Financial Group Company Profile

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.