Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The company reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.22 by ($0.03), Briefing.com reports. Principal Financial Group had a return on equity of 14.68% and a net margin of 9.74%.During the same period last year, the company earned $1.94 EPS. Principal Financial Group updated its FY 2026 guidance to 9.010-9.260 EPS.

Principal Financial Group Stock Performance

PFG traded down $1.41 during trading on Monday, hitting $95.93. The stock had a trading volume of 2,162,054 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,573,986. Principal Financial Group has a twelve month low of $68.39 and a twelve month 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 company’s 50-day moving average price is $90.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $84.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.89.

Insider Activity at Principal Financial Group

In other news, CEO Deanna D. Strable-Soethout sold 9,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total value of $884,616.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 144,168 shares in the company, valued at $13,713,260.16. This trade represents a 6.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Wee Yee Cheong sold 1,887 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.04, for a total transaction of $160,470.48. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 81,421 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,924,041.84. This trade represents a 2.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 26,852 shares of company stock worth $2,512,930 in the last quarter. 1.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Principal Financial Group

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $436,000. IHT Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,425 shares of the company’s stock valued at $431,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Ossiam raised its position in Principal Financial Group by 228.9% during the third quarter. Ossiam now owns 5,180 shares of the company’s stock worth $429,000 after acquiring an additional 3,605 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group by 9.6% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 4,711 shares of the company’s stock valued at $391,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vise Technologies Inc. grew its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 14.4% in the third quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 3,193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $265,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.08% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Principal Financial Group from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays restated an “underweight” rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Principal Financial Group from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Principal Financial Group from $74.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $92.88.

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.