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Upturn AI Summary - About
Principal Financial Group Inc(PFG)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for PFG
11/10/2026: PFG (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Principal Financial Group is an established financial services provider specializing in retirement plans, asset management, and employee benefits. Its main strength lies in its deep integration within the U.S. small and medium-sized business market, which provides a stable foundation of fee-based revenue. The primary growth story centers on expanding private market investment offerings and scaling digital engagement tools. Key risks include the company's sensitivity to equity market volatility, persistent fee compression across the industry, and the challenges of international market expansion. The stock may suit dividend-oriented and value-focused investors who prioritize steady capital returns, provided they can monitor the competitive landscape and interest-rate-driven revenue shifts.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Principal offers moderate growth potential driven by asset management fees but lacks the high-velocity expansion of tech-focused growth stocks. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock often trends with broader financial sector sentiment rather than idiosyncratic momentum, requiring a positive sector upturn. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The stock frequently trades at reasonable valuation multiples relative to earnings, making it attractive for value-oriented portfolios. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | Principal provides a reliable and competitive dividend yield suitable for income-focused investors. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | While established, the company's reliance on financial markets introduces volatility that may exceed the tolerance of extremely conservative investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | The stock is sensitive to interest rate changes and market performance, which can drive share price fluctuations. |
| Valuation risk | Low | The stock often trades at disciplined multiples, reducing the risk of significant overvaluation. |
| Competition risk (financial services) | Medium / high | Intense competition from low-cost providers and large-scale incumbents exerts constant pressure on fees. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company maintains a high-quality franchise with deep entrenchment in the U.S. SMB retirement market. |
| Dividend income | Strong | The company has a consistent history of returning capital to shareholders through dividends. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully integrating acquisitions and maintaining service quality in a digital-first environment is essential to growth. |
Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -5.79% | Avg. Invested days 55 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals 
Financial Health Rating 
Growth Momentum Score 
Ownership 
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue) 
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile 
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 24.51B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 12.85 | 1Y Target Price 109.42 |
Price to earnings Ratio 12.85 | 1Y Target Price 109.42 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1.3M shares | Beta 0.89 | 52 Weeks Range 77.33 - 121.18 | Updated Date 11/10/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 77.33 - 121.18 | Updated Date 11/10/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.93% | Basic EPS (TTM) 8.98 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement and Income Solutions | Management and administration of retirement plans and annuities. | The company makes money by charging fees for managing retirement savings and providing pension products. |
| Principal Asset Management | Investment management fees from mutual funds, ETFs, and institutional mandates. | This is a fee-driven business that grows as the total value of assets under management rises. |
| Specialty Benefits | Premiums for group disability, life, and dental insurance. | The company earns premiums from businesses for employee benefit plans, balancing claims against income. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-26 | When After Market | Estimate 2.46 | Actual 2.22 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 11.89% | Operating Margin (TTM) 18.34% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 0.46% | Return on Equity (TTM) 16.11% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 12.85 | Forward PE 9.12 | Enterprise Value 23.61B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.47 |
Enterprise Value 23.61B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.47 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.42 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 212.38M | Shares Floating 211.06M |
Shares Outstanding 212.38M | Shares Floating 211.06M | ||
Percent Insiders 1.13 | Percent Institutions 82.34 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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