Principal Financial Group Inc logo

Principal Financial Group Inc(PFG)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$115.99
11/10/2026
(24-hour delay)

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)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

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 styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitPrincipal offers moderate growth potential driven by asset management fees but lacks the high-velocity expansion of tech-focused growth stocks.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock often trends with broader financial sector sentiment rather than idiosyncratic momentum, requiring a positive sector upturn.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock frequently trades at reasonable valuation multiples relative to earnings, making it attractive for value-oriented portfolios.
Dividend investorStrong fitPrincipal provides a reliable and competitive dividend yield suitable for income-focused investors.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile established, the company's reliance on financial markets introduces volatility that may exceed the tolerance of extremely conservative investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock is sensitive to interest rate changes and market performance, which can drive share price fluctuations.
Valuation riskLowThe stock often trades at disciplined multiples, reducing the risk of significant overvaluation.
Competition risk (financial services)Medium / highIntense competition from low-cost providers and large-scale incumbents exerts constant pressure on fees.
Business qualityStrongThe company maintains a high-quality franchise with deep entrenchment in the U.S. SMB retirement market.
Dividend incomeStrongThe company has a consistent history of returning capital to shareholders through dividends.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully integrating acquisitions and maintaining service quality in a digital-first environment is essential to growth.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

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

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

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 star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/10/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
PFG receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid unit economics, and solid quantitative characteristics. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
PFG has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong cash generation (FCF margin 28.4%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-24.6%), slightly negative revenue growth (-3.1%), soft profitability (net margin 7.6%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
PFG's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $4.4B (28.4% of revenue). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
PFG's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being free-cash-flow growth at -2.1% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while revenue growth (-3.1%, slightly negative) and earnings growth (-24.6%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 82.3% and approximately 99.4% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.13% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 9.42%
Nippon Life Insurance Co. 8.54%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.35%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.30%
State Street Corp 4.83%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
PFG generates approximately $452 of gross profit, $91 of operating income, and $284 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Solid margins and strong cash conversion support the rating, although capital efficiency remains moderate.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 11.33%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
PFG has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

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 areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Retirement and Income SolutionsManagement and administration of retirement plans and annuities.The company makes money by charging fees for managing retirement savings and providing pension products.
Principal Asset ManagementInvestment 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 BenefitsPremiums 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.