PSI Advisors LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

PSI Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,084 shares of the company’s stock after selling 200 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC’s holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $781,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the third quarter worth $43,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Principal Financial Group by 53.6% in the fourth quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $50,000. 75.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Principal Financial Group Trading Up 1.9 %

NYSE:PFG opened at $77.80 on Tuesday. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $72.21 and a 12-month high of $91.97. The firm has a market cap of $17.79 billion, a PE ratio of -86.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $81.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $82.15.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.02 by ($0.26). Principal Financial Group had a negative net margin of 1.47% and a positive return on equity of 14.67%. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.92 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 7.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 2nd. This is a boost from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. Principal Financial Group’s payout ratio is -324.44%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Principal Financial Group from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $95.00 to $92.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $87.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Morgan Stanley restated an “underweight” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down from $86.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $75.00 target price (down previously from $84.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Principal Financial Group from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $84.75.

Principal Financial Group Profile

Principal Financial Group, Inc provides retirement, asset management, and insurance products and services to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients worldwide. The company operates through Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Asset Management, and Benefits and Protection segments. The Retirement and Income Solutions segment provides retirement, and related financial products and services.