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Principal Financial (PFG)
NASDAQ:PFG

Principal Financial (PFG) AI Stock Analysis

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Principal Financial

(NASDAQ:PFG)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$87.00
▲(8.06%Upside)
Principal Financial's overall stock score is driven by strong cash flow management, solid earnings growth, and attractive valuation metrics. While technical indicators suggest slight caution due to recent price trends, the company's strategic initiatives and strong segment performance, particularly in retirement and pension risk transfers, underpin its robust financial standing.
Positive Factors
Business Strategy
PFG's focus on the less competitive small and midsize business (SMB) marketplace supports solid growth, return, and cash flow profiles.
Cash Flow
PFG's divestment of capital-intensive retail fixed annuities and life insurance business lines has resulted in an above-average free cash flow profile for conversion rate and growth outlooks.
Negative Factors
Earnings Impact
PFG's international pension business earnings have been impacted by a stronger U.S. dollar over the past decade.
Market Sensitivity
PFG faces macro sensitivities, including elevated equity market sensitivity and foreign exchange impacts on earnings within its international pension operations.

Principal Financial (PFG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Principal Financial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPrincipal 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 Global Investors, Principal International, and U.S. Insurance Solutions segments. The Retirement and Income Solutions segment provides a portfolio of asset accumulation products and services for retirement savings and income. It offers products and services for defined contribution plans, including 401(k) and 403(b) plans, defined benefit pension plans, nonqualified executive benefit plans, employee stock ownership plans, equity compensation, and pension risk transfer services; individual retirement accounts; investment only products; and mutual funds, individual variable annuities, and bank products. The Principal Global Investors segment provides equity, fixed income, real estate, and other alternative investments, as well as asset allocation, stable value management, and other structured investment strategies. The Principal International segment offers pension accumulation products and services, mutual funds, asset management, income annuities, and life insurance accumulation products, as well as voluntary savings plans in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, and Southeast Asia. The U.S. Insurance Solutions segment provides specialty benefits, such as group dental and vision insurance, group life insurance, and group and individual disability insurance, as well as administers group dental, disability, and vision benefits; and individual life insurance products comprising universal, variable universal, indexed universal, and term life insurance products in the United States. It also offers insurance solutions for small and medium-sized businesses and their owners, as well as executives. Principal Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1879 and is based in Des Moines, Iowa.
How the Company Makes MoneyPrincipal Financial Group generates revenue through a diversified business model that includes several key streams. The Retirement and Income Solutions segment provides retirement plan products, services, and annuities, earning money primarily through fees and premiums. Principal Global Investors offers investment management services, generating income from management fees and performance-based fees associated with its investment products. The Principal International segment expands the company's global reach, offering similar financial services outside the U.S., contributing to its earnings through premiums, fees, and investment income. U.S. Insurance Solutions includes individual and group insurance products, where revenue is derived from policyholder premiums and investment income from the assets backing the insurance policies. Strategic partnerships and an emphasis on sustainable and responsible investment practices also play a significant role in enhancing the company's revenue streams.

Principal Financial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.40%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 28, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture. While the company demonstrated strong EPS growth, increased AUM, and robust performance in retirement and pension risk transfer segments, it faced challenges with negative net cash flow, market volatility, and lower dental sales impacting overall growth. The sentiment of the call is balanced between positive achievements and significant challenges.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
EPS Growth
First quarter adjusted non-GAAP earnings excluding significant variances was $439 million or $1.92 per diluted share, a 10% increase in EPS over the first quarter of 2024.
Capital Return to Shareholders
Returned $370 million of capital to shareholders in the first quarter, including $200 million of share repurchases and an increase in common stock dividend.
AUM Increase
Total company managed AUM increased to $718 billion at the end of the quarter, reflecting positive market performance and the beneficial impact of exchange rates.
Retirement Segment Performance
Generated positive account value net cash flow of $400 million and strong activity in small and mid-sized market with $1.3 billion of positive flows.
Pension Risk Transfer Growth
Pension risk transfer volume grew year over year, reaching $800 million in the quarter.
Negative Updates
Negative Net Cash Flow
Net cash flow was negative $4 billion in the quarter, driven by two low-fee institutional fixed income withdrawals in investment management.
Market Volatility Impact
Market volatility has been extreme, impacting fee revenue in retirement and asset management, with expectations for continued difficulty in upcoming quarters.
Lower Dental Sales in Specialty Benefits
Overall growth impacted by lower dental sales due to disciplined pricing actions and absence of new PFML markets.
Investment Management Seasonal Expenses
Investment management had $35 million of higher deferred compensation and payroll taxes compared to the fourth quarter.
Company Guidance
During the Principal Financial Group's First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company reported a 10% increase in adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS), amounting to $1.92 per diluted share, compared to the first quarter of 2024. They returned $370 million of capital to shareholders, including $200 million in share repurchases. Total company managed assets under management (AUM) increased to $718 billion, despite a net cash outflow of $4 billion due to two low-fee institutional fixed income withdrawals. The company highlighted strong performance in private real estate, preferred, and stable value asset classes, as well as $700 million in local investment management flows in Mexico and Southeast Asia. They also noted positive momentum in their retirement ecosystem, with $400 million in positive account value net cash flow and $1.3 billion of positive flows in the small and mid-sized market. The pension risk transfer volume reached $800 million, maintaining their position among the top four providers. Specialty benefits saw strong underwriting results, though growth was impacted by the absence of new paid family and medical leave markets and lower dental sales. The company's capital strategy remains robust, with $1.8 billion in excess and available capital, and they continue to focus on disciplined expense management and strategic growth across their business segments.

Principal Financial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Principal Financial showcases a solid financial performance with strong cash flow management and reasonable profitability. While revenue growth has been inconsistent, the company maintains a stable balance sheet with manageable debt levels. The insurance industry context justifies some of the financial leverage observed. Continued focus on improving revenue trends and profitability margins would strengthen the company's financial position further.
Income Statement
78
Positive
The Income Statement shows robust profitability with a strong Gross Profit Margin consistently at 100% due to the nature of the industry. The Net Profit Margin stands at 8.60% for the TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), showing profitability but with room for improvement. Revenue growth has been volatile, with a notable decline of 25.15% from 2022 to 2024. EBIT Margin for TTM is 12.89%, indicating operational efficiency, while EBITDA Margin is 9.21% reflecting decent operating performance.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The Balance Sheet reflects a stable financial structure with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.39, indicating good leverage management. Return on Equity (ROE) for TTM is 9.26%, which is moderate, showing efficient use of equity to generate profits. The Equity Ratio is 3.58%, suggesting a high reliance on liabilities which is typical in the insurance industry but could pose risks if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
83
Very Positive
The Cash Flow Statement indicates strong cash generation with a Free Cash Flow Growth Rate of 8.68% from the previous year. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 4.81, demonstrating excellent cash conversion. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 4.74, highlighting efficient cash utilization relative to reported earnings.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.77B16.13B13.67B17.54B14.43B14.74B
Gross Profit6.79B7.35B5.90B11.04B7.08B6.46B
EBITDA1.29B2.15B1.01B6.28B2.19B1.95B
Net Income1.09B1.57B623.20M4.76B1.58B1.40B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets313.00B313.66B305.05B303.00B321.21B313.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.88B29.94B27.19B67.74B80.49B81.56B
Total Debt4.35B4.11B3.99B4.08B4.36B4.36B
Total Liabilities301.41B302.19B293.84B292.70B304.70B296.60B
Stockholders Equity11.22B11.09B10.92B10.00B16.13B16.56B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow4.93B4.53B3.69B3.06B3.09B3.63B
Operating Cash Flow5.00B4.60B3.79B3.17B3.22B3.74B
Investing Cash Flow-5.01B-5.40B-1.35B1.06B-5.66B-5.03B
Financing Cash Flow-279.20M300.30M-2.59B-1.72B1.92B1.62B

Principal Financial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price80.51
Price Trends
50DMA
77.04
Positive
100DMA
79.02
Positive
200DMA
80.24
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.73
Negative
RSI
63.71
Neutral
STOCH
90.48
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PFG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 80.51 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 77.40, above the 50-day MA of 77.04, and above the 200-day MA of 80.24, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.73 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.71 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 90.48 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for PFG.

Principal Financial Risk Analysis

Principal Financial disclosed 56 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Principal Financial reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Principal Financial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
HIHIG
78
Outperform
$35.97B12.6218.49%1.64%7.55%14.16%
PFPFG
75
Outperform
$18.12B17.339.70%3.76%5.84%-10.64%
73
Outperform
$33.85B9.3418.42%25.29%-23.19%
EQEQH
71
Outperform
$16.98B15.1956.67%1.93%12.41%14.76%
AEAEG
70
Neutral
$11.30B15.999.36%5.15%-5.03%
AIAIG
68
Neutral
$48.75B18.906.13%2.10%-44.30%-33.09%
64
Neutral
$6.62B10.866.59%5.05%24.65%0.99%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PFG
Principal Financial
80.51
4.17
5.46%
AEG
Aegon
7.20
1.18
19.60%
AIG
American International Group
82.36
8.78
11.93%
ACGL
Arch Capital Group
88.38
-4.48
-4.82%
HIG
Hartford Financial
122.90
24.93
25.45%
EQH
Equitable Holdings
55.85
15.65
38.93%

Principal Financial Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Principal Financial Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting
Neutral
May 22, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Principal Financial Group, Inc. held its annual shareholders meeting where key decisions were made. The shareholders elected Class III directors for a term ending in 2028, approved executive compensation, and ratified the appointment of independent registered public accountants, indicating continued stability and governance focus within the company.

The most recent analyst rating on (PFG) stock is a Sell with a $75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Principal Financial stock, see the PFG Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Principal Financial Appoints New CFO Joel Pitz
Positive
May 20, 2025

On May 19, 2025, Principal Financial Group appointed Joel Pitz as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Deanna Strable. Pitz, who has been with the company since 1995, previously served as Senior Vice President and Interim CFO. His extensive experience in aligning financial strategy with business goals is expected to benefit the company as it continues to pursue sustainable growth and value creation for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PFG) stock is a Sell with a $75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Principal Financial stock, see the PFG Stock Forecast page.

Financial Disclosures
Principal Financial Reports Strong AUM Growth in March
Positive
Apr 17, 2025

As of March 31, 2025, Principal Financial Group reported assets under management totaling $717.9 billion, with $555.8 billion managed by Principal Asset Management – Investment Management and $133.5 billion by Principal Asset Management – International Pension. The company experienced a 1.4% positive impact on AUM due to foreign currency translation and market performance, highlighting its strategic allocations during market dislocations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 24, 2025