Asset Management One Co. Ltd. Purchases 14,588 Shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 15.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 109,100 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 14,588 shares during the quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $9,372,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in PFG. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 6,325 shares of the company's stock worth $493,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 5.0% during the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 2,906 shares of the company's stock worth $228,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Graypoint LLC boosted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 5.6% during the second quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 2,654 shares of the company's stock worth $208,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 18.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 930 shares of the company's stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 5,091 shares of the company's stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Principal Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PFG traded down $0.55 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $85.45. 950,371 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,136,008. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.54 billion, a PE ratio of 12.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.20. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $68.69 and a 12 month high of $91.97. The company's 50 day moving average price is $84.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $81.93.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.02 by ($0.26). The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.92 billion. Principal Financial Group had a negative net margin of 1.47% and a positive return on equity of 14.67%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.72 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 7.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.42%. Principal Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -320.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PFG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Principal Financial Group from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Citigroup increased their target price on Principal Financial Group from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Principal Financial Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $85.58.

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.