B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG Has $1.66 Million Stake in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lessened its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 24.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,458 shares of the company's stock after selling 6,961 shares during the quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG's holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $1,661,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $217,021,000. Amundi grew its stake in Principal Financial Group by 24.1% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,359,779 shares of the company's stock worth $106,511,000 after buying an additional 264,383 shares during the period. KBC Group NV boosted its position in Principal Financial Group by 398.4% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 291,379 shares of the company's stock worth $22,555,000 after purchasing an additional 232,915 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $15,821,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP increased its stake in Principal Financial Group by 2,064.3% during the 4th quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 148,299 shares of the company's stock worth $11,480,000 after buying an additional 141,447 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Principal Financial Group Trading Down 1.8 %

Shares of NYSE PFG traded down $1.28 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $71.66. 582,345 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,225,675. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $68.76 and a 1 year high of $91.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.70, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.01. The business has a 50 day moving average of $84.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $83.67.

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Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were paid a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.19%. Principal Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.91%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Principal Financial Group from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $91.00 price target on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $86.57.

Principal Financial Group Company 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.