Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) Shares Sold by Forsta AP Fonden

Forsta AP Fonden cut its holdings in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 5.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 59,700 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,500 shares during the quarter. Forsta AP Fonden's holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $4,621,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. KBC Group NV boosted its position in Principal Financial Group by 398.4% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 291,379 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,555,000 after buying an additional 232,915 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group by 85.6% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 466,133 shares of the company's stock worth $40,041,000 after purchasing an additional 215,045 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in Principal Financial Group by 41.0% during the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 503,735 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,367,000 after purchasing an additional 146,473 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities USA LLC boosted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 818.1% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 152,648 shares of the company's stock valued at $13,112,000 after purchasing an additional 136,021 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Principal Financial Group by 6,593.7% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 132,200 shares of the company's stock worth $11,356,000 after purchasing an additional 130,225 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Principal Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of PFG stock traded down $0.28 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $80.69. The company had a trading volume of 1,124,057 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,310,312. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $80.54 and a 200-day moving average of $82.15. The company has a market capitalization of $18.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -89.65, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.30. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $72.21 and a 12-month high of $91.97.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on PFG shares. Barclays raised their target price on Principal Financial Group from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Principal Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $93.00 price target for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Principal Financial Group from $93.00 to $90.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 10th. 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 research report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Principal Financial Group from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and decreased their target price for the company from $95.00 to $92.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $84.92.

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.