Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) Stock Holdings Lifted by Natixis Advisors LLC

Natixis Advisors LLC raised its stake in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 88,088 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,209 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC’s holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $7,567,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC raised its stake in Principal Financial Group by 55.6% during the 2nd quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 613 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. 75.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Principal Financial Group Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE:PFG opened at $84.80 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $86.03 and its 200-day moving average is $82.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $71.39 and a 12 month high of $91.97. The firm has a market cap of $19.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -94.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.20.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.02 by ($0.26). Principal Financial Group had a positive return on equity of 14.67% and a negative net margin of 1.47%. The firm had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.92 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.72 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 7.09 EPS for the current year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.44%. This is a boost from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. Principal Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is -320.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays boosted their target price 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of 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. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price target on Principal Financial Group from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $85.92.

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.