Curat Global LLC Invests $518,000 in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

Curat Global LLC bought a new position in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 6,139 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $518,000.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Leavell Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 5.4% during the fourth quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,693 shares of the company's stock valued at $208,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 9.6% during the fourth quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,730 shares of the company's stock valued at $134,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Cidel Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 6.3% during the fourth quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,636 shares of the company's stock valued at $204,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the period. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC now owns 11,241 shares of the company's stock valued at $870,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the period. Finally, Argent Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Principal Financial Group by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 29,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,272,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Principal Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PFG traded down $0.13 during trading on Monday, hitting $76.84. 1,052,895 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,324,686. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.30. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $68.39 and a 52-week high of $91.98. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $76.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $80.31. The company has a market cap of $17.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.50, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.00.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.83 by ($0.02). Principal Financial Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 14.68%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.65 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 8.5 EPS for the current year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This is a positive change from Principal Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.96%. Principal Financial Group's payout ratio is 65.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Principal Financial Group from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays reduced their price target on Principal Financial Group from $80.00 to $76.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Principal Financial Group from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Principal Financial Group from $67.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Principal Financial Group from $68.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Principal Financial Group presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $83.85.

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.