Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) Shares Acquired by Cwm LLC

CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 46.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,010 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 6,017 shares during the quarter. CWM LLC's holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $1,604,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,466,587 shares of the company's stock worth $422,074,000 after buying an additional 52,410 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,662,918 shares of the company's stock valued at $283,546,000 after acquiring an additional 326,604 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $217,021,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its position in Principal Financial Group by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,877,246 shares of the company's stock valued at $145,318,000 after buying an additional 209,885 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 73.5% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,482,053 shares of the company's stock worth $114,726,000 after purchasing an additional 627,865 shares during the last quarter. 75.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Principal Financial Group Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of Principal Financial Group stock traded up $1.02 on Tuesday, hitting $79.76. 306,116 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,313,612. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $78.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $79.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $68.39 and a 12-month high of $91.98. The company has a market cap of $17.88 billion, a PE ratio of 11.94, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.99.

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

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This is a boost 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 3.81%. Principal Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.10%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $93.00 to $80.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating and issued a $75.00 price objective (up previously from $71.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $92.00 to $101.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $84.82.

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.