Principal Financial Group, Inc. $PFG Shares Bought by GW Henssler & Associates Ltd.

Key Points

• GW Henssler & Associates Ltd. increased its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 4.2%, now owning 209,494 shares worth approximately $17.7 million.
• Multiple institutional investors have also made new purchases of shares in Principal Financial Group, contributing to a total of 75.08% institutional ownership.
• The company recently reported robust earnings of $2.16 per share, surpassing estimates, and announced a dividend increase to $0.78 per share with a yield of 3.9%.

GW Henssler & Associates Ltd. raised its position in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 4.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 209,494 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 8,403 shares during the quarter. GW Henssler & Associates Ltd. owned approximately 0.09% of Principal Financial Group worth $17,675,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. von Borstel & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Principal Financial Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in Principal Financial Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the first quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the first quarter worth approximately $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Principal Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of PFG traded up $1.12 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $81.30. 1,001,406 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,392,038. 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 $18.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.03. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $68.39 and a fifty-two week high of $91.97. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $79.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $79.27.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The company reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.19. Principal Financial Group had a return on equity of 14.68% and a net margin of 9.74%.During the same period last year, the business posted $1.63 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 8.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.78 per share. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 4th. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Principal Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.78%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Principal Financial Group from $73.00 to $72.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays upped their price objective on Principal Financial Group from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Principal Financial Group from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $92.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $85.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $86.90.

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.