Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Acquires 4,965 Shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

Key Points

• Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its stake in Principal Financial Group by 4.9%, acquiring an additional 4,965 shares, bringing its total holdings to 106,906 shares valued at approximately $9 million.
• Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their holdings in Principal Financial Group, with 75.08% of the stock currently owned by hedge funds and institutional investors.
• Wall Street analysts have differing opinions on the stock, with various target price adjustments and a consensus rating of "Hold," reflecting a price target average of $86.30.

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH boosted its stake in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG - Free Report) by 4.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 106,906 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,965 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH's holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $9,020,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Principal Financial Group by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,466,587 shares of the company's stock valued at $422,074,000 after buying an additional 52,410 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 802.2% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,707,534 shares of the company's stock worth $312,805,000 after purchasing an additional 3,296,608 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,662,918 shares of the company's stock worth $283,546,000 after purchasing an additional 326,604 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $217,021,000. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 12.6% during 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 worth $145,318,000 after purchasing an additional 209,885 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.08% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PFG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating and set a $75.00 target price (up previously from $71.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research report on Monday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of Principal Financial Group from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $87.00.

Principal Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PFG traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $80.38. 509,658 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,393,006. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.29. The company has a market cap of $18.02 billion, a PE ratio of 12.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.99. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $78.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $79.96. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $68.39 and a 1-year high of $91.97.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.19. Principal Financial Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 14.68%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.63 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Principal Financial Group, Inc. will post 8.5 EPS for the current year.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.88%. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. Principal Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.10%.

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.