Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund Buys 4,100 Shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund grew its position in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) by 4.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 107,751 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 4,100 shares during the period. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund’s holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $8,341,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PFG. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Principal Financial Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Principal Financial Group by 53.6% in the 4th quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 559 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth $46,000. Institutional investors own 75.08% of the company’s stock.

Principal Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of PFG opened at $85.11 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $19.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.22. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $80.82 and a 200-day moving average of $82.62. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a one year low of $72.21 and a one year high of $91.97. 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 Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This is an increase from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. Principal Financial Group’s payout ratio is presently 44.91%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on PFG shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Principal Financial Group from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $91.00 target price on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Principal Financial Group from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $95.00 to $92.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $80.00 target price (down from $86.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Principal Financial Group from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average 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.