Principal Financial Group IncNasdaq: PFG
Financials · Life & Health Insurance
$101.35
+0.43%
Vol: 766K
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Principal Financial Q1 beats with double-digit earnings growth and 8% dividend hike
Q1 2026 delivered double-digit earnings growth, margin expansion, and strong capital returns. Tim Brown named new general counsel effective June 8. AM Best affirmed credit ratings with stable outlook. Evercore ISI raised price target to $108 from $106. Guidance confirms strong capital returns and continued growth momentum.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Principal Financial reported Q1 2026 diluted EPS of $1.93 versus $0.21 prior year and announced 8% dividend increase with 12th consecutive quarterly dividend increase.Positive▶
Principal Financial delivered strong Q1 2026 results with diluted EPS jumping to $1.93 from $0.21 YoY, driven by favorable underwriting in Benefits and Protection and improved mortality results. Non-GAAP adjusted EPS grew 13% above target range guidance. Total expenses fell sharply to $3.05B from $3.67B, significantly improving profitability. Company declared 8% dividend increase and 12th consecutive quarterly dividend increase, continuing long dividend growth track record. Evercore ISI raised price target to $108 from $106 on April 27. Company named World's Most Ethical Companies for 15th time.
Apr 29Principal Financial beats Q1 2026 earnings expectations; net income surges to $424.6M, EPS doubles to $1.93, 8% dividend increase announcedPositive▶
Principal Financial Group delivered strong Q1 2026 results with income before taxes jumping to $481.8M from $28.9M and net income surging to $424.6M from $48.1M year-over-year. Diluted EPS nearly doubled to $1.93 from $0.21, beating expectations on adjusted earnings. Company announced 8% dividend increase and announced sizeable capital returns through share repurchases. AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) Financial Strength Rating with stable outlook. Evercore ISI raised price target to $108 from $106 on April 27. Piper Sandler maintained Buy rating on April 24. Pre-market price at $100.51 (+0.42%).
Apr 16Principal Financial Group is set to report Q1 2026 earnings on April 23, 2026 with 2026 EPS guidance of $9.20-$9.45.Neutral▶
Principal Financial Group provided 2026 EPS outlook of $9.20-$9.45 and showed strong growth metrics including 12% increase in adjusted EPS with elevated ROE target of 15%-17%. The company announced acquisition of DentaNet in March 2026 and partnered with Barings on new $1 billion portfolio finance initiative. As of April 14, 2026, PFG trades at $93.55 with 52-week range of $69.80 to $97.88. The company is expected to report Q1 2026 financial results on April 23, 2026 with analysts expecting 12.2% increase in adjusted EPS. The average analyst rating is Hold with 12-month price target of $93.0.
Apr 15Principal Financial Group scheduled to report Q1 2026 results on April 23; Barclays lowered price target to $84.Neutral▶
Principal Financial Group will release Q1 2026 financial results after markets close on April 23 with earnings call April 24. Analysts expecting a 12.2% increase in adjusted EPS. Barclays reduced price target from $85 to $84 while maintaining underweight. Consensus from 13 brokerage firms is Hold with average target of $94.25.
Apr 14Barclays cuts PFG price target to $84 with Underweight rating; Q1 2026 earnings due April 23.Negative▶
Barclays reduced target from $85 to $84 on April 8 maintaining Underweight. Company set to report Q1 2026 April 23 with 12.2% adjusted EPS increase expected and 15%-17% ROE targets. Wells Fargo upgraded to Equal-Weight with $91 target in February. Consensus Hold with $94.25 target.
Apr 13Principal Financial scheduled to report Q1 2026 earnings April 23; Barclays maintaining Underweight rating with price target cut to $84.Mixed▶
Principal Financial Group will release Q1 2026 earnings after market close on April 23. Analysts forecast 12.2% increase in adjusted EPS. Barclays cut price target from $85 to $84 (Underweight). Wells Fargo upgraded to Equal-Weight with PT $91. Consensus Hold from 13 firms with average PT $94.25.
Apr 10Barclays Cuts Target; Principal Financial Q1 Earnings April 23Neutral▶
Barclays reduced target from $85 to $84, Underweight. Q1 results April 23. Analysts expect $2.03 EPS, up 12.2% YoY.
Apr 9Barclays cuts Principal Financial price target to $84 amid analyst debateMixed▶
Barclays lowered Principal Financial Group's price target from $85 to $84 with underweight rating, but other analysts remain more optimistic. Piper Sandler raised target to $100 with overweight rating; Wells Fargo upgraded to equal weight at $91. Q1 2026 earnings expected April 23 with 12.2% EPS growth projected. Average analyst rating is "Hold" at $93.0 target.
Apr 8Principal Financial schedules Q1 2026 earnings for April 23; analysts expect 12.2% EPS growth.Neutral▶
PFG Q1 results April 23. Expected EPS $2.03 (+12.2%). Stock $90.10. Re-initiated Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette March 26.
Apr 7Principal Financial Targets 12% EPS Growth and Acquires DentaNet in Strategic ExpansionPositive▶
Principal Financial reported FY2025 net income of $1.2B ($5.25/diluted share) with non-GAAP operating earnings of $1.9B ($8.27/diluted share, up 19% YoY). Announced DentaNet acquisition in March 2026. Management set 2026 targets: EPS growth 9-12%, ROE 15-17%, 75-85% free capital conversion. Q1 2026 earnings due April 23, 2026.
Apr 6Principal Financial reports strong growth with 12% EPS increase, Q1 2026 results due April 23Positive▶
Principal Financial Group announced full-year and Q4 2025 results on February 9, 2026, showcasing 12% adjusted EPS growth and a target ROE elevation to 15%-17%. The company is focusing on small and midsize businesses while enhancing AI capabilities for productivity. Q1 2026 results are scheduled for April 23, with analysts expecting a 12.2% EPS increase. Principal was recognized as a 2026 World's Most Ethical Company and partnered with Barings on a new $1 billion private credit portfolio finance initiative. Ten analysts maintain a Hold rating with a 12-month price target of $93.00 (9.32% upside).
Apr 3No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours. Principal Financial Group is set to release Q1 2026 results on April 23. Analysts expect adjusted EPS of $2.03 (12.2% growth YoY). Named one of 2026 World's Most Ethical Companies.
Apr 2Principal Financial sets Q1 2026 earnings release for April 23; expects 12.2% adjusted EPS growth.Neutral▶
Principal Financial Group trades at $90.08 USD with $19.53B market cap and 3.5% dividend yield. The company raised its Q1 2026 common stock dividend and is set to report Q1 2026 results on April 23, with analysts expecting 12.2% adjusted EPS growth. PFG raised full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $9.20–$9.45 and targets elevated ROE of 15%-17%. Leadership transition: Deanna Strable succeeded Dan Houston as President/CEO in January 2025. Analysts rate PFG as 'Hold' with 12-month target of $93.00 (9.32% upside).
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFLAFLAC | $112.86 | -0.71% | +3.1% | 14.7x | 0.65 | $58.6B |
| METMETLIFE | $80.37 | +0.34% | +12.8% | 7.3x | 0.73 | $52.2B |
| PRUPRUDENTIAL | $98.74 | +0.64% | +0.3% | 6.7x | 0.94 | $34.1B |
| PFGPRINCIPAL | $101.35 | +0.43% | +10.8% | 9.9x | 0.88 | $21.8B |
| GLGLOBE | $152.80 | -0.98% | +7.6% | 9.3x | 0.47 | $12.1B |
| BRK.BBERKSHIRE | $474.00 | +0.08% | -0.6% | 21.8x | 0.70 | $1.02T |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.