StockNews.com Lowers Principal Financial Group (NASDAQ:PFG) to Sell

Principal Financial Group (NASDAQ:PFG – Get Rating) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday.

Several other research analysts have also commented on PFG. 92 Resources reiterated a “downgrade” rating on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Principal Financial Group from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 24th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Principal Financial Group from $88.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Barclays lowered their price target on Principal Financial Group from $92.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Principal Financial Group from $78.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $77.31.

Principal Financial Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ PFG opened at $68.01 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $71.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $77.98. Principal Financial Group has a twelve month low of $61.05 and a twelve month high of $96.17. The company has a market capitalization of $16.51 billion, a PE ratio of 4.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Principal Financial Group (NASDAQ:PFG – Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.54 by ($0.06). Principal Financial Group had a return on equity of 16.04% and a net margin of 24.97%. The firm had revenue of $2.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.22 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.63 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Principal Financial Group will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Kenneth A. Mccullum sold 3,694 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Saturday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.50, for a total value of $256,733.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 29,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,032,458. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Steward Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Principal Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new position in Principal Financial Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Hanseatic Management Services Inc. bought a new stake in Principal Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. 74.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Principal Financial Group Company Profile

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Principal Financial Group, Inc engages in the investment management offering business. It offers financial products and services to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients. It operates its business through following segments: Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Global Investors, Principal International, U.S.