Blueshift Asset Management LLC Has $554,000 Stake in Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG)

Blueshift Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) by 76.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,152 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 3,093 shares during the period. Blueshift Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Principal Financial Group were worth $554,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Principal Financial Group by 66.2% during the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 24,932 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,137,000 after buying an additional 9,933 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Principal Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at $771,000. Columbus Macro LLC increased its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group by 46.7% in the fourth quarter. Columbus Macro LLC now owns 25,653 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,986,000 after purchasing an additional 8,169 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group by 358.7% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 16,328 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,403,000 after purchasing an additional 12,768 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lecap Asset Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Principal Financial Group by 135.6% in the fourth quarter. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. now owns 22,469 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,739,000 after purchasing an additional 12,933 shares during the last quarter. 75.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Principal Financial Group Trading Down 0.3 %

PFG opened at $84.13 on Friday. Principal Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $72.21 and a twelve month high of $91.98. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $83.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $83.43. 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 $18.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.17.

Principal Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.75 per share. This is a boost from Principal Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.57%. Principal Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.91%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PFG has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Principal Financial Group from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down from $86.00) on shares of Principal Financial Group in a report on Thursday, December 5th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Principal Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $93.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Principal Financial Group from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Principal Financial Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $85.92.

About Principal Financial Group

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.