With a market cap of $23.8 billion, Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) is a financial services heavyweight helping businesses and individuals build wealth, prepare for retirement, and manage financial risks. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company operates across three key businesses: Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Asset Management, and Benefits and Protection.
Principal is ready to announce its fiscal Q3 2026 earnings release on Monday, Oct. 26, after the market closes. Analysts expect PFG to report an adjusted EPS of $2.54 for the quarter, a 21% rise from $2.10 in the prior year's quarter. However, the company has had a mixed earnings track record, beating estimates twice in the past four quarters while falling short two other times.
Looking further ahead, analysts expect PFG to maintain its earnings momentum. For fiscal 2026, analysts forecast the insurance and asset management company to post adjusted EPS of $9.65, a 16.7% increase from $8.27 in fiscal 2025.
Shares of Principal Financial have gained 30.3% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) nearly 16% return and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLF) marginal rise over the same period.
Principal Financial Group completed its acquisition of Beam Benefits on Sept. 1, expanding its employee benefits business serving more than 25,000 small businesses. Beam’s digital-first platform is expected to strengthen Principal’s Benefits and Protection segment by simplifying benefits enrollment, quoting, and administration while improving the experience for employers and brokers. Beam’s leadership team and more than 200 employees joined Principal, while its customers will continue receiving uninterrupted service. Its shares rose 1.8% in the next trading session.
Analysts' consensus view on PFG stock is cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall. Among 14 analysts covering the stock, one recommend "Strong Buy," one “Moderate Buy,” 10 suggest "Hold," one “Moderate Sell,” and one has a “Strong Sell” rating. The average analyst price target is $112.08, suggesting a potential upside of 2.2% from current levels.
On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.