Principal Financial Group Inc stock declines amid market weakness
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2024
0mins
Principal Financial Group Inc's stock fell by 5.05% as it crossed below the 5-day SMA, reflecting a challenging market environment. The broader market, including the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500, experienced declines of 0.76% and 0.19% respectively, indicating overall market weakness. This sector rotation has led to a downward movement in PFG's stock price, despite some recovery in other tech shares.
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Analyst Views on PFG
Wall Street analysts forecast PFG stock price to fall
9 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
6 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 112.550
Low
74.00
Averages
91.33
High
103.00
Current: 112.550
Low
74.00
Averages
91.33
High
103.00
About PFG
Principal Financial Group, Inc. is a global financial company. The Company offers businesses, individuals, and institutional clients a range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance, through its diverse family of financial services companies. The Company's segments include Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Asset Management, and Benefits and Protection. The Retirement and Income Solutions segment offers workplace savings and retirement solutions, banking, trust and custodial services, individual variable annuities, and pension risk transfer, among others. The Principal Asset Management segment provides global investment solutions to institutional, retirement, retail, and high-net worth investors. The Benefits and Protection segment is organized into Specialty Benefits, which provides group dental, group life insurance, group disability insurance, supplemental health products, and individual disability and life insurance.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Principal Financial Group Acquires Beam Benefits to Enhance Growth
- Acquisition Announcement: Principal Financial Group (PFG) has agreed to acquire Beam Benefits, an employee benefits company serving over 25,000 small businesses, with the deal expected to close in the latter half of 2026, further solidifying PFG's position in the small business market.
- Growth Potential: Beam Benefits is projected to generate approximately $175 million in premiums in 2025, and its cloud-native technology stack supported by AI is rapidly scaling in the small business segment, which is expected to drive PFG's Specialty Benefits unit to achieve the high end of its 5%-9% medium-term target range by 2027.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Amy Friedrich, President of Benefits and Protection at PFG, noted that Beam's digital-first model will enhance customer experience and support continued growth, indicating the company's proactive response to future market demands.
- Stable Financial Targets: Despite the acquisition accelerating premium and fee growth, PFG's capital deployment and earnings per share growth targets for 2026 remain unchanged, with expected EPS growth between 9%-12%, demonstrating the company's confidence in its financial health.
See More
Key Wall Street Rating Updates on Tuesday
- Deutsche Bank Upgrade: Deutsche Bank upgraded First Solar from hold to buy, citing its compelling fundamentals and strong balance sheet, making it an attractive option for investors in the U.S. panel production sector.
- TD Cowen Initiations: TD Cowen initiated coverage on US Foods, Chefs' Warehouse, and Performance Foods with buy ratings, projecting USFD to achieve 5% revenue growth and 20% EPS growth in the medium term, highlighting its diversified exposure to high-margin subsegments.
- Morgan Stanley on Kingsoft Cloud: Morgan Stanley initiated Kingsoft Cloud as overweight, noting its successful transition from a mid-tier cloud player to an AI cloud provider, with accelerating revenue and improving profitability supported by Xiaomi and Kingsoft Group's ecosystem.
- Goldman Sachs on Rentokil: Goldman Sachs upgraded Rentokil from neutral to buy, expecting steady improvement in organic growth in pest services, aiming for mid-single-digit organic growth by 2027 as the company's growth strategy takes effect.
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U.S. Stocks Close Mixed as Chipmakers Weigh on Market
- Mixed Market Performance: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.10% and the Nasdaq 100 index dropped by 0.43%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.35%, indicating a divergence in market sentiment, particularly under pressure from chipmakers.
- Chip Sector Pressure: Ahead of Micron Technology's earnings report, chipmakers saw declines, reflecting market concerns over AI infrastructure demand, despite Micron's stock rising over 260% this year, highlighting the volatility in tech stocks.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices sank to a 3.5-month low, leading to a drop in bond yields, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling to 4.40%, benefiting sectors like homebuilders and airlines by enhancing profit outlooks amid lower fuel costs.
- Decline in New Home Sales: U.S. May new home sales unexpectedly fell by 7.3% to 580,000 units, below the expected 640,000, indicating weakness in the housing market that could affect future economic growth expectations.
See More
Analysis of Stock Price Movements for Multiple Companies
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Principal Financial Group's stock fell 4% after Bank of America downgraded its rating from neutral to underperform, with analysts forecasting a slowdown in operating income growth over the next 12 months, indicating a decline in previously healthy growth expectations following significant valuation increases.
- Energy Sector Decline: The energy sector within the S&P 500 dropped 2% as West Texas Intermediate crude futures briefly fell to $69.63 per barrel, causing APA Corp, Halliburton, and ConocoPhillips to decline over 3%, reflecting market concerns about energy demand.
- Travel Stocks Surge: Travel-related companies saw stock prices rise as oil prices tumbled, with Expedia Group gaining 9% and Booking Holdings increasing by 8%, suggesting a growing optimism in the recovery of the travel sector.
- Cerebras Earnings Report Disappointment: Cerebras shares plummeted 16% after its first earnings report revealed a Q1 loss of 22 cents on revenues of $193.4 million, with expectations of a gross margin decline to 36%-38% in Q2, highlighting the financial pressures the company faces.
See More
US Stocks Rebound as Tech Shares Benefit from AI Demand
- Market Rebound: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.72%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.82%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index climbed by 0.50%, indicating a recovery from Tuesday's sharp selloff as investors look to Micron Technology's earnings report to assess AI market performance.
- Micron Technology Gains: Micron's stock has surged over 260% this year, positioning the company as a major beneficiary of the soaring demand for AI infrastructure, which has attracted significant investor interest and reflects its strong market position.
- Housing Bill Impact: The passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act by Congress has led to gains for homebuilders and building suppliers, with KB Home and Builders Firstsource rising over 16% and 11% respectively, highlighting the positive impact of policy support on the industry.
- Crude Oil Price Drop: WTI crude oil prices fell more than 4% to a 3.5-month low, lowering inflation expectations and boosting stock markets, particularly benefiting airline and cruise line stocks due to reduced fuel costs, demonstrating the influence of energy market fluctuations on the broader economy.
See More
U.S. Stocks Edge Up as Tech Earnings Awaited
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.12%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.21%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index gained 0.06%, indicating a gradual recovery from Tuesday's sharp selloff, with investors keenly awaiting Micron Technology's earnings report to assess AI market performance.
- Micron Technology's Gains: Micron's stock has surged over 260% this year, making it a key beneficiary of the soaring demand for AI infrastructure, with expectations of substantial profits from billions in investments, further boosting its stock price and market confidence.
- Housing Sector Boost: Following the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, homebuilders and building suppliers saw significant stock increases, with KB Home up over 16% and Builders Firstsource up over 9%, reflecting the potential for industry recovery driven by policy support.
- Crude Oil Price Decline: WTI crude prices fell more than 3% to a 3.5-month low, which lowered inflation expectations and pushed the 10-year Treasury yield down by 7 basis points to 4.42%, providing positive support for the stock market, particularly improving the profitability outlook for airlines and cruise operators.
See More
Principal Financial Group Acquires Beam Benefits to Enhance Growth
- Acquisition Announcement: Principal Financial Group (PFG) has agreed to acquire Beam Benefits, an employee benefits company serving over 25,000 small businesses, with the deal expected to close in the latter half of 2026, further solidifying PFG's position in the small business market.
- Growth Potential: Beam Benefits is projected to generate approximately $175 million in premiums in 2025, and its cloud-native technology stack supported by AI is rapidly scaling in the small business segment, which is expected to drive PFG's Specialty Benefits unit to achieve the high end of its 5%-9% medium-term target range by 2027.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Amy Friedrich, President of Benefits and Protection at PFG, noted that Beam's digital-first model will enhance customer experience and support continued growth, indicating the company's proactive response to future market demands.
- Stable Financial Targets: Despite the acquisition accelerating premium and fee growth, PFG's capital deployment and earnings per share growth targets for 2026 remain unchanged, with expected EPS growth between 9%-12%, demonstrating the company's confidence in its financial health.
See More
Key Wall Street Rating Updates on Tuesday
- Deutsche Bank Upgrade: Deutsche Bank upgraded First Solar from hold to buy, citing its compelling fundamentals and strong balance sheet, making it an attractive option for investors in the U.S. panel production sector.
- TD Cowen Initiations: TD Cowen initiated coverage on US Foods, Chefs' Warehouse, and Performance Foods with buy ratings, projecting USFD to achieve 5% revenue growth and 20% EPS growth in the medium term, highlighting its diversified exposure to high-margin subsegments.
- Morgan Stanley on Kingsoft Cloud: Morgan Stanley initiated Kingsoft Cloud as overweight, noting its successful transition from a mid-tier cloud player to an AI cloud provider, with accelerating revenue and improving profitability supported by Xiaomi and Kingsoft Group's ecosystem.
- Goldman Sachs on Rentokil: Goldman Sachs upgraded Rentokil from neutral to buy, expecting steady improvement in organic growth in pest services, aiming for mid-single-digit organic growth by 2027 as the company's growth strategy takes effect.
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Mixed as Chipmakers Weigh on Market
- Mixed Market Performance: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.10% and the Nasdaq 100 index dropped by 0.43%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.35%, indicating a divergence in market sentiment, particularly under pressure from chipmakers.
- Chip Sector Pressure: Ahead of Micron Technology's earnings report, chipmakers saw declines, reflecting market concerns over AI infrastructure demand, despite Micron's stock rising over 260% this year, highlighting the volatility in tech stocks.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices sank to a 3.5-month low, leading to a drop in bond yields, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling to 4.40%, benefiting sectors like homebuilders and airlines by enhancing profit outlooks amid lower fuel costs.
- Decline in New Home Sales: U.S. May new home sales unexpectedly fell by 7.3% to 580,000 units, below the expected 640,000, indicating weakness in the housing market that could affect future economic growth expectations.
See More
Analysis of Stock Price Movements for Multiple Companies
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Principal Financial Group's stock fell 4% after Bank of America downgraded its rating from neutral to underperform, with analysts forecasting a slowdown in operating income growth over the next 12 months, indicating a decline in previously healthy growth expectations following significant valuation increases.
- Energy Sector Decline: The energy sector within the S&P 500 dropped 2% as West Texas Intermediate crude futures briefly fell to $69.63 per barrel, causing APA Corp, Halliburton, and ConocoPhillips to decline over 3%, reflecting market concerns about energy demand.
- Travel Stocks Surge: Travel-related companies saw stock prices rise as oil prices tumbled, with Expedia Group gaining 9% and Booking Holdings increasing by 8%, suggesting a growing optimism in the recovery of the travel sector.
- Cerebras Earnings Report Disappointment: Cerebras shares plummeted 16% after its first earnings report revealed a Q1 loss of 22 cents on revenues of $193.4 million, with expectations of a gross margin decline to 36%-38% in Q2, highlighting the financial pressures the company faces.
See More
US Stocks Rebound as Tech Shares Benefit from AI Demand
- Market Rebound: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.72%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.82%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index climbed by 0.50%, indicating a recovery from Tuesday's sharp selloff as investors look to Micron Technology's earnings report to assess AI market performance.
- Micron Technology Gains: Micron's stock has surged over 260% this year, positioning the company as a major beneficiary of the soaring demand for AI infrastructure, which has attracted significant investor interest and reflects its strong market position.
- Housing Bill Impact: The passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act by Congress has led to gains for homebuilders and building suppliers, with KB Home and Builders Firstsource rising over 16% and 11% respectively, highlighting the positive impact of policy support on the industry.
- Crude Oil Price Drop: WTI crude oil prices fell more than 4% to a 3.5-month low, lowering inflation expectations and boosting stock markets, particularly benefiting airline and cruise line stocks due to reduced fuel costs, demonstrating the influence of energy market fluctuations on the broader economy.
See More
U.S. Stocks Edge Up as Tech Earnings Awaited
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.12%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.21%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index gained 0.06%, indicating a gradual recovery from Tuesday's sharp selloff, with investors keenly awaiting Micron Technology's earnings report to assess AI market performance.
- Micron Technology's Gains: Micron's stock has surged over 260% this year, making it a key beneficiary of the soaring demand for AI infrastructure, with expectations of substantial profits from billions in investments, further boosting its stock price and market confidence.
- Housing Sector Boost: Following the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, homebuilders and building suppliers saw significant stock increases, with KB Home up over 16% and Builders Firstsource up over 9%, reflecting the potential for industry recovery driven by policy support.
- Crude Oil Price Decline: WTI crude prices fell more than 3% to a 3.5-month low, which lowered inflation expectations and pushed the 10-year Treasury yield down by 7 basis points to 4.42%, providing positive support for the stock market, particularly improving the profitability outlook for airlines and cruise operators.
See More
