AFLAC (AFL) vs Principal Financial Group (PFG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Principal Financial Group (PFG) has outperformed AFLAC (AFL) over the past year, gaining 30.1% versus a loss of 0.2%. Over five years, AFL leads with a +103.0% price change compared with +58.4% for PFG. AFLAC is the larger company by market cap ($56.54 billion vs $23.24 billion), about 2.4 times the size, while Principal Financial Group is growing revenue faster (-3.1% vs -9.3%).
On valuation, Principal Financial Group trades at a lower forward P/E (10.5x vs 14.9x for AFLAC). Principal Financial Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.94% vs 2.11%). AFLAC converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.2% versus 7.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AFL | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $112.77 | $108.55 |
| Market cap | $56.54B | $23.24B |
| 1-day change | +0.03% | -0.17% |
| YTD return | +2.24% | +23.26% |
| 1-year return | -0.17% | +30.11% |
| 5-year return | +102.95% | +58.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.13 | 15.46 |
| Forward P/E | 14.87 | 10.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.30 | $7.02 |
| Dividend yield | 2.11% | 2.94% |
| Annual dividend | $2.38 | $3.19 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $17.16B | $15.63B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -9.31% | -3.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.65B | $1.19B |
| Net margin | 21.24% | 7.58% |
| 52-week high | $130.22 | $121.18 |
| 52-week low | $105.43 | $77.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.40% | -10.42% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.75% | +2.79% |
| Average volume | 2.05M | 1.40M |
| Shares outstanding | 501.34M | 214.10M |
| Employees | 12,716 | 19,700 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Accident &Health Insurance | Accident &Health Insurance |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AFLAC is about 2.4 times larger than Principal Financial Group by market value ($56.54B vs $23.24B).
- PFG has outperformed AFL by 30.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Principal Financial Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.5x vs 12.1x trailing P/E).
- AFLAC is more profitable, keeping 21.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.6 cents for Principal Financial Group.
- Principal Financial Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (-3.11% vs -9.31%).
About AFLAC
AFL stock →Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S.
Finance · Accident &Health Insurance · 12,716 employees
About Principal Financial Group
PFG stock →Principal Financial Group, Inc. provides retirement, asset management, and insurance products and services to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients worldwide.
Finance · Accident &Health Insurance · 19,700 employees
AFL vs PFG FAQ
Which is bigger, AFLAC or Principal Financial Group?
AFLAC (AFL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $56.54B compared with $23.24B for Principal Financial Group (PFG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AFL or PFG?
PFG returned +30.11% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.17% for AFL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AFL or PFG?
AFL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.1, versus 15.5 for PFG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLAC or Principal Financial Group?
Principal Financial Group has the higher yield at 2.94%, compared with 2.11% for AFLAC.
Are AFLAC and Principal Financial Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Accident &Health Insurance industry within the Finance sector.