CNO Financial Group (CNO) 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
CNO Financial Group (CNO) has outperformed Principal Financial Group (PFG) over the past year, gaining 33.1% versus a gain of 30.1%. Over five years, CNO leads with a +105.9% price change compared with +58.4% for PFG. Principal Financial Group is the larger company by market cap ($23.28 billion vs $4.90 billion), about 4.7 times the size, while CNO Financial Group is growing revenue faster (+0.9% vs -3.1%).
On valuation, CNO Financial Group trades at a lower forward P/E (10.5x vs 10.6x for Principal Financial Group). Principal Financial Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.93% vs 1.30%). Principal Financial Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.6% versus 5.1%.
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 | CNO | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $52.99 | $108.73 |
| Market cap | $4.90B | $23.28B |
| 1-day change | -1.94% | -0.88% |
| YTD return | +24.77% | +23.26% |
| 1-year return | +33.07% | +30.11% |
| 5-year return | +105.95% | +58.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.34 | 15.49 |
| Forward P/E | 10.54 | 10.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.89 | $7.02 |
| Dividend yield | 1.30% | 2.93% |
| Annual dividend | $0.69 | $3.19 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.49B | $15.63B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.85% | -3.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $229.30M | $1.19B |
| Operating margin | 12.33% | — |
| Net margin | 5.11% | 7.58% |
| 52-week high | $57.59 | $121.18 |
| 52-week low | $38.22 | $77.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.99% | -10.27% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.43% | +2.62% |
| Average volume | 880.93K | 1.40M |
| Shares outstanding | 92.52M | 214.10M |
| Employees | 3,200 | 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
- Principal Financial Group is about 4.7 times larger than CNO Financial Group by market value ($23.28B vs $4.90B).
- Principal Financial Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.93% vs 1.30%).
About CNO Financial Group
CNO stock →CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and other insurance products, and financial services for middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individual consumers through phone, virtually, online, and face-to-face with agents.
Finance · Accident &Health Insurance · 3,200 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
CNO vs PFG FAQ
Which is bigger, CNO Financial Group or Principal Financial Group?
Principal Financial Group (PFG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $23.28B compared with $4.90B for CNO Financial Group (CNO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNO or PFG?
CNO returned +33.07% over the past 12 months, compared with +30.11% for PFG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNO or PFG?
PFG has the lower trailing P/E at 15.5, versus 18.3 for CNO. 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, CNO Financial Group or Principal Financial Group?
Principal Financial Group has the higher yield at 2.93%, compared with 1.30% for CNO Financial Group.
Are CNO Financial Group and Principal Financial Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Accident &Health Insurance industry within the Finance sector.