Principal Financial Group (PFG) vs Unum Group (UNM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Principal Financial Group (PFG) has outperformed Unum Group (UNM) over the past year, gaining 34.2% versus a gain of 17.8%. Over five years, UNM leads with a +237.1% price change compared with +59.9% for PFG. Principal Financial Group is the larger company by market cap ($23.50 billion vs $14.67 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Unum Group is growing revenue faster (+1.5% vs -3.1%).
On valuation, Unum Group trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 10.7x for Principal Financial Group). Principal Financial Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.91% vs 2.03%). Principal Financial Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.6% versus 5.6%.
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 | PFG | UNM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $109.77 | $92.64 |
| Market cap | $23.50B | $14.67B |
| 1-day change | +0.96% | -0.60% |
| YTD return | +24.44% | +19.54% |
| 1-year return | +34.24% | +17.83% |
| 5-year return | +59.90% | +237.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.64 | 21.64 |
| Forward P/E | 10.71 | 9.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.02 | $4.28 |
| Dividend yield | 2.91% | 2.03% |
| Annual dividend | $3.19 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.63B | $13.08B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.11% | +1.46% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.19B | $738.50M |
| Net margin | 7.58% | 5.65% |
| 52-week high | $121.18 | $96.77 |
| 52-week low | $77.90 | $69.02 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.42% | -4.27% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.65% | +9.94% |
| Average volume | 1.39M | 1.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 214.10M | 158.31M |
| Employees | 19,700 | 10,684 |
| 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
- PFG has outperformed UNM by 16.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Unum Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.6x vs 15.6x trailing P/E).
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
About Unum Group
UNM stock →Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segments.
Finance · Accident &Health Insurance · 10,684 employees
PFG vs UNM FAQ
Which is bigger, Principal Financial Group or Unum Group?
Principal Financial Group (PFG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $23.50B compared with $14.67B for Unum Group (UNM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PFG or UNM?
PFG returned +34.24% over the past 12 months, compared with +17.83% for UNM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PFG or UNM?
PFG has the lower trailing P/E at 15.6, versus 21.6 for UNM. 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, Principal Financial Group or Unum Group?
Principal Financial Group has the higher yield at 2.91%, compared with 2.03% for Unum Group.
Are Principal Financial Group and Unum Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Accident &Health Insurance industry within the Finance sector.