PFG Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis
Higher than 40% of Financial Services sector peers
Updated 853h ago·SEC filings & market data
Key Takeaway
Principal Financial Group’s debt-to-equity ratio, which compares total liabilities to shareholder equity, sits at 0.36x, meaning the company carries $0.36 of debt for every $1 of equity.
Sector Performance
40th percentilePFG
0.36x
Sector Median
0.46x
Sector Avg
0.94x
Prior Period
0.33x(Jul 2026)
Deep Analysis
Principal Financial Group’s debt-to-equity ratio, which compares total liabilities to shareholder equity, sits at 0.36x, meaning the company carries $0.36 of debt for every $1 of equity.
That is below the Financial Services sector median of 0.46x and places the firm at the 40th percentile, so it uses less leverage than roughly 60% of peers. Both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter changes are marked as N/A, and no eight-quarter trend is reported, leaving the direction of this ratio unmeasured. The low level alone suggests a conservative balance sheet with lower financial risk than the typical sector peer, but without trend data, there is no evidence of whether that position is improving or deteriorating. For an investor, the combination of a below-median ratio and an unknown trajectory points to a modest defensive quality, yet it offers little signal about momentum. This metric supports the brief’s NEUTRAL verdict because the debt load is neither alarming nor aggressive, and the absence of directional change leaves the risk picture flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Debt-to-Equity Ratio tell investors about PFG?
Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.
How is the Debt-to-Equity Ratio calculated?
Debt-to-Equity Ratio is calculated as: Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity.
How does PFG's Debt-to-Equity Ratio compare to its sector?
PFG's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.36x compares to a Financial Services sector median of 0.46x, placing it in the 40th percentile.
Who are PFG's closest peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio?
The closest Financial Services peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio include: RF (0.39x), HSBC (0.52x), AIZ (0.38x), AMP (0.53x), AFL (0.35x).
Learn More About Debt-to-Equity Ratio
How to Spot a Debt Problem Before It Hits the Stock Price
Learn how to spot a debt problem in stocks using D/E, interest coverage, and net debt/EBITDA ratios. Real examples from META and MSFT, plus danger thresholds you need to know.
Debt/Equity Ratio: How Much Debt Is Too Much?
The debt to equity ratio explained: why context, interest coverage, and sector norms matter far more than the raw number when assessing debt risk.
The Formula
Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity
Why It Matters
Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.
Master PFG's Valuation
Get the complete institutional research report covering all fundamental and technical metrics.
View full PFG research report →PFG
0.36x
Sector Median
0.46x
Sector Avg
0.94x
How PFG's Debt-to-Equity Ratio compares to sector peers.
Also Analyze
Not financial advice. Research tool only. Data may be delayed.