Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)

SYF leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Principal Financial Group, Inc. and Synchrony Financial across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — PFG vs SYF

growth of $100 · last 12y
PFG +123.7%SYF +219.0%SYF compounded faster
100200300400Start $100201620182020202220242026$224$319
PFG SYF

PFG vs SYF: by the numbers

  • SYF is the larger company ($24.68B vs $24.00B market cap).
  • SYF trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.59 vs 15.92 P/E).
  • SYF converts more revenue to profit (18.08% vs 10.03% net margin).
  • SYF grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.42% vs 2.90% CAGR).
  • PFG pays the higher dividend yield (2.87% vs 1.64%).

Which is better, PFG or SYF?

Metric tally: PFG 3 · SYF 14

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSYF(lower P/E)
GrowthSYF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePFG(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYF(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPFGSYF
P/E ratio15.927.59
Forward P/E11.917.90
P/S ratio1.581.27
P/B ratio2.071.54
PEG ratio17.121.02
EV / EBITDA12.764.30
FCF yield14.84%38.76%

Profitability

MetricPFGSYF
Gross margin48.68%61.08%
Operating margin12.36%22.85%
Net margin10.03%18.08%
ROE13.12%21.85%
ROIC0.37%9.36%

Dividends

MetricPFGSYF
Dividend yield2.87%1.64%
Payout ratio59.96%12.83%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPFGSYF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.90%10.42%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.93%32.61%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.78%4.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.40%10.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PFG or SYF?
It depends on your goal. value: SYF (lower P/E); growth: SYF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PFG (higher dividend yield); quality: SYF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYF leads 14 to 3.
Is PFG or SYF cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SYF is cheaper: PFG trades at a 15.92 P/E and SYF at 7.59.
Which has grown faster, PFG or SYF?
Over the past five years, SYF grew revenue faster — PFG at a 2.90% CAGR versus SYF at 10.42%.
Does PFG or SYF pay a bigger dividend?
PFG yields 2.87% and SYF yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PFG or SYF more profitable?
SYF runs the higher net margin — PFG at 10.03% versus SYF at 18.08%.
Which has been the better investment, PFG or SYF?
Over the past 10-year, PFG delivered the higher annualized total return — PFG at 14.26% versus SYF at 11.66%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.