Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)
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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
PFG
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
$114.09Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$77.12Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — PFG vs SYF
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 12yPFG +235.2%SYF +301.1%SYF compounded faster
PFG SYF
PFG vs SYF: by the numbers
- •SYF is the larger company ($25.09B vs $24.64B market cap).
- •SYF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (7.79 vs 15.94 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 1.59%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 15.94 | 7.79 |
| Forward P/E | 11.74 | 8.05 |
| P/S ratio | 1.59 | 1.31 |
| P/B ratio | 2.08 | 1.58 |
| PEG ratio | 17.14 | 1.09 |
Profitability
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.68% | 51.04% |
| Operating margin | 12.36% | 22.85% |
| Net margin | 10.03% | 18.08% |
| ROE | 13.12% | 21.85% |
| ROIC | 0.39% | 9.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.87% | 1.59% |
| Payout ratio | 59.96% | 12.83% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.90% | 10.42% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.93% | 32.61% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.29% | 12.65% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, PFG or SYF?
- SYF has the lower trailing P/E: PFG trades at 15.94 and SYF at 7.79. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 1.59% 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%.
- How have PFG and SYF total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, PFG delivered 13.72% and SYF delivered 13.26% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Principal Financial P/E ratioSynchrony Financial P/E ratioPrincipal Financial dividend yieldSynchrony Financial dividend yieldPrincipal Financial ROESynchrony Financial ROEPrincipal Financial operating marginSynchrony Financial operating marginPrincipal Financial revenue growthSynchrony Financial revenue growthPrincipal Financial free cash flowSynchrony Financial free cash flow
Principal Financial & Synchrony Financial appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.