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 September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnPFG vs SYF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
PFG +237.5% (+12.9%/yr)SYF +263.3% (+13.8%/yr)SYF compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$337$363
PFG SYF

PFG vs SYF: by the numbers

  • PFG is the larger company ($24.87B vs $24.72B market cap).
  • SYF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (7.79 vs 16.52 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • SYF converts more revenue to profit (18.56% vs 9.86% net margin).
  • SYF grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.25% vs 2.57% CAGR).
  • PFG pays the higher dividend yield (2.80% vs 1.60%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricPFGSYF
P/E ratio16.527.79
Forward P/E12.088.13
P/S ratio1.581.30
P/B ratio2.051.46

Profitability

MetricPFGSYF
Gross margin48.54%52.26%
Operating margin12.13%24.34%
Net margin9.86%18.56%
ROE12.74%20.82%

Dividends

MetricPFGSYF
Dividend yield2.80%1.60%
Payout ratio45.38%12.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPFGSYF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.57%10.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.93%32.61%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.81%13.16%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, PFG or SYF?
SYF has the lower trailing P/E: PFG trades at 16.52 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 2.57% CAGR versus SYF at 10.25%.
Does PFG or SYF pay a bigger dividend?
PFG yields 2.80% and SYF yields 1.60% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PFG or SYF more profitable?
SYF runs the higher net margin — PFG at 9.86% versus SYF at 18.56%.
How have PFG and SYF total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, PFG delivered 13.07% and SYF delivered 13.77% annualized total return. 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 September 10, 2026.