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.

Compare

Total returnPFG vs SYF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 12y
PFG +235.2%SYF +301.1%SYF compounded faster
100200300400500Start $100201620182020202220242026$335$401
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

MetricPFGSYF
P/E ratio15.947.79
Forward P/E11.748.05
P/S ratio1.591.31
P/B ratio2.081.58
PEG ratio17.141.09

Profitability

MetricPFGSYF
Gross margin48.68%51.04%
Operating margin12.36%22.85%
Net margin10.03%18.08%
ROE13.12%21.85%
ROIC0.39%9.36%

Dividends

MetricPFGSYF
Dividend yield2.87%1.59%
Payout ratio59.96%12.83%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPFGSYF
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.

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.