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.
PFG
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
$116.17Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$75.99Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — PFG vs SYF
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yPFG +237.5% (+12.9%/yr)SYF +263.3% (+13.8%/yr)SYF compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.52 | 7.79 |
| Forward P/E | 12.08 | 8.13 |
| P/S ratio | 1.58 | 1.30 |
| P/B ratio | 2.05 | 1.46 |
Profitability
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.54% | 52.26% |
| Operating margin | 12.13% | 24.34% |
| Net margin | 9.86% | 18.56% |
| ROE | 12.74% | 20.82% |
Dividends
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.80% | 1.60% |
| Payout ratio | 45.38% | 12.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 growth
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 September 10, 2026.