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).
PFG
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
$111.12Financial Services
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$73.36Financial Services
Total return — PFG vs SYF
growth of $100 · last 12yPFG +123.7%SYF +219.0%SYF compounded faster
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 14It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSYF(lower P/E)
GrowthSYF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePFG(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYF(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 15.92 | 7.59● |
| Forward P/E | 11.91 | 7.90● |
| P/S ratio | 1.58 | 1.27● |
| P/B ratio | 2.07 | 1.54● |
| PEG ratio | 17.12 | 1.02● |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.76 | 4.30● |
| FCF yield | 14.84% | 38.76%● |
Profitability
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.68% | 61.08%● |
| Operating margin | 12.36% | 22.85%● |
| Net margin | 10.03% | 18.08%● |
| ROE | 13.12% | 21.85%● |
| ROIC | 0.37% | 9.36%● |
Dividends
| Metric | PFG | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.87%● | 1.64% |
| 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%● |
| 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.
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 June 13, 2026.