BAC vs PFG Stock Comparison
PFG currently leads BAC in this stock comparison, with AIQ scores of 59 vs 47. The clearest difference is momentum.
What is the main difference between BAC and PFG?
PFG leads the current stock comparison as Principal Financial Group, Inc., with the clearest separation coming from momentum and the broader AIQ evidence mix.
AlgovestIQ AIQ Comparison
Bank of America Corporation vs Principal Financial Group, Inc.
PFG leads
PFG leads by 12 AIQ points, primarily on Momentum and Quality. Wall Street currently favors BAC on target upside.
Stable: 4 of 6 evidence groups support PFG, and its signal state is cleanly positive.
Bank of America Corporation
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
The Algovestiq AIQ Score currently favors PFG over BAC, 59 versus 47 as of Oct 31, 2026. PFG's advantage is driven primarily by stronger momentum and quality. PFG also shows the stronger technical structure relative to its 50-day moving average, though analyst target upside currently favors BAC. 4 of 6 covered evidence groups favor PFG today, and the comparison is rated Stable on stability. PFG lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 12 points over 30 sessions.
Compare Bank of America Corporation and Principal Financial Group, Inc. across the Algovestiq AIQ Score, valuation, quality, momentum, risk, technicals and analyst expectations.
Performance over time
Total return with distributions reinvested, from daily closes.
Total return comparison
Growth of $10,000, distributions reinvested
Split-adjusted closes; each distribution is reinvested at the close on its ex-dividend date. Taxes and trading costs are not modeled.
Compare BAC and PFG against another ticker
Open a multi-ticker workspace without changing this focused pair page.
AIQ Factor Divergence
Where the two separate, on the four dimensions behind the AIQ Score. Bars read outward from a shared zero: further from the centre is a wider gap.
- Momentum26 vs 60PFG +34
- Quality49 vs 60PFG +11
- Risk Resilience59 vs 63PFG +4
- Value57 vs 56Even
4 of 6 evidence groups favor PFG. PFG’s edge is concentrated in momentum and quality.
What changed since the last close
Latest scored session 2026-10-30, compared against the prior scored session 2026-10-29.
Largest factor move: Risk Resilience -1, not enough on its own to move the overall score.
New signals
- RSI Oversold - Potential Bounce — bullish, momentum, short horizon
Largest factor move: Momentum +4
No signal started or stopped since the prior session; its 3 active signals are unchanged.
PFG's lead widened by 1 AIQ point in the latest session.
Deeper signal detail for each name lives on its own signals page — BAC and PFG both carry a full feed there.
The central trade-off
PFG (Principal Financial Group, Inc.): the stronger current systematic profile, led by momentum and quality.
BAC (Bank of America Corporation): the counter-case, on analyst expectations.
The AIQ Score and Wall Street therefore point in different directions on this pair.
Which one fits your objective
The same two names rank differently depending on what you are optimizing for. All six reads are shown at once — none of them is hidden behind a toggle.
Balanced
PFGPFG on the overall AIQ Score, which weights Quality and Value most heavily.
Growth
PFGPFG on combined revenue and EPS growth.
Value
EvenThe two are level on Value.
Momentum
PFGPFG on the Momentum factor, by 34 points.
Lower downside
PFGPFG on Risk Resilience, by 4 points.
Analyst upside
BACBAC on implied upside to the consensus price target.
AIQ vs Wall Street
The model and the Street disagree here: AIQ favors PFG, analyst targets favor BAC. That disagreement is the most useful thing on this page.
| Measure | BAC | PFG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implied upside to target | +32.5% | -2.4% | BAC has more room |
| Target dispersion | +22.6% | +38.6% | Lower is tighter analyst agreement |
| Consensus | Buy | Hold | Context, not a primary driver |
| Analysts covering | 11 | 8 | Higher coverage generally improves confidence |
The two are measuring different things. The AIQ Score reads current fundamentals, valuation, trend and risk; analyst targets price forward expectations. A divergence of this kind is either a contrarian opportunity or a sign the model is missing something already priced in — it is worth resolving before acting on either.
Analyst targets are expectations, not predictions. Dispersion matters as much as the midpoint.
Dividend growth
| Dividend metric | BAC | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| 5Y dividend CAGR | 8.45% | 6.58% |
| 2020 regular DPS | $0.720 | $2.240 |
| 2025 regular DPS | $1.080 | $3.080 |
| Years increased | 5 | 5 |
| No cut in window | Yes | Yes |
| Cohort rank | #133 | #198 |
BAC grew its split-adjusted regular dividend faster over 2020–2025 — 8.45% a year against PFG's 6.58%. Neither company reduced its regular dividend in any year of the window.
Yield and payout ratio shown elsewhere on this page are current values, not part of the study window.
Split-adjusted regular dividends per share, 2020–2025, excluding special dividends. Research as of Sep 19, 2026.
AIQ Agreement Matrix
4 of 6 covered evidence groups favor PFG. A wide gap backed by one group is a weaker case than a narrow gap backed by five.
| Evidence group | Favors | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ Score | PFG | 47 vs 59 |
| Fundamentals | PFGon balance | revenue growth -3.3% vs 10.7%; EPS growth -23.8% vs -4.7%; TTM ROE 10.7% vs 13%; gross margin 60.4% vs 48.5%; operating margin 22.4% vs 12.1% — PFG takes 3 of 5 decided legs, not all of them |
| Valuation | Even | Value 57 vs 56 |
| Technicals | PFG | Price vs 50-day -11.4% vs -0.5%; vs 200-day -8.6% vs 7.8% |
| Risk Resilience | PFG | Risk Resilience 59 vs 63 |
| Analyst expectations | BAC | Target upside 32.5% vs -2.4% |
✓ agrees with the overall verdict · ✕ points the other way. Groups marked “not covered” lack data on one or both of BAC and PFG and are excluded from the count.
AIQ Decision Stability
The conclusion rests on a wide gap and broad agreement. It is unlikely to turn on a single session.
- The AIQ gap is wide at 12 points. (supports the conclusion holding)
- The lead has been steady session to session. (supports the conclusion holding)
- The leader's signal state is cleanly positive. (supports the conclusion holding)
Stability combines the score gap, how broadly the evidence agrees, how steady the lead has been across daily snapshots, the current signal state on both names, and analyst dispersion on PFG.
How the comparison changed
120 daily snapshots · Jul 1 – Oct 30PFG lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 12 points over 30 sessions.
- Today
- PFG +12
- 47 vs 59
- 7 sessions ago
- PFG +8
- 47 vs 55
- 30 sessions ago
- PFG +11
- 41 vs 52
- 90 sessions ago
- PFG +6
- 49 vs 55
The lead has not changed hands in this window.
AIQ Signal Divergence
Only the signals that bear on the head-to-head. A conflicted name is carrying bullish and bearish rules at the same time — the technical evidence is not pointing one way.
3 bullish / 0 bearish / 1 neutral
Only BAC
- RSI Oversold - Potential Bounce — bullish, momentum, short horizon
2 bullish / 0 bearish / 1 neutral
No signal that the other name lacks.
Both carry 3 more signals that do not separate them: Bollinger Band Squeeze, Golden Cross Active, MACD Bullish Crossover.
Price vs model alignment
Whether the latest session's price move confirms what the model did over the same session, or contradicts it.
Neither the price nor the AIQ Score moved enough in the latest session to confirm or contradict the other (price -2.21%, AIQ 0 points).
Price is down while the AIQ Score moved up 1 points over the same session — price and model disagree (price -1.78%, AIQ +1 points).
What would flip this result
A state, not a forecast. These are the specific, observable changes that would reverse the verdict — not a price prediction.
- 1BAC closes the Momentum gap — currently 34 points behind, the largest single contributor to PFG's edge.
- 2BAC's Bollinger Band Squeeze turns directional — it is neutral today and would confirm a change in trend.
- 3PFG's Golden Cross Active breaks down — it is the strongest rule currently supporting the verdict.
- 4A regime shift changes factor weighting — Quality and Value carry the heaviest weights in the composite, so a rotation toward either would move the result most.
The full evidence
Every number behind the verdict. The leader is called above each group so you are not left to solve it from the table.
Fundamentals
PFG leads on balance| Metric | BAC | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.3% | 10.7% |
| EPS growth (YoY) | -23.8% | -4.7% |
| Gross margin | 60.4% | 48.5% |
| Operating margin | 22.4% | 12.1% |
| Return on equity (TTM) | 10.7% | 13% |
| Debt to equity | 1.28 | 0.36 |
Performance
PFG leads 6 of 6 windows| Metric | BAC | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week (5 sessions) | -1.1% | 2.8% |
| 1 month (20 sessions) | -7% | -0.3% |
| 3 months (63 sessions) | -18.2% | -3% |
| 6 months (126 sessions) | -6.1% | 10.4% |
| Year to date | -9.1% | 26.6% |
| 1 year (252 sessions) | -4.1% | 35.4% |
Technicals
PFG has the stronger structure| Metric | BAC | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| RSI (14) | 20.7 | 61.4 |
| ADX (14) | 47.3 | 21 |
| Price vs 50-day | -11.4% | -0.5% |
| Price vs 200-day | -8.6% | 7.8% |
| Volatility (1M, annualized) | 21.8% | 20.5% |
Risk
PFG is the more resilient| Metric | BAC | PFG |
|---|---|---|
| Beta | 0.75 | 0.56 |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.34 | 1.29 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.43 | 2.12 |
| Max drawdown | -22.8% | -12.8% |
| Current drawdown | -22.8% | -5.8% |
| Annualized volatility | 21.9% | 22.3% |
| Value at risk (95%) | -2.5% | -2.1% |
Straight answers
Each answer is regenerated from the current snapshot, not written once and left to age.
Which is better, BAC or PFG?
On the Algovestiq AIQ Score, PFG is the stronger of the two as of Oct 31, 2026, scoring 59 against BAC's 47. The edge comes from momentum and quality. This is a systematic score, not a recommendation: it ranks the two on the same evidence, it does not know your holding period or tax position.
Is BAC or PFG the better buy right now?
PFG carries the stronger systematic profile as of Oct 31, 2026, and the comparison is rated Stable — 4 of 6 covered evidence groups agree. A Stable rating means the gap is wide and the evidence is broad, so the conclusion is unlikely to turn on a single session.
Why does the AIQ Score favor PFG over BAC?
The composite weights Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk Resilience. PFG leads Momentum by 34 points; PFG leads Quality by 11 points; PFG leads Risk Resilience by 4 points. Where the two split, the factor with the larger weight carries the result.
Which has more analyst upside, BAC or PFG?
Analyst price targets imply +32.5% upside for BAC and -2.4% for PFG, so the Street currently favors BAC. That points the opposite way to the AIQ Score, which favors PFG. The two are measuring different things: the model reads current fundamentals, valuation, trend and risk; the Street is pricing forward expectations. A divergence of this kind is either a contrarian opportunity or a sign the model is missing something the analysts have already priced — it is the single most useful row on this page to investigate. Analyst targets are expectations, not predictions, and dispersion matters as much as the midpoint.
Which is better value, BAC or PFG?
Neither name separates on the peer-relative Value factor. The two are level on Value. The Value factor reads valuation relative to sector peers and to the company's own fundamental quality, so it is not the same as simply having the lower multiple.
Which has stronger growth, BAC or PFG?
PFG on combined revenue and EPS growth. Growth here is measured on reported revenue and earnings, not on forward estimates — it describes what the businesses have delivered, not what the Street expects next.
Which has stronger momentum, BAC or PFG?
PFG on the Momentum factor, by 34 points. Momentum is one of the four weighted factors in the AIQ composite. It has documented persistence over three- to twelve-month horizons, which makes it a timing input rather than a reason to hold something indefinitely.
Which is riskier, BAC or PFG?
PFG is the more resilient of the two, so the other name carries the higher downside risk. PFG on Risk Resilience, by 4 points. Risk Resilience is a weighted factor in the composite; position sizing usually responds to it more usefully than the buy/avoid decision does.
Is BAC more profitable than PFG?
The profitability evidence is mixed: gross margin 60.4% vs 48.5%; operating margin 22.4% vs 12.1%; ttm roe 10.7% vs 13%. BAC leads on two measures and PFG on one measure, and there is no single profitability composite that resolves the split — which of the two reads as "more profitable" depends on whether you weight pricing power or operating leverage.
Is PFG's lead over BAC getting stronger or weaker?
PFG lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 12 points over 30 sessions. This is measured from 120 daily comparison snapshots between 2026-07-01 and 2026-10-30. The lead has not changed hands in that window.
What would change the BAC vs PFG verdict?
The result is a state, not a forecast, so it changes when the underlying evidence changes. Concretely: BAC closes the Momentum gap — currently 34 points behind, the largest single contributor to PFG's edge; BAC's Bollinger Band Squeeze turns directional — it is neutral today and would confirm a change in trend; PFG's Golden Cross Active breaks down — it is the strongest rule currently supporting the verdict; a regime shift changes factor weighting — Quality and Value carry the heaviest weights in the composite, so a rotation toward either would move the result most.
What do the current signals say about BAC and PFG?
BAC: 3 bullish / 0 bearish / 1 neutral. PFG: 2 bullish / 0 bearish / 1 neutral. The most decision-relevant rule on BAC is Golden Cross Active (bullish, long horizon). On PFG it is Golden Cross Active (bullish, long horizon).
Compare BAC and PFG with others
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This page answers which of the two. These answer the questions on either side of it.
How this comparison is scored
The Algovestiq AIQ Score composites four factors — Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk, each carrying a fixed weight. Sentiment is reported separately as SentimentPulse and is not folded into the composite. Scores refresh every trading day, and this page regenerates from the latest snapshot rather than being written once.
The verdict names a leader, states how broadly six independent evidence groups agree, and rates how durable that conclusion is given the score gap, its recent trajectory and the current signal state on both names.
How to use side-by-side comparison →This comparison is informational and educational, not investment advice. AIQ scores update daily; re-check after earnings, guidance or macro data that materially changes either name’s factor profile.