firstqtrer10.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: May 3, 2010
(Date of earliest event reported)
 
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                                   Delaware                   1-16725                    42-1520346 
                                                    (State or other jurisdiction         (Commission file number)                (I.R.S. Employer 
                                                       of incorporation)            Identification Number) 

711 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(515) 247-5111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the 
registrant under any of the following provisions: 
 
  [    ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) 
  [    ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) 
  [    ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 
  240.14d-2(b)) 
  [    ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 
  240.13e-4(c)) 
_________________________



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Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition 
On May 3, 2010, Principal Financial Group, Inc. publicly announced information regarding its 
results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The text of the 
announcement is included herewith as Exhibit 99. 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits 
99    First Quarter 2010 Earnings Release 
                                                                              SIGNATURE
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly 
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
                                                                              PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 
 
                                                                              By:      _/s/ Terrance J. Lillis                                 
                                                                              Name: Terrance J. Lillis 
                                                                              Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 
                                                                                         Officer 
Date: May 3, 2010 



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                                              EXHIBIT 99 
RELEASE:  On receipt   
MEDIA CONTACT:                                            Susan Houser, 515-248-2268, houser.susan@principal.com 
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:                    John Egan, 515-235-9500, investor-relations@principal.com 
 
 
         PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2010 RESULTS 

          Des Moines, IA (May 3, 2010) – Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: PFG) today announced 
results for first quarter 2010. The company reported net income available to common stockholders of 
$190.8 million, or $0.59 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $112.8 
million, or $0.43 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The company reported 
operating earnings of $255.6 million for first quarter 2010, compared to $164.0 million for first quarter 
2009. Operating earnings per diluted share (EPS) for first quarter 2010 were $0.79 compared to $0.63 for 
the same period in 2009. Operating revenues for first quarter 2010 were $2,333.8 million compared to 
$2,261.2 million for the same period last year.1 Assets under management (AUM) were $293.4 billion as 
of March 31, 2010 compared to $236.6 billion as of March 31, 2009. 
          “First quarter was a very solid start to the year, as we continue to position the company for 
sustainable, profitable growth as the recovery builds over time,” said Larry D. Zimpleman, chairman, 
president and chief executive officer. “We delivered significant improvement in operating earnings, EPS, net 
income, AUM and book value per share, reflecting improved credit and equity market conditions, and our 
ongoing discipline around expenses and the investment portfolio.” 

          Measure  Change from first quarter 2009  Change from fourth quarter 2009 
  to first quarter 2010  to first quarter 2010 
Operating Earnings  +56%  +27% 
EPS  +25%  +27% 
Net Income  +69%  +34% 
AUM  +24%  +3% 
Book value per share2  +212%  +9% 

          “We see clear signs the economy is starting to recover,” said Zimpleman. “As this has occurred, our 
three largest U.S. accumulation businesses3 have delivered meaningful sequential improvement in sales, with 
$4.3 billion in total for the first quarter, generating more than $900 million of positive net cash flows. While 
we see improving trends, small and medium businesses continue to proceed with caution, and our sales 
remain below 2007 levels. Job losses have slowed, but small business confidence levels are still low4 and 
we’ve yet to see consistent signs of employment growth in the small business segment, which is critical to 
driving growth in the U.S. economy.” 
____________________ 
1 Use of non-GAAP financial measures is discussed in this release after Segment Highlights. 
2 GAAP book value, including accumulated other comprehensive income 
3 Full Service Accumulation, Principal Funds and Individual Annuities 
4 National Federation of Independent Business' Small Business Optimism Index dropped 1.2 points to 86.8 in March, with 
only one of its ten components showing improvement. 



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          Added Terry Lillis, senior vice president and chief financial officer, “In our customer base of small 
and medium businesses, we continue to see a number of positive trends, with membership declines slowing 
and employers beginning to restore 401(k) matching contributions. We’re also seeing sales pipelines build. 
And we continue to demonstrate industry leadership; in our investment offerings, and by launching services 
such as RetireViewSM , our new asset allocation program for retirement plans. As more normal employment 
and economic conditions return, we remain well-positioned for improved long-term growth and 
profitability.” 

2010 Awards and Recognition 
·  The Principal was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, 
  one of only three financial services companies included in the 2010 list. 
·  Principal Funds received two Lipper Fund Awards for consistent multi-year performance; and four 
  LifeTime Funds were recognized by Barron’s for top performance in their category.5 
·  For the eighth consecutive year, The Principal was named a top 50 company by the National Association 
  of Female Executives. 
·  BrasilPrev, the company’s pension joint venture in Brazil, was recognized by Consumidor Moderno 
  Magazine as the number one company in the pension segment for customer service. 
Additional Highlights 
·  Operating return on average equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income improved 90 
  basis points from year-end 2009 to 11.5 percent for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2010. 
·  Strong sales of the company’s three key U.S. retirement and investment products in the first quarter, 
  despite a difficult sales environment with $1.7 billion for Full Service Accumulation, $2.1 billion for 
  Principal Funds and $0.5 billion for Individual Annuities. 
·  Strong capital and liquidity, with: an estimated risk based capital ratio of 440 to 450 percent at quarter-end; 
  approximately $1.8 billion of excess capital;6 and $5.6 billion of liquid assets. 
Net Income 
Net income available to common stockholders of $190.8 million for first quarter 2010 includes $7.8 million 
of losses related to other after-tax adjustments, reflecting the tax impact of healthcare reform legislation 
enacted in first quarter 2010, and net realized capital losses of $57.0 million, which includes: 
·  $54.1 million of losses related to sales and permanent impairments of fixed maturity securities including 
  $36.9 million of losses on commercial mortgage backed securities; partially offset by $9.1 million of 
  gains related to sales of fixed maturity securities; and 
·  $11.2 million of losses on commercial mortgage whole loans. 

                                                               Segment Highlights 
U.S. Asset Accumulation 
          Segment operating earnings for first quarter 2010 were $157.0 million, compared to $93.1 million 
for the same period in 2009, reflecting a 16 percent increase in average account values, and strong expense 
management. Full service accumulation earnings increased $25.2 million from a year ago to $76.3 million 
for first quarter 2010 primarily due to a 24 percent increase in average account values. Individual annuities 
____________________ 
5 Barron’s quarterly fund report, based on data from Lipper, top among peers based on first quarter 2010 performance. 
6 Excess capital includes cash at the holding company and capital at the life company above that needed to maintain a 350 percent 
NAIC risk based capital ratio for the life company. 



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earnings increased $25.5 million from a year ago to $30.8 million for first quarter 2010. The increase 
reflects: an 11 percent increase in average account values; and $16.5 million pre-tax of higher amortization 
of deferred policy acquisitions costs (DPAC) in first quarter 2009, primarily the result of unfavorable equity 
market performance in that period. Principal Funds earnings increased $8.4 million from a year ago to $10.2 
million for first quarter 2010 primarily due to a 27 percent increase in average account values. 
          Operating revenues for the first quarter were $1,012.7 million, compared to $1,007.5 million for 
the same period in 2009. Fee revenues from the accumulation businesses, which increased $60.8 million, or 
22 percent from the year ago quarter, were substantially offset by a $42.3 million decline in revenues from 
Investment Only (the institutional GIC and funding agreement business), which the company has been 
scaling back over the last several quarters. 
          Segment assets under management were $165.9 billion as of March 31, 2010, compared to $133.9 
billion as of March 31, 2009. 
 
Global Asset Management 
          Segment operating earnings for first quarter 2010 were $12.0 million, compared to $6.8 million in 
the prior year quarter, primarily due to a 13 percent increase in average assets under management. 
          Operating revenues for first quarter were $113.8 million, compared to $104.4 million for the same 
period in 2009 reflecting higher management fees due to growth in assets under management. 
             Non-affiliated assets under management were $74.9 billion as of March 31, 2010, compared to $64.8 
billion as of March 31, 2009. 
 
International Asset Management and Accumulation 
            Segment operating earnings for first quarter 2010 were $37.9 million compared to $17.0 million 
for the same period in 2009, reflecting higher fee revenues due to higher average assets under management 
and improving macroeconomic conditions. 
         Operating revenues were $181.1 million for first quarter, compared to $64.0 million for the same 
period last year. The increase reflects: more favorable macroeconomic conditions, including higher yields on 
inflation-linked investments in Chile and strengthening of Latin American currencies against the U.S. dollar; and 
strong revenue growth on a local basis. 
         Segment assets under management were a record $35.7 billion as of March 31, 2010, compared to 
$23.5 billion as of March 31, 2009. The increase includes $3.1 billion of net cash flows over the trailing 
twelve months, or 13 percent of beginning of period AUM. 
 
Life and Health Insurance 
         Segment operating earnings for first quarter 2010 were $69.8 million, compared to $71.8 million 
for the same period in 2009. Individual Life earnings were a strong $30.5 million in first quarter 2010, 
compared to $22.8 million in first quarter 2009. The increase primarily reflects growth in the block of business 



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and ongoing expense management. Health division earnings were $25.7 million in first quarter 2010 
compared to $31.9 million in first quarter 2009. The change primarily reflects a decline in insured medical 
covered members from a year ago. Specialty Benefits earnings were $13.6 million in first quarter 2010 
compared to $17.1 million in first quarter 2009, primarily due to unfavorable group disability claims 
experience. 
          Operating revenues for first quarter were $1,057.9 million, compared to $1,131.0 million for the 
same period a year ago. The variance was primarily due to a 15 percent decrease in Health division 
premiums, reflecting a decline in group medical covered members. 
 
Corporate 
         Operating losses for first quarter 2010 were $21.1 million, compared to operating losses of $24.7 
million for the same period in 2009. 

Forward looking and cautionary statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements as to 
operating earnings, net income available to common stockholders, net cash flows, realized and 
unrealized losses, capital and liquidity positions, sales and earnings trends, and management's beliefs, 
expectations, goals and opinions. The company does not undertake to update or revise these statements, 
which are based on a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to 
be inaccurate. Future events and their effects on the company may not be those anticipated, and actual 
results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The risks, 
uncertainties and factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences are discussed in the 
company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed by the company 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated or supplemented from time to time in 
subsequent filings. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: adverse capital and credit 
market conditions that may significantly affect the company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, access to 
capital and cost of capital; a continuation of difficult conditions in the global capital markets and the 
general economy that may materially adversely affect the company’s business and results of operations; 
the actions of the U.S. government, Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory bodies for 
purposes of stabilizing the financial markets might not achieve the intended effect; the risk from 
acquiring new businesses, which could result in the impairment of goodwill and/or intangible assets 
recognized at the time of acquisition; impairment of other financial institutions that could adversely 
affect the company; investment risks which may diminish the value of the company’s invested assets 
and the investment returns credited to customers, which could reduce sales, revenues, assets under 
management and net income; requirements to post collateral or make payments related to declines in 
market value of specified assets may adversely affect company liquidity and expose the company to 
counterparty credit risk; changes in laws, regulations or accounting standards that may reduce company 
profitability; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that could reduce company profitability; 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.’s primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from its 
subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and regulatory restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to 
pay such dividends; competitive factors; volatility of financial markets; decrease in ratings; interest rate 
changes; inability to attract and retain sales representatives; international business risks; a pandemic, 
terrorist attack or other catastrophic event; and default of the company’s reinsurers. 
 
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
The company uses a number of non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are useful to 
investors because they illustrate the performance of normal, ongoing operations, which is important in 
understanding and evaluating the company’s financial condition and results of operations. They are not, 
however, a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial measures. Therefore, the company has provided 



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reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure at the end 
of the release. The company adjusts U.S. GAAP measures for items not directly related to ongoing 
operations. However, it is possible these adjusting items have occurred in the past and could recur in the 
future reporting periods. Management also uses non-GAAP measures for goal setting, as a basis for 
determining employee and senior management awards and compensation, and evaluating performance on a 
basis comparable to that used by investors and securities analysts. 
 
Earnings Conference Call 
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. (ET), Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Larry 
Zimpleman and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Terry Lillis will lead a discussion of 
results, asset quality and capital adequacy during a live conference call, which can be accessed as follows: 
·       Via live Internet webcast. Please go to www.principal.com/investor at least 10-15 minutes prior to the 
         start of the call to register, and to download and install any necessary audio software. 
·       Via telephone by dialing 800-374-1609 (U.S. and Canadian callers) or 706-643-7701 (International 
       callers) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The access code is 66747663. 
·        Replays of the earnings call are available at: www.principal.com/investor or by dialing 800-642-1687 
          (U.S. and Canadian callers) or 706-645-9291 (International callers). The access code is 66747663. 
          Replays will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the live earnings call through 
        the end of day May 11, 2010. 
The company's financial supplement and additional investment portfolio detail for first quarter 2010 is 
currently available at www.principal.com/investor, and may be referred to during the call. 

About the Principal Financial Group 
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal ® )7 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and 
institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment 
services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A 
member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $293.4 billion in assets under management8 
and serves some 18.7 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America 
and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the 
ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com. 
 
 
                                                                     ### 
 
____________________ 
7 "The Principal Financial Group" and “The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the 
Principal Financial Group. 
8 As of March 31, 2010 



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*Operating earnings versus U.S. GAAP (GAAP) net income available to common stockholders 
Management uses operating earnings, which excludes the effect of net realized capital gains and losses, as adjusted, and other after- 
tax adjustments, for goal setting, as a basis for determining employee compensation, and evaluating performance on a basis 
comparable to that used by investors and securities analysts. Segment operating earnings are determined by adjusting U.S. GAAP 
net income available to common stockholders for net realized capital gains and losses, as adjusted, and other after-tax adjustments 
the company believes are not indicative of overall operating trends. Note: it is possible these adjusting items have occurred in the 
past and could recur in future reporting periods. While these items may be significant components in understanding and assessing 
our consolidated financial performance, management believes the presentation of segment operating earnings enhances the 
understanding of results of operations by highlighting earnings attributable to the normal, ongoing operations of the company’s 
businesses.