Principal Financial Group reported a jump in first-quarter net income, to $517.1 million from $288.9 million a year ago. Net income per diluted share was $1.87, compared with $1.04 in last year’s first quarter. Non-GAAP operating earnings for first quarter 2021 of $423.5 million compared with $319.6 million for first quarter 2020. The Des Moines-based company’s board authorized a second-quarter common stock dividend of 61 cents per share, bringing the trailing 12-month dividend to $2.29 per share, a 3% increase from the previous 12-month period. “We delivered strong first-quarter results as we continued to provide for the needs of our 34 million customers globally and build momentum for the future,” said Dan Houston, chairman, president and CEO of Principal. Assets under management increased $13.7 billion from the end of 2020 and $189.2 billion over the trailing 12 months, reaching a record $820.3 billion at the end of the first quarter. “Our favorable investment performance, diverse and in-demand solution set, and expanding distribution partnerships resulted in increased sales and drove total net cash flow to $8.2 billion for the quarter,” Houston said.