Here's Why Investors Should Retain MetLife Stock for Now

Core Insights - MetLife, Inc. (MET) provides a range of protection and investment products, including individual annuities, insurance, group insurance, and retirement services, but has underperformed the industry in share growth over the past six months [1][2] Financial Performance - MetLife has a market capitalization of $53.4 billion and a forward P/E ratio of 8.09X, which is lower than the industry average of 9.28X, indicating potential value [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife's 2025 earnings is $8.71 per share, reflecting a 7.4% year-over-year increase, with revenues expected to reach $79.1 billion, implying an 8.3% rise [3] - The company's total premium increased by 2.4% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2025, driven by strong performances in the Group Benefits, Asia, and EMEA segments [4][10] Growth Drivers - MetLife's growth is supported by higher premiums, cost-cutting initiatives, and strategic acquisitions, including the planned acquisition of PineBridge Investments [2][5] - The company is focusing on operational efficiency through its New Frontier strategy 2025, aiming for a 100-basis point reduction in unit costs over five years [7] - MetLife's liquidity position is strong, with $20.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, significantly exceeding its short-term debt of $378 million, allowing for shareholder returns through buybacks and dividends [8] Investment Income and Capital Efficiency - MetLife's investment income has faced challenges, declining nearly 26% in 2022 and 72.9% in 2023, with a target of $1.7 billion for pre-tax variable investment income in 2025 [11] - The company's return on invested capital (ROIC) is 1.8%, below the industry average of 2.1%, indicating weaker capital efficiency [12]