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Analyzing MetLife Stock: Is Buy Strategy the Right Move?
ZACKS· 2024-09-13 17:40
Core Viewpoint - MetLife, Inc. is experiencing growth driven by a strong Group Benefits business, strategic acquisitions, partnerships, cost-cutting measures, and a solid cash position [1] Financial Performance - MetLife holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and has seen a stock price increase of 10% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 5.3% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife's 2024 earnings is $8.67 per share, reflecting an 18.3% increase from 2023, with revenues expected to reach $73.2 billion, a 2% rise from 2023 [4] - The 2025 earnings estimate is $9.83 per share, indicating a 13.4% improvement from 2024, with revenues projected at $76.5 billion, a 4.6% increase from 2024 [4] Valuation Metrics - MetLife's price-to-book (P/B) ratio stands at 1.92, compared to the multiline industry average of 2.57, indicating that the stock is currently undervalued [5] Operational Efficiency - The return on equity for MetLife is 21.4%, surpassing the industry average of 16.2%, demonstrating effective utilization of shareholders' funds [6] - The company has improved its direct expense ratio by 230 basis points from 2015 to 2020, maintaining it below the guided 12.3% in the first half of 2024 [8] Revenue Growth Drivers - MetLife's Group Benefits business has seen a 4% year-over-year increase in premiums during the first half of 2024, with strong growth also noted in the EMEA and Latin America segments [7] - The company is focusing on strategic acquisitions and partnerships, such as Versant Health and PetFirst, to enhance its offerings in vision care and pet insurance [7] Strategic Initiatives - MetLife is diversifying its portfolio through private credit investments, including the acquisition of Raven Capital and a collaboration with Fidelity Investments on fixed immediate income annuities [8] - The company is reducing volatility by divesting capital-intensive units and concentrating on high-growth areas [8] Liquidity Position - As of June 30, 2024, MetLife has a strong liquidity position with $20.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, significantly overshadowing its short-term debt of $390 million [9] - The company approved a 4.8% dividend increase in April 2024, reflecting its financial strength and commitment to shareholder returns [9]
MetLife, Inc. (MET) KBW Annual Insurance Conference (Transcript)
2024-09-05 16:12
MetLife, Inc. Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) - **Participants**: Michel Kalaf (President and CEO), John McCallion (CFO and Head of MetLife Investment Management) Key Industry Insights - **Five-Year Strategy**: MetLife is completing its "Next Horizon" strategy and will introduce a new strategy called "New Frontier" [2][6] - **Market Environment**: The life insurance industry has shifted from historically low interest rates and pandemic challenges to a more stable economy with rebounding interest rates and technological advancements [3][4] - **Demographic Trends**: Population shifts are contributing to renewed growth momentum in the industry [5] Financial Performance Highlights - **Performance Metrics**: MetLife is on track to exceed commitments made during the Next Horizon period, including: - $20 billion in distributable cash [5] - $1 billion in operating leverage for growth and technology [5] - ROE exceeding the target of 13% to 15%, currently at 15.5% [8][10] - Free cash flow targets consistently exceeded [5] New Frontier Strategy - **Growth Focus**: The New Frontier strategy aims to build on the successes of the Next Horizon period, focusing on growth and performance consistency [6][7] - **Business Reshaping**: MetLife has made strategic acquisitions and divestitures to lower risk and enhance growth potential [7] Group Benefits Segment - **Competitive Environment**: The group benefits market is competitive but rational, with a focus on building capabilities beyond pricing [17] - **Growth Strategy**: MetLife targets mid-single-digit premium and fee growth, achieving over $6 billion in PFOs during the Next Horizon period [19][20] - **Customer Complexity**: Employers face increasing complexity in benefits management, presenting opportunities for MetLife to offer comprehensive solutions [21][22] Retirement Income Solutions (RIS) - **Spread Business**: MetLife has seen healthy growth in its spread-based liabilities, with a target growth rate of 2% to 4% annually [33][34] - **Market Opportunities**: The company is focused on jumbo pension risk transfer (PRT) business and structured settlements, with a strong pipeline for growth [35][36] International Markets - **Japan**: MetLife has a strong presence in Japan, with premium income growth exceeding market growth. The company is adapting to currency fluctuations and increasing demand for yen-denominated products [38][39][40][41] - **Latin America**: MetLife is a market leader in LATAM, with significant growth driven by diversification and strong distribution capabilities [42][43][44][46] Commercial Real Estate Portfolio - **Performance**: The commercial mortgage loan portfolio is performing as expected, with a low loan-to-value ratio and manageable charge-off expectations [48][49][50] Capital Management Strategy - **Balanced Approach**: MetLife maintains a balanced approach to capital management, prioritizing organic growth, dividends, buybacks, and strategic M&A opportunities [57][59] Conclusion - MetLife is positioned for continued growth and performance improvement through its strategic initiatives, strong market presence, and focus on customer needs across various segments and regions. The company is optimistic about future opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital management.
MetLife, Inc. (MET) KBW Annual Insurance Conference (Transcript)
Seeking Alpha· 2024-09-05 16:12
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) KBW Annual Insurance Conference September 5, 2024 9:05 AM ET Company Participants Michel Kalaf - President and CEO John McCallion - CFO and Head of MetLife Investment Management Conference Call Participants Ryan Krueger - KBW Ryan Krueger We do have cushiony chairs up here relaxing. I'm Ryan Krueger from KBW. I cover the life insurers. It's great to have MetLife back with us again this year. Up on stage with me is Michel Kalaf, President and CEO in the middle and John McCallion, CFO ...
Here's Why MetLife (MET) is a Strong Value Stock
ZACKS· 2024-08-22 14:40
Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [2][4] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F based on its value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A being the highest [2] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using metrics like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [2] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future potential through projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [3] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes to identify optimal buying opportunities [3] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores to provide a comprehensive assessment of stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [4] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection [5] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically outperformed the S&P 500 with an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [5] Stock Selection Strategy - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [6] - The direction of earnings estimate revisions is crucial in stock selection, as it indicates potential price movements [6] Company Spotlight: MetLife (MET) - MetLife is a global financial services company offering insurance and investment products, currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B [8] - The company has a Value Style Score of A, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 8.41, indicating attractive valuation [8] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates suggest a consensus estimate of $8.65 per share for fiscal 2024, with an average earnings surprise of 1.3% [8][9]
Why MetLife (MET) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now
ZACKS· 2024-08-20 16:46
Company Overview - MetLife (MET) is based in New York and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 10.77% [2] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.55 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.98%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.99% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.58% [2] Dividend Performance - MetLife's current annualized dividend of $2.18 represents a 5.8% increase from the previous year [2] - Over the past five years, MetLife has increased its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.31% [2] - The company's current payout ratio is 27%, indicating that it paid out 27% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [2] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife's earnings in 2024 is $8.72 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 18.96% from the previous year [3] Investment Considerations - MetLife is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend performance and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4]
MetLife Pet Insurance Recognized With “Pet Insurance Of The Year” In 2024 Pet Innovation Awards
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2024-08-15 12:01
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Pet Innovation Awards, an independent recognition platform highlighting the most innovative companies, services, and products in the highly competitive Pet care industry, today announced MetLife Pet Insurance, has been selected as the 2024 “Pet Insurance Of The Year”. MetLife Pet Insurance offers protection for all stages of a pet’s life with robust annual benefit amount options, chronic care coverage and no lifetime or per-incident limits. MetLife Pet Insu ...
MetLife Stock Is Trailing S&P500 In YTD Returns, What To Expect?
Forbes· 2024-08-12 10:00
GERMANY - 2024/02/17: In this photo illustration, a Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, better ... [+] known as MetLife, logo seen displayed on a tablet. (Photo Illustration by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesMetLife’s stock (NYSE: MET) has gained 6% YTD as compared to the 10% rise in the S&P500 index over the same period. Notably, MetLife’s peer Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) is up 5% YTD. Overall, at its current price of $69 per share, MET ...
Why MetLife (MET) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
ZACKS· 2024-08-06 14:41
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.What are the Zacks Style Scores?Developed ...
MetLife(MET) - 2024 Q2 - Quarterly Report
2024-08-01 20:31
Part I - Financial Information [Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)](index=7&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Financial%20Statements%20(Unaudited)) This section presents MetLife, Inc.'s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024, including balance sheets, statements of operations, equity, and cash flows, with explanatory notes [Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets](index=7&type=section&id=Interim%20Condensed%20Consolidated%20Balance%20Sheets) MetLife's total assets decreased to **$675.7 billion** by June 30, 2024, from **$687.6 billion** at year-end 2023, driven by reduced investments, with total liabilities and equity also declining Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (in millions USD) | Balance Sheet Item | June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Total Assets** | **$675,745** | **$687,584** | | Total Investments | $436,829 | $446,137 | | **Total Liabilities** | **$648,205** | **$657,331** | | Future policy benefits | $190,993 | $196,406 | | Policyholder account balances | $219,543 | $219,269 | | **Total Equity** | **$27,540** | **$30,253** | | Retained Earnings | $40,873 | $40,146 | | Treasury Stock | $(26,637) | $(24,591) | [Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)](index=8&type=section&id=Interim%20Condensed%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Operations%20and%20Comprehensive%20Income%20(Loss)) MetLife's net income available to common shareholders significantly increased to **$912 million** in Q2 2024 and **$1.71 billion** for H1 2024, primarily due to reduced net investment and derivative losses Key Performance Indicators (in millions USD, except per share data) | Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | H1 2024 | H1 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Total Revenues** | $17,823 | $16,623 | $33,880 | $32,011 | | **Net Income (Loss)** | $953 | $408 | $1,828 | $493 | | **Net Income Available to Common Shareholders** | $912 | $370 | $1,712 | $384 | | **Diluted EPS** | $1.28 | $0.48 | $2.37 | $0.50 | [Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity](index=9&type=section&id=Interim%20Condensed%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Equity) Total MetLife, Inc. stockholders' equity decreased from **$30.0 billion** at year-end 2023 to **$27.3 billion** at June 30, 2024, influenced by treasury stock repurchases and negative AOCI changes, partially offset by net income Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, in millions USD) | Item | Amount | | :--- | :--- | | **Balance at Dec 31, 2023** | **$30,015** | | Net Income (loss) | $1,813 | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | $(1,494) | | Treasury stock acquired | $(2,046) | | Dividends on common stock | $(766) | | Dividends on preferred stock | $(101) | | **Balance at June 30, 2024** | **$27,252** | [Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows](index=10&type=section&id=Interim%20Condensed%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Cash%20Flows) For the first six months of 2024, net cash provided by operating activities increased to **$5.8 billion**, while net cash used in investing activities decreased to **$4.0 billion**, and financing activities used **$1.5 billion** Cash Flow Summary (Six Months Ended June 30, in millions USD) | Cash Flow Activity | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities** | **$5,818** | **$5,064** | | **Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities** | **$(3,967)** | **$(7,850)** | | **Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities** | **$(1,466)** | **$(1,916)** | | Effect of foreign currency exchange rates | $(238) | $(76) | | **Change in cash and cash equivalents** | **$147** | **$(4,778)** | [Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements](index=11&type=section&id=Notes%20to%20the%20Interim%20Condensed%20Consolidated%20Financial%20Statements) This section details the accounting policies and methodologies for the financial statements, covering segment information, dispositions, liabilities, investments, derivatives, fair value measurements, debt, equity, and contingencies - The company is organized into **six segments**: Group Benefits, Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS), Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and MetLife Holdings[28](index=28&type=chunk) - The adoption of ASU 2023-02 regarding investments in tax credit structures resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of **$219 million**, net of income tax, as of January 1, 2024[35](index=35&type=chunk) [Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations](index=107&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Management's%20Discussion%20and%20Analysis%20of%20Financial%20Condition%20and%20Results%20of%20Operations) Management discusses MetLife's financial condition and results of operations, providing context for the financial statements, including industry trends, accounting estimates, segment performance, investments, and capital resources - Net income available to common shareholders increased to **$912 million** in Q2 2024 from **$370 million** in Q2 2023, primarily due to favorable changes in net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)[463](index=463&type=chunk)[466](index=466&type=chunk) - Adjusted earnings available to common shareholders increased to **$1.6 billion** in Q2 2024 from **$1.5 billion** in Q2 2023, driven by favorable underwriting results and volume growth, partially offset by market factors[463](index=463&type=chunk)[482](index=482&type=chunk) [Industry Trends](index=108&type=section&id=Industry%20Trends) MetLife's performance is materially affected by global financial conditions and geopolitical events, with increasing regulatory focus on AI in underwriting and the DOL's new fiduciary rule - The company is closely monitoring political and economic conditions, including global inflation, supply chain disruptions, and acts of war, which could impact its business and investment portfolio[448](index=448&type=chunk) - Regulatory focus on AI and consumer data is increasing, with New York issuing a final circular letter in July 2024 and the EU AI Act entering into force in August 2024[454](index=454&type=chunk) - The DOL's new fiduciary rule, which could impact sales of insurance and annuity products to retirement investors, has been stayed by two federal district courts as of July 2024[455](index=455&type=chunk) [Results of Operations](index=111&type=section&id=Results%20of%20Operations) Consolidated and segment-level financial performance for Q2 2024 shows a **$542 million** increase in net income available to common shareholders, driven by favorable investment and derivative changes, while adjusted earnings rose by **$136 million** due to strong underwriting Adjusted Earnings by Segment (in millions USD) | Segment | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | H1 2024 | H1 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Group Benefits | $533 | $372 | $817 | $679 | | RIS | $410 | $417 | $809 | $817 | | Asia | $449 | $431 | $872 | $711 | | Latin America | $226 | $219 | $459 | $434 | | EMEA | $77 | $70 | $154 | $130 | | MetLife Holdings | $153 | $211 | $312 | $369 | | **Total Adjusted Earnings** | **$1,662** | **$1,524** | **$3,063** | **$2,774** | [Investments](index=132&type=section&id=Investments) MetLife maintains a diversified global general account investment portfolio, primarily in fixed income, with **$277.7 billion** in fixed maturity securities AFS and **$82.8 billion** in net mortgage loans as of June 30, 2024 Fixed Maturity Securities AFS by Credit Quality (Amortized Cost, net of ACL) | NRSRO Rating | June 30, 2024 (in millions) | % of Total | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Investment grade (Aaa/Aa/A/Baa)** | **$289,653** | **95.4%** | | Below investment grade (Ba and lower) | $13,417 | 4.6% | | **Total** | **$303,070** | **100.0%** | - The commercial mortgage loan portfolio's average Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio was **66%** and the average Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) was **2.2x** as of June 30, 2024[550](index=550&type=chunk) [Liquidity and Capital Resources](index=147&type=section&id=Liquidity%20and%20Capital%20Resources) MetLife maintains a strong liquidity position with **$4.4 billion** in holding company liquid assets as of June 30, 2024, supported by subsidiary dividends and capital markets access, with **$2.7 billion** unused on its revolving credit facility - MetLife holding companies held **$4.4 billion** in liquid assets as of June 30, 2024, down from **$5.2 billion** at year-end 2023[588](index=588&type=chunk) - The company's primary U.S. insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay **$3.48 billion** in dividends in 2024 without prior regulatory approval, of which **$2.0 billion** was paid by MLIC in the first six months[591](index=591&type=chunk)[592](index=592&type=chunk) [Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures](index=154&type=section&id=Non-GAAP%20and%20Other%20Financial%20Disclosures) This section defines non-GAAP financial measures like adjusted earnings and adjusted premiums, fees, and other revenues, which management uses to evaluate performance and highlight underlying profitability drivers - The company uses non-GAAP measures like 'adjusted earnings' and 'adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues' to evaluate performance and allocate resources, as they are believed to better reflect the underlying profitability of the business[598](index=598&type=chunk)[602](index=602&type=chunk) [Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk](index=157&type=section&id=Item%203.%20Quantitative%20and%20Qualitative%20Disclosures%20About%20Market%20Risk) There have been no material changes to MetLife's market risk exposures, including interest rate, equity market price, and foreign currency exchange rate risks, since the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K - There have been no material changes to the company's market risk exposures related to interest rates, equity markets, and foreign currency exchange rates since the 2023 Annual Report[609](index=609&type=chunk) [Item 4. Controls and Procedures](index=158&type=section&id=Item%204.%20Controls%20and%20Procedures) Management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that MetLife's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2024, with no material changes to internal control over financial reporting during the quarter - The CEO and CFO have concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the reporting period[611](index=611&type=chunk) Part II - Other Information [Item 1. Legal Proceedings](index=159&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Legal%20Proceedings) This section refers to Note 19 of the financial statements for information regarding MetLife's legal proceedings - For details on legal proceedings, the report directs readers to Note 19 of the financial statements[613](index=613&type=chunk) [Item 1A. Risk Factors](index=159&type=section&id=Item%201A.%20Risk%20Factors) There have been no material changes to MetLife's risk factors since those disclosed in its 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K - There have been no material changes to the company's risk factors since the filing of the 2023 Annual Report[614](index=614&type=chunk) [Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds](index=159&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Unregistered%20Sales%20of%20Equity%20Securities%20and%20Use%20of%20Proceeds) MetLife repurchased approximately **12.0 million** common shares in Q2 2024, with the Board authorizing an additional **$3.0 billion** for repurchases, leaving **$3.1 billion** available as of June 30, 2024 Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (Q2 2024) | Period | Total Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | April 2024 | 4,560,454 | $71.92 | | May 2024 | 3,357,900 | $72.35 | | June 2024 | 4,056,400 | $70.10 | | **Total** | **11,974,754** | **N/A** | - In May 2024, the Board of Directors authorized an additional **$3.0 billion** for common stock repurchases, with **$3.1 billion** remaining under authorizations as of June 30, 2024[615](index=615&type=chunk) [Item 5. Other Information](index=160&type=section&id=Item%205.%20Other%20Information) No Section 16 officers or directors adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or arrangements during the three months ended June 30, 2024 - No Section 16 officers or directors adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading plans during the second quarter of 2024[618](index=618&type=chunk) [Item 6. Exhibits](index=161&type=section&id=Item%206.%20Exhibits) This section lists the exhibits filed with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including CEO and CFO certifications and Inline XBRL documents - Exhibits filed include CEO and CFO certifications under Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as XBRL data files[621](index=621&type=chunk)[626](index=626&type=chunk)
MetLife (MET) Q2 Earnings Beat on Favorable Underwriting Results
ZACKS· 2024-08-01 18:20
MetLife, Inc. (MET) reported second-quarter 2024 adjusted operating earnings of $2.28 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7%. The bottom line advanced 18% year over year.Adjusted operating revenues of $18.7 billion inched up 0.3% year over year. The top line beat the consensus mark by 2.7%.Favorable underwriting results, particularly in Group Benefits and Asia, along with higher net investment income, due to rising rates, contributed positively to the quarterly results. However, the u ...