MetLife (NYSE:MET) Sets New 52-Week High on Strong Earnings

Shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $104.00 and last traded at $105.7040, with a volume of 2,037 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $102.89.

The financial services provider reported $2.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.01. MetLife had a net margin of 4.57% and a return on equity of 23.39%. The firm had revenue of $20.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.34 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 3rd will be issued a $0.5925 dividend. This represents a $2.37 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 3rd. MetLife’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.40%.

MetLife announced that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Wednesday, August 5th that allows the company to repurchase $3 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to repurchase up to 4.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Share buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

MetLife News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting MetLife this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MetLife reported Q3 EPS of $2.78, slightly above the $2.77 consensus, and revenue of $20.52 billion versus expectations of $19.86 billion. Revenue increased 18.2% year over year, providing a strong top-line signal. MetLife posts better-than-expected sales in Q3 2026
• Positive Sentiment: The company posted record adjusted EPS, with group benefits underwriting running ahead of target—evidence of strong operating performance in that business. MetLife posts record adjusted EPS as group benefits underwriting runs ahead of target
• Positive Sentiment: MetLife Asia earnings rose 17%, supported by investment returns and volume growth, helping offset weaker sales. MetLife Asia earnings rise 17%
• Negative Sentiment: Asia’s sales dip is a sign of uneven regional demand, even though investment returns and volume growth lifted earnings. MetLife Asia earnings rise 17% as investment returns and volume growth offset sales dip

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MET has been the subject of several analyst reports. Mizuho lowered their price objective on MetLife from $112.00 to $109.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of MetLife in a research note on Friday, September 11th. Piper Sandler raised shares of MetLife from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $99.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of MetLife from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Atlantic Securities set a $103.00 price target on shares of MetLife in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $105.44.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CX Institutional lifted its stake in MetLife by 1.3% in the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 8,672 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $817,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Investment Research Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of MetLife by 3.9% during the third quarter. Investment Research Partners LLC now owns 3,103 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $292,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of MetLife by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 22,391 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,108,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Capital Analysts LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 38,262 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,238,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel lifted its holdings in MetLife by 4.4% during the third quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 3,136 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.99% of the company’s stock.

MetLife Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.20. The firm has a market cap of $68.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.79. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $98.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $86.03.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc (NYSE: MET) is a global financial services company that provides insurance, retirement, and employee benefits solutions to individuals, employers, and institutions. Its offerings include life insurance, dental and vision coverage, accident and disability insurance, annuities, retirement savings products, and related financial services.

Through its institutional and workplace businesses, MetLife helps employers provide benefits and retirement programs to their employees. The company also serves individual customers with protection and income products.