MetLife (NYSE:MET) Hits New 12-Month High – Here’s What Happened
by Danessa Lincoln · The Markets DailyShares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET – Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $90.06 and last traded at $89.8990, with a volume of 3122601 shares. The stock had previously closed at $87.20.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of equities analysts have recently commented on MET shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on MetLife from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Evercore set a $96.00 price target on shares of MetLife in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Wall Street Zen lowered MetLife from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of MetLife from $95.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on MetLife from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.62.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MET
MetLife Price Performance
The company has a market cap of $57.84 billion, a PE ratio of 17.42, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.78. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $83.11 and its 200-day moving average is $78.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53.
MetLife (NYSE:MET – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The financial services provider reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.27 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $14.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.49 billion. MetLife had a return on equity of 22.60% and a net margin of 4.66%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.98 EPS for the current year.
MetLife Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.5925 per share. This is a positive change from MetLife’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 12th. MetLife’s payout ratio is 45.93%.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On MetLife
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Activest Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of MetLife by 205.8% in the fourth quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 315 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 790.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 356 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in MetLife by 58.9% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 383 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in MetLife during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management purchased a new stake in MetLife during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 94.99% of the company’s stock.
MetLife Company Profile
MetLife, Inc is a global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs. Headquartered in New York City, the company offers a range of risk protection and retirement solutions to individuals, employers and institutional clients. Its core businesses include life insurance, group benefits, retirement products such as annuities, and supplemental health products including dental and disability coverage.
In addition to traditional life and group insurance, MetLife provides workplace benefits and voluntary products distributed through employer-sponsored programs.