MetLife, Inc. $MET Shares Sold by Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC decreased its position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) by 35.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,956 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 7,772 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC’s holdings in MetLife were worth $987,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Activest Wealth Management increased its position in shares of MetLife by 205.8% during the 4th quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 315 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 790.0% in the third quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 356 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 316 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its stake in MetLife by 58.9% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 383 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in MetLife during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management bought a new stake in MetLife in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 94.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of MetLife from $103.00 to $99.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of MetLife from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Barclays increased their target price on shares of MetLife from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of MetLife from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Monday, June 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on MetLife from $87.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $95.62.

MetLife Stock Performance

MetLife stock opened at $87.17 on Thursday. MetLife, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $67.33 and a fifty-two week high of $89.62. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $82.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $78.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.20 and a quick ratio of 0.20. The company has a market cap of $56.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.78.

MetLife (NYSE:MET) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The financial services provider reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.27 by $0.15. MetLife had a net margin of 4.66% and a return on equity of 22.60%. The business had revenue of $14.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.96 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that MetLife, Inc. will post 10 EPS for the current year.

MetLife Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 12th were issued a $0.5925 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 12th. This is an increase from MetLife’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. MetLife’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.93%.

Key MetLife News

Here are the key news stories impacting MetLife this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MetLife is being highlighted by market commentators as one of the best value stocks to buy right now, reinforcing investor interest in the company’s attractive valuation and income profile. Here is Why MetLife (MET) is One of the Best Value Stocks to Buy Right Now
• Positive Sentiment: MetLife recently launched the Non-Qualified Assignment Flex Agreement, a new funding solution that gives customers more flexible settlement options for non-physical injury claims, which could support business growth in its structured settlement-related offerings. Here is Why MetLife (MET) is One of the Best Value Stocks to Buy Right Now
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles centered on World Cup matches and fan activity at MetLife Stadium, including ticket sales, match previews, and travel/parking coverage. These stories are more about the venue than MetLife, Inc.’s core insurance operations, so they are not likely to have a meaningful impact on MET shares.
• Negative Sentiment: There was also some attention on turf and weather concerns at MetLife Stadium during World Cup coverage, but this appears tied to stadium operations rather than the insurer’s fundamentals and should have limited direct impact on the 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.