Eagle Asset Management Inc. Invests $8.64 Million in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Eagle Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 106,678 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $8,643,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SVB Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of MetLife by 2.5% during the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 10,115 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $750,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Waverly Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of MetLife by 1.7% in the first quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 15,935 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,181,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of MetLife by 5.0% during the first quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 138,113 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $10,236,000 after acquiring an additional 6,577 shares during the last quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of MetLife by 3.3% in the first quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,890 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $585,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sweeney & Michel LLC purchased a new stake in MetLife in the 1st quarter worth approximately $469,000. 89.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MetLife Price Performance

MET stock traded up $0.75 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $87.34. The company had a trading volume of 4,018,446 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,310,028. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. MetLife, Inc. has a 12-month low of $62.81 and a 12-month high of $87.64. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $82.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.08. The company has a market capitalization of $60.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.05.

MetLife Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.545 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 5th. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. MetLife's payout ratio is currently 43.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on MET. StockNews.com upgraded shares of MetLife from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of MetLife from $99.00 to $96.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on MetLife from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on MetLife from $86.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on MetLife from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $88.46.

MetLife Profile

MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements.