MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) Shares Sold by Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lowered its stake in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET - Free Report) by 2.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 188,001 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 3,850 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in MetLife were worth $15,394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new position in MetLife in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of MetLife during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Graney & King LLC purchased a new position in shares of MetLife during the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Values First Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MetLife in the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in MetLife in the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. 94.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MetLife Price Performance

MetLife stock traded down $5.46 during trading on Thursday, reaching $77.03. The company had a trading volume of 2,433,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,282,784. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. MetLife, Inc. has a 1-year low of $67.30 and a 1-year high of $89.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.48 billion, a PE ratio of 12.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.04. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $82.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $83.01.

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MetLife (NYSE:MET - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.13 by ($0.05). MetLife had a return on equity of 20.42% and a net margin of 6.19%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MetLife Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 4th were issued a $0.545 dividend. This represents a $2.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 4th. MetLife's dividend payout ratio is presently 36.52%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on MetLife from $92.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of MetLife in a research note on Friday, March 7th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of MetLife in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a "market perform" rating and a $97.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of MetLife from $101.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on MetLife from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, MetLife presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $94.85.

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.