Smith Group Asset Management LLC Invests $2.46 Million in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Smith Group Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 30,000 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,456,000.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 244.4% in the 3rd quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 131.9% in the 3rd quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 327 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 374.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 351 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of MetLife in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of MetLife in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. 94.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MetLife Stock Down 0.5 %

MET stock traded down $0.44 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $86.56. 2,992,769 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,244,892. The firm's 50-day moving average is $84.06 and its 200-day moving average is $80.48. The company has a market cap of $59.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.45, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. MetLife, Inc. has a 12 month low of $64.61 and a 12 month high of $89.05.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.545 per share. This represents a $2.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 4th. MetLife's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on MET shares. TD Cowen boosted their target price on MetLife from $97.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays upped their price objective on MetLife from $90.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of MetLife in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a "market perform" rating and a $97.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of MetLife from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of MetLife from $93.00 to $92.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $90.46.

MetLife Company 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.