MetLife Declares $29.375 Semi-Annual Dividend with Strong Yield
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 18 2026
0mins
Should l Buy MET?
Source: seekingalpha
- Dividend Declaration: MetLife has declared a semi-annual dividend of $29.375 per share, reflecting a robust forward yield of 74.76%, which underscores the company's strong cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns, likely attracting increased investor interest.
- Preferred Stock Dividends: The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $351.5625 per share on its 5.625% Series E non-cumulative preferred stock and $296.875 per share on its 4.75% Series F non-cumulative preferred stock, enhancing the attractiveness of its preferred shares.
- Floating Rate Preferred Stock: Additionally, MetLife plans to declare a quarterly dividend of $0.31501229 per share on its floating-rate Series A preferred stock, pending confirmation of financial tests expected around March 5, 2026, indicating confidence in future financial stability.
- Strategic Goals: Through its New Frontier strategy, MetLife has set a target of $25 billion in free cash flow and anticipates double-digit adjusted EPS growth, highlighting the company's long-term growth potential in the market.
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Analyst Views on MET
Wall Street analysts forecast MET stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 71.170
Low
84.00
Averages
95.25
High
108.00
Current: 71.170
Low
84.00
Averages
95.25
High
108.00
About MET
MetLife, Inc. is a financial services company, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. Its segments include Group Benefits; Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS); Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and MetLife Holdings. Group Benefits segment offers life insurance, dental, group short- and long-term disability, paid family and medical leave, individual disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, accident and health insurance, and vision, as well as prepaid legal plans and pet insurance. RIS segment provides funding and financing solutions that help institutional customers mitigate and manage liabilities primarily associated with their employee benefit programs using a spectrum of life and annuity-based insurance and investment products. It operates across EMEA in both developed (Western Europe) and emerging (Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) markets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
MetLife Appoints Andrea Drasites as Global Head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance
- Executive Appointment: MetLife Investment Management announces that Andrea Drasites will become the global head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance effective October 1, 2026, marking a strategic expansion in the real estate sector and expected to enhance the company's global capabilities.
- Asset Management Scale: As of December 31, 2025, MetLife Investment Management's total gross real estate and agricultural assets under management reached $108.9 billion, and this appointment aims to leverage Drasites' extensive experience to optimize the management of this substantial portfolio.
- Industry Background: Drasites brings 13 years of leadership experience from Blackstone, where she most recently served as senior managing director in the Real Estate Group, and her addition is expected to strengthen MetLife's competitive position, especially following the acquisition of PineBridge Investments.
- Strategic Goals: This appointment not only recognizes Drasites' individual capabilities but also reflects MetLife's ambitions in the global asset management arena, aiming to enhance client service and investment returns through resource integration and specialized expertise.
See More
MetLife Affirms A+ Rating by AM Best
- Rating Affirmation: AM Best has affirmed MetLife Group's Financial Strength Rating at A+ (Superior) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings at 'aa-' (Superior), reflecting its strong balance sheet and stable operating performance, showcasing the company's competitiveness in the insurance sector.
- Financial Robustness: MetLife's capital adequacy is recognized by AM Best, particularly due to its parent company's significant and stable liquidity levels, ensuring financial flexibility and risk resilience amid market fluctuations.
- Operational Performance: The group's operating performance continues to improve, with diversified revenue sources across various geographic regions and business lines, particularly focusing on higher-margin product lines, indicating strong growth potential in the market.
- Risk Management: AM Best views MetLife's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as appropriate, with ongoing improvements in capital modeling and stress testing, ensuring the company maintains a competitive edge in future market environments.
See More
MetLife Named One of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For for Fourth Year
- High Employee Satisfaction: According to the Great Place to Work Trust Index Survey, 90% of MetLife employees express pride in their company, and 88% feel that colleagues care for one another, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to employee satisfaction and a culture of trust.
- Cultural Success: MetLife has been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting the company's success in building a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture, which further enhances its competitiveness in the financial services industry.
- Global Recognition: In addition to U.S. accolades, MetLife ranked No. 10 on the Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces list in 2025, showcasing its ability to deliver exceptional employee experiences globally, thereby enhancing its brand image and market appeal.
- Strategic Investment in Employee Development: MetLife's Chief Human Resources Officer emphasized that employees are the driving force behind the company's culture, and the success relies on empowering employees to grow and innovate, which will drive long-term business growth and customer satisfaction.
See More
Retirement Investor Protection Rule Struck Down Again
- Rule Repeal Impact: The U.S. court has struck down the fiduciary rule aimed at enhancing retirement investor protections for the second time, which may lead to retirement investors receiving investment advice that does not serve their best interests, thereby increasing market confusion and uncertainty.
- Historical Repetition: This event mirrors the previous repeal of a similar rule during the Obama administration, highlighting the financial industry's resistance to regulatory measures through legal challenges, potentially exposing investors to lower protection standards.
- Investment Decision Risks: Recent data shows that approximately 6 million individuals rolled nearly $700 billion into IRAs in 2022, and the absence of fiduciary rules may diminish the quality of advice surrounding these significant financial decisions, increasing risks for investors.
- Industry Reaction: The insurance industry welcomed this ruling as a victory for consumers, arguing that the Biden-era rule exceeded the Department's authority, indicating that future investors must be more cautious in selecting advisors to ensure they receive transparent and interest-aligned advice.
See More
MetLife Financial Outlook Analysis
- Stock Performance: MetLife (MET) shares have declined by 11.7% year-to-date, underperforming the broader industry decline of 10.4%, indicating market caution regarding its future growth prospects.
- Valuation Appeal: With a market capitalization of approximately $45.9 billion, the stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 6.9X, significantly below the industry average of 8.3X, suggesting potential undervaluation that may attract value investors.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The consensus estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.85 per share, indicating an 11.6% year-over-year increase, and despite two downward revisions in the past 30 days, it still reflects potential improvement in the company's profitability.
- Strategic Expansion: Through acquisitions of Versant Health, PetFirst, and PineBridge Investments, MetLife is enhancing its capabilities in benefits, asset management, and annuities, further driving long-term growth potential.
See More
Financial Stocks' Low Valuations May Benefit from Rate Changes
- Valuation Advantage: As of March 24, S&P 500 financial stocks have a forward P/E of 14, ranking in the 29th percentile of absolute P/E over the past decade, indicating relative cheapness in a high-valuation market, thus attracting investor interest.
- Interest Rate Outlook: The onset of the Iran war may lead the Federal Reserve to consider rate hikes before the end of 2026, which would directly boost net interest income for financial stocks, particularly for companies like Wells Fargo and MetLife.
- Market Dynamics Shift: With inflation expectations rising from 2.4% to 3.16%, the low P/E ratios of financial stocks may draw more investors, especially given the overall high valuations in the current market, making the financial sector's performance particularly significant.
- Investment Opportunities: Within the S&P 500, 30 financial stocks have forward P/E ratios below 10, with Wells Fargo and MetLife at 10 and 6.4 respectively, representing discounts of 10% and 23% to their average forward P/E ratios over the last five years, providing significant value opportunities for investors.
See More
MetLife Appoints Andrea Drasites as Global Head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance
- Executive Appointment: MetLife Investment Management announces that Andrea Drasites will become the global head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance effective October 1, 2026, marking a strategic expansion in the real estate sector and expected to enhance the company's global capabilities.
- Asset Management Scale: As of December 31, 2025, MetLife Investment Management's total gross real estate and agricultural assets under management reached $108.9 billion, and this appointment aims to leverage Drasites' extensive experience to optimize the management of this substantial portfolio.
- Industry Background: Drasites brings 13 years of leadership experience from Blackstone, where she most recently served as senior managing director in the Real Estate Group, and her addition is expected to strengthen MetLife's competitive position, especially following the acquisition of PineBridge Investments.
- Strategic Goals: This appointment not only recognizes Drasites' individual capabilities but also reflects MetLife's ambitions in the global asset management arena, aiming to enhance client service and investment returns through resource integration and specialized expertise.
See More
MetLife Affirms A+ Rating by AM Best
- Rating Affirmation: AM Best has affirmed MetLife Group's Financial Strength Rating at A+ (Superior) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings at 'aa-' (Superior), reflecting its strong balance sheet and stable operating performance, showcasing the company's competitiveness in the insurance sector.
- Financial Robustness: MetLife's capital adequacy is recognized by AM Best, particularly due to its parent company's significant and stable liquidity levels, ensuring financial flexibility and risk resilience amid market fluctuations.
- Operational Performance: The group's operating performance continues to improve, with diversified revenue sources across various geographic regions and business lines, particularly focusing on higher-margin product lines, indicating strong growth potential in the market.
- Risk Management: AM Best views MetLife's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as appropriate, with ongoing improvements in capital modeling and stress testing, ensuring the company maintains a competitive edge in future market environments.
See More
MetLife Named One of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For for Fourth Year
- High Employee Satisfaction: According to the Great Place to Work Trust Index Survey, 90% of MetLife employees express pride in their company, and 88% feel that colleagues care for one another, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to employee satisfaction and a culture of trust.
- Cultural Success: MetLife has been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting the company's success in building a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture, which further enhances its competitiveness in the financial services industry.
- Global Recognition: In addition to U.S. accolades, MetLife ranked No. 10 on the Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces list in 2025, showcasing its ability to deliver exceptional employee experiences globally, thereby enhancing its brand image and market appeal.
- Strategic Investment in Employee Development: MetLife's Chief Human Resources Officer emphasized that employees are the driving force behind the company's culture, and the success relies on empowering employees to grow and innovate, which will drive long-term business growth and customer satisfaction.
See More
Retirement Investor Protection Rule Struck Down Again
- Rule Repeal Impact: The U.S. court has struck down the fiduciary rule aimed at enhancing retirement investor protections for the second time, which may lead to retirement investors receiving investment advice that does not serve their best interests, thereby increasing market confusion and uncertainty.
- Historical Repetition: This event mirrors the previous repeal of a similar rule during the Obama administration, highlighting the financial industry's resistance to regulatory measures through legal challenges, potentially exposing investors to lower protection standards.
- Investment Decision Risks: Recent data shows that approximately 6 million individuals rolled nearly $700 billion into IRAs in 2022, and the absence of fiduciary rules may diminish the quality of advice surrounding these significant financial decisions, increasing risks for investors.
- Industry Reaction: The insurance industry welcomed this ruling as a victory for consumers, arguing that the Biden-era rule exceeded the Department's authority, indicating that future investors must be more cautious in selecting advisors to ensure they receive transparent and interest-aligned advice.
See More
MetLife Financial Outlook Analysis
- Stock Performance: MetLife (MET) shares have declined by 11.7% year-to-date, underperforming the broader industry decline of 10.4%, indicating market caution regarding its future growth prospects.
- Valuation Appeal: With a market capitalization of approximately $45.9 billion, the stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 6.9X, significantly below the industry average of 8.3X, suggesting potential undervaluation that may attract value investors.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The consensus estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.85 per share, indicating an 11.6% year-over-year increase, and despite two downward revisions in the past 30 days, it still reflects potential improvement in the company's profitability.
- Strategic Expansion: Through acquisitions of Versant Health, PetFirst, and PineBridge Investments, MetLife is enhancing its capabilities in benefits, asset management, and annuities, further driving long-term growth potential.
See More
Financial Stocks' Low Valuations May Benefit from Rate Changes
- Valuation Advantage: As of March 24, S&P 500 financial stocks have a forward P/E of 14, ranking in the 29th percentile of absolute P/E over the past decade, indicating relative cheapness in a high-valuation market, thus attracting investor interest.
- Interest Rate Outlook: The onset of the Iran war may lead the Federal Reserve to consider rate hikes before the end of 2026, which would directly boost net interest income for financial stocks, particularly for companies like Wells Fargo and MetLife.
- Market Dynamics Shift: With inflation expectations rising from 2.4% to 3.16%, the low P/E ratios of financial stocks may draw more investors, especially given the overall high valuations in the current market, making the financial sector's performance particularly significant.
- Investment Opportunities: Within the S&P 500, 30 financial stocks have forward P/E ratios below 10, with Wells Fargo and MetLife at 10 and 6.4 respectively, representing discounts of 10% and 23% to their average forward P/E ratios over the last five years, providing significant value opportunities for investors.
See More
