Erste Asset Management GmbH Acquires New Holdings in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 113,448 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $9,357,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MET. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its stake in MetLife by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 9,464 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $781,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the period. Abacus Planning Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of MetLife by 1.0% in the third quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 12,301 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,015,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. First Commonwealth Financial Corp PA lifted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. First Commonwealth Financial Corp PA now owns 16,675 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,375,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC grew its position in shares of MetLife by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 4,264 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $352,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its stake in MetLife by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 6,984 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. 89.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

MetLife Stock Down 0.0 %

MetLife stock opened at $88.23 on Monday. MetLife, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $63.02 and a fifty-two week high of $89.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.09 billion, a PE ratio of 17.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.05. The company’s 50-day moving average is $83.34 and its 200-day moving average is $76.61. 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 Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 5th will be given a $0.545 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 5th. This represents a $2.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. MetLife’s payout ratio is 43.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on MET shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of MetLife from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on MetLife from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com raised MetLife from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of MetLife from $86.00 to $85.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of MetLife from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $88.62.

About MetLife

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.