Donoghue Forlines LLC Takes Position in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Donoghue Forlines LLC purchased a new position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 19,094 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,563,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of MetLife by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,329 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $436,000 after buying an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC grew its holdings in MetLife by 26.9% during the fourth quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 9,121 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $783,000 after acquiring an additional 1,932 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its position in MetLife by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 525,090 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $42,994,000 after acquiring an additional 17,727 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in MetLife by 107.5% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 30,542 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,501,000 after acquiring an additional 435,807 shares during the period. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of MetLife by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,091 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $417,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.99% of the company’s stock.

MetLife Price Performance

MetLife stock opened at $86.24 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $83.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.07. MetLife, Inc. has a 12-month low of $64.61 and a 12-month high of $89.05.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be issued a $0.545 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 4th. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.53%. MetLife’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.95%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of MetLife from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target 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. Barclays upped their price target on MetLife from $90.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on MetLife from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets began coverage on MetLife in a report on Thursday. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $97.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MetLife has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $90.46.

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.