MetLife (NYSE:MET) Reaches New 1-Year Low – Should You Sell?

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)’s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $65.21 and last traded at $66.11, with a volume of 381798 shares. The stock had previously closed at $69.07.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of MetLife in a research report on Friday, March 7th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on MetLife in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $97.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on MetLife from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays decreased their target price on MetLife from $96.00 to $95.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered MetLife from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MetLife has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $94.85.

MetLife Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $81.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $82.68. The firm has a market cap of $46.86 billion, a PE ratio of 11.36, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.89.

MetLife (NYSE:MET) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.13 by ($0.05). MetLife had a net margin of 6.19% and a return on equity of 20.42%. Sell-side analysts expect that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in MetLife during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in MetLife during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in MetLife in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in MetLife in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MetLife during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. 94.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.