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MetLife (MET) Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Miss

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MetLife, Inc.’s (MET - Free Report) first-quarter 2019 operating earnings of $1.48 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.9%. The bottom line also rose 8.8% year over year. Earnings gained from an increase in revenues, partly offset by rise in expenses.

Behind the Headlines

The company generated operating revenues of $15.45 billion, up 2% year over year. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.8%.

Adjusted premiums, fees & other revenues of $11.2 billion increased 4% year over year.  Net investment income of $4.91 billion increased 31% year over year.

Total expenses of $14.6 million were up 10.7% year over year owing to higher policyholder benefits and claims, and interest credited to policyholders’ accounts.

Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), other than foreign currency translation adjustments (FCTA) was $45.58 per share, up 5% year over year.

MetLife, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Quarterly Segment Details

U.S.

Adjusted earnings in this segment increased 11% year over year to $724 million, driven by favorable underwriting and volume growth, partially offset by lower investment margins. Adjusted premiums, fees & other revenues were $6.1 billion, up 7%.

Asia

Operating earnings of $356 million increased 9% (13% on constant currency basis) year over year, driven by volume growth. Adjusted premiums, fees & other revenues were $2.1 billion, down 2% (up 1% on constant currency basis).

Latin America

Operating earnings were $134 million, down 4% (down 1% at constant currency) year over year, due to higher expenses and unfavorable underwriting, which was to some extent offset by favorable investment returns.

Adjusted premiums, fees & other revenues were $942 million, down 5% (up 4% at constant currency).

EMEA

Operating earnings from EMEA increased 6% (up 23% on constant currency basis) year over year to $86 million, driven by favorable underwriting and volume growth.

Adjusted premiums, fees & other revenues were $659 million, down 3% year over year but up 5% at constant currency.

MetLife Holdings

Adjusted operating earnings from MetLife Holdings came in at $317 million, down 25% year over year.

Operating premiums, fees & other revenues were $1.27 billion, down 5% year over year.

Zacks Rank & Other Releases

MetLife has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Among the other players from the insurance industry that have reported first-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line of Torchmark Corporation , RLI Corporation (RLI - Free Report) and W.R. Berkley Corp. (WRB - Free Report) beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.14%, 20.3% and 54%, respectively.

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