Fulton Bank N.A. Cuts Stock Holdings in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Fulton Bank N.A. lessened its holdings in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) by 7.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 35,482 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 2,963 shares during the period. Fulton Bank N.A.’s holdings in MetLife were worth $2,905,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in MetLife by 244.4% during the 3rd quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. grew its stake in MetLife by 131.9% in the third quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 327 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its holdings in MetLife by 374.3% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 351 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of MetLife during the third quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 177.3% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 416 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. 94.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MetLife Stock Performance

Shares of MET traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $82.40. The company had a trading volume of 1,779,797 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,472,935. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $82.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.61, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.07. MetLife, Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.61 and a 52-week high of $89.05.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.545 per share. This represents a $2.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.65%. MetLife’s payout ratio is 43.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on MET. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of MetLife from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 27th. StockNews.com upgraded MetLife from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on MetLife from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays boosted their price target on MetLife from $90.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of MetLife from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.23.

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.