NYSE:METMetlife Competitors & Alternatives

Metlife (NYSE:MET) and AFLAC (NYSE:AFL) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, dividends, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. AFLAC pays an annual dividend of $1.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AFLAC pays out 25.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Metlife has raised its dividend for 7 consecutive years and AFLAC has raised its dividend for 37 consecutive years.

Risk and Volatility

Metlife has a beta of 1.34, meaning that its share price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AFLAC has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its share price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Metlife and AFLAC's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than AFLAC. Metlife is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AFLAC, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

74.8% of Metlife shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.4% of AFLAC shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Metlife shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of AFLAC shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Metlife and AFLAC's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Metlife and AFLAC, as reported by MarketBeat.

Metlife presently has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. AFLAC has a consensus price target of $46.5570, suggesting a potential upside of 29.25%. Given AFLAC's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe AFLAC is more favorable than Metlife.

Summary

AFLAC beats Metlife on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Metlife (NYSE:MET) and Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, dividends, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Metlife and Prudential Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.

Metlife presently has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. Prudential Financial has a consensus price target of $79.2308, suggesting a potential upside of 29.23%. Given Prudential Financial's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Prudential Financial is more favorable than Metlife.

Risk and Volatility

Metlife has a beta of 1.34, meaning that its share price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Prudential Financial has a beta of 1.7, meaning that its share price is 70% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Metlife and Prudential Financial's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than Prudential Financial. Prudential Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Metlife, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Prudential Financial pays an annual dividend of $4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.2%. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Prudential Financial pays out 37.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Metlife has raised its dividend for 7 consecutive years and Prudential Financial has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. Prudential Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Metlife and Prudential Financial's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

74.8% of Metlife shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 60.6% of Prudential Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Metlife shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Prudential Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Metlife beats Prudential Financial on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) and Metlife (NYSE:MET) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Principal Financial Group and Metlife, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Principal Financial Group presently has a consensus price target of $42.8333, suggesting a potential upside of 1.36%. Metlife has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. Given Metlife's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Metlife is more favorable than Principal Financial Group.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Principal Financial Group and Metlife's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than Principal Financial Group.

Dividends

Principal Financial Group pays an annual dividend of $2.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Principal Financial Group has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years and Metlife has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years. Principal Financial Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Principal Financial Group and Metlife's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

68.6% of Principal Financial Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.8% of Metlife shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of Principal Financial Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Metlife shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Metlife beats Principal Financial Group on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) and Metlife (NYSE:MET) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Lincoln National and Metlife, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Lincoln National presently has a consensus price target of $43.3333, suggesting a potential upside of 20.71%. Metlife has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. Given Lincoln National's higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Lincoln National is more favorable than Metlife.

Volatility and Risk

Lincoln National has a beta of 2.28, suggesting that its stock price is 128% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Metlife has a beta of 1.34, suggesting that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Lincoln National and Metlife's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than Lincoln National. Lincoln National is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Metlife, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Lincoln National pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Lincoln National pays out 18.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lincoln National has increased its dividend for 9 consecutive years and Metlife has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Lincoln National and Metlife's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

78.6% of Lincoln National shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.8% of Metlife shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Lincoln National shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Metlife shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Lincoln National beats Metlife on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Primerica (NYSE:PRI) and Metlife (NYSE:MET) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Primerica and Metlife, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Primerica presently has a consensus price target of $147.00, suggesting a potential upside of 27.97%. Metlife has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. Given Primerica's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Primerica is more favorable than Metlife.

Volatility and Risk

Primerica has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Metlife has a beta of 1.34, suggesting that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Primerica and Metlife's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than Primerica. Metlife is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Primerica, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Primerica pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Primerica pays out 19.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Primerica has increased its dividend for 9 consecutive years and Metlife has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Primerica and Metlife's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.8% of Primerica shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.8% of Metlife shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Primerica shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Metlife shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Primerica beats Metlife on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) and Metlife (NYSE:MET) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Unum Group and Metlife's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Volatility and Risk

Unum Group has a beta of 1.7, suggesting that its stock price is 70% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Metlife has a beta of 1.34, suggesting that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.6% of Unum Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.8% of Metlife shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of Unum Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Metlife shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Unum Group pays an annual dividend of $1.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.8%. Metlife pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Unum Group pays out 21.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Metlife pays out 30.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Unum Group has increased its dividend for 11 consecutive years and Metlife has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years. Unum Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Unum Group and Metlife, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Unum Group presently has a consensus price target of $27.1429, suggesting a potential upside of 60.80%. Metlife has a consensus price target of $41.4286, suggesting a potential upside of 11.70%. Given Unum Group's higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Unum Group is more favorable than Metlife.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Unum Group and Metlife's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Metlife has higher revenue and earnings than Unum Group. Unum Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Metlife, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Unum Group beats Metlife on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.