On Friday, Piper Sandler reaffirmed its positive stance on MetLife (NYSE:MET) shares, maintaining an Overweight rating and a $92.00 price target. The firm's confidence in the insurance company, currently valued at $57.6 billion, is anchored in MetLife's new strategic plan, which was detailed during its investor day.
The strategy, dubbed "new frontier," aims to achieve a 200 basis point return on equity (ROE) expansion, targeting 15% to 17% up from the roughly 13% to 15% guide for 2024. Moreover, MetLife plans to reduce its direct expense ratio by 100 basis points. According to InvestingPro analysis, MetLife demonstrates strong financial health with a "GOOD" overall rating and appears undervalued based on its Fair Value assessment.
The strategy is also designed to deliver double-digit adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth through 2029. This growth is expected to be driven by 60% organic expansion, with a greater emphasis on revenue rather than margins, and 40% through capital deployment. With a current P/E ratio of 16.8x and a track record of raising dividends for 12 consecutive years, MetLife shows strong fundamentals.
Piper Sandler noted the significance of MetLife Investment Management, which will become its own operating segment in 2025. This move is seen as potentially enhancing the company's multiples due to the growth of this fee-based business.
The aging U.S. population, often referred to as the "silver tsunami," is expected to see an increase in the 65 and older demographic to approximately 38% by 2050 from 29% in 2022. Piper Sandler believes that MetLife's scale and execution capabilities position it well to benefit from this demographic shift.
The firm's analysis suggests that MetLife's targets are realistic and provide a clear roadmap for growth. The establishment of MetLife Investment Management as a separate segment is particularly highlighted as a strategic decision that could unlock additional value for shareholders. Piper Sandler's reiteration of the Overweight rating and $92.00 price target reflects a vote of confidence in MetLife's strategic direction and future performance.
In other recent news, MetLife announced ambitious financial targets under its New Frontier strategic plan, projecting double-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share and a 15-17% return on equity.
The insurer also aims to reduce its direct expense ratio by 100 basis points and generate a $25 billion free cash flow. The New Frontier strategy targets growth across four key areas, including expanding group benefits insurance for employers and increasing its presence in international markets.
In partnership with General Atlantic, MetLife has plans to launch Chariot Reinsurance in the first half of 2025. This venture, also supported by Chubb (NYSE:CB) and other institutional investors, will leverage third-party capital to pursue growth opportunities beyond what MetLife could achieve with its own balance sheet.
The company recently reported mixed Q3 2024 earnings with adjusted earnings of $1.4 billion, or $1.93 per share, marking a decrease from the previous year. Despite declines in earnings for Group Benefits and Retirement and Income Solutions segments, and a 6% fall in Asia's adjusted earnings, the company reported a 9% increase in Latin America's adjusted earnings. These are the recent developments in MetLife's strategic and financial landscape.
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