Trustmark National Bank Trust Department Invests $225,000 in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)

Trustmark National Bank Trust Department bought a new position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,722 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $225,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in MetLife by 244.4% during the third quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 131.9% in the 3rd 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 in the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 374.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 351 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of MetLife in the 3rd quarter valued at $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 purchasing an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.81% of the company’s stock.

MetLife Stock Performance

MET stock opened at $85.35 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $82.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $75.91. MetLife, Inc. has a 1-year low of $62.15 and a 1-year high of $86.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market cap of $59.09 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.05.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 5th will be given a $0.545 dividend. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 5th. MetLife’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.95%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MET shares. Barclays reduced their target price on MetLife from $91.00 to $90.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 31st. TD Cowen initiated coverage on MetLife in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $97.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com upgraded MetLife from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America dropped their price target on MetLife from $99.00 to $96.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on MetLife from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 27th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $88.46.

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.