Understanding the Performance of MetLife’s Holdings Division

The MetLife holdings business reported premiums of $3.1 billion in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $3.3 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The rise in the holdings division’s operating earnings was offset by expenses related to MetLife’s separation from Brighthouse Financial (BHF). Its peers (XLF) Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), CNO Financial Group (CNO), and Allstate Corporation (ALL) have forward annual dividend yields of 1.3%, 1.4%, and 1.5%, respectively.