MetLife Stock Before Q3 Earnings: Buy Now or Wait for Results?

MetLife, Inc. MET is set to report third-quarter 2024 results on Oct. 30, 2024, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $2.16 per share on revenues of $18.5 billion.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.The third-quarter earnings estimate has witnessed downward revisions over the past 60 days. However, the bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 9.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 1.3%. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFor the current year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife’s revenues is pegged at $73.3 billion, implying a rise of 2.3% year over year. Also, the consensus mark for current year EPS is pegged at $8.58, implying a jump of around 17.1% on a year-over-year basis.MetLife beat the consensus estimate for earnings in one of the last four quarters, met once and missed on the other occasions, with the average surprise being 1.3%.MetLife, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise MetLife, Inc. price-eps-surprise | MetLife, Inc. QuoteQ3 Earnings Whispers for METNonetheless, our proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s precisely the case here.MetLife has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% and a Zacks Rank #3.You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.What’s Shaping MET’s Q3 Results?Rising premiums from most businesses and investment income are expected to have buoyed MetLife’s third-quarter results. Improving operations in the international markets, especially in Asia and Latin America, is a major positive.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total premiums for the quarter under review suggests an increase of 1.4% from the prior-year quarter. Also, the consensus mark for net investment income indicates a 6.3% year-over-year increase from the year-ago period on the back of higher rates and improved variable investment income.Improving profits from the Asia and Latin American operations are expected to have positioned the company for significant growth from the year-ago period and a potential earnings beat. Favorable underwriting and improved variable investment income are likely to have aided the Asia segment, while the Latin America business is expected to have gained from higher volumes.However, rising costs and expenses are likely to have partially offset the profit growth levels in the to-be-reported quarter. Also, the consensus estimate for Group Benefits’ adjusted earnings predicts a 10.9% decrease from the prior-year quarter’s reading.The company is expected to have witnessed 10.5% lower profits from the U.S. Business, while adjusted earnings from EMEA regions are likely to have witnessed a 24.7% year-over-year decline.MET’s Price Performance & ValuationMetLife's stock has gained 25.7% year to date, outperforming the industry’s growth of 18.7%. Some of its peers, like The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. HIG and Prudential Financial, Inc. PRU, have gained 41.1% and 21.2%, respectively, during this time. MET stock has outpaced the S&P 500 Index, which has increased 21.9% during the same period.MET’s YTD Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchNow, let’s look at the value MetLife offers investors at current levels.Despite the company’s share price outperforming the industry, its valuation appears cheaper when measured against industry averages. Currently, MET is trading at 8.65X forward 12-month earnings, below the industry’s average of 9.28X. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchWhat Should Investors Do?MetLife’s strategic focus on diversifying its product portfolio and revenue streams is positioning it for sustained, long-term growth. Through well-chosen acquisitions, it is expanding in its core markets and entering new ones while divesting less profitable assets to optimize its portfolio.The company’s cost-saving initiatives are expected to enhance margins, and its strong solvency position offers resilience in challenging market conditions. Supported by a solid balance sheet, MetLife is well-equipped to continue enhancing shareholder value. As such, current investors can hold onto their shares and benefit from its growth initiatives.While MET’s long-term growth potential looks promising due to its strategic moves, it may not be the most favorable time for new investors to buy in. Domestic profits are expected to decline in the near term, and the company’s reliance on investment income could leave it exposed to market volatility.Additionally, its return on invested capital stands at 1.9%, lagging behind the industry average of 2.5%, indicating potential inefficiency in capital use. Given that the stock is trading near its 52-week high, the potential for short-term gains appears limited. For these reasons, new investors might consider waiting for a more attractive entry point and monitor upcoming earnings results for further insights.Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG): Free Stock Analysis Report MetLife, Inc. (MET): Free Stock Analysis Report Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks