MetLife Announces Third Quarter 2013 Results

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) today reported the following results for the third quarter of 2013:

MetLife reported operating earnings* of $1.5 billion, up 6% over the third quarter of 2012. On a per share basis, operating earnings were $1.34, up 2% over the prior year quarter. Growth on a per share basis was dampened by the increase in the common share count resulting from the conversion of equity units issued in 2010 to fund the Alico acquisition. Operating earnings in the Americas grew 7%. Operating earnings in Asia decreased 1% on a reported basis, but increased 7% on a constant currency basis. Operating earnings in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) increased 37% on a reported basis and 28% on a constant currency basis.

Third quarter 2013 operating earnings included the following items:

• strengthening of group total and permanent disability claim reserves in Australia, net of reinsurance, which reduced operating earnings by $57 million or $0.05 per share
• results of the annual actuarial assumption review, which increased operating earnings by $28 million or $0.03 per share
• favorable catastrophe experience and prior year loss reserve development, which increased operating earnings by $21 million relative to plan, or $0.02 per share

MetLife reported third quarter 2013 net income of $942 million, or $0.84 per share, including $355 million, after tax, in net derivative losses. Increases in interest rates, changes in foreign currencies and the impact of MetLife’s own credit during the quarter contributed to the net derivative losses. MetLife uses derivatives as part of its broader asset-liability management strategy to hedge certain risks, such as movements in interest rates and foreign currencies. This hedging activity often generates derivative gains or losses and creates fluctuations in net income because the risk being hedged may not have the same GAAP accounting treatment. Net income also reflects a total after tax charge of $69 million related to the annual actuarial assumption review.

Premiums, fees & other revenues* were $11.9 billion, up 3% (6% on a constant currency basis) over the third quarter of 2012.

Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) * was $47.99 per share, up slightly from $47.70 in the third quarter of 2012.

“MetLife’s third quarter results reflect continued growth in emerging markets, solid performance in the United States, and disciplined expense management,” said Steven A. Kandarian, chairman, president and chief executive officer of MetLife, Inc. “We are supplementing strong organic growth in emerging markets with acquisitions such as Provida, the largest pension provider in Chile, which closed earlier this month. We continue to shift our business toward lower-risk, protection-oriented products as we focus on providing long-term value for our shareholders.”

^*Information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release and the reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided in the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures discussion below, as well as in the tables that accompany this release and/or the Third Quarter 2013 Financial Supplement, which is available on the Investor Relations section of www.metlife.com.

BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS

All comparisons of the results for the third quarter of 2013 in the business discussions that follow are with the third quarter of 2012, unless otherwise noted. All comparisons on a constant currency basis, including total sales, are calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the current period and are applied to the prior period.

THE AMERICAS

Total operating earnings for the Americas increased 7% to $1.3 billion, driven by strong results in the United States. Premiums, fees & other revenues for the Americas were $8.7 billion, up 4%, primarily driven by results in Latin America, Corporate Benefit Funding and Retail.

Retail

Operating earnings for Retail were $659 million, up 34%, due to fee growth driven by favorable market performance, disciplined expense management and the results of the annual actuarial assumption review. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Retail were $3.1 billion, up 6%, driven by separate account annuity fee growth, broker dealer annuity sales, and increased property & casualty sales. Third quarter 2013 variable annuity sales were $2.7 billion, down 41%.

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

Operating earnings for Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits were $226 million, down 20%, driven by lower underwriting results in group life and disability, caused by higher average claim size. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits were $4.0 billion, up 1%.

Corporate Benefit Funding

Operating earnings for Corporate Benefit Funding were $300 million, down 1%, with higher interest margins offset by lower underwriting income and higher expenses. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Corporate Benefit Funding were $612 million, up 8%, due to higher U.S. pension closeouts and structured settlement sales, offset by lower U.K. closeouts and income annuities.

Latin America

Operating earnings for Latin America were $133 million, down 13% (8% on a constant currency basis), reflecting one-time adjustments, particularly in the prior year. Premiums, fees & other revenues in Latin America were $914 million, up 14% (17% on a constant currency basis). Total sales increased 4%, reflecting the positive impact of group life growth in Chile and an increase in direct marketing sales in Argentina.

ASIA

Operating earnings for Asia were $257 million, down 1% on a reported basis, but up 7% on a constant currency basis. Operating earnings included some noteworthy items, representing a net charge of $47 million, including a charge related to the strengthening of group life total and permanent disability reserves in Australia, net of reinsurance, which has emerged as an industry-wide issue. Adjusted for these items, operating earnings are up 17%. Premiums, fees and other revenues in Asia were $2.4 billion, down 5% on a reported basis, but up 12% on a constant currency basis, supported by continued improvement in product persistency. Total sales for the region were flat from the year ago period at $899 million.

EMEA

Operating earnings for EMEA were $85 million, up 37% on a reported basis and 28% on a constant currency basis driven by business growth, expense discipline and certain one-time items. Premiums, fees & other revenues were $707 million, up 8% (6% on a constant currency basis), and sales for the region increased 10%, driven by strong growth in emerging markets.

INVESTMENTS

Net investment income was relatively unchanged at $5.0 billion. Variable investment income was $236 million ($153 million, after tax and DAC), compared with $260 million ($165 million, after tax and DAC) in the third quarter of 2012.

Investment portfolio net losses were $10 million, after tax, compared with net gains of $43 million, after tax, in the third quarter of 2012.

Increases in interest rates, changes in foreign currencies and the impact of MetLife’s own credit during the quarter contributed to derivative net losses of $476 million, after tax and other adjustments. Derivative net losses in the third quarter of 2012 were $543 million, after tax and other adjustments. Derivative gains or losses related to MetLife’s own credit do not have an economic impact on the company.

CORPORATE & OTHER

Corporate & Other had an operating loss of $160 million, compared with an operating loss of $134 million in the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower investment income.

Conference Call

MetLife will hold its third quarter 2013 earnings conference call and audio Webcast on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. (EDT). The conference call will be available live via telephone and the Internet. To listen via telephone, dial (800) 230-1074 (U.S.) or (612) 288-0337 (outside the U.S.). To listen to the conference call via the Internet, visit www.metlife.com (through a link on the Investor Relations page). Those who want to listen to the call via telephone or the Internet should dial in or go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software.

The conference call will be available for replay via telephone and the Internet beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, until Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). To listen to a replay of the conference call via telephone, dial (800) 475-6701 (U.S.) or (320) 365-3844 (outside the U.S.). The access code for the replay is 277737. To access the replay of the conference call via the Internet, visit the above-mentioned website.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures

Any references in this press release (except in this section and in the tables that accompany this release) to net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, operating earnings, operating earnings per share, book value per share, book value per share, excluding AOCI, premiums, fees and other revenues, and operating return on equity, should be read as net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per diluted common share, operating earnings available to common shareholders, operating earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, book value per common share, excluding AOCI, premiums, fees and other revenues (operating), and operating return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, excluding AOCI, respectively.

Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss that MetLife uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) accounting guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is MetLife’s measure of segment performance. Operating earnings is also a measure by which MetLife senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans.

Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, both net of income tax. Operating earnings available to common shareholders is defined as operating earnings less preferred stock dividends.

Operating revenues and operating expenses exclude results of discontinued operations and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife. Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) (NIGL) and net derivative gains (losses) (NDGL). Operating expenses also excludes goodwill impairments.

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating revenues:

• Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to NIGL and NDGL and certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB) fees (GMIB fees);
• Net investment income: (i) includes amounts for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments or that are used to replicate certain investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (ii) includes income from discontinued real estate operations, (iii) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iv) excludes certain amounts related to contract holder-directed unit-linked investments, and (v) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities (VIEs) consolidated under GAAP; and
• Other revenues are adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges.

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating expenses:

• Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends excludes: (i) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to NIGL and NDGL, (ii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments and amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, (iii) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (GMIB costs), and (iv) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (Market value adjustments);
• Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and excludes amounts related to net investment income earned on contract holder-directed unit-linked investments;
• Amortization of DAC and value of business acquired (VOBA) excludes amounts related to: (i) NIGL and NDGL, (ii) GMIB fees and GMIB costs and (iii) Market value adjustments;
• Amortization of negative VOBA excludes amounts related to Market value adjustments;
• Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
• Other expenses excludes costs related to: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements, and (iii) acquisition and integration costs.

Operating earnings also excludes the recognition of certain contingent assets and liabilities that could not be recognized at acquisition or adjusted for during the measurement period under GAAP business combination accounting guidance.

MetLife believes the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders as MetLife measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of the company’s performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating revenues, operating expenses, operating earnings, operating earnings available to common shareholders, operating earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, excluding AOCI, book value per diluted common share, excluding AOCI, operating return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, operating return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, excluding AOCI, investment portfolio gains (losses) and derivative gains (losses) should not be viewed as substitutes for the following financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP: GAAP revenues, GAAP expenses, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, book value per diluted common share, return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, excluding AOCI, net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), respectively. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the Third Quarter 2013 Financial Supplement and/or in the tables that accompany this earnings press release.

Operating return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity is defined as operating earnings available to common shareholders divided by average GAAP common equity.

Operating expense ratio is calculated by dividing operating expenses (other expenses, net of capitalization of DAC) by operating premiums, fees and other revenues.

Statistical sales information for life insurance is calculated by MetLife using the LIMRA International, Inc. definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Individual annuities sales consists of statutory premiums direct and assumed, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) increased volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital, including through our credit facilities, generate fee income and market-related revenue and finance statutory reserve requirements and may require us to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in value of specified assets, including assets supporting risks ceded to certain of our captive reinsurers or hedging arrangements associated with those risks; (3) exposure to financial and capital market risks, including as a result of the disruption in Europe and possible withdrawal of one or more countries from the Euro zone; (4) impact of comprehensive financial services regulation reform on us, as a potential non-bank systemically important financial institution, or otherwise; (5) numerous rulemaking initiatives required or permitted by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which may impact how we conduct our business, including those compelling the liquidation of certain financial institutions; (6) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, international, or other operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services, or increase the cost or administrative burdens of providing benefits to employees; (7) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (8) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (9) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (10) changes in assumptions related to investment valuations, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (11) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (12) defaults on our mortgage loans; (13) the defaults or deteriorating credit of other financial institutions that could adversely affect us; (14) economic, political, legal, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (15) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (16) a deterioration in the experience of the “closed block” established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (17) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance or indemnification arrangements, as well as any default or failure of counterparties to perform; (18) differences between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; (19) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (20) catastrophe losses; (21) increasing cost and limited market capacity for statutory life insurance reserve financings; (22) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, and for personnel; (23) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity, and the adjustment for nonperformance risk; (24) our ability to address unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating actions arising from acquisitions or dispositions, including our acquisition of American Life Insurance Company and Delaware American Life Insurance Company and to successfully integrate and manage the growth of acquired businesses with minimal disruption; (25) the dilutive impact on our stockholders resulting from the settlement of our outstanding common equity units; (26) regulatory and other restrictions affecting MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock; (27) MetLife, Inc.’s primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (28) the possibility that MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors may control the outcome of stockholder votes through the voting provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust; (29) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (30) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (31) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (32) inability to attract and retain sales representatives; (33) provisions of laws and our incorporation documents may delay, deter or prevent takeovers and corporate combinations involving MetLife; (34) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to disasters such as terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, other hostilities, or natural catastrophes, including any related impact on the value of our investment portfolio, our disaster recovery systems, cyber- or other information security systems and management continuity planning; (35) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (36) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the SEC.

MetLife, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the SEC.