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Metlife Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2025: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income fell on derivative losses: Net income was $818 million, or $1.22 per share, down 36 percent (33 percent per share). Market risk benefit remeasurement gains and higher adjusted earnings partly offset the net derivative and net investment losses. Source
  • Adjusted earnings rose 15 percent: Adjusted earnings were $1.6 billion, up 15 percent. Adjusted earnings per share were $2.37, up 22 percent; excluding total notable items, per-share adjusted earnings rose 21 percent to $2.34. Source
  • Asia sales up 34 percent: Asia sales were $786 million, up 34 percent on a constant currency basis. Japan sales rose 31 percent and other Asia markets rose 39 percent. Source
  • Latin America earnings down on Mexico charge: Latin America adjusted earnings were $147 million, down 33 percent, due to the Mexico value-added tax charge. Excluding notable items, earnings rose 2 percent to $222 million on volume growth across the region. Source
  • PRT mandates reached $12 billion: Pension risk transfer mandates totaled $12 billion in the fourth quarter to date, according to the release. Source
  • Variable investment income up 198%: Variable investment income was $483 million, up 198 percent, reflecting higher private equity returns in the quarter. Source
  • About $875 million returned to holders: Share repurchases were $502 million and common stock dividends were $378 million in the quarter, together about $875 million. Source

“MetLife delivered an excellent third quarter that reinforces the strength of our diversified business model and disciplined execution of our New Frontier strategy.”

Michel Khalaf, President and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Expanded MetLife Xcelerator in Latin America with a new Mercado Libre partnership in Brazil and Mexico. Source
  • New: Recorded a $71 million after-tax charge tied to the resolution of an industry-wide Mexico tax matter on VAT deductions for health claims. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income fell on derivative losses: Net income was $818 million, or $1.22 per share, down 36 percent (33 percent per share). Market risk benefit remeasurement gains and higher adjusted earnings partly offset the net derivative and net investment losses. Source
  • Adjusted earnings rose 15 percent: Adjusted earnings were $1.6 billion, up 15 percent. Adjusted earnings per share were $2.37, up 22 percent; excluding total notable items, per-share adjusted earnings rose 21 percent to $2.34. Source
  • Revenue flat, up 4% excluding PRT: Premiums, fees and other revenues were $12.5 billion, flat year over year. Excluding pension risk transfers, adjusted revenues rose 4 percent. Source

Segments and regions

  • Group Benefits up 6% ex-notables: Group Benefits adjusted earnings were $455 million, up 22 percent. The prior-year period included a $58 million negative notable item; excluding notable items, earnings were $457 million, up 6 percent. Source
  • RIS earnings up 15% ex-notables: RIS adjusted earnings were $436 million, down 8 percent on the prior-year actuarial review. Excluding notable items, earnings were $423 million, up 15 percent, largely on higher variable investment income. Source
  • Asia earnings up 36% ex-notables: Asia adjusted earnings were $543 million, up 77 percent, including a $70 million positive notable item from the annual review. Excluding notable items, earnings rose 36 percent to $473 million. Source
  • Asia sales up 34 percent: Asia sales were $786 million, up 34 percent on a constant currency basis. Japan sales rose 31 percent and other Asia markets rose 39 percent. Source
  • Latin America earnings down on Mexico charge: Latin America adjusted earnings were $147 million, down 33 percent, due to the Mexico value-added tax charge. Excluding notable items, earnings rose 2 percent to $222 million on volume growth across the region. Source
  • EMEA earnings up 26% on volume: EMEA adjusted earnings were $88 million, up 26 percent, driven by volume growth and higher recurring interest margins. Excluding notable items, earnings rose 19 percent to $89 million. Source

“These results demonstrate MetLife's earnings power and our ability to deliver all- weather performance - driving responsible growth and high returns for shareholders today and in the future.”

Michel Khalaf, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products, customers and sales

  • PRT mandates reached $12 billion: Pension risk transfer mandates totaled $12 billion in the fourth quarter to date, according to the release. Source
  • Non-medical health loss ratio improved: The Group Benefits non-medical health loss ratio improved by 230 basis points sequentially, as management described the underwriting result. Source
  • Group Benefits PFOs up 3%: Group Benefits adjusted PFOs were $6.3 billion, up 3 percent, with favorable mortality on participating life contracts partly offsetting core and voluntary growth. Source
  • MetLife Holdings revenue down on run-off: MetLife Holdings adjusted earnings rose 12 percent to $203 million, while adjusted PFOs fell 8 percent to $729 million as the business continues to run off. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Expense ratio rose to 21.7%: The expense ratio was 21.7 percent against 19.9 percent a year earlier. The direct expense ratio, excluding notable items and PRT, was 11.6 percent against 11.7 percent. Source
  • Corporate and Other loss widened: Corporate & Other adjusted loss was $288 million, against $249 million a year earlier, attributed to elevated expenses from market-related employee costs and higher debt interest payments. Source
  • Notable items in other expenses: Total notable items related to adjusted other expenses were $102 million in the quarter, against none in the prior-year period, per the reconciliation table. Source

Investment income and margins

  • Variable investment income up 198%: Variable investment income was $483 million, up 198 percent, reflecting higher private equity returns in the quarter. Source
  • Net investment income up 16%: Net investment income was $6.1 billion, up 16 percent, mainly from higher estimated fair value of certain securities that do not qualify as separate accounts under GAAP. Source
  • Annual actuarial review added earnings: The annual actuarial assumption review and other insurance adjustments raised net income by $102 million and adjusted earnings by $89 million in the quarter. Source
  • Investment losses reduced net income: Net investment losses were $325 million, or $257 million after tax, which management attributed to normal trading activity and a stable credit environment. Source

Capital, returns and liquidity

  • About $875 million returned to holders: Share repurchases were $502 million and common stock dividends were $378 million in the quarter, together about $875 million. Source
  • Year-to-date buybacks about $2.6 billion: Year-to-date share repurchases reached about $2.6 billion, including about $150 million in October 2025. Source
  • Return on equity 13.1%: Return on common stockholders' equity was 13.1 percent against 20.2 percent a year earlier. Adjusted return on equity was 16.9 percent. Source
  • Holding company cash $4.9 billion: Holding company cash and liquid assets were $4.9 billion at quarter end, compared with $5.2 billion at June 30, 2025 in the prior release. Source
  • U.S. statutory capital flat at $17.1 billion: Total U.S. statutory adjusted capital was about $17.1 billion at September 30, 2025, flat from June 30, 2025, excluding American Life Insurance Company. Source
  • Japan solvency ratio about 740%: The expected Japan solvency margin ratio was about 740 percent at September 30, 2025, up from about 710 percent at June 30, 2025. Source

Strategy, partnerships and New Frontier

  • Strategic partnerships to widen reach: Management said the partnerships launched in the quarter will expand reach and improve access to insurance and retirement solutions. Source
  • Transactions with Chariot Re, Talcott, PineBridge: The prior release said progress continued on previously announced transactions with Chariot Re, Talcott Financial Group and PineBridge Investments, aimed at asset management growth.
  • Institutional assets above $200 billion: The prior release reported institutional client assets under management above $200 billion at MetLife Investment Management.

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2025

  • Momentum into year-end: The CEO said momentum continues to build as the company heads into year-end. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Investment income SourceAdjusted net investment income $5.4 billion, up 6 percent
Book value per share Source$39.52

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Derivative results moved with equity markets, long-term interest rates and the U.S. dollar, producing net derivative losses in the quarter. Source
  • Operational: Participating life contract revenues depend on claims experience, so results can move with claims outcomes. Source
  • Regulatory: A Mexico value-added tax matter produced a charge in the quarter, with the release describing the resolution but no further exposure. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release said management was confident in delivering on its commitments; the third-quarter release gives no status on that.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.