MetLife (NYSE:MET) Stock Analysis: Morgan Stanley's 'Overweight' Rating and Institutional Confidence

• MetLife (NYSE:MET) received an "Overweight" rating and an increased price target of $111 from Morgan Stanley, signaling a positive outlook for the insurance company.
• Major institutional investors, including BlackRock Inc. and EP Wealth Advisors LLC, have significantly increased their holdings in MetLife, demonstrating strong investor confidence.
• MetLife continues to show financial stability by declaring its third-quarter 2026 preferred stock dividends, with payments of $0.31 and $29.38 per share.

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) is a global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs. As one of the largest financial services companies, it serves millions of customers across many countries. The company operates in a competitive insurance market alongside other major insurance and financial firms, offering a wide range of products and services.

On August 24, 2026, analyst firm Morgan Stanley kept its "Overweight" rating for MetLife. An "Overweight" rating means the analyst believes the stock will perform better than the average stock in its sector. This positive investment outlook is shared by several large institutional investors who have recently increased their holdings in the company.

This institutional confidence is clear from recent regulatory filings. EP Wealth Advisors LLC established a new position by purchasing 21,942 shares valued at approximately $1.86 million. More notably, BlackRock Inc. acquired over 51.7 million shares for $4.38 billion, giving it an 8.05% ownership stake in MetLife, as highlighted by Defense World.

Alongside the rating, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on MetLife to $111 from $103. A price target is an analyst's projection of a stock's future price. This new target was set when the stock was trading at $94.34, suggesting potential for growth above its recent 52-week high of $100.93.

Further demonstrating its financial stability, MetLife declared its third-quarter 2026 preferred stock dividends. The company announced payments of $0.31 per share for its Series A stock and $29.38 per share for its Series D stock. Paying dividends is a way for a company to distribute its profits to shareholders.