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Metlife stock split: what it means for traders

Stock splits are relatively common among companies seeking to adjust their share price or broaden accessibility. MetLife, however, has carried out only one split since listing, and as at December 2025 there’s no indication that another is being planned. Understanding that context begins with the fundamentals.
By Dan Mitchell
Metlife stock split
Photo: Shutterstock.com

MetLife (MET) is one of the world’s largest providers of insurance, retirement and employee-benefit solutions. Its shares trade on the NYSE and are monitored by investors who track corporate actions, earnings updates and capital-management developments. Stock splits are a frequent point of discussion, particularly given the company’s limited history of using them.

Explore what a stock split is, including MetLife’s stock-split history, its latest results, and factors that could influence any future decisions around share structure.

Metlife live share price

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

What is a stock split?

A stock split is a corporate action that increases the number of a company’s outstanding shares by issuing additional shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings. The share price typically adjusts downward so that the company’s overall market value remains unchanged, and each shareholder’s total position retains the same value.

For example, in a 2-for-1 split, each share becomes two and the share price generally halves. Companies often use splits to bring their share price into a more accessible trading range and to support liquidity.

Metlife’s latest stock split

MetLife’s most recent – and only – stock split took place on 7 August 2017. The ratio was 1.122-for-1,000. For every 1,000 shares held before the action, shareholders received 1,122 shares afterwards.

This wasn’t a conventional large split. Instead, it was a technical adjustment that marginally increased the share count while leaving MetLife’s overall market capitalisation broadly unchanged.

Why did Metlife conduct a share split?

The 2017 adjustment occurred alongside MetLife’s corporate restructuring linked to the spin-off of Brighthouse Financial. Although the split and the spin-off were separate, both formed part of a wider effort to refine the group’s structure.

Smaller share-count adjustments like this tend to be used to fine-tune trading dynamics. Because the increase was modest, its effect on market accessibility was limited compared with more familiar 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 splits.

Will Metlife split again in 2026?

As at 17 December 2025, MetLife hasn’t announced any plans for another stock split. Recent filings and earnings communications provide no indication that a split is under consideration for 2026.

Any future decision would hinge on factors such as:

  • Share-price levels
  • Market-liquidity conditions
  • Capital-management objectives
  • The company’s strategic direction

At present, none of these areas has been highlighted in a way that suggests an imminent split.

Metlife stock split history

MetLife has one recorded stock split:

Date Ratio Notes
7 August 2017 1.122-for-1,000 Technical share-increase adjustment linked to broader 2017 corporate changes

No additional stock splits have been recorded before or after this date up to December 2025.

Latest earnings: MetLife Q3 2025 results

MetLife’s latest reported figures point to continued operational strength through 2025. For Q3 2025, the company reported:

  • Net income of about $818m, or $1.22 per share
  • Adjusted earnings of around $1.6bn, up by the mid-teens % year on year
  • Adjusted earnings per share of roughly $2.34

Management attributed performance to several drivers, including higher variable investment income, volume growth across multiple segments, and disciplined cost control reflected in improving expense ratios.

These results follow several years of operational simplification and capital-management optimisation.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Outlook and upcoming developments

MetLife’s guidance for 2025 highlighted expense discipline, targeted investment-income strategies and a focus on maintaining a mid-teens adjusted return on equity. These priorities continue to shape its strategic approach heading into 2026.

Summary

  • MetLife has carried out one stock split in its history: a small 1.122-for-1,000 adjustment in 2017.
  • As at December 2025, the company has not announced any plans for a 2026 split.
  • Stock splits adjust share count and share price proportionally without changing company valuation.
  • Q3 2025 results show higher adjusted earnings and continued cost discipline.
  • Future updates are more likely to come through regular earnings and capital-management communications rather than share-structure changes.

FAQ

When did MetLife stock split?

MetLife carried out a stock split on 7 August 2017. The 1.122-for-1,000 adjustment modestly increased the number of outstanding shares without affecting the company’s overall market value.

When did the MetLife stock split take effect?

The split took effect on 7 August 2017. From that date, the adjusted share count and corresponding post-split price were reflected in MET shares on the NYSE.

Did MetLife have a stock split before 2017?

No. Public records show only one stock split in MetLife’s history: the adjustment completed in 2017.

How many times has MetLife stock split?

MetLife has split its stock once. The single recorded event is the 1.122-for-1,000 split that took place in August 2017.

How much was MetLife stock after the split?

Following the split, MET shares traded at around $37.64 per share, compared with about $53.91 immediately beforehand. In the months that followed, the share price moved within the mid-$40 to low-$50 range. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Why did MetLife split its stock?

The 2017 split was a technical adjustment made during a period of broader corporate restructuring. Although separate from the Brighthouse Financial spin-off, both actions formed part of MetLife’s wider reorganisation. The split was modest and primarily intended to fine-tune liquidity and pricing rather than to make a significant change to market accessibility.

Will MetLife split its stock again?

As at 17 December 2025, MetLife hasn’t announced any plans for an additional stock split. Recent filings and earnings updates provide no indication that further changes to the share structure are being considered.

What was the most recent MetLife stock-split date?

MetLife’s most recent – and only – stock split took place on 7 August 2017, using a 1.122-for-1,000 ratio to increase the share count.

How can I trade MetLife CFDs on Capital.com?

You can trade MetLife share CFDs on Capital.com by opening an account, navigating to the MET market page and using the platform’s charting, order-entry and risk-management tools. Contracts for difference (CFDs) are traded on margin – leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Understand how CFDs work and how to use risk-management tools such as take-profit and stop-loss orders before opening a position. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future results.*

*Standard stop-loss orders are not guaranteed. Guaranteed stop-loss orders incur a fee if activated.

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