FWP
Filed pursuant to Rule 433
October 7, 2008
Relating to
Prospectus Dated November 7, 2008
Registration Statement No. 333-147180
As we all know from the news reports, this is a turbulent time for the credit markets. The stock
prices of financial services companies, including insurance companies have been hard hit. At the
same time, recent comments made by a senior Congressional leader further raised concerns about
insurance companies in particular.
Last week, we issued a statement that was intended to assure our stakeholders that our Company is
financially strong and fully able to meet our obligations.
Now we are taking additional steps to further assure our policyholders, our shareholders and our
associates about the soundness of our Company.
One of these steps is to sell 75 million shares of our common stock to the public to raise
additional capital. Attached is the press release that announced this public offering.
In order to be able to sell shares to the public, we had to provide information about our third
quarter results earlier than we normally would release our third quarter earnings. A copy of the
press release that pre-announces our expected third quarter results is attached.
Apart from these actions that we are taking now to further strengthen our capital, we have been
focused for over a year now on identifying the strategies and initiatives that will make MetLife an
even better, more efficient and more profitable Company.
One of the initiatives that I have been talking to you about is Operational Excellence. Through Op
Ex, we identified changes that we need to make to clarify decision-making roles and
responsibilities, simplify our organizational structure and increase our speed to market. Op Ex is
a new way of doing business at MetLife, not just a series of one-time events. We will continually
look for opportunities to enhance our revenues and ways to reduce costs.
Some of these changes that we are going to make will impact our worldwide workforce. Those
associates who will be directly impacted will be told beginning in late October and concluding by
the end of this month. As always, our associates will be treated with the dignity and respect that
they deserve and have earned.
I know that these are challenging times, which is why I want you all to know that I thank you for
your commitment as we move forward to take our company to the next level.
The issuer has filed a registration statement, including a prospectus with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offering to which this communication relates.
Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other
documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this
offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at
www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the
offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC toll free at 800-221-1037.
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Exhibit 99.1
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Contacts: |
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For Media: |
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John Calagna |
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(212) 578-6252 |
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For Investors: |
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Conor Murphy |
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(212) 578-7788 |
METLIFE PREANNOUNCES EXPECTED THIRD QUARTER 2008 RESULTS
NEW YORK, October 7, 2008 MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today preannounced its expected results for
the third quarter of 2008. Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders for
the third quarter of 2008 is expected to be between $1,005 and $1,150 million, or $1.38 to $1.58
per diluted common share. Operating earnings available to common shareholders for the third
quarter of 2008 are expected to be between $600 and $675 million, or $0.83 to $0.93 per diluted
common share. Premiums, fees and other revenues for the third quarter of 2008 were approximately
$8.6 billion, up 16% over the third quarter of 2007 and up 12% over the first nine months of 2007.
MetLife continues to be a strong, stable leader in the financial services industry during a
challenging environment, said C. Robert Henrikson, chairman, president & chief executive officer
of MetLife, Inc. The long-term approach we take in managing our investment portfolio, combined
with our diverse mix of businesses, has served us well and will continue to do so in the years
ahead.
The companys range of operating earnings for the third quarter of 2008 primarily reflects:
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A decline in variable investment income, which is expected to be below plan by
approximately $117 million, net of income tax, or $0.16 per diluted common share. This
decline was mostly driven by negative hedge fund and private equity returns; |
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The impact of poor equity markets on fee revenue in the companys variable annuity business
and a related adjustment to deferred acquisition costs. The almost 9% decline in the S&P 500
in the quarter is expected to impact results by approximately $105 million, net of income tax,
or $0.14 per diluted common share; |
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An accrual of approximately $48 million, net of income tax, or $0.07 per diluted common
share, related to the first phase of the companys previously-announced Operational Excellence
initiative. The third quarter accrual relates to severance and is expected to result |
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in future annualized savings of approximately $130 million before income tax. MetLifes
Operational Excellence plans are anticipated to extend through 2010 and, while we expect to
incur additional expenses, we anticipate these costs will result in targeted future cost
savings, before income tax, of at least $400 million a year, as well as revenue enhancements;
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The previously-announced decision to commute three excess insurance policies for
asbestos-related claims, which amounts to a reduction in operating earnings available to
common shareholders of approximately $23 million, net of income tax, or $0.03 per diluted
common share. |
Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains/Losses
Relative to the size of MetLifes $324 billion general account portfolio, the companys level of
realized investment losses has remained modest. For the third quarter of 2008, MetLife expects net
realized investment gains, net of income tax, to be between $400 and $475 million. Included in
these gains are approximately $490 million, net, in credit-related losses, including impairments.
Approximately $375 million, net, or 77%, of the credit-related impairments were related to major
financial services credits such as Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual and AIG. These
credit-related losses are offset by derivative gains of approximately $735 million, net of income
tax, which arose primarily from the increase in value of the U.S. dollar in the third quarter, as
well as the increase in credit default swap spreads.
MetLifes gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2008 are expected
to be $17 billion pre-tax, compared with $10 billion at June 30, 2008. The companys corresponding
gross unrealized gains are estimated at $5 billion pre-tax, compared with $6 billion at June 30,
2008. The increase in gross unrealized losses resulted from widening credit spreads in the
quarter. The component of gross unrealized losses for securities trading down 20% or more for six
months has increased to approximately $1.7 billion pre-tax, from $400 million at June 30, 2008.
MetLife analyzes every security in an unrealized loss position. Impairments on any security that
the company does not have the ability or intent to hold until recovery, or which MetLife believes
will not recover, have already been included in the impairment number above.
Capital
MetLife is a well capitalized company with a strong balance sheet and financial strength ratings
that are among the highest in the industry, added Henrikson. With our earlier announcement to
offer 75 million shares of common stock to the public, we are taking an additional, proactive step
to further assure all of our stakeholders that MetLife is financially sound and well positioned to
meet our future obligations. At the same time, it will enable us to take advantage of potential
opportunities in the market and to continue building shareholder value.
The company estimates its excess capital position to be more than $4 billion. This consists of: $2
billion of capital in MetLifes insurance subsidiaries in excess of what the company believes would
support a risk-based capital ratio of 350; $1 billion of excess capital at the holding company; and
another $1 billion which will be received in February 2009 upon the mandatory conversion of the
companys common equity units.
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Liquidity
The companys sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents of approximately $21 billion
as of September 30, 2008, up from $14 billion as of June 30, 2008.
As of September 30, 2008, MetLifes liquid assets at the holding company totaled approximately
$1.75 billion. Liquidity is not expected to be impacted in the near term because none of the
holding companys long-term debt is due before 2011 and the holding companys commercial paper
program, which is not used for general corporate funding purposes, had only approximately $300
million outstanding as of September 30, 2008.
Liquidity in MetLifes insurance business is determined by a number of factors:
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In the companys retail business, which includes individual life and annuity products, the
policies lapse or are surrendered in the normal course of business, and lapse rates have been
decreasing recently. |
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In Institutionals retirement and savings business, as of September 30, 2008, approximately
$92 billion of the total policyholder liabilities of $96 billion were comprised of pension and
other fixed annuity liabilities without surrender or withdrawal options, or guaranteed
investment contracts with stated maturities. |
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The companys retirement and savings business has liabilities of approximately $4 billion
under funding agreements pursuant to which customers can, on notice, require early payment.
Of these, approximately $1 billion could be required to be paid on 90 days notice, while the
remainder requires 6 to 13 months notice. |
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In addition, less than $1 billion of retirement and savings liabilities are subject to
mandatory collateralization as a result of ratings downgrades. Hypothetically, if there were
a two notch downgrade in the companys insurer financial strength rating, MetLife would
currently be required to post less than $200 million in collateral. |
Securities Lending
In connection with MetLifes securities lending activities, the company lends various types of
fixed income securities in return for cash collateral which is invested in high quality assets. At
the end of the second quarter, the companys securities lending book was $45 billion. At September
30, 2008, it declined to $41 billion. Of this $41 billion, approximately $15 billion is on open,
which means that the securities the company has loaned can be returned to MetLife overnight in
return for cash, while the remainder of the balance has varying maturities ranging from two weeks
to several months. Of the $15 billion of securities on open, $10 billion are U.S. Treasury and
agency securities which MetLife believes, if put to the company, can immediately be sold to satisfy
the companys obligation to return cash collateral securing its loans. Should MetLifes liquidity
needs under the companys securities lending program accelerate, MetLife has a pool of $9 billion
in cash at the end of the third quarter dedicated to meet those needs and, in addition, the company
has the liquidity resources of most of MetLifes general account assets to draw on.
Book Value
As of September 30, 2008, preliminary stockholders equity, excluding accumulated other
comprehensive income (AOCI), was approximately $35 billion. AOCI reflects estimated unrealized
losses of approximately $7 billion, net of income tax and deferred acquisition costs.
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Consequently, book value per share including AOCI was $36 per diluted common share and excluding
AOCI was $46 per diluted common share.
RGA Transaction
During the third quarter, MetLife completed its split-off of substantially all of the companys
interest in Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA). The split-off transaction results in
a GAAP loss of $460 million, a statutory gain in excess of $1 billion, and a decrease in MetLifes
share count of approximately 23 million shares. MetLifes share of the operating earnings of RGA
in the third quarter (approximately $24 million, or $0.03 per diluted common share) is now
reflected in discontinued operations. All previous periods will be reclassed in discontinued
operations when MetLife formally reports its third quarter 2008 results.
Conference Call
MetLife will hold a conference call tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. (ET). The conference call will be
available live via telephone and the Internet. To listen over the telephone, dial (800) 230-1092
(domestic) or (612) 326-1019 (international). To listen to the conference call over the Internet,
visit www.metlife.com (through a link on the Investor Relations page). Those who want to listen to
the call on the telephone or via the Internet should dial in or go to the Web site at least fifteen
minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software.
2008 Guidance & Formal Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Announcement
Given the current volatility, the company is withdrawing its 2008 earnings guidance. MetLife will
report its full third quarter results on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, after the market closes. The
press release will also be available on the MetLife Investor Relations Web page at www.metlife.com.
MetLife will hold its third quarter 2008 earnings conference call and audio Webcast on Thursday,
October 30, 2008, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. (ET).
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
Net income available to common shareholders and net income available to common shareholders per
diluted common share are defined as GAAP net income and GAAP net income per diluted common share
less preferred stock dividends, respectively.
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders is a GAAP measure and is defined
as GAAP net income less discontinued operations, net of income tax, less preferred stock dividends.
MetLife also analyzes its performance using so-called non-GAAP measures, including operating
earnings available to common shareholders and operating earnings available to common shareholders
per diluted common share. Operating earnings available to common shareholders is defined as GAAP
net income, excluding net investment gains and losses, net of income tax, adjustments related to
net investment gains and losses, net of income tax, and discontinued operations other than
discontinued real estate, net of income tax, less preferred stock dividends. Scheduled periodic
settlement payments on derivative instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting treatment are
included in operating earnings available to common shareholders.
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Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders can be reconciled to operating
earnings available to common shareholders by excluding net investment gains and losses, net of
income tax; adjustments related to net investment gains and losses, net of income tax; and
discontinued operations related to real estate. Discontinued operations other than discontinued
operations related to real estate and preferred stock dividends are excluded from both income from
continuing operations available to common shareholders and operating earnings available to common
shareholders.
MetLife believes these measures enhance the understanding and comparability of its performance by
excluding net investment gains and losses, net of income tax, and adjustments related to net
investment gains and losses, net of income tax, both of which can fluctuate significantly from
period to period, and discontinued operations other than discontinued real estate, net of income
tax, thereby highlighting the results from operations and the underlying profitability drivers of
the business. Operating earnings available to common shareholders and operating earnings available
to common shareholders per diluted common share should not be viewed as substitutes for GAAP net
income available to common shareholders and GAAP net income available to common shareholders per
diluted common share, respectively.
Operating earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share is calculated by
dividing operating earnings available to common shareholders by the number of weighted average
diluted common shares outstanding for the period indicated. Income from continuing operations
available to common shareholders per diluted common share is calculated by dividing Income from
continuing operations available to common shareholders by the number of weighted average diluted
common shares outstanding for the period indicated.
In this release, MetLife provides guidance on its future earnings per diluted common share on both
a GAAP (income from continuing operations) and a non-GAAP (operating earnings) basis. A
reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not
accessible on a forward-looking basis because MetLife believes it is not possible to provide other
than a range of net investment gains and losses, which can fluctuate significantly within or
without the range and from period to period and may have a significant impact on GAAP net income.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to trends in
the operations and financial results and the business and the products of the company and its
subsidiaries, as well as other statements including words such as anticipate, believe, plan,
estimate, expect, intend and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made
based upon managements current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their
potential effects on the company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance.
Actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a
result of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: (i) changes in
general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates,
which
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may affect the companys ability to raise capital and its generation of fee income and
market-related revenue; (ii) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of
new competitors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors and for personnel;
(iii) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (iv) unanticipated
changes in industry trends; (v) catastrophe losses; (vi) ineffectiveness of risk management
policies and procedures; (vii) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (viii)
changes in assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs, value of business acquired or
goodwill; (ix) discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in setting
prices for the companys products and establishing the liabilities for the companys obligations
for future policy benefits and claims; (x) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions
used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (xi) adverse
results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (xii)
downgrades in the companys and its affiliates claims paying ability, financial strength or credit
ratings; (xiii) regulatory, legislative or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or demand for,
the companys products or services; (xiv) 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; (xv) deterioration in the
experience of the closed block established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company; (xvi) economic, political, currency and other risks relating to the
companys international operations; (xvii) the effects of business disruption or economic
contraction due to terrorism or other hostilities; (xviii) the companys ability to identify and
consummate on successful terms any future acquisitions, and to successfully integrate acquired
businesses with minimal disruption; and (xix) other risks and uncertainties described from time to
time in MetLife, Inc.s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company
specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Celebrating 140 years, MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance and financial services with
operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions.
Through its domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than
70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States
(based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto
and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group
insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.
For more information, please visit www.metlife.com.
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