Insurance - Diversified
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AIG vs MET
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Insurance - Life
AIG vs MET — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Diversified | Insurance - Life |
| Market Cap | $41.69B | $52.27B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $26.65B | $76.13B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.16B | $3.38B |
| Gross Margin | 38.5% | 25.6% |
| Operating Margin | 15.0% | 6.1% |
| Forward P/E | 9.9x | 8.2x |
| Total Debt | $9.19B | $20.18B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.27B | $22.03B |
AIG vs MET — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Internatio… (AIG) | 100 | 258.4 | +158.4% |
| MetLife, Inc. (MET) | 100 | 222.6 | +122.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AIG vs MET
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AIG is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.40, Low D/E 22.3%, current ratio 0.85x
- Beta 0.40, yield 2.2%, current ratio 0.85x
- Combined ratio 0.9 vs MET's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting)
MET carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 13 yrs, beta 1.09, yield 2.8%
- Rev growth 10.2%, EPS growth -19.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- 156.8% 10Y total return vs AIG's 66.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.2% revenue growth vs AIG's -1.8% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.2x vs 9.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Combined ratio 0.9 vs MET's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.40 vs MET's 1.09, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.8% yield, 13-year raise streak, vs AIG's 2.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +7.9% vs AIG's -3.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.9% ROA vs MET's 0.5%, ROIC 5.9% vs 13.1% |
AIG vs MET — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
AIG vs MET — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AIG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MET is the larger business by revenue, generating $76.1B annually — 2.9x AIG's $26.6B. AIG is the more profitable business, keeping 11.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MET's 4.4%. On growth, MET holds the edge at +29.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $26.6B | $76.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $6.6B | $5.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $3.2B | $3.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.5B | $18.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.5% | +25.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +15.0% | +6.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.9% | +4.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +23.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -1.8% | +29.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +81.9% | -34.3% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — AIG and MET each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.3x trailing earnings, AIG trades at a 14% valuation discount to MET's 16.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, AIG's 6.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MET's 8.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $41.7B | $52.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $49.6B | $50.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.31x | 16.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.92x | 8.19x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.76x | 8.81x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.56x | 0.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.08x | 1.84x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.58x | 2.89x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AIG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MET delivers a 11.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $8 for AIG. AIG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MET's 0.70x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MET scores 8/9 vs AIG's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.7% | +11.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.9% | +0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.9% | +13.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.5% | +1.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.22x | 0.70x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $7.9B | -$1.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.3B | $22.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9.2B | $20.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 10.67x | 5.39x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MET leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AIG five years ago would be worth $16,960 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,534 for MET. Over the past 12 months, MET leads with a +7.9% total return vs AIG's -3.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MET at 17.3% vs AIG's 15.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -7.3% | +0.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -3.7% | +7.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +53.5% | +61.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +69.6% | +35.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +66.2% | +156.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.4% | +17.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AIG and MET each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AIG is the less volatile stock with a 0.40 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MET's 1.09 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MET currently trades 95.8% from its 52-week high vs AIG's 88.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.40x | 1.09x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $87.46 | $83.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $71.25 | $67.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.8% | +95.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.6 | 66.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.1M | 3.5M |
Analyst Outlook
MET leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AIG as "Hold" and MET as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 20.4% upside for MET (target: $97) vs 10.2% for AIG (target: $86). For income investors, MET offers the higher dividend yield at 2.83% vs AIG's 2.20%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $85.63 | $96.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 41 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.2% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 13 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.71 | $2.27 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +14.0% | +7.4% |
AIG leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MET leads in 2 (Total Returns, Analyst Outlook). 2 tied.
AIG vs MET: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AIG or MET a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MetLife, Inc.
(MET) is the stronger pick with 10. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 8% for American International Group, Inc. (AIG). American International Group, Inc. (AIG) offers the better valuation at 14. 3x trailing P/E (9. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MetLife, Inc. (MET) a "Buy" — based on 33 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — AIG or MET?
On trailing P/E, American International Group, Inc.
(AIG) is the cheapest at 14. 3x versus MetLife, Inc. at 16. 7x. On forward P/E, MetLife, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AIG or MET?
Over the past 5 years, American International Group, Inc.
(AIG) delivered a total return of +69. 6%, compared to +35. 3% for MetLife, Inc. (MET). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MET returned +156. 8% versus AIG's +66. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — AIG or MET?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), American International Group, Inc.
(AIG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 40β versus MetLife, Inc. 's 1. 09β — meaning MET is approximately 172% more volatile than AIG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, American International Group, Inc. (AIG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 70% for MetLife, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AIG or MET?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MetLife, Inc.
(MET) is pulling ahead at 10. 2% versus -1. 8% for American International Group, Inc. (AIG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: American International Group, Inc. grew EPS 62. 1% year-over-year, compared to -19. 2% for MetLife, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MET leads at 4. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — AIG or MET?
American International Group, Inc.
(AIG) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 6% net margin versus 4. 4% for MetLife, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AIG leads at 14. 5% versus 6. 0% for MET. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MET leads at 36. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is AIG or MET more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MetLife, Inc.
(MET) trades at 8. 2x forward P/E versus 9. 9x for American International Group, Inc. — 1. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MET: 20. 4% to $96. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — AIG or MET?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
MetLife, Inc. (MET) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 2% for American International Group, Inc. (AIG).
09Is AIG or MET better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, American International Group, Inc.
(AIG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 40), 2. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AIG: +66. 2%, MET: +156. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between AIG and MET?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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