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 | $42.10B | $52.79B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $26.65B | $70.76B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.16B | $3.84B |
| Gross Margin | 38.5% | 24.1% |
| Operating Margin | 15.0% | 7.0% |
| Forward P/E | 10.0x | 8.2x |
| Total Debt | $9.19B | $18.71B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.27B | $20.07B |
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 | 261.0 | +161.0% |
| MetLife, Inc. (MET) | 100 | 221.9 | +121.9% |
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 12 yrs, beta 1.09, yield 2.7%
- Rev growth 3.3%, EPS growth 228.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.3%
- 158.4% 10Y total return vs AIG's 68.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 3.3% revenue growth vs AIG's -1.8% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.2x vs 10.0x) | |
| 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 | 2.7% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs AIG's 2.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +6.1% vs AIG's -3.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.9% ROA vs MET's 0.5%, ROIC 5.9% vs 15.4% |
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 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MET is the larger business by revenue, generating $70.8B annually — 2.7x AIG's $26.6B. AIG is the more profitable business, keeping 11.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MET's 5.4%. On growth, AIG holds the edge at -1.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $26.6B | $70.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $6.6B | $6.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $3.2B | $3.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.5B | $15.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.5% | +24.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +15.0% | +7.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.9% | +5.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +21.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -1.8% | -7.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +81.9% | -32.6% |
Valuation Metrics
MET leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.5x trailing earnings, MET trades at a 7% valuation discount to AIG's 14.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, AIG's 6.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MET's 8.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $42.1B | $52.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $50.0B | $51.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.45x | 13.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.02x | 8.16x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.82x | 8.12x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.57x | 0.75x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.09x | 2.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.70x | 3.49x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AIG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MET delivers a 13.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 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 0.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MET scores 7/9 vs AIG's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.7% | +13.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.9% | +0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.9% | +15.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.5% | +0.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.22x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $7.9B | -$1.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.3B | $20.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9.2B | $18.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 10.67x | 5.66x |
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 $17,571 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,813 for MET. Over the past 12 months, MET leads with a +6.1% total return vs AIG's -3.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MET at 16.5% vs AIG's 15.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -6.3% | +0.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -3.3% | +6.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +54.9% | +58.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +75.7% | +38.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +68.3% | +158.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.7% | +16.5% |
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 95.5% from its 52-week high vs AIG's 89.7% 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 | +89.7% | +95.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.6 | 63.2 |
| 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 20.8% upside for MET (target: $97) vs 9.1% for AIG (target: $86). For income investors, MET offers the higher dividend yield at 2.69% vs AIG's 2.18%.
| 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% | +2.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.71 | $2.15 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +13.9% | +6.1% |
MET leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). AIG leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 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 3. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 8% for American International Group, Inc. (AIG). MetLife, Inc. (MET) offers the better valuation at 13. 5x trailing P/E (8. 2x 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, MetLife, Inc.
(MET) is the cheapest at 13. 5x versus American International Group, Inc. at 14. 5x. On forward P/E, MetLife, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 2x.
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 +75. 7%, compared to +38. 1% for MetLife, Inc. (MET). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MET returned +158. 4% versus AIG's +68. 3%. 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 68% 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 3. 3% versus -1. 8% for American International Group, Inc. (AIG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MetLife, Inc. grew EPS 228. 2% year-over-year, compared to 62. 1% for American International Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MET leads at 3. 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 6. 3% 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 8. 0% for MET. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AIG leads at 34. 5%, 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 10. 0x for American International Group, Inc. — 1. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MET: 20. 8% 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. 7%, 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: +68. 3%, MET: +158. 4%), 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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