BHF
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
Insurance - Life
Market Cap$3.53B
5Y Perf.+107.6%
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Stock Comparison
BHF vs MET
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MET
MetLife, Inc.
Insurance - Life
Market Cap$51.39B
5Y Perf.+118.9%
BHF vs MET — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | BHF | MET |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Life | Insurance - Life |
| Market Cap | $3.53B | $51.39B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $5.45B | $76.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-65M | $3.62B |
| Gross Margin | 54.8% | 28.4% |
| Operating Margin | -2.9% | 6.3% |
| Forward P/E | 3.2x | 8.0x |
| Total Debt | $3.15B | $20.18B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5.39B | $22.03B |
BHF vs MET — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
BHF
MET
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighthouse Financi… (BHF) | 100 | 207.6 | +107.6% |
| MetLife, Inc. (MET) | 100 | 218.9 | +118.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BHF vs MET
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: BHF leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. MetLife, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
BHF
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
The Insurance Pick
BHF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.37, yield 2.9%
- Rev growth 42.2%, EPS growth 24.8%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.37, Low D/E 46.2%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
MET
MetLife, Inc.
The Insurance Pick
MET is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 153.9% 10Y total return vs BHF's -11.9%
- 0.5% ROA vs BHF's -0.0%, ROIC 13.1% vs 9.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | BHF | 42.2% revenue growth vs MET's 10.2% |
| Value | BHF | Lower P/E (3.2x vs 8.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | BHF | Combined ratio 0.9 vs MET's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | BHF | Beta 0.37 vs MET's 1.09, lower leverage |
| Dividends | BHF | 2.9% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs MET's 2.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | BHF | +5.6% vs MET's +4.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MET | 0.5% ROA vs BHF's -0.0%, ROIC 13.1% vs 9.2% |
BHF vs MET — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
BHF vs MET — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMETLAGGINGBHF
BHFBrighthouse Financial…
1leads
METMetLife, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BHFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MET5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BHF5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MET6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MET5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MET leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MET is the larger business by revenue, generating $76.9B annually — 14.1x BHF's $5.5B. MET is the more profitable business, keeping 4.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BHF's -1.2%. On growth, MET holds the edge at +4.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $5.5B | $76.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$6M | $5.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$65M | $3.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$469M | $16.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +54.8% | +28.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -2.9% | +6.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -1.2% | +4.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.6% | +21.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -39.7% | +4.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -172.2% | +35.9% |
MET leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BHF leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 10.7x trailing earnings, BHF trades at a 35% valuation discount to MET's 16.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BHF's 2.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MET's 8.7x.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $51.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $49.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.65x | 16.42x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 3.20x | 8.05x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 2.07x | 8.66x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.57x | 0.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.52x | 1.81x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 2.84x |
BHF leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MET leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MET delivers a 12.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $-1 for BHF. BHF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.46x 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 BHF's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -1.1% | +12.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.0% | +0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.2% | +13.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.2% | +1.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.46x | 0.70x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$2.2B | -$1.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5.4B | $22.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.2B | $20.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.04x | 5.51x |
MET leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MET leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MET five years ago would be worth $13,291 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,606 for BHF. Over the past 12 months, BHF leads with a +5.6% total return vs MET's +4.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MET at 16.7% vs BHF's 12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -4.5% | -1.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.6% | +4.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +42.1% | +58.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +26.1% | +32.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -11.9% | +153.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.4% | +16.7% |
MET leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BHF and MET each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BHF is the less volatile stock with a 0.37 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.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.37x | 1.09x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $66.33 | $83.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $42.07 | $67.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.0% | +94.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.7 | 67.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 590K | 3.5M |
Evenly matched — BHF and MET each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — BHF and MET each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BHF as "Hold" and MET as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 22.4% upside for MET (target: $97) vs 9.4% for BHF (target: $68). For income investors, BHF offers the higher dividend yield at 2.89% vs MET's 2.88%.
| Metric | BHFBrighthouse Finan… | METMetLife, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $67.50 | $96.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 20 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.9% | +2.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 13 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.78 | $2.27 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.9% | +7.6% |
Evenly matched — BHF and MET each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MET leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). BHF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallMetLife, Inc. (MET)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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BHF vs MET: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BHF or MET a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is the stronger pick with 42. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 2% for MetLife, Inc. (MET). Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) offers the better valuation at 10. 7x trailing P/E (3. 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 — BHF or MET?
On trailing P/E, Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is the cheapest at 10. 7x versus MetLife, Inc. at 16. 4x. On forward P/E, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. is actually cheaper at 3. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BHF or MET?
Over the past 5 years, MetLife, Inc.
(MET) delivered a total return of +32. 9%, compared to +26. 1% for Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MET returned +153. 9% versus BHF's -11. 9%. 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 — BHF or MET?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 37β versus MetLife, Inc. 's 1. 09β — meaning MET is approximately 198% more volatile than BHF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 46% versus 70% for MetLife, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — BHF or MET?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is pulling ahead at 42. 2% versus 10. 2% for MetLife, Inc. (MET). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Brighthouse Financial, Inc. grew EPS 24. 8% 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 — BHF or MET?
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 0% net margin versus 4. 4% for MetLife, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BHF leads at 7. 6% versus 6. 0% for MET. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BHF leads at 70. 9%, 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 BHF or MET more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) trades at 3. 2x forward P/E versus 8. 0x for MetLife, Inc. — 4. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MET: 22. 4% to $96. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — BHF or MET?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) offers the highest yield at 2. 9%, versus 2. 9% for MetLife, Inc. (MET).
09Is BHF or MET better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
(BHF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 37), 2. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BHF: -11. 9%, MET: +153. 9%), 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 BHF 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.
In terms of investment character: BHF is a small-cap high-growth stock; MET is a mid-cap deep-value stock. 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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(BHF: -39.7% · MET: 4.4%)P/E Ratio<
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