NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced its full year and fourth quarter 2020 results.

Full Year Results Summary

• Net income of $5.2 billion, compared to net income of $5.7 billion for the full year 2019. Net income of $5.68 per share, down 6 percent from the prior year.
• Adjusted earnings of $5.6 billion, compared to adjusted earnings of $5.8 billion for the full year 2019. Adjusted earnings of $6.16 per share, up 1 percent from the prior year.
• Adjusted earnings, excluding total notable items, of $5.8 billion, compared to $5.7 billion for the full year 2019. On a per share basis, adjusted earnings, excluding total notable items, of $6.38, up 5 percent from $6.06 for the full year 2019.
• Book value of $78.67 per share, up 15 percent from $68.62 per share at December 31, 2019.
• Book value, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) other than foreign currency translation adjustments (FCTA), of $54.18 per share, up 11 percent from $48.97 per share at December 31, 2019.
• Return on equity (ROE) of 7.6 percent.
• Adjusted ROE, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, of 11.9 percent.
• Holding company cash and liquid assets of $4.5 billion at December 31, 2020, which is above the target cash buffer of $3.0 - $4.0 billion.

Fourth Quarter Results Summary

• Net income of $124 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to net income of $536 million, or $0.58 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Adjusted earnings of $1.8 billion, or $2.03 per share, compared to adjusted earnings of $1.8 billion, or $1.98 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Adjusted earnings, excluding total notable items, of $1.8 billion, or $2.03 per share, compared to adjusted earnings, excluding total notable items, of $1.4 billion, or $1.53 per share in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Return on equity (ROE) of 0.7 percent.
• Adjusted ROE, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, of 15.2 percent.

“MetLife delivered a very strong fourth quarter of 2020, capping off a year in which the strength of our diversified businesses was on full display,” said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf. “By most key value metrics – adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on equity, and book value per share – MetLife's fourth quarter results were above expectations. For the full year, in the face of an extremely challenging environment, we demonstrated resilience to low interest rates, exceptional expense discipline, and strong cash generation and I am very proud of how our people lived our purpose and delivered for our customers. As we begin 2021, we remain committed to consistent execution and confident that our Next Horizon strategy will continue to create value for all of our stakeholders.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Summary

MetLife reported fourth quarter 2020 premiums, fees and other revenues of $15.8 billion, up 15 percent over the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $15.7 billion, up 15 percent on both a reported and constant currency basis from the prior-year period.

Net investment income was $5.2 billion, up 13 percent from the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted net investment income was $4.9 billion, up 8 percent from the prior-year period. The increase in net investment income was primarily driven by higher variable investment income due to higher private equity returns.

Net derivative losses amounted to $1.6 billion, or $1.2 billion after tax during the quarter, driven by higher long-term interest rates and stronger equity markets.

Net income was $124 million, compared to net income of $536 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. On a per share basis, net income was $0.14, compared to net income of $0.58 in the prior-year period.

MetLife reported adjusted earnings of $1.8 billion, flat on a reported and constant currency basis, from the fourth quarter of 2019. On a per share basis, adjusted earnings were $2.03, up 3 percent from the prior-year period.

Information regarding the non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this news release and reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures are in “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” below and in the tables that accompany this news release.

Details about projected impacts of various developments to MetLife are available under the heading “Outlook” in MetLife’s fourth quarter 2020 supplemental slides, titled “4Q20 Supplemental Slides & Outlook,” which are available together with MetLife’s Quarterly Financial Supplement for this period on the MetLife Investor Relations website at www.metlife.com, and in the Form 8-K furnished by MetLife to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this earnings release. Additionally, further information about projected impacts to MetLife is available under the heading “Consolidated Company Outlook” in Item 8.01 of the Form 8-K.

Adjusted Earnings by Segment Summary*

Business Discussions

All comparisons of the results for the fourth quarter of 2020 in the business discussions that follow are with the fourth quarter of 2019, unless otherwise noted. The fourth quarter of 2020 notable items table follows the Business Discussions section of this release.

U.S.

• Adjusted earnings were $1.0 billion, up 51 percent, driven by higher variable investment income, as well as underwriting, expense margins and volume growth.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity was 36.9 percent, and adjusted return on allocated tangible equity was 42.4 percent.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $10.6 billion, up 23 percent, driven by pension risk transfer transactions in Retirement and Income Solutions.
• Excluding pension risk transfers, adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $6.4 billion, up 5 percent.

Group Benefits

• Adjusted earnings were $383 million, up 16 percent,driven by expense margins, underwriting, and volume growth. Underwriting results were affected by COVID-19, with favorable non-medical health more than offsetting higher mortality.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $5.0 billion, up 10 percent, due to solid product growth, as well as the full release of the remaining unearned dental premium reserve established in the second quarter of 2020.
• Sales were down 17 percent for the full year 2020 compared to 2019 due to lower jumbo case activity.

Retirement and Income Solutions

• Adjusted earnings were $526 million, up 64 percent, driven by investment margins, mainly from higher variable investment income, as well as volume growth and underwriting.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $4.7 billion, up 50 percent, primarily due to higher pension risk transfer activity.
• Excluding pension risk transfers, adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $502 million, down 17 percent, primarily driven by lower structured settlement sales.
• Sales were up 55 percent for the full year 2020 compared to 2019, primarily driven by stable value products, UK longevity reinsurance, and pension risk transfers.

Property & Casualty

• Adjusted earnings were $112 million, up 348 percent, driven by favorable auto underwriting.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $893 million, down 4 percent.
• Pre-tax catastrophe losses and prior year development totaled $52 million, compared to $71 million in the prior-year period.
• Sales were $114 million, down 20 percent, primarily driven by lower quote activity.

ASIA

• Adjusted earnings were $494 million, up 45 percent, and up 42 percent on a constant currency basis, driven by higher variable investment income, underwriting, volume growth and expense margins, partially offset by lower recurring interest margins.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity was 13.8 percent, and adjusted return on allocated tangible equity was 20.9 percent.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $2.2 billion, up 4 percent, and flat on a constant currency basis.
• General account assets under management (at amortized cost) were $129.7 billion, up 9 percent, and up 5 percent on a constant currency basis.
• Sales were $544 million, up 1 percent on a constant currency basis.

LATIN AMERICA

• Adjusted earnings were $14 million, down 91 percent on both a reported and constant currency basis, primarily driven by underwriting as a result of COVID-19.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity was 1.8 percent, and adjusted return on allocated tangible equity was 3.0 percent.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $878 million, down 1 percent, and up 5 percent on a constant currency basis.
• Sales were $169 million, down 23 percent on a constant currency basis, as COVID-19 related challenges impacted most of the region.

EMEA

• Adjusted earnings were $81 million, up 23 percent, and up 27 percent on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by expense margins, underwriting and volume growth, partially offset by tax items.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity was 11.3 percent, and adjusted return on allocated tangible equity was 20.1 percent.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $707 million, up 6 percent, and up 5 percent on a constant currency basis.
• Sales were $219 million, up 1 percent on a constant currency basis.

METLIFE HOLDINGS

• Adjusted earnings were $426 million, up 58 percent, driven primarily by higher variable investment income, underwriting, and improved expense margins. Underwriting results were mixed, with the favorable impact on long-term care more than offsetting higher life insurance claims.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity was 17.2 percent, and adjusted return on allocated tangible equity was 19.1 percent.
• Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues were $1.3 billion, down 4 percent.

CORPORATE & OTHER

• Corporate & Other had an adjusted loss of $198 million, compared to adjusted earnings of $322 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Excluding notable items for both periods, adjusted loss increased by $100 million. The notable items in the prior-year period are related to favorable tax items and the company's completed cost saving initiative.

INVESTMENTS

• Adjusted net investment income was $4.9 billion, up 8 percent. Variable investment income was $778 million, compared to $327 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily driven by higher private equity returns.

FOURTH QUARTER 2020 NOTABLE ITEMS

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Conference Call

MetLife will hold its combined fourth quarter and full year 2020 earnings and outlook conference call and audio webcast on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 9-10 a.m. (ET). The conference call will be available live via telephone and the internet. To listen via telephone, dial 877-692-8955 (U.S.) or 234-720-6979 (outside the U.S.). The participant access code is 2510803. To listen to the conference call via the internet, visit www.metlife.com through a link on the Investor Relations page. Those who want to listen to the call via telephone or the internet should dial in or go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software.

The conference call will be available for replay via telephone and the internet beginning at 11 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, February 4, 2021, until Thursday, February 11, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). To listen to a replay of the conference call via telephone, dial 866-207-1041 (U.S.) or 402-970-0847 (outside the U.S.). The access code for the replay is 1393262. To access the replay of the conference call over the internet, visit the above-mentioned website.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures

In this news release, MetLife presents certain measures of its performance on a consolidated and segment basis that are not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). MetLife believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the understanding for MetLife and its investors of MetLife's performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Segment-specific financial measures are calculated using only the portion of consolidated results attributable to that specific segment.

The following non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP:

Any of these financial measures shown on a constant currency basis reflect the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and are calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the most recent period and applied to the comparable prior period.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in this earnings news release and in this period’s quarterly financial supplement, which is available at www.metlife.com.

MetLife’s definitions of non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this news release may differ from those used by other companies:

Adjusted earnings and related measures

• adjusted earnings;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders on a constant currency basis;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, on a constant currency basis;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders on a constant currency basis per diluted common share;
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items per diluted common share; and
• adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, on a constant currency basis per diluted common share.

These measures are used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings and components of, or other financial measures based on, adjusted earnings are also MetLife’s GAAP measures of segment performance. Adjusted earnings and other financial measures based on adjusted earnings are also the measures by which MetLife senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. Adjusted earnings and other financial measures based on adjusted earnings allow analysis of MetLife's performance relative to its business plan and facilitate comparisons to industry results.

Adjusted earnings is defined as adjusted revenues less adjusted expenses, net of income tax. Adjusted loss is defined as negative adjusted earnings. Adjusted earnings available to common shareholders is defined as adjusted earnings less preferred stock dividends.

Adjusted revenues and adjusted expenses

These financial measures, along with the related adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, focus on our primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, and revenues and costs related to non-core products and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP. Also, these measures exclude results of discontinued operations under GAAP and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife but do not meet the discontinued operations criteria under GAAP and are referred to as divested businesses. Divested businesses also include the net impact of transactions with exited businesses that have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP and costs relating to businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife that do not meet the criteria to be included in results of discontinued operations under GAAP.

Adjusted revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) (NIGL) and net derivative gains (losses) (NDGL). Adjusted expenses also excludes goodwill impairments.

The following additional adjustments are made to revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating adjusted revenues:

• Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to NIGL and NDGL (Unearned revenue adjustments) and certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB) fees (GMIB fees);
• Net investment income: (i) includes adjustments for earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments or that are used to replicate certain investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment (Investment hedge adjustments), (ii) excludes post-tax adjusted earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method (Operating joint venture adjustments), (iii) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed equity securities (Unit-linked contract income), (iv) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities (VIEs) consolidated under GAAP (Securitization entities income); and (v) includes distributions of profits from certain other limited partnership interests that were previously accounted for under the cost method, but are now accounted for at estimated fair value, where the change in estimated fair value is recognized in NIGL under GAAP (Certain partnership distributions); and
• Other revenues is adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges and excludes fees received in association with services provided under transition service agreements (TSA fees).

The following additional adjustments are made to expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating adjusted expenses:

• Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends excludes: (i) amortization of basis adjustments associated with de-designated fair value hedges of future policy benefits (PBC hedge adjustments), (ii) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to NIGL and NDGL (PDO adjustments), (iii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments and amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and other pass-through adjustments (Inflation and pass-through adjustments), (iv) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (GMIB costs), and (v) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (Market value adjustments);
• Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment (PAB hedge adjustments) and excludes certain amounts related to net investment income earned on contractholder-directed equity securities (Unit-linked contract costs);
• Amortization of DAC and value of business acquired (VOBA) excludes amounts related to: (i) NIGL and NDGL, (ii) GMIB fees and GMIB costs and (iii) Market value adjustments;
• Amortization of negative VOBA excludes amounts related to Market value adjustments;
• Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP (Securitization entities debt expense); and
• Other expenses excludes: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements costs (Regulatory implementation costs), and (iii) acquisition, integration and other costs. Other expenses includes TSA fees.

Adjusted earnings also excludes the recognition of certain contingent assets and liabilities that could not be recognized at acquisition or adjusted for during the measurement period under GAAP business combination accounting guidance.

The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.S. or foreign statutory tax rate, which could differ from MetLife’s effective tax rate. Additionally, the provision for income tax (expense) benefit also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.

In addition, adjusted earnings available to common shareholders excludes the impact of preferred stock redemption premium, which is reported as a reduction to net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders.

Investment portfolio gains (losses) and derivative gains (losses)

These are measures of investment and hedging activity. Investment portfolio gains (losses) principally excludes amounts that are reported within net investment gains (losses) but do not relate to the performance of the investment portfolio, such as gains (losses) on sales and divestitures of businesses and goodwill impairment, as well as investment portfolio gains (losses) of divested businesses. Derivative gains (losses) principally excludes earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives, where such derivatives are either hedges of investments or are used to replicate certain investments, and where such derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting. This earned income and amortization of premium is reported within adjusted earnings and not within derivative gains (losses).

Return on equity, allocated equity, tangible equity and related measures

• Total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA: total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized investment gains (losses) and defined benefit plans adjustment components of AOCI, net of income tax.
• Total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA): total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized investment gains (losses), defined benefit plans adjustment components of AOCI and total notable items, net of income tax.
• Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity: net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity.
• Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.'s common stockholders' equity: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.'s average common stockholders' equity.
• Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.'s common stockholders' equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.'s average common stockholders' equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA.
• Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.'s common stockholders' equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA): adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, divided by MetLife, Inc.'s average common stockholders' equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA).
• Allocated equity: portion of MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity that management allocates to each of its segments and sub-segments based on local capital requirements and economic capital. Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. MetLife management periodically reviews this model to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards and the local capital requirements; allocated equity may be adjusted if warranted by such review. Allocated equity excludes the impact of AOCI other than FCTA.
• Adjusted return on allocated equity: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders divided by allocated equity.

The above measures represent a level of equity consistent with the view that, in the ordinary course of business, MetLife does not plan to sell most investments for the sole purpose of realizing gains or losses. Also, refer to the utilization of adjusted earnings and components of, or other financial measures based on, adjusted earnings mentioned above.

• Total MetLife, Inc.’s tangible common stockholders’ equity or tangible equity: total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, reduced by the impact of goodwill, value of distribution agreements (VODA) and value of customer relationships acquired (VOCRA), all net of income tax.
• Total MetLife, Inc.’s tangible common stockholders’ equity, adjusted for total notable items: total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, reduced by the impact of goodwill, value of distribution agreements (VODA), value of customer relationships acquired (VOCRA) and total notable items, all net of income tax.
• Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.'s tangible common stockholders' equity: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding amortization of VODA and VOCRA, net of income tax, divided by MetLife, Inc.'s average tangible common stockholders' equity.
• Allocated tangible equity: allocated equity reduced by the impact of goodwill, VODA and VOCRA, all net of income tax.
• Adjusted return on allocated tangible equity: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding amortization of VODA and VOCRA, net of income tax, divided by allocated tangible equity.

The above measures are, when considered in conjunction with regulatory capital ratios, a measure of capital adequacy.

Expense ratio, direct expense ratio, adjusted expense ratio and related measures

• Expense ratio: other expenses, net of capitalization of DAC, divided by premiums, fees and other revenues.
• Direct expense ratio: adjusted direct expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues.
• Direct expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses and PRT: adjusted direct expenses, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, excluding PRT.
• Adjusted expense ratio: adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues.
• Adjusted expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses and PRT: adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, excluding PRT.

General account (GA) assets under management (GA AUM) and related measures

GA AUM is used by MetLife to describe assets in its GA investment portfolio which are actively managed and stated at estimated fair value. GA AUM is comprised of GA total investments and cash and cash equivalents, excluding policy loans, contractholder-directed equity securities, fair value option securities and certain other invested assets, as substantially all of these assets are not actively managed in MetLife’s GA investment portfolio. Mortgage loans (including commercial, agricultural and residential) and real estate and real estate joint ventures included in GA AUM (at net asset value, net of deduction for encumbering debt) have been adjusted from carrying value to estimated fair value. At the segment level, intersegment balances (intercompany activity, primarily related to investments in subsidiaries, that eliminate at the MetLife consolidated level) are excluded from GA AUM.

GA AUM (at amortized cost) excludes the following adjustments: (i) unrealized gain (loss) on investments carried at estimated fair value and (ii) adjustments from carrying value to estimated fair value on mortgage loans (including commercial, agricultural and residential) and real estate and real estate joint ventures. GA AUM (at amortized cost) is presented net of related allowance for credit loss.

Statistical sales information:

• U.S.:
  • Group Benefits: calculated using 10% of single premium deposits and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees from recurring premium policy sales of all products.
  • Retirement and Income Solutions: calculated using 10% of single premium deposits and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees only from recurring premium policy sales of specialized benefit resources and corporate-owned life insurance.
  • Property & Casualty: calculated based on first year direct written premium, net of cancellation and endorsement activity.
• Latin America, Asia and EMEA: calculated using 10% of single-premium deposits (mainly from retirement products such as variable annuity, fixed annuity and pensions), 20% of single-premium deposits from credit insurance and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees from recurring-premium policy sales of all products (mainly from risk and protection products such as individual life, accident & health and group).

Sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.

The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of MetLife’s performance results and outlook:

• Volume growth, as discussed in the context of business growth, is the period over period percentage change in adjusted earnings available to common shareholders attributable to adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues and assets under management levels, applying a model in which certain margins and factors are held constant. The most significant of such items are underwriting margins, investment margins, changes in equity market performance, expense margins and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
• MetLife uses a measure of free cash flow to facilitate an understanding of its ability to generate cash for reinvestment into its businesses or use in non-mandatory capital actions. MetLife defines free cash flow as the sum of cash available at MetLife’s holding companies from dividends from operating subsidiaries, expenses and other net flows of the holding companies (including capital contributions to subsidiaries), and net contributions from debt to be at or below target leverage ratios. This measure of free cash flow is prior to capital actions, such as common stock dividends and repurchases, debt reduction and mergers and acquisitions. Free cash flow should not be viewed as a substitute for net cash provided by (used in) operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. The free cash flow ratio is typically expressed as a percentage of annual adjusted earnings available to common shareholders.
• Notable items represent a positive (negative) impact to adjusted earnings available to common shareholders. Notable items reflect the unexpected impact of events that affect MetLife’s results, but that were unknown and that MetLife could not anticipate when it devised its business plan. Notable items also include certain items regardless of the extent anticipated in the business plan, to help investors have a better understanding of MetLife's results and to evaluate and forecast those results.
• We refer to observable forward yield curves as of a particular date in connection with making our estimates for future results. The observable forward yield curves at a given time are based on implied future interest rates along a range of interest rate durations. This includes the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate which we use as a benchmark rate to describe longer-term interest rates used in our estimates for future results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words and terms such as “accretive,” "assume," "believe," “beyond,” "continue," "commit," “could,” “ensure,” "estimate," "expect," “forward,” “future,” “growth,” “guidance,” “maintain,” "long-term," “near-term,” “on course,” "on track," "outlook," “plan,” "position," “potential,” “preserve,” “project,” "remain," “sustainable,” "target," "well-positioned," "will," and other words and terms of similar meaning, in each of their forms of speech, or that are tied to future periods or future performance. They include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, future sales efforts, future expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and future trends in operations and financial results.

Many factors will determine the results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and they involve unpredictable risks and uncertainties. Our assumptions and current expectations, which may be inaccurate, and the current economic environment, which may change, underlie our forward-looking statements. MetLife, Inc. does not guarantee any future performance. Results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and others, may cause such differences. These factors include:

MetLife, Inc. will not publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements if MetLife, Inc. believes it is not likely to achieve them or for any other reasons. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.