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Relative Intelligence · Life Insurance

How MetLife (MET) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on MET alone. It places MET (MetLife, Inc.) against 17 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where MET stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: MET's full trading record, from April 2000 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against MET →Chart MET vs. 17 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in MET have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in MET over the past 26 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of MET over the same span and MET's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2000 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 724 of the 1,261 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MET; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 2 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,0002000200420082012201620202024$10,000$100,0002000200720142021
  • BLK$562,061+5,521% total · +16.8% a year
  • GL$170,782+1,608% total · +11.5% a year
  • AJG$162,589+1,526% total · +11.3% a year
  • ALL$119,222+1,092% total · +10.0% a year
  • AFL$118,413+1,084% total · +10.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$84,332+743% total · +8.5% a year
  • MET$74,791+648% total · +8.0% a year
  • UNM$60,632+506% total · +7.2% a year
  • LNC$17,480+74.8% total · +2.2% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,095 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of MET; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000202120222023202420252026
  • JXN$63,053+531% total · +44.5% a year
  • UNM$40,709+307% total · +32.4% a year
  • CNO$24,982+150% total · +20.1% a year
  • AFL$24,008+140% total · +19.1% a year
  • WRB$23,533+135% total · +18.7% a year
  • EQH$19,636+96.4% total · +14.4% a year
  • ALL$19,616+96.2% total · +14.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • BRK-B$18,244+82.4% total · +12.8% a year
  • MET$17,726+77.3% total · +12.1% a year
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MET at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$64B
Industry
Insurance - Life
Price history from
April 2000

Returns

Past 1 year
+32.2%total return
Past 3 years
+84.0%+22.5% a year
Past 5 years
+76.5%+12.0% a year
Past 10 years
+240%+13.0% a year
Best calendar year
+67.5%2013
Worst calendar year
−42.2%2008
Losing years
9 of 25full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
25.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.58return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−82.4%Oct 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
At its highwithin 1%

MET against the whole market

Where MET ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does MET rank among all stocks?

This section ranks MET on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how MET stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureMETRankStanding
1-year return+32.2%915 of 3,287top 28%
3-year return+84.0%1,087 of 3,017top 36%
5-year return+76.5%846 of 2,893top 29%
10-year return+240%745 of 2,202top 34%
Volatility, 5 years25.4%365 of 2,893top 13%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.58728 of 2,893top 25%
Worst decline, past 10 years−55.2%686 of 2,187top 31%

What has beaten MET on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). MET sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than MET with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to MET; faint dots are 93 more of the 156 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than METRSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%MGC: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.4%PNW: +13.4% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%WTV: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.0%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%PWV: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.2%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%WTM: +15.4% a year, volatility 23.6%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%VFMF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.6%COMT: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.1%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%UTES: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%NANR: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.6%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%UMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 19.2%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%GVAL: +14.4% a year, volatility 18.7%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%KT: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.6%HIG: +15.6% a year, volatility 22.0%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%BATRA: +15.3% a year, volatility 22.0%MDU: +13.2% a year, volatility 23.0%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%VCTR: +28.1% a year, volatility 35.0%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%SLF: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.4%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%METSPY (S&P 500)ALLAFLWRBBRK-BVCTRRGAACGLABBVKOCAHCBOESDCILLYVTVDXJ10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than METRSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%MGC: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.4%PNW: +13.4% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%WTV: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.0%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%PWV: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.2%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%WTM: +15.4% a year, volatility 23.6%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%VFMF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.6%COMT: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.1%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%UTES: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%NANR: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.6%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%UMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 19.2%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%GVAL: +14.4% a year, volatility 18.7%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%KT: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.6%HIG: +15.6% a year, volatility 22.0%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%BATRA: +15.3% a year, volatility 22.0%MDU: +13.2% a year, volatility 23.0%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%VCTR: +28.1% a year, volatility 35.0%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%SLF: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.4%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%METSPY (S&P 500)ALLAFLBRK-BVCTRRGAABBVKOCAHCBOESDCILLYVTVDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× MET's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than MET?

Investments that beat MET over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat MET over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks MET's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than MET follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than MET's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× MET's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than MET's.

Screen the whole market against MET for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with MET?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
METMetLife, Inc. · this page
+12.0%25.4%0.58−55.2%+240%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.490.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against MET. 3 of 15 passed at least one test.
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%0.45—
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Higher return, lower volatility+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.70—
JXNJackson Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+41.7%43.3%1.03−48.4%—0.62—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Life Insurance and Insurance and the categories next to it (Property & Casualty Insurance, Asset Management, Retirement Services), plus MET's specific themes. 20 of 65 passed at least one test.
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.45—
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.47—
VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+28.1%35.0%0.89−45.2%—0.52—
RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated · Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+19.7%27.3%0.80−65.8%+199%0.56—
ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes+20.1%24.5%0.87−53.8%+309%0.46—
SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Similar return, lower volatility+11.7%19.4%0.67−50.8%+255%0.54—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 471 of 3,553 passed at least one test.
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.26—
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.30—
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.27—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.23—
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.18—
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.370.80%
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.04—
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.690.03%
What these numbers mean for MET
Annual return
MET returned 12.0% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,700. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
MET's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.4%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MET's return lands within 25.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
MET's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.58, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so MET earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
MET's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 55.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 55.2% fall takes a 123% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, MET's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.49 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MET instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MET holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 156 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than MET with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with METExpense
1
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.26—
2
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.30—
3
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.370.80%
4
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.14—
5
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.690.05%
6
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.62—
7
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.660.39%
8
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.24—
9
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.45—
10
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.210.48%
11
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.470.40%
12
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.22—
13
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.210.18%
14
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.39—
15
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.21—
16
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.63—
17
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.59—
18
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.34—
19
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%-0.110.40%
20
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.570.19%
21
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.46—
22
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.36—
23
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.37—
24
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.32—
25
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.24—
26
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.18—
27
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.17—
28
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.33—
29
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.430.26%
30
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Same or nearby category+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.47—
31
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.9%0.88−43.2%+157%0.550.31%
32
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.32—
33
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.480.25%
34
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.460.13%
35
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.650.15%
36
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.680.56%
37
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.450.36%
38
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.33—
39
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.63—
40
PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity
Whole market+14.9%21.6%0.75−44.1%—0.510.47%
41
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.6%0.92−40.2%+253%0.640.15%
42
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.440.35%
43
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.57—
44
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.430.40%
45
MGCVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.4%17.4%0.81−33.1%+353%0.450.05%
46
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+13.4%19.9%0.73−39.3%+103%0.26—
47
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.640.43%
48
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.520.12%
49
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.570.15%
50
PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+16.3%18.9%0.90−43.9%+344%0.480.58%
51
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+14.9%14.5%1.04−43.6%+150%0.490.95%
52
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.430.12%
53
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.480.61%
54
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%13.6%1.04−37.6%+168%0.500.60%
55
LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+14.3%19.2%0.80−48.5%+180%0.58—
56
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.340.50%
57
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.46—
58
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.3%18.2%0.78−31.3%+229%0.520.25%
59
GARPiShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.5%22.5%0.83−31.4%—0.330.15%
60
FRDMFreedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF · International
Whole market+17.3%22.8%0.82−40.5%—0.240.49%
61
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.320.45%
62
WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · Broad Market
Whole market+13.4%17.0%0.83−42.2%+303%0.690.12%
63
ORIOld Republic International Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+17.0%22.2%0.82−47.8%+349%0.50—
64
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Whole market+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.430.09%
65
PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.2%0.97−37.6%+223%0.730.55%
66
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.54—
67
WTMWhite Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. · Insurance
Same or nearby category+15.4%23.6%0.73−40.2%+169%0.33—
68
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+15.7%16.8%0.95−19.7%—0.580.38%
69
AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · International
Whole market+13.2%13.6%0.99−44.2%—0.640.27%
70
VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.3%17.6%0.85−41.3%—0.700.18%
71
COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF · Commodities
Whole market+13.1%21.1%0.69−39.2%+160%0.300.49%
72
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.180.45%
73
UTESVirtus Reaves Utilities ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+13.6%21.1%0.71−35.4%+210%0.270.49%
74
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.390.50%
75
NANRState Street SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.4%22.6%0.83−49.1%+241%0.490.35%
76
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · International
Whole market+14.9%18.2%0.86−30.1%—0.390.15%
77
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.600.50%
78
FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.1%16.0%0.85−44.6%+203%0.500.59%
79
UMIUSCF Midstream Energy Income Fund · Energy
Whole market+18.7%19.2%0.99−48.1%—0.540.85%
80
IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%15.6%0.93−37.3%+180%0.470.50%
81
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Whole market+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.260.70%
82
GVALCambria Global Value ETF · International
Whole market+14.4%18.7%0.82−46.8%+173%0.470.68%
83
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.28—
84
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%0.48—
85
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.38—
86
WMBThe Williams Companies, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.6%24.0%1.04−68.1%+288%0.40—
87
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.4%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.46—
88
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.57—
89
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.42—
90
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.280.04%
91
PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+13.8%21.5%0.71−70.9%+172%0.46—
92
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.17—
93
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.1%18.9%0.89−72.9%+91.0%0.531.01%
94
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Same or nearby category+22.6%24.0%0.97−57.5%+373%0.61—
95
KTKT Corporation · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+13.1%22.6%0.66−60.3%+84.9%0.24—
96
HIGThe Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Same or nearby category+15.6%22.0%0.77−57.6%+294%0.63—
97
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Popular alternative+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.70—
98
EUFNiShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+18.5%21.8%0.89−53.2%+233%0.580.49%
99
BATRAAtlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. · Entertainment
Whole market+15.3%22.0%0.76−54.2%+224%0.41—
100
MDUMDU Resources Group, Inc. · Regulated Gas
Whole market+13.2%23.0%0.66−51.4%+168%0.35—

MET against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against MET, compared period by period and year by year.

How do MET's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at MET, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than MET with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityMET: 12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: 19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%BLK: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%VOYA: 8.8% a year, volatility 28.9%LNC: −7.4% a year, volatility 42.7%PRU: 5.2% a year, volatility 25.5%BHF: −1.7% a year, volatility 42.6%CNO: 18.8% a year, volatility 28.1%ALL: 17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%UNM: 30.6% a year, volatility 29.3%EQH: 12.6% a year, volatility 32.9%JXN: 41.7% a year, volatility 43.3%AJG: 10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%PFG: 13.0% a year, volatility 26.5%GL: 12.4% a year, volatility 35.6%KIE: 10.8% a year, volatility 18.5%METSPY (S&P 500)AFLBLKVOYALNCPRUBHFCNOALLUNMEQHJXNAJGPFGGL10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityMET: 12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: 19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%BLK: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%VOYA: 8.8% a year, volatility 28.9%LNC: −7.4% a year, volatility 42.7%PRU: 5.2% a year, volatility 25.5%BHF: −1.7% a year, volatility 42.6%CNO: 18.8% a year, volatility 28.1%ALL: 17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%UNM: 30.6% a year, volatility 29.3%EQH: 12.6% a year, volatility 32.9%JXN: 41.7% a year, volatility 43.3%AJG: 10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%PFG: 13.0% a year, volatility 26.5%GL: 12.4% a year, volatility 35.6%KIE: 10.8% a year, volatility 18.5%METSPY (S&P 500)AFLBLKVOYALNCPRUBHFCNOUNMEQHJXNKIE
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
JXN Jackson Financial Inc.+41.7%43.3%
UNM Unum Group+30.6%29.3%
AFL Aflac Incorporated+19.0%20.8%
CNO CNO Financial Group, Inc.+18.8%28.1%
ALL The Allstate Corporation+17.0%26.2%
PFG Principal Financial Group, Inc.+13.0%26.5%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
EQH Equitable Holdings, Inc.+12.6%32.9%
GL Globe Life Inc.+12.4%35.6%
MET This pageMetLife, Inc.+12.0%25.4%
AJG Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.+10.9%24.2%
KIE State Street SPDR S&P Insurance ETF+10.8%18.5%
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.+8.8%28.9%
BLK BlackRock, Inc.+7.1%27.1%
PRU Prudential Financial, Inc.+5.2%25.5%
BHF Brighthouse Financial, Inc.−1.7%42.6%
LNC Lincoln National Corporation−7.4%42.7%
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Has MET consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares MET with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than MET helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than MET over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
MET MetLife, Inc. (this page)—+4.7%+9.5%+32.0%+28.6%+32.2%+84.0%+76.5%+240%25.4%0.58−55.2%—$64B—
CNO Insurance - LifeCNO Financial Group, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+0.8%+3.8%+25.7%+31.5%+41.1%+150%+136%+342%28.1%0.76−63.8%—$5.1B—
ALL Insurance - Property & CasualtyThe Allstate Corporation0/5 short3/3 long+2.9%−1.1%+17.3%+24.4%+31.5%+116%+119%+356%26.2%0.73−41.4%—$63B—
UNM Insurance - LifeUnum Group0/5 short3/3 long−0.1%+5.8%+19.3%+23.2%+26.4%+106%+279%+256%29.3%1.06−81.0%—$15B—
EQH Asset ManagementEquitable Holdings, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+0.3%+13.0%+31.5%+15.0%+15.6%+116%+81.1%—32.9%0.53−61.3%—$15B—
JXN Insurance - LifeJackson Financial Inc.1/5 short2/3 long−1.1%+6.7%+18.9%+24.3%+37.6%+269%+472%—43.3%1.03−48.4%—$8.8B—
AFL Insurance - LifeAflac Incorporated0/5 short2/3 long+4.4%−2.6%+6.0%+10.8%+12.9%+65.2%+139%+335%20.8%0.95−54.9%—$60B—
BLK Asset ManagementBlackRock, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long+3.5%+7.6%+8.8%+5.7%−0.6%+96.3%+41.1%+313%27.1%0.39−43.9%—$175B—
AJG Insurance - BrokersArthur J. Gallagher & Co.1/5 short1/3 long+9.6%+2.5%+16.9%+2.2%−6.1%+17.3%+68.0%+516%24.2%0.55−44.4%—$66B—
PFG Asset ManagementPrincipal Financial Group, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long−7.3%−2.9%+14.0%+23.7%+41.4%+76.3%+84.6%+196%26.5%0.60−64.7%—$23B—
CRBG Asset ManagementCorebridge Financial, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+0.4%+12.7%+32.2%+18.2%+13.8%+98.8%————−36.3%—$16B—
VOYA Insurance - LifeVoya Financial, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−4.9%−2.6%+28.0%+28.6%+32.6%+55.8%+52.3%+253%28.9%0.44−52.1%—$8.7B—
GL Insurance - LifeGlobe Life Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−1.2%−7.7%+12.8%+23.6%+26.3%+58.0%+79.7%+188%35.6%0.56−61.6%—$13B—
LNC Insurance - LifeLincoln National Corporation0/5 short1/3 long−4.1%−3.9%+9.0%−8.0%+6.2%+111%−32.1%+20.1%42.7%0.04−79.2%—$7.6B—
KIE FinancialsState Street SPDR S&P Insurance ETF0/5 short0/3 long+2.9%−1.2%+8.8%+7.4%+12.8%+56.7%+67.1%+203%18.5%0.65−44.3%0.35%$532M—
PRU Insurance - LifePrudential Financial, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−2.8%−1.2%+15.2%+5.2%+19.6%+47.5%+29.0%+117%25.5%0.33−65.9%—$40B—
BHF Insurance - LifeBrighthouse Financial, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−4.4%−26.6%−23.0%−26.2%+2.2%+3.1%−8.1%—42.6%0.17−76.9%—$2.7B—
FG Insurance - LifeF&G Annuities & Life, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−11.9%−33.9%−24.1%−30.9%−29.0%−25.8%————−58.8%—$2.7B—
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How did MET do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2001, along with where MET ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with MET and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of MET; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places MET among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of MET2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001
MET This pageMetLife, Inc.—−0.8%+27.7%−5.5%+19.2%+37.5%−3.4%+28.8%−15.8%+8.4%+15.9%−8.3%+3.0%+67.5%+7.9%−28.3%+27.9%+3.7%−42.2%+5.6%+21.7%+22.2%+21.8%+25.4%−13.9%−8.8%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 1 of 2516 of 189 of 1817 of 185 of 166 of 158 of 158 of 154 of 1413 of 1310 of 138 of 139 of 136 of 1210 of 1211 of 125 of 128 of 127 of 126 of 125 of 124 of 116 of 115 of 108 of 106 of 8
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 of 25+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%
CNO CNO Financial Group, Inc.10 of 22+16.1%+36.1%+25.1%−1.6%+9.5%+25.9%+25.1%−38.5%+31.0%+2.1%+12.5%−1.3%+91.1%+48.8%−7.0%+35.6%−3.3%−58.8%−37.1%−13.8%+16.2%−8.5%———
ALL The Allstate Corporation14 of 25+10.1%+40.6%+6.4%+18.4%+9.9%−0.1%+38.8%−19.5%+43.6%+21.7%−9.9%+31.2%+38.6%+50.2%−11.4%+9.1%−5.1%−34.5%−17.6%+23.4%+6.9%+23.1%+19.4%+12.3%−21.0%
UNM Unum Group14 of 25+8.6%+66.3%+13.7%+73.5%+11.9%−16.2%+2.7%−45.2%+27.2%+35.1%−2.6%+1.2%+71.9%+0.9%−11.6%+25.9%+6.9%−20.6%+16.1%−7.4%+28.9%+16.0%−7.6%−32.1%+0.8%
EQH Equitable Holdings, Inc.5 of 7+3.2%+45.0%+19.6%−10.2%+31.0%+6.5%+53.1%——————————————————
JXN Jackson Financial Inc.3 of 4+26.9%+76.4%+57.2%−11.6%—————————————————————
AFL Aflac Incorporated13 of 25+8.9%+28.1%+17.3%+26.4%+34.6%−13.6%+18.6%+6.2%+29.0%+19.1%+0.5%−6.2%+28.9%+26.4%−21.3%+24.8%+4.3%−25.5%+38.3%+0.4%+17.6%+11.2%+21.4%+23.7%−31.6%
BLK BlackRock, Inc.19 of 25+6.6%+29.3%+17.9%−20.4%+29.4%+47.2%+31.9%−21.6%+38.2%+14.6%−2.4%+15.7%+57.0%+19.8%−3.6%−15.9%+76.6%−37.0%+45.1%+41.8%+42.4%+47.6%+35.9%−5.5%−0.7%
AJG Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.12 of 25−8.0%+27.4%+20.5%+12.4%+39.0%+32.1%+31.8%+19.2%+25.1%+31.1%−10.1%+3.5%+40.0%+7.6%+20.3%+35.6%−7.8%+12.7%−14.3%−0.1%−1.2%+3.3%+13.4%−13.1%+10.4%
PFG Principal Financial Group, Inc.17 of 24+18.4%+1.9%−2.8%+20.1%+51.4%−5.2%+29.7%−35.0%+25.5%+33.1%−10.8%+8.0%+77.2%+19.4%−22.3%+38.2%+8.6%−66.5%+18.8%+25.5%+17.3%+25.6%+11.3%+26.6%—
CRBG Corebridge Financial, Inc.3 of 3+3.9%+42.9%+25.3%——————————————————————
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.6 of 12+11.1%−3.4%+20.7%−6.1%+14.0%−2.5%+52.8%−18.8%+26.3%+6.4%−12.8%+20.7%—————————————
GL Globe Life Inc.15 of 25+26.5%−7.5%+1.8%+29.7%−0.5%−8.9%+42.3%−17.2%+23.9%+30.3%+6.3%+5.0%+53.2%+20.5%+10.2%+37.6%−0.5%−25.2%−4.3%+15.6%−1.9%+26.6%+25.9%−6.2%+3.2%
LNC Lincoln National Corporation11 of 25+48.0%+24.8%−5.5%−53.5%+39.5%−11.1%+17.9%−32.0%+18.0%+35.0%−11.5%+13.1%+102%+35.3%−29.6%+11.9%+33.5%−66.4%−10.3%+28.6%+17.2%+19.2%+32.9%−32.8%+5.4%
KIE State Street SPDR S&P Insurance ETF10 of 20+8.1%+27.0%+12.2%+3.5%+22.7%−3.1%+27.2%−6.0%+12.8%+21.4%+6.0%+7.7%+45.5%+20.7%−12.0%+26.0%+28.1%−46.7%−5.7%+8.8%—————
PRU Prudential Financial, Inc.15 of 24+0.2%+19.4%+10.1%−3.9%+45.3%−11.4%+20.1%−26.5%+13.6%+32.5%−7.4%+0.7%+77.1%+9.9%−12.1%+20.5%+66.8%−66.3%+9.7%+18.7%+34.5%+33.3%+33.4%−3.1%—
BHF Brighthouse Financial, Inc.3 of 8+34.9%−9.2%+3.2%−1.0%+43.1%−7.7%+28.7%−48.0%—————————————————
FG F&G Annuities & Life, Inc.1 of 3−23.6%−8.0%+137%——————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How MET has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were MET's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents MET's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2000, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means MET fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringMET fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−82.4%−54.6%Oct 2007Mar 200917 monthsDec 20167.8 years
Covid crash−55.2%−33.5%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJan 202110 months
Dot-com bust−42.8%−39.3%Dec 2000Oct 200222 monthsMar 200417 months
2023 regional bank crisis−35.1%+2.8%Nov 2022May 20236 monthsMar 202410 months
Late-2018 sell-off−28.3%−6.8%Nov 2017Dec 201813 monthsJan 202013 months

How did MET do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far MET, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: MET began trading on April 5, 2000, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than MET.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
MET This pageMetLife, Inc.—−12.6%−19.5%−55.0%−20.9%−6.9%−36.5%−36.3%−3.4%−82.3%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
CNO CNO Financial Group, Inc.2 of 9−13.3%−35.4%−53.5%−36.4%−6.5%−26.9%−36.2%−7.5%−97.7%—
ALL The Allstate Corporation6 of 9−6.7%−20.3%−40.8%−23.7%−8.0%−10.8%−20.3%−0.8%−74.8%−30.6%
UNM Unum Group5 of 9−16.7%−14.8%−65.5%−32.2%−9.2%−34.8%−21.4%−1.0%−69.1%−47.6%
EQH Equitable Holdings, Inc.0 of 4−17.7%−30.6%−61.3%−33.2%——————
JXN Jackson Financial Inc.0 of 2−14.2%−48.4%————————
AFL Aflac Incorporated6 of 9−6.0%−19.9%−51.0%−13.2%−6.4%−15.8%−31.4%−4.3%−82.7%−36.7%
BLK BlackRock, Inc.6 of 9−7.2%−40.8%−42.3%−25.2%−7.1%−19.9%−23.9%0.0%−60.4%−33.0%
AJG Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.9 of 9−4.8%−18.8%−37.0%−11.5%−6.1%−23.1%−13.4%−1.1%−46.0%−41.2%
PFG Principal Financial Group, Inc.2 of 9−13.3%−21.1%−56.3%−31.5%−9.0%−39.9%−26.8%−2.4%−91.5%—
CRBG Corebridge Financial, Inc.0 of 1−14.3%—————————
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.2 of 6−11.2%−23.3%−52.1%−28.6%−8.9%−43.1%————
GL Globe Life Inc.6 of 9−9.8%−16.6%−47.7%−20.5%−8.7%−22.7%−20.9%−3.3%−73.7%−27.4%
LNC Lincoln National Corporation0 of 9−21.0%−40.4%−72.0%−30.6%−11.1%−45.9%−48.5%−3.0%−92.4%−52.1%
KIE State Street SPDR S&P Insurance ETF9 of 9−8.5%−15.7%−44.1%−17.9%−5.9%−15.3%−24.3%−2.0%−74.6%—
PRU Prudential Financial, Inc.2 of 9−13.3%−27.4%−58.2%−26.8%−11.9%−35.8%−27.9%−3.1%−88.3%—
BHF Brighthouse Financial, Inc.0 of 5−18.0%−35.2%−65.9%−37.4%−10.8%—————
FG F&G Annuities & Life, Inc.1 of 1−9.9%—————————
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How closely does MET move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares MET with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than MET's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
MET This pageMetLife, Inc.91%97%0.941.03
AJG Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.80%46%1.740.61
ALL The Allstate Corporation68%41%1.660.49
AFL Aflac Incorporated83%71%1.170.79
CNO CNO Financial Group, Inc.103%102%1.001.09
GL Globe Life Inc.72%72%1.000.79
UNM Unum Group88%90%0.980.96
KIE State Street SPDR S&P Insurance ETF75%77%0.970.78
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.111%128%0.871.17
PFG Principal Financial Group, Inc.103%124%0.831.22
BLK BlackRock, Inc.127%157%0.811.30
PRU Prudential Financial, Inc.102%146%0.701.25
LNC Lincoln National Corporation119%211%0.561.67
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What diversifies MET?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with MET's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing MET with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which MET lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% MET and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252023202020182015201120082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
MET MetLife, Inc. (this page)1.00+76.5%0.58−0.8%−5.5%−3.4%−15.8%−8.3%−28.3%−42.2%−13.9%−8.8%24.9%+12.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.47+119%1.48+27.1%+17.4%−9.0%−5.2%—————20.9%+13.5%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.21+225%1.34+32.8%+42.0%+3.9%−19.8%+7.7%−16.1%−20.8%——20.6%+15.6%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.49+101%1.04+9.7%+8.0%−13.4%−8.7%−25.3%————21.5%+13.2%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.46+140%0.97+78.0%+30.3%−4.0%−15.3%−15.6%−9.8%−36.8%−13.6%−9.2%21.9%+14.3%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.10+323%0.97+49.2%+73.4%+55.5%−9.1%−0.3%+6.8%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%21.8%+18.3%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.44+85.0%0.96+23.1%+20.1%+2.1%−9.5%+4.1%————21.0%+12.9%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares-0.11+126%0.96+63.7%+12.7%+24.8%−1.9%−10.7%+9.6%+4.9%——19.9%+14.2%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.46+136%0.93+26.6%+17.6%+28.2%−0.9%—————22.1%+14.5%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252023202020182015201120082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
MET MetLife, Inc. (this page)1.00+76.5%0.58−0.8%−5.5%−3.4%−15.8%−8.3%−28.3%−42.2%−13.9%−8.8%24.9%+12.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.23+479%1.55+76.3%+34.1%+10.1%−24.5%+12.6%+8.1%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%21.8%+17.8%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.27+3,143%1.47+220%+160%−2.4%−16.3%−6.0%−24.4%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%25.7%+30.4%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.23+1,636%1.46+121%+79.6%+6.7%+0.8%+67.7%−17.0%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%23.7%+26.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.18+413%1.44+44.5%+24.1%+27.1%−28.4%−4.5%+11.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%21.4%+17.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.42+690%1.41+19.2%+30.4%−27.4%−8.2%+17.4%————23.4%+19.6%
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Common questions

What was MET's worst drawdown?

MET's deepest decline since it began trading in 2000 was 82.4%, from October 2007 to March 2009. It took about eight years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were MET's best and worst years?

Over 25 full calendar years, MET's best year was 2013, when it returned 67.5%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -42.2%.

Is there a better investment than MET?

Among MET's popular alternatives, AFL earned more than MET with less volatility over the past 5 years: 19.0% a year at 20.8% volatility, against 12.0% a year at 25.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, WRB (property & casualty insurance) and BRK-B (insurance) earned more than MET with less volatility over the past 5 years. WRB returned 18.9% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 12.0% a year at 25.4%.

Is MET more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. MET's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.4%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, MET's return lands within 25.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is MET's Sharpe ratio?

MET's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.58, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so MET earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is MET with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, MET's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.49 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against MET instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a MET holding.

What are the best alternatives to MET?

None of the 17 popular alternatives we compared outperformed MET in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, which says more about MET's strength than about its alternatives.

Did MET outperform the S&P 500?

MET finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 11 of 25 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -0.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did MET do in stock market crashes?

MET fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when MET fell 82.3% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies MET?

These had a low correlation with MET over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.47), DXJ (correlation 0.21) and EMLP (correlation 0.49); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.23), CLS (correlation 0.27) and FIX (correlation 0.23). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to MET

Other stocks and ETFs