MetLife Earnings Surge

MetLife (MET Quote) said fourth-quarter earnings were up 25% from year-ago levels, thanks to strong growth in premiums and annuity deposits.

The life insurance company had net income of $701 million, or 92 cents a share, compared with $561 million, or 78 cents a share, a year earlier. The results include an after-tax investment gain and a charge related to an accounting change.

Excluding those items, operating earnings were $565 million, or 74 cents a share, compared with $338 million, or 47 cents, a year earlier. On that basis, earnings were in line with estimates, according to First Call. ...