Piper Sandler analyst Paul Newsome has maintained a Neutral rating on MetLife (NYSE: MET) while raising the price target to $90 from $86. The revised target suggests a modest upside potential for the insurance provider's stock.

The rating update comes as the firm reassesses MetLife's valuation metrics. Despite the higher price objective, the Neutral stance indicates that the analyst expects the stock to perform in line with the broader market.

Price Target Details

The following table outlines the changes in the analyst's valuation:

MetLife operates as a leading provider of insurance and financial services. The stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MET.

MetLife today announced the launch of the Non-Qualified Assignment Flex Agreement (NQA-FA), a new deferred payment solution designed to provide attorneys and brokers with greater flexibility in resolving non-physical injury claims. The NQA-FA enables settlements to be paid over time through deferred start dates, lump sums, and customized schedules aligned to client needs. This solution utilizes a funding agreement rather than an annuity, offering broader design capabilities for cases such as employment litigation, wrongful termination, and contract disputes.

The new agreement is available through MetLife Assignment Company, Inc. and is issued by Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company. It allows both individuals and businesses to be designated as payees with approval. By using a funding agreement, the NQA-FA bypasses the Internal Revenue Code Section 72(u) requirements that typically mandate payments begin within one year for traditional structures. This enables deferral beyond one year and alignment with future events or long-term financial needs.

Market Context and Demand

The introduction of the NQA-FA responds to increasing settlement volumes in non-physical injury cases. In fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported 88,201 workplace discrimination charges, a figure flat from the prior year but up 9% compared to fiscal year 2023. As most employment litigation cases are resolved through settlement rather than trial, there is growing demand for structures that can address the complexity of modern cases.

"For many non-physical injury cases, payees increasingly call for delayed or customized payments that traditional structures don't support," said Bejan Shirvani, head of Structured Settlements at MetLife. "This funding agreement solution expands the tools available to attorneys and brokers by combining greater flexibility in payment timing and structure with the strength of MetLife's guarantees."

Key Features of NQA-FA

The NQA-FA is designed to support a broad range of non-physical injury claims, including liability policy buy-outs, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The product distinguishes itself through its flexibility and the security of MetLife's guarantees.

Non-qualified assignments are commonly used to resolve claims ineligible for tax-free treatment under federal law by transferring payment obligations to an assignment company. The NQA-FA expands on this concept by removing the standard one-year payment start requirement, thereby facilitating long-term financial security for claimants.