MetLife seeks spinoff of U.S. unit after mulling IPO

At least 80.1% of the shares in the unit, Brighthouse Financial Inc., will be distributed to MetLife investors under the plan.

MetLife Inc. has filed for a spinoff of a U.S. retail unit after considering alternate plans to sell the business or exit through an initial public offering.

At least 80.1% of the shares in the unit, Brighthouse Financial Inc., will be distributed to MetLife investors under the plan, the parent company said Wednesday in a filing. The stock is to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BHF, and the timing of the transaction will depend on variables including “regulatory considerations and economic conditions,” according to filings. MetLife said it could still opt for an IPO or sale.

MetLife Chief Executive Officer Steve Kandarian is retaining international units and operations that offer workplace benefits as he focuses on businesses with more predictable cash flow and reduces risks tied to securities markets. A spinoff of the Charlotte, North Carolina-based unit would help MetLife avoid the pitfalls of trying to price an IPO during periods of market volatility, Chief Financial Officer John Hele said Sept. 12.

“A spin can generally happen even if the IPO markets are a bit choppy,” Mr. Hele said. “Had we planned this a year ago, and were scheduled for the first quarter this year, it would have been very tough to do an IPO.”

Brighthouse offers policies with death benefits and also retirement products such as variable annuities, which can provide a lifetime stream of income to customers. While low bond yields or declines in stock values pressure results, annuities can generate substantial profits when markets are favorable

Brighthouse had about $240 billion in assets as of June 30, according to the document. The business had a net loss of $1.02 billion in the first six months of this year after posting annual net income of least $1 billion in 2013, 2014 and last year. The unit is led by Eric Steigerwalt, who was previously interim head of MetLife’s U.S. business.

The announcement could allow MetLife to resume share repurchases. Mr. Kandarian said in January that he would pursue an exit of Brighthouse and then announced the next month that buybacks would be on hold until the board decided which separation path to pursue.

Spinning off the unit may also be the quickest option, RBC Capital Markets analysts led by Eric Berg said Aug. 24 in a note.

“A spin would get the majority of the highly capital-markets-sensitive, and therefore volatile, retail business off of Met’s books a lot sooner than would an IPO,” the analysts said.

Mr. Kandarian is seeking to simplify MetLife and limit regulatory oversight, announcing a deal in February to sell an adviser network to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. ahead of new, stricter rules on pitching the products to consumers. He won a court ruling the next month that overturned the government’s designation of MetLife as too big to fail, a tag that could come with stricter capital requirements. The U.S. is appealing the decision.

Mr. Kandarian’s company will remain the largest provider of employee benefits in the U.S. and a major insurer in markets including Japan and Latin America, according to the statement.

“Today’s filing marks an important milestone for both MetLife and Brighthouse,” he said in the statement. “The separation will enable both companies to compete more effectively.”