MetLife Profit Declines but Matches Forecasts
Including investment losses, MetLife posted a loss of 79 cents a share. Some of the investment losses were tied to improvement in the company's own credit spreads.

The net loss included $1.4 billion in after-tax net realized investment losses, including about $582 million in derivatives losses tied to improvement in the company's own credit spreads.

Under accounting rules, when its own credit spreads improve, MetLife has to record a decline in the value of its insurance liabilities. This also led to a loss in the second quarter.

"Our businesses are performing well as evidenced by increased sales in a number of product areas in both the U.S. and internationally," said Chief Executive Robert Henrikson, in the earnings report.

U.S. annuity deposits were $4 billion in the quarter, including a 19 percent increase in fixed annuity deposits. MetLife also recorded increased premiums, fees and other revenue in its group life and nonmedical health divisions.