“Our strategic focus builds on our strengths, leverages our global footprint and capitalizes on trends and opportunities in key markets to drive shareholder value,” said Steve Kandarian, chairman, president and CEO of MetLife, in a release.   
The company’s return on equity was 10.3 percent for 2011, Kandarian said. He has identified four areas where MetLife will change to increase shareholder value:
– Introduce accident and health products in the U.S. market and decrease variable annuities
– Grow its employee benefits market across the world 
– Grow internationally in countries where more people are joining the middle class
– Become more customer-centric with a global brand  
MetLife projects that by 2016, 20 percent of its operating earnings will come from emerging markets, according to the release. Kandarian also said the company hopes to cut costs by up to $600 million.

Share prices of MetLife peaked in mid-March after rising 36 percent, then proceeded to fall 21 percent. Early today, MetLife stock declined 2.1 percent, according to Reuters.

“The environment is not a wonderful environment; we all know that,” Kandarian said in an interview with Reuters. “The key here is balancing growth, profitability and risk.”