23. Earnings Per Common Share
The following table presents the weighted average shares, basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share:
Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(In millions, except per share data)
Weighted Average Shares:
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic668.9 706.4 757.7 
Incremental common shares from assumed exercise or issuance of stock-based awards4.4 4.7 4.6 
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted673.3 711.1 762.3 
Net Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)$3,403 $4,444 $1,602 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests24 18 24 
Less: Preferred stock dividends194 200 198 
Preferred stock redemption premium
12 — — 
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders$3,173 $4,226 $1,380 
Basic$4.74 $5.98 $1.82 
Diluted$4.71 $5.94 $1.81 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 21, 2025
2023Feb 16, 2024
2022Feb 23, 2023
2021Feb 18, 2022
2020Feb 19, 2021
2019Feb 21, 2020

About Earnings Per Share Disclosures

The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.

Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.