MetLife stock could climb more than 50 pct-Barron's

NEW YORK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - MetLife Inc (MET.N) is poised for strong international growth, has kept its investment portfolio relatively free of danger and its stock could climb more than 50 percent, according to a report in Barron's.

MetLife, as the leading provider of annuities, group life insurance and other retirement products, is positioned to be a major beneficiary of aging U.S. baby boomers, the business newspaper said. The article also said MetLife is poised for strong international growth, particularly in Korea and Japan.

MetLife could also be a beneficiary of the woes of American International Group (AIG.N), Barron's said, adding that the company will likely be an aggressive bidder for AIG's life-insurance businesses.

Barron's said MetLife's shares, which closed on Friday at $42.13, trade at 6.9 times current 2009 consensus earnings estimates of $6.53 a share, which is the lowest multiple for the stock since the company went public in 2000.

MetLife is also trading close to its book value of about $42 a share, about the lowest it has ever traded on that basis, the article said.

Should the company achieve the 15 percent return on equity that Wall Street expects, some say the stock could reach $100 a share, according to Barron's. (Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Editing by Kenneth Barry)