MetLife's Lowered Ratings Could Increase Acquisition Costs

A ratings agency downgrade of MetLife Inc. (MET) could potentially raise the insurer's cost of funding as it considers acquisitions to build its business.

Fitch Ratings cut MetLife's issuer default rating by one notch, to A from A+, Monday on concern "regarding the cumulative impact of adverse financial markets and the economic downturn over the past year on MetLife's capital, earnings, and liquidity," the report said. MetLife's "above average" exposure to commercial real estate-related assets is another concern...

WSJ: MetLife's Lowered Ratings Could Increase Acquisition Costs