MetLife raises dividend by 5% to 42 cents a share

MetLife Inc. said late Tuesday its board of directors has declared a second-quarter dividend of 42 cents a share, an increase of 5% from the first-quarter dividend of 40 cents a share. The dividend will be payable on June 13 to shareholders of record as of May 7. The dividend increase "demonstrates our financial strength and continued commitment to return capital to our shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends," Chief Executive Steven A. Kandarian said in a statement. Shares of MetLife rose 0.3% in late trading after ending the regular session up 0.4%.