MetLife sets preferred dividends

Insurance and financial services provider MetLife Inc., with operations in Hartford, declared contingent first-quarter dividends on two classes of preferred stock.

New York-based Metlife declared a payout of 25 cents for each outstanding share of its Series A preferred shares and 40.625 cents on its Series B preferred.

Both dividends will be paid March 15 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 28.

But both payouts must clear final confirmation that MetLife has met the financial tests specified in both stock issues, a determination the company said it expects to make on or around March 5.

Meanwhile, MetLife set its annual meeting for April 27 at 1 p.m. in New York City. The record date for shareholders to vote at the meeting is March 1.