MetLife 2007 Annual Report Download - page 75

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Investments
The Company’s primary investment objective is to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total
return while ensuring that assets and liabilities are managed on a cash flow and duration basis. The Company is exposed to three primary
sources of investment risk:
credit risk, relating to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of principal and
interest;
interest rate risk, relating to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in market interest rates; and
market valuation risk.
The Company manages risk through in-house fundamental analysis of the underlying obligors, issuers, transaction structures and real
estate properties. The Company also manages credit risk and market valuation risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset
allocation. For real estate and agricultural assets, the Company manages credit risk and market valuation risk through geographic, property
type and product type diversification and asset allocation. The Company manages interest rate risk as part of its asset and liability
management strategies; product design, such as the use of market value adjustment features and surrender charges; and proactive
monitoring and management of certain non-guaranteed elements of its products, such as the resetting of credited interest and dividend
rates for policies that permit such adjustments. The Company also uses certain derivative instruments in the management of credit and
interest rate risks.
71MetLife, Inc.