“We delivered both top and bottom line growth, investment margins remained strong, and expenses were well controlled,” Chief Executive Steve Kandarian said in statement. MetLife said earlier this month that it would fight a plan by the U.S. AIG (AIG.N) and Prudential Financial Inc (PRU.N) were designated as systemically important last year. On an operating basis, MetLife earned $1.60 per share in the third quarter, topping the average analyst estimate of $1.38, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.