BBond and other fixed-income securities involve both credit risk and market risk, which includes interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that the security’s issuer will not pay the interest, dividends or principal that it has promised to pay. Market risk is the risk that the value of the security will fall because of changes in market rates of interest or other factors. Interest rate risk reflects the fact that the values of fixed-income securities tend to fall as interest rates rise. When interest rates go down, interest earned on fixed-income securities will tend to decline.
FForeign securities pose additional risks that are not associated with U.S. domestic issues, such as changes in currency exchange rates and different governmental regulations, economic conditions and accounting standards.
GInvests in growth stocks, the prices of which may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than the prices of other stocks. Growth stocks may not perform as well as value stocks or the stock market in general.
IMorgan Stanley sponsors the MSCI EAFE® Index, Lehman Brothers sponsors the Lehman Brothers® Aggregate Bond Index, Standard & Poor’s sponsors the S&P 500® Index and the S&P MidCap 400® Index, and Frank Russell Company sponsors the Russell 2000® Index (together referred to as “index sponsors”). Direct investment in an index is not possible. The index sponsors do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the portfolios or make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the portfolios. The index sponsors have no responsibility for and do not participate in the management of portfolio assets or sale of portfolio shares. Each index and its associated trademarks and service marks are the exclusive property of the respective index sponsors. The Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. Statement of Additional Information contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship the index sponsors have with MetLife and the Fund.
JMarket indices referenced are unmanaged and representative of large and small domestic and international stocks and bonds, each with unique risks. Information about them is provided to illustrate market trends and does not represent the performance of any specific investment. You cannot invest directly in an index.
LInvests in the common stock of large capitalization companies. These investments may not be able to attain the growth rates as high as those of successful smaller capitalization companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
MThe common stocks of medium-sized companies may be more volatile than those of larger, more established companies.
RInvesting in real estate involves special risks, which may not be associated with investing in stocks, including possible declines in real estate values, adverse economic conditions, and changes in interest rates.
SInvestments in small capitalization and emerging growth companies involve greater than average risk. Such securities may have limited marketability and the issuers may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources. The value of such investments may fluctuate more widely than investments in larger, more established companies.
VInvests in stocks that tend to trade at lower prices relative to their fundamental financial characteristics and are therefore considered undervalued. Value stocks can perform differently than other categories of stocks (e.g., growth stocks) and can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.