LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $68.60.

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of LendingTree from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 21st. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of LendingTree in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of LendingTree in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Truist Financial set a $78.00 target price on shares of LendingTree in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on LendingTree in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $50.00 price target for the company.

LendingTree Stock Performance

TREE stock traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $45.98. 11,748 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 331,615. The firm has a market capitalization of $641.39 million, a PE ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 2.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $39.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $44.99. LendingTree has a 52 week low of $32.65 and a 52 week high of $77.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27.

LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.49 by ($0.11). LendingTree had a return on equity of 17.01% and a net margin of 15.02%.The business had revenue of $319.07 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $321.32 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.99 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 36.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that LendingTree will post 3.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mariner LLC boosted its stake in LendingTree by 31.5% during the fourth quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 1,760,407 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $93,461,000 after buying an additional 421,826 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of LendingTree by 74.0% during the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 1,020,211 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $43,747,000 after acquiring an additional 434,038 shares during the period. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of LendingTree by 37.8% during the 1st quarter. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. now owns 647,038 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,745,000 after acquiring an additional 177,391 shares in the last quarter. Blue Grotto Capital LLC increased its stake in LendingTree by 64.3% in the fourth quarter. Blue Grotto Capital LLC now owns 584,931 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,054,000 after acquiring an additional 228,858 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in LendingTree by 1,747.8% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 546,536 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $20,260,000 after acquiring an additional 516,958 shares during the period. 68.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

LendingTree Company Profile

LendingTree, Inc operates an online marketplace that connects consumers with a network of lenders and financial service providers. Through its platform, borrowers can compare loan offers for mortgages, home equity loans, personal loans, student loans, auto loans and small business financing. The company also offers tools for comparing credit cards and deposit accounts, allowing users to research rates and terms from a range of providers in one place.

Founded in 1996 by Doug Lebda, LendingTree pioneered the comparison-shopping model for consumer credit products.