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

Shares of LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $68.60.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of LendingTree in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of LendingTree in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered LendingTree from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday, June 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on LendingTree in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of LendingTree from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th.

LendingTree Price Performance

Shares of TREE traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $45.30. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 119,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 286,010. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $39.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $631.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 2.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.89. LendingTree has a fifty-two week low of $32.65 and a fifty-two week high of $77.35.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LendingTree

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in LendingTree during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new position in LendingTree during the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. OP Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of LendingTree in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new position in shares of LendingTree in the fourth quarter valued at $54,000. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in LendingTree during the fourth quarter worth $59,000. 68.26% of the stock is currently 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.