LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) Raised to Strong-Buy at StockNews.com

LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

TREE has been the subject of a number of other reports. Northland Securities upgraded LendingTree from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on LendingTree from $73.00 to $66.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $69.00 target price on shares of LendingTree in a report on Thursday, March 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on LendingTree from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on LendingTree from $78.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, LendingTree presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $65.75.

LendingTree Trading Up 2.8 %

Shares of LendingTree stock opened at $50.63 on Tuesday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $43.20 and its 200-day moving average is $47.21. LendingTree has a 12-month low of $33.58 and a 12-month high of $62.49. The stock has a market cap of $678.14 million, a P/E ratio of -18.75 and a beta of 2.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67.

Insider Activity at LendingTree

In related news, COO Scott Peyree acquired 9,794 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 13th. The stock was bought at an average price of $46.13 per share, for a total transaction of $451,797.22. Following the acquisition, the chief operating officer now directly owns 97,566 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,500,719.58. This represents a 11.16 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 23.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LendingTree

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of LendingTree during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in LendingTree during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in LendingTree by 248.0% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,190 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 848 shares during the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in LendingTree during the 4th quarter worth $54,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co acquired a new stake in shares of LendingTree in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.26% of the company’s stock.

LendingTree Company Profile

LendingTree, Inc, through its subsidiary, operates online consumer platform in the United States. It operates through three segments: Home, Consumer, and Insurance. The Home segment offers purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, and home equity loans and lines of credit; and real estate brokerage services.