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

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

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of LendingTree from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $69.00 price objective on shares of LendingTree in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Northland Securities raised LendingTree from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Northland Capmk upgraded LendingTree from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lowered their price target on LendingTree from $78.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $65.75.

LendingTree Stock Down 0.7 %

NASDAQ:TREE opened at $44.88 on Wednesday. LendingTree has a 1-year low of $33.58 and a 1-year high of $62.49. The company has a market capitalization of $601.12 million, a PE ratio of -16.62 and a beta of 1.90. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $45.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Scott Peyree bought 21,045 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $41.69 per share, for a total transaction of $877,366.05. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief operating officer now owns 76,760 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,200,124.40. This trade represents a 37.77 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 23.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LendingTree

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new position in shares of LendingTree in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new position in LendingTree in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of 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 valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 848 shares during the period. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of LendingTree during the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co bought a new position in shares of LendingTree in the 4th quarter worth approximately $56,000. 68.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.