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

StockNews.com upgraded shares of LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report issued on Wednesday morning.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of LendingTree from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on LendingTree from $78.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $69.00 price target on shares of LendingTree in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on LendingTree from $73.00 to $66.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded LendingTree from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $65.75.

LendingTree Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of 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 debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $601.12 million, a PE ratio of -16.62 and a beta of 1.90. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.88.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, COO Scott Peyree purchased 21,045 shares of LendingTree stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost 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 purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 23.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of LendingTree

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TREE. National Bank of Canada FI acquired a new stake in LendingTree in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of LendingTree in the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in LendingTree by 248.0% in 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 bought a new stake in LendingTree during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co acquired a new position in LendingTree during the fourth quarter worth $56,000. 68.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About LendingTree

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.