LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Key Points

• JPMorgan Chase initiated coverage with an overweight rating and a $50 price target, implying roughly a 12.1% upside from the prior close.
• LendingTree posted quarterly EPS of ($0.39) versus a $0.90 estimate (a large miss), while revenue of $310.92 million beat expectations and rose 22.3% year-over-year.
• Shares traded at $44.59 with a market cap of about $617.8M and a P/E of 4.15; analysts' consensus is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $67.40.

Research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE - Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Tuesday. The firm set an "overweight" rating and a $50.00 price target on the financial services provider's stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s price target indicates a potential upside of 12.14% from the stock's previous close.

TREE has been the subject of several other research reports. Wall Street Zen cut LendingTree from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, April 4th. Zacks Research cut LendingTree from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their price objective on LendingTree from $85.00 to $60.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c-)" rating on shares of LendingTree in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on LendingTree from $83.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, LendingTree has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $67.40.

LendingTree Stock Up 2.9%

TREE stock traded up $1.25 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $44.59. 40,930 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 373,519. The firm's 50-day moving average is $41.42 and its 200-day moving average is $51.81. The company has a market cap of $617.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.15 and a beta of 2.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.67. LendingTree has a 12 month low of $32.65 and a 12 month high of $77.35.

LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 2nd. The financial services provider reported ($0.39) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.90 by ($1.29). The company had revenue of $310.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $286.56 million. LendingTree had a net margin of 13.55% and a return on equity of 12.44%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 22.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that LendingTree will post 0.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LendingTree

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in LendingTree during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in LendingTree by 272.6% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 462 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 338 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new stake in LendingTree during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new stake in LendingTree during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in LendingTree by 281.0% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,120 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 826 shares during the last quarter. 68.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About LendingTree

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.

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