LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) Shares Gap Up – Still a Buy?

LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) shares gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday. The stock had previously closed at $28.87, but opened at $31.63. LendingTree shares last traded at $37.3950, with a volume of 510,459 shares traded.

Key LendingTree News

Here are the key news stories impacting LendingTree this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue rose 12% year over year to $343.6 million, beating estimates of $329.7 million, with growth across all three segments. Adjusted EPS of $2.20 also topped the cited consensus estimate of $1.29. LendingTree Q3 2026 results Zacks Q3 earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s 2026 outlook implies 14% adjusted EBITDA growth at the midpoint, and the company plans to resume stock buybacks in the fourth quarter—potential supports for sentiment. 2026 EBITDA outlook and buybacks
• Neutral Sentiment: Truist lowered its price target from $70 to $65 but maintained a Buy rating, signaling continued optimism while reducing its valuation estimate. Truist price-target update
• Neutral Sentiment: LendingTree’s general counsel is expected to leave after year-end with severance benefits; the report does not specify an operational impact. General counsel departure
• Negative Sentiment: The company posted a GAAP net loss of $72.4 million, or $5.15 per diluted share, primarily because of a $98.8 million noncash goodwill impairment. The charge weighed on reported earnings despite stronger revenue and adjusted results. Q3 earnings and goodwill charge
• Negative Sentiment: Although quarterly sales beat estimates, reported revenue guidance for the coming quarter fell short of expectations, tempering the positive results. Revenue guidance report

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of LendingTree in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of LendingTree from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on shares of LendingTree from $60.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on LendingTree from $70.00 to $58.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Northland Securities set a $60.00 price target on LendingTree in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $55.60.

LendingTree Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $26.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.98. The stock has a market cap of $537.68 million, a PE ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 1.99.

LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($5.15) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.26 by ($6.41). The company had revenue of $343.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $329.72 million. LendingTree had a net margin of 14.33% and a return on equity of 14.57%. The business’s revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.70 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that LendingTree, Inc. will post 3.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of LendingTree by 572.0% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 719 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 612 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of LendingTree by 54.2% in the third quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 1,743 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 613 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of LendingTree in the second quarter worth about $42,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in LendingTree by 123.5% during the first quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 4,227 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $181,000 after buying an additional 2,336 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in LendingTree by 578.8% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,790 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 2,379 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.26% of the company’s stock.

About LendingTree

LendingTree, Inc operates an online marketplace that helps consumers compare financial products and services from a network of lenders, insurers and other providers. Its platform is designed to connect shoppers with potential offers based on their financial needs and preferences.

The company’s marketplace includes products such as mortgages and other home loans, personal loans, business loans, auto loans, credit cards, insurance and deposit accounts. LendingTree also provides educational content, comparison tools and financial guidance intended to help consumers evaluate borrowing, insurance and saving options.

Founded in 1996 by Doug Lebda, LendingTree is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and primarily serves consumers in the United States.