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

Shares of LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $40.64, but opened at $42.25. LendingTree shares last traded at $41.91, with a volume of 46,119 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TREE has been the subject of several recent research reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on LendingTree from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of LendingTree from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Northland Capmk raised shares of LendingTree from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on shares of LendingTree from $67.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, StockNews.com lowered LendingTree from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, LendingTree has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $64.00.

LendingTree Stock Down 1.8 %

The stock’s 50 day moving average is $40.76 and its 200 day moving average is $48.82. The company has a market capitalization of $567.93 million, a PE ratio of -15.74 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92.

Insider Transactions at LendingTree

In other LendingTree news, CTO Scott V. Totman purchased 3,750 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $38.59 per share, for a total transaction of $144,712.50. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 18,192 shares in the company, valued at $702,029.28. The trade was a 25.97 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Douglas R. Lebda acquired 13,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $39.72 per share, for a total transaction of $516,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 121,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,829,912.28. The trade was a 11.97 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 23.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LendingTree

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC bought a new stake in LendingTree in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,651,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in shares of LendingTree in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,612,000. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of LendingTree in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,045,000. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in shares of LendingTree by 301.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 21,409 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,244,000 after purchasing an additional 16,077 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in LendingTree by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 88,206 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $5,119,000 after purchasing an additional 2,602 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.26% of the company’s stock.

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.