Short Interest in LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) Increases By 44.8%

LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,336,760 shares, a growth of 44.8% from the January 29th total of 923,342 shares. Currently, 12.8% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 527,864 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 527,864 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 12.8% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TREE. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new stake in LendingTree in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,120,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of LendingTree by 1,747.8% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 546,536 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $20,260,000 after buying an additional 516,958 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC lifted its holdings in shares of LendingTree by 31.5% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 1,760,407 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $93,461,000 after acquiring an additional 421,826 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in LendingTree by 1,163.1% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 263,835 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $17,078,000 after acquiring an additional 242,947 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Grotto Capital LLC grew its position in LendingTree by 64.3% in the fourth quarter. Blue Grotto Capital LLC now owns 584,931 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,054,000 after acquiring an additional 228,858 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.26% of the company’s stock.

LendingTree Price Performance

Shares of LendingTree stock traded down $0.88 during trading on Monday, hitting $36.49. The stock had a trading volume of 44,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 409,650. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.93. LendingTree has a 12 month low of $32.65 and a 12 month high of $77.35. The firm has a market cap of $498.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.11 and a beta of 2.13. The business’s 50-day moving average is $51.62 and its 200 day moving average is $57.81.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of LendingTree in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered LendingTree from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research lowered LendingTree from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price target on LendingTree from $62.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $76.67.

LendingTree Company Profile

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.