CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, today announced that it will release fiscal fourth quarter 2025 results after market close on Monday, March 2, 2026. The company will also post a letter to shareholders on the Company's website at investors.lendingtree.com. The Company will hold its earnings conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss the release, which will be simultaneous ...

In my first coverage of LendingTree ( TREE ) 3 years ago, I rated the stock a buy, citing potential undervaluation at the time. I was proven right, since TREE would then trend upwards and surpass the lowest endAnalyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than fro ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock of LendingTree (TREE) was initially rated a buy three years ago due to its potential undervaluation, and this prediction has proven accurate as the stock has since trended upwards, surpassing previous lows [1]. Company Summary - LendingTree's stock performance has shown a positive trend since the initial buy rating, indicating a successful investment opportunity [1].

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Core Viewpoint - Major banks oppose President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, arguing it could limit consumer access to credit and negatively impact economic growth [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Impact on Banks - Profits in the credit card segment are four times the banking industry average, with lenders earning interest on $1.23 trillion in outstanding U.S. credit card debt at an average annual interest rate of 21% [2]. - Executives from major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, expressed concerns that a cap on interest rates would severely restrict access to credit for consumers, particularly those who need it most, potentially leading to negative consequences for the economy [5]. Group 2: Market Reactions - Shares of major financial service firms declined following the announcement of the proposed interest rate cap, indicating investor concern over the potential impact on profitability [4]. - Some analysts view the drop in share prices as a potential buying opportunity for investors [4]. Group 3: Shift in Consumer Behavior - Experts suggest that if an interest rate cap is enacted, consumers may shift their focus to other financial products, such as personal loans, which could benefit companies like LendingTree [3][5]. - The proposed cap could disrupt the credit card rewards and points system, leading to broader changes in consumer behavior and spending patterns [3].

Summary of LendingTree Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: LendingTree - **CEO**: Scott Peyree - **Industry**: Fintech, specifically focusing on online performance marketing for financial products Key Points Leadership Transition - Scott Peyree transitioned to CEO following the unexpected passing of Doug, the founder of LendingTree, in October 2023. Peyree had been with the company since 2018 and was previously the Chief President and COO, which facilitated a smoother transition into the CEO role [5][6]. Business Portfolio - LendingTree aims to be the number one destination for shopping financial products, offering a diversified portfolio that includes: - **Insurance Products**: Auto, home, and health insurance, with auto insurance being the largest segment [8][9]. - **Lending Products**: Mortgage products (purchase, refinance, home equity), personal loans, small and medium-sized business lending, credit cards, deposits, and auto loans [9]. Insurance Market Insights - The insurance market has rebounded post-COVID, with record revenues and VMD (Value of Marketing Dollars) in 2025 across all insurance categories. The growth cycle is expected to continue into 2026 [10][11]. - California's insurance market is improving due to regulatory changes, allowing for more aggressive marketing and consumer acquisition [13][14]. - The top brands in the insurance market, such as Progressive and State Farm, dominate advertising spend, which influences market dynamics [16]. Home Business Dynamics - The home business is highly dependent on interest rates, with current levels being at a trough. The HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) segment has seen growth, but the refinance market is anticipated to rebound significantly if interest rates drop to around 5.5% [22][24][30]. - The refinance product is more valuable and profitable compared to purchase loans, which have a longer sales cycle [26][27]. Consumer Lending Segment - The consumer side includes small business lending, personal loans, credit cards, deposits, and auto loans, with small business lending being the fastest-growing segment [35]. - Personal loans are less sensitive to interest rates, primarily driven by debt consolidation needs. The growth potential hinges on lenders becoming more comfortable with credit risk [39][40]. Growth Projections - LendingTree expects to sustain double-digit growth across its business segments, driven by operational excellence and market opportunities [42][43]. - The company is investing in AI to enhance marketing efficiency and improve the consumer shopping experience, which is expected to drive engagement and revenue growth [44][48]. Financial Metrics and Capital Structure - The company has a current debt of $400 million, with a goal to reduce net debt to around $200 million to maintain a conservative capital structure [58][60]. - EBITDA is expected to grow faster than VMD, with a focus on improving operating leverage and free cash flow conversion [57][62]. Future Outlook - LendingTree is positioning itself for future growth through brand repositioning and expanding its market presence beyond just mortgages [63]. - The integration of AI tools is anticipated to fundamentally change the shopping experience for consumers, making it easier to compare financial products [47][48]. Additional Insights - The competitive landscape has shifted, with some competitors exiting the market, allowing LendingTree to strengthen its position as a leading provider in the mortgage sector [32][33]. - The company is exploring new consumer acquisition strategies, including leveraging AI and LLMs (Large Language Models) to enhance customer engagement [65][66].

Company Overview - LendingTree (TREE) is recognized as the largest lending marketplace in the United States, promoting the slogan "When banks compete, you win" [3] - The company has demonstrated strong sales and profit growth, indicating robust performance in the lending sector [3] Performance Ratings - LendingTree's Relative Strength Rating has been upgraded to 81, reflecting improved market leadership [6] - The company's Composite Rating has climbed to 96, placing it among top-rated stocks [6][7] - LendingTree has achieved a 90-plus RS Rating, clearing key benchmarks in its performance metrics [6] Market Position - LendingTree hosts a significant number of lenders, connecting them with consumers and businesses seeking loans, which enhances its competitive position in the market [3]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Mortgage & Related Services industry is experiencing growth due to declining mortgage rates, influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts in 2025 and expectations for further easing this year [1][4] - The industry consists of providers of mortgage-related loans, refinancing, and loan-servicing facilities, with non-banks gaining market share as banks retreat from the mortgage business due to higher compliance and capital requirements [3] Current Trends - The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has stabilized around a low-6% range since mid-September 2025, providing relief for homebuyers and improving purchase demand [4][5] - Refinancing activity is recovering as homeowners seek to refinance into lower-rate loans, which is expected to drive higher loan origination volumes and improve fee income for industry players [6] - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with mortgage servicers facing pressure to cut prices, leading to reduced sales margins [2][7] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Mortgage & Related Services industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500, gaining 54.7% over the past year compared to 23.2% and 23.4% for the sector and S&P 500, respectively [11] - The industry currently trades at a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 6.27X, lower than the S&P 500's 8.67X, indicating a premium compared to the broader finance sector's P/B of 4.36X [14][17] Company Highlights - **PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI)**: A specialty financial services firm benefiting from a strong servicing business and a strategic transaction with Annaly Capital Management. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PFSI's 2025 earnings is $11.71 per share, a 1.7% increase from the previous year [20][21] - **Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM)**: Known as Farmer Mac, it focuses on creating a secondary market for loans to rural borrowers. AGM's 2025 earnings estimate is $17.53 per share, reflecting a 12.1% rise from the prior year [24][25] - **LendingTree, Inc. (TREE)**: An online marketplace enhancing its product offerings and focusing on improving purchase conversion rates. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TREE's 2025 earnings is $4.79 per share, indicating a 50.2% increase from the previous year [27][30]

Group 1 - Tree.com (TREE) shares increased by 12.9% to close at $62.91, with notable trading volume compared to typical sessions, following a 0.4% loss over the past four weeks [1][2] - The rise in shares is linked to President Trump's announcement of large-scale purchases of U.S. mortgage bonds, aimed at lowering mortgage rates and improving housing affordability, which positively impacted investor sentiment in mortgage-related companies like TREE [2] - The company is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.90 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 22.4%, while revenues are projected to be $286.75 million, an increase of 9.7% from the previous year [3] Group 2 - The consensus EPS estimate for Tree.com has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without trends in earnings estimate revisions [4] - Tree.com holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook, while Zillow Group (ZG), a competitor in the same industry, has seen a 2% decline in its stock price recently [4] - Zillow's consensus EPS estimate has also remained unchanged, with a projected year-over-year increase of 55.6%, and it currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]

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