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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Leadership Changes - LendingTree, Inc. has promoted Ian Smith to Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Scott Peyree, who has moved to the role of Chief Executive Officer following the passing of founder Doug Lebda [1][4] - Laura Nelson will take over as Head of Insurance, reflecting the company's focus on disciplined execution and long-term growth [2][5] Operational Focus - As COO, Smith will manage day-to-day operations across LendingTree, applying the operational rigor he established in the insurance sector to the broader organization [3][4] - Nelson, previously Senior Vice President of Sales, will lead the insurance marketplace, focusing on strategy, execution, and performance while strengthening relationships with carriers [5][6] Company Background - LendingTree is a leading online financial services marketplace, providing access to loans, credit cards, insurance, and more through a network of approximately 430 financial partners [7] - The company has helped millions of customers improve their financial health since its founding, emphasizing innovative products and personalized financial recommendations [7]

Core Insights - The digital finance landscape is competitive, with NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) and LendingTree, Inc. (TREE) as key players, each with distinct business models and growth strategies [1][2] Group 1: NerdWallet (NRDS) - NRDS operates primarily as an affiliate marketing provider, generating revenue through partnerships when users engage with financial products [3] - The company has a strong market position, offering resources that empower individuals and small to medium businesses (SMBs) to make informed financial decisions [4] - NRDS's platform covers a wide range of financial products, including credit cards, mortgages, and personal loans [5] - The user base has significantly grown, aided by collaborations with financial institutions and a recent acquisition of Next Door Lending to enhance mortgage offerings [6] - NRDS is expanding internationally, with growth opportunities in the U.K., Canada, and Australia, and is well-positioned for sustained growth [7] - Projected adjusted EBITDA for 2025 is between $141 million and $145 million, an increase from the previous estimate of $106 million to $116 million [7] Group 2: LendingTree (TREE) - TREE functions as an online marketplace connecting consumers with financial service providers, focusing on diversifying its offerings beyond mortgages [8] - The company has expanded its services to include credit cards and various loan types, launching its first consumer credit product, WinCard, in 2023 [9] - TREE's adjusted EBITDA increased by 48% year over year in the third quarter of 2025, with projections for 2025 adjusted EBITDA between $126 million and $128 million [12] - The company is leveraging data and technology to enhance user experience and expand its marketplace offerings [11] Group 3: Earnings Estimates and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NRDS indicates a year-over-year earnings increase of 720% for 2025 and 49.6% for 2026 [13] - In contrast, TREE's earnings growth is projected at 50.2% for 2025 and 5.7% for 2026 [16] - NRDS shares have gained 29.1% over the past three months, while TREE shares have declined by 10.1%, indicating stronger investor sentiment towards NRDS [19] - Valuation metrics show TREE trading at a forward price-to-book (P/B) multiple of 5.5X, while NRDS is at 2.5X, suggesting NRDS is currently undervalued [21] Group 4: Investment Outlook - NRDS's scalable affiliate model, strong brand, and user growth position it favorably for long-term growth, supported by strategic acquisitions and international expansion [23] - Financially, NRDS presents a more attractive growth profile with higher projected earnings and lower valuation compared to TREE, which faces slower earnings growth and a richer valuation [24] - NRDS holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while TREE has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), reflecting differing investor confidence levels [27]

Company Overview - LendingTree, Inc. operates LendingTree.com, a leading online financial services marketplace in the U.S. [1] - The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and is a parent company of LendingTree, LLC and its subsidiaries [3][5] - LendingTree connects consumers with over 430 financial partners, offering loans, credit cards, insurance, and more [4] Upcoming Events - Scott Peyree, CEO, and Andrew Wessel, SVP of Investor Relations, will participate in a fireside chat on January 13 at 12:45 p.m. ET [2] - The fireside chat will be webcast live and archived on the company's investor relations website [2]

Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape between Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY) and LendingTree, Inc. (TREE) in the fintech sector, particularly focusing on their differing business models and risk profiles [1][3]. Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY) - PGY leverages AI and machine learning to optimize credit underwriting and diversify funding sources, expanding from personal loans to auto lending and point-of-sale financing [2][4]. - The company has established a network of over 135 institutional partners and utilizes forward flow agreements to ensure funding stability, especially during market disruptions [5]. - In 2025, PGY achieved three consecutive quarters of positive GAAP net income, marking a turnaround from previous losses, with a year-over-year network volume growth of 10.5% [6]. - PGY's proprietary technology allows lenders to present pre-approved offers to customers, enhancing credit access with minimal marketing costs [7]. - The company operates with minimal on-balance-sheet exposure, acquiring loans through asset-backed securities (ABS) or forward flow agreements, which limits credit and market risks [8]. LendingTree, Inc. (TREE) - TREE operates as an online marketplace connecting consumers with financial service providers, evolving its strategy to diversify into non-mortgage products [9][10]. - The company has expanded its offerings to include credit cards and various loan types, with a focus on enhancing cross-selling opportunities [11][13]. - In the third quarter of 2025, TREE's adjusted EBITDA increased by 48% year-over-year, driven by strong revenue growth across all business segments [14]. - TREE's revenue projections for 2025 are between $1.08 billion and $1.09 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 20.5% [22]. Comparative Analysis - Over the past six months, PGY shares increased by 6.3%, while TREE shares surged by 46.5%, indicating stronger investor sentiment towards TREE [15]. - PGY's price-to-book (P/B) ratio is 3.40X, lower than TREE's 5.59X, suggesting PGY is currently undervalued [16]. - PGY's return on equity (ROE) stands at 44.45%, compared to TREE's 59.04%, indicating TREE's more efficient use of shareholder funds [18]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects PGY's revenues for 2025 and 2026 to grow by 28.4% and 19.2%, respectively, while TREE's growth rates are 20.5% and 5.7% [22][24]. Investment Outlook - PGY is characterized as a profitable fintech leader with strong revenue growth, a resilient business model, and a capital-efficient funding strategy [26]. - TREE is noted for its established marketplace model and superior ROE, with ongoing efforts to diversify its product offerings supporting revenue growth [27]. - While TREE has operational maturity, PGY presents a stronger revenue and earnings growth outlook, along with better valuation metrics [28][29].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights LendingTree (TREE) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its favorable metrics and strong earnings outlook [2][4][6]. Group 1: Value Investing Strategy - Value investing is a popular strategy that has shown success across various market conditions, utilizing valuation metrics to identify undervalued stocks [2]. - Zacks has developed a Style Scores system to identify stocks with specific traits, particularly focusing on the "Value" category for value investors [3]. Group 2: LendingTree (TREE) Metrics - LendingTree (TREE) currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value grade of A, indicating strong potential for value investors [4]. - The stock is trading at a P/E ratio of 16.18, significantly lower than the industry average P/E of 23.61, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - TREE's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 7.67 and 19.07 over the past 12 months, with a median of 12.35, further indicating its valuation potential [4]. - The P/S ratio for TREE is 0.7, compared to the industry average P/S of 1.48, reinforcing the notion that the stock is undervalued [5]. Group 3: Earnings Outlook - The strength of TREE's earnings outlook positions it as one of the strongest value stocks in the market, appealing to value investors looking for potential opportunities [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights LendingTree (TREE) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its favorable financial metrics and Zacks Rank [1][2][6]. Company Analysis - LendingTree (TREE) currently holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an A for Value, indicating strong potential for value investors [4]. - The stock has a P/E ratio of 16.18, significantly lower than the industry average P/E of 23.82, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - Over the past 12 months, TREE's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 7.67 and 19.07, with a median of 12.35, further indicating its valuation dynamics [4]. - The P/S ratio for TREE is 0.62, compared to the industry average P/S of 1.41, reinforcing the notion of undervaluation [5]. - The combination of these metrics, along with a strong earnings outlook, positions TREE as an impressive value stock at present [6].

Core Viewpoint - Tree.com (TREE) has experienced a significant decline of 16.9% over the past four weeks, but it is now positioned for a potential trend reversal as it enters oversold territory, with analysts predicting better earnings than previously expected [1] Group 1: Technical Indicators - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum oscillator that indicates whether a stock is oversold, with readings below 30 typically signaling this condition [2] - TREE's current RSI reading is 29.41, suggesting that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting, indicating a possible bounce back towards equilibrium [5] Group 2: Fundamental Analysis - There is strong consensus among sell-side analysts to raise earnings estimates for TREE, with the consensus EPS estimate increasing by 29.7% over the last 30 days, which often correlates with price appreciation [7] - TREE holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, further supporting the potential for a turnaround [8]

Core Insights - The financial sector is experiencing a trend of oversold stocks, presenting potential buying opportunities for undervalued companies [1][2] Company Summaries - **Trupanion Inc (NASDAQ:TRUP)**: Reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings with record profitability and subscription growth. The stock has fallen approximately 12% over the past month, with a current RSI of 29.6 and a closing price of $37.74 [8] - **LendingTree Inc (NASDAQ:TREE)**: Exceeded third-quarter estimates and raised FY2025 sales guidance. The stock has decreased around 14% in the last month, with an RSI of 29.2 and a closing price of $49.12 [8] - **Manhattan Bridge Capital Inc (NASDAQ:LOAN)**: Reported disappointing quarterly earnings but noted strong loan performance. The stock has declined about 11% over the past month, with an RSI of 28.9 and a closing price of $4.65 [8]