LendingTree (TREE) Provides Encouraging Guidance For 2019

At the 2018 Analyst and Investor Day, LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ:TREE) unveiled its full-year 2019 guidance. Notably, the company also updated its 2018 guidance in November with the third-quarter earnings release.

For 2019, the company expects revenues to be in the range of $990-$1,030 million, up 29%- 34% from full-year 2018 revenue guidance of $765-$775 million. Further, variable marketing margin is likely to be in the range of $365-$385 million. Additionally, the company expects adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $195-$205 million, up 27%-34% from full-year 2018 adjusted EBITDA figure of $152-$155 million.

"2018 has been another record setting year at LendingTree, and we are thrilled with what we've accomplished this year despite a difficult environment for the mortgage industry" said Doug Lebda, chairman and CEO. "Our diversification over the last several years has enabled us to navigate a challenging period and will continue to be advantageous for us in the years to come. Today, we introduce our outlook for 2019 and I look forward to sharing that and more with analysts and investors throughout the course of the day."

LendingTree’s expansion strategies are expected to boost its top line further. Also, its focus on expanding non-mortgage related product offerings benefited its top line greatly. Further, reduced dependence on mortgage revenues remains a tailwind. However, the company has been witnessing escalating costs for enhancement of products. Its mortgage-related product revenues are likely to be affected by falling supplies of homes for sale and rising mortgage rates.

Currently, LendingTree sports a Zack Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Shares of LendingTree have gained 0.6% over the past three months against a decline of 12.2% recorded by the industry.

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