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LendingTree Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Stock Up, 2026 Outlook Raised
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Key Takeaways
TREE posted Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.66, beating the $1.49 consensus estimate.
TREE Q1 revenues rose 36.5% to $327.3M, topping the consensus estimate by 1.9%.
TREE raised 2026 guidance for revenues, adjusted EBITDA, and variable marketing margin ranges.
LendingTree, Inc. (TREE - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of $1.66, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.49. The figure compares favorably with 99 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
Shares of the company gained 2.5% in yesterday’s trading session following the release of better-than-expected results and a raised full-year 2026 outlook.
Results were driven by a rise in revenues. An increase in adjusted EBITDA was an added positive. However, a rise in total cost acted as a spoilsport.
Results exclude certain non-recurring items. After considering these, TREE reported a GAAP net income of $17.3 million, or $1.22 per share, against the net loss of $12.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
Total revenues in the first quarter grew 36.5% year over year to $327.3 million. The reported figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%.
Total cost of revenues was $11.7 million, up 18% from the prior-year quarter.
Total costs and expenses were $296.1 million, up 19.9% from the previous-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $42 million, up 70.7% from the year-ago quarter. The variable marketing margin was $99.5 million, up 28.1%.
As of March 31, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $85.5 million compared with $81.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Long-term debt was $387 million compared with $387.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.
LendingTree’s Outlook
Second-Quarter 2026
Total revenues are projected to be between $305 million and $325 million.
Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $38 million and $40 million.
The variable marketing margin is anticipated to be between $93 million and $97 million.
2026
Total revenues are expected to be between $1.30 billion and $1.35 billion compared with the prior range of $1.28 billion to $1.33 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $152-$162 million versus the previous range of $150-$160 million.
The variable marketing margin is expected to be in the range of $378-$395 million compared with $374-$394 million previously.
Our View on LendingTree
TREE’s inorganic growth moves have strengthened its online lending platform. Its first-quarter results primarily benefited from an increase in EBITDA. The company’s efforts to increase revenues by diversifying its non-mortgage product offerings will support top-line growth in the future.
LendingTree, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Hancock Whitney Corp.’s (HWC - Free Report) first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.52 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48. The bottom line rose 10.1% from the prior-year quarter.
HWC’s results were supported by higher net interest income (NII) and modest loan growth. The quarter was significantly impacted by a securities portfolio restructuring loss. Deposits declined modestly. Higher expenses and increased provisions acted as headwinds.
WaFd, Inc.’s (WAFD - Free Report) second-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended March 31) adjusted earnings of 83 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The bottom line jumped 27.7% year over year.
WAFD’s results reflected higher NII and non-interest income. However, elevated expenses and provisions were the undermining factors. A decline in loans and deposits was another headwind.
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LendingTree Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Stock Up, 2026 Outlook Raised
Key Takeaways
LendingTree, Inc. (TREE - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of $1.66, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.49. The figure compares favorably with 99 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
Shares of the company gained 2.5% in yesterday’s trading session following the release of better-than-expected results and a raised full-year 2026 outlook.
Results were driven by a rise in revenues. An increase in adjusted EBITDA was an added positive. However, a rise in total cost acted as a spoilsport.
Results exclude certain non-recurring items. After considering these, TREE reported a GAAP net income of $17.3 million, or $1.22 per share, against the net loss of $12.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
TREE’s Revenues, Variable Marketing Margin Increase
Total revenues in the first quarter grew 36.5% year over year to $327.3 million. The reported figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%.
Total cost of revenues was $11.7 million, up 18% from the prior-year quarter.
Total costs and expenses were $296.1 million, up 19.9% from the previous-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $42 million, up 70.7% from the year-ago quarter. The variable marketing margin was $99.5 million, up 28.1%.
As of March 31, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $85.5 million compared with $81.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Long-term debt was $387 million compared with $387.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.
LendingTree’s Outlook
Second-Quarter 2026
Total revenues are projected to be between $305 million and $325 million.
Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $38 million and $40 million.
The variable marketing margin is anticipated to be between $93 million and $97 million.
2026
Total revenues are expected to be between $1.30 billion and $1.35 billion compared with the prior range of $1.28 billion to $1.33 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $152-$162 million versus the previous range of $150-$160 million.
The variable marketing margin is expected to be in the range of $378-$395 million compared with $374-$394 million previously.
Our View on LendingTree
TREE’s inorganic growth moves have strengthened its online lending platform. Its first-quarter results primarily benefited from an increase in EBITDA. The company’s efforts to increase revenues by diversifying its non-mortgage product offerings will support top-line growth in the future.
LendingTree, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
LendingTree, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | LendingTree, Inc. Quote
TREE’s Zacks Rank
Currently, LendingTree carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Finance Stocks
Hancock Whitney Corp.’s (HWC - Free Report) first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.52 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48. The bottom line rose 10.1% from the prior-year quarter.
HWC’s results were supported by higher net interest income (NII) and modest loan growth. The quarter was significantly impacted by a securities portfolio restructuring loss. Deposits declined modestly. Higher expenses and increased provisions acted as headwinds.
WaFd, Inc.’s (WAFD - Free Report) second-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended March 31) adjusted earnings of 83 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The bottom line jumped 27.7% year over year.
WAFD’s results reflected higher NII and non-interest income. However, elevated expenses and provisions were the undermining factors. A decline in loans and deposits was another headwind.