WallStSmart

Hilltop Holdings Inc (HTH)vsLendingtree Inc (TREE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Hilltop Holdings Inc generates 5% more annual revenue ($1.26B vs $1.20B). TREE leads profitability with a 15.0% profit margin vs 12.8%. HTH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.61. TREE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).

HTH

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 3.3Profit: 5.5Value: 7.0Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 6/9

TREE

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.0Value: 5.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.88

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HTH3 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

PEG RatioValuation
0.618/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
14.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

TREE5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
P/E RatioValuation
2.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
59.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 59 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
36.5%10/10

Revenue surging 36.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
1747.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 1747.0% YoY

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

HTH4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.5%3/10

ROE of 7.5% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-3.4%2/10

Revenue declined 3.4%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-1.5%2/10

Earnings declined 1.5%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-133.90M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

TREE4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$491.84M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Debt/EquityHealth
1.443/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
3.552/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.882/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HTH

The strongest argument for HTH centers on Price/Book, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. PEG of 0.61 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : TREE

The strongest argument for TREE centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 36.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : HTH

The primary concerns for HTH are Return on Equity, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Bear Case : TREE

The primary concerns for TREE are Market Cap, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HTH profiles as a declining stock while TREE is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

TREE carries more volatility with a beta of 2.05 — expect wider price swings.

TREE is growing revenue faster at 36.5% — sustainability is the question.

TREE generates stronger free cash flow (9M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

TREE scores higher overall (76/100 vs 56/100) and 36.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Hilltop Holdings Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL CONGLOMERATES · USA

Hilltop Holdings Inc. provides consumer and commercial banking and financial products and services. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Lendingtree Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL CONGLOMERATES · USA

LendingTree, Inc., through its subsidiary, LT Intermediate Company, LLC, operates an online consumer platform in the United States. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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