WallStSmart

Hilltop Holdings Inc (HTH)vsLendingtree Inc (TREE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Hilltop Holdings Inc generates 14% more annual revenue ($1.27B vs $1.12B). TREE leads profitability with a 13.5% profit margin vs 13.0%. HTH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.61. TREE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

HTH

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.0Value: 10.0Quality: 7.3
Piotroski: 6/9

TREE

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

HTHUndervalued (+68.3%)

Margin of Safety

+68.3%

Fair Value

$123.55

Current Price

$35.56

$87.99 discount

UndervaluedFair: $123.55Overvalued
TREEUndervalued (+91.7%)

Margin of Safety

+91.7%

Fair Value

$504.50

Current Price

$42.49

$462.00 discount

UndervaluedFair: $504.50Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HTH4 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
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
13.5x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
25.7%8/10

Earnings expanding 25.7% YoY

TREE4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
4.0x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
76.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 77 in profit

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.2%8/10

Revenue surging 22.2% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

HTH3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.9%4/10

4.9% revenue growth

Return on EquityProfitability
7.8%3/10

ROE of 7.8% — below average capital efficiency

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-49.28M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

TREE2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$591.64M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

PEG RatioValuation
3.552/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 22.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : HTH

The primary concerns for HTH are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow.

Bear Case : TREE

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

TREE carries more volatility with a beta of 2.30 — expect wider price swings.

TREE is growing revenue faster at 22.2% — sustainability is the question.

TREE generates stronger free cash flow (14M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

TREE scores higher overall (72/100 vs 69/100) and 22.2% revenue growth. HTH offers better value entry with a 68.3% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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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