LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) reported Q1 EPS of $0.18, $0.30 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.12). Revenue for the quarter came in at $272.8 million versus the consensus estimate of $264.75 million.

"We're pleased to report another strong quarter at LendingTree," said Doug Lebda, Chairman and CEO. "We once again exceeded our prior guidance and each of our three segments is showing signs of momentum. Our Home segment was particularly strong in the quarter, delivering record revenue as both borrowers and lenders increasingly turn to LendingTree to meet their mortgage needs. Our Insurance segment once again posted strong growth, and our Consumer segment continued to exhibit tangible signs of recovery as the economy gradually begins to reopen."

J.D. Moriarty, CFO, added, "We remain confident in our future prospects as two of our three segments are showing considerable strength while our Consumer segment is very clearly improving off the lows experienced last Spring at the height of the pandemic. Even more encouraging is the progress we are seeing in some of our strategic growth initiatives such as My LendingTree syndication and our Insurance agency capabilities."

GUIDANCE:

LendingTree sees Q2 2021 revenue of $263-273 million, versus the consensus of $268.9 million.

Today we are issuing an outlook for the second quarter 2021. Our assumptions reflect current trends, although we continue to acknowledge the difficulty in forecasting the recovery of our Consumer segment and the effects of volatile interest rate movements in our Home segment.

Our guidance assumes that year-over-year growth in our Home segment moderates relative to the extraordinary performance recorded in Q1. A sequential decline in Home revenue and segment profit should be at least partially offset by sustained improvement in our Consumer segment and an acceleration in Insurance, where we expect revenue growth of 30% or more compared to Q2 2020. Our outlook also factors in approximately $2 million in additional expense to support the build of our Medicare agency capability.

Q2 2021 Outlook:

• Revenue is expected in the range of $263 - $273 million.
• Variable marketing margin is expected in the range of $86 - $92 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected in the range of $27 - $31 million.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on LendingTree (TREE) click here.