EXCLUSIVE: LendingTree CEO Bullish on Company; Discusses Selloff

Shares of LendingTree TREE traded as much as 35 percent lower Wednesday following the company raising its Q4 2015 guidance and an appearance by CEO Doug Lebda at a Needham conference.

In an exclusive interview with Benzinga, Lebda discussed the selloff and his outlook for the company.

“Because we did not raise our 2016 guidance, [traders are speculating] we will not have sequential growth.” Lebda said 2016 guidance is expected to be updated with first quarter results, which is the company’s typical practice.

When asked if 2016 is looking strong, Lebda replied “Yes.” Further, Lebda stated “I have never been more bullish on the future of the company than I have been in 19 years.” Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after shopping for his first mortgage.

The Chief Executive also suggested investors “new to the story” may be concerned that raising rates will negatively impact the business.

“Reality is Just the Opposite,” said Lebda. “Since 2011 as originations have fallen, our mortgage business has grown because lenders need us more.”

BWS’s Khorsand commented to Benzinga that Lebda’s comments a conference earlier in the day did not justify the sharp movement lower. SunTrust’s Bob Peck published an intraday note reiterating his buy rating and $150 price target.

This story was originally published on Benzinga Professional.

Shares of LendingTree last traded down 27.8 percent at $62.35.