LendingTree was founded as an online broker for mortgages, but it has since launched new businesses in auto loans, credit cards, and insurance. To increase the value created from this portfolio of businesses, LendingTree shares its customer data, many software components, and core analytics technologies across these businesses. The new businesses (auto loans, credit cards and insurance) pursued by LendingTree can best be characterized as _____.
a. divestitures
b. strategic alliances
c. vertical integrations
d. corporate transactions
e. related diversifications