Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $45.64

Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.64.

MTCH has been the topic of several research reports. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Match Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, October 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Match Group in a report on Monday, August 24th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $43.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Match Group from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Match Group from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Match Group in a research report on Tuesday.

Match Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Match Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Tinder’s U.S. daily active users returned to year-over-year growth in September, with growth continuing into October, after more than three years. Hinge also posted double-digit year-over-year growth in users, revenue and payers—encouraging signs for Match’s recovery efforts. Reuters report on Tinder user growth
• Positive Sentiment: Match declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, equivalent to $0.80 annually.
• Neutral Sentiment: Several analysts raised their price targets, including Barclays to $52, Citi to $45, Truist to $44 and UBS to $43, but most maintained neutral or hold ratings. Wells Fargo cut its target to $38. The mixed views suggest analysts see potential upside but remain cautious. Citi rating update
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue was about $891.2 million, slightly below consensus and down 2.5% year over year; paying users also declined. Adjusted EPS was reported at $0.93 versus a $1.05 estimate, raising concerns about earnings momentum. Yahoo Finance earnings report
• Negative Sentiment: Fourth-quarter revenue guidance of $865 million–$875 million implies a 1% decline to roughly flat year over year and offers little near-term growth. Match also flagged an approximately one-percentage-point margin headwind in 2027, adding pressure to profit expectations. Fourth-quarter revenue outlook

Match Group Trading Down 8.5%

Shares of Match Group stock opened at $38.50 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.84 billion, a PE ratio of 13.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.47. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $42.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.57. Match Group has a 12 month low of $28.81 and a 12 month high of $46.67.

Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 2nd. The technology company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $891.23 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $892.45 million. Match Group had a negative return on equity of 324.86% and a net margin of 20.69%. Match Group’s quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.62 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Match Group will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Match Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 6th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 6th. Match Group’s payout ratio is 28.27%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Ann Mcdaniel sold 3,531 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.43, for a total transaction of $149,820.33. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 26,839 shares in the company, valued at $1,138,778.77. This trade represents a 11.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Glenn Schiffman purchased 3,000 shares of Match Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $36.63 per share, for a total transaction of $109,890.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 56,370 shares in the company, valued at $2,064,833.10. The trade was a 5.62% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 23,291 shares of company stock valued at $976,478. 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MTCH. Ethic Inc. boosted its position in Match Group by 8.8% during the 3rd quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 26,116 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $1,049,000 after buying an additional 2,107 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Match Group in the third quarter valued at about $9,319,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Match Group in the third quarter valued at about $224,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Match Group by 7.9% during the third quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 55,562 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $2,541,000 after acquiring an additional 4,073 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AIA Group Ltd bought a new position in shares of Match Group during the third quarter valued at about $221,000. 94.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Match Group

Match Group, Inc is a global provider of online dating and social discovery services. The company operates a portfolio of dating applications and websites designed to help people form relationships, including Tinder, Hinge, Match, Meetic, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, BLK, Chispa and The League.

Its platforms serve users across a broad range of geographies and relationship preferences. Match Group generates revenue primarily through paid subscriptions, premium features, à la carte purchases and advertising.