Match Group Divides Analysts Following Earnings: New Management 'Likely To Be Well Received'

Online dating apps have struggled amid lulls in growth and user frustration with the services. Amid a change in leadership at Match Group Inc MTCH, two analysts have mixed feelings about the Dallas-based company’s prospects in 2025.

The Match Group Analysts: On Wednesday, the following analysts released notes on Match Group’s fourth-quarter earnings:

• Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Buy rating, lowering its price target from $40 to $39.
• JPMorgan analyst Cory A. Carpenter reiterated a Neutral rating with a $33 price target.

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Goldman Sachs: Sheridan noted the company’s commentary during earnings.

“While the stock has reacted negatively to these results, we came away with the conclusion that the company was more focused on timing narratives within 2025 and the impact of f/x rather than any wholesale shifts in strategy or operating priorities,” the analyst said.

Sheridan says the earnings report highlighted stable trends at Tinder and momentum at Hinge, both subsidiaries of the company.

Match Group also owns OkCupid and Match.com.

The analyst remains focused on new CEO Spencer Rascoff and new CFO Steven Bailey. Their operational strategy going forward is currently unclear. Still, Sheridan is encouraged by positive commentary on Tinder and the focus on expansion into Mexico and Brazil.

JPMorgan: Carpenter noted the change in leadership at the company.

“MTCH also delivered a surprise in the CEO transition from BK to Spencer Rascoff, which creates some near-term uncertainty but we think is likely to be well received over time,” the analyst said.

Carpenter is encouraged by positive results for Tinder within the quarter, but noted that “revenue acceleration could
be tough in a challenged dating market.”

Price Action: Shares of Match Group fell nearly 8% on Wednesday following the earnings announcement. The stock rebounded 2.14% on Thursday, rising to $34.30.

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