Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Invests $3.25 Million in Match Group Inc. $MTCH

Key Points

• Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased 85,343 Match Group shares worth approximately $3.25 million during the second quarter. Institutional investors now own 94.05% of the company.
• Match Group’s latest earnings exceeded expectations at $0.70 per share versus a $0.65 consensus estimate, although revenue declined 1.2% year over year to $853.1 million. The stock recently traded near its 52-week high, supported by post-earnings momentum and AI matchmaking initiatives.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, equivalent to an annualized $0.80 payout and a 1.9% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with an average price target of $42.46.

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 85,343 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $3,247,000.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Match Group in the first quarter worth $662,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Match Group by 20.4% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 5,260 shares of the technology company's stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 891 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Match Group by 45.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 649,721 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $20,070,000 after buying an additional 204,472 shares in the last quarter. Amundi lifted its holdings in shares of Match Group by 1,477.6% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 358,709 shares of the technology company's stock worth $11,637,000 after buying an additional 335,971 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Match Group in the second quarter worth about $298,000. 94.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Match Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: AI matchmaking expansion into Europe: Match Group is extending its AI-powered matchmaking efforts into European markets. The initiative could improve user engagement, matching quality and monetization across Tinder and other platforms, although financial benefits have not yet been quantified. Match Group Pushes AI Matchmaking Into Europe
• Positive Sentiment: Post-earnings share momentum: MTCH has risen 11.2% since its latest earnings report, when adjusted earnings of $0.70 per share exceeded the $0.65 consensus estimate. The stock also recently reached a 52-week high, indicating improved investor confidence despite a modest year-over-year revenue decline. Why Is Match Group Up Since Last Earnings Report? Match Group Stock Hits 52-Week High
• Neutral Sentiment: Product innovation remains a key focus: Tinder’s product and engineering teams highlighted faster product development and ongoing innovation. The update supports the long-term engagement thesis but provided no new guidance or specific revenue targets. Match Group Tinder Product Innovation Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Director reduced her holdings: Director Ann McDaniel sold 3,531 shares for approximately $149,820 at an average price of $42.43, reducing her direct ownership by 11.63%. While the sale is relatively small and may be personal or routine, insider selling can weigh on sentiment, particularly with MTCH trading near recent highs. Match Group Director Sells Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Higher wages could reinforce Fed concerns: U.S. average hourly earnings accelerated to 0.3% month over month from 0.1%, potentially increasing inflation and interest-rate concerns. Higher-for-longer rates can pressure valuation multiples for consumer and internet companies such as Match Group. Wage Growth Surges and Raises Fed Concerns

Match Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ MTCH opened at $41.86 on Friday. Match Group Inc. has a 52-week low of $28.81 and a 52-week high of $43.47. The company has a fifty day moving average of $39.24 and a 200-day moving average of $35.63. The company has a market capitalization of $9.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.32.

Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The technology company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.05. Match Group had a negative return on equity of 324.82% and a net margin of 20.17%.The business had revenue of $853.11 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $857.77 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.49 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Match Group Inc. will post 3.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Match Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 20th. Investors of record on Monday, October 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 5th. Match Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.27%.

Insider Transactions at Match Group

In other Match Group news, Director Stephen Bailey sold 4,760 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.26, for a total transaction of $201,157.60. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 11,742 shares in the company, valued at $496,216.92. This trade represents a 28.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Glenn Schiffman purchased 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $36.63 per share, for a total transaction of $109,890.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 56,370 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,064,833.10. This represents a 5.62% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 23,291 shares of company stock valued at $976,478. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Match Group from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $40.00 price objective on Match Group in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Match Group from $37.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Match Group in a research note on Monday, August 24th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $43.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Match Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Match Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $42.46.

Match Group Company Profile

Match Group, Inc NASDAQ: MTCH is a leading provider of online dating products and services. The company owns and operates a diverse portfolio of consumer brands that connect singles through digital platforms. Its flagship offerings include Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid and PlentyOfFish, which together serve users looking for long-term relationships, casual encounters and social networking opportunities.

Originating with the launch of Match.com in 1995, Match Group has grown through a combination of organic development and strategic acquisitions.

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