Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analysts rate Match Group a "Hold": 16 analysts cover the stock (11 hold, 5 buy) with an average 1-year price target of about $35.86, and several firms recently trimmed targets or maintained neutral ratings.
• Quarterly results showed an EPS miss: Match reported $0.83 EPS versus a $1.00 consensus (miss) while revenue of $878.0M slightly beat estimates and grew 2.1% year-over-year; the company also reported a negative return on equity (-289.29%).
• Shareholder returns and positioning: the board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.20 (from $0.19), implying a $0.80 annual payout and a ~2.6% yield; the stock trades around $31 with a 1-year range of $26.39–$39.20 and institutional owners hold ~94% of the shares.

Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Hold" by the sixteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $35.8571.

A number of research firms recently commented on MTCH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Match Group from $33.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Match Group in a report on Friday, March 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $37.00 price target on shares of Match Group in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of Match Group in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Match Group from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Match Group

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MTCH. Woodline Partners LP purchased a new position in Match Group during the first quarter valued at $662,000. Creative Planning increased its stake in shares of Match Group by 38.2% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 22,516 shares of the technology company's stock worth $696,000 after purchasing an additional 6,225 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Match Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $754,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Match Group by 21.7% during the 2nd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 6,203 shares of the technology company's stock worth $192,000 after purchasing an additional 1,107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its stake in Match Group by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 54,400 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,680,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.05% of the company's stock.

Match Group Price Performance

Match Group stock opened at $31.20 on Tuesday. Match Group has a 1-year low of $26.39 and a 1-year high of $39.20. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $31.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.11, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.30.

Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The technology company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.00 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $878.01 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $872.86 million. Match Group had a net margin of 17.59% and a negative return on equity of 289.29%. The business's revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.59 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Match Group will post 2.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Match Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 7th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This is a boost from Match Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 7th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Match Group's payout ratio is 31.93%.

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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