The share price of Match Group ('Tinder') is down nearly 85%, while Bumble has lost more than 95%.Grindr, the gay dating app, has fallen around 60%.Are these promising value stocks, or is the very concept of online dating heading for the dustbin of history?A fascinating sector to follow"The world of dating apps is very alien to me. I have no clue what works and what doesn't. Only biotech is worse."So said an esteemed member of my WhatsApp group of London finance bros when I floated the subject of dating app ...

Core Insights - Grindr was close to going private after majority owners sought to remove it from the public market, but discussions ended and one owner sold shares [1][6] Transaction Summary - Majority owner James Lu sold 1.45 million shares of Grindr for a total transaction value of $14.6 million [2] - Post-transaction, Lu holds only 4,455 shares directly, while indirect holdings are reduced to 18,432,101 shares [2][8] Company Overview - Grindr Inc. operates a social networking and dating app for LGBTQ communities, utilizing a dual revenue model of advertising and premium subscriptions [5] - As of February 14, 2026, Grindr's market capitalization is $1.86 billion, with a revenue of $411.55 million and a one-year price change of -45.54% [4] Recent Developments - Lu and fellow majority owner Raymond Zage previously proposed a buyout at $18 per share, significantly above the current price, but negotiations were terminated due to financing concerns [6][9] - The company is under investigation for potential breaches of fiduciary duties related to the termination of buyout negotiations [9] Subscription Service Pilot - Grindr is testing a new subscription service called "Edge," which offers AI-powered features, with proposed prices reaching as high as $499, significantly higher than its current highest subscription of $44.99 [9][10]

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $GRND #grindr--Grindr, the Global Gayborhood in Your Pocketâ,,¢, brings back its award winning podcast Who's the Asshole? for a fourth season packed with queer excellence and hilarity. Hosted by drag legend, comedian, and professional truth-teller, Katya Zamolodchikova, the latest season goes harder than ever with outrageous scenarios, scorching hot takes, and the messiest dilemmas yet— stripped down with razor-sharp wit and unapologetic honesty. Rooted in Grindr' ...

Core Viewpoint - Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by the Board of Directors of Grindr Inc. regarding their decision to terminate negotiations with the company's controlling stockholder, assessing whether this decision aligns with the duties owed to all stockholders, especially minority holders [1]. Group 1 - The investigation focuses on the impact of the Board's decisions on stockholder rights, including the balance of control within the company and the treatment of non-controlling investors [2]. - Shareholders of Grindr are encouraged to participate in the investigation and can find more information through a provided link or by contacting the lead analyst [2]. - Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a recognized shareholder-rights law firm that represents both individual and institutional investors in various legal actions related to securities [3]. Group 2 - In 2024, Johnson Fistel was ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms by ISS Securities Class Action Services, having recovered approximately $90.725 million for clients in cases where it served as lead or co-lead counsel [4].

Core Insights - Maple Tree Capital's Q3 2025 performance was mixed, with the Jonagold portfolio experiencing a 13.12% loss due to a decline in Upstart, while the Heartwood portfolio gained 40.2%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 82% return since its inception in 2023 [1] Company Performance - Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) reported a one-month return of 3.15% but faced a 24.83% decline over the last 52 weeks, closing at $13.41 per share with a market capitalization of $2.574 billion on December 29, 2025 [2] - Grindr's total revenue increased by 30% year-over-year to $116 million in Q3 2025 [4] Competitive Landscape - Grindr is facing increased competition from emerging dating apps like Sniffies, which has contributed to a steep decline in its stock price [3] - Concerns regarding Grindr's user metrics and ARPPU growth have been raised, leading to a short report that has intensified negative sentiment [3] Investment Outlook - Despite the challenges, Maple Tree Capital believes Grindr is well-positioned to serve the LGBTQ+ community and plans to increase its stake in the company [3] - Grindr is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 29 hedge fund portfolios holding its shares at the end of Q3 2025, down from 32 in the previous quarter [4]

Core Points - Two burglars used the Grindr dating app to deceive victims into allowing them into their homes, leading to theft of devices and funds [1][9] - Rahmat Khan Mohammadi targeted 11 victims over a five-month period, while Mohammed Bilal Hotak committed multiple offenses within a shorter timeframe [2] - Both men received significant prison sentences, with Mohammadi sentenced to five years and Hotak to three and a half years [2] Legal Proceedings - Judge Adenike Balogun highlighted the psychological trauma and distress caused to the victims, emphasizing the violation of their private spaces [3] - The prosecution suggested that the crimes could be viewed as hate crimes due to the targeting of victims based on their sexuality [3][4] - The judge noted that the victims were targeted for their perceived vulnerability rather than out of hostility towards their sexuality [4] Modus Operandi - The burglars exploited Grindr to gain easy access to victims' homes, often using deceptive profiles and distraction tactics to facilitate the theft [5][7] - They would ask victims to play music on YouTube, which prevented the phone from being locked, allowing them to steal devices [7] - The defense argued that Grindr's anonymity provided a unique opportunity for the men to commit their crimes without fear of repercussions [9] Victim Impact - Victims reported severe psychological trauma, with one individual expressing distress over losing irreplaceable family photos stored on his phone [9][10] - Another victim described the experience as invasive and degrading, leading to lasting fear of online dating [10] - The Metropolitan Police's hate crime lead characterized the crimes as "callous, calculated, pre-planned," emphasizing the devastating impact on victims [13]

Core Insights - Grindr Inc. is projected to be a significant investment opportunity by 2026, with potential for substantial returns [1] - The company has reaffirmed its revenue growth outlook for 2025, despite recent developments regarding a take-private offer [2][3] Financial Performance - For Q3, Grindr reported a revenue of $116 million, exceeding analyst expectations by $2.69 million [3] - The net income for the same period was $31 million [3] - The company raised its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA outlook to between $191 million and $193 million, indicating a margin greater than 43% [3] - Grindr's management reaffirmed a revenue growth outlook of 26% or greater for 2025 [3] Corporate Developments - Grindr decided to cease engagement with a take-private offer from shareholders Ray Zage and James Lu, who proposed to buy the company for $18 per share in cash [2] - The decision was made by a special committee of the board due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the financing of the proposed offer [2] Business Model - Grindr operates social networking and dating applications specifically for the LGBTQ communities worldwide [4]

Core Point - A privacy advocacy group, noyb, has filed complaints against TikTok, Grindr, and AppsFlyer for allegedly breaching regional privacy laws, which could lead to the exposure of sensitive data [1] Group 1 - The complaints were submitted to Austria's data protection authority [1] - The allegations suggest that the companies risk exposing sensitive user data [1]

Core Viewpoint - Grindr Inc. has amended, extended, and upsized its syndicated revolving credit and term loan facility from $350 million to $600 million [1] Group 1: Financial Details - The Term Loan A was increased by $100 million to a total of $400 million [1] - The revolving credit facility was increased by $150 million to a total of $200 million [1] - The maturities of the loans have been extended from November 2028 to January 2031 [1] Group 2: Use of Proceeds - Proceeds from the amended facility will be used to refinance existing obligations [1]

Core Viewpoint - Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by the Board of Directors of Grindr Inc. regarding their decision to terminate negotiations with the company's controlling stockholder, assessing whether this decision aligns with the duties owed to all stockholders, especially minority holders [1]. Group 1 - The investigation focuses on the impact of the Board's decisions on stockholder rights, including the balance of control within the company and the treatment of non-controlling investors [2]. - Shareholders of Grindr are encouraged to participate in the investigation and can find more information through a provided link [2]. - Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a recognized law firm specializing in shareholder rights, representing both individual and institutional investors in various legal actions [3]. Group 2 - In 2024, Johnson Fistel was ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms by ISS Securities Class Action Services, having recovered approximately $90.725 million for clients in cases where it served as lead or co-lead counsel [4].