NEW YORK, Oct. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What’s Happening: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTCH) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Match Group on November 13, 2024 with a Class Period from May 2, 2023 to November 6, 2024. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Match Group have breached their fiduciary duti ...

With a market cap of $8.9 billion, Match Group, Inc. (MTCH) is a global leader in providing digital dating products and technologies. With a portfolio of more than 45 brands including Tinder, Hinge, Match.com, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, and Meetic, the company connects users across over 40 languages and countries. Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally classified as “mid-cap” stocks, and Match Group fits this criterion perfectly. Its diverse offerings, from the world’s top-grossing Tinder app ...

Group 1: Meta's New AI Features - Meta is introducing an AI assistant to Facebook Dating to help users find better matches tailored to their preferences [1] - The AI can assist users in refining their profiles and suggest specific types of matches, such as "a Brooklyn girl in tech" [1] - A new feature called Meet Cute aims to reduce "swipe fatigue" by providing users with a weekly surprise match based on algorithmic selection [1] Group 2: User Growth and Market Position - Facebook Dating has seen a 10% year-over-year growth in matches among adults aged 18 to 29, with hundreds of thousands of new profiles created monthly [2] - Despite this growth, Facebook Dating's user base remains small compared to competitors like Tinder, which has approximately 50 million daily active users, and Hinge, which has around 10 million [2] Group 3: Industry Trends and Competitor Actions - AI features are becoming standard in mainstream dating apps, with newer apps like Sitch also incorporating AI to differentiate themselves [3] - Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge, has invested over $20 million in AI, partnering with OpenAI to enhance its offerings [3] - Recent AI features from Match Group include an AI photo selector for Tinder and AI-powered matching capabilities [4] Group 4: Future of AI in Dating - Bumble has also introduced AI features, with its founder suggesting the potential for personal "AI concierges" to assess compatibility through AI-driven dates [6]

Core Viewpoint - Match Group Inc is focusing on AI-driven innovations rather than aggressive marketing strategies to maintain its competitive edge in the dating app market, positioning itself as a quiet disruptor against Bumble Inc's louder advertising campaigns [1][6]. Group 1: AI Innovations - Match Group is implementing a three-phase turnaround strategy for Tinder, emphasizing user-centric innovation over short-term monetization [2]. - AI features such as smarter algorithms and tools like Double Date and Interactive Matching are expected to enhance user experience, with Hinge's recent AI update resulting in a 15% increase in matches and improved payer conversion [3]. - The company is committed to leveraging AI to boost match quality and user engagement, which is seen as a sustainable competitive advantage [1][3]. Group 2: Growth Strategy - Match Group is prioritizing growth investments over immediate margin goals, as highlighted by a $50 million reinvestment plan aimed at fostering long-term growth [4]. - The management's focus on growth-first strategies indicates a willingness to delay capital returns to shareholders if it means enhancing Tinder's performance [4]. - Hinge's direct payment uptake is reportedly much higher than the industry average of approximately 30%, suggesting potential for increased reinvestment and growth [5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Despite Bumble's recent marketing efforts, Match Group has not experienced significant negative impacts, indicating the resilience of its product-led strategy [6]. - The acceleration of Hinge and the traction gained by Azar, along with Tinder's refined AI roadmap, positions Match Group as an innovation leader rather than just a marketing entity [6]. - The overall narrative suggests that while flashy marketing may attract attention, the long-term success in the dating app industry will likely hinge on smarter, data-driven approaches [6].

Business Overview & Strategy - Match Group's CEO emphasizes the company's role in addressing the global loneliness epidemic and mental health crisis by facilitating human connection [2] - The company operates a portfolio of dating apps, with Hinge targeting intentional daters seeking long-term relationships and Tinder focusing on possibilities ranging from short-term to long-term connections [3][4] - Match Group also offers affinity apps catering to specific user segments, such as Archer for gay users, Her for sapphic users, and BLK for Black users [5] - The company's business model is primarily subscription-based, aligning revenue with driving positive user outcomes [9] Performance & Growth - Hinge is experiencing rapid growth and is on track to become a $1 billion business [6] - Tinder experienced a 7% decrease in paying users in the second quarter, prompting efforts to revitalize the app [1] AI Integration - AI is integral to Match Group's operations, powering matching algorithms and enhancing user profiles with real-time feedback [13][15] - The company is exploring AI to facilitate conversations and provide users with advice, aiming to improve the dating experience [15][19] Future Trends & Concerns - The company downplays concerns about AI replacing human connection, emphasizing the primal need for human interaction [10] - Match Group is introducing features like double dating on Tinder to cater to the needs of a digitally-focused and potentially lonely generation [12][11]

Match Group (MTCH) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Match Group (MTCH) - **Date**: September 03, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: CFO Steven Bailey Key Points Company Culture and Leadership Changes - Significant culture shift under new CEO Spencer, described as the biggest seen in 13 years at Match Group [5][6] - Reduction in workforce by approximately 13%, including a 20% cut in management at Tinder, aimed at increasing autonomy and accountability [7][8] - Focus on outcomes rather than short-term monetization, allowing for reinvestment in growth initiatives [8][32] Market Opportunity in Dating Apps - Total Addressable Market (TAM) for dating apps is still growing, with only 30% adoption in developed countries and 7% in developing regions like Asia [12][13] - Approximately 250 million active daters globally are not using dating apps, presenting a significant opportunity for growth [13][14] - Product innovation is essential to capture this market, especially with changing consumer preferences among Gen Z [15][20] Product Development and Innovation - Tinder's product development has accelerated, moving from bi-weekly to weekly releases [30] - New features like "Double Date" and "Interactive Matching" are being introduced to enhance user experience and engagement [38][43] - AI is seen as a transformative tool for product innovation and user experience, with a focus on authenticity and user assistance [81][82] Financial Performance and Growth Strategy - A three-part turnaround strategy is in place, with a resurgence phase expected in 2026 and 2027 [54][101] - Key performance indicators (KPIs) focus on user outcomes, such as increased matches and real-life connections, which are expected to drive user retention and growth [58][59] - Marketing efforts are being ramped up to improve brand perception and support product evolution [64][66] Hinge's Growth and Market Position - Hinge is experiencing strong growth and is on track to reach a billion dollars in revenue by 2027 [70][71] - Geographic expansion and optimized pricing strategies are key drivers of Hinge's success [72][74] - Both Tinder and Hinge are positioned to succeed simultaneously, catering to different user segments [76][78] Trust and Safety Initiatives - Continuous investment in trust and safety features is critical for improving user experience and addressing market perception challenges [46][50] - AI is being explored to enhance trust and safety measures within the apps [50][81] In-App Payments and Cost Management - In-app payment fees represent a significant cost, with potential savings of $65 million anticipated from new strategies [92][95] - The company is focused on balancing reinvestment in growth while maintaining margin targets [89][90] Conclusion - Match Group is navigating a transformative phase with a focus on product innovation, cultural shifts, and strategic growth initiatives. The company is optimistic about its future trajectory, particularly with the expected resurgence in user growth and revenue by 2026 and 2027 [101].

Group 1 - The article discusses the rising trend of "performative males," who present themselves as cultured and intellectual primarily for social validation and attraction, rather than genuine interest in literature or arts [1][4][25] - Data from Tinder indicates a significant increase in users identifying as "book boyfriends," with the percentage rising from 58% at the end of 2024 to 77%, and a 16% annual growth in users listing "reading" as an interest [2][3] - The performative male phenomenon is characterized by specific behaviors and aesthetics, such as reading classic literature in public, listening to indie music, and adopting a carefully curated style to project an image of sophistication [5][13][25] Group 2 - The article highlights a cultural shift where individuals prioritize shared values and ideologies in dating, contrasting with previous generations that focused more on personality and appearance [17][18] - Platforms like Hinge encourage users to create detailed profiles that reflect their beliefs and interests, moving beyond traditional dating criteria [18][21] - The performative male's appeal lies in their ability to create a trustworthy and empathetic persona, often masking underlying insincerity [25][29][36] Group 3 - The article also draws parallels between the performative male trend in Western cultures and similar behaviors observed in Eastern contexts, where individuals adopt specific styles and phrases to attract partners [26][27] - Notable examples include public figures who project progressive values while engaging in contradictory behaviors, illustrating the deceptive nature of the performative male archetype [31][33][36] - The phenomenon is further complicated by social media dynamics, where both the performative males and their critics contribute to the visibility and perpetuation of these behaviors [37][38]

Core Insights - Bumble (BMBL) shares fell 8% in after-hours trading following Q2 2025 earnings, highlighting customer retention issues with paying users down 8.7% to 3.8 million and revenues of $248 million, a 7.6% year-over-year decline [1][9] User Retention Challenges - Total users decreased from approximately 58 million in 2023 to 50 million by mid-2025, while paying users on the Bumble app fell 11% to 2.5 million [2] - Average revenue per paying user increased by 1% to $21.69, but this slight gain does not compensate for the loss of subscribers [2] - Management's shift towards prioritizing quality over quantity has had mixed results, with full-price payers now making up 80% of total subscribers, up from 70% in Q1, yet overall user attrition is accelerating [2] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA rose 26% to $94.6 million, achieving a 38.1% margin due to aggressive cost-cutting measures, including a 30% workforce reduction and $100 million in expense cuts [3] - The company holds $262 million in cash and generated $71 million in quarterly cash flow [3] Future Guidance - Q3 guidance indicates further revenue decline, projected between $240 million and $248 million, reflecting a 9% to 12% year-over-year decrease [4][9] - Management did not provide full-year 2025 guidance, acknowledging the need for several quarters to rebuild momentum [4] Competitive Landscape - Match Group (MTCH) and Grindr (GRND) are experiencing similar user retention challenges, but Match Group maintains over 16 million paying users across its brands, showing greater resilience [5] - Grindr's focus on the LGBTQ+ segment may insulate it from broader market trends affecting mainstream apps, while Match Group's diversified approach helps mitigate single-app volatility [6] Share Price and Valuation - Bumble's shares have dropped 21.9% year-to-date, contrasting with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's growth of 12.5% and the Zacks Internet - Software industry's 19.3% return [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q3 revenues is $244.56 million, indicating a 10.62% year-over-year decline, with earnings expected to rise 11.43% to $0.39 per share [11] - Bumble trades at a forward P/E of approximately 18.8x, significantly below the Zacks Internet - Software industry average of 38.87x [12]

Group 1 - Match Group's CFO, Steven Bailey, will participate in a fireside chat at the Citi Global TMT Conference on September 3rd at 10:50 a.m. ET [1] - A live webcast and replay of the fireside chat will be available on Match Group's investor relations website [1] Group 2 - Match Group is a leading provider of digital technologies aimed at helping people make meaningful connections through its portfolio of brands [2] - The company's brands include Tinder®, Hinge®, Match®, Meetic®, OkCupid®, Pairs™, PlentyOfFish®, Azar®, BLK®, among others, designed to enhance user connections [2] - Match Group's services are available in over 40 languages globally, catering to diverse user preferences [2]

App Selection & Curation - Apple's app selection process is being questioned for potential bias or lack of comprehensive data consideration [1] - The "Top Apps Right Now" section appears to be curated, suggesting a level of editorial control beyond raw data [1] AI App Representation - Despite the mention of "AI-Powered Apps," certain AI applications like X (formerly Twitter) or Grok are absent from the list [1] - Tinder is highlighted as "essential," raising questions about the criteria for app inclusion and categorization [1]