Highlights

  • Match Group has 39.35% basic EPS growth, a P/E of 16.15 and PEG of 0.52.
  • Second quarter net income attributable to shareholders was $170,546 thousand, against $125,478 thousand.
  • Hinge Direct Revenue was $203,533 thousand in the second quarter, up 22%.
  • Match Group repurchased 7.3 million shares for $245.4 million in six months.

Growth, P/E and PEG sit side by side at Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH), an undervalued growth stock: basic earnings per share grew 39.35% over one year, the trailing twelve-month P/E ratio is 16.15 and the PEG ratio, on an expected basis, is 0.52, with shares trading at USD 42.66 on October 28, 2026, down 2.36%. Alongside those figures, the provider of digital technologies for meaningful connections saw its Azar app reinstated in the App Store on April 6, had a court approve its FTC settlement on April 30, and reported second quarter 2026 net income attributable to shareholders of $170,546 thousand in its Form 10-Q filed August 5.

Match Group is based in Dallas, Texas, and incorporated in Delaware. Through its portfolio companies it provides digital technologies designed to help people make meaningful connections, with brands that include Tinder, Hinge, Match, Meetic, OkCupid, Pairs, Plenty of Fish, Azar and BLK. In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, it reorganized its brands into three reportable segments: Tinder, Hinge and Everyone Everywhere.

Growth: Second Quarter Earnings, Revenue and Segment Results

Net income attributable to Match Group shareholders was $170,546 thousand in the second quarter against $125,478 thousand a year earlier, and $337,383 thousand for the six months against $243,048 thousand. Basic earnings per share were $0.73 against $0.51, and diluted earnings per share were $0.70 against $0.49.

Total revenue was $853,105 thousand against $863,738 thousand, down 1%. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $331,327 thousand against $289,947 thousand, up 14%.

By segment, Tinder Direct Revenue was $457,464 thousand, down 1%, with Payers down 5%. Hinge Direct Revenue was $203,533 thousand, up 22%, with Payers up 17%. Everyone Everywhere Direct Revenue was $178,936 thousand, down 17%. Cost of revenue was $204,262 thousand against $241,938 thousand, which the company attributed primarily to $38.0 million lower in-app purchase fees as Payers shifted from app store payments to alternate payment methods.

Valuation: P/E of 16.15, PEG of 0.52 and Cash Generation

The P/E ratio of 16.15 is measured on trailing twelve-month earnings, and the PEG ratio of 0.52 on expected growth. Net cash provided by operating activities was $564,199 thousand for the six months against $436,959 thousand.

On the second quarter 2026 earnings call, management said its capital allocation strategy remains unchanged, and the chief executive said the company will continue returning 100% of free cash flow to shareholders through buybacks and dividends.

Capital Returns, Debt and Liquidity

Under the $1.5 billion share repurchase program authorized December 10, 2024, Match Group repurchased 7.3 million shares for $245.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026. From July 1 to July 31 it repurchased 0.4 million shares for $16.2 million, and $697 million remained available. Dividends paid were $90.9 million against $95.0 million a year earlier.

Cash and cash equivalents were $580,580 thousand at June 30, 2026, against $1,027,838 thousand at December 31, 2025. Total debt was $3,575,000 thousand against $3,998,854 thousand, after the company paid $423.9 million to repay its 2026 Exchangeable Notes at maturity. There were no borrowings under the Credit Facility, and $499.4 million was available. Investing activities included a $100.0 million minority investment in Sniffies.

Disclosed Risks and Outlook for the Third Quarter and 2026

Apple removed the Azar app from the App Store on February 22, 2026; a new version returned on April 6. The company recorded a $25.2 million impairment of the Azar trade name in the first quarter. Total Payers were 13,250 thousand, down 6%.

Legal matters include the Candelore v. Tinder class settlement of $60.5 million, which received final approval on June 5, 2026; an Irish Data Protection Commission inquiry in which the DPC issued a draft decision on July 9, 2026; a remaining securities derivative action; and a Netherlands privacy class action seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief. The company said it will defend vigorously.

For the third quarter of 2026, management guided on the call to total revenue of $885 million to $895 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $330 million to $335 million.

For 2026, management expects total revenue near the midpoint of its February range as reported, Adjusted EBITDA at or above the high end of that range, and stock-based compensation expense of $230 million to $240 million. It expects Tinder direct revenue to decline in the low single digits and Everyone Everywhere direct revenue to decline in the mid teens percent.