Stock Markets February 2, 2026

Dating-App Equities to Watch in 2026: Valuation, Growth and Balance-Sheet Signals

WarrenAI rankings highlight Match Group, Grindr, Bumble and Hello Group as standsouts in a mixed opportunity set

By Caleb Monroe MTCH GRND BMBL MOMO
Dating-App Equities to Watch in 2026: Valuation, Growth and Balance-Sheet Signals
MTCH GRND BMBL MOMO

An analysis using Investing Pro metrics by WarrenAI singles out four dating-app companies as noteworthy investment candidates for 2026. Match Group tops the list on valuation and financial strength, while Grindr shows the strongest recent revenue growth. Bumble appears as a deep-value, high-risk situation, and Hello Group is presented as a more conservative, value-oriented name. Each company carries distinct operational and market risks that investors must weigh.

Key Points

  • Match Group is cited for a 40.1% Fair Value Upside, strong liquidity (2.5x current ratio) and a 28.3% EBITDA margin, supported by Hinge’s 27% year-over-year growth.
  • Grindr shows the fastest recent revenue growth at 32.7% over the last twelve months and a 24.2% Fair Value Upside, despite recent technical weakness and a 52-week low.
  • Bumble appears as a deep-value proposition with a 37.2% Fair Value Upside and the sector’s lowest forward P/E of 2.1x, but it faces declining paying users and expected revenue decline for FY25.

WarrenAI assessments based on Investing Pro metrics identify select dating-app stocks as potential opportunities for 2026, with differing mixes of valuation appeal, growth momentum and balance-sheet health. The analysis ranks four names - Match Group, Grindr, Bumble and Hello Group - highlighting specific ratios, growth forecasts and technical signals that shape their investment cases.


Match Group (NASDAQGS:MTCH)

At the top of the list, Match Group is credited with the most compelling combination of implied upside and financial resilience. The company is assigned a 40.1% Fair Value Upside and is noted for a 2.5x current ratio and a 28.3% EBITDA margin. Hinge is cited for delivering 27% year-over-year growth, which helps to offset a decline in Tinder usage. Forward valuation multiples are reported as attractive relative to peers, with a forward P/E of 8.3x and an EV/EBITDA of 8.5x. Analysts are projecting an 85.4% EPS growth and have set a target price of $37.59. Despite headwinds including a 9% drop in Tinder monthly active users (MAUs) and currency pressures, technical indicators in the analysis are described as signaling a "Strong Buy."


Grindr (NYSE:GRND)

Grindr takes the second spot on the list, led by what the analysis describes as sector-leading revenue growth of 32.7% over the last twelve months and a 24.2% Fair Value Upside. The platform’s user engagement metrics are framed as healthy alongside a reported 31.1% EBITDA margin. The stock has experienced weakness recently, including a 52-week low and technical signals categorized as "Strong Sell," but the model points to sizable future earnings upside, with a 168.8% EPS growth forecast and an analyst target price of $21.75. International expansion and planned AI features are noted within the profile as potential contributors to renewed growth momentum.


Bumble (NASDAQGS:BMBL)

Bumble is ranked third and is flagged as a pronounced value play, carrying a 37.2% Fair Value Upside and the sector’s lowest forward P/E at 2.1x. The company is noted to maintain a 2.5x current ratio but shows negative returns metrics on ROE and ROIC. Technical indicators are uniformly labeled "Strong Sell," and the company faces a contracting paying-user base with revenue expected to decline for fiscal year 2025. The analysis includes an analyst target price of $4.56 and a 145.9% EPS growth forecast, positioning Bumble as a high-risk turnaround candidate.


Hello Group (NASDAQGS:MOMO)

Hello Group is presented as the fourth-ranked name, with a 39.6% Fair Value Upside and balance-sheet measures cited as solid: a reported 9.0% ROE and a 1.9x current ratio. The stock carries a forward P/E of 7.8x and an analyst target price of $61.88. Projected EPS growth is modest at 9.7%, and technical indicators across multiple timeframes are identified as "Strong Sell," prompting the analysis to raise the possibility of a value-trap scenario. The profile frames Hello Group as offering relative stability rather than substantial near-term growth.


Takeaways

The WarrenAI ranking emphasizes differing investment profiles within the dating-app space: Match Group as the financially robust value candidate with growth offsets from Hinge; Grindr as a high-growth name that appears oversold; Bumble as a low multiple but high-risk turnaround; and Hello Group as a lower-growth, balance-sheet-stable stock. Each company’s outlook is influenced by a mix of user trends, projected EPS growth, valuation multiples and technical readings.

Risks

  • User and engagement declines - Tinder’s 9% MAU drop and Bumble’s shrinking paying-user base raise operational and revenue risks for the dating-app sector.
  • Market technical weakness - Multiple companies show technical indicators labeled "Strong Sell," and at least one has hit a 52-week low, indicating near-term downside pressure in equity prices.
  • Value-trap potential and limited earnings growth - Hello Group’s modest 9.7% EPS growth forecast and uniformly negative technical signals suggest it may offer stability without meaningful growth, creating the risk of a value trap.

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