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.

More from Stock Markets

SpaceX Acquires xAI, Eyes Solar-Powered Orbital AI Data Centers Feb 2, 2026 Nvidia Shares Slip After Report That OpenAI Is Seeking Alternative AI Chips Feb 2, 2026 U.S. Markets Close Higher as Industrials and Consumer Stocks Lead Gains Feb 2, 2026 Musk Moves to Combine SpaceX and xAI into a $1.25 Trillion Entity Ahead of Planned IPO Feb 2, 2026 OpenAI Seeks Alternatives to Some Nvidia Chips as Inference Needs Shift Feb 2, 2026