- Apple told by Indian court to 'cooperate' in antitrust case: report
May 18, 2026
[Apple Store at 5th Ave in Manhattan, New York City]
ozgurdonmaz
An Indian court has told Apple (AAPL [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AAPL]) to “fully cooperate” with investigators in an antitrust case related to the iPhone apps market, not agreeing with the company's request to put the case on hold while it challenges the law regarding antitrust penalties, Reuters reported.
The Delhi High Court said in an order posted on Saturday that the U.S. company "shall fully cooperate," but it asked the Competition Commission of India, or CCI, to not pass a final order in the matter until at least July 15, the report added [https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/indian-court-tells-apple-cooperate-antitrust-case-2026-05-18/].
Apple did not immediately respond to Seeking Alpha's request for comment.
The iPhone maker wanted the case to be put on hold and had accused the CCI of surpassing its powers by pushing the company to file its financials, while the company has a challenge pending to the law governing penalties, the report noted.
Since 2022, Tinder-owner Match (MTCH [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MTCH]) and Indian startups have been in an antitrust tussle with Apple at the CCI. In July 2024, it was reported [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4123936-apple-allegedly-abused-position-in-apps-market-finds-indian-regulator] that a probe by the CCI found that Apple exploited its dominant position in the app store market on iOS, engaging "in abusive conduct and practices." Apple denied wrongdoing.
Last year, Apple challenged [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4526329-apple-challenges-indias-antitrust-penalty-law-with-risk-of-up-to-38b-fine] India's antitrust penalty law, under which the company could potentially face a fine of up to $38B. The law enables the CCI to use global turnover when calculating fines it imposes on companies for abusing their market dominance.
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- Match Group’s Q1 Earnings Call: Our Top 5 Analyst Questions
May 14, 2026
Match Group’s first quarter results were driven by improvements in product experience and operational discipline, particularly at Tinder and Hinge. Management highlighted that Tinder’s leading engagement indicators, such as Sparks and user retention, showed marked improvement, with CEO Spencer Rascoff emphasizing that, “Tinder works better now.” Hinge also sustained momentum through the introduction of new features and successful international expansion. Cost efficiencies from portfolio streamlining and technology investments further supported profitability, and product-led gains at Tinder were the primary offset to softer performance elsewhere in the portfolio.
Is now the time to buy MTCH? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).
Match Group (MTCH) Q1 CY2026 Highlights:
Revenue: $863.9 million vs analyst estimates of $854.5 million (3.9% year-on-year growth, 1.1% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.97 vs analyst estimates of $0.86 (13.1% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $342.9 million vs analyst estimates of $317.3 million (39.7% margin, 8.1% beat) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2026 is $855 million at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting EBITDA guidance for Q2 CY2026 is $327.5 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $315.5 million Operating Margin: 27.4%, up from 20.8% in the same quarter last year Payers: 13.52 million, down 679,000 year on year Market Capitalization: $8.34 billion
While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.
Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Match Group’s Q1 Earnings Call
Shweta R. Khajuria (Wolfe Research) asked about the sustainability of Tinder’s momentum and AI-driven cost savings. CEO Spencer Rascoff confirmed engagement trends continued into April, while CFO Steven Bailey described AI enablement as “cost neutral” for 2026 but a future margin lever. Cory Alan Carpenter (J.P. Morgan) sought clarity on how Tinder’s strength offsets Azar’s headwinds in guidance. Bailey explained that Tinder’s robust performance is the primary offset, with Azar’s recovery expected to be gradual. Nathaniel Jay Feather (Morgan Stanley) questioned the MAU trajectory and product release cadence. Rascoff outlined an ongoing rapid innovation cycle at Tinder and said MAU declines are moderating but the precise timeline to growth remains hard to predict. Jason Stuart Helfstein (Oppenheimer) inquired about Hinge’s pricing strategy and the staying power of new product features. Bailey attributed Hinge’s revenue per payer gains to geographic pricing optimizations, while Rascoff cited the network effect as supporting lasting engagement with new features. Youssef Squali (Truist) asked about competitive pressures from offline social trends and the rationale for investing in Sniffies. Rascoff explained that Gen Z’s desire for low-pressure connections is shaping product roadmaps, and Sniffies’ strong product-market fit in its segment was a key factor for the investment.
Story Continues
Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters
In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will closely watch (1) whether Tinder’s engagement and retention gains continue to translate into stabilized or growing user metrics, (2) the pace at which Hinge’s product launches and new market entries deliver incremental growth, and (3) the effectiveness of cost-saving initiatives—particularly as Azar adapts to App Store changes. The impact of AI enablement and the performance of new investments like Sniffies will also be critical for evaluating management’s execution.
Match Group currently trades at $35.77, down from $37.65 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
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- Match Group seeing improving Tinder engagement, slower payer declines: UBS
May 14, 2026
Match Group Inc (NASDAQ:MTCH) investor meetings with management have reinforced growing confidence that Tinder’s product improvements are beginning to translate into financial stabilization, even as 2026 is expected to remain a rebuilding year for the app, according to UBS analysts.
Following a fireside chat with CFO Steven Bailey, UBS said the key takeaway was that early gains in Tinder engagement and retention are increasingly showing up in monetization metrics.
Payers declined 5% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, an improvement from an 8% decline in the prior quarter, while revenue per payer rose 7% year over year, outpacing the 6% growth seen in Q4 2025. Retention trends also improved, with a 3% year-over-year increase among US Gen Z women in March 2026.
UBS noted that management sounded more confident that Tinder revenue could stabilize sooner than previously expected, depending in part on the pace of planned user investments.
The analysts said Tinder’s underlying engagement indicators are also showing signs of improvement. Metrics such as Sparks and Sparks Coverage increased 6% year over year in March 2026, reversing a 1% decline a year earlier.
Management indicated that payer declines are still expected to run around 5% year over year in the coming quarters, reflecting continued user-focused “givebacks,” but suggested revenue stabilization may occur before payer growth turns positive.
On Hinge, UBS highlighted management’s view that the app remains under-monetized relative to its high-intent user base. The company pointed to opportunities in pricing tiers and à la carte features, along with international expansion, particularly in Europe, while noting Hinge has yet to meaningfully expand into Asia. Management also suggested Hinge could eventually reach EBITDA margins near 40% at scale, assuming it surpasses $1 billion in revenue.
Capital allocation discussions reiterated that share buybacks remain the primary focus, supported by confidence in long-term free cash flow per share growth of 23% in fiscal 2025. While Match remains open to selective acquisitions such as Sniffies, UBS said management clearly framed M&A as secondary to buybacks.
The company also discussed artificial intelligence initiatives, describing AI as a driver of product improvement and revenue enhancement rather than a cost-cutting tool. Management highlighted productivity gains from AI coding tools and broader internal adoption, noting that AI has also contributed to moderating hiring following last year’s restructuring.
UBS maintained a Neutral rating on Match Group and a $38 price target, based on 8x estimated adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 billion for the Q2 2027 to Q1 2028 period.
Shares of UBS traded hands at about $36 on Thursday, up about 11% so far this year.
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- Match Group seeing improving Tinder engagement, slower payer declines: UBS
May 14, 2026 · proactiveinvestors.com
Match Group Inc (NASDAQ:MTCH) investor meetings with management have reinforced growing confidence that Tinder's product improvements are beginning to translate into financial stabilization, even as 2026 is expected to remain a rebuilding year for the app, according to UBS analysts. Following a fireside chat with CFO Steven Bailey, UBS said the key takeaway was that early gains in Tinder engagement and retention are increasingly showing up in monetization metrics.
- Shareholders Will Be Pleased With The Quality of Match Group's (NASDAQ:MTCH) Earnings
May 14, 2026
The subdued stock price reaction suggests that Match Group, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:MTCH) strong earnings didn't offer any surprises. We think that investors have missed some encouraging factors underlying the profit figures.
This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.NasdaqGS:MTCH Earnings and Revenue History May 14th 2026
A Closer Look At Match Group's Earnings
Many investors haven't heard of the accrual ratio from cashflow, but it is actually a useful measure of how well a company's profit is backed up by free cash flow (FCF) during a given period. The accrual ratio subtracts the FCF from the profit for a given period, and divides the result by the average operating assets of the company over that time. This ratio tells us how much of a company's profit is not backed by free cashflow.
As a result, a negative accrual ratio is a positive for the company, and a positive accrual ratio is a negative. While it's not a problem to have a positive accrual ratio, indicating a certain level of non-cash profits, a high accrual ratio is arguably a bad thing, because it indicates paper profits are not matched by cash flow. That's because some academic studies have suggested that high accruals ratios tend to lead to lower profit or less profit growth.
For the year to March 2026, Match Group had an accrual ratio of -0.13. That indicates that its free cash flow was a fair bit more than its statutory profit. Indeed, in the last twelve months it reported free cash flow of US$1.0b, well over the US$662.7m it reported in profit. Match Group shareholders are no doubt pleased that free cash flow improved over the last twelve months.
That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.
Our Take On Match Group's Profit Performance
Match Group's accrual ratio is solid, and indicates strong free cash flow, as we discussed, above. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that Match Group's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And on top of that, its earnings per share have grown at an extremely impressive rate over the last three years. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 3 warning signs with Match Group, and understanding these bad boys should be part of your investment process.
Story Continues
Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Match Group's profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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- Match Group to Present at TD Cowen's Technology, Media & Telecom Conference
May 13, 2026
LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) announced today that Steven Bailey, Chief Financial Officer of Match Group, will participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, May 27 at 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The discussion is expected to cover Match Group's business, strategy, and financial details. A live webcast and replay of the fireside chat will be available at https://ir.mtch.com/news-and-events/events.Match Group (PRNewsfoto/Match Group)
About Match Group
Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH), through its portfolio companies, is a leading provider of digital technologies designed to help people make meaningful connections. Our global portfolio of brands includes Tinder®, Hinge®, Match®, Meetic®, OkCupid®, Pairs™, PlentyOfFish®, Azar®, BLK®, and more, each built to increase our users' likelihood of connecting with others. Through our trusted brands, we provide tailored services to meet the varying preferences of our users. Our services are available in over 40 languages to our users all over the world.Cision
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/match-group-to-present-at-td-cowens-technology-media--telecom-conference-302771465.html
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- Match Group to Present at TD Cowen's Technology, Media & Telecom Conference
May 13, 2026 · prnewswire.com
LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) announced today that Steven Bailey, Chief Financial Officer of Match Group, will participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, May 27 at 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
- MATCH GROUP TO PRESENT AT TD COWEN'S TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA & TELECOM CONFERENCE
May 13, 2026
LOS ANGELES, MAY 13, 2026 /PRNEWSWIRE/ -- MATCH GROUP (NASDAQ: MTCH) ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT STEVEN BAILEY, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF MATCH GROUP, WILL PARTICIPATE IN A FIRESIDE CHAT AT THE TD COWEN TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA & TELECOM CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 9:05 A.M. EASTERN TIME (ET).
- A Look at Match Group Inc (MTCH) After 3.2% Decline -- GF Value $37.89 vs Price $35.77
May 12, 2026 · gurufocus.com
On May 12, 2026, Match Group Inc (MTCH) shares fell 3.2% to a current price of $35.77. This decline comes amid a 52-week range of $26.80 to $39.20, highlighting
- Match Group’s CEO revived a shuttered Tinder internship program for Gen Z—and received over 30,000 applications for just 27 spots
May 8, 2026
Gen Zers are up against a dire job market as companies slim their headcounts and entry-level opportunities dry up in the wake of AI. However, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff is breaking from the pack and betting on early-career talent. Shortly after assuming the dating empire’s top job last February, the chief executive revived a shuttered internship program in order to bring more young workers into the fold.
“Two or three months after I started, I called my head of HR and said, ‘I’m just curious about the summer intern program. When do the interns arrive?’” Rascoff tells Fortune. “And he’s like, ‘Oh, no, we can’t. The last CEO canceled the internship program last year to save money.’”
“That was the craziest thing that I’ve ever heard,” Rascoff continues. “We build apps for Gen Z. Our main demographic audience is 18 to 22-year-olds—of course, we need as many of these folks around our halls as possible.”
Rascoff believes that Gen Z employees are essential to the success of the parent company behind dating services like Tinder, Hinge, Match.com, and OkCupid. Even hiring young interns for a couple of months to hang out in the kitchen, “spread vibes,” and chat to people around the watercooler would be meaningful for the business, Rascoff says. So the CEO quickly led the charge to implement a slew of initiatives geared toward Gen Z talent—including bringing back its summer “Tindership” program.
Instead of launching formal advertising to promote the opportunity, Rascoff decided to simply post it on his LinkedIn and social media accounts. And once it was up on the website, Match Group was “overwhelmed with interest.” More than 30,000 candidates applied for just 27 open spots, meaning less than 0.09% were accepted for the internship—more selective than any Ivy League college. Rascoff says the influx reflects young people’s dire need for job opportunities, but also believes it was turbocharged by the “resonance” of the Tinder and Hinge brands, as well as growing interest in working for consumer social media companies.
“It probably speaks a little bit to the challenges of job seeking among early career people, I’m sure,” the CEO says. “But I’d like to believe that it mostly speaks to the quality of the company that we’re at. I’m so excited.”
The program officially kicks off on June 1, and the 27 interns will work alongside Tinder’s engineering, product, design, marketing, and analytics teams through August 28. The $8.6 billion company has revamped the program’s curriculum, executive coaching and mentorship, and educational programming. Rascoff also added they’re going to have a pickleball day where interns invite their managers, as well as have people over at his house to foster “inspirational conversations and mentorship.”
Story Continues
While employers pull back internships, Match Group’s CEO is all in
For Gen Zers entering the workforce, landing an opportunity feels increasingly like a high-stakes lottery. Internship postings on early-career job platform Handshake were down 16% earlier this year, and have been declining since 2023, according to an analysis from the company. And several big employers, like Tesla and Meta, have curbed or entirely scrapped their internship offerings.
However, the early-career gig is still a priority for the Match Group CEO. Rascoff explains that internships played an impactful role in his nearly three-decade career in business. Initially, the serial founder thought he would be a reporter; while interning at Bloomberg, he said he was inspired by Mike Bloomberg’s conversations with budding professionals. He also interned on Wall Street at Bear Stearns before launching his whirlwind career, co-founding Zillow, teaching at Harvard University, and now leading the world’s largest dating conglomerate.
“I remember how impactful that internship was for me in helping me figure out how to start my career,” Rascoff says. “I’m trying to do the same for these folks. But obviously we’re going to get much more out of them than they’ll ever get out of us, because we need their voices in the room when we’re making these product decisions.”
Rascoff says Match Group is taking a ‘contrarian approach’ to the AI-Gen Z narrative
Gen Z workers have been under fire for years. First, young professionals were branded as lazy and entitled for their unconventional, post-COVID approach to office life; now, their value within a company has been called into question as AI automates the tasks of junior staffers. Rascoff says that Match Group is flipping the script on the importance of Gen Z in the workplace.
“There is a trend in especially in technology—but really in corporate America—to hire fewer early-career people. The thinking goes, ‘AI can do much of the work of an early career professional,’” the chief executive explains. “Match Group has a very contrarian approach on that topic.”
Among technology companies, the percentage of employees aged 21 to 25 was cut in half between January 2023 and August 2025, according to an analysis by compensation management software company Pave last year. These Gen Z workers accounted for 15% of the workforce at large public tech firms a few years ago, but last summer they represented only 6.8%. Plus, Big Tech companies reduced the hiring of recent college graduates by 25% in 2024 compared to the year before, according to a 2025 study from SignalFire.
Match Group plans to go against the grain, leveraging Gen Z’s tech skills rather than letting AI tools weed them out.
“I intend to hire more early-career people who are coming out of college as AI natives,” Rascoff continued. “They’re using AI for everything, and I’d much rather have an early career person without fully-formed habits of having been in the workplace for a long time without AI tools.”
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
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