Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) Shares Bought by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH - Free Report) by 7.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 544,983 shares of the technology company's stock after acquiring an additional 36,100 shares during the quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board owned 0.22% of Match Group worth $17,826,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its position in Match Group by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 10,956 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $358,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Match Group by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC now owns 15,889 shares of the technology company's stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in Match Group by 14.2% during the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 3,035 shares of the technology company's stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board lifted its position in Match Group by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 23,149 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $757,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Match Group by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 74,762 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares in the last quarter. 94.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Match Group Price Performance

NASDAQ:MTCH traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $30.07. 2,734,698 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,934,436. Match Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $26.39 and a 52-week high of $38.84. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $32.73. The firm has a market cap of $7.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.89, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.49.

Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.84 by ($0.22). Match Group had a net margin of 15.84% and a negative return on equity of 574.22%. On average, analysts predict that Match Group, Inc. will post 2.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Match Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.53%. Match Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, President Gary Swidler sold 242,209 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total transaction of $7,958,987.74. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 1,690 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $55,533.40. This represents a 99.31 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.77% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Match Group from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Match Group from $53.00 to $52.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. BTIG Research downgraded shares of Match Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Hsbc Global Res cut shares of Match Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut Match Group from an "outperform" rating to an "inline" rating and set a $35.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $36.58.

About Match Group

Match Group, Inc engages in the provision of dating products. Its portfolio of brands includes Tinder, Hinge, Match, Meetic, OkCupid, Pairs, Plenty Of Fish, Azar, BLK, and Hakuna, as well as a various other brands, each built to increase users' likelihood of connecting with others. Its services are available in over 40 languages to users worldwide.