MTCH: Takeaways from MTCH's first CEO Connection Series event

Research evidence excerpt

MTCH: Takeaways from MTCH's first CEO Connection Series event

EQUITY RESEARCH QUICK TAKE

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Brad Erickson (Analyst)

Khadijah Gibson, CFA (AVP)

Audrey Stuart (Associate)

June 11, 2026

Match Group Inc

Takeaways from MTCH's first CEO Connection Series event

NASDAQ: MTCH | USD 34.57 | Outperform | Price Target USD 42.00

Sentiment: Neutral

Yesterday MTCH held the first live session of the company's new quarterly CEO Connection Series. The inaugural session was

hosted by CEO Spencer Rascoff and featured the company's Consumer Research and Brand Strategy teams discussing Gen Z's

evolving connection preferences and MTCH's product strategy to address changing consumer behavior. Below we highlight key

takeaways from yesterday's discussion.

MTCH discusses Gen Z dating insights. MTCH's Gen Z research (ages 16-29) identified four evolving expectations that define how

this cohort approaches dating: agency, authenticity, momentum, and trust. Management noted that 4 in 5 Gen Z singles believe

they will find true love but they want connection on their own timeline rather than organized around traditional milestones.

The pandemic was discussed as a factor that limited face-to-face interaction among Gen Z during critical developmental years,

contributing to heightened vulnerability awareness while simultaneously creating nostalgia for pre-digital connection they never

experienced. Management indicated Gen Z will engage with dating apps if platforms address these expectations through lower-

pressure discovery, contextual signals, and trust-building features. Management views the quality-over-quantity focus as having

commercial implications, as Gen Z seeks better matches that convert to real-world interaction with less wasted effort, aligning