IAC/InterActiveCorp: The Match Group is Growing Ahead of IPO

Media

Published: July 28, 2015 5:27 pm

IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) traded higher after earnings, but the reality of this company’s stance right now is that IAC’s big focus is likely going to be around the growth of The Match Group’s websites including Match.com. The reason is that IAC announced late in June that it intends to pursue an initial public offering of The Match Group.

IAC’s disclosure also said that IAC would sell less than 20% of the common stock in Match as well, and the IPO is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2015.

A news release on Tuesday covering IAC’s second quarter earnings shows a revenue gain of 19% for The Match Group – and that revenue growth was shown to have also been up 25% excluding the effects of foreign exchange. This was shown to be driven by contributions from The Princeton Review and FriendScout24, as well as 18% growth in Dating paid subscribers to over 4.1 million globally.

Also up for consideration was that earlier in July The Match Group announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the site PlentyOfFish for some $575 million in cash. This transaction was also shown to be an expected closing in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Match revenue was up to $254.7 million in the June quarter for 2015 versus $214.3 million in the same quarter of 2014. Its adjusted EBITDA was another story, down 7% to $64.8 million from $69.4 million in the same quarter a year ago. Operating income for The Match Group was also down 16%, to $51.4 million.

IAC said of the Match Group:

Dating revenue grew 7% due primarily to 12% growth in North America driven by increased paid subscribers, partially offset by 2% lower International revenue due to foreign exchange effects, despite an increase in paid subscribers. Excluding foreign exchange effects, total Dating revenue would have increased 14% and International revenue would have increased 18%. Non-dating revenue, which benefited from the acquisition of The Princeton Review, acquired on August 1, 2014, grew 370%. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7% due primarily to $9.0 million of costs in the current year period related to the ongoing consolidation and streamlining of our technology systems and European operations at our Dating businesses. Operating income in the current year period was negatively impacted by a $4.2 million year-over-year increase in amortization of intangibles.

The Match Group consists of dating, education and fitness businesses with brands such as Match.com, OkCupid, Tinder, The Princeton Review and DailyBurn.

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On the IAC/InterActiveCorp as a whole, revenue of $771.1 million was up 2% from the $756.3 million a year ago. IAC’s adjusted EBITDA as an entire company was down by 23% to $108.7 million, and operating income was down 34% at $62.8 million.

IAC/InterActiveCorp shares closed up 0.7% at $80.60 on Tuesday, with shares rising 1.6% to $81.90 in the after-hours trading session. It has a 52-week range of $56.50 to $84.66, a consensus analyst price target of $83.47, and a market cap of $6.6 billion.

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