Match (MTCH)

Looking to dominate your high school stock market game and claim the crown? You’ll need to play smart, take some risks, and know where to invest. If you’re aiming to win, you’ll want to look into stocks with serious potential for a high-risk, high-reward strategy. One to consider? Match Group—yes, the company behind Tinder, Hinge, and a bunch of other dating apps.

In the stock world, rebound plays can be where the real action is, and Match Group is one of those stocks that might just give you the edge you need to win your class competition. Sure, the company has seen some ups and downs recently—its shares have lost about half their value this year, and Tinder’s growth has slowed—but don’t let that fool you. This is still one of the top stocks to watch, especially for short-term gains.

Here’s the scoop: Online dating growth may have cooled off a bit after the initial pandemic surge, but people aren’t giving up on apps just yet. In fact, 70% of users expect their usage to stay the same or even increase, according to a recent Evercore ISI survey. Tinder, Match’s biggest app, is in 190 countries and continues to bring in users, even though the initial hype of swiping has faded. Meanwhile, Match is expanding its other dating apps, like Hinge, which is expected to bring in around $300 million this year—up 50% from last year! “Hinge is the rising star for Match Group,” says analyst Lauren Schenk from Morgan Stanley.

But what makes Match a top pick for your stock market game? It’s all about short-term momentum. Stocks like Match Group are perfect for momentum trading, where you buy in while it’s on a dip and ride the wave up. With plans to expand Hinge internationally, add premium subscription tiers (which worked wonders for competitor Bumble), and even get into the “ultra-premium” dating market through acquisitions like The League, Match is positioning itself for a rebound. That could mean a quick win for you in your game, especially if the market responds positively to these new moves.

Just remember: this high-risk, high-reward strategy is not for the long haul. While it might help you crush your stock market game, it’s not how you build financial security. That’s where long-term investing comes in. Long-term investors would rather spread their money across a diversified portfolio—think S&P 500 index funds, which invest in 500 of the largest companies across different industries. Diversification is about reducing risk. It’s like having a backup plan so if one stock doesn’t do well, others can make up for it. Unlike momentum trading, where you’re riding the highs and lows of individual stocks, diversification helps you grow your money steadily over time—perfect for big financial goals like saving for college or a car.

Still, when it comes to your stock market game, you’re playing for short-term gains. And that’s where Match could be your ticket to victory. With a new CEO, Bernard Kim, who’s all about bringing entertainment and social discovery (hello, Metaverse!) into the dating app world, Match has some cool innovations on the horizon. “Match Group is entering a new era, with opportunities to monetize its brands in ways we haven’t seen before,” says an industry analyst.

So, what’s the move? While Match’s stock has been knocked down, it’s far from out. Think of it as a rebound relationship that could actually work in your favor—at least in the short run. The key to winning your class stock market game might be picking a stock that’s currently undervalued but ready to bounce back, and Match Group fits the bill. But after you win the game, don’t forget: for real-world investing, slow and steady (and diversified) wins the race!