Why it matters
- Bumble shares closed at $3.80 on Monday, Oct. 12, up $1.26, or 49.6%, from Friday's close of $2.54, according to Yahoo Finance data.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Bumble is in advanced talks to be taken private by Ithaca Holdings, a recently formed firm, in a deal valuing the dating app at about $1 billion, according to Bloomberg and Investing.com.
- Bumble had a market value of about $335 million before the report, Investing.com and Yahoo Finance said. No deal has been announced, and Bumble did not respond to requests for comment.
Bumble shares closed up 49.6% at $3.80 on Monday, Oct. 12, after The Wall Street Journal reported that the dating-app company is in advanced talks to be taken private in a deal valuing it at about $1 billion. The stock gained $1.26 from Friday's close of $2.54, according to Yahoo Finance data.
The reported buyer is Ithaca Holdings, a recently formed entity, Bloomberg said, citing the Journal's report. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to the Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter. No agreement has been announced, and Bumble has not filed anything about talks with the SEC.
Who wants to buy Bumble?
Ithaca Holdings is a firm recently founded by two Silicon Valley executives, Investing.com reported, citing the Journal. The firm plans to apply AI and other advanced technology to its investments, and Bumble would be one of its first major deals, according to Investing.com.
Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd is expected to roll over at least part of her stake and stay involved with the company, Investing.com reported. Bumble did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Bloomberg or Yahoo Finance.
How big is the premium?
Large, if the reported price holds. Bumble had a market value of about $335 million at Friday's close, so a $1 billion deal would be a premium of nearly 200%, Investing.com said.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Friday close, Oct. 9 | $2.54 | Yahoo Finance |
| Monday close, Oct. 12 | $3.80 (+49.6%) | Yahoo Finance |
| Monday intraday high | $3.98 (up as much as 57%) | Bloomberg |
| Market value before report | about $335 million | Investing.com |
| Reported deal value | about $1 billion | The Wall Street Journal, via Bloomberg |
The intraday gain was the stock's biggest since March 12, Bloomberg said. Trading was briefly paused for volatility, according to Investing.com. Rival Match Group closed at $41.52, up about 1%, Yahoo Finance data show.
Why has Bumble's stock fallen so far?
Bumble has lost users as younger people tire of online dating, Bloomberg reported. The company was valued at about $14 billion around its 2021 initial public offering, Yahoo Finance said, and the stock has fallen more than 90% since the IPO, according to Investing.com.
In the second quarter, Bumble's sales fell 15.2% and adjusted operating profit fell to $72.9 million from $94.6 million a year earlier, Yahoo Finance reported. In August, Bumble dropped its rule that only women could send the first message, Bloomberg said, as it tried to lift engagement. Wolfe Herd returned as chief executive in January 2025, according to Yahoo Finance.
For more deal news, see our companies section. Monday's other big tech mover is covered in Meta Shares Rise 3.4% as It Unveils Muse Wonder AI Models.
Sources
- Bloomberg, via Yahoo Finance, Bumble in Talks to Be Taken Private in $1 Billion Deal, WSJ Says (Oct. 12, 2026)
- Investing.com, via Yahoo Finance, Bumble stock surges on report of $1B buyout talks (Oct. 12, 2026)
- Yahoo Finance, Bumble's potential $1 billion sale marks an embarrassing fall from the dating app's peak (Oct. 12, 2026)
- Yahoo Finance, chart data for Bumble (BMBL) and Match Group (MTCH)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Bumble Inc. filings (EDGAR)
