PITTSBURGH, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duolingo, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOL), the world's leading mobile learning platform, will announce its results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2025, following the close of the U.S. market on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The Company will host a video webcast at 5:30 p.m. ET on that day. The live video webcast will be accessible to the public through Duolingo’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.duolingo.com. A replay of the event wil ...

Duolingo shares hit their lowest price since 2023. Is the sell-off overdone?Shares of Duolingo (DUOL 8.83%) plunged 23.6% lower in January 2026, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The price drop continued a downtrend that started in 2025. The stock has backed down to prices not seen since March 2023, chiefly due to slower subscriber growth in a shaky global economy.January continued the downtrend for similar reasons. The market pressure also increased when CFO Matt Skaruppa announced his ...

Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL) ended the recent trading session at $131.93, demonstrating a -1.59% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.54%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.05%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.56%. Shares of the company have depreciated by 24.04% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Business Services sector's loss of 6.48%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.74%.The investment community will be closely monito ...

Core Insights - The investor emphasizes a blend of hands-on experience and academic background in corporate finance, focusing on long-duration growth opportunities while balancing the portfolio with low-volatility dividend-paying stocks [1] Investment Strategy - The analysis prioritizes fundamentals, business, and strategic perspectives as the most important factors in investment decisions [1] - The investor seeks high-quality companies with reasonable valuations rather than deep discounts, indicating a preference for intrinsic value over market price [1] - The experience suggests that excessively cheap stocks may have underlying issues, advising caution against deep discounts [1] Target Companies - The focus is on high-quality names, which may include lesser-known companies with potential for exponential share price growth over the long term [1]

Core Viewpoint - Baillie Gifford continues to focus on technology and growth sectors, maintaining a global perspective despite a reduction in total assets held to $120 billion, down $15 billion from the previous quarter [1]. Holdings Overview - As of Q4 2025, Baillie Gifford holds a total of 265 companies with assets amounting to $120 billion, reflecting a decrease of $15 billion from Q3 [1]. Top Holdings - The firm remains heavily invested in global technology and consumer giants, with a notable emphasis on Latin American e-commerce platform MercadoLibre, and Nvidia leading the portfolio, indicating confidence in the long-term potential of AI infrastructure [4]. Top Buys - Significant increases in holdings include: - Axon Enterprise (AXON) with an additional investment of $860 million - Medline Inc (MDLN) with $437 million - Rocket Lab (RKLB) with $399 million - Google-A (GOOGL) with $373 million - Duolingo (DUOL) with $357 million - The firm shows strong interest in vertical technology sectors, particularly in safety technology and education [5][6]. Top Sells - The firm has reduced its positions in: - Datadog Inc (DDOG) by $1.01 billion - Cloudflare (NET) by $990 million - Shopify (SHOP) by $680 million - BioNTech SE (BNTX) by $630 million - Meta Platforms (META) by $590 million - This indicates a strategic retreat from cloud computing and vaccine-related companies, likely based on valuation and growth switching logic [7][8]. New Positions - New investments include: - Medline Inc (MDLN) with $437 million - United Therapeutics (UTHR) with $157 million - MongoDB (MDB) with $112 million - BillionToOne (BLLN) with $104 million - Silvergate Capital (SVM) with $35 million - The new positions reflect Baillie Gifford's exploration in emerging fields such as rare disease treatment and databases, showcasing a commitment to long-term tracking in technology and healthcare [9][10].

Core Insights - The podcast discusses a 25-point risk rating system developed by David Gardner to assess investment risks in stocks, moving beyond vague terms like "medium risk" to a more quantifiable approach [1][4][5]. Group 1: Risk Assessment Framework - The risk rating system consists of 25 yes or no questions, where each "no" adds a point, indicating higher risk with a higher score [5]. - The framework aims to provide clarity in risk assessment for both individual stocks and entire portfolios [5]. - The system challenges the notion that high risk equates to high reward, suggesting that lower risk stocks can sometimes yield greater returns [5]. Group 2: Company Analysis - Etsy - Etsy reported a net income of $182 million over the past 12 months and $75 million in the last quarter, indicating profitability [11]. - The company generated free cash flow of approximately $205 million in the last quarter and $635 million over the past 12 months [15]. - Etsy has over 93 million buyers and 8.5 million sellers, ensuring no single customer accounts for more than 20% of revenue [21][22]. - The company has seen a decline in active buyers and gross merchandise sales, with a net promoter score of -7, indicating questionable customer sentiment [25][26]. - Etsy's market cap is approximately $6 billion, which is below the $10 billion threshold considered less risky [56]. Group 3: Company Analysis - Duolingo - Duolingo achieved a net income of approximately $386 million over the past 12 months and has been profitable since 2023 [12]. - The company reported free cash flow of about $350 million, growing by 20% year over year [16]. - Duolingo has over 50% brand awareness in the U.S. language learning market and benefits from strong word-of-mouth marketing [20]. - The company has a market cap of around $7 billion, also below the $10 billion threshold [58]. - Duolingo's annual revenue growth has been at least 40% over the past three years, with a compound annual growth rate of 42% [30]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Etsy faces significant competition from larger companies like Amazon and Shopify, which have greater financial resources [44]. - Duolingo is considered a market leader with competitors like Babel and Rosetta Stone but surpasses them in user engagement and brand awareness [45]. - There are no major disruptive upstarts challenging Etsy's business model, but there are smaller alternatives [48]. - Duolingo faces potential disruption from AI technologies, particularly in language learning, but currently has no direct competition [49][50]. Group 5: Financial Metrics - Etsy's return on equity is negative due to large-scale buybacks, indicating potential management issues [41]. - Duolingo reported a return on equity of almost 40%, influenced by a one-time tax benefit, but generally shows an upward trend [42].

Core Insights - The podcast discusses a 25-point risk rating system developed by David Gardner to provide a more concrete and measurable understanding of investment risk, moving away from vague terms like "medium risk" [4][5]. Group 1: Risk Assessment Framework - The risk rating system consists of 25 yes or no questions, where each "no" adds a point, indicating higher risk with a higher score [5]. - The framework can be applied not only to individual stocks but also to entire portfolios by calculating a weighted average risk score [5]. - The discussion emphasizes that understanding risk is about studying quality and that lower-risk stocks can sometimes yield greater returns [5]. Group 2: Company Analysis - Etsy - Etsy reported a net income of $182 million over the past 12 months and $75 million in the last quarter, indicating profitability [12]. - The company had a free cash flow of approximately $205 million in the last quarter and $635 million over the past year [16]. - Etsy has over 93 million buyers and 8.5 million sellers, ensuring no single customer accounts for more than 20% of its revenue [22]. - However, Etsy's net promoter score is -7, indicating questionable customer sentiment, and it has seen a decline in active buyers and gross merchandise sales [26]. Group 3: Company Analysis - Duolingo - Duolingo achieved a net income of approximately $386 million over the past 12 months and was profitable in the last quarter, aided by a one-time tax benefit [13]. - The company reported a free cash flow of about $350 million, growing by 20% year over year [17]. - Duolingo has over 50 million daily active users, with 9.5 million being paid subscribers, indicating a diversified revenue base [25]. - The brand enjoys over 50% awareness in the U.S. language learning market, supported by strong word-of-mouth marketing [21]. Group 4: Financial Performance - Etsy did not increase its sales by 10%-40% annually in the previous three years, with only single-digit growth in 2023 and 2024 [30]. - Duolingo, on the other hand, has seen annual revenue growth of at least 40% over the past three years, with a compound annual growth rate of 42% [32]. - Etsy has more debt than cash and has issued convertible debt, raising concerns about its ability to operate independently without external funding [35]. - Duolingo has a strong balance sheet with over $1.1 billion in cash and short-term investments, indicating it can operate independently [36]. Group 5: Competitive Landscape - Etsy faces significant competition from larger companies like Amazon and Shopify, which have greater financial resources [45]. - Duolingo is considered a market leader with strong brand recognition, surpassing competitors like Babel and Rosetta Stone in user-based revenue share [46]. - While there are no true disruptors in Etsy's space, smaller alternatives exist, indicating a competitive environment [48]. - Duolingo faces potential disruption from AI technologies, although no direct competition currently exists [49]. Group 6: Stock Metrics - Etsy has a market cap of approximately $6 billion, which is below the $10 billion threshold [57]. - Duolingo's market cap is around $7 billion, also below the $10 billion mark [59]. - Etsy's beta is 0.85, indicating lower volatility compared to the market, while Duolingo's beta has fluctuated significantly, indicating higher volatility [61][62].

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a potential investment opportunity, possessing critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI data centers [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to benefit significantly from the anticipated surge in electricity demand driven by AI technologies [3][6] Energy Demand and Infrastructure - AI technologies, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, are extremely energy-intensive, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities [2] - The company is involved in the U.S. LNG exportation sector, which is expected to grow under the current administration's energy policies [7] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened with debt [8] - It is trading at less than 7 times earnings, indicating a potentially undervalued investment opportunity in the context of its critical role in the energy sector [10] Market Trends - The company is strategically aligned with several market trends, including the AI infrastructure supercycle, the onshoring boom due to tariffs, and the surge in U.S. LNG exports [14] - There is a growing interest from hedge funds in this company, suggesting that it is gaining recognition as a valuable investment opportunity [9] Future Outlook - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, reinforcing the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12] - The overall sentiment is that investing in AI is not just about financial returns but also about participating in a transformative technological revolution [15]

Summary of Earnings Call Company and Industry - **Companies Mentioned**: STX (Seagate Technology), ASML, TXN (Texas Instruments), QRVO (Qorvo) - **Industry**: Technology, specifically focusing on data storage, semiconductors, and electronics Key Points and Arguments STX (Seagate Technology) - **Earnings Performance**: - Revenue of $2.83 billion, up 22% year-over-year, compared to a previous quarter's growth of 21% and market expectations of $2.74 billion, which was approximately 18% growth [7][6] - EPS of $3.11, exceeding market expectations of $2.83; Non-GAAP gross margin at 42.2% vs. expected 40.8% [7] - **Market Commentary**: - Management described an "exceptionally strong" data center environment, expecting demand to offset typical seasonal declines [9] - Nearline capacity fully allocated through CY26, with plans to accept orders for 1H27 [12] - **Pricing Trends**: - Revenue per TB remains stable with a modest increase in $/TB expected to continue, indicating a potential shift in pricing dynamics [12] - **Growth Drivers**: - Incremental storage-server demand linked to AI workloads, with data centers remaining the core driver of growth [9] TXN (Texas Instruments) - **Earnings Performance**: - Q4 revenue of $4.423 billion, up 10.4% year-over-year, aligning with market expectations [24][26] - Q1 guidance midpoint of $4.50 billion, indicating a 2% quarter-over-quarter increase and 10.6% year-over-year growth [24] - **Market Commentary**: - Management expressed optimism about industrial recovery and data center strength, with improving orders and backlog [23] - Data center business expected to grow approximately 70% year-over-year [26] - **Pricing Trends**: - Management anticipates low single-digit price declines (~2-3%) in 2026, emphasizing the impact of annual negotiations [26] QRVO (Qorvo) - **Earnings Performance**: - Q4 revenue and EPS were better than expected, but Q1 guidance was approximately 12% below market expectations [32][35] - **Market Commentary**: - Management attributed revenue gaps to weakness in Android and planned exits from lower-margin models [35] - Concerns about the sustainability of profitability amidst declining Android sales and competition [41] - **Growth Drivers**: - Focus on transitioning to higher-quality, more durable programs, with expectations of gross margins above 50% despite revenue declines [42] ASML - **Earnings Performance**: - Stock price increased by 5% due to bookings of €13 billion, significantly exceeding expectations [45] - **Market Commentary**: - Management highlighted strong progress with customers and revenue guidance implying 4-20% year-over-year growth for 2026 [46] - **Growth Drivers**: - Continued demand in semiconductor capital expenditures, with a focus on high-volume manufacturing tools [46] Additional Important Insights - **Market Sentiment**: - The overall sentiment in the technology sector appears positive, driven by strong earnings reports and optimistic guidance from key players [1][2] - **Investment Considerations**: - The discussions around pricing stability and growth in data center demand suggest potential investment opportunities in companies like STX and TXN, while QRVO faces challenges that may impact its valuation [18][22][42]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are significant, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid strain and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that are poised to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to profit from the surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers [3][6] Market Position - The company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and benefiting from the onshoring trend due to tariffs [5][6] - It has a unique footprint in nuclear energy, which is crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Health - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened with debt [8][10] - It also has a substantial equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium [9][10] Market Sentiment - There is a growing interest from Wall Street in this company, as it is seen as undervalued and riding various market tailwinds without high valuations [8][10] - The company is trading at less than seven times earnings, making it an attractive investment option in the context of AI and energy [10][11] Future Outlook - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive rapid advancements and innovation, reinforcing the notion that investing in AI is backing the future [12][13] - The combination of AI infrastructure needs, energy demands, and the onshoring boom presents a unique investment landscape that this company is well-positioned to navigate [14]