A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after a key inflation report came in hotter than expected, renewing concerns about the path of future interest rate cuts. The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures wholesale inflation, rose 0.5% in January, significantly higher than the 0.3% anticipated by economists. Even more concerning was the core PPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, as it jumped 0.8%, more than double the 0.3% forecast. This surprisingly strong inflation data suggests that the Federal Reserve may need to maintain its restrictive monetary policy for longer than investors had hoped. The prospect of delayed interest rate cuts tends to weigh on growth-oriented sectors like technology, as higher rates can reduce the future value of their earnings, leading to a broad-based sell-off in the sector.
Duolingo (NASDAQ: DUOL) has long been more than just a language-learning app; it is a masterclass in gamification and behavioral economics. By 2025, the company had successfully transitioned from a niche tool into a diversified platform offering Math, Music, and advanced AI-driven tutoring. Yet, the recent stock collapse highlights a fundamental tension in the "AI-first" [...]
Morgan Stanley acknowledged that it misjudged Duolingo’s ability to expand revenue per user alongside audience growth, adding that management now plans to ramp up spending while easing its focus on revenue growth.
Language-learning app Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2025, with sales up 35% year on year to $282.9 million. On the other hand, next quarter’s revenue guidance of $288.5 million was less impressive, coming in 0.9% below analysts’ estimates.
The past year hasn't been kind to the stocks featured in this article.
Each has tumbled to their lowest points in 12 months, leaving investors to decide whether they're witnessing fire sales or falling knives.
Duolingo has gotten torched over the last six months - since August 2025, its stock price has dropped 69.7% to $112.02 per share. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
