Duolingo hits record high after optimistic 2025 outlook

Duolingo's DUOL.O shares up 15.5% to $462.00, rising for 9th straight session, after language learning app's raised 2025 forecasts please

DUOL shares rise as much as 16.5% to record high $465.90 amid broader strength in equities on Fri .N

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based firm late Thurs projected Q2 rev of $238.5-$241.5 mln, topping LSEG estimate of $233.8 mln

For 2025, it sees rev of $987-$996 mln, up from prior forecast of $962.5-$978.5 mln, and raised its adj core profit as co employs tools to make its AI models more efficient

Morgan Stanley reiterates 'overweight' rating, boosts PT from $435 to Street-high $515, per LSEG

Despite elevated expectations, DUOL outperformed and inspired further optimism across 3 core areas - user growth, monetization, margin - that justify premium valuation, Morgan Stanley said in note

JP Morgan hiked its PT from $360 to $500, saying it remains bullish on DUOL's GenAI innovation, potential 2H daily active user growth re-acceleration, deepening Max monetization - JPM

UBS said co's expected roll out of Chess courses in coming weeks should add "another strong lever to the non-language learning segment"

14 of 23 brokerages rate DUOL "strong buy" or "buy", rest "hold"; median PT of $403 up from $370 on Feb 2, according to latest LSEG data

With move on Fri, stock up ~42% YTD vs Nasdaq's .IXIC ~7% decline