Duolingo stock dropped 6.5% on Monday after the language-learning company announced a forthcoming change in its chief financial officer role and released preliminary fourth-quarter performance metrics.
The company said Gillian Munson will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer on February 23, 2026. She will replace current CFO Matt Skaruppa, who is stepping down after nearly six years in the position.
Munson has been a member of Duolingo’s board of directors since 2019 and currently serves as Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. Skaruppa will remain in the CFO role until the transition date and will then move into an advisory position to support the handover.
Duolingo Q4 preliminary results
Alongside the leadership update, Duolingo released preliminary metrics for the fourth quarter of 2025. The company reported daily active user growth of approximately 30% year over year.
Duolingo also said bookings for the quarter are expected to come in at or slightly above the high end of its previously issued guidance range of $329.5 million to $335.5 million.
Investor reaction to Duolingo strategy
Despite the positive user growth and bookings outlook, investor sentiment appeared cautious following the announcement. Concerns centered on the leadership transition and Duolingo’s continued focus on product investment over near-term financial performance.
Chief Executive Officer Luis von Ahn said the company remains committed to prioritizing user experience and long-term growth, even if it results in short-term tradeoffs.
What does this mean for Duolingo?
Duolingo indicated it plans to continue investing heavily in product development to support user engagement and growth. While the strategy has driven strong adoption metrics, it has also raised questions among investors about near-term profitability and margin performance.
The company is expected to report its full fourth-quarter financial results at a later date.
