High-Growth Stocks Underperform in 2025, Recovery Expected in 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy DKNG?
Source: Fool
- DraftKings Market Challenges: DraftKings shares fell 8% in 2025, closing 35% below their peak, primarily due to slowing industry growth and emerging competitors, yet brand strength and partnerships with NBCUniversal and ESPN will support future growth.
- Diversified Revenue Sources: Nearly half of DraftKings' revenue comes from casino-style gaming, and investors should focus on its broad revenue mix, which is expected to drive recovery in 2026.
- Recursion Drug Development Platform: Recursion Pharmaceuticals' stock dropped 44% in 2025, but its AI-powered drug discovery platform, Recursion OS, is poised to provide stronger technological proof in 2026, driving revenue growth.
- Future Revenue Expectations: Analysts forecast Recursion's revenue to reach $83 million in 2026, significantly up from $63 million in 2025, which will help reduce the company's losses and enhance its business viability.
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Analyst Views on DKNG
Wall Street analysts forecast DKNG stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
23 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 25.160
Low
30.00
Averages
43.76
High
63.00
Current: 25.160
Low
30.00
Averages
43.76
High
63.00
About DKNG
DraftKings Inc. is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company. It provides users with online and retail sports betting (together, Sportsbook), online casino (iGaming) and daily fantasy sports product offerings, as well as digital lottery courier, media, and other product offerings. Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail sports betting operations pursuant to regulations in 28 states, Washington, D.C., and in Ontario, Canada. It operates iGaming pursuant to regulations in five states and in Ontario, Canada under its DraftKings brand and pursuant to regulations in four states under its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand. It owns Jackpocket, a digital lottery courier app in the United States. It is both an official daily fantasy and sports betting partner of the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, WNBA and UFC, as well as an official daily fantasy partner of NASCAR, an official sports betting partner of the NBA. It also owns and operates DraftKings Network, a multi-platform content ecosystem.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
DraftKings Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings with Strategic Focus on Predictions
- Significant Revenue Growth: DraftKings reported nearly $2 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, marking a 43% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $343 million, quadrupling from the previous year, indicating strong market performance and enhanced profitability.
- New Business Strategy: The company is focusing on the 'Predictions' category, which is expected to generate hundreds of millions in annual revenue in the coming years, reflecting management's emphasis on new market opportunities and confidence in future growth.
- Share Repurchase Program: In Q4, DraftKings repurchased 8 million shares, with plans to remain active in buybacks to support shareholder value, showcasing the company's capital management strategy amid strong financial performance.
- 2026 Outlook: DraftKings expects revenue for 2026 to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion, with adjusted EBITDA between $700 million and $900 million, as management emphasizes a commitment to conservative guidance to avoid missing performance targets again.
See More
Ten Large-Cap Stocks with Worst Performance Last Week
- Astera Labs: Astera Labs (NASDAQ:ALAB) saw a significant decline of 23.74% this week after reporting fourth-quarter financial results that fell short of market expectations, raising investor concerns about its future profitability.
- Medpace Holdings: Medpace Holdings (NASDAQ:MEDP) experienced a slump of 20.69% this week, driven by disappointing fourth-quarter results and multiple analyst firms lowering their price targets, which intensified negative sentiment around the stock.
- Zillow Group: Zillow Group (NASDAQ:Z) decreased by 20.89% this week due to mixed fourth-quarter financial results that failed to boost investor confidence, leading to downward pressure on its stock price.
- AST SpaceMobile: AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) fell 17.9% this week after announcing a $1 billion convertible senior notes offering, which was met with negative market reactions due to concerns over the implications of its financing plans.
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Tri Pointe to Be Acquired by Sumitomo Forestry
- Acquisition Agreement: Tri Pointe has entered into a definitive agreement with Sumitomo Forestry, which will acquire the company for $47.00 per share in cash, valuing the transaction at approximately $4.5 billion, indicating a rebound in market confidence in the real estate sector.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the acquisition announcement, Tri Pointe's stock surged by 26%, reflecting positive investor sentiment towards the deal and optimism regarding a recovery in the real estate market.
- Delivery Outlook: Tri Pointe expects to deliver between 1,200 and 1,400 homes in Q4, demonstrating stable delivery capabilities in the current market environment, which enhances its attractiveness to investors.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: RBC Capital lowered Tri Pointe's price target from $37 to $31, yet Citizens initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, indicating divergent views on the company's future performance in the market.
See More
DraftKings Shares Drop on Tepid Growth Forecast
- Significant Revenue Growth: DraftKings reported a 43% year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $2 billion, showcasing its strong performance in the digital sports entertainment and gaming sector, despite a stock price drop due to weak future forecasts.
- Stable User Metrics: While DraftKings' average monthly unique paying customers remained flat at 4.8 million, the average revenue per customer increased by 43% to $139, indicating success in enhancing customer value.
- Improved Profitability: The company generated a net income of $136 million, a notable turnaround from a loss of $135 million in the prior-year quarter, while adjusted EBITDA soared by 284% to $343 million, reflecting improved operational efficiency.
- Lackluster Future Guidance: DraftKings expects full-year revenue for 2026 to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion, falling short of Wall Street's $7.3 billion expectation, raising investor concerns about intensifying competition, although the CEO views prediction markets as a “massive, incremental opportunity.”
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Software Stocks Recover
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 index rose by 0.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.18% on Friday, indicating a recovery after early losses, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future economic prospects.
- Inflation Data Impact: The U.S. January Consumer Price Index rose by 2.4% year-over-year, below the expected 2.5%, marking the smallest increase in seven months, which may prompt the Fed to continue cutting rates, thus providing support for the stock market and alleviating concerns over rate hikes.
- Strong Software Stock Performance: Software stocks like Crowdstrike Holdings and ServiceNow rose over 4% and 3%, respectively, lifting the broader market and indicating a rebound in investor confidence in tech stocks, particularly amid rapid advancements in AI technology.
- Metal Stocks Retreat: Reports of the Trump administration's plans to narrow tariffs on steel and aluminum products led to declines in metal companies, with Century Aluminum falling over 7%, reflecting the negative impact of policy changes on the sector.
See More
DraftKings Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Drops 13.73%
- Earnings Report Disappointment: DraftKings reported Q4 earnings with a 43% year-over-year sales increase and over threefold adjusted EBITDA growth, yet it fell short of Wall Street expectations, resulting in a 13.51% stock drop.
- Conservative Guidance: Management's guidance for only 11% sales growth in 2026 disappointed the market, impacting investor sentiment and leading to significant stock volatility.
- Surge in Trading Volume: Today's trading volume reached 65.6 million shares, approximately 372% above the three-month average, indicating a strong market reaction to DraftKings' earnings report and heightened investor sentiment.
- Market Positioning and Growth Potential: Despite a 53% decline in stock price over the past year, DraftKings' current valuation at 2 times sales and 21 times free cash flow suggests attractive growth potential, particularly in the rapidly expanding sports betting industry.
See More
DraftKings Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings with Strategic Focus on Predictions
- Significant Revenue Growth: DraftKings reported nearly $2 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, marking a 43% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $343 million, quadrupling from the previous year, indicating strong market performance and enhanced profitability.
- New Business Strategy: The company is focusing on the 'Predictions' category, which is expected to generate hundreds of millions in annual revenue in the coming years, reflecting management's emphasis on new market opportunities and confidence in future growth.
- Share Repurchase Program: In Q4, DraftKings repurchased 8 million shares, with plans to remain active in buybacks to support shareholder value, showcasing the company's capital management strategy amid strong financial performance.
- 2026 Outlook: DraftKings expects revenue for 2026 to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion, with adjusted EBITDA between $700 million and $900 million, as management emphasizes a commitment to conservative guidance to avoid missing performance targets again.
See More
Ten Large-Cap Stocks with Worst Performance Last Week
- Astera Labs: Astera Labs (NASDAQ:ALAB) saw a significant decline of 23.74% this week after reporting fourth-quarter financial results that fell short of market expectations, raising investor concerns about its future profitability.
- Medpace Holdings: Medpace Holdings (NASDAQ:MEDP) experienced a slump of 20.69% this week, driven by disappointing fourth-quarter results and multiple analyst firms lowering their price targets, which intensified negative sentiment around the stock.
- Zillow Group: Zillow Group (NASDAQ:Z) decreased by 20.89% this week due to mixed fourth-quarter financial results that failed to boost investor confidence, leading to downward pressure on its stock price.
- AST SpaceMobile: AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) fell 17.9% this week after announcing a $1 billion convertible senior notes offering, which was met with negative market reactions due to concerns over the implications of its financing plans.
See More
Tri Pointe to Be Acquired by Sumitomo Forestry
- Acquisition Agreement: Tri Pointe has entered into a definitive agreement with Sumitomo Forestry, which will acquire the company for $47.00 per share in cash, valuing the transaction at approximately $4.5 billion, indicating a rebound in market confidence in the real estate sector.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the acquisition announcement, Tri Pointe's stock surged by 26%, reflecting positive investor sentiment towards the deal and optimism regarding a recovery in the real estate market.
- Delivery Outlook: Tri Pointe expects to deliver between 1,200 and 1,400 homes in Q4, demonstrating stable delivery capabilities in the current market environment, which enhances its attractiveness to investors.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: RBC Capital lowered Tri Pointe's price target from $37 to $31, yet Citizens initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, indicating divergent views on the company's future performance in the market.
See More
DraftKings Shares Drop on Tepid Growth Forecast
- Significant Revenue Growth: DraftKings reported a 43% year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $2 billion, showcasing its strong performance in the digital sports entertainment and gaming sector, despite a stock price drop due to weak future forecasts.
- Stable User Metrics: While DraftKings' average monthly unique paying customers remained flat at 4.8 million, the average revenue per customer increased by 43% to $139, indicating success in enhancing customer value.
- Improved Profitability: The company generated a net income of $136 million, a notable turnaround from a loss of $135 million in the prior-year quarter, while adjusted EBITDA soared by 284% to $343 million, reflecting improved operational efficiency.
- Lackluster Future Guidance: DraftKings expects full-year revenue for 2026 to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion, falling short of Wall Street's $7.3 billion expectation, raising investor concerns about intensifying competition, although the CEO views prediction markets as a “massive, incremental opportunity.”
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Software Stocks Recover
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 index rose by 0.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.18% on Friday, indicating a recovery after early losses, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future economic prospects.
- Inflation Data Impact: The U.S. January Consumer Price Index rose by 2.4% year-over-year, below the expected 2.5%, marking the smallest increase in seven months, which may prompt the Fed to continue cutting rates, thus providing support for the stock market and alleviating concerns over rate hikes.
- Strong Software Stock Performance: Software stocks like Crowdstrike Holdings and ServiceNow rose over 4% and 3%, respectively, lifting the broader market and indicating a rebound in investor confidence in tech stocks, particularly amid rapid advancements in AI technology.
- Metal Stocks Retreat: Reports of the Trump administration's plans to narrow tariffs on steel and aluminum products led to declines in metal companies, with Century Aluminum falling over 7%, reflecting the negative impact of policy changes on the sector.
See More
DraftKings Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Drops 13.73%
- Earnings Report Disappointment: DraftKings reported Q4 earnings with a 43% year-over-year sales increase and over threefold adjusted EBITDA growth, yet it fell short of Wall Street expectations, resulting in a 13.51% stock drop.
- Conservative Guidance: Management's guidance for only 11% sales growth in 2026 disappointed the market, impacting investor sentiment and leading to significant stock volatility.
- Surge in Trading Volume: Today's trading volume reached 65.6 million shares, approximately 372% above the three-month average, indicating a strong market reaction to DraftKings' earnings report and heightened investor sentiment.
- Market Positioning and Growth Potential: Despite a 53% decline in stock price over the past year, DraftKings' current valuation at 2 times sales and 21 times free cash flow suggests attractive growth potential, particularly in the rapidly expanding sports betting industry.
See More
