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Spotify Posts Record User Adds and a Margin High in Q4 2025 as Shares Rally

New co-CEOs point to price increases, product expansion and AI to drive 2026 growth, even as Q1 revenue guidance trails some forecasts.

Overview

  • Spotify posted its best-ever quarterly user growth, adding 38 million monthly active users to reach 751 million, with premium subscribers up 10% year over year to 290 million.
  • Revenue rose 7% to €4.53 billion as operating income hit €701 million and EPS €4.43, with a record 33.1% gross margin signaling improved unit economics.
  • For Q1 2026, the company guided to 759 million MAUs, 293 million premium subscribers and €4.5 billion in revenue, with €660 million in operating income and a 32.8% gross margin.
  • Founder Daniel Ek became executive chairman on Jan. 1 as Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström took over as co-CEOs and designated 2026 the “Year of Raising Ambition.”
  • A U.S. price increase to $12.99, record engagement from Wrapped and continued pushes in podcasts, audiobooks, music videos and AI-backed features supported growth, and shares rose roughly 10%–15% after the report.