Learn Finnish: Tämän osakkeen arvo taitaa pudota. - The value of this stock seems to be falling.

Taitaa is a modal verb that can mean 'to possess a skill', but it is very commonly used to express probability. When used this way, it translates to 'seems to', 'is probably', or 'I guess'. Here, it softens the statement so the speaker isn't making an absolute claim about the stock's value.

Why is pudota in its basic dictionary form instead of conjugated?

When using modal verbs of probability like taitaa and mahtaa, the main verb that follows must be in the 1st infinitive (the dictionary form). Because taitaa is already conjugated in the third person to match the subject arvo, pudota stays exactly as it is.

Why do tämä and osake both end in -n here?

They are in the genitive case to show possession. Osake means 'stock' or 'share', and its genitive form is osakkeen. Together with tämän, the phrase literally translates to 'this stock's', making tämän osakkeen arvo mean 'the value of this stock'.

Is pudota related to the verb pudottaa?

Yes, but they function differently. Pudota means 'to fall' or 'to drop' on its own, which is why it is used here for a stock value falling. Pudottaa means 'to drop something', which requires an object, like if you were to drop your phone.