New York, Jan 23, 2026, 13:28 ET — The regular session is underway.
Uber Technologies shares edged down Friday after a federal judge dismissed Uber and DoorDash’s bid to block New York City’s tipping laws for food-delivery apps. Uber slipped 0.1% to $82.45 in early afternoon trading. The companies had pushed for a preliminary injunction to halt rules mandating a tip option at checkout, including a suggested minimum 10% tip. But Judge George Daniels ruled the regulations “advance the city’s goals of enhancing cost transparency at the time of checkout.” 1
The move comes as delivery platforms grapple with stricter regulations in major cities, where authorities demand more transparent pricing and steadier earnings for couriers. For Uber, even minor tweaks at checkout can ripple through—affecting customer costs, order frequency, and ultimately, drivers’ and couriers’ earnings.
Outside the courtroom battle, Uber’s Eats unit gained new commercial traction in Australia. Guzman y Gomez announced that Uber Eats will serve as its exclusive delivery partner in the country starting Feb. 22. Delivery already makes up roughly 27% of its Australian sales in the first half of fiscal 2026. “Our guests love the convenience of delivery,” said founder and co-CEO Steven Marks.
Analysts are still grappling with what the market values in this story. Bernstein’s Nikhil Devnani stuck to his Outperform rating and $115 price target, calling the current valuation a “peak AV fear” multiple — a nod to investor jitters over autonomous vehicles and robotaxis disrupting ride-hailing in the future. 2
Uber is facing fresh shareholder pressure over safety concerns. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has submitted a proposal demanding Uber release a report detailing sexual harassment and assault incidents on its platform, including how the board oversees these issues and screens drivers. “For Uber to succeed, its users need to feel safe,” DiNapoli said. The New York State Common Retirement Fund, which owns about 2.4 million Uber shares valued at roughly $240 million, backed the proposal. It referenced a New York Times investigation revealing over 400,000 reports of sexual assault or misconduct tied to Uber in five years. 3
DoorDash shares gained 1.0% on Friday. Lyft, its ride-hailing rival, slipped 1.8%.
Broader U.S. stocks showed a mixed picture, with the S&P 500 inching up and the Nasdaq gaining about 0.5%, while the Dow slipped. Attention turns to next week’s Federal Reserve decision and a new wave of major earnings reports. 4
Uber has pushed its delivery segment to broaden its reach beyond ride-hailing, despite fierce competition for restaurant orders and persistent discounting. Investors are closely monitoring if the unit can grow further without sacrificing too much on fees and incentives.
Traders are zeroed in on how regulation and litigation will impact costs in the near term. City rules can shift abruptly, while court battles often slog on, despite occasional headline-grabbing rulings.
Uber will report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 4 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Investors are likely to zero in on delivery profitability and the costs tied to regulatory compliance. 5
