New York, Feb 6, 2026, 12:40 ET — Regular session
- Uber shares dropped 1.5% to $74.08, having slid as much as 3.3% at one point earlier in the session.
- A U.S. jury has hit Uber with an $8.5 million award in the first bellwether trial linked to over 3,000 related lawsuits.
- Uber and WeRide revealed intentions to launch a minimum of 1,200 robotaxis covering three Middle Eastern countries, contingent on regulatory approvals and key milestones.
Shares of Uber Technologies slipped 1.5% to $74.08 by midday Friday, adding to a volatile week for the ride-hailing company. Investors grappled with concerns over legal risks while assessing Uber’s fresh efforts in the robotaxi space. Earlier in the session, the stock dropped as much as 3.3%.
The timing is crucial. A court ruling could shift the entire liability debate for drivers, just as Uber pushes a bigger narrative on autonomy and consistent cash flow following its latest quarterly report.
Traders have rapidly pounced on any sign of a new cost — be it legal fees, taxes, or capital locked in autonomous vehicles — despite the company highlighting robust demand and healthy cash flow.
A U.S. jury on Thursday hit Uber with an $8.5 million payout after ruling the company liable in a lawsuit filed by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a driver at age 19. This marked the first bellwether trial among more than 3,000 similar cases consolidated in federal court—a strategy aimed at influencing settlement negotiations.
Uber announced plans to appeal after the jury dismissed allegations of negligence and flaws in its safety measures. Morningstar analyst Mark Giarelli pointed to the verdict as a clear signal for tougher background checks on app-based services where users deal directly with drivers and couriers.
On Friday, Uber flagged a fresh development: an expanded robotaxi partnership with WeRide. The two plan to launch at least 1,200 robotaxis across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh. The rollout could wrap up by 2027, scaling up as regulators sign off and performance targets are hit.
WeRide founder and CEO Tony Han described it as the “largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region.” Uber executive Sarfraz Maredia called the expansion “an exciting moment for Uber and the Middle East,” highlighting strong results from current deployments. investor.uber.com
Uber’s robotaxi ambitions come on the heels of a packed earnings week. On Wednesday, the company laid out a plan to offer robotaxi rides in up to 15 cities worldwide by the end of 2026. It also projected a higher effective tax rate of 22% to 25% that year, alongside a first-quarter profit forecast falling short of estimates. William Blair analyst Ralph Schackart noted the “AV debate” will likely persist even as Uber scales its model. Reuters
Uber disclosed in a filing that CFO Prashanth Mahendra‑Rajah will leave on Feb. 16. He’ll be succeeded by Balaji Krishnamurthy, who currently serves as vice president of strategic finance. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi credited Mahendra‑Rajah with steering Uber to investment-grade status and kicking off its initial share buyback program.
Uber’s latest filing showed fourth-quarter trips surged 22% to 3.8 billion, with gross bookings up 22% to $54.1 billion. Revenue ticked up 20%, reaching $14.4 billion. The company reported GAAP operating income of $1.8 billion for the quarter and free cash flow of $2.8 billion. Looking ahead, Uber expects first-quarter gross bookings between $52.0 billion and $53.5 billion.
Gross bookings represent the total value of rides, deliveries, and other services booked through the platform. Investors track this figure closely, seeing it as a pure measure of demand, distinct from revenue which can be skewed by accounting methods and incentives.
The week’s headlines offer mixed signals. The jury verdict might increase pressure on Uber’s legal approach across thousands of related lawsuits. At the same time, robotaxi rollouts hinge on regulatory approval and whether unit economics remain viable as fleets grow. Uber points to a decline in reported sexual assaults, referencing company data showing fewer incidents in U.S. rides during 2021–2022 compared to 2017–2018.
The next big date for the stock is Feb. 16, when Krishnamurthy steps in as CFO. The key question: can the company keep investors fixated on first-quarter demand and cash flow, instead of the mounting legal and autonomy costs?
