New York, Jan 12, 2026, 14:09 ET — Regular session
Shares of Uber Technologies (UBER.N) dipped 0.2% to $85.28 in Monday afternoon trading, after fluctuating between $83.78 and $85.47 earlier in the session. A court order reveals the company’s first federal bellwether trial linked to passenger sexual-assault allegations will kick off Jan. 13 in Phoenix.
The lawsuit, filed by Oklahoma resident Jaylynn Dean, is the lead case among over 3,000 similar claims bundled in U.S. federal court, Reuters reported. The outcome could influence settlement payouts for the entire group. Uber maintains it isn’t responsible for assaults allegedly committed by drivers it classifies as independent contractors. A company spokesperson said, “Safety is foundational at Uber, and our commitment to help protect people on the platform will never stop.” Uber sought to postpone the trial, citing concerns that Dean’s lawyers’ advertising campaign might bias jurors, but U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer rejected the motion. 1
Separately, Uber revealed in a regulatory filing that starting Q1 2026, it will roll out new non-GAAP profit metrics, ditching adjusted EBITDA—a widely used “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization” measure. These new figures will include depreciation and stock-based compensation, which adjusted EBITDA previously excluded. Additionally, Uber plans to switch its segment metric to segment operating income and will present interest income as a separate line beginning with its 2025 annual report. 2
The change in reporting won’t affect Uber’s actual cash flow, but it can speed up when profits appear on the books. It also reshuffles the metrics investors rely on to compare margins in ride-hailing and delivery from one quarter to the next.
Lyft, Uber’s top U.S. ride-share competitor, gained 2.3% to reach $19.65.
The broader U.S. market slipped Monday as investors grappled with fresh political scrutiny of the Federal Reserve alongside the kickoff of earnings season. This mix kept risk appetite unsettled and put a premium on individual company news. 3
On Friday in San Francisco, Uber and Lyft drivers staged a protest against Waymo’s self-driving taxis as California regulators considered new rules for autonomous vehicles, the Associated Press reported. The clash over safety and accountability is spilling across different transportation sectors, even when these companies aren’t facing off in court. 4
The legal calendar, however, remains the bigger wildcard. A verdict against Uber could boost costs for settling the outstanding cases and trigger renewed scrutiny from regulators and investors. Even a win wouldn’t close the book on the litigation.
Investors now face the task of adjusting models after Uber ditched adjusted EBITDA, shifting to operating-income metrics that factor in more non-cash expenses. Some view this as a clearer approach; others worry it reduces comparability.
Phoenix is next on Tuesday, where the Dean trial kicks off. Traders will be watching closely for early clues on how this first test case unfolds.
