New York, Feb 2, 2026, 14:15 EST — Regular session
- Uber shares gained roughly 2% in afternoon trading
- Company reports ongoing discussions with France’s social security agency regarding driver classification
- Investors are focused on the Feb. 4 earnings report for clues on costs and future guidance
Uber Technologies shares climbed roughly 2% to $81.64 in Monday afternoon trading, following news that the company is negotiating with Urssaf about the classification of its drivers in France. The stock kicked off the day at $79.80 and fluctuated between $79.21 and $81.86.
The negotiations hit a snag for ride-hailing firms. Classifying drivers as employees instead of contractors could quickly push up costs — and take away some of the model’s flexibility during demand surges.
Timing is key. Uber plans to release its fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Investors will be watching closely for any signs of rising legal and regulatory expenses as 2026 approaches.
Uber confirmed it is in a “collaborative, transparent, and open discussion” with the agency, following a report that regulators determined many drivers ought to be classified as employees. MarketScreener
French investigative site Revue21 says 71,194 drivers from 2019 to 2022 should be reclassified, with the agency demanding 1.2 billion euros in social security payments plus 512 million euros in fines. Uber cited recent rulings from France’s highest court supporting independent-worker status. The agency refused to comment on any specific case.
Shares of other gig-economy firms climbed as well. Lyft advanced roughly 3%, and DoorDash added close to 2.7%.
The broader market showed gains as well. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF rose roughly 0.7%, and the Invesco QQQ ETF, which tracks the Nasdaq 100, climbed around 1%.
Investors on Wednesday will focus on whether ride demand and delivery volumes remain steady without deeper discounts. They’ll also track “gross bookings” — the total value of rides and deliveries on the platform — and the share Uber retains after incentives.
But the labour dispute isn’t minor. If regulators or courts classify drivers as employees in major markets, Uber’s expenses could climb and its business model could face tighter restrictions, particularly in Europe.
Even a slight signal of softer margins or cautious guidance can carry more weight than the headline figures. Traders now focus closely on management’s outlook for the coming quarter, rather than just the results already posted.
Up next: the Feb. 4 earnings release and conference call set for 8 a.m. ET. Investors will be tuning in for any news on the French negotiations and potential labour rulings ahead.
