New York, Feb 5, 2026, 18:27 ET — After-hours
- After a volatile session, Uber shares climbed in late trading, buoyed by its quarterly results and outlook.
- The company confirmed it will expand robotaxi operations and announced a CFO transition set for later this month.
- A U.S. jury verdict in a key rider-safety lawsuit introduced fresh headline risk for the stock.
Shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. climbed 1.7% in after-hours trading Thursday, closing at $75.21 after swinging between $72.80 and $77.21 earlier in the session. Roughly 33 million shares traded hands.
Investors are wrestling with a tricky balance: Uber’s push to ramp up trip volumes, alongside its readiness to invest heavily in longer-term ventures like autonomous vehicles.
The company’s first-quarter outlook hits at a crucial moment, as traders recalibrate their expectations for what “profitable growth” will mean in 2026. Taxes, competition, and the increasing chatter around robotaxis all remain key factors in the equation.
Uber reported a 22% jump in gross bookings for Q4, hitting $54.1 billion — covering rides, deliveries, and other transactions on its platform. Revenue climbed 20% to $14.4 billion. Adjusted EBITDA surged 35% to $2.5 billion, with free cash flow coming in at $2.8 billion. Looking ahead to Q1, Uber expects gross bookings between $52.0 billion and $53.5 billion, alongside non-GAAP EPS of $0.65 to $0.72.
Uber’s profit forecast for the first quarter fell short of analyst expectations, and its adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter also missed estimates, Reuters reported, dragging the stock down 5% on Wednesday. The company cautioned that its effective tax rate could hit 22% to 25% in 2026, due to its operations in over 70 countries. “Uber will be able to operate in an increasing AV market environment,” said William Blair analyst Ralph Schackart. Reuters
Uber doubled down on robotaxis, targeting up to 15 cities worldwide for self-driving trips by the end of 2026. The company plans to roll out services in Madrid, Hong Kong, Houston, and Zurich. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said integrating autonomous vehicles into Uber’s app could boost utilization and slash pickup times compared to operating separate fleets.
The company announced it is allocating capital to vehicle partners to lock in early supply, while partnering with banks and private equity firms to fund the majority of its autonomous fleets. It also revealed that self-driving startup Waabi’s initial 25,000 passenger vehicles will operate solely on Uber’s platform.
Late Thursday, a federal jury in Phoenix ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who accused one of its drivers of sexual assault. This was the first “bellwether” trial—a test case designed to gauge the value of more than 3,000 similar lawsuits consolidated in federal court. Uber announced it plans to appeal. “This verdict affirms that Uber acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety,” a company spokesperson said. Reuters
Uber announced that CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah will resign on Feb. 16. Balaji Krishnamurthy, the company’s VP of strategic finance, will take the reins. Mahendra-Rajah will remain as a senior finance advisor until July 1, the company added. “He’s been a great partner,” CEO Khosrowshahi said. SEC
The path ahead is anything but smooth. Uber is pushing cheaper options like shared rides to boost trip volume, even as management warns investors about heavier tax burdens and rising costs from autonomous vehicle development. Legal battles cast additional doubt, and the timeline for returns on robotaxi investments remains unclear.
Traders are entering Friday’s session focused on whether the post-earnings rally can sustain itself and how analysts adjust forecasts following the guidance. All eyes now turn to Feb. 16, the date when the CFO transition officially kicks in.
