Will Uber Stock Hit $100?

With its recognizable brand and ubiquitous service, Uber has been one of the most talked-about IPOs in recent years. Since going public in May 2019 at an opening price of $45 per share, Uber’s stock price has been on a rollercoaster ride, leaving investors to wonder if it will ever reach the $100 mark.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: While Uber stock could potentially hit $100 in the future, it faces some significant challenges and risks that make this threshold difficult to reach in the near-term.

Uber’s Strengths and Growth Potential

As one of the leading companies in the ride-hailing industry, Uber has several strengths that contribute to its growth potential. Let’s explore some of these strengths:

Large market share and global footprint

Uber has established a significant market share in the ride-hailing industry. With operations in over 900 metropolitan areas worldwide, Uber has a strong global footprint. This wide reach allows the company to serve millions of customers and attract a large number of drivers, creating a network effect that reinforces its dominance in the market.

According to a Statista report, Uber had over 110 million active users worldwide in 2019. This massive customer base provides a solid foundation for Uber’s growth and revenue generation.

Diversified business model beyond ridesharing

Uber’s potential for growth extends beyond its core ridesharing service. The company has successfully diversified its business model by expanding into other areas such as food delivery (Uber Eats) and freight transportation (Uber Freight).

Uber Eats, for example, has experienced significant growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people turned to food delivery services. According to a Uber newsroom article, Uber Eats gross bookings reached $8.6 billion in Q3 2020, representing a 135% year-over-year increase.

This diversification allows Uber to tap into additional revenue streams and mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on ridesharing.

Leader in autonomous vehicle technology

Uber has been at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, investing heavily in research and development. The company’s Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) is focused on developing self-driving cars that could potentially revolutionize the transportation industry.

While autonomous vehicles are still in the testing phase, Uber’s commitment to this technology positions it as a potential leader in the future. The integration of autonomous vehicles into Uber’s fleet could significantly reduce operational costs and increase efficiency.

According to a Forbes article, the adoption of autonomous vehicles by Uber and other ride-hailing companies could potentially save up to 7 million gallons of gasoline per year, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

Headwinds and Risks Facing Uber

As Uber continues to make waves in the transportation industry, it also faces numerous headwinds and risks that could impact its stock price. Here are some of the major challenges that Uber is currently grappling with:

Intense competition

One of the biggest challenges for Uber is the intense competition it faces from other ride-hailing services. Companies like Lyft, Grab, and Didi Chuxing are all vying for market share, resulting in a crowded and highly competitive landscape.

This competition puts pressure on Uber to constantly innovate and offer unique features to differentiate itself from its rivals.

According to a recent report by Statista, Uber holds a significant portion of the global ride-hailing market, but its market share has been gradually eroding due to increased competition. This could pose a challenge for Uber’s growth prospects and ultimately impact its stock price.

Regulatory battles

Uber has faced regulatory battles in numerous cities and countries around the world. Local governments often impose strict regulations and licensing requirements on ride-hailing services, which can hinder Uber’s ability to operate and expand into new markets.

These regulatory battles not only incur legal costs for Uber but also create uncertainty for investors, which could affect the stock price.

For example, in London, Uber’s license to operate was temporarily suspended in 2017 due to safety concerns. Although the company eventually regained its license, such regulatory challenges can have a negative impact on Uber’s reputation and investor confidence.

Questions about path to profitability

Uber has yet to turn a profit since its inception, which raises questions about its path to profitability. Despite its skyrocketing revenue, the company has consistently reported significant losses. Investors are concerned about whether Uber can achieve sustainable profitability in the long run.

According to Uber’s financial reports, the company incurred a net loss of $8.5 billion in 2019. This highlights the challenges Uber faces in achieving profitability, especially as it continues to invest heavily in research and development, marketing, and expansion into new markets.

It’s important to note that these challenges and risks are not unique to Uber. Many disruptive tech companies face similar obstacles when operating in highly regulated industries. However, how Uber navigates these challenges will play a crucial role in determining whether its stock price will hit $100 or beyond.

Valuation and Analyst Price Targets

Current valuation metrics

Uber’s current market capitalization is around $62 billion. The company went public in May 2019 at a valuation of $82 billion, but the stock has struggled since then. Here are some key valuation metrics for Uber currently:

• P/E ratio: N/A (Uber is not yet profitable)
• Price/Sales ratio: 2.3x
• EV/Revenue: 2.6x

Uber’s valuation multiples look quite reasonable compared to other high-growth tech stocks. The company is still spending heavily on growth initiatives like Uber Eats, so profitability is not the priority right now. Uber’s revenue growth was strong at 42% last quarter.

Analyst recommendations and price targets

Most analysts are bullish on Uber’s long-term prospects. The average analyst price target on Uber is $64, representing upside of about 30% from current levels. Here’s a sampling of recent analyst recommendations:

Analysts see Uber’s leading position in ridesharing, growing food delivery business, and autonomous driving potential as reasons to be bullish. According to TipRanks, 78% of analysts covering Uber have a buy rating on the stock currently.

If Uber can continue executing well and make progress towards profitability, its valuation could expand significantly from today’s levels. But it may take a few more years for the company’s full potential to be realized.

Many analysts and investors seem willing to be patient and see the ridesharing pioneer as a long-term winner.

Conclusion

In summary, while Uber has strengths that give it growth potential, the company faces substantial risks and uncertainty around regulation, competition, and profitability. Significant improvements in these areas would likely be needed before most analysts predict Uber’s stock price reaching $100.

However, tech stocks can be difficult to predict, and a major positive catalyst like autonomous vehicles going mainstream could potentially boost Uber’s valuation. Overall, $100 per share appears difficult to justify based on a fundamental analysis, but remains possible in the long-run if Uber can execute on its vision and overcome present challenges.