Analyst Nashrullah Putra Sulaeman of DBS maintained a Hold rating on Lyft (LYFT – Research Report), retaining the price target of $18.00.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
- Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
- Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week.
Nashrullah Putra Sulaeman has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors impacting Lyft’s current market position and future prospects. Despite achieving a net profit of USD2.6 million, surpassing expectations of a USD10 million loss, Lyft faces significant competitive challenges, particularly from Uber. Lyft’s revenue growth of 14% year-over-year and improved EBITDA reflect positive operational strides, yet the company’s limited geographic reach compared to Uber’s extensive international presence poses a structural disadvantage.
Moreover, while Lyft’s strategic initiatives, such as targeting new demographics and expanding geographically through the acquisition of FREENOW, show potential for growth, the company remains heavily reliant on driver incentives and competitive pricing strategies. This reliance could impact margin sustainability, especially with ongoing insurance and regulatory costs. The revised target price of USD18, reflecting recent profitability gains, acknowledges the challenges Lyft faces in achieving margin parity with Uber. The stock’s current valuation at a forward EV/EBITDA of 7.8x, a significant discount to Uber’s 15x, highlights market skepticism regarding Lyft’s long-term competitiveness.
In another report released yesterday, Roth MKM also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $16.00 price target.