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Lyft (LYFT)
NASDAQ:LYFT

Lyft (LYFT) AI Stock Analysis

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LYFT

Lyft

(NASDAQ:LYFT)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$18.00
▲(29.03% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by improving financial performance—especially strong and growing free cash flow—supported by a positive earnings call with accelerating growth outlook and long-term targets intact. This is tempered by weak technicals (downtrend vs key moving averages and negative MACD) and a relatively high P/E with no dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Free Cash Flow Strength
Sustained, sizable free cash flow provides durable financial flexibility: it funds buybacks, strategic investments (AV, FreeNow integration), and debt reduction without relying on equity. Over 2-6 months, strong FCF underpins capital allocation and reduces financing risk during execution of long-range plans.
Marketplace Scale & Engagement
High and accelerating rider/ride growth alongside record driver hours reflect improving marketplace liquidity and network effects. Durable increases in supply and demand improve ETAs, reduce surge, and enhance retention, supporting sustainable unit economics and competitive positioning over the medium term.
Revenue Diversification (Ads)
Emerging advertising revenues create a higher-margin, recurring revenue stream that leverages the engaged user base without proportional driver costs. Over months, ad monetization and other non-ride services can meaningfully improve overall margin mix and reduce reliance on commission-based ride revenue.
Negative Factors
Operating Profitability Still Mixed
Despite top-line rebound and positive net income, underlying operating profits (EBIT) remain negative in the trailing period. This means core operating margin improvement is incomplete; sustained margin expansion is required to prove earnings durability and fund growth without depending on nonrecurring items.
Leverage & Capital Structure Risks
Although capitalization has improved, historical elevated debt-to-equity and limited cash cushion relative to obligations keep leverage as a structural risk. Persistent leverage constrains flexibility for AV investments, international scaling, and increases vulnerability to adverse demand or regulatory shocks over the medium term.
AV Execution / Supplier Constraints
Lyft's long-term cost thesis relies on autonomous vehicle adoption to lower per-mile costs ~20% by 2030. A constrained supplier base increases execution risk and could delay cost savings and fleet initiatives, making projected structural margin improvements and TAM expansion uncertain in the coming years.

Lyft (LYFT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Lyft Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLyft, Inc. operates a peer-to-peer marketplace for on-demand ridesharing in the United States and Canada. The company operates multimodal transportation networks that offer riders personalized and on-demand access to various mobility options. It provides Ridesharing Marketplace, which connects drivers with riders; Express Drive, a flexible car rentals program for drivers; Lyft Rentals that provides vehicles for long-distance trips; and a network of shared bikes and scooters in various cities to address the needs of riders for short trips. The company also integrates third-party public transit data into the Lyft app to offer riders various transportation options. In addition, it offers access to autonomous vehicles; centralized tools and enterprise transportation solutions, such as concierge transportation solutions for organizations; Lyft Pink subscription plans; Lyft Pass commuter programs; first-mile and last-mile services; and university safe rides programs. The company was formerly known as Zimride, Inc. and changed its name to Lyft, Inc. in April 2013. Lyft, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyLyft generates revenue primarily through ride-hailing services, where it charges a commission on each fare paid by passengers. This commission typically ranges from 15% to 30% of the total fare, depending on the service type and market dynamics. Additionally, Lyft earns revenue from its bike and scooter rental services, where users pay for the duration of the rental. The company also engages in partnerships with various organizations and municipalities to provide transportation solutions, which can include incentivized rides or integrated services. Furthermore, Lyft is exploring additional revenue opportunities through the development of autonomous vehicles and potential collaborations in the freight and logistics sectors.

Lyft Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Active Riders
Active Riders
Monitors the number of users taking rides, indicating market penetration, user engagement, and overall demand for Lyft's services.
Chart InsightsActive Riders have accelerated since mid‑2024 and hit record quarterly highs in 2025, fueling stronger gross bookings and helping drive boosted adjusted EBITDA and over $1B free cash flow. Management’s United partnership and AV agreements (Waymo/NVIDIA) should improve retention and supply efficiency, and California’s SB 371 could ease insurance cost pressure in 2026. Near‑term risks remain—mid‑single digit per‑ride insurance cost increases and uncertain AV economics could squeeze margins if scale benefits don’t fully offset them.
Data provided by:The Fly

Lyft Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 10, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlighted multiple clear operational and financial achievements: double‑digit gross bookings growth (19% YoY), record active and retained riders, strong driver engagement, $100M ads run rate, FreeNow European progress, and robust cash generation ("over $1B" printed). Management reiterated long‑term 2027 targets and emphasized cost discipline and marketplace health. The primary negatives were a one‑time ~$210M legal/tax/regulatory reserve (with ~$168M hitting revenue), some elevated late‑quarter promotions that impacted mix, and near‑term margin phasing that reflects comparability to a prior one‑off. Overall the positives — broad growth, improved marketplace efficiency, new revenue streams, and clear progress on strategic initiatives — materially outweigh the limited near‑term and one‑time negatives.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Top-Line Growth and Scale
Gross bookings grew 19% year over year in Q4; company reported 51.3 million riders and 946 million rides for the year, and management described Q4 as an accelerated gross bookings quarter.
User and Driver Engagement Metrics
Active riders grew 18% year over year (record growth in Q4) with record retained riders; driver hours were higher than ever, marking the twelfth consecutive quarter of record driver hours.
Record Profitability / Cash Generation
Management described Q4 as the company's most profitable quarter ever and stated the company "printed over a billion dollars in cash" in the period.
High‑Value Modes and Product Mix Expansion
Higher‑margin on‑demand modes grew ~50% year over year (management cited significant growth in higher value modes and TBR acquisition as margin drivers); partnerships and high‑value modes are expected to drive continued gross bookings and margin expansion.
Ads Business Traction
Lyft Ads reached a $100 million run rate and was highlighted as an emerging revenue stream with visible brand campaigns in Q4.
European Expansion (FreeNow) Progress
FreeNow acquisition integration progressing well — teams improved conversion rates and reduced driver cancellations (now at multi‑year lows); management reiterated FreeNow exit rate of roughly €1 billion in 2025 and said the business is on track.
Operational Resilience Demonstrated (Super Bowl Example)
On Super Bowl day the company delivered ~15% more rides year over year while lowering surge pricing by ~20% and improving ETAs, demonstrating improved marketplace efficiency and service quality under peak demand.
Long‑Term AV and FlexDrive Positioning
Management reiterated conviction that autonomous vehicles (AVs) will expand TAM and reduce per‑mile costs; they forecast ~20% per‑mile cost savings from AVs by 2030 and expect FlexDrive/fleet management capabilities to further improve that differential to ~24–25% through operational efficiencies.
Regulatory / Market Tailwinds in California
California insurance reform (effective Jan 1) is being passed through to riders in-market and management expects demand uplift to be more noticeable in the back half of 2026 as price improvements are recognized by riders.
Cost Discipline and 2027 Targets Intact
Company reiterated 2027 targets ($25B gross bookings, 4% adjusted EBITDA margin, >$1B free cash flow) and said it is on track; management also stated it nearly doubled its operating fixed cost leverage target in 2025, indicating strong cost discipline.
Negative Updates
One‑Time Legal/Tax/Regulatory Reserve Impact
Supplemental disclosures showed a one‑time impact of about $210 million classified as legal/tax/regulatory reserve changes, of which roughly $168 million reduced reported revenue; management noted revenue would be closer to $1.8 billion absent this item.
Heightened Promotional Activity in Q4
Management acknowledged elevated promotional activity late in the quarter, weighted toward lower‑end demand, which required intentional trade‑offs; effects were described as temporary but contributed to near‑term mix and margin moderation.
Near‑Term Margin Phasing / Q1 Comparability
Q1 guidance calls for gross bookings growth acceleration but margins roughly in line with Q1 of the prior year, noting last year had a favorable nonrecurring item; near‑term margin improvement therefore lags longer‑term 2027 aspirations until headwinds normalize.
Limited AV Supplier Base and Unclear Future Winners
Management noted the current pool of AV suppliers that can operate at scale is small, which limits near‑term supply options; while confident in a multi‑supplier future by 2030, the near‑term supplier ecosystem remains constrained and uncertain.
Company Guidance
Lyft’s guidance and outlook emphasized accelerating top-line growth and continued margin expansion: management expects Q1 gross bookings growth to accelerate (guidance at the high end) and to grow faster than rides, while 1Q profitability is “in line” with last year after adjusting for a prior-year nonrecurring benefit; over the longer term they remain on track for their 2027 goals of $25 billion in gross bookings, a 4% adjusted EBITDA margin and over $1 billion of free cash flow. Key FY‑2025 and recent operating metrics cited on the call: 51.3 million riders, 946 million rides, 19% YoY gross bookings growth, active riders +18% YoY, a twelfth consecutive quarter of record driver hours, >$1 billion cash in the quarter, FreeNow exit run‑rate ≈€1 billion, Lyft Ads at a $100 million run rate, high‑value modes +50% YoY, business activations +26% YoY, Super Bowl day +15% rides YoY with ~20% lower surge, and a one‑time $210 million reserve (≈$168 million revenue impact) that would have made revenue closer to $1.8 billion—while longer‑term technology and fleet initiatives (AVs expected to drive ~20% per‑mile cost savings by 2030, with FlexDrive potentially increasing that to ~24–25%) and California insurance pass‑throughs (beginning in Q1) should further support demand and margin expansion into the back half of the year.

Lyft Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Fundamentals are improving: re-accelerating revenue, steady low-40% gross margins, and strong operating/free cash flow (FCF is a clear strength). Offsetting this, profitability quality is still in transition with EBIT still negative in TTM and leverage remains a watch item despite a stronger equity base.
Income Statement
64
Positive
LYFT shows a clear top-line rebound, with revenue up strongly in 2024 and accelerating further in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). Gross margin has been steady in the low-40% range, indicating improving scale without major pricing pressure. Profitability has improved materially versus 2020–2023 losses, but underlying operating performance is still mixed: EBIT remains negative in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and net margin is thin, suggesting earnings quality and sustainability still need to be proven despite the swing to positive net income.
Balance Sheet
67
Positive
The balance sheet looks stronger versus prior years, highlighted by a much larger equity base in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and a return on equity that has turned positive. Debt levels appear manageable in absolute terms in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), but leverage remains a key watch item given the elevated debt-to-equity ratio history and the fact that operating profits (EBIT) are not yet consistently positive. Overall, improving capitalization is a positive, but the leverage profile and profitability transition keep risk above average.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash generation is a standout: operating cash flow and free cash flow are solidly positive in both 2024 and TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), with free cash flow growing meaningfully in the latest period. Free cash flow is also broadly aligned with reported earnings in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), which supports earnings quality. The main drawback is that cash flow relative to the company’s debt load is not especially high, so sustained cash generation is important to maintain flexibility.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.32B5.79B4.40B4.10B3.21B
Gross Profit2.62B2.45B1.86B1.66B1.51B
EBITDA102.73M203.16M-188.97M-1.40B-859.94M
Net Income2.84B22.78M-340.32M-1.58B-1.06B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets9.03B5.44B4.56B4.56B4.77B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.84B1.98B1.69B1.80B2.25B
Total Debt1.28B1.17B1.04B1.06B975.43M
Total Liabilities5.76B4.67B4.02B4.17B3.43B
Stockholders Equity3.27B767.02M541.52M388.67M1.34B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.12B766.27M-248.06M-352.25M-180.90M
Operating Cash Flow1.17B849.74M-98.24M-237.28M-101.72M
Investing Cash Flow406.74M-517.98M599.75M186.04M267.01M
Financing Cash Flow-685.53M-155.87M-122.08M-87.50M-72.47M

Lyft Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price13.95
Price Trends
50DMA
18.00
Negative
100DMA
19.59
Negative
200DMA
17.88
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.36
Positive
RSI
32.02
Neutral
STOCH
22.12
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LYFT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 13.95 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 15.82, below the 50-day MA of 18.00, and below the 200-day MA of 17.88, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.36 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 32.02 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.12 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LYFT.

Lyft Risk Analysis

Lyft disclosed 64 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Lyft reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Lyft Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$1.44B25.3532.71%2.66%18.30%22.19%
74
Outperform
$149.77B15.4541.37%18.25%277.10%
72
Outperform
$9.53B22.2810.16%18.29%
66
Neutral
$74.73B82.8910.48%24.46%
64
Neutral
$5.46B1.96140.78%14.90%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
60
Neutral
$18.18B67.384.07%20.22%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LYFT
Lyft
13.95
1.23
9.67%
UBER
Uber Technologies
73.86
-2.56
-3.35%
DASH
DoorDash
176.29
-19.58
-10.00%
GRAB
Grab
4.38
-0.44
-9.13%
KARO
Karooooo
45.49
0.37
0.82%
CART
Maplebear
36.25
-13.11
-26.56%

Lyft Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Lyft Reports Record 2025 Results, Signals Transformational 2026
Positive
Feb 10, 2026

On February 10, 2026, Lyft reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, highlighted by 15% growth in annual gross bookings to $18.5 billion, a jump in revenue to $6.3 billion, and a sharp rise in net income to $2.8 billion, driven in part by a $2.9 billion tax valuation allowance release. The company delivered all-time-high free cash flow of $1.12 billion, double-digit ride and active rider growth, and launched Lyft Teen to tap the large U.S. teen transportation market, while its board authorized an additional $1 billion share repurchase program, underscoring confidence in its financial trajectory and its ongoing strategic shift toward a broader, more profitable mobility platform.

Lyft also posted strong Q4 2025 metrics, with gross bookings up 19% year over year to $5.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA rising 37% to $154.1 million, despite legal, tax and regulatory items weighing on reported revenue. Management framed 2025 as a pivotal year in the company’s turnaround and signaled that 2026 will mark a transformational phase centered on autonomous vehicle deployments in the U.S. and overseas, a move that could further reshape its cost structure and competitive position in the ridesharing industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (LYFT) stock is a Buy with a $26.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lyft stock, see the LYFT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Lyft Adds Transportation Safety Expert Deborah Hersman to Board
Positive
Jan 27, 2026

On January 25, 2026, Lyft appointed transportation safety veteran Deborah Hersman to its Board of Directors as a Class I director, with her term scheduled to run until the company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, and also named her to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Hersman brings extensive safety and regulatory credentials from her prior roles as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, chief safety officer at autonomous driving firm Waymo, and director positions at utility and lidar technology companies, bolstering Lyft’s governance and safety oversight as the company navigates evolving regulation and the long-term transition toward autonomous and technology-driven mobility services; she will receive standard non-employee director compensation and enter into Lyft’s customary indemnification arrangement.

The most recent analyst rating on (LYFT) stock is a Buy with a $20.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lyft stock, see the LYFT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 11, 2026