A a mix of price-target cuts and hikes this morning rolled in this morning
Ridesharing concern Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE: UBER) is down 6.3% to trade at $47.98 this morning, after reporting first-quarter losses of 38 cents per share -- narrower than analysts' estimates of losses of 54 cents per share -- as well as a revenue win. The company noted its food delivery business is still growing, but ride-hailing numbers are flat, while driver costs are rising. More specifically, Uber will pay $600 million for a settlement that will provide over 70,000 U.K. drivers with additional benefits.
The brokerage bunch has mixed feelings about the results. The security received no fewer than seven price-target cuts this morning, including one from Piper Sandler to $55. However, four analysts also raised their objectives, with Truist Securities upping it to $75. These firms are mostly bullish towards UBER, with 26 of the 29 in question coverage calling it a "buy" or better. Plus, the 12-month consensus target price of $69.94 is a 41.9% premium to current levels.
Today's negative price action has the security trading at its lowest level since January. Shares have also slipped below the $51 level, which had contained at least two of the equity's pullbacks over the past couple of months. Year-over-year, though, UBER remains up 76.3%.
Meanwhile, the options pits are bullish. This is per the stock's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 4.16 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which stands higher than all but 3% of readings from the past year.
That sentiment seems to be holding true today. So far, 71,000 calls have crossed the tape, which is four times what is typically seen at this point. Most popular is the August 55 call, followed by the May 55 call, with new positions currently being opened at the former.