Wedbush analysts maintained a Neutral outlook on Uber as it prepares to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 4, noting that current consensus estimates appear achievable but offer limited upside. The firm highlighted cooling momentum in the mobility business, where gross bookings growth may face headwinds from subdued consumer demand and economic uncertainty. Conversely, Uber’s delivery division continues to show resilience, driven by steady order volumes and ongoing expansion of advertising partnerships.

A federal judge in Manhattan declined to block New York City’s law requiring food delivery apps to prompt customers to tip at checkout and display suggested tip amounts, rejecting Uber’s First Amendment arguments. Uber and competitors warned that mandatory tipping prompts could deter orders and raise costs for small merchants, potentially reducing transaction volumes in a region that accounts for a significant share of the company’s delivery revenue. Regulators have also alleged that past interface changes by Uber discouraged tipping, costing workers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Following concerns about long-term threats from autonomous vehicles, several research firms upgraded Uber to a Buy rating, citing its entrenched network effects, high barriers to entry and sector-leading margins. Analysts project that robotaxis will capture only a modest share of ride-hailing trips through 2030, limiting near-term disruption to Uber’s core platform. Management’s focus on profitable growth through efficiency initiatives and diversified revenue streams, including freight and advertising, underpins the positive risk-reward assessment.