On Thursday, DA Davidson reiterated a Neutral rating on Lyft shares (NASDAQ:LYFT), maintaining a price target of $15.00 following the company’s announcement of its acquisition of FREENOW, a prominent online taxi marketplace in Europe. Currently trading at $11.07, Lyft appears undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis. The deal is seen as a significant move for Lyft, as it aims to expand its operations beyond the North American market.
Lyft’s acquisition of FREENOW is expected to double the company’s addressable market from approximately 161 billion personal trips per year to over 300 billion. With a market capitalization of $4.6 billion and impressive revenue growth of 31.4% in the last twelve months, this expansion into the European market is a strategic one. FREENOW operates in more than 150 cities across nine countries on the continent. The move is poised to diversify Lyft’s business model, allowing it to delve deeper into the online taxi hail sector, which has seen strong market adoption and is benefiting from favorable regulatory developments in Europe.
Furthermore, the acquisition is anticipated to enhance Lyft’s value proposition and potentially increase its strategic value and optionality with key partners. This includes Lyft’s largest affinity/membership and advertising partners, as well as current and potentially future autonomous vehicle (AV) and self-driving technology platform partners. The deal underscores Lyft’s commitment to growth and expansion in a competitive ride-sharing market. InvestingPro data reveals the company maintains strong financial health with more cash than debt on its balance sheet, and analysts expect continued profitability this year. For deeper insights into Lyft’s financial health and growth prospects, explore the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.
Lyft’s strategy to integrate with FREENOW’s existing services in Europe could provide the company with a more robust and diversified offering, appealing to a wider customer base. The acquisition aligns with Lyft’s efforts to meet the evolving needs of its users and to remain a significant player in the global transportation industry.
The maintained price target of $15.00 by DA Davidson reflects the firm’s current valuation of Lyft’s stock in light of the recent acquisition. This announcement comes as Lyft continues to navigate the competitive landscape of ride-sharing and seeks to broaden its international presence.
In other recent news, Lyft’s acquisition of FREENOW, a European online taxi and rideshare platform, is a major development for the company. The deal, valued at approximately $197 million, is expected to contribute significantly to Lyft’s annualized gross bookings and support its target of reaching $25 billion in bookings by 2027. This acquisition is part of Lyft’s broader strategy to expand its market presence in Europe and diversify its service offerings. Analysts from BTIG and BMO Capital Markets have maintained a Neutral and Market Perform rating on Lyft, respectively, with BMO reiterating a price target of $15.00. The acquisition is anticipated to nearly double Lyft’s potential market, providing a foothold in key European cities. KeyBanc Capital Markets also maintained a Sector Weight rating, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of Lyft’s European expansion. Oppenheimer initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, emphasizing the growth potential in the rideshare industry and setting a price target of $15.00. Lyft’s efforts to enhance its market share and profitability are underscored by these developments, as the company navigates competitive pressures from established players like Uber (NYSE:UBER) and Bolt.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.