The Motley Fool·2025-12-12 08:51Core Insights - Activist investor Bill Ackman is focusing on two AI-driven companies, Uber Technologies and Amazon, as key investment opportunities for 2026 [1][5]. Uber Technologies - Uber is Ackman's largest holding, with 30,270,518 shares purchased, reflecting a strong belief in its management and valuation [6][9]. - Uber has maintained a significant market share in the U.S. ride-sharing market, ranging from 68% to 76% from September 2017 to March 2024, with a peak of 76% in March 2024 [7][10]. - The global ride-sharing market is projected to grow to approximately $918 billion from 2025 to 2033, indicating substantial growth potential for Uber [10]. - AI plays a crucial role in Uber's operations, enhancing rider-driver matching, route tracking, demand forecasting, and personalizing user experiences [11]. - Uber's diversification into Uber Eats and freight logistics positions it favorably within the U.S. economy, which tends to expand more than contract [12]. Amazon - Ackman acquired 5,823,316 shares of Amazon, valued at nearly $1.3 billion, indicating a strong interest in the e-commerce giant [15]. - Amazon is projected to capture over 40% of the U.S. online retail market by 2025, significantly outpacing competitors like Walmart [16]. - Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a critical component of Amazon's future, integrating AI to enhance its offerings and expected to sustain a 20% year-over-year sales growth rate [18]. - AWS contributed 18.5% to Amazon's net sales but accounted for 60.3% of its operating income, highlighting its profitability [20]. - Amazon's advertising and subscription services also provide significant revenue streams, leveraging its vast user base and content offerings [21]. - Ackman noted that Amazon's stock was historically undervalued, trading at about 10 times forecast cash flow in 2026, compared to a median of 30 times in the past decade [22].