Core Insights - The focus is on identifying businesses with strong cash generation capabilities and competitive advantages that ensure their longevity over the next decade, targeting a minimum of 15% annualized returns or deeply discounted companies with marketable assets [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The investment strategy includes a preference for companies that can provide at least 15% annualized returns, emphasizing strong cash generation and competitive advantages [1] - The approach is open to takeover targets, provided the business remains strong enough to hold independently if the acquisition does not proceed [1] - The investor has achieved an annualized time-weighted return of approximately 16% over three years, with plans to continue improving this performance [1]

Core Insights - Bill Ackman, a billionaire investor, is known for his aggressive investment strategy, particularly in a limited number of companies, achieving significant profits from stocks like Chipotle and Alphabet [1] - Currently, Uber is a key focus for Ackman, who holds a substantial position in the company, making it the largest holding in his portfolio despite a slight reduction in Q3 [2][4] Company Performance - Uber generated nearly $38 billion in revenue in the first nine months of 2025, marking an 18% increase year-over-year, with mobility revenue also rising by 18% and delivery revenue increasing by 24% [6] - The company managed to limit cost growth to 13%, resulting in a net income of approximately $9.8 billion for the same period, a significant increase from $3.0 billion in 2024 [7] - A one-time income tax benefit of $4.3 billion contributed to the profit increase, but even without this, Uber's profits showed substantial growth [8] Stock Valuation - Uber's stock has appreciated nearly 40% over the past year, despite recent market sell-offs [8] - The current market capitalization of Uber is $174 billion, with a P/E ratio of 11 and a forward P/E of 13, indicating a potentially undervalued stock [9][10] - The forward one-year P/E ratio stands at 20, suggesting that Uber stock may be an underappreciated value, similar to Ackman's previous successful investments [10] Investment Considerations - While Ackman's investment in Uber may not be a direct buy signal for all investors, the company's strong market position in mobility and delivery, along with the potential for autonomous driving revenue, presents a compelling case for investment [5][11] - The low valuation of Uber is likely a significant factor in Ackman's interest, indicating that it may still be an opportune time for long-term investors to consider the stock [12]

Group 1: Uber's Performance - Uber reported strong revenue growth and profitability, with a 60% increase in stock price year-to-date prior to earnings [3][7] - The company has established significant partnerships, including with Nvidia for autonomous rides, which is expected to enhance its market position [2] - Despite positive earnings, Uber shares fell over 6%, attributed to market conditions and profit-taking rather than fundamental issues [6][8] Group 2: Valuation and Market Sentiment - The forward earnings valuation for Uber is around 15 times, which is considered attractive compared to other large-cap companies like Costco, which trades at 50 times earnings [4][5] - Concerns about valuation discrepancies exist, with some analysts suggesting a higher multiple of nearly 30 times [5] - The overall market sentiment is cautious, impacting Uber's stock performance despite its strong fundamentals [6][8] Group 3: Vert's Market Position - Vert experienced a "beat and raise" in earnings, but faced initial stock price declines due to concerns over insufficient guidance [9][10] - The approval of Jourovax, a non-addictive painkiller, is seen as a significant growth opportunity, despite market skepticism about its prescription potential [11] - Vert's valuation stands at 21 times forward earnings, which is viewed as reasonable given its unique market position in cystic fibrosis and upcoming kidney medications [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q3 2025 was an outstanding quarter for the company, with trips growing by 22%, marking the fastest growth since 2023 [5] - Gross bookings increased by 21%, while average pricing remained relatively flat, leading to record adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow [5] - The company expects continued strong performance in Q4, projecting high teens gross bookings growth and low to mid-30s EBITDA growth [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mobility trips grew by 21%, significantly exceeding expectations, while delivery business saw its fastest growth in four years, with a four-point acceleration [5][21] - The grocery and retail segment is now at a $12 billion gross bookings run rate, growing significantly faster than restaurant delivery [7][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market showed strong growth, particularly in cities with autonomous vehicles (AVs), where growth rates were more than twice that of other U.S. markets [24] - The mobility audience reached an all-time high of nearly 150 million users, indicating strong penetration opportunities in sparse markets [77] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has defined six strategic areas of focus, including enhancing trip experiences, integrating human drivers with AVs, investing in local commerce, and leveraging generative AI [6][8] - The company aims to deepen customer relationships and extend profitability through these strategic investments [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing growth trajectory, emphasizing the importance of cross-platform usage and the potential for increased consumer spending [12][51] - The partnership with NVIDIA is expected to enhance the company's AV capabilities and data collection efforts, contributing to future growth [14][80] Other Important Information - The company is actively working on improving its insurance strategy, which is expected to yield hundreds of millions in savings, allowing for lower fares across the U.S. [56][58] - The Uber One membership program continues to grow, with significant benefits for members, including cash back and exclusive offers [51] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the path to increase the 20% of maps used in markets with mobility and delivery? - Management highlighted that only 20% of consumers are active across both businesses, with specific programs being set up to drive cross-platform behavior [11] Question: How is the delivery side of the business stimulating new user growth? - The delivery business has accelerated, with grocery and retail contributing to new consumer introductions to online food delivery [21][22] Question: What are the key investment areas for the European food delivery business? - The company maintains a leading position in Europe and plans to expand merchant selection and improve service reliability [31][32] Question: Can you elaborate on the margin flow-through in the quarter? - The company achieved an all-time high for margins at 4.5% of gross bookings, with a commitment to annual profit expansion [39][41] Question: What is the scale and quality of real-world data being collected for AVs? - The company is leveraging its rideshare network to collect valuable real-world data, which is crucial for training AV models [80]

Core Insights - Uber Technologies has forecasted fourth-quarter gross bookings that exceed expectations, driven by increased demand from its membership program for both rides and deliveries as the holiday season approaches [1] Group 1 - The membership program is a significant factor in boosting demand for Uber's services [1] - The forecast indicates a positive outlook for Uber's performance in the upcoming quarter [1] - The timing of the forecast aligns with the holiday season, which typically sees increased consumer activity [1]

Core Insights - Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital has invested $900 million in Howard Hughes Holdings, acquiring a 47% stake, with plans to model it after Berkshire Hathaway [3] - Ackman has a significant focus on technology, with 45% of Pershing Square's $14 billion portfolio allocated to leading tech stocks [3] Investment in Uber - Ackman holds over 30 million shares of Uber Technologies, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, representing 21% of Pershing Square's equity portfolio [5] - Uber commands a 76% market share in the U.S. rideshare market and is the second-largest food delivery platform, benefiting from strong network effects [6] - In Q2, Uber reported revenue of $12.7 billion, an 18% year-over-year increase, with diluted EPS rising 34% to $0.63, driven by 3.3 billion trips and a 15% growth in monthly active platform consumers [7][8] Investment in Alphabet - Pershing Square holds a combined position of 11.7 million shares in Alphabet, worth over $2 billion, making up 15% of its portfolio [9] - Alphabet's Q2 revenue reached $96.4 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, with diluted EPS jumping 22% to $2.31, and Google Cloud revenue growing 32% to $13.6 billion [10][11] - Ackman highlights Alphabet's strong execution in AI and its discounted valuation at 26 times earnings despite robust business momentum [11] Investment in Amazon - Ackman initiated a position in Amazon, acquiring over 5.8 million shares worth nearly $1.3 billion, constituting 9% of Pershing Square's equity holdings [12] - Amazon's Q2 net sales were $167.7 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase, with EPS rising 33% to $1.68, supported by advancements in AI and operational efficiencies [15][16] - The stock is considered attractively valued with a PEG ratio of 0.58, indicating potential for significant earnings growth [16]

Core Insights - The gig economy has gained significant traction in the post-pandemic era, offering flexibility and autonomy to workers, allowing them to balance personal and professional commitments [1][2][3] Industry Overview - The gig economy has expanded beyond ride-sharing to include various sectors such as food delivery, grocery shopping, and freelance services, transforming daily life and consumer convenience [2][3] - The global gig economy market is projected to grow from $582.2 billion in 2025 to $2.18 trillion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8% [4] Company Highlights - **Lyft**: A key player in the ride-hailing industry, Lyft offers flexible earning opportunities for drivers and has diversified its services to include shared rides and electric bike rentals. The company emphasizes sustainability and community-focused services, maintaining a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [6][7][8] - **DoorDash**: A leading food delivery platform, DoorDash connects independent workers (Dashers) with customers, allowing for flexible work schedules. The company has formed strategic partnerships with major retailers to enhance its service offerings and holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [9][10][11] - **Uber**: Another major player in the gig economy, Uber provides a platform for drivers to work as independent contractors, offering them flexibility in their work hours. The company continues to innovate within the gig-based transportation model and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 [12][13][14]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Internet Sector in North America - **Key Companies**: GOOGL, META, AMZN, DASH, CHWY, DUOL, U, RBLX - **Overall View**: The internet sector is viewed as attractive with a focus on GenAI catalysts and evolving debates impacting major players [1][2][3] Core Points and Arguments GenAI Catalysts - **Catalysts Identified**: Model advances, agentic offerings, capital expenditures (capex), and custom silicon are expected to drive performance for GOOGL, META, and AMZN [1] - **Capex Projections**: Total data center capex is expected to reach approximately $505 billion in 2026, up 24% from the previous year, and $586 billion in 2027 [5][6] Company Preferences - **Mega Caps Preference**: The order of preference for the next 12 months is AMZN, META, and GOOGL [2] - **Smids Preference**: Positive outlook on DASH, CHWY, DUOL, U, and RBLX [2] GOOGL Insights - **Search Revenue Growth**: Anticipated search revenue growth of approximately 12% in 2025 and 9% in 2026, driven by AI innovations [16] - **GCP Growth**: Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is expected to grow by 31% in 2026, with potential upside from TPUs and custom silicon [16] META Insights - **Revenue Growth**: Expected revenue growth of 23% in Q4 2025 and 18% in 2026, driven by core GPU-enabled improvements [25] - **Llama Model Launch**: Anticipated launch of the next Llama model in early 2026, which is crucial for META's competitive positioning [25] AMZN Insights - **AWS Growth**: AWS is projected to achieve over 20% growth in 2026, supported by increased data center square footage [37] - **Retail Margins**: North America retail margins are expected to improve, with potential EPS growth of $8-$9 in 2026/2027 [33][38] Shared Economy Insights - **Rideshare Growth**: UBER and LYFT are expected to grow US trips by 15% and 12% respectively in 2026, with UBER's scale providing a competitive advantage [43] - **Food Delivery**: DASH is projected to add over $300 million in annual adjusted EBITDA in 2026, driven by synergies from the ROO acquisition [46] Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) - **Room Night Growth**: Stable growth of 7% in room nights is expected for ABNB, BKNG, and EXPE in 2026, influenced by macro leisure travel demand [49] - **Agentic AI Risks**: The rise of agentic AI poses both risks and opportunities for OTAs, particularly in retaining market share at the top of the travel funnel [49] Additional Important Insights - **Capex as % of FCF**: GOOGL, META, and AMZN are expected to have capex as a percentage of free cash flow (FCF) reaching 57%, 73%, and 78% respectively in 2026 [12] - **Consumer Behavior Trends**: Surveys indicate that a significant portion of ChatGPT and Gemini users engage in commercial behavior, highlighting the competitive landscape for GOOGL and META [21][22] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the internet sector and its major players.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, Uber achieved all-time highs in trips and gross bookings, both increasing by 18% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA, GAAP operating income, and free cash flow also reached new highs [5] - The company anticipates continued strong performance in Q3, projecting high teens growth in gross bookings and low to mid-30s growth in EBITDA [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The introduction of lower-cost products, such as Moto in developing markets, contributed to over $1.5 billion in gross bookings, growing by 40% [22] - The premium business surpassed $10 billion, growing by 35%, while the reserve business grew by 60% [22] - Uber One membership grew by 6 million quarter over quarter, reaching 36 million members, with members spending three times more than single business consumers [25][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the top 10 markets, only about 20% of consumers aged 18 and older use Uber on a monthly basis, indicating significant room for audience expansion [24] - The average Waymo vehicle deployed on Uber's network is busier than 99% of human drivers in terms of completed trips per day [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Uber is focusing on enhancing cross-platform engagement, with fewer than one in five consumers currently active across both mobility and delivery [6] - The company is investing in autonomous vehicle (AV) partnerships and expanding operating zones, with significant deployments planned in the US and internationally [7] - A new $20 billion share repurchase authorization was announced to enhance shareholder value [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued audience growth and the positive impact of pricing adjustments on consumer behavior [54] - The company is optimistic about the future of AVs, with ongoing partnerships and a focus on commercialization [28][46] - Management highlighted the importance of a barbell strategy in mobility, targeting both low-cost and premium offerings [78] Other Important Information - Uber's advertising business is growing rapidly, separating audience and fulfillment capabilities [80] - The company is exploring data licensing opportunities within AV, aiming to assist in faster market entry for AVs [81] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on platform initiatives and consumer behavior - Management acknowledged the complexity of executing cross-platform promotions and emphasized the importance of targeted marketing to enhance consumer experience [11] Question: Insights on audience growth and durability - Management attributed audience growth to the introduction of lower-cost products and noted that only 20% of potential consumers are currently engaged [24][22] Question: Update on autonomous vehicle rides and partnerships - Management confirmed that Waymo vehicles are performing well, with high utilization rates, and expressed excitement about ongoing partnerships with various AV players [29][46] Question: Discussion on pricing growth deceleration and consumer response - Management reported positive consumer responses to pricing adjustments, with increased transaction growth observed in July [54] Question: Clarification on buyback strategy and execution - Management explained that the $20 billion buyback is part of a multi-year plan, with a commitment to return a significant portion of cash flow to shareholders [58][59]

Financial Performance - Uber's Q2 2025 revenue reached $12651 million, representing an 18% increase year-over-year[54] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $2119 million, a 35% increase year-over-year[57] - Mobility gross bookings grew to $23762 million in Q2 2025, an 18% increase in constant currency year-over-year[63] - Delivery gross bookings increased to $21734 million in Q2 2025, reflecting a 20% growth in constant currency year-over-year[70] - Freight revenue remained relatively stable at $1261 million in Q2 2025, showing a (1%) change in constant currency year-over-year[75] Operational Metrics - Monthly Active Platform Consumers (MAPCs) increased by 15% year-over-year, reaching 180 million in Q2 2025[42] - Total trips grew by 18% year-over-year to 3268 million in Q2 2025[44] - Monthly trips per MAPC (Frequency) increased by 2% year-over-year to 61 in Q2 2025[43] Strategic Initiatives - Uber One membership program has 36 million members and accounts for over 40% of combined Delivery & Mobility bookings[31, 32] - Uber is expanding its AV technology commercialization, with deployments in 12 cities across 3 countries and plans for ~5 additional cities in 2025[35, 36]