Uber’s bad investment bets are weighing down the company
The ride-share giant posted a surprise loss of $654 million, as it lowered the value of its investments in other companies. (Uber has equity investments in other businesses such as Indian food app Zomato and Chinese ride-hailing app Didi, for example. It lowered the value of that investment portfolio.) “The biggest reason why we moved into a loss is that we've got significant equity stakes in certain companies like Didi and other companies out there ... it has nothing to do with the operating business,” said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in an interview with CNBC.
Uber also offered up weak a forecast for gross bookings in the second quarter. Adding insult to injury, arch rival Lyft beat expectations on the top and bottom line, sending its shares sharply higher.