BMW, Mercedes-Benz Sell Taxi App To Lyft For $197M: CEO Says Entering Europe Is 'Important Step'
Lyft's Acquisition: Lyft, Inc. has acquired the European taxi app Freenow from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility for €175 million ($197 million), marking a significant expansion into the European market and nearly doubling its addressable market.
Financial Impact: The acquisition is expected to increase annualized Gross Bookings by around €1 billion and enhance Lyft's revenue sources, with shares rising 2.11% following the announcement.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on AWAY

No data
About the author


Government Shutdown Impact: The U.S. government shutdown has reached 35 days, causing significant concerns in the aviation sector, particularly regarding potential airspace closures and increased flight delays due to staffing shortages.
Airline ETFs Under Pressure: Airline-focused ETFs like U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS) and Amplify Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) are facing uncertainty, with JETS experiencing pressure despite a recent uptick, as operational disruptions could lead to further losses.
Warnings from Transportation Secretary: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of "mass cancellations" and possible airspace closures if the shutdown continues, highlighting that staffing shortages have already led to significant flight delays.
Investor Outlook: While the current situation poses risks for airline ETFs, there is potential for recovery once operations stabilize post-shutdown, similar to past disruptions, although the long-term impact on air traffic controller recruitment remains a concern.
Market Performance: The market is experiencing stagnation with indexes hovering below record highs, influenced by Nvidia's strong performance and concerns over economic growth, particularly in consumer cyclicals following a weak Consumer Confidence report.
Sector Movements: While pharma stocks are rising due to new agreements with the administration, consumer discretionary sectors are underperforming, and banks, especially credit-card issuers, are showing weakness amid a potential "growth scare."
Economic Indicators: Job openings have fallen below the number of unemployed for the first time in years, contributing to a cautious market outlook as the possibility of a government shutdown looms and macroeconomic risks increase.
Future Outlook: Despite current challenges, there is optimism for a year-end rally driven by anticipated Fed rate cuts, corporate spending, and a balanced labor market, although historical data suggests fourth-quarter gains are not guaranteed.
Lyft's Financial Strategy: Lyft, Inc. plans to offer $450 million in Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 to strengthen its balance sheet, fund share buybacks, and support future investments, while also entering capped call transactions to limit dilution.
Recent Performance: Despite reporting quarterly earnings of 10 cents per share that exceeded expectations, Lyft's revenue of $1.58 billion fell short of analyst estimates, with shares trading at $16.24 within a 52-week range of $9.66 to $19.06.
Sonder Holdings Inc. Financing Announcement: Sonder's shares rose 8.17% after announcing a new financing plan that raised $24.54 million through senior secured promissory notes and warrants, aimed at enhancing liquidity and supporting growth.
Strategic Changes and Shareholder Support: The company received backing from majority shareholders for related proposals, amended its agreement with Marriott to convert fees into secured notes, and ended its loan agreement with Silicon Valley Bank to improve financial flexibility.
Travel Projections for Memorial Day: An estimated 45.1 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend, marking a record increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year, with the majority opting to drive due to lower gas prices.
Air Travel and Airport Challenges: Approximately 3.6 million people are anticipated to fly this weekend, while the TSA expects to screen around 18 million passengers; however, Newark Liberty International Airport will experience temporary flight cuts due to operational issues.
Lyft's Strong Performance: Lyft shares surged over 28% after announcing a share buyback program and reporting a 13% year-over-year increase in gross bookings, marking its 16th consecutive quarter of growth. The company also achieved a net income of $2.57 million, a significant recovery from a loss in the same quarter last year.
Uber's Mixed Results: In contrast, Uber's shares fell 2.5% following mixed Q1 results, despite surpassing earnings expectations but missing revenue projections. The company reported a net income of $1.78 billion and is focusing on expanding its autonomous vehicle technology, which it views as a major growth opportunity.









