Bernstein reiterates Lyft stock rating, sees California bills as positive

Published 09/09/2025, 14:54
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Investing.com - Bernstein has reiterated its Market Perform rating and $16.00 price target on Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT), currently trading at $17.86, following potential legislative changes in California that could benefit rideshare companies. The stock has shown remarkable momentum, delivering a 64% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, Lyft appears undervalued based on its Fair Value estimates.

California lawmakers recently backed two bills that could reshape the rideshare landscape in the state. The first bill (AB 1340) would allow drivers to collectively bargain while maintaining their independent contractor status, preserving the model protected by Proposition 22.

The second bill (SB 371) would reduce the amount of uninsured motorist coverage that transportation network companies must provide for drivers. Insurance represents a significant expense for rideshare operations, with California being one of the most costly markets nationwide.

According to Bernstein, these changes could generate meaningful insurance savings, potentially amounting to 30% of Lyft’s 2026 estimated Adjusted EBITDA. The firm expects most savings would be reinvested through lower prices for consumers and higher earnings for drivers.

The potential price reductions could drive approximately 6% additional trip growth in California, which might improve Lyft’s consolidated mobility trip growth by about 80 basis points year-over-year, though increased labor costs from collective bargaining could partially offset these gains starting in 2027.

In other recent news, Lyft announced the pricing of $450 million in convertible senior notes due 2030, which will be offered to qualified institutional buyers. The transaction is expected to close on September 5, 2025, and is projected to generate approximately $438.8 million in net proceeds after expenses. Additionally, Lyft has granted initial purchasers an option to acquire up to an additional $50 million in notes. In another development, RBC Capital has reiterated its Outperform rating on Lyft, citing growth opportunities in the company’s core ride-hailing business. TD Cowen also maintained its Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $22.00, following the news of co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer stepping down from the board of directors. This leadership transition, which began with the hiring of CEO David Risher, is expected to complete by August 2025. As part of this transition, the co-founders will convert their Class B shares to Class A shares, simplifying the company’s share structure and establishing equal voting rights for all shareholders.

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