Strong Demand For Uber IPO May Set The Price At Top Of Range

Uber Technologies Inc. has enough investor demand to price its initial public offering at the top end of its price range, people familiar with the matter said.

With more than 48 hours to go before the ride-hailing giant’s IPO is expected to price, investors have put in orders for at least three times the amount of stock on offer, the people said, asking not to be identified as the details aren’t public. Still, Uber is expected to price the sale within its existing range as it is keen to ensure strong aftermarket trading for the stock, they said.

Uber’s share sale, which could raise as much as $9 billion, is likely to be the largest this year and one of the 10 biggest U.S. listings ever, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The San Francisco-based company, which is due to price its shares Thursday, hasn’t made a final decision on the price at which they’ll be sold, the people said.

The market environment could also impact the final price, after US equities tumbled the most since January on Tuesday.

The performance of rival Lyft Inc. is weighing on the mind of Uber executives as they market their IPO, the people said. That stock soared on its April debut after the original price range was boosted, but is now trading about 16 percent below its IPO price of $72 per share.

A representative for Uber declined to comment.

Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi and other executives have been meeting investors in cities including London, Boston and San Francisco over the past 10 days.

The world’s biggest ride-hailing company is offering 180 million shares for $44 and $50. At the top of that range, the listing would value Uber at almost $84 billion, based on the number of shares outstanding after the offering as detailed in the filing.

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Bloomberg