We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. We’ll be introducing a new name and brand over the coming weeks — we're very excited to share it with you and embark on this new chapter together!

This S&P 500 giant is building a global super app

If this household S&P 500 company achieves its ultimate aim, it could become a hell of a lot bigger in future. Ben McPoland explains more.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea

Image source: Getty Images

In today’s age of multi-trillion dollar S&P 500 firms, some might not consider Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) to be a giant. It ‘only’ has a $150bn market cap, after all.

However, its dominance is not in doubt, with more than 200m monthly users completing over 40m trips every day through its platform in the final quarter of 2025.

Looking ahead though, Uber is making moves that could see it become an even bigger business…

Building a super app

After starting out as a ride-sharing app, Uber expanded into food delivery and freight. Moving things from point A to point B, essentially.

In the past couple of years though, it has had success layering more services into its app. For example, I previously used Trainline to book train tickets. However, I now use Uber for this because I get Avios points after booking.

I’m also kept loyal by the Uber One subscription, which had over 46m members at the end of 2025. This gives me free or discounted delivery on orders from most restaurants and shops. As such, I use Just Eat far less often nowadays.

This week, the company announced a partnership with Expedia to offer in-app hotel bookings and expand travel services. Expedia hosts over 700,000 properties worldwide, so this could be a big deal.

I currently use Booking.com for hotels. Would I consider switching to Uber in future? Well, I might, as “Uber One members will earn 10% back in Uber One credits on all hotel bookings, plus they’ll save at least 20% on a rolling list of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide“. 

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says there are too many apps knocking about, and Uber wants to help “people reclaim their time“.

In other words, why bother using Trainline for trains and coaches, Skyscanner for flights, Booking or Airbnb for hotels and holiday rentals, Deliveroo for food delivery, when I can just use Uber for everything?

The company also wants people to do online shopping on the app.

Uber is becoming an app for everything — helping people go, get, and now travel all in one place.
Dara Khosrowshahi

Are robotaxis a threat or an opportunity?

As exciting as this sounds — and I do think the long-term growth potential is very significant here — robotaxis do present a threat. Leaders like Tesla and Waymo have big expansion plans for self-driving taxis and they don’t necessarily involve Uber.

To counter this threat, the company has been signing partnerships with autonomous vehicle (AV) companies at a rate of knots. The incentive for Uber to make robotaxis a commoditised service is obvious and necessary.

However, I do have some concerns because the firm has committed $10bn to buy robotaxis for its network and take chunky equity stakes in various AV firms.

This is potentially a move away from its capital-light model, which could be a risk to long-term profit margins.

Am I worried?

On the other hand, driverless taxis could significantly lower Uber’s costs. And I still think the firm has a strong chance of becoming the world’s largest facilitator of AV trips by 2029.

So, as a shareholder, I’m not overly worried yet.

The stock’s down 26% since November, giving a forward earnings multiple of 22. Given the super app potential, I think Uber’s worth considering today around $74.

Ben McPoland has positions in Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Airbnb, Tesla, and Uber Technologies. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Road trip. Father and son travelling together by car
Investing Articles

£10,007 invested in Aston Martin shares on 1 April is now worth…

Aston Martin shares have suddenly started moving upwards, going from 36p to 46p. Is this FTSE 250 stock ready to…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing Articles

Why NOW could be the best time to find stocks to buy!

I'm looking for more stocks to buy for my ISA and SIPPs. But it's possible some shares could be better…

Read more »

Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 297 shares in this beaten-down UK housebuilder with a £700m opportunity

Shares in UK builders have crashed recently. But is the stock market focusing on short-term challenges and missing a massive…

Read more »

Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

Are Aviva shares being held back by an overblown AI threat?

Andrew Mackie explores Aviva shares, self-driving car risks, and whether the market is underestimating long-term earnings and dividend strength.

Read more »

Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

£50 put into Nvidia stock at the start of 2015 is now worth…

Nvidia stock has changed the lives of many investors. Muhammad Cheema looks at how a mere £50 put into it…

Read more »

Playful senior couple in aprons dancing and smiling while preparing healthy dinner at home
Investing Articles

How these 2 shares in a Stocks and Shares ISA could deliver life-changing passive income

Mark Hartley explores the growth potential of two lower-yielding income opportunities that many Stocks and Shares ISA investors may overlook.

Read more »

Tanker coming in to dock in calm waters and a clear sunset
Investing Articles

BP shares: still treated as an oil bet — but that may be outdated

Andrew Mackie looks past today’s sharp fall in BP shares to question whether the market is still mispricing its earnings…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s why the Diageo share price is up 12% in a month!

The Diageo share price has been moving in the right direction recently, including a 5.3% rise today. Can it keep…

Read more »