Drop in stock
Uber’s stock dropped to $89.07 on December 9, 2025. The fall came after two major analyst updates. Erste Group downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold. The firm said Uber may grow more slowly because rules in Europe are getting tougher. Morgan Stanley also lowered its price target from $115 to $110. It kept an overweight rating, meaning it still sees value in the stock, but warned of risks ahead. These changes worried investors. Many began selling their shares, causing the stock to fall faster during the trading day. Analysts say the concern is not about Uber’s US business, which remains stable, but about rising problems in Europe.
Strikes and protests
Uber also faced a major taxi strike in Spain on the same day. More than 1,500 taxis blocked Gran Via in Barcelona. The protest was led by the Elite Taxi union. The group said about 80% of taxi drivers in Catalonia took part; they want stricter rules on ride-hailing services like Uber. This protest added to a long list of issues Uber already faces in Europe. The company was fined €290 million in the Netherlands for sending driver data to the US without permission. Governments in other European countries are now debating whether Uber drivers should be treated as employees. If this happens, Uber would have to pay more in wages and benefits, which could raise its operating costs. The company is also dealing with lawsuits about driver pay systems and data privacy. All of this has made Europe one of the hardest regions for Uber to operate in.
It's not all negatives
Even with the current pressure, not all analysts are negative. Evercore ISI still recommends buying Uber stock. It believes Uber’s work on autonomous vehicles and the strength of Uber Eats could bring long-term gains. But other firms are more cautious. Wedbush Securities called Uber an “AI loser,” saying new technology will not solve deeper regulatory problems. Market experts say the stock drop shows that investors expect more trouble in 2025 and 2026. Rules in Europe are likely to become stricter, not easier. This could limit Uber’s profit growth in the region. Even if US operations remain strong, weak earnings in Europe may affect the company’s global results.
