Lyft Files for IPO

#1

Post by svtrent » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 1:27 PM UTC

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#2

Post by ArtWomb » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 2:57 PM UTC

I see tremendous upside getting into either $LYFT below $20B or $UBER at $120B, which recently announced operational air taxi service by 2023.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#3

Post by spiderPig » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:04 PM UTC

ArtWomb wrote: post #2

I see tremendous upside getting into either $LYFT below $20B or $UBER at $120B, which recently announced operational air taxi service by 2023.

I would rather wait for the Magic carpet service due by 2025.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#4

Post by ghaff » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:12 PM UTC

Question that's somewhere between rhetorical and semi-serious. At what point do one of these companies increase their pricing to the point where they can operate profitably and just let volumes end up wherever they end up (making whatever cost cuts they need to on the way down)? Presumably there's some point where you can make money--but maybe not if you have a basically equivalent competitor who is willing to lose money indefinitely.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#5

Post by sigfubar » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:13 PM UTC

spiderPig wrote: post #3

ArtWomb wrote: post #2

I see tremendous upside getting into either $LYFT below $20B or $UBER at $120B, which recently announced operational air taxi service by 2023.

I would rather wait for the Magic carpet service due by 2025.

And the home teleportation portal announced for 2027. I just hope it doesn't have too many privacy implications.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#6

Post by fjabre » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:17 PM UTC

Is there any upside to staying private if you're profitable?

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#7

Post by ghaff » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:17 PM UTC

sigfubar wrote: post #5

spiderPig wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would rather wait for the Magic carpet service due by 2025.

And the home teleportation portal announced for 2027. I just hope it doesn't have too many privacy implications.

See Larry Niven for SF speculation around the implication of transfer booths.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#8

Post by ForHackernews » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:18 PM UTC

fjabre wrote: post #6

Is there any upside to staying private if you're profitable?

You can throw lots of money at kooky, far out bets without having to answer to shareholders?

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#9

Post by ghaff » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:18 PM UTC

fjabre wrote: post #6

Is there any upside to staying private if you're profitable?

Sure. You're not nearly as beholden to shareholders with short-term investment horizons. See e.g. Dell going private.

Re: Lyft Files for IPO

#10

Post by kerng » Thu, Dec 06, 2018, 3:27 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #4

Question that's somewhere between rhetorical and semi-serious. At what point do one of these companies increase their pricing to the point where they can operate profitably and just let volumes end up wherever they end up (making whatever cost cuts they need to on the way down)? Presumably there's some point where you can make money--but maybe not if you have a basically equivalent competitor who is willing to lose m…

It seems like Lyft makes about the same loss as Uber overall percentage wise. So, if both IPO they will have to increase prices accordingly. At this point it might be better for one to back off from IPO, that would allow to further diversify business and find other more profitable ventures long term.