Lucid stock jumps on Uber stake reveal, but risks still loom

Shares of Lucid Group rose sharply on Tuesday, outperforming broader markets after new disclosures highlighted a deeper relationship with Uber Technologies, though underlying concerns around demand and valuation persist.

The electric vehicle maker’s stock climbed about 6.15% to around $7.16 in afternoon trading, even as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.

The gains were driven by filings showing that Uber holds approximately 37.8 million shares in Lucid, representing an 11.5% passive stake through a subsidiary.

Uber stake and partnership boost sentiment

The disclosure is part of Lucid’s broader $1.05 billion capital raise, which also includes backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Uber said it has increased its total investment in Lucid to $500 million, reinforcing its commitment to the EV maker.

Uber also outlined plans to purchase at least 35,000 Lucid vehicles for a future global robotaxi network, potentially offering Lucid a clearer pathway to scaling volume sales if autonomous deployment expands.

The partnership signals longer-term alignment in autonomous mobility, with Lucid seeking both funding and demand visibility while Uber advances its driverless ride-hailing ambitions.

However, the investment itself is not entirely new information. Uber had previously announced a $300 million investment in July 2025, followed by an additional $200 million earlier this month. The latest update reflects the formal closing of those commitments rather than a fresh development.

Market reaction highlights short-term disconnects

Tuesday’s rally underscores how stock price movements can diverge from underlying fundamentals in the short term.

Lucid shares were trading above $30 when the initial Uber investment was announced in mid-2025, compared with current levels near $7, suggesting that broader market pressures have outweighed partnership-driven optimism.

Investor sentiment toward the EV sector remains fragile, particularly after the expiration of the US federal EV purchase tax credit in September. This policy shift has weighed on demand, with US all-electric vehicle sales falling 27% year over year in the first quarter.

Electric vehicles now account for less than 6% of total new car sales, down from more than 10% in the third quarter, when buyers accelerated purchases ahead of the tax credit’s expiration.

Valuation concerns and broader market signals

The rally in Lucid also comes amid broader examples of volatility and dislocation in equity markets.

Shares of Avis Budget Group, for instance, have surged dramatically in recent weeks, rising to nearly $660 from below $110 a month ago, partly driven by an “epic short squeeze.”

Such moves have pushed Avis to trade at roughly 111 times forward earnings, an unusually high multiple for a car rental company.

Analyst sentiment on Lucid remains cautious. Only two out of 14 analysts rate the stock as a Buy, with an average price target of around $13—above current levels but still reflecting tempered expectations.

The Lucid-Uber partnership may offer long-term strategic benefits, particularly in autonomous mobility, but near-term performance will likely continue to depend on broader EV demand trends and the company’s ability to execute on growth plans.