(Washington) Uber posted a gross operating surplus (EBITDA) of $ 8 million for the first time in the third quarter, a first step towards long-awaited profitability for the world leader in passenger car reservations with driver (VTC).
The Californian group achieved 4.8 billion dollars in turnover, up 72% compared to the summer of 2020, marked by the pandemic.
But it recorded a significant net loss of 2.4 billion, in particular because of the revaluation of its shares in the Chinese company Didi, according to a statement released Thursday.
Before the pandemic, the San Francisco-based company planned to reach the Holy Grail of profitability in the last quarter of 2020. Heavily affected by the restrictions linked to the health crisis, it had indicated that this target would be delayed by several quarters.
“Even if this is only a step, earning a profit before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) is a major milestone for Uber,” said Nelson Chai, the group’s chief financial officer, quoted in the press release.
Uber is taking full advantage of vaccinations and the reopening of the economy.
Gross bookings for chauffeured trips (primarily revenue before deductions for taxes, tolls and various driver fees) jumped 67% year-on-year to $ 9.9 billion in the past quarter.
And gross bookings for the delivery business (Uber Eats and other branches), which became the company’s main financial windfall during the pandemic, reached $ 12.8 billion (+ 50% year on year).