Uber IPO Update Puts Lyft, PayPal Stocks in Focus

Uber is expected to go public in early May

Details of Uber's initial public offering (IPO) are emerging, valuing the company north of $80 billion, and that has rival ride-sharing concern LYFT Inc (NASDAQ:LYFT) in focus. Another name that's in the conversation is PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL), with the payments processor planning a $500 million purchase of Uber shares, which are expected to be priced between $44-$50 in the public market when they debut.

LYFT shares are flirting with fresh lows today, trading down 1.2% at $55.69. For reference, the stock opened at $87.24 on March 29. There's already some put activity in the options pits, with the weekly 55- and 56-strike puts leading the way. Also seeing some action is the weekly 5/3 56-strike put. Coming into today, call open interest outweighed put open interest on LYFT 178,140 to 140,727.

So far 17 brokerage firms have initiated coverage on the stock, and 11 of them recommend buying the shares. The average 12-month price target from this bunch is all the way up at $76.28. While Uber is planning to IPO in the next few weeks, both companies have the issue of striking drivers hanging over their heads.

Meanwhile, PYPL shares are down 1.4% to trade at $108.64, pulling back from yesterday's record high that was sparked by a strong earnings report. Also as part of today's news cycle, Uber added that it may work with PayPal on future initiatives like a digital wallet. Elsewhere, an analyst note came out of BMO raising the firm's price target to $134 from $126, while Berenberg and Morgan Stanley lifted their respective price targets to $125 and $114.