Stock Markets May 23, 2026 10:46 AM

Uber and DoorDash Engage Investors in Talks Over Possible Delivery Hero Buyout

Potential sale, spin-offs and investor price demands shake up Delivery Hero as Uber boosts stake to 19.5%

By Marcus Reed UBER DASH

Ride-hailing firms Uber and DoorDash have held discussions with investors in Delivery Hero about a potential buyout, while Delivery Hero's board considers a full sale or piecemeal divestments. Investors reportedly seek more than EUR 40 a share, and Uber has become the group's largest shareholder after increasing its stake to 19.5%. Delivery Hero's CEO has said he will step down amid pressure from large shareholders, as the company's market value has climbed following recent share gains.

Uber and DoorDash Engage Investors in Talks Over Possible Delivery Hero Buyout
UBER DASH

Key Points

  • Uber and DoorDash have engaged with investors about a potential acquisition of Delivery Hero, influencing the strategic options available to the company - impacts technology, transport and food delivery sectors.
  • Several investors are pushing for a price above EUR 40 per share while the board evaluates either a full sale or segmented disposals of the Middle East and South Korea units - this affects equity markets and M&A activity.
  • Uber has become Delivery Hero's largest shareholder with a 19.5% stake after increasing its holding, and Delivery Hero's CEO has announced he will resign amid shareholder pressure - corporate governance and ownership structure are in flux.

Companies in ride-hailing and food delivery have taken a closer look at Delivery Hero as investors explore strategic options for the food delivery group. Sources familiar with the situation told the Financial Times that both Uber and DoorDash have held talks with Delivery Hero investors regarding a possible buyout.

The conversations come after a separate Bloomberg report that said Uber had been considering a full takeover of Delivery Hero. According to people cited by the FT, several investors are pressing for a price above EUR 40 per share as they weigh potential exit routes.

Delivery Hero's board is reported to be deliberating between a single comprehensive sale and a strategy that would separate some regional units through multiple transactions. One option under consideration is carving out the group's Middle East operations as well as its South Korea business.

DoorDash's interest, as described in the report, is concentrated on Delivery Hero's Middle East assets, specifically the operations that include Talabat and HungerStation. The report indicated DoorDash sees strategic value in those regional brands.

Uber's position in the company has notably strengthened. Last week the company confirmed it is now Delivery Hero's largest shareholder after more than doubling its previous holding. Delivery Hero said Uber's stake stands at 19.5% of issued capital, up from roughly 7%.

Internal governance shifts have also been signaled. Delivery Hero's CEO, Niklas Oestberg, announced he would resign following demands from several large shareholders for a clearer strategic direction for the company.

Market reaction has been pronounced. Shares of Delivery Hero have climbed by nearly 110% in Frankfurt trading over the past six months, a run that places the firm's market valuation at about EUR 10.2 billion.


Additional context provided in original reporting:

A promotional segment in the original report posed the question of whether an investment of USD 2,000 in the ticker DHER would be advisable. It referenced an AI-driven stock selection product called ProPicks AI, which the piece described as evaluating thousands of companies each month using more than 100 financial metrics. The segment stated that the AI looks beyond popularity to assess fundamentals, momentum, and valuation, and cited past wins including Super Micro Computer with a +185% move and AppLovin with a +157% move. The segment invited readers to see if DHER is featured in any ProPicks AI strategies or whether there are alternative opportunities in the same sector.


Summary of the factual developments

  • Uber and DoorDash have held talks with Delivery Hero investors about a potential buyout, according to the Financial Times.
  • Investors cited in the report are seeking a price in excess of EUR 40 per share.
  • Delivery Hero's board is considering either a full sale or separate deals to spin off its Middle East and South Korea businesses.
  • DoorDash is primarily interested in the Middle East business, including Talabat and HungerStation.
  • Uber has increased its stake to 19.5% of issued capital, making it the largest shareholder, up from about 7%.
  • CEO Niklas Oestberg has said he will resign after calls from several large shareholders for a strategic view.
  • Delivery Hero shares have climbed nearly 110% in Frankfurt over the past six months, valuing the company at roughly EUR 10.2 billion.

Risks

  • Uncertain transaction outcome - Delivery Hero's board is weighing a full sale versus multiple spin-offs, and outcomes are not decided, creating strategic uncertainty for shareholders and the broader food delivery sector.
  • Price expectation gap - multiple investors are seeking more than EUR 40 per share, which may complicate negotiations or deter bidders, introducing valuation and deal-completion risk for potential acquirers and the stock market.
  • Management transition - the announced resignation of CEO Niklas Oestberg following calls for strategic clarity from large shareholders adds leadership uncertainty that could affect operational execution in Delivery Hero's markets, with knock-on effects for logistics and regional operations.

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