Key Takeaways
- Uber is seeking potential acquirers for Delivery Hero’s operations across Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
- These preliminary asset sale talks are part of a strategy to obtain regulatory clearance for a complete Delivery Hero acquisition.
- The ride-hailing company has accumulated roughly 36.8% ownership in Delivery Hero through various holdings and financial instruments.
- Completing a full buyout would require antitrust approval from regulators in numerous countries.
- The strategic outreach aims to preemptively resolve competition concerns before submitting a formal acquisition proposal.
Uber Technologies is laying the groundwork for a complete acquisition of Delivery Hero by exploring the sale of overlapping business units to third parties.
Bloomberg reported, based on information from sources with knowledge of the situation, that Uber has initiated contact with prospective purchasers for select Delivery Hero regional divisions. The focus is on markets where both companies maintain competitive operations — particularly throughout Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
UBER stock declined 1.56% during trading. Delivery Hero (DHER) shares rose 0.29%.
This strategic maneuvering indicates Uber’s commitment to transforming its substantial equity position into complete control. The transportation and delivery platform has increased its stake in Delivery Hero to approximately 36.8%, when accounting for both direct shares and derivative instruments, through recent acquisitions.
Navigating Antitrust Challenges
Securing a complete takeover of Delivery Hero would necessitate regulatory approval from competition authorities across numerous territories. For a transaction spanning three continents, this represents a substantial challenge.
By proactively identifying potential buyers for regional operations where the companies compete, Uber seems to be anticipating regulatory resistance. This approach follows a well-established pattern — divest problematic assets before competition authorities demand it.
These conversations remain in early phases. No binding agreements regarding Delivery Hero’s regional businesses have been finalized or publicly disclosed.
Delivery Hero ranks among the world’s largest food delivery platforms operating beyond U.S. borders, maintaining operations through various brand names throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Assets Under Consideration
The divestiture discussions encompass territories where Uber Eats and Delivery Hero subsidiaries both maintain a presence. Transferring these operations to independent buyers would eliminate competitive conflicts, a primary consideration for regulators assessing merger proposals.
Specific markets, brand names, or prospective purchasers have not been disclosed. Bloomberg’s sources maintained confidentiality regarding the identities of interested parties.
Uber’s systematic accumulation of Delivery Hero shares attracted industry attention throughout this year. Controlling 36.8% positions Uber strategically for a complete acquisition attempt — contingent upon satisfying regulatory prerequisites.
The company’s outreach efforts indicate active preparation of that regulatory foundation.
Delivery Hero maintains a presence in numerous countries through regional brands such as foodpanda throughout Asia and Talabat in Middle Eastern markets, though Bloomberg’s reporting highlighted Latin America, Asia, and Europe as the primary regions where Uber is conducting buyer outreach.
Neither Uber nor Delivery Hero has issued official statements addressing Bloomberg’s reporting as of this publication.
