Uber Technologies Inc on Tuesday reported positive quarterly cash flow for the first time ever and forecast third-quarter operating profit above estimates, betting on steady demand for its ride-hailing and food-delivery services.

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Uber shares, which have lost more than 40 percent this year, surged 15 percent to USD 28.41 in premarket trading and helped drive an 8 percent gain in rival Lyft Inc’s shares.

Uber generated free cash flow of USD 382 million in the second quarter, topping analysts’ expectations of USD 263.2 million, as trips exceeded pre-pandemic levels, boosted by the reopening of offices and a surge in travel demand.

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The number of drivers and delivery agents on its platform rose 31 percent to an all-time high of almost 5 million, allaying concerns that soaring gas prices was deterring them from signing up with the company.

"That’s right: more people are earning on Uber today than before the pandemic," Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said.

Growth at its delivery business was slowing but Uber expected ordering in to become the standard for consumers as it continues to add new partners.

The delivery segment’s revenue rose 37 percent to USD 2.69 billion, while that of ride-share business surged 120 percent to USD 3.55 billion in the quarter ended June 30.

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Analysts were expecting revenue of USD 2.58 billion for delivery and USD 2.93 billion for ride share.

Gross bookings, or the total value of bookings made on its platform, rose 33 percent to USD 29.1 billion.

Adjusted EBITDA was USD 364 million, surpassing estimates of USD 257.89 million.

It now expects adjusted EBITDA of between USD 440 million and USD 470 million for the third quarter, well above analysts’ forecast of USD 383.95 million, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

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