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My funding technique inside my Shares and Shares ISA is especially centred on capturing a number of the main structural tendencies shaping the worldwide financial system. One large shift I’m bullish on over the subsequent 20 years is the rise of autonomous automobiles and robotaxis.
At the moment, most individuals within the UK nonetheless assume the concept of vehicles driving themselves sounds extra like sci-fi than actuality. However this expertise is already well-established in a handful of huge US cities, the place greater than 10m robotaxi rides have now taken place.
Earlier this week, it was introduced that Waymo can be bringing its totally autonomous taxi service to London’s roads in 2026. In keeping with the agency’s knowledge, human drivers are 12 occasions extra prone to be concerned in injury-causing accidents with pedestrians than its personal robotaxis (which don’t get distracted by telephones, passengers, tiredness, and so on).
Listed here are two S&P 500 shares that provide an opportunity to take a position on this house. I feel each are value contemplating.
Alphabet
Waymo is a part of Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), the tech conglomerate that additionally owns Google and YouTube. Due to this fact, traders would solely be getting oblique publicity right here as a result of Waymo right this moment continues to be solely a small a part of the general holding firm.
Nevertheless, it’s a rising half, as a result of Waymo has now pushed over 100m totally autonomous miles on public roads in 5 US cities (Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta). It’s increasing to Washington and Miami in 2026.
As such, Waymo already calls itself the “world’s most skilled driver“. And it’s nonetheless very early days.
Now, as a result of Waymo will not be a standalone public firm, its figures aren’t reported independently. They’re bundled into Alphabet’s ‘Different Bets’ phase. In Q2, this generated $373m in income, up barely 12 months on 12 months, however the working loss was a hefty $1.25bn.
Protected to say, Waymo is burning by a variety of money and isn’t going to be worthwhile for a few years. However Alphabet generates mountains of money, despite the fact that Google search is going through potential challenges from the rise of ChatGPT.
Rising AV platform
The following inventory is Uber (NYSE:UBER). At first look, the rise of AVs may appear a direct risk. In any case, if customers can simply e book a robotaxi from Waymo, Uber’s platform might slowly change into much less related.
Nevertheless, the corporate has partnered with over a dozen AV companies, together with Wayve within the UK, WeRide, Momenta and Baidu’s Apollo Go in Asia, and Might Mobility, Lucid, and Nuro within the US. Waymos are additionally booked by Uber in Atlanta and Austin.
The goal seems to be to make AVs nearly commoditised, whereas maintaining its platform because the place the place folks go to e book taxis (robo or in any other case). If driverless taxis show cheaper, this might ultimately drive extra bookings/exercise on Uber’s app.
The elephant within the room right here — for each Waymo and Uber — is Tesla. It’s piloting a distinct AI-based self-driving expertise, which if profitable may very well be way more scalable. Tesla’s robotaxis might outcompete Waymo on pricing, whereas ignoring Uber as a associate altogether.
The explanation I haven’t included Tesla on this two-stock choice is because of valuation. Proper now, the shares are buying and selling at a sky-high 172 occasions ahead earnings.
For Uber and Alphabet, this determine is within the mid-20s, thereby providing progress at a way more cheap value.
