*By Carlo Versano*
Lyft filed for its initial public offering in a confidential registration [statement](http://pdf.reuters.com/htmlnews/htmlnews.asp?i=43059c3bf0e37541&u=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20181206:nPn2d3W3Ja.) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it announced in a [press release](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lyft-announces-confidential-submission-of-draft-registration-statement-for-proposed-initial-public-offering-300761224.html) Thursday morning.
The ride-hailing company said it has not yet determined the number of shares or price range for the IPO.
The company's statement is the first official step in becoming a public company. Lyft had previously lined up the banks, reportedly JPMorgan and Jeffries, that will do the deal. It now must wait for the SEC to complete its review before it can initiate the offering. The company was most recently valued around $15 billion, and a successful float could raise that number.
The IPO is expected to commence in the first half of 2019. Rival Uber also has an IPO in the works, which is sure to eclipse Lyft's valuation when it is priced. Uber has been speculated to be worth as much as $120 billion.
For Lyft, "there's a lot of advantages to going first" said Maya Kosoff of Vanity Fair.
Lyft is closer to profitability than Uber (though neither is there yet), benefits from better PR, and any regulatory changes that stem from Lyft's rollout could affect Uber's valuation, Kosoff noted.
Lyft, which only operates in North America, has sought to diversify from ride-hailing, and recently acquired Motivate, the country's largest bike-share operator. It is also piloting electric scooters in select markets. Uber has made similar moves, though both companies get the lion's share of their revenues from the commissions generated from the car rides users book on their apps.
Walmart is expanding its HIV treatments, planning to add over 80 specialty facilities across nearly a dozen states by the end of the year.
The Internal Revenue Service said there are about $1.5 billion in unclaimed tax refunds dating back to 2019.
General Motors will allow its electric vehicles to use Tesla charging stations across the country.
The Week's Top Stories is a guided tour through the biggest market stories of the week, from winning stocks to brutal dips to the facts and forecasts generating buzz on Wall Street.
Modelo Especial is now the top-selling beer in the United States, dethroning Bud Light after 22 years. In May, sales of Modelo Especial hit $333 million. That's up 15.6 percent from the same period last year.
Electric vehicles made by General Motors will be able to use much of Tesla's extensive charging network beginning early next year. In addition, GM will adopt Tesla's connector, the plug that links an electric vehicle to a charging station.
The Supreme Court on Thursday gave whiskey maker Jack Daniel's reason to raise a glass, handing the company a new chance to win a trademark dispute with the makers of the Bad Spaniels dog toy.
Cheddar News checks in to see what to look for on The Day Ahead with Chinese EV-maker Nio due to release its report and Jurassic Park is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its release. Meanwhile, 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' debuts on Friday across the country.
Kelly Ann Winget, founder of private equity firm Alternative Wealth Partners and author of 'Pitch the Bitch,' a financial guide for those often left out of the male-dominated investment world, spoke to Cheddar News about her experience as an LGBTQ+ manager in the industry.
With wedding season underway, couples can get overwhelmed with finances and planning. Guests also feel stressed, especially when being invited to several weddings. Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst with Bankrate.com, joined Cheddar News to discuss setting up a budget if attending multiple ceremonies.
