Uber Technologies Inc laid out a $5 billion operating profit for 2024 that fell short of analyst estimates, sending its shares down 4 percent on Thursday, even as the ride-hailing company revealed several strategies to boost ridership and bring down costs. The forecast is below the $5.7 billion analysts expect for 2024, according to Refinitiv data. The stock reversed course after being up as much as 5 percent earlier in the day. Speaking at the company’s first investor day, Chief Financial Officer Nelson Chai said Uber will report around $5 billion in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, a measure that excludes one-time costs, primarily stock-based compensation. “We think it’s a worthwhile target. Could there be upside? Absolutely, but let’s work on that target for now,” Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said. The company expects to also report gross bookings of between $165 billion and $175 billion …