Opinion: Lyft’s gargantuan earnings error proves Wall Street should cut the jargon

Lyft’s record fourth quarter and rosy outlook Tuesday were marred by what turned out to be a gargantuan error in the company’s press release — one that likely could have been avoided if the company had avoided dreaded Wall Street jargon.

Initially, Lyft LYFT put out a target calling for 500 basis points (5%) of growth in its margin of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization (Ebitda). Lyft reported a 1.6% margin on the metric in 2023, so 500 basis points of expected growth would suggest a 6.6%…