Instacart forecasts key quarterly metrics above estimates as demand strengthens

Instacart forecast third-quarter gross transaction value and core profit above analysts' estimates on Thursday, as consumers increasingly embrace the convenience of online grocery deliveries and pursue deals in a tough spending environment, sending its shares up about 10% in extended trading.

Faced with sticky inflation and broader macroeconomic uncertainties, shoppers are opting for cheaper alternatives to everyday essentials while gravitating toward rapid-delivery services, drawn by the ease, speed and value they offer.

Last year, Instacart, which focuses on affordability, lowered the minimum order value for its Instacart+ loyalty program to $10, seeking to capture smaller grocery baskets as rivals pushed aggressively into low-ticket orders.

"We're attracting and engaging more customers across our marketplace and enterprise platform, which creates more value for retailers, brands and shoppers," CEO Chris Rogers said.

The advertising business of Instacart, formally known as Maplebear, grew 16% to $297 million during the second quarter.

It expects third-quarter GTV, a key metric that shows the value of products sold based on prices shown on Instacart, to be between $10.30 billion and $10.55 billion, above analysts' average estimate of $10.21 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company also expects adjusted core profit in the range of $320 million to $340 million, versus the estimate of $318.8 million.

Peer DoorDash also forecast upbeat third-quarter gross order value and core profit on Wednesday as delivery demand holds firm.

Instacart posted second-quarter GTV of $10.35 billion, compared with the estimate of $10.20 billion.

Its adjusted core profit of $313 million also surpassed analysts' expectations of $298 million.