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DoorDash Nears $17 Billion Deal to Buy Instacart

Would this be a patient bargain that unites takeout and grocery delivery or a costly distraction that torches earnings growth?

3 hours ago·Updated 49 minutes ago

DoorDash Nears $17 Billion Deal to Buy Instacart

Story

Above: A DoorDash bag in New York, U.S., on Oct. 27. Image credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

DoorDash is in advanced talks to acquire grocery delivery rival Instacart in a deal that could value the company at about $17 billion, according to multiple reports on Monday.
The Wall Street Journal
Reuters
Newser
People familiar with the matter told outlets such as Reuters and The Wall Street Journal that an agreement could be reached as early as this week, possibly Wednesday. Nevertheless, they added that there is no guarantee it will be finalized.
The Wall Street Journal
Reuters
The development follows a report by The Information last week that Instacart was exploring a sale with both DoorDash and Uber. Bloomberg, however, later reported that the ride-hailing company walked away from the discussions.
The Information
Bloomberg
After the news broke, Instacart shares climbed about 8% on Monday, while DoorDash stock fell roughly 6%. Instacart, which listed publicly in 2023, had a market value near $13 billion, while DoorDash, public since 2020, is worth about $73 billion.
Los Angeles Times
Fox Business
Quartz
Per The Information, Instacart previously worked with an investment bank to weigh its options and explored a sale with DoorDash in 2021, when it was privately valued at $39 billion. Those earlier talks with DoorDash collapsed partly over antitrust concerns.
The Information
Reuters
The acquisition would be DoorDash's first major corporate takeover since it completed its purchase of the British food-delivery company Deliveroo in October 2025, in a deal that valued the firm at approximately £2.9 billion ($3.8 billion).
Doordash
US Securities and Exchange Commission

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

If the agreement is finalized, this deal is a bargain for DoorDash. After waiting patiently for the right opportunity, the company is primed to acquire its desired asset for a fraction of the original price. In addition, combining takeout and grocery delivery services makes economic and business sense, bringing them under one roof to DoorDash's advantage.

Seeking Alpha

Aakash Gupta on X

Narrative B

Launching a mega-merger amid a costly tech overhaul torches the clean year of earnings growth shareholders were counting on. A thin cash pile will ultimately mean stock dilution and months stuck in limbo while antitrust scrutiny drags on. Grocery delivery was already growing organically; paying this overinflated premium now looks like a distraction.