Instacart stock: DoorDash reported in advanced talks to buy it

What was reported. On 26 October Reuters relayed a Wall Street Journal report. It says DoorDash (DASH) is in advanced talks to acquire grocery-delivery platform Instacart (CART) and a deal could be completed as soon as this week. The WSJ cites people familiar with the matter. It also says DoorDash's talks with Uber are no longer active. We could not open the WSJ article itself, which is behind a paywall, so we rely on Reuters' account of it.

What came before. On 23 October Reuters, citing The Information, reported that Instacart was exploring a possible sale and had held preliminary discussions with potential buyers including Uber and DoorDash. The Information said there was no guarantee of a deal. That day Instacart shares closed about 9% higher. The company's market value was about $12 billion at Thursday's close. Uber shares closed down around 3% and DoorDash 4% lower.

What the companies say. Instacart declined to comment when Reuters contacted it. Uber and DoorDash did not immediately respond. In the pages we opened, no side announces a deal. Instacart is legally known as Maplebear Inc.

The numbers floated. The Information, as relayed by Reuters, said a typical takeover premium of 30% to 40% would value Instacart at roughly $16 billion to $17 billion, based on recent public technology deals. That is the outlet's own estimate, not a buyer's offer. We know nothing about a price in the WSJ version.

Context. Reuters notes that either deal, with Uber or DoorDash, could draw antitrust scrutiny, since it would bulk up two of the biggest food-delivery platforms in the US. In July Uber struck a nearly $15 billion deal to buy Germany's Delivery Hero. In 2021 DoorDash held talks to buy Instacart, and The Information reported that concerns about the Biden administration's antitrust approval derailed them.

Analyst view. Emarketer analyst Zak Stambor said Instacart risks being squeezed between retailers building their own digital channels and larger platforms that bundle grocery with other services. In his view a deal could give it resources and reach. He also called the latest deal plausible because the Trump administration has shown "greater willingness" to approve deals, though it could come at the cost of selling off parts of the business. That is one analyst's opinion, not a fact.

Hechos confirmados

• Reuters on 26 October relayed a WSJ report that DoorDash is in advanced talks to acquire Instacart and a deal could be completed as soon as this week. The WSJ cites people familiar with the matter.^[1]
• In the same WSJ report as relayed, DoorDash's deal talks with Uber are no longer active.^[1]
• On 23 October Reuters, citing The Information, reported that Instacart is exploring a possible sale and has held preliminary discussions with potential buyers including Uber and DoorDash.^[2]
• Discussions were ongoing with no guarantee of a deal, the report said.^[2]
• Instacart declined to comment to Reuters. Uber and DoorDash did not immediately respond.^[2]
• Instacart shares closed about 9% higher on 23 October. The company's market value was about $12 billion as of Thursday's close.^[2]
• The Information said a takeover premium of 30% to 40% would value Instacart at roughly $16 billion to $17 billion, based on recent public technology deals.^[2]
• Reuters says either deal could draw antitrust scrutiny. In July Uber struck a nearly $15 billion deal to buy Delivery Hero.^[2]
• In 2021 DoorDash held talks to acquire Instacart (legally Maplebear) at a valuation of $40 billion to $50 billion; The Information reported that concerns about Biden administration antitrust approval derailed them.^[2]

Implicaciones

• ConfirmadoThe companies have not publicly announced a deal: none of the pages we opened says so.
• Nuestra lecturaA purchase may draw antitrust attention (Reuters' assessment).
• Nuestra lecturaWhat a deal would change for shoppers, couriers and partner stores is not yet known.

Todavía no se sabe

• Price and terms in the WSJ version.
• Whether a deal happens at all: these are reports citing sources.
• How regulators react and whether there is a review.
• Timing: the WSJ says a deal could be completed as soon as this week, but there is no confirmation.

A quién afecta

US, Global. People who follow tech and delivery deals, and users of Instacart, DoorDash and Uber

Fuentes

1. Reuters: DoorDash in talks to buy Instacart, WSJ reports 26 de octubre de 2026 · medios
2. Reuters: Instacart in talks with DoorDash and Uber for sale, The Information reports 23 de octubre de 2026 · medios