Wedbush Analysts Issue Bearish Outlook on Instacart Ahead of Earnings
Maplebear Inc. (CART) saw a significant decline of 6.42% as it crossed below its 5-day SMA, reflecting investor concerns ahead of its upcoming earnings report.
Wedbush analysts have expressed a bearish outlook on Instacart, assigning an Underperform rating due to increasing competition from omnichannel retailers like Amazon and Walmart. They highlighted that the mobility, delivery, and grocery sectors are facing softening demand, which could impact profitability and investor confidence. This caution comes as Instacart prepares to report its Q4 and full year 2025 financial results on February 12, 2026, raising concerns about potential earnings that may fall below expectations.
The implications of this bearish sentiment could lead to further volatility in Instacart's stock price as investors reassess their positions ahead of the earnings announcement. The competitive landscape and market conditions will be critical factors to watch in the coming weeks.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on CART
About CART
About the author


- Earnings Growth: DoorDash's earnings are projected to increase in the near future.
- Wall Street Focus: Investors are particularly interested in the company's guidance and the effectiveness of its platform investments.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Wall Street anticipates DoorDash will report quarterly revenue of $3.99 billion, reflecting a substantial 39% year-over-year increase, indicating significant future growth potential supported by a healthy consumer base.
- Optimistic Analyst Ratings: According to Koyfin, 34 out of 44 analysts have rated DoorDash as ‘Buy’ or higher, demonstrating strong market confidence in its future performance, with an average price target of $272.07, implying a 68% upside potential.
- Advertising Revenue Driver: Both DoorDash and Instacart are positioning advertising as a key growth driver, as more consumer brands turn to these platforms for targeted marketing, which is expected to further enhance DoorDash's market share and revenue growth.
- Retail Sentiment Shift: Data from Stocktwits shows that retail sentiment on DoorDash has shifted from ‘neutral’ to ‘bullish’ over the past three months, indicating a significant increase in investor confidence regarding the company's future performance, despite a nearly 24% decline in stock price over the past year.

- Activist Investor Involvement: Starboard Value, an activist investor, is advocating for significant changes to Tripadvisor's board of directors.
- Potential Impact: The proposed overhaul could lead to a major shift in the company's governance and strategic direction.
- Acquisition Agreement: Tri Pointe has entered into a definitive agreement with Sumitomo Forestry, which will acquire the company for $47.00 per share in cash, valuing the transaction at approximately $4.5 billion, indicating a rebound in market confidence in the real estate sector.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the acquisition announcement, Tri Pointe's stock surged by 26%, reflecting positive investor sentiment towards the deal and optimism regarding a recovery in the real estate market.
- Delivery Outlook: Tri Pointe expects to deliver between 1,200 and 1,400 homes in Q4, demonstrating stable delivery capabilities in the current market environment, which enhances its attractiveness to investors.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: RBC Capital lowered Tri Pointe's price target from $37 to $31, yet Citizens initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, indicating divergent views on the company's future performance in the market.
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 index rose by 0.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.18% on Friday, indicating a recovery after early losses, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future economic prospects.
- Inflation Data Impact: The U.S. January Consumer Price Index rose by 2.4% year-over-year, below the expected 2.5%, marking the smallest increase in seven months, which may prompt the Fed to continue cutting rates, thus providing support for the stock market and alleviating concerns over rate hikes.
- Strong Software Stock Performance: Software stocks like Crowdstrike Holdings and ServiceNow rose over 4% and 3%, respectively, lifting the broader market and indicating a rebound in investor confidence in tech stocks, particularly amid rapid advancements in AI technology.
- Metal Stocks Retreat: Reports of the Trump administration's plans to narrow tariffs on steel and aluminum products led to declines in metal companies, with Century Aluminum falling over 7%, reflecting the negative impact of policy changes on the sector.
- Transaction Volume Growth: Instacart's gross transaction volume (GTV) surged 14% year-over-year to $9.9 billion in Q4, driving a 13% increase in transaction revenue to $698 million, indicating robust market demand and customer loyalty for the platform.
- Advertising Revenue Boost: The company's advertising and other revenue rose 10% to $294 million, reflecting a growing number of businesses leveraging its advertising tools to attract customers, thereby enhancing revenue diversification and market competitiveness.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Instacart anticipates GTV growth of 11% to 13% in Q1, reaching approximately $10.2 billion, while adjusted EBITDA is projected to increase by 15% to 19% to around $285 million, showcasing the company's confidence in sustaining profitable growth.
- Strengthened Market Position: With its marketplace now encompassing 2,200 retail brands and nearly 100,000 store locations, and many orders delivered within 30 minutes, Instacart further solidifies its leadership in the rapidly growing food delivery market.









