Core Insights - Instacart, officially known as Maplebear Inc., is a leading technology-driven grocery delivery and e-commerce company connecting millions of customers to over 1,800 retail banners across nearly 100,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada [1] - The company went public in September 2023 [2] Financial Performance - Instacart reported Q3 2025 earnings with revenue of $939 million, surpassing consensus estimates of $934 million, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.51, exceeding the forecast of $0.49 [4] - The company experienced a 10% year-over-year increase in gross transaction value, driven by a 9% rise in total orders, and improved gross margins to approximately 31.5% [5] - Free cash flow was $56 million, with cash and cash equivalents at $2.15 billion, indicating strong liquidity for investments and expansion [6] - Advertising revenue now accounts for about 30% of net income, highlighting its growing contribution to profitability [6] Stock Performance - Following strong Q3 results, Instacart's stock (CART) posted a five-day gain of 9.7%, but remains nearly flat for the month at 4.3%, with a six-month decline of 8.4% and a 52-week return of -17.3%, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite which gained over 21% [3] Future Outlook - Instacart issued cautious guidance due to intensifying competition and changing consumer preferences, focusing on increasing order frequency, enhancing AI-powered personalization, and expanding partnerships with retailers and brands [7] - The company plans to maintain expense discipline while navigating a challenging macroeconomic environment to sustain growth momentum [7]