Grab boosts sales, earnings forecasts on rising ride demand

Grab Holdings has raised its 2026 revenue and profit forecasts after delivering strong financial results in the latest quarter. The company expects sales to increase between US$4.15 billion (S$5.31 billion) to US$4.2 billion, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation reaching up to US$800 million.

This revised guidance follows a beat on earnings estimates in August, which had projected sales of up to US$4.15 billion and earnings of as much as US$740 million. In September, Grab added about 3 million monthly users, bringing its total to 57 million, indicating its ability to compete with rivals such as GoTo Group. The surge in demand for ride-hailing and food-delivery services across Southeast Asia, driven by increased internet usage, has bolstered Grab's outlook.

However, rising fuel prices have put upward pressure on operating costs, while regulators are introducing new rules, including a reduction in maximum commissions for scooter rides in Indonesia and potential restrictions on food delivery. Competition is intense, with players like GoTo, Green & Smart Mobility, Uber Technologies, and Waymo vying for market share.

Uber's acquisition of Delivery Hero could further intensify competition, while Waymo plans to launch robotaxis in Singapore in 2028. Despite these challenges, Grab has bolstered its position through strategic acquisitions, including a US$1.49 billion deal to acquire a majority stake in buy-now-pay-later platform Atome Financial.

The company's earnings have shown resilience, with adjusted EBITDA rising 74% to US$237 million in the latest quarter, surpassing analysts' average estimate of US$194.2 million.