
The merger of the two largest US grocery delivery services faces potential antitrust scrutiny.
AI-generated summary
DoorDash has been expanding its delivery services beyond restaurant takeout, including testing drone delivery. Instacart had been exploring sale options prior to this agreement.
DoorDash has struck a deal to acquire rival Instacart in a deal valued at $17 billion. The purchase will combine the two biggest grocery delivery services in the US, assuming it isn't stymied by antitrust scrutiny.
DoorDash gained popularity as a restaurant and takeout option, but it does also offer other shopping services, including grocery delivery. The integration of Instacart's network could help further bolster those features. The Instacart acquisition isn't DoorDash's only recent expansion. Earlier this year, the company began testing a drone delivery program.
Multiple advanced reports, including from The Information and The Wall Street Journal, had recently suggested that Instacart was exploring options for a sale. In addition to DoorDash, at some point Uber was also reportedly a potential buyer.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Antitrust review of the acquisition
Very likely · Within months

Alphabet shares fell 13% after reporting negative free cash flow and missing search ad revenue targets. Microsoft shares remained flat as investors evaluated capital expenditures and AI investment returns in the latest quarterly earnings reports.

Non-tech firms, particularly in healthcare and banking, are offering higher salaries for software engineers than tech companies. This shift follows a wave of layoffs in the tech sector and an increased corporate focus on integrating AI technologies.

Alphabet shares fell 11% in premarket trading after reporting negative free cash flow, while Microsoft shares rose 4% as capital expenditures stayed below analyst projections. Investors are scrutinizing AI spending and returns for both tech giants.

ECB President Christine Lagarde announced she will resign on February 7, 2025, nearly nine months before her term ends. Her departure initiates a search for a successor as the Eurozone faces economic uncertainty and a mounting sovereign debt crisis in France.

Poundland owner Gordon Brothers has filed a notice to appoint administrators, putting up to 12,000 jobs and 600 stores across the UK and Ireland at risk after rejecting a management-backed rescue bid.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde announced she will step down prematurely on February 7, 2027, prompting the launch of a succession process.