JMP maintains Instacart stock $55 target, cites growth potential

Published 11/04/2025, 10:34
JMP maintains Instacart stock $55 target, cites growth potential

On Friday, JMP Securities analysts, led by Andrew Boone, maintained a Market Outperform rating for Instacart shares (NASDAQ:CART), with a steady price target of $55.00, well above the current trading price of $38.60. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets range from $39 to $60, reflecting varied outlooks on the stock. The analysts highlighted the competitive environment Instacart faces, particularly from vertically integrated e-commerce merchants such as Walmart (NYSE:WMT). Despite this, they emphasized the vast size of the U.S. grocery market, valued at over $700 billion, which they believe can support multiple players.

The JMP team pointed out the strategic advantage for mid-tier grocers partnering with Instacart to compete against larger merchants. They noted Instacart's potential to expand its revenue and improve margins by selling more software-based tools to grocers. The company already demonstrates strong operational efficiency with an impressive 75.25% gross profit margin and healthy financials, as evidenced by its 3.38 current ratio. According to the analysts, this aspect of Instacart's business model is currently underappreciated by the market.

Instacart's current valuation was also mentioned, with the company trading at approximately 7.8 times its projected 2026 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). JMP analysts suggest that this valuation does not fully reflect Instacart's growth prospects.

The analysts concluded by reiterating their confidence in Instacart's ability to grow and maintain its position in the market. They believe that the company's strategy of providing software solutions to grocers will be a key driver of its future success. The $55 price target remains unchanged, signaling JMP's ongoing optimism about Instacart's stock performance.

In other recent news, Instacart has reported several significant developments. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian revised the company's price target to $45 from $51 while maintaining an Outperform rating, citing concerns about consumer spending and macroeconomic trends. Instacart's 2025 revenue estimate was slightly reduced to $3.66 billion, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase. FBN Securities initiated coverage on Instacart with a Sector Perform rating and a price target of $44, highlighting the company's strong market position and expected revenue growth in 2024.

Instacart also introduced new AI tools aimed at optimizing ad campaigns, including AI-generated landing pages and Universal Campaigns, which have shown positive results in early tests. The company has partnered with Adonis to streamline health plan billing, enhancing access to nutritious food through Instacart Health's nutrition programs. In a separate initiative, Instacart launched the Smart Shop feature using AI to personalize grocery shopping, alongside Health Tags and Inspiration Pages to provide detailed nutritional information and expert-backed health recommendations.

These developments reflect Instacart's ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its services in the competitive online grocery market.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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