Maplebear (NASDAQ:CART) Shares Gap Up After Analyst Upgrade

Maplebear Inc. (NASDAQ:CART)’s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Friday after Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a buy rating. The stock had previously closed at $33.24, but opened at $38.00. Maplebear shares last traded at $38.8040, with a volume of 5,101,771 shares traded.

CART has been the topic of a number of other reports. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Maplebear from $45.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Maplebear from $65.00 to $55.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Maplebear from $41.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Argus began coverage on Maplebear in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. They set a “buy” rating and a $52.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Maplebear in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $51.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at Maplebear

In other news, General Counsel Morgan Fong sold 4,914 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.21, for a total transaction of $222,161.94. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel owned 404,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,307,337.40. This trade represents a 1.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 26.00% of the company’s stock.

Maplebear News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Maplebear this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company outlook and volume trends lifted investor sentiment — management flagged continued GTV and engagement momentum and issued upbeat guidance that helped ease competition concerns, a major reason for the bullish move. Instacart shares soar as upbeat forecast tempers competition fears
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Needham raised its price target to $55 and maintained a Buy, signaling upside for investors who focus on Street revisions. Needham raises price target to $55
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually large call‑option flow — traders bought ~27,162 calls (≈247% above average), indicating bullish speculation or hedging that can amplify intraday upside and liquidity.
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue growth was solid (revenue ~ $992M, +12% YoY and roughly in line/above estimates) even as profits and EPS showed pressure; mixed fundamental signal that could support longer‑term recovery if margins stabilize. Maplebear Q4 earnings report
• Negative Sentiment: EPS and profitability disappointed: GAAP EPS and net income declined year‑over‑year (EPS missed consensus), highlighting margin pressure despite higher revenue — a near‑term headwind for valuation. Quiver: Stock Rises on Q4 2025 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its price target (to $43) and moved to an equal‑weight stance, reducing near‑term Street support and contributing to volatility. Wells Fargo lowers price target to $43
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrade(s) pushed the stock to a new 12‑month low in some sessions and insider selling activity noted by data providers may add to negative sentiment for cautious investors. Maplebear Hits New 12-Month Low After Analyst Downgrade

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Maplebear

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Maplebear by 35.7% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 928 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares during the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Maplebear by 2.1% during the second quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,509 shares of the company’s stock worth $566,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Maplebear by 9.6% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,978 shares of the company’s stock valued at $134,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Maplebear by 2.5% during the second quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 11,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $498,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Maplebear by 5.0% in the third quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 6,423 shares of the company’s stock valued at $236,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.09% of the company’s stock.

Maplebear Stock Performance

The firm’s 50-day moving average is $41.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $41.85. The stock has a market cap of $9.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.83, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.00.

About Maplebear

Maplebear, Inc, doing business as Instacart, operates a leading online grocery and essentials marketplace that connects consumers, retail partners and personal shoppers through its digital platform. The company enables customers to order groceries, household items and specialty products for same-day or scheduled delivery, as well as in-store pickup. By integrating its technology with retailers’ existing inventory and point-of-sale systems, Maplebear streamlines the shopping experience and provides real-time availability and pricing.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, Maplebear has grown from a regional startup to a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ under the ticker CART.