New York, Feb 19, 2026, 05:05 EST — Premarket
- DoorDash stock climbed roughly 7% in premarket trading, as the company projected a first-quarter order value that topped expectations.
- DoorDash flagged weaker profits ahead, citing increased outlays for an overhaul of its global tech platform.
- Traders are eyeing growth in grocery, retail, and international segments to see if those gains will be enough to balance out rising costs.
DoorDash jumped roughly 7% before the bell Thursday, extending gains from a post-market rally tied to upbeat guidance on order value. Shares recently changed hands at $173.38, up $11.46 from their prior $161.92 close.
Why does this matter? DoorDash is still hustling to show it can expand beyond restaurant delivery, and do it without costs spiraling. Consumer demand for convenience is holding up. But whenever platform companies see margins slip, investors don’t hesitate to react.
DoorDash is bracing for a year marked by hefty investment. Executives pointed to plans for “several hundred million dollars” in spending in 2026, targeting a unified tech platform to bring DoorDash, Wolt and Deliveroo together. That overhaul could put a dent in profits, even if demand stays strong.
DoorDash is projecting first-quarter marketplace gross order value between $31.0 billion and $31.8 billion, topping the $29.61 billion analysts had expected, according to LSEG data. But its adjusted EBITDA outlook for the same period landed at $675 million to $775 million, trailing behind the $798.22 million consensus. “DoorDash’s ability to continue drawing in new customers and encourage existing customers to order more frequently shows that the platform’s convenience proposition is resonating strongly with consumers,” said Rachel Wolff, analyst at eMarketer. (Reuters)
Total orders jumped 32% to 903 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, while marketplace GOV hit roughly $29.7 billion, up 39%. Revenue came in at $4.0 billion, a 38% increase, and net income rose to $213 million. (DoorDash)
Optimism around order values offered some relief, tempering jitters after profit guidance landed on the softer side. The company cited increased spending on overhauling the platform and developing new products as the culprits.
Peers aren’t leaving the spotlight. Uber has shown momentum in delivery bookings lately. Instacart and Uber Eats are both relying on partnerships and promotions to hold their ground—a scrap that could easily spiral into a price war.
Here’s one concern: DoorDash’s spending spree could outlast what investors have penciled in—or may not deliver the efficiency gains executives have touted. There’s also the risk that demand falters if households tighten up on non-essential purchases, which could push the company to ramp up incentives just to maintain order volume.
Traders are set to see if those premarket gains stick when the bell rings, and any shift in the tone around 2026 investment intensity will be in focus. Investors want clarity on how quickly DoorDash can improve unit economics in grocery and retail as it pushes further outside the restaurant space.
