Grab says AI speeds product shipping as it raises 2026 outlook
Grab reported $997 million in second-quarter revenue, lifted its 2026 targets and said AI is accelerating product releases.
By Dev Ramirez · Crypto Correspondent
· 3 min read
Grab AI product shipping is now central to the company’s earnings message after the Southeast Asian ride-hailing and delivery company reported higher second-quarter revenue and raised its 2026 outlook. For investors, the key distinction is that Grab disclosed stronger operating metrics, while its claim that AI has tripled product-release speed came from CFO Peter Oey and was not accompanied by a methodology or AI-specific savings figure in the reporting available.
Grab said revenue for the quarter ended June 30 rose 22% from a year earlier to $997 million. Operating profit reached $19 million, while adjusted EBITDA totaled $168 million, up 54% year over year. On-demand gross merchandise value, the value of transactions across its ride-hailing and delivery platform, increased 21% to $6.5 billion, according to the company’s August 4 release.
The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $4.10 billion to $4.15 billion, from a prior range of $4.04 billion to $4.10 billion. Its adjusted EBITDA forecast rose to $720 million to $740 million from $700 million to $720 million.
How is Grab using AI to ship products faster?
Oey told CNBC that AI is built into Grab’s products and internal work processes, and that it has enabled the company to ship products three times faster. He said the faster pace has contributed to improved margins and a more efficient cost structure.
That is a company executive’s assessment rather than an independently detailed performance measure. The available reporting does not set out which products were included, the comparison period used to calculate the threefold improvement, or an amount of margin improvement and cost savings tied specifically to AI.
Grab’s use of the technology predates this quarter. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that the company was experimenting with generative AI in some product flows, though Oey did not then provide AI-linked savings. Grab has also said it uses AI and machine learning in areas including mapping and language translation.
What drove Grab’s higher forecast?
Grab said its revised forecast reflects the strength of its underlying business, as well as the consolidation of Superbank and the acquisition of Stash. Reuters reported that the company also cited demand for its ride-hailing and delivery services, helped by promotional offers and platform expansion efforts. LSEG-compiled analyst estimates averaged $4.12 billion in annual revenue, Reuters said, within Grab’s new range.
The headline profit figure needs context. Grab reported profit for the period of $235 million, compared with $20 million a year earlier. The company said that increase included a one-time $307 million gain from consolidating Superbank, alongside other non-operating changes. That makes operating profit and adjusted EBITDA useful additional reference points for reading the quarter.
Grab also said its board authorized an additional $750 million in share repurchases, bringing its cumulative authorization since 2024 to $1.75 billion. An authorization gives a company permission to repurchase shares, rather than requiring it to spend the entire amount, as explained in how stock buybacks work.
Separately, Oey told CNBC that Grab was working closely with regulators on its proposed acquisition of Delivery Hero’s foodpanda business in Taiwan. The deal had not closed, and Grab hoped to complete it in the second half of the year, he said.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.
