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    GRAB
    Earnings call· Mar 2026(Q1 FY26)

    Grab Holdings Q1 FY26 earnings call GRAB

    May 5, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    Grab Q1 FY26 — Strong Start with AI-Driven Efficiencies and Reaffirmed Guidance

    Grab delivered a strong Q1 FY26, driven by accelerating on-demand GMV growth and significant progress in Financial Services, despite seasonal headwinds. The company's strategic investments in AI are yielding measurable financial outcomes and enhancing marketplace efficiency, while efforts to accelerate EV transition aim to mitigate long-term fuel risks. Management reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expressing confidence in its diversified approach and capital allocation strategy.

    Highlights

    5
    • On-demand GMV growth accelerated to 24% year-on-year, despite seasonal softness.

    • Group MTUs increased to 52 million.

    • Financial Services loan disbursals grew 67% year-on-year to exceed $1 billion for the first time.

    • Achieved 17th consecutive quarter of adjusted EBITDA growth, with trailing 12-month adjusted free cash flow reaching $489 million.

    • Driver partners using AI-powered Turbo saw a 23% uplift in earnings per online hour.

    Concerns

    3
    • Regional corporate costs increased year-on-year to $114 million due to AI infrastructure investments.

    • Fuel price volatility emerged in early March, leading to targeted fuel rebates and elevated driver incentives in Q1.

    • Indonesia's proposed 8% commission cap for 2-wheel ride-hailing partners could impact profitability, though this segment is less than 6% of total mobility GMV.

    Guidance & targets

    5
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Full-year 2026 Group Revenue
    $4.04 billion to $4.10 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Full-year 2026 Group Adjusted EBITDA
    $700 million to $720 million
    high materiality
    High
    Financial Services Adjusted EBITDA Breakeven
    breakeven
    medium materiality
    High
    Financial Services Loan Book
    $2 billion
    medium materiality
    High
    Regional Corporate Costs
    stabilize around Q1 levels
    medium materiality
    High

    Segment performance

    3
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Mobility
    On-demand GMV growth accelerated, with transactions outpacing GMV. Driver partners using AI-powered Turbo saw significant earnings uplift. April demand trends remained resilient.
    GMV growth: 24% year-on-year (on-demand)Transactions growth: 28% year-on-yearWeekly average transaction volumes (April): +32% year-on-yearTotal active driver partners: 4% quarter-on-quarter, 16% year-on-year
    Deliveries
    Deliveries business continues to see strong user engagement. GrabMart is a key growth driver, expanding the top of the funnel and enhancing long-term value relationships with consumers.
    Record high daily transacting users: AprilGrabMart GMV: 10% of deliveries GMVGrabMart growth: 1.7x faster than foodGrabMart MTU growth: 2.6x the rate of food MTU growth year-on-yearGrabMart order frequency: 1.8x higher than food-only users
    Financial Services
    Demonstrated strong operating leverage with accelerated revenue growth and improved credit quality. On track for adjusted EBITDA breakeven in H2 2026.
    Loan disbursals: >$1 billionLoan disbursals growth: 67% year-on-yearRevenue growth (constant currency): 38%ECL as percentage of gross loan portfolio: improved year-on-year
    43%strong EBITDA improvement

    Operational metrics

    21
    On-demand GMV growth
    24%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Accelerated growth despite seasonally softest quarter.

    Group Monthly Transacting Users (MTUs)
    52 million
    Q1 FY26

    Increased group MTUs.

    Driver partners earnings uplift (Turbo)
    23%uplift
    Q1 FY26

    Uplift for driver partners who adopted Turbo.

    Mobility transactions growth
    28%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Outpacing Mobility GMV growth.

    Merchant AI Assistant adoption
    approximately half
    within a year of launch

    Adoption rate of the merchant AI Assistant.

    GMV uplift for engaged users (Mai)
    15%uplift
    Q1 FY26

    Uplift in GMV for merchants using the AI assistant.

    Average advertiser spend growth
    44%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Growth in advertiser spend as merchants see returns.

    Driver partner earnings
    $15 billionup 19% year-on-year
    2025

    Total earnings for partners on the platform in 2025.

    Active merchant partners earnings growth
    12%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Growth in earnings for active merchant partners.

    Driver incentives
    elevated
    Q1 FY26

    Elevated due to Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and fuel crisis. Expected to be a peak in Q1.

    Regional corporate costs
    $114 millionincreased year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Conscious decision to invest in AI infrastructure.

    Share repurchase program
    $400 million
    Q1 FY26

    Advancing buyback mandate, initiated late in Q1.

    Group orders GMV growth
    74%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Strong growth for affordable products like group orders.

    GrabUnlimited share of deliveries GMV
    1/3
    Q1 FY26

    GrabUnlimited continues to account for a significant portion of deliveries GMV.

    EV fleet supply on platform (Thailand)
    30,000
    Q1 FY26

    Total EV fleet supply crossed 30,000 in Thailand.

    Consumer demand for EV option growth
    35%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Strong growth in consumer demand for EV options.

    Financial Services revenue growth
    43%year-on-year
    Q1 FY26

    Accelerated revenue growth in Financial Services.

    Financial Services incremental revenue to bottom line
    more than 1/3
    Q1 FY26

    Demonstrates operating leverage.

    2-wheel mobility GMV (Indonesia)
    less than 6%
    Q1 FY26

    Refers to O2O drivers, the focus of Indonesia's commission cap.

    Driver AI Assistant interactions
    1.25 million
    2 months

    Generated since rollout, with over 50% adoption.

    Deposits
    $1.6 billionremained flat quarter-on-quarter
    Q1 FY26

    Managed to optimize for P&L purposes, not due to inability to raise.

    Industry KPIs

    1
    MetricValueDetails
    Fuel surcharge diesel price

    Product announcements

    6
    ProductTypeDetails
    Turbolaunch
    Mailaunch
    13 new AI-powered experienceslaunch
    Autonomous passenger service deploymentmilestone
    Digital earnings trackerlaunch
    Group rideslaunch

    Deals & partnerships

    4
    WeRideAutonomous passenger service deployment

    Partnership for the first autonomous passenger service deployed within a Southeast Asian residential estate, transitioning private trials to full public operations in April.

    BYD and GACDrive-to-own program for EVs

    Partnership in Thailand and Philippines connecting drivers with OEMs for EV ownership, with deals for up to 70,000 vehicles across 6 markets.

    EBOOST and Charge+EV charging network

    Partnership in Vietnam to secure preferential charging rates for Grab drivers.

    Foodpanda TaiwanAcquisition of Foodpanda's Taiwan business

    Currently in the middle of the approval process with regulators.

    Capital programs

    2
    EV transition (Drive-to-own program)underway
    Funding: access to financing

    Benefit: 70,000 vehicles available across 6 markets

    Program in Thailand and Philippines connecting drivers with OEMs like BYD and GAC to own EVs more easily.

    EV charging networkunderway

    Benefit: preferential charging rates

    Secured preferential charging rates in Vietnam through partners EBOOST and Charge+ to help drivers in EV transition.

    Risks & headwinds

    3
    Macroeconomic uncertainties

    particularly regarding inflation and fuel prices

    Mitigation: Platform is structurally stronger; leveraging AI for marketplace efficiencies; accelerating EV transition; proactive risk management in Financial Services.

    Fuel price volatilityQ1 FY26, potentially Q2 FY26 and medium term

    emerged in early March

    Mitigation: Deployed targeted fuel rebates; proactively engaged with regulators; accelerating EV transition (drive-to-own programs, preferential charging rates); AI marketplace optimization to manage incentive spend; potential judicious cost pass-through to consumers in medium term.

    Indonesia regulatory changes (commission cap)

    8% cap on rider commissions for 2-wheel ride-hailing partners (less than 6% of total mobility GMV)

    Mitigation: Engaging proactively with relevant ministries to seek clarity and shape balanced implementation; 4-wheel drivers less affected; reiterating expectations for Mobility margins to stabilize within historical range.

    What to watch in Q2 FY26

    5

    Financial Services Adjusted EBITDA Breakeven

    H2 2026
    Currentstrong EBITDA improvement, on track
    Targetbreakeven

    Why it matters

    Achievement of this target is a key milestone for the profitability of the Financial Services segment and overall company profitability.

    We aim to generate healthy returns on risk-adjusted returns for our loan portfolio and we are reiterating our second half 2026 breakeven target for financial services.

    Q&A highlights

    7

    What is the impact of higher fuel prices on business performance in Q2, can it be quantified, and what is Grab's long-term strategy for fuel risk?

    Q1 demand trends remained resilient, with Mobility transactions up 32% YoY in April and Deliveries seeing record daily transacting users. Grab is accelerating EV transition through 'drive-to-own' programs and charging networks, with Thailand's EV fleet now over 30,000. In the medium term, elevated fuel costs might be passed to consumers judiciously.

    This fuel crisis has become an opportunity in the sense that it helps us to accelerate that EV transition.

    asked by Divya at Morgan Stanley, Venu at Bernstein and Piyush of HSBC · answered by Alexander Charles Hungate

    3 min read7 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    AI Investments Driving Marketplace Efficiency and Partner Earnings

    Grab's AI capabilities, built on 14 years of proprietary data from over 20 billion transactions, are translating into measurable financial outcomes. The AI-powered 'Turbo' driving mode for driver partners resulted in a 23% uplift in earnings per online hour, contributing to Mobility transactions growth outpacing GMV growth. The merchant AI Assistant, 'Mai', adopted by approximately half of active single-store merchants, drove a 15% GMV uplift for engaged users and a 44% year-on-year growth in average advertiser spend.

    02

    Autonomous Vehicle Strategy and Progress

    Grab is making steady progress in autonomous vehicles, transitioning private trials to full paying public operations in April through a partnership with WeRide. The AV fleet has clocked over 40,000 kilometers and served thousands of public rides. While adoption in Southeast Asia remains nascent, Grab aims to be the most experienced local hybrid AV and human operator, scaling up in partnership with governments and focusing on safety and cost-efficiency.

    03

    Managing Fuel Price Volatility and Accelerating EV Transition

    In response to fuel price volatility in March, Grab deployed targeted fuel rebates and engaged with regulators to protect partner livelihoods. The company is committed to accelerating EV transition to reduce driver partners' exposure to fuel price fluctuations, with programs like 'drive-to-own' in Thailand and the Philippines, and preferential charging rates in Vietnam. Thailand's EV fleet supply on the platform has crossed 30,000, with consumer demand for EV options growing over 35% year-on-year.

    04

    Financial Services Operating Leverage and Credit Quality

    The Financial Services segment demonstrated strong operating leverage, with revenue growth accelerating 43% year-on-year (38% constant currency) and over one-third of incremental revenue dropping to the bottom line. Loan disbursals grew 67% year-on-year to over $1 billion, and credit quality improved, with ECL as a percentage of gross loan portfolio improving year-on-year. The company proactively tightened risk management for some sectors and reiterated its H2 2026 breakeven target for the segment.

    05

    Indonesia Regulatory Landscape and Business Impact

    Recent regulatory announcements in Indonesia regarding an 8% commission cap are explicitly focused on 2-wheel ride-hailing partners, which represent less than 6% of Grab's total mobility GMV. Grab is engaging with regulators to ensure a balanced implementation. The company's strategy for Indonesia remains unchanged, with the Mobility business continuing to grow double digits year-over-year and remaining stable quarter-on-quarter despite seasonal headwinds.

    06

    Strategic Share Repurchase Program

    Grab announced a $500 million share buyback program, including a $400 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) and contingent forward purchase initiated in March. This program is expected to be executed over the next four months and is anticipated to offset dilution from stock-based compensation by approximately 2% of total share count. The company continues to evaluate capital allocation opportunities with a high bar for long-term shareholder value.

    07

    GrabMart's Growth and Long-Term Potential

    GrabMart is an exciting segment with a large total addressable market, growing 1.7x faster than food delivery and contributing 10% of deliveries GMV. GrabMart MTUs are growing 2.6x faster than food MTUs, and order frequency is 1.8x higher for GrabMart users. The company is accelerating product innovation, including an AI-powered shopping agent, and aims for GrabMart to maintain its growth momentum to underpin long-term sustainable economics as part of its super app strategy.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.