In a surprising turn of events, Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant, Grab, recently announced its first profitable quarter, with a profit of $11 million. This marks a significant improvement from the $391 million loss recorded in the same period a year ago. The company attributed this boost in profitability to factors such as improved Group adjusted EBITDA, fair value changes in investments, and reduced share-based compensation expenses. Additionally, Grab reported a revenue of $653 million for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ estimates of $634.86 million. Despite this positive development, Grab incurred losses amounting to $485 million for the full year 2023, reflecting a 72% decrease from the previous year’s losses of $1.74 billion.
Apart from its core ride-hailing services, Grab has diversified its offerings to include financial services like payments and insurance, as well as deliveries for food, groceries, and packages. The company’s CFO, Peter Oey, highlighted the resurgence of demand in the mobility sector, with mobility levels exceeding pre-Covid levels. He also noted a record 13% year-over-year growth in the deliveries business, showcasing strong momentum in this segment. Grab’s expansion into various service verticals underscores its strategic approach to diversification and revenue generation beyond its traditional ride-hailing business.
Historically, Grab operated at a loss for many years, accumulating substantial losses since its establishment in 2012. The company’s shift towards profitability comes amidst a changing landscape characterized by global macro uncertainties and a renewed emphasis on financial sustainability. As tech startups mature, they often transition from prioritizing growth at all costs to emphasizing profitability and cost efficiency. Grab’s decision to repurchase up to $500 million worth of class A ordinary shares signals its commitment to enhancing shareholder value and optimizing its capital structure.
One notable change in Grab’s business strategy is the reduction of total incentives, including partner and consumer incentives, as a percentage of the total value of goods sold. This decrease from 8.2% to 7.3% signifies the company’s efforts to create a healthier marketplace by curbing excessive incentives. While incentives have been instrumental in attracting drivers and passengers to the platform, Grab is now focusing on driving profitability by reducing reliance on heavy incentives. CFO Peter Oey acknowledged the continued importance of incentives as a strategic lever for maintaining a balanced supply of drivers and appealing to price-sensitive customers.
Looking ahead, Grab anticipates revenue to range between $2.70 billion and $2.75 billion for 2024, slightly below analysts’ consensus of $2.8 billion. Despite the positive financial results, Grab’s shares closed 8.41% lower following the earnings report, reflecting market concerns and investor reactions. The company’s share price has also experienced a significant decline of 75.8% from its opening price in December 2021, underscoring the volatility and challenges in the technology sector.
Grab’s achievement of its first profitable quarter is a milestone in its journey towards financial sustainability and operational efficiency. The company’s strategic diversification, focus on profitability, and prudent cost management are crucial steps in navigating the evolving landscape of the tech industry. By adapting to market dynamics and addressing challenges proactively, Grab aims to position itself for long-term growth and value creation amidst a competitive and dynamic marketplace.