** Shares of grocery delivery platform Instacart <CART.O> rise as much as 13.6% to $45.21, highest since February 2025
** If gains hold, the stock is set for its best day ever
** The company forecast Q2 core profit above estimates on Thursday due to resilient demand from online shoppers on its delivery platform for grocery and food
** Reports Q1 core profit of $244 million, beating an estimate of $229.4 million
** Posts Q1 gross transaction value of $9.12 billion and revenue of $897 million, both almost in line with estimates
** CART is able to invest in growth areas while managing expenses and we expect margins to expand through the year - Doug Anmuth, J.P.Morgan analyst ** Including session moves, stock is up about 8% YTD
(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru)
((AnujaBharat.Mistry@thomsonreuters.com))