AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Once Upon a Farm Raises Nearly $198 Million in IPO, Valued at Over $724 Million 
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Southeast Asia's biggest ride-hailing companies, Grab Holdings and GoTo Group, have recently restarted discussions for a potential merger. This blockbuster combination addresses years of losses from intense competition between companies.
As leaders in the food-delivery sector within the region, Grab and GoTo are exploring various scenarios to strengthen their market positions.
Merger Talks and Potential Options
The Business Times reported that Preliminary discussions are underway, and both companies are considering multiple options. One potential scenario involves Grab, based in Singapore, acquiring GoTo through cash and stock. GoTo's willingness, particularly after the appointment of Patrick Walujo as CEO last year, has made this option more feasible.
While negotiations remain private, sources reveal that discussions have been ongoing intermittently. According to The Star, major company shareholders support a potential deal and have driven the talks. However, it is essential to note that these discussions may not necessarily lead to a complete merger or any deal.
Apart from a complete merger, another explored option involves dividing their primary markets. Grab would gain control over its home base in Singapore and specific other markets, while GoTo would retain control in Indonesia. This alternative approach utilizes their strengths in specific geographic areas for maximum market dominance.
Valuation and Other Concerns
Valuation poses a significant challenge to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. GoTo's shares have declined approximately 30% in the past year, adding complexity to the negotiation process. Additionally, deal structure and governance are among the other concerns that must be addressed.
A representative from GoTo denied the existence of ongoing discussions, while a representative from Grab declined to comment. These official statements add another layer of uncertainty to the potential merger.
The potential merger between Grab and GoTo has garnered significant attention in Southeast Asia's ride-hailing and food-delivery sectors.
Photo: Grab Press Center
