DASH · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report
Operating Expense Trends
DoorDash, Inc. · 2026-10-30 · Importance 41 · Surprise 38 · In source text
Sales and marketing expense rose 33%, or $189 million, in the third quarter and 32%, or $563 million, in the first nine months of 2026; the quarterly increase included $127 million more advertising expense and $59 million more personnel compensation. Research and development expense increased 41%, or $144 million, in the quarter and 42%, or $420 million, in the first nine months; quarterly drivers included $104 million more personnel compensation and $75 million more third-party software expense, partly offset by $48 million more capitalized software and website development costs. General and administrative expense rose 7%, or $26 million, in the quarter, driven mainly by $24 million more personnel compensation, and rose 25%, or $276 million, in the first nine months, including $135 million more legal, tax, and regulatory expense and $127 million more personnel compensation. Depreciation and amortization increased 85%, or $143 million, in the quarter and 83%, or $396 million, in the first nine months, primarily due to acquired intangible amortization and capitalized software and website development amortization.
Key facts
- Sales and marketing expenses increased by $563 million, or 32%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, driven primarily by a $345 million increase in advertising expenses and a $199 million increase in personnel-related compensation expenses. source
- Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $396 million, or 83%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, primarily driven by $242 million more in amortization of acquired intangible assets and $118 million more in amortization of capitalized software and website development costs. source
- Research and development expenses increased by $420 million, or 42%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, driven by $398 million more in personnel-related compensation expenses and $183 million more in third-party software expenses, partially offset by a $186 million increase in capitalized software and website development costs. source
- Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $143 million, or 85%, in the third quarter of 2026 year over year, primarily driven by $77 million more in amortization of acquired intangible assets and $56 million more in amortization of capitalized software and website development costs. source
- General and administrative expenses increased by $276 million, or 25%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, primarily driven by a $135 million increase in legal, tax, and regulatory expenses and a $127 million increase in personnel-related compensation expenses. source
- Sales and marketing expenses increased by $189 million, or 33%, in the third quarter of 2026 year over year, driven primarily by a $127 million increase in advertising expenses and a $59 million increase in personnel-related compensation expenses. source
- Research and development expenses increased by $144 million, or 41%, in the third quarter of 2026 year over year, driven by $104 million more in personnel-related compensation expenses and $75 million more in third-party software expenses, partially offset by a $48 million increase in capitalized software and website development costs. source
- General and administrative expenses increased by $26 million, or 7%, in the third quarter of 2026 year over year, primarily driven by a $24 million increase in personnel-related compensation expenses. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating_income | negative | realized | -12.2% | Sales and marketing expenses increased by $563 million, or 32%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, driven primarily by a… |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -9.1% | Research and development expenses increased by $420 million, or 42%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, driven by $398… |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -8.6% | Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $396 million, or 83%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, primarily… |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -6.0% | General and administrative expenses increased by $276 million, or 25%, in the first nine months of 2026 year over year, primarily driven… |