Catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of glyoxylate and hydroxypyruvate into glycolate and glycerate, respectively. Inactive towards 2-oxo-D-gluconate, 2-oxoglutarate, oxaloacetate and pyruvate. Only D- and L-glycerate are involved in the oxidative activity with NADP. Activity with NAD is very low. glycolate + NADP(+) = glyoxylate + H(+) + NADPH (R)-glycerate + NAD(+) = 3-hydroxypyruvate + H(+) + NADH (R)-glycerate + NADP(+) = 3-hydroxypyruvate + H(+) + NADPH The catalytic efficiency is better for glyoxylate than hydroxypyruvate with NADPH as electron donor. Optimum pH is 7.0. Constitutively expressed. Belongs to the D-isomer specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase family. GhrA subfamily.