MercadoLibre: Growth Potential of Latin America's E-commerce Giant
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 09 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Massive Growth Opportunity: MercadoLibre, as a leading fintech and e-commerce platform in Latin America, reported total revenue of $31.8 billion over the last 12 months, with fintech revenue growing 54% year-over-year, highlighting its dual growth potential in e-commerce and financial services, especially as e-commerce in Latin America is still in its early stages.
- Recovering Profit Margins: Although MercadoLibre's P/E ratio stands at 42, slightly above the S&P 500 average, management's increased capital investments in new warehouses and delivery networks will temporarily impact profit margins, but are expected to lead to operating leverage improvements, with margins likely to recover or surpass the historical high of 15% in the long run.
- Fast-Growing Advertising Revenue: MercadoLibre's advertising revenue grew 63% in constant currency last quarter, and as the business scales and the Latin American advertising market shifts online, the high margins associated with advertising revenue will further drive the company's profit growth, showcasing strong market potential.
- Market Pullback Opportunity: With the stock down 38.5% from its highs, MercadoLibre presents an attractive buying opportunity for investors, particularly in the current environment dominated by AI stocks, emphasizing its significance in a diversified investment portfolio.
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Analyst Views on MELI
Wall Street analysts forecast MELI stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1631.820
Low
2500
Averages
2783
High
2950
Current: 1631.820
Low
2500
Averages
2783
High
2950
About MELI
MercadoLibre Inc is a Uruguay-based e-commerce business facilitator of Argentinian origins. The e-commerce products enable retail and wholesale via Internet platforms designed to provide users with a portfolio of services to facilitate commercial transactions. The Company's geographic coverage includes 18 countries of Latin America. The primary offer is an ecosystem of six integrated e-commerce services: the Mercado Libre Marketplace, the Mercado Libre Classifieds service, the Mercado Pago payments solution, the Mercado Credito financial solutions, the Mercado Envios logistic solutions including shipping, the Mercado Ads advertising platform and the Mercado Shops digital storefront solution.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Opportunity Identification: The video highlights four stocks identified as the most compelling buying opportunities in the current market, reflecting strong investor interest and potential growth expectations for these equities.
- Urgency of Timing: The analysis emphasizes that the current buying window may not remain open for long, suggesting that investors need to act quickly to seize these opportunities and avoid missing out on potential gains.
- Video Release Context: This video was published on June 15, 2026, with stock price data sourced from the same trading day, ensuring the timeliness and relevance of the information presented.
- Subscription and Offer Link: The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel and click on a special offer link, indicating the content creator's desire to enhance viewer engagement and provide additional value through interaction.
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Top Stock Buying Opportunities Revealed
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: The analyst team highlights 10 top stocks, notably excluding Amazon, indicating a shift in market focus that could impact Amazon's performance.
- Historical Return Comparison: For instance, Netflix's recommendation in December 2004 turned a $1,000 investment into $415,040, while Nvidia's in April 2005 grew to $1,256,076, showcasing the immense potential of these stocks.
- Return on Investment: Stock Advisor boasts an average total return of 923%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 207%, underscoring the attractiveness and superiority of its stock recommendations.
- Community Support: Joining Stock Advisor not only provides access to the latest investment insights but also connects investors with a supportive community of individual investors, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
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Melamud Increases Stake in MercadoLibre Amid Price Drop
- Share Acquisition: Marcelo Melamud, Chief Accounting Officer of MercadoLibre, purchased 124 shares on June 11, 2026, for approximately $200,000, increasing his direct ownership from 112 to 236 shares, representing a 111% increase, which indicates confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Market Performance Insight: The transaction occurred at a share price of $1,604.62, down 31.8% year-over-year, suggesting Melamud's decision to buy during a period of stock price weakness reflects his belief in the company's long-term value.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Despite MercadoLibre's impressive 49% year-over-year revenue growth to $8.8 billion in Q1, net income fell to $417 million due to investments in long-term growth opportunities like artificial intelligence, indicating short-term margin pressure.
- Valuation Appeal: With a price-to-sales ratio of 2.6 at a low point over the past year, Melamud's purchase may be based on recognizing the stock's attractive valuation, suggesting that buying shares now is a prudent decision amid Wall Street's short-sightedness.
See More
Marcelo Melamud Increases Stake in MercadoLibre
- Share Acquisition: On June 11, 2026, Marcelo Melamud acquired 124 shares of MercadoLibre for approximately $200,000, increasing his direct ownership from 112 to 236 shares, representing a 111% increase, which reflects his confidence in the company's future.
- Market Sentiment: Despite MercadoLibre's stock price dropping 32.6% year-over-year, Melamud's purchase indicates a bullish outlook on the company's long-term growth potential, especially given the impressive 49% year-over-year revenue growth to $8.8 billion in Q1 2026.
- Financial Performance: Although Q1 net income fell to $417 million from $494 million the previous year due to investments in long-term growth opportunities like artificial intelligence compressing margins, Melamud's decision to buy more shares suggests he recognizes the company's underlying value.
- Valuation Appeal: With MercadoLibre's price-to-sales ratio at a low of 2.6 over the past year, Melamud's acquisition may be driven by the attractive valuation, indicating that he sees this as an opportune time to invest.
See More
Investment Opportunities in MercadoLibre and Coupang
- Loan Growth Concerns: MercadoLibre's stock pullback is primarily driven by worries over loan growth and reinvestment, despite strong demand, which may present attractive opportunities for long-term investors.
- Coupang Stock Surge: Coupang's stock jumped following a data breach fine, shifting market focus back to its logistics capabilities and growth potential, demonstrating the company's resilience in adversity.
- Market Sell-off Analysis: Despite facing credit, regulatory, and reinvestment risks, the latest sell-offs in MercadoLibre and Coupang could create compelling long-term opportunities for patient investors.
- Investor Recommendations: Analysts suggest that investors pay attention to these companies, especially amid current market volatility, as rare investment opportunities may arise.
See More
Latin America's Digital Finance Potential and Risks
- Market Growth Potential: Latin America's low digital and fintech penetration is expected to create long-term growth opportunities for companies like DLocal, BBB Foods, and Nu Holdings, despite facing political and macroeconomic risks.
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: While DLocal is seen as a potential investment, it was not included in the current top ten recommended stocks by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team, indicating a cautious market outlook on its future performance.
- Historical Return Comparison: Historical examples like Netflix and Nvidia show that investments made at the right time can yield extraordinary returns of 433,268% and 1,259,391%, respectively, highlighting the market's appetite for high-return stocks.
- Investor Community: Joining The Motley Fool Stock Advisor provides access to the latest top ten stock recommendations, leveraging its average return of 935% to significantly outperform the S&P 500's 207% return, thereby enhancing individual investors' decision-making capabilities.
See More
Analysis of Compelling Buying Opportunities in the Market
- Market Opportunity Identification: The video highlights four stocks identified as the most compelling buying opportunities in the current market, reflecting strong investor interest and potential growth expectations for these equities.
- Urgency of Timing: The analysis emphasizes that the current buying window may not remain open for long, suggesting that investors need to act quickly to seize these opportunities and avoid missing out on potential gains.
- Video Release Context: This video was published on June 15, 2026, with stock price data sourced from the same trading day, ensuring the timeliness and relevance of the information presented.
- Subscription and Offer Link: The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel and click on a special offer link, indicating the content creator's desire to enhance viewer engagement and provide additional value through interaction.
See More
Top Stock Buying Opportunities Revealed
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: The analyst team highlights 10 top stocks, notably excluding Amazon, indicating a shift in market focus that could impact Amazon's performance.
- Historical Return Comparison: For instance, Netflix's recommendation in December 2004 turned a $1,000 investment into $415,040, while Nvidia's in April 2005 grew to $1,256,076, showcasing the immense potential of these stocks.
- Return on Investment: Stock Advisor boasts an average total return of 923%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 207%, underscoring the attractiveness and superiority of its stock recommendations.
- Community Support: Joining Stock Advisor not only provides access to the latest investment insights but also connects investors with a supportive community of individual investors, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
See More
Melamud Increases Stake in MercadoLibre Amid Price Drop
- Share Acquisition: Marcelo Melamud, Chief Accounting Officer of MercadoLibre, purchased 124 shares on June 11, 2026, for approximately $200,000, increasing his direct ownership from 112 to 236 shares, representing a 111% increase, which indicates confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Market Performance Insight: The transaction occurred at a share price of $1,604.62, down 31.8% year-over-year, suggesting Melamud's decision to buy during a period of stock price weakness reflects his belief in the company's long-term value.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Despite MercadoLibre's impressive 49% year-over-year revenue growth to $8.8 billion in Q1, net income fell to $417 million due to investments in long-term growth opportunities like artificial intelligence, indicating short-term margin pressure.
- Valuation Appeal: With a price-to-sales ratio of 2.6 at a low point over the past year, Melamud's purchase may be based on recognizing the stock's attractive valuation, suggesting that buying shares now is a prudent decision amid Wall Street's short-sightedness.
See More
Marcelo Melamud Increases Stake in MercadoLibre
- Share Acquisition: On June 11, 2026, Marcelo Melamud acquired 124 shares of MercadoLibre for approximately $200,000, increasing his direct ownership from 112 to 236 shares, representing a 111% increase, which reflects his confidence in the company's future.
- Market Sentiment: Despite MercadoLibre's stock price dropping 32.6% year-over-year, Melamud's purchase indicates a bullish outlook on the company's long-term growth potential, especially given the impressive 49% year-over-year revenue growth to $8.8 billion in Q1 2026.
- Financial Performance: Although Q1 net income fell to $417 million from $494 million the previous year due to investments in long-term growth opportunities like artificial intelligence compressing margins, Melamud's decision to buy more shares suggests he recognizes the company's underlying value.
- Valuation Appeal: With MercadoLibre's price-to-sales ratio at a low of 2.6 over the past year, Melamud's acquisition may be driven by the attractive valuation, indicating that he sees this as an opportune time to invest.
See More
Investment Opportunities in MercadoLibre and Coupang
- Loan Growth Concerns: MercadoLibre's stock pullback is primarily driven by worries over loan growth and reinvestment, despite strong demand, which may present attractive opportunities for long-term investors.
- Coupang Stock Surge: Coupang's stock jumped following a data breach fine, shifting market focus back to its logistics capabilities and growth potential, demonstrating the company's resilience in adversity.
- Market Sell-off Analysis: Despite facing credit, regulatory, and reinvestment risks, the latest sell-offs in MercadoLibre and Coupang could create compelling long-term opportunities for patient investors.
- Investor Recommendations: Analysts suggest that investors pay attention to these companies, especially amid current market volatility, as rare investment opportunities may arise.
See More
Latin America's Digital Finance Potential and Risks
- Market Growth Potential: Latin America's low digital and fintech penetration is expected to create long-term growth opportunities for companies like DLocal, BBB Foods, and Nu Holdings, despite facing political and macroeconomic risks.
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: While DLocal is seen as a potential investment, it was not included in the current top ten recommended stocks by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team, indicating a cautious market outlook on its future performance.
- Historical Return Comparison: Historical examples like Netflix and Nvidia show that investments made at the right time can yield extraordinary returns of 433,268% and 1,259,391%, respectively, highlighting the market's appetite for high-return stocks.
- Investor Community: Joining The Motley Fool Stock Advisor provides access to the latest top ten stock recommendations, leveraging its average return of 935% to significantly outperform the S&P 500's 207% return, thereby enhancing individual investors' decision-making capabilities.
See More
