Core Insights - The discussion centers around two key growth investment picks for 2026: MercadoLibre (MELI) and Bloom Energy (BE) [3][4]. MercadoLibre (MELI) - MercadoLibre is the market leader in e-commerce and fintech in Latin America, boasting a strong logistics network and brand recognition [15][18]. - The company has shown impressive growth, with revenue increasing by 39% in U.S. dollars and 49% in constant currencies in the most recent quarter [21]. - Unique buyers in commerce grew by 26%, reaching 76.8 million customers, indicating significant market penetration potential [22]. - The fintech platform is also expanding rapidly, with a 41% increase in total payment volume (TPV) in U.S. dollars and 54% in constant currencies [24]. - Despite recent contractions in profit margins, the company is investing for long-term growth, which is expected to yield substantial returns [25][55]. - The e-commerce market in Latin America is still underpenetrated, with only 15% of retail sales occurring online, suggesting years of growth ahead [46][47]. - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for financial services in underbanked regions [48][49]. Bloom Energy (BE) - Bloom Energy specializes in solid oxide fuel cells, providing on-site power solutions that can be deployed much faster than traditional energy sources [79][80]. - The company is positioned to address urgent energy needs, particularly for data centers, with a significant growth forecast of 71% revenue growth [88]. - Bloom Energy's technology allows for rapid deployment, typically within 90 days, compared to years for grid or nuclear solutions [81][82]. - The company has a strong customer base, including major players like Oracle and Equinix, and is moving towards gigawatt-level energy supply with new capital partnerships [96][97]. - The energy sector is expected to see a significant increase in demand, particularly driven by AI and data center growth, creating a favorable market environment for Bloom Energy [93][94].

Core Insights - Mercado Libre is evolving its fintech services, particularly through its platform Mercado Pago, aiming to become the largest digital bank in Latin America by focusing on user engagement and primary financial relationships [2][4]. Group 1: Strategic Evolution - Mercado Pago has transitioned from a payments wallet to a comprehensive digital banking service, emphasizing its leading Net Promoter Score (NPS) in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina [2]. - The company aims to establish itself as the primary financial relationship for its 72 million active users, indicating a strong focus on user engagement and relationship depth [2]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The potential of Generative AI (Gen AI) is highlighted for enhancing underwriting processes and providing personalized financial advisory services, which could significantly improve user experience [2]. - The use of Large Language Models (LLMs) is expected to yield stronger insights from the data collected, further enhancing the company's service offerings [2]. Group 3: Market Position and Opportunities - Mercado Libre operates in 18 countries, providing a wide range of e-commerce and financial technology solutions, which positions it well to capitalize on the high growth potential in the Latin American market [4]. - The company is focused on creating intuitive solutions tailored to local cultures, aiming to transform the lives of millions in the region [4].

Pricing power is one of the best qualities to look for in a business. It means a company's product is so valuable to customers that it can raise prices without losing demand. Over time, that kind of leverage helps companies stay profitable during rough economic patches. Two consumer-facing leaders showing that kind of strength today are MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG). Here's why. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 1 ...

Pricing power is one of the best qualities to look for in a business. It means a company's product is so valuable to customers that it can raise prices without losing demand. Over time, that kind of leverage helps companies stay profitable during rough economic patches. Two consumer-facing leaders showing that kind of strength today are MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG). Here's why. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 1 ...

Group 1 - MercadoLibre (MELI) presents an investment opportunity despite recent performance volatility, primarily influenced by the market environment [1] - The company has continued to advance significantly, indicating resilience and potential for growth [1] Group 2 - The analyst has extensive experience in researching various industries, including commodities and technology, which may provide valuable insights into investment opportunities [1] - The focus has shifted to a value investing-oriented platform, highlighting a commitment to thorough company analysis [1]

Group 1 - NVDA was picked at $8.78 in 2020, resulting in a nearly 1300% return on that trade [1] - The Long Term Growth Portfolio has increased by nearly 194% since 2018, driven by a disciplined strategy and risk-aware execution [1] Group 2 - MercadoLibre (MELI) is recognized as a high-quality business with strong competitive advantages and excellent financial performance [2] - The management team of MercadoLibre is considered the best in Latin America, with significant growth potential in the coming years [2] Group 3 - Andres Cardenal, CFA, has over 25 years of experience in investment research and strategy development, focusing on growth and tech stocks [3] - The Data Driven Investor provides evidence-based insights, including options ideas for short-term income, quantitative stock strategies, macro analysis, and tactical ETF strategies [3]

Group 1: Market Overview - Global equity markets showed strong performance in Q4 2025, supported by easing inflation and positive economic data [1] - The Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy achieved a return of 2.91%, while the MSCI AC World Net Index gained 3.29% [1] - The Financials and Consumer Staples sectors contributed positively to the strategy's performance, whereas the Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors detracted from it [1] Group 2: Company Focus - MercadoLibre, Inc. - MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) was identified as a significant detractor in the fourth quarter, with shares trading between $1,723.90 and $2,645.22 over the past year [2] - As of January 26, 2026, MercadoLibre's stock closed at $2,212.62, reflecting a one-month return of 9.49% but a three-month decline of 3.38% [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $112.174 billion [2] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Increased competitive pressure from Amazon has impacted MercadoLibre's performance, particularly in the Consumer Discretionary sector [3] - Amazon's new initiatives, including promotions on fulfillment fees and reduced commissions for new merchants, pose challenges to MercadoLibre [3] - Despite the competition, MercadoLibre's strong logistics network and ecosystem advantages are expected to maintain its leadership position in Brazilian e-commerce [3] Group 4: Strategic Investments - MercadoLibre is committed to reinvesting in its core offerings, which includes lowering free shipping thresholds and expanding its credit card portfolio [3] - These investments are anticipated to weigh on near-term margins but have historically strengthened the company's competitive position [3]

Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates a leading e-commerce and fintech platform in Latin America, integrating online marketplaces, digital payments, and logistics solutions [6] - The company has a market capitalization of $108.35 billion, with a revenue of $26.19 billion and a net income of $2.08 billion [4] - As of January 23, 2026, the share price was $2,137.29, reflecting a 16.9% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 3.85 percentage points [7] Recent Developments - On January 26, 2026, Generali Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne disclosed an increase in its stake in MercadoLibre by 5,030 shares, valued at approximately $10.57 million [2] - This transaction raised Generali's total position in MercadoLibre to 5.2% of its reportable 13F assets under management [7] - The fund's MercadoLibre position increased in value by $6.88 million due to additional purchases and share price changes [2] Financial Performance - MercadoLibre's revenue for the first nine months of 2025 was $20 billion, representing a 37% growth compared to the previous year [11] - The company's P/E ratio has fallen to 53, which is considered relatively low compared to Amazon's historical valuations [11] - Despite concerns about increasing competition in e-commerce, MercadoLibre has maintained rapid revenue growth and operational resilience [10][11] Competitive Landscape - MercadoLibre faces competition from major players like Amazon, which has raised concerns among investors regarding its growth rate [7] - The company has successfully navigated political and economic challenges in the region, turning them into business opportunities [10] - Its diversified ecosystem supports sustained growth across multiple high-potential markets [6]

Core Insights - Latin American stocks have experienced a significant rally over the past 12 months, with the iShares Latin America 40 ETF (ILF) increasing by 64% year-over-year, outperforming other markets [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The iShares Latin America 40 ETF (ILF) has shown a remarkable performance, rising 64% from a year ago [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent operations by the Trump administration in Venezuela have significantly impacted the global geopolitical landscape, leading to potential changes in U.S. interventionist policies in Latin America [1]. Group 1: Geopolitical Impact - The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela are stirring the geopolitical order globally [1]. - Companies in Latin America are facing the possibility of increased interventionist policies from the United States [1]. Group 2: Industry Insights - Gary Alexander has extensive experience in covering technology companies on Wall Street and working in Silicon Valley, contributing to his insights on industry trends [1]. - He has been a contributor to Seeking Alpha since 2017 and has been quoted in various web publications, indicating his influence in the investment community [1].