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MercadoLibre Stock Will Likely Stand Out Amid Tariff Pressures. Here's Why.
MELIMercadoLibre(MELI) The Motley Fool·2025-04-20 09:45

Core Viewpoint - Investing in U.S. stocks faces near-term uncertainty due to fluctuating tariff levels, making international stocks, such as MercadoLibre, more appealing as they are not affected by U.S. tariffs [1][2] Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates in e-commerce, fintech, and logistics within Latin America, allowing it to remain unaffected by U.S. economic conditions and tariffs [3][4] - The company has established itself as the leading e-commerce platform in Latin America since its inception in 1999, providing a competitive edge over newer entrants like Amazon [5] Business Performance - In 2024, MercadoLibre generated nearly 21billioninrevenue,markinga3821 billion in revenue, marking a 38% increase year-over-year, with gross merchandise volumes rising by 15% [8] - The fintech segment, Mercado Pago, reported a total payment volume of 197 billion in 2024, up from 147billionthepreviousyear,indicatingsignificantgrowthinthisarea[8]FinancialMetricsDespitea49147 billion the previous year, indicating significant growth in this area [8] Financial Metrics - Despite a 49% increase in the cost of revenue, the company managed to grow its net income to 1.9 billion in 2024, a 94% increase from 2023, aided by reduced foreign currency losses and income taxes [9] - The company's P/E ratio stands at 55, reflecting a growth phase similar to Amazon's in the 2000s, while its market cap of 105billionissignificantlysmallerthanAmazons105 billion is significantly smaller than Amazon's 1.9 trillion, suggesting potential for faster revenue growth [10] Strategic Positioning - MercadoLibre's minimal exposure to U.S. tariffs positions it as a potential shelter for investors looking to avoid the impacts of U.S. trade policies [12] - The company continues to thrive by addressing regional needs in Latin America, which may mitigate concerns over slowing revenue growth in the near term [13]