The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC -0.18%) is officially in a correction, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 index down about 12% from its recent high. And while there are some stocks that still look rather pricey, even after the downturn, there are some excellent bargains to be found for patient long-term investors.With that in mind, here are two "forever stocks" I own in my portfolio, both of which look attractive after dropping by 15% or more from their 2025 peaks.A second chance to get "Back to Starbucks"Starbucks ...

Company Performance - MercadoLibre (MELI) closed at $2,009.34, down 1.76% from the previous trading session, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.55% [1] - Over the past month, shares of MercadoLibre increased by 1.61%, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's decline of 7.03% and the S&P 500's decline of 5.56% [1] Upcoming Earnings - Analysts expect MercadoLibre to report earnings of $7.82 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 15.34% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projected at $5.5 billion, indicating a 27% increase from the previous year [2] Full Year Projections - For the full year, earnings are projected at $47.50 per share and revenue at $25.89 billion, representing year-over-year changes of +26.03% and +24.59%, respectively [3] Analyst Forecast Revisions - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts for MercadoLibre are important as they reflect short-term business dynamics, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [4] Estimate Revisions and Share Price Momentum - Research shows that estimate revisions correlate with near-term share price momentum, and investors can utilize the Zacks Rank for actionable insights [5] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has shown that 1 stocks have delivered an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6] - The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate for MercadoLibre has increased by 8.06% over the past month, and the company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] Valuation Metrics - MercadoLibre has a Forward P/E ratio of 43.06, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 21.95 [7] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.15, aligning with the Internet-Commerce industry's average PEG ratio of 1.15 [7] Industry Context - The Internet-Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 65, placing it in the top 26% of over 250 industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Core Insights - MercadoLibre's stock gained 10% in February following a strong earnings report, alleviating concerns about economic volatility in its operating regions and boosting investor confidence in its potential [1][2] Group 1: Company Performance - The company operates an e-commerce platform across 18 Latin American countries, holding a leading position in the region and leveraging its first-mover advantage [2] - Revenue increased by 96% year over year (currency neutral), gross merchandise volume rose by 56%, and total payment volume grew by 49%, indicating robust performance in both e-commerce and financial services [4] - Net income surged by 278%, and free cash flow increased by 111%, showcasing the company's strong financial health [4] Group 2: Growth and Expansion - MercadoLibre is expanding its credit portfolio, which grew by 74% year over year, and assets under management increased by 129%, reflecting growth in its financial services segment [5] - The company plans to launch its first digital bank in Mexico, further diversifying its offerings [5] - E-commerce in MercadoLibre's markets is still underdeveloped compared to the U.S., presenting significant growth opportunities, as evidenced by a 24% increase in unique buyers in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year [6] Group 3: Market Conditions - Despite economic volatility and currency devaluation in key markets like Argentina and Brazil, the company's strong performance is fostering greater confidence in its resilience and growth potential [7] - The stock currently trades at a forward one-year P/E ratio of 33, which is considered an attractive valuation for a high-growth stock, suggesting it may be a good time to invest [8]

Core Viewpoint - MercadoLibre is positioned as a leading growth stock in Latin America, with significant potential for future expansion in e-commerce and fintech sectors, driven by its strong performance metrics and market opportunities [2][5][12]. Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates similarly to Amazon, providing e-commerce services across 18 Latin American countries and has developed a fintech business to cater to underbanked populations [3][4]. - The company has diversified its offerings, including advertising, asset management, and payment solutions, maintaining a first-mover advantage in many areas [4]. Current Performance - In the fourth quarter of 2024, MercadoLibre reported a 96% year-over-year increase in revenue, with gross merchandise volume up 56% and total payment volume up 49% [5]. - The credit portfolio grew by 74%, and adjusted free cash flow increased by 111%, with net income rising to $649 million from $165 million the previous year [5]. Market Potential - E-commerce penetration in MercadoLibre's markets is only 14.4%, indicating substantial room for growth compared to the U.S. market [8]. - The total market opportunity for e-commerce is projected to grow by 54%, from $151 billion in 2023 to $232 billion by 2028, with a forecasted e-commerce penetration of 17.4% [9]. - The retail advertising market in the region is expected to triple by 2028, reaching $5 billion, highlighting additional growth avenues [9]. Fintech Opportunities - MercadoLibre is the leading fintech company in Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, and holds the second position in Brazil, where banking penetration is low [10]. - Less than half of the Mexican population has a bank account, and in Brazil, a significant portion of credit is controlled by a few large banks, presenting an opportunity for disruption [10]. Historical Performance - Over the past decade, MercadoLibre has significantly increased shareholder value, with a $10,000 investment growing to over $160,000 [11]. Future Growth Projections - If MercadoLibre maintains a compound annual growth rate of 30% currency neutral over the next 10 years, revenue could rise from $21.7 billion to nearly $300 billion [12].

Market Overview - The recent market selloff has affected nearly all sectors, driven by fears related to trade wars, tariffs, and economic uncertainty, yet it may present investment opportunities for stocks near support levels or perceived discounts [1] MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre, Inc. is Latin America's largest e-commerce and fintech platform, operating in 18 countries and connecting millions of buyers and sellers [2] - Despite a strong Q4 2024 earnings report, MercadoLibre's stock has fallen over 11% from its 52-week highs, attributed to broader market weakness rather than company fundamentals [3] - Q4 2024 revenue reached $6.1 billion, a 37% year-over-year increase, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.9 billion; net income surged to $639 million, exceeding the forecast of $402 million [4] - The gross merchandise volume hit $14.5 billion, up 56% when adjusted for currency fluctuations, while Mercado Pago processed $58.9 billion in payments, a 33% increase [4] - The stock is returning to a key support zone, suggesting a potential buying opportunity for investors [5] PayPal - PayPal Holdings is one of the largest fintech companies globally, but its stock has recently declined, down nearly 19% year-to-date [6][7] - The Q4 2024 earnings report showed revenue growth of 4% year-over-year to $8.37 billion, beating analyst estimates, with net income at $1.2 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.19 [8] - PayPal announced a $15 billion share buyback program, indicating confidence in its cash flow, which increased by 40% to $2.1 billion for the quarter [9] - Despite solid earnings, the stock dropped nearly 10% post-earnings due to concerns over slowing growth in branded checkout and lower transaction take rates [10] - Currently trading below its 200-day moving average and near a support zone around $65, PayPal may be an attractive buy-the-dip candidate for long-term investors [11] Conclusion - Both MercadoLibre and PayPal have demonstrated strong earnings yet are trading at potential discounts, making them worthy of consideration for investors seeking quality stocks with solid fundamentals and promising technical setups [12]

Core Viewpoint - MercadoLibre is considered a "no-brainer" investment due to its strong growth potential and diverse business model in Latin America [4][5]. Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates as a logistics network, e-commerce platform, advertising business, and payments processor across multiple countries in Latin America [4]. - The company has experienced significant growth, with revenue rising nearly 38% to $21 billion in 2024 [5]. Growth Potential - E-commerce in Latin America is projected to grow at a 9% compound annual rate through the end of the decade, with the e-commerce penetration rate expected to increase from 58% to 67% by 2029 [6]. - Millions of new e-commerce users are anticipated in the next five years, which could nearly double MercadoLibre's e-commerce business if it maintains its current market share [7]. Financial Performance - MercadoLibre is not only growing its revenue but is also doing so profitably, with operating profit increasing at a faster rate than revenue over the past three years [8]. - Favorable economic conditions in Latin America support ongoing profitable growth for MercadoLibre [9].

The Latin American commerce giant continues to show excellent momentum.MercadoLibre (MELI -2.42%) beat earnings expectations for the fourth quarter, and investors were relieved to see the issues that made the stock fall in the third quarter reverse course. In this video, I'll look at the key numbers and discuss why MercadoLibre's business could continue to grow rapidly for years.*Stock prices used were the morning prices of Feb. 27, 2025. The video was published on March 1, 2025. ...

Core Viewpoint - The technology sector is experiencing significant volatility, with Nvidia's earnings not alleviating broader concerns about a slowdown in the AI sector and weakening consumer demand, leading to a notable decline in tech stocks [1][2]. Group 1: Market Overview - The Nasdaq Composite index closed at 18,544.42, down 2.8% on February 27, marking its lowest point since the day before the election nearly four months ago [1]. - The Nasdaq is down more than 8% from its peak closing value of 20,173.89 on December 16, indicating it is nearing a correction, typically defined as a drop of 10% or more from a recent peak [2]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - **MercadoLibre**: - The company reported a 37% increase in revenue to $6.1 billion in the fourth quarter, with a 13.5% operating margin [4]. - MercadoLibre continues to thrive in the e-commerce and fintech sectors in Latin America, benefiting from underpenetrated markets and a diverse business model [5][6]. - **Axon Enterprise**: - Axon reported a 33% revenue increase and is less affected by economic cycles due to its focus on law enforcement technology [7][9]. - The company is innovating with new technologies like drones and generative AI, expanding its customer base beyond law enforcement [8][9]. - **Upstart**: - Upstart's revenue grew by 56% to $219 million in the fourth quarter, with an improved loan conversion rate from 11.6% to 19.3% [12][13]. - The company has introduced a new AI-based model that enhances its loan screening process, positioning it for growth despite challenging interest rate environments [12][13].

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Gro ...

Core Viewpoint - MercadoLibre (MELI) shows a significant improvement in earnings outlook, making it an attractive investment option as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Current-Quarter Estimate Revisions - The earnings estimate for the current quarter is $7.82 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +15.34% [4]. - Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MercadoLibre has risen by 14.1%, with three estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [4]. Current-Year Estimate Revisions - For the full year, the expected earnings are $46.99 per share, indicating a year-over-year change of +24.67% [5]. - The trend for current-year estimate revisions is positive, with six estimates moving higher and no negative revisions, leading to a 6.89% increase in the consensus estimate [5]. Favorable Zacks Rank - MercadoLibre currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating strong agreement among analysts on upward earnings estimate revisions [6]. - The Zacks Rank system has a proven track record, with Zacks 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) stocks significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [6]. Bottom Line - The stock has gained 9.4% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions, suggesting that its earnings growth prospects may lead to further stock price increases [7].