The Motley Fool·2025-12-07 12:25Core Viewpoint - The article discusses three growth stocks that have recently underperformed but are expected to improve in the upcoming year due to various catalysts and market recognition of their potential [2]. Group 1: Roblox - Roblox has experienced a 30% decline since its peak in September, primarily due to concerns over slowing growth and profitability, despite a year-over-year revenue growth of 48% [4][6]. - The company has warned of a potential slight decline in operating margin due to increased development expenses and investments in infrastructure and safety [4]. - Analysts maintain a strong buy rating for Roblox, with a consensus price target of $146.28, indicating a potential upside of over 50% from its current price [7]. Group 2: Rocket Lab - Rocket Lab's stock has been volatile, recently declining due to the postponement of the first flight of a new rocket design to early next year, which disappointed investors [8][10]. - The company is positioned to enter the medium-lift segment of the orbital launch market, which is expected to grow at an average annual rate of nearly 15% through 2034 [10]. - Approximately two-thirds of Rocket Lab's revenue comes from technology and communication solutions for satellites, which remains unaffected by the timing of its new rocket launch [11]. Group 3: MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre, often referred to as the Amazon of Latin America, is the market leader in a fragmented e-commerce industry, with significant growth potential driven by increasing broadband and smartphone penetration [12][13]. - The e-commerce industry in South America is projected to grow by 21% year-over-year, doubling in size between 2023 and 2027 [13]. - Despite a nearly 20% decline in stock price since mid-year due to unexpected expenses from a free-shipping promotion, the company reported a 38% increase in commerce revenue on a constant-currency basis [15][16].