Can MercadoLibre's GMV Momentum Drive Further Upside in the Stock?

Core Insights - MercadoLibre (MELI) is focusing on Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) as the main driver for growth in Latin America, lowering Brazil's free shipping threshold from R$79 to R$19 to capture more everyday purchases [1][8] - This strategy aims to increase transaction frequency rather than relying on higher average order values or sporadic demand spikes [1] GMV Expansion - Early indicators show that the new shipping threshold led to a 42% year-over-year growth in sold items in Brazil during Q3 2025, with new listings in the R$19-R$79 price range tripling year over year [2] - The combination of increased purchase frequency and a broader assortment in price-sensitive categories suggests a positive response from both buyers and sellers [2] Near-term Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MELI's Q4 2025 GMV is $19.04 billion, reflecting a 31% year-over-year growth and a sequential increase of 15% from Q3's $16.5 billion [3] - This growth outlook indicates rising transaction density during the peak seasonal period, suggesting that GMV momentum could extend beyond a single quarter [3] Execution Risks - There are execution risks as MELI balances GMV growth with profitability, with direct contribution margins in Brazil compressing due to free shipping subsidies outpacing immediate revenue gains [4] - Intense competition may necessitate ongoing promotional investments, impacting the ability to maintain transaction intensity without additional cost pressures [4] Competitive Landscape - Competition in Latin American e-commerce is fierce, with Amazon and Sea Limited pursuing volume-led strategies in overlapping markets [5] - Amazon focuses on logistics and Prime-led fulfillment, while Sea Limited uses shipping subsidies to stimulate GMV in price-sensitive segments [5] Share Price Performance - MELI shares have decreased by 21% over the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Internet-Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which increased by 5.6% and 4.7%, respectively [6] Valuation Metrics - MELI is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 2.77X, compared to the industry's 2.1X, and has a Value Score of C [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MELI's Q4 2025 earnings is $11.66 per share, reflecting a 7.53% year-over-year decline [11]