Investing Experts Live: Beth Kindig And Andres Cardenal's Top Growth Picks For 2026

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].