The Motley Fool·2026-02-13 08:25Core Insights - Both Amazon and MercadoLibre have faced challenges primarily due to their non-e-commerce businesses, impacting their stock price growth over the past year [2][10] - The choice between investing in Amazon or MercadoLibre depends on the investor's risk tolerance [15][16] Amazon - Amazon's cloud computing arm, AWS, is its main profit source, contributing significantly to operating income despite only accounting for 18% of total revenue in 2025 [4] - The company plans to allocate $200 billion to capital expenditures in 2025, following a $132 billion spend in 2025, which has raised concerns among investors [5] - Amazon generated $11 billion in free cash flow in 2025 and has $123 billion in liquidity, allowing it to invest in growth [9] - Amazon's net sales grew by 12% in 2025, and its market cap is approximately $2.25 trillion [11][12] MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre's fintech business, Mercado Pago, has become a key growth driver but is currently facing issues with non-performing loans, with provisions for doubtful accounts increasing by 58% to over $2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [6][10] - The company experienced a revenue surge of 37% in the first nine months of 2025, significantly outpacing Amazon's growth [12] - MercadoLibre's market cap is around $102 billion, allowing for potentially faster growth due to its smaller size [11][13] Investment Considerations - For risk-averse investors, Amazon's liquidity and potential in AI make it a more suitable choice despite high capital expenditures [15] - For those willing to take on higher risks, MercadoLibre may be a better option due to its ability to navigate challenges and its potential for rapid growth [16]