Company Performance - MercadoLibre has shown impressive performance with a revenue increase of 64% and gross merchandise volume growth of 40% [5] - Unique buyers increased by 25% year over year, contributing to the growth in gross merchandise volume [4] - The operating margin expanded from 12.2% to 12.9%, indicating improved profitability [5] Market Opportunities - The company holds only 5% of the total retail market in Latin America, suggesting significant growth potential as e-commerce penetration increases [9] - The offline retail market still dominates at 85%, providing a large opportunity for MercadoLibre to capture more market share [9] - The fintech sector is also expanding, with assets under management increasing by 103%, indicating strong engagement in financial services [8] Strategic Initiatives - MercadoLibre has launched the Mercado Play App, which offers 15,000 hours of free content and is expected to drive growth in advertising revenue [10] - The company is focusing on groceries, which increased by 65% year over year, enhancing customer retention and repeat purchases [6] - Management is exploring deeper involvement in streaming and full banking services, with plans for a bank charter in Mexico [12] Stock Valuation - Following the strong first-quarter results, MercadoLibre's stock has risen 42% in 2025, outperforming the broader market [13] - The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 36 and a price-to-free cash flow ratio of 17, which are considered reasonable for a high-growth stock [13] - The company has a proven track record, substantial cash reserves, and increasing profits, making it an attractive investment option [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported strong growth in net revenue, maintaining the rapid pace achieved in 2024, with income from operations growing faster than revenue, particularly in Argentina [3][4] - Monthly active users reached 64 million, growing over 30% year on year [6] - EBIT margin improved by 70 basis points year on year, from 12.2% to 12.9% [95][96] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Argentina, GMV growth was 126% year on year, with items sold increasing by 52% [18][22] - The supermarket category grew 65% year on year, outpacing other categories [30] - The fintech segment, particularly Mercado Pago, is focused on democratizing financial services, with a strong emphasis on user experience and product offerings [6][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brand preference metrics for the marketplace reached all-time highs in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile [4] - The credit book in Argentina grew significantly, with assets under management increasing by 69% year on year [22][58] - The company is seeing stabilization in Argentina's macroeconomic environment, contributing to improved performance [20][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become the largest and best digital account in Latin America, with a focus on integrating Mercado Pago into its ecosystem [12][10] - Strategic investments are being made in logistics and credit card offerings in Brazil and Mexico, while maintaining a strong focus on growth opportunities in commerce and fintech [99][44] - The company is adapting its credit models to local markets, with plans to launch credit cards in Argentina in the second half of the year [76][68] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in Argentina, citing lower inflation and decreasing interest rates as positive factors [20][22] - The company is focused on balancing growth and profitability, emphasizing the importance of long-term growth opportunities in Latin America [99][95] - Management noted that while there may be short-term margin pressures due to investments, the overall growth trajectory remains strong [98][95] Other Important Information - The company launched a new branding for Mercado Pago, aligning it with the overall ecosystem to enhance user confidence [10][11] - The logistics plan remains consistent, with ongoing investments to expand fulfillment centers as needed [44][45] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of trends in Argentina - Management highlighted strong growth in Argentina, driven by recovery in demand and market share gains, with a focus on enhancing the value proposition [17][19] Question: Drivers behind 1P GMV growth - The growth was attributed to improved selection and price competitiveness across various categories, with supermarket growth being particularly strong [28][30] Question: Contribution margin evolution in Argentina - Management noted that growth allowed for efficient dilution of fixed costs, with improvements in logistics and credit business profitability contributing to margin enhancements [49][50] Question: Asset quality trends - The company reported strong asset quality in Argentina, with low delinquencies and a growing credit card portfolio [55][58] Question: Strategy regarding deposits in Brazil - The focus is on marketing and positioning as a leading digital bank, with competitive rates to enhance customer loyalty [60][61] Question: Update on logistics plan - The logistics plan remains unchanged, with ongoing investments to meet demand projections [43][44] Question: Impact of credit portfolio on marketplace - Management does not expect any negative repercussions on marketplace growth from tightening credit issuance [75] Question: Competition from TikTok Shop and others - Management is monitoring new entrants closely, viewing them as potential opportunities to attract new users to the online marketplace [116][120]