Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc (ARCO)vsMercadoLibre Inc. (MELI)
ARCO
Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc
$8.20
-0.73%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $1.83B
MELI
MercadoLibre Inc.
$1,607.80
-1.65%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $84.81B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
MercadoLibre Inc. generates 560% more annual revenue ($31.80B vs $4.82B). MELI leads profitability with a 6.0% profit margin vs 4.9%. ARCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.54. ARCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).
ARCO
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B-
MELI
Buy58
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+25.8%
Fair Value
$11.33
Current Price
$8.20
$3.13 discount
Margin of Safety
+61.8%
Fair Value
$5279.65
Current Price
$1607.80
$3671.85 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit
Earnings expanding 159.4% YoY
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 49.0% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Generating 1.3B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Grey zone — moderate risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
4.9% margin — thin
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Trading at 11.2x book value
6.0% margin — thin
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ARCO
The strongest argument for ARCO centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 12.9% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.54 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : MELI
The strongest argument for MELI centers on Revenue Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 49.0% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.07 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : ARCO
The primary concerns for ARCO are Altman Z-Score, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk. Thin 4.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : MELI
The primary concerns for MELI are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Debt/Equity. A P/E of 44.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 1.70 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ARCO profiles as a value stock while MELI is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.
MELI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — expect wider price swings.
MELI is growing revenue faster at 49.0% — sustainability is the question.
MELI generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ARCO scores higher overall (70/100 vs 58/100) and 12.9% revenue growth. MELI offers better value entry with a 61.8% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA
Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. is a McDonald's restaurant franchise. The company is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Visit Website →MercadoLibre Inc.
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · INTERNET RETAIL · USA
MercadoLibre, Inc. operates online trading platforms in Latin America. The company is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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