MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,062,760 shares, an increase of 19.3% from the February 26th total of 891,079 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 647,462 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Currently, 2.1% of the company’s shares are sold short.

MercadoLibre News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting MercadoLibre this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bullish analyst take: Several recent pieces argue MELI looks attractively valued after a large pullback, highlighting 45% revenue growth, expanding fintech/credit volumes and a strong long‑term growth story that could justify buying in on weakness. MercadoLibre: Attractively Positioned For Significant Upside
• Positive Sentiment: Institutional endorsement/interest: Generation Investment Management highlighted its equity views that support quality, patient investments — a context investors cite when re-evaluating MELI after the selloff. Institutional buying and favorable analyst targets are propped up in commentary. Here’s Generation Investment Management’s Views on MercadoLibre (MELI)
• Positive Sentiment: Technical/valuation narrative: MarketBeat and several writeups argue MELI is in “deep pullback” territory (~40% off highs) and approaching support levels and more compelling forward P/E multiples — a narrative that attracts value/long‑term buyers. MercadoLibre Stock Is in Deep Pullback Territory: Time to Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Short‑term market flow/coverage: Several outlets note MELI is rising despite broader market weakness — suggesting today’s move is partly driven by earnings follow‑through, repositioning by funds, and headlines rather than new operational data. Why MercadoLibre (MELI) stock is up today
• Negative Sentiment: Mercado Pago discontinues “Mercado Coin”: The fintech arm is terminating the Mercado Coin crypto loyalty token (launched 2022) and phasing out the program. That reduces crypto exposure and possible regulatory/compliance risk, but removes a branded loyalty/engagement tool and could shave peripheral revenue or customer incentives. Market reaction will depend on how management redeploys those resources and on clarity around customer impact. MercadoLibre’s fintech terminates its cryptocurrency Mercado Coin MercadoLibre (MELI) Discontinues Mercado Coin Mercado Libre Pulls Plug on Branded Crypto Offering Mercado Coin

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wedbush decreased their price target on shares of MercadoLibre from $2,600.00 to $2,400.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. BTIG Research lowered their target price on MercadoLibre from $2,650.00 to $2,400.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on MercadoLibre from $2,750.00 to $2,400.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut MercadoLibre from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $2,650.00 to $2,100.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded MercadoLibre from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, MercadoLibre currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $2,708.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MercadoLibre

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of MercadoLibre during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in MercadoLibre in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. acquired a new stake in MercadoLibre in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in MercadoLibre in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC bought a new stake in MercadoLibre in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. 87.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MercadoLibre Trading Up 6.8%

MELI traded up $109.82 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $1,729.02. 799,931 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 524,037. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $1,885.90 and its 200 day moving average is $2,053.42. MercadoLibre has a 12 month low of $1,593.21 and a 12 month high of $2,645.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.66 billion, a PE ratio of 43.88, a P/E/G ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.48.

MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:MELI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $11.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.66 by ($0.63). MercadoLibre had a return on equity of 33.73% and a net margin of 6.91%.The business had revenue of $8.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.45 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $12.61 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 44.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that MercadoLibre will post 43.96 earnings per share for the current year.

MercadoLibre Company Profile

MercadoLibre, Inc operates an integrated e-commerce and fintech ecosystem serving consumers and businesses across Latin America. The company provides an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers for a wide range of goods and services, supported by tools for merchants, advertising, and classifieds. Over time MercadoLibre has expanded beyond its marketplace roots into complementary areas that support digital commerce end to end.

Key offerings include its marketplace platform and a suite of logistics and payment services.