Which Stock Will Rally: MercadoLibre or Coupang?
Even as Coupang fell -5.9% during the past Day, its peer MercadoLibre may be a better choice. Consistently evaluating alternatives is core to sound investment approach. MercadoLibre (MELI) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Coupang (CPNG) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in MELI
- MELI’s quarterly revenue growth was 39.5%, vs. CPNG’s 17.8%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 36.9%, ahead of CPNG’s 16.6%.
- MELI leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 12.0% and 3-year average of 13.1%.
A single stock can be risky, but there is a huge value to a broader, diversified approach we take with the Trefis High Quality Portfolio. Separately, consider what the long-term performance for your portfolio could be if you combined 10% commodities, 10% gold, and 2% crypto with equities.
CPNG operates an e-commerce platform in South Korea, offering diverse products including home goods, apparel, beauty, fresh food, electronics, and more through mobile apps and websites. MELI operates Latin American online commerce platforms, enabling businesses and individuals to buy, sell, and invest funds through automated marketplaces and payment services.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| CPNG | MELI | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 70.9 | 37.3 | MELI |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 17.8% | 39.5% | MELI |
| Last 12 Months | 16.6% | 36.9% | MELI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 18.4% | 39.5% | MELI |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 2.3% | 12.0% | MELI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 1.7% | 13.1% | MELI |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 77.1% | 145.3% | MELI |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: CPNG Revenue Comparison | MELI Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: CPNG Operating Income Comparison | MELI Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell MELI Stock to see if MercadoLibre’s edge holds up under the hood or if Coupang still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell CPNG Stock).
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| CPNG Return | – | – | -50% | 10% | 36% | 37% | 9% | ||
| MELI Return | 193% | -20% | -37% | 86% | 8% | 35% | 307% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| CPNG Win Rate | – | 33% | 42% | 58% | 50% | 60% | 41% | ||
| MELI Win Rate | 75% | 50% | 42% | 50% | 33% | 60% | 52% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| CPNG Max Drawdown | – | – | -68% | -12% | -15% | -10% | -18% | ||
| MELI Max Drawdown | -22% | -37% | -55% | -2% | -14% | 0% | -22% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/5/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read MELI Dip Buyer Analyses and CPNG Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Whatever your view on either of these stocks, investing in one or two stocks remains a risky proposition. Instead, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.