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Citi raises MercadoLibre stock target, retains buy rating on adjustments

EditorNatashya Angelica
Published 10/22/2024, 11:08 PM
© Reuters
MELI
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On Tuesday, Citi updated its stance on MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:MELI) shares, a leading e-commerce platform in Latin America, by increasing the stock's price target to $2,480 from the previous $2,200. The firm kept its Buy rating on the shares, indicating confidence in the stock's future performance.

The adjustment to the price target is based on several minor changes to Citi's financial model. These changes include a three-month time-point rollover, a reduction in the cost of equity assumption from 14.4% to 13.7%, and a decrease in the Beta value from 1.1 to 1.0.

The Beta value is a measure of a stock's volatility in relation to the market. A lower Beta suggests that the stock is less volatile, which can be perceived as a sign of stability and quality.

The reduction in the cost of equity assumption is partly due to decreased country risk in Brazil, which has fallen by 20 basis points. Brazil is a significant market for MercadoLibre, and lower perceived risk in the country can positively affect the company's valuation.

The analyst's comments highlight that the consistent results demonstrated by MercadoLibre have led to a higher quality perception of the stock. This perception, along with the resulting lower volatility, has contributed to the decision to raise the price target.

The new 12-month discounted cash flow (DCF) price target of $2,480 per share reflects Citi's updated outlook on MercadoLibre's financial prospects. The DCF model is a valuation method used to estimate the value of an investment based on its expected future cash flows. The adjustments made by Citi suggest an anticipation of continued solid performance by MercadoLibre in the coming year.

In other recent news, MercadoLibre has experienced notable developments in its operations and strategic initiatives. The Latin American e-commerce giant has been recognized by Redburn-Atlantic for its strong positioning in the region, with a Buy rating and a price target of $2,800.

The firm highlighted MercadoLibre's strategic initiatives, including its payment platform Mercado Pago and shipping solution Mercado Envíos, as key drivers for its success.

JPMorgan, however, downgraded MercadoLibre's stock from Overweight to Neutral, due to concerns over increased expenses from logistics and credit card business expansion. Meanwhile, Raymond James initiated coverage on MercadoLibre with an Outperform rating, emphasizing the company's growth potential across various initiatives.

BofA Securities also increased its price target on MercadoLibre to $2,500, reflecting a positive outlook on the company's growth prospects and potential for increased earnings power.

MercadoLibre's recent financial growth includes a loan of $30,000 to Brazilian entrepreneurs, leading to a 40% increase in their sales. The company's fintech business reported a near 50% growth rate, with projected digital advertising revenues of $1 billion this year.

Moreover, MercadoLibre has announced changes to its board of directors and audit committee, appointing Mr. Stelleo Tolda as a Class I director and a member of the audit committee. These are among the recent developments shaping MercadoLibre's trajectory in the e-commerce and fintech landscapes.

InvestingPro Insights

MercadoLibre's strong market position and financial performance are further underscored by recent data from InvestingPro. The company's revenue growth of 37.27% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 aligns with Citi's positive outlook. This robust growth is complemented by an impressive gross profit margin of 54.7%, reflecting MercadoLibre's operational efficiency.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that MercadoLibre is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth, with a PEG ratio of 0.89. This suggests that the stock may be undervalued considering its growth prospects, potentially supporting Citi's increased price target.

Moreover, the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, indicating financial stability—a factor that could contribute to the lower perceived volatility mentioned in the analyst's report.

For investors seeking a deeper understanding of MercadoLibre's financial health and market position, InvestingPro offers 18 additional tips, providing a comprehensive analysis to inform investment decisions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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