We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Emerging Markets Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) stands against the other emerging markets stocks.
Emerging markets stocks are shares of companies based in developing countries – think Brazil, India, China, or South Africa – that are rapidly industrializing and growing their economies. Unlike the familiar and more predictable world of US stocks, emerging markets offer something quite different: higher growth potential coupled with greater volatility, influenced by unique local dynamics such as political shifts, currency swings, and evolving regulations. Why venture into these turbulent waters? Because with higher risk comes the potential for higher rewards. These markets often grow faster than mature economies, making them especially attractive if you’re looking to diversify beyond the stability (and sometimes slower pace) of US equities. Also, exposure to the best emerging markets stocks would not only boost the return profile of a portfolio, but also make it less volatile through diversification – many emerging markets exhibit little to no sensitivity to the state of the economy in the US, meaning that their national economy could continue to grow even when the US is in a recession.
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Timing matters, especially when diving into emerging markets stocks. Investing in these companies makes the most sense when global economic conditions are improving, investor sentiment is optimistic, and local political or financial uncertainties are settling down. It’s particularly appealing if you’re a patient investor who can withstand short-term volatility for potentially bigger long-term gains. Additionally, when valuations in developed markets like the US are stretched and growth appears limited, emerging markets stocks can offer a refreshing alternative, giving your portfolio both growth exposure and geographical diversification.
The current tendencies we see in the global markets are highly suggestive that a potential rotation from US stocks to emerging markets stocks would be the right move to make. Despite the US market being in correction mode, valuations still appear stretched, as the whole market trades at a forward P/E above 20x, significantly above the historical average, which is around the mid-teens. This is the first factor that points toward the possibility that US stock market returns will be lower until the end of the decade due to the impact of declining valuations (or, call it a return to more normal valuations). Second, the new Trump 2.0 administration introduced a lot of noise into the US economy – the Atlanta Fed has already lowered its GDP growth estimates for the following quarters as a result of significant cuts in public spending as well as the tariff threats negatively impacting the private spending outlook. This expected economic slowdown is exclusive to the US market, while emerging markets may continue to grow their economies at a usual pace.
Finally, the potential impact of the upcoming reciprocal tariffs on April 2 is still not completely understood by the markets. What is certain is that the tariff threats have already caused inflation in some products, such as construction materials, copper, and other commodities, as businesses rushed to stockpile raw materials and inventories at cheaper prices before tariffs were enforced. Higher inflation, especially in core products like housing, is not good for the economy, as it pressures consumers and erodes their spending power. Higher inflation may also reduce the chances that the FED will lower interest rates any time soon, which is another impediment to economic growth. The key takeaway for readers is that the aforementioned headwinds and threats are mostly exclusive to the US market, while most of the emerging markets are likely to be impacted much less.
A customer using their phone to access an online commerce platform.
Our Methodology
We shortlisted 20-30 emerging markets stocks that are based in and derive most of their revenue from emerging countries. Then we compared the list with our proprietary database of hedge funds’ ownership and included in the article the top 10 stocks with the largest number of hedge funds owning the stock as of Q4 2024. All stocks are ranked in ascending order.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 96
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) is a leading e-commerce and fintech company, headquartered in Uruguay, operating across 18 Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Its ecosystem comprises several integrated services: Mercado Libre Marketplace, a platform for buying and selling goods; Mercado Pago, a digital payments solution; Mercado Crédito, offering credit services; Mercado Envios, providing logistics solutions; Mercado Ads, an advertising platform; and Mercado Shops, which enables businesses to create online storefronts.
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) had an outstanding year in 2024, gaining significant market share in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina across core areas such as GMV, total payment volume (TPV), credit portfolio, and assets under management. The company achieved key milestones, surpassing 100 million unique buyers on its marketplace and reaching 60 million monthly active users on its FinTech platform. With $21 billion in revenue and over $1 billion in free cash flow, MELI demonstrated its ability to generate strong, profitable growth while continuing to invest in its strategic priorities.
Throughout the year, MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) focused on enhancing its logistics capabilities, opening new fulfillment centers, and expanding its free shipping coverage to improve customer experience. In the credit card business, MELI issued 5.9 million new cards and more than doubled the size of its portfolio. The company’s long-term growth outlook remains strong, supported by low e-commerce penetration in Latin America, rising demand for financial products among underserved populations, and increasing adoption of digital payment solutions among merchants and consumers. For its explosive expansion, MELI is often called “The Amazon of Latin America”, which makes it one of the best emerging markets stocks to invest in.
Overall MELI ranks 2nd on our list of the 10 best emerging markets stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of MELI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MELI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
