Mastercard (MA) vs MercadoLibre (MELI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Mastercard (MA) has outperformed MercadoLibre (MELI) over the past year, losing 1.7% versus a loss of 14.4%. Over five years, MA leads with a +60.1% price change compared with +19.8% for MELI. Mastercard is the larger company by market cap ($504.81 billion vs $94.45 billion), about 5.3 times the size, while MercadoLibre is growing revenue faster (+39.1% vs +16.4%).
On valuation, Mastercard trades at a lower forward P/E (25.0x vs 33.2x for MercadoLibre). Mastercard pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while MercadoLibre does not currently pay one. Mastercard converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.6% versus 6.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | MA | MELI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $576.27 | $1,863.07 |
| Market cap | $504.81B | $94.45B |
| 1-day change | +1.09% | -0.52% |
| YTD return | -0.14% | -7.02% |
| 1-year return | -1.69% | -14.39% |
| 5-year return | +60.13% | +19.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.70 | 50.67 |
| Forward P/E | 25.03 | 33.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $18.18 | $36.77 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.37 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $32.79B | $28.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.42% | +39.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $14.97B | $2.00B |
| Gross margin | — | 44.50% |
| Operating margin | 57.63% | 11.08% |
| Net margin | 45.65% | 6.91% |
| 52-week high | $601.23 | $2,428.00 |
| 52-week low | $464.52 | $1,495.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.15% | -23.27% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.70% | +22.15% |
| Average volume | 2.83M | 510.70K |
| Shares outstanding | 869.46M | 50.70M |
| Employees | 39,800 | 123,670 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Business Services | Business Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Mastercard is about 5.3 times larger than MercadoLibre by market value ($504.81B vs $94.45B).
- MA has outperformed MELI by 12.7 percentage points over the past year.
- MercadoLibre trades at a higher earnings multiple (50.7x vs 31.7x trailing P/E).
- Mastercard is more profitable, keeping 45.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.9 cents for MercadoLibre.
- MercadoLibre grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+39.06% vs +16.42%).
About Mastercard
MA stock →Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers products and services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; consumer bill payment services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 39,800 employees
About MercadoLibre
MELI stock →MercadoLibre, Inc. operates online commerce platforms in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 123,670 employees
MA vs MELI FAQ
Which is bigger, Mastercard or MercadoLibre?
Mastercard (MA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $504.81B compared with $94.45B for MercadoLibre (MELI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MA or MELI?
MA returned -1.69% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.39% for MELI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MA or MELI?
MA has the lower trailing P/E at 31.7, versus 50.7 for MELI. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Mastercard or MercadoLibre?
Mastercard pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while MercadoLibre does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Mastercard and MercadoLibre in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Business Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.