TIVP108: MERCADO LIBRE ($MELI): WE DOUBLED DOWN ON MELI
W/ DANIEL MAHNCKE & SHAWN O’MALLEY
TIVP108: MERCADO LIBRE ($MELI): WE DOUBLED DOWN ON MELI W/ DANIEL MAHNCKE & SHAWN O’MALLEY
11 November 2026
Daniel Mahncke and Shawn O’Malley return to Mercado Libre (NASDAQ: MELI), a holding in The Intrinsic Value Portfolio. The “Amazon of Latin America” just reported its 31st consecutive quarter of revenue growth above 30%, a streak no company of its size has ever matched, with revenue up 45% to $10.75 billion. In the same quarter, its operating margin fell to 6.3%, the lowest in years, and the stock trades below where it was originally pitched.
Daniel and Shawn cover the evolution of Mercado Pago, which processed $109 billion in payments last quarter, more than four times what the marketplace sold, and runs a $17.9 billion credit book growing 62% a year that has made it the sixth-largest card issuer in Brazil. They explain why booking losses on new credit cards upfront is the biggest reason margins fell, and why Pago is so important for the ecosystem. They then take a close look at Shopee, the biggest competitor for Meli in Brazil. They also cover Amazon, and the question that decides the whole thesis: will Brazil end up looking like the U.S., with one or two dominant platforms, or like China, where four players compete margins down to 2%? In the end, they walk through the updated valuation model and explain why they added to the position.
SUBSCRIBE
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
- What changed since our last pitch
- How Mercado Pago keeps taking share
- Why Pago strengthens the flywheel
- Whether competition forces Meli’s hands
- How margins impact the Meli thesis
- What MELI’s stock is worth
- Whether MELI will stay part of The Intrinsic Value Portfolio
- And so much more!
For the full show notes, go to this page.
HELP US OUT!
Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
- Apply for The Intrinsic Value Mastermind Community where investors learn, share ideas, network, and join calls with experts.
- Apply for The Mastermind Inner Circle to connect with the most successful investors, executives, and business leaders from our audience. As an Inner Circle Member, you also have the opportunity to join us at a private dinner with Markel CEO Tom Gayner in March!
- Track The Intrinsic Value Portfolio.
- Portfolio Review Submit Tool.
- Our Original Mercado Libre Episode.
- Check out the Sea Limited Episode.
- Check out the Grab Episode.
- Mercado Libre Investor Relations.
- Check out our previous Intrinsic Value breakdowns: Coupang, Shopify, Pinduoduo, Amazon.
- Related books mentioned in the podcast.
- Ad-free episodes on our Premium Feed.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links or relate to partners who support our show. If you choose to sign up or make a purchase through them, we may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
NEW TO THE SHOW?
- Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter.
- Check out The Investor’s Podcast Starter Packs.
- Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Facebook.
- Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here.
- Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool.
- Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services.
- Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts.
SPONSORS
Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors:
CONNECT WITH SHAWN
CONNECT WITH KYLE
PROMOTIONS
Check out our latest offer for all The Investor’s Podcast Network listeners!



