HMC vs. MELI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 28, 2025

Here’s a clear look at HMC and MELI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

HMC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, MELI is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	HMC	MELI
Company Name	Honda Motor Co., Ltd.	MercadoLibre, Inc.
Country	Japan	Uruguay
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Automobiles	Broadline Retail
Market Capitalization	45.61 billion USD	122.07 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	August 10, 2007
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HMC and MELI by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

HMC vs. MELI: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HMC	MELI
5-Day Price Return	0.96%	2.77%
13-Week Price Return	18.66%	-7.61%
26-Week Price Return	17.09%	15.99%
52-Week Price Return	36.87%	21.06%
Month-to-Date Return	7.01%	1.43%
Year-to-Date Return	9.38%	41.60%
10-Day Avg. Volume	17.41M	0.31M
3-Month Avg. Volume	19.07M	0.35M
3-Month Volatility	33.37%	27.54%
Beta	1.20	1.51

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HMC

6.53%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

HMC’s Return on Equity of 6.53% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MELI

43.06%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 49.17%
Q3: 28.98%
Median: 19.22%
Q1: 10.86%
Min: -11.14%

In the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, MELI’s Return on Equity of 43.06% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HMC

3.85%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

HMC’s Net Profit Margin of 3.85% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MELI

8.52%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 19.78%
Q3: 11.90%
Median: 8.63%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: 0.82%

MELI’s Net Profit Margin of 8.52% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HMC

5.59%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

HMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.59% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MELI

12.30%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 27.23%
Q3: 15.96%
Median: 11.13%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: 1.77%

MELI’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.30% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HMC	MELI
Return on Equity (TTM)	6.53%	43.06%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.72%	7.57%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.85%	8.52%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	5.59%	12.30%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	21.50%	45.87%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HMC

1.36

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

HMC’s Current Ratio of 1.36 aligns with the median group of the Automobiles industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MELI

1.20

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 3.54
Q3: 2.42
Median: 1.49
Q1: 1.22
Min: 0.67

MELI’s Current Ratio of 1.20 falls into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HMC

0.93

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

HMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.93 is typical for the Automobiles industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MELI

1.28

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 1.34
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.27
Min: 0.00

MELI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.28 is typical for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HMC

685.89

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
Min: -49.07

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 685.89, HMC demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Automobiles industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MELI

13.22

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 37.34
Q3: 20.63
Median: 11.28
Q1: 4.22
Min: -19.29

MELI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.22 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HMC	MELI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.36	1.20
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	1.18
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.93	1.28
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	685.89	13.22

Growth

Revenue Growth

HMC vs. MELI: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

HMC vs. MELI: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

HMC

4.32%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

HMC’s Dividend Yield of 4.32% is consistent with its peers in the Automobiles industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MELI

0.00%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 5.46%
Q3: 2.38%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MELI currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HMC

49.32%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
Min: 0.00%

HMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.32% is within the typical range for the Automobiles industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MELI

0.00%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 131.17%
Q3: 63.48%
Median: 29.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MELI has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HMC	MELI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	4.32%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	49.32%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HMC

9.63

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

HMC’s P/E Ratio of 9.63 is within the middle range for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

MELI

58.41

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 66.12
Q3: 35.17
Median: 16.29
Q1: 10.47
Min: 5.94

A P/E Ratio of 58.41 places MELI in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HMC

0.37

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

HMC’s P/S Ratio of 0.37 aligns with the market consensus for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MELI

4.98

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 5.40
Q3: 3.33
Median: 2.04
Q1: 0.80
Min: 0.16

MELI’s P/S Ratio of 4.98 is in the upper echelon for the Broadline Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HMC

0.58

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

HMC’s P/B Ratio of 0.58 is within the conventional range for the Automobiles industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

MELI

23.19

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 9.06
Q3: 5.22
Median: 3.48
Q1: 1.90
Min: 0.74

At 23.19, MELI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Broadline Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

HMC vs. MELI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Broadline Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HMC	MELI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	9.63	58.41
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.37	4.98
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.58	23.19
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	32.11	16.24