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

Updated on August 30, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MELI	PKG
Company Name	MercadoLibre, Inc.	Packaging Corporation of America
Country	Uruguay	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Materials
GICS Industry	Broadline Retail	Containers & Packaging
Market Capitalization	122.35 billion USD	18.96 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	August 10, 2007	January 28, 2000
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MELI and PKG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	PKG
5-Day Price Return	3.25%	0.16%
13-Week Price Return	-5.55%	8.70%
26-Week Price Return	6.79%	1.33%
52-Week Price Return	20.39%	3.08%
Month-to-Date Return	1.67%	8.74%
Year-to-Date Return	41.93%	-6.41%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.30M	0.94M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.35M	0.77M
3-Month Volatility	26.55%	25.73%
Beta	1.51	0.95

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

PKG

20.33%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 41.66%
Q3: 20.76%
Median: 14.35%
Q1: 6.55%
Min: 3.64%

PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% is on par with the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

PKG

10.47%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 11.61%
Q3: 8.17%
Median: 4.91%
Q1: 4.20%
Min: 0.08%

A Net Profit Margin of 10.47% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

PKG

14.39%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 22.03%
Q3: 13.17%
Median: 8.87%
Q1: 6.86%
Min: 0.07%

An Operating Profit Margin of 14.39% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	PKG
Return on Equity (TTM)	43.06%	20.33%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.57%	10.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.52%	10.47%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.30%	14.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	45.87%	22.13%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

PKG

3.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.13
Q3: 1.57
Median: 1.27
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.58

PKG’s Current Ratio of 3.54 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

PKG

0.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.50
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.23

Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

PKG

26.71

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 13.16
Q3: 8.10
Median: 3.61
Q1: 2.94
Min: 1.06

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 26.71, PKG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	PKG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.20	3.54
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.18	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.28	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	13.22	26.71

Growth

Revenue Growth

MELI vs. PKG: 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

MELI vs. PKG: 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)

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.

PKG

2.53%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 7.37%
Q3: 4.07%
Median: 3.33%
Q1: 1.72%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

PKG

49.67%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 221.20%
Q3: 119.52%
Median: 58.05%
Q1: 28.91%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.67% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	PKG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	49.67%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

PKG

19.67

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 35.98
Q3: 27.87
Median: 16.15
Q1: 14.38
Min: 8.20

PKG’s P/E Ratio of 19.67 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging 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 vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

PKG

2.06

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.91
Q3: 1.67
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.30

PKG’s P/S Ratio of 2.06 is in the upper echelon for the Containers & Packaging 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.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

PKG

3.66

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 5.28
Q3: 3.30
Median: 2.35
Q1: 1.57
Min: 0.89

PKG’s P/B Ratio of 3.66 is in the upper tier for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

MELI vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	PKG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	58.41	19.67
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.98	2.06
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	23.19	3.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.24	28.54