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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MELI	RL
Company Name	MercadoLibre, Inc.	Ralph Lauren Corporation
Country	Uruguay	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Broadline Retail	Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
Market Capitalization	118.43 billion USD	17.34 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	August 10, 2007	June 12, 1997
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MELI and RL 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. RL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	RL
5-Day Price Return	0.70%	-1.44%
13-Week Price Return	-9.40%	3.08%
26-Week Price Return	13.06%	2.76%
52-Week Price Return	15.19%	71.38%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.60%	-4.19%
Year-to-Date Return	37.38%	23.92%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.33M	0.84M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.36M	0.75M
3-Month Volatility	26.33%	28.75%
Beta	1.51	1.65

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.

RL

29.90%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 53.33%
Q3: 26.13%
Median: 18.47%
Q1: 7.99%
Min: -10.49%

In the upper quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, RL’s Return on Equity of 29.90% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

10.49%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 23.35%
Q3: 13.49%
Median: 8.45%
Q1: 4.18%
Min: -3.90%

RL’s Net Profit Margin of 10.49% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

13.17%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 29.47%
Q3: 20.87%
Median: 13.00%
Q1: 7.02%
Min: -3.59%

RL’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.17% is around the midpoint for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	RL
Return on Equity (TTM)	43.06%	29.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.57%	10.78%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.52%	10.49%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.30%	13.17%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	45.87%	68.55%

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.

RL

1.78

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 3.91
Q3: 2.49
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.43
Min: 0.80

RL’s Current Ratio of 1.78 aligns with the median group of the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

0.54

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 2.67
Q3: 1.29
Median: 0.59
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

RL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

85.38

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 57.00
Q3: 35.85
Median: 9.20
Q1: 4.29
Min: -32.49

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 85.38, RL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	RL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.20	1.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.18	1.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.28	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	13.22	85.38

Growth

Revenue Growth

MELI vs. RL: 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. RL: 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.

RL

1.16%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.60%
Median: 2.59%
Q1: 0.95%
Min: 0.00%

RL’s Dividend Yield of 1.16% is consistent with its peers in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

27.07%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 195.44%
Q3: 106.47%
Median: 58.77%
Q1: 36.52%
Min: 0.00%

RL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.07% is in the lower quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	RL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	1.16%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	27.07%

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.

RL

23.39

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 63.29
Q3: 34.64
Median: 18.01
Q1: 13.88
Min: 6.04

RL’s P/E Ratio of 23.39 is within the middle range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

2.45

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 5.46
Q3: 3.13
Median: 1.72
Q1: 0.83
Min: 0.26

RL’s P/S Ratio of 2.45 aligns with the market consensus for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MELI vs. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

RL

5.27

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 9.76
Q3: 6.00
Median: 3.26
Q1: 1.97
Min: 0.69

RL’s P/B Ratio of 5.27 is within the conventional range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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 vs. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MELI	RL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	58.41	23.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.98	2.45
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	23.19	5.27
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.24	17.05