MercadoLibre (MELI) Stock Plunges 5% as Credit Risk Fears Mount and Bond Issuance Looms

MercadoLibre's stock just took a 5% haircut—and the market's whispering about credit jitters and fresh debt on the horizon.

The Big Squeeze

Investors are hitting the sell button, spooked by rising credit risk and the company's plans to tap the bond market. That 5% drop isn't just a blip; it's a signal that confidence is cracking under pressure. When a Latin American e-commerce giant starts looking shaky, it sends ripples far beyond its own balance sheet.

Debt's Double-Edged Sword

Issuing bonds can fuel growth, but it also piles on obligations. In a climate where borrowing costs are anything but friendly, new debt raises eyebrows—and blood pressure. It's the classic finance trap: needing money most when it's most expensive to get. The market's reaction suggests MercadoLibre might be dancing a little too close to that edge.

Where's the Floor?

The real question now is whether this is a buying opportunity or the start of a deeper slide. A 5% single-day move demands attention, forcing a brutal reassessment of the company's risk profile. Every analyst's model is getting a frantic update right about now.

One cynical take? This is what happens when growth stories collide with the cold, hard math of leverage—reminding everyone that in finance, gravity always wins eventually.

TLDRs;

• MELI declines 5% as investors digest credit risks, bond issuance, and near-term chart weakness.
• MELI’s technical setup signals short-term weakness despite long-term growth fundamentals remaining intact.
• MELI selloff driven by credit risks, fresh debt, robotics investment, and earnings margin pressure.
• Analysts maintain bullish targets despite short-term volatility, focusing on support zones, credit updates, and robotics news.

MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI) experienced a sharp selloff in December, 2025, closing at $1,970.73, a decline of 5% from  $2,074.48. The stock traded in a wide intraday range between $1,957.00 and $2,037.50, with volume slightly above its recent average at 1.17 million shares.

Extended-hours trading remained NEAR $1,970, setting the stage for a cautious opening on Thursday.Pre-market quotes had already pointed to a weaker open around $2,032.

MercadoLibre, Inc., MELI

Selling pressure throughout the session pushed the shares toward the lower end of their recent range. Analysts now classify MELI’s short-term technical setup as a “Strong Sell,” even as the longer-term growth narrative remains intact.

Over the past month, the stock is roughly 5–6% lower than at the start of December and well below its 52-week high above $2,640, while still comfortably above its 52-week low near $1,646, reflecting ongoing volatility in this high-growth name.

Key Drivers Behind the Selloff

Wednesday’s decline in MercadoLibre’s stock reflected a mix of credit, debt, operational, and earnings concerns. The company’s credit portfolio through Mercado Pago grew to $11 billion, up 83% year-over-year, with delinquencies at 6.8% for early-stage loans and 17.6% for over-90-day accounts, raising earnings volatility.

Adding pressure, MercadoLibre closed a $750 million bond offering at 4.9% on December 9. Despite strong institutional demand, some traders worry that the combination of rising leverage and an expanding credit book could strain profitability if Latin American macro conditions worsen.

Operational news also weighed on sentiment. The company’s partnership with Agility Robotics to deploy Digit humanoid robots in a Texas warehouse, aimed at improving safety and efficiency, sparked concerns over capital intensity and execution risk.

Finally, Q3 2025 revenue ROSE 39–40% to $7.41 billion, yet EPS missed expectations at $8.32, and operating margins fell below 10%, highlighting ongoing pressures despite strong top-line growth.

Outlook and Investor Considerations

Despite the pullback, Wall Street analysts remain constructive. Price targets range from $2,847 to $2,874, suggesting upside of roughly 40–46% from current levels. Discounted cash FLOW models indicate the stock may be undervalued by approximately 29%, though earnings multiples remain high at 50×.

Traders will closely watch whether the $1,950–$2,000 support zone holds, pre-market activity, and any updates on credit quality or management commentary on robotics and AI integration. Macro factors such as Federal Reserve policy and Latin American currency movements will also influence sentiment.

Long-term investors continue to view MercadoLibre as a dominant player in Latin America’s digital economy. The company has achieved 27 consecutive quarters of 30%+ revenue growth, demonstrating a robust expansion trajectory. Yet, margins, leverage, and credit risks remain key near-term considerations for both traders and risk-conscious investors.

Bottom Line

MercadoLibre’s 5% decline reflects short-term technical weakness, credit risk concerns, debt issuance, and automation investments. While volatility persists, the company’s long-term growth story in e-commerce and fintech remains intact, offering potential upside for patient investors.

Thursday’s session will test support levels and investor confidence as MELI balances expansion with profitability.