Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) vs MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI)

BKNG leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Booking Holdings Inc. and MercadoLibre, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — BKNG vs MELI

growth of $100 · last 19y
BKNG +5272.6%MELI +5536.9%MELI compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $1002011201520192023$5,373$5,637
BKNG MELI

BKNG vs MELI: by the numbers

  • BKNG is the larger company ($127.81B vs $80.59B market cap).
  • BKNG trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.75 vs 41.96 P/E).
  • BKNG converts more revenue to profit (22.23% vs 6.04% net margin).
  • MELI grew revenue faster over the past five years (46.59% vs 37.43% CAGR).
  • BKNG pays a dividend (0.97% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, BKNG or MELI?

Metric tally: BKNG 10 · MELI 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueBKNG(lower P/E)
GrowthMELI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityBKNG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricBKNGMELI
P/E ratio21.7541.96
Forward P/E13.3828.09
P/S ratio4.732.53
P/B ratio11.07
PEG ratio0.1411.34
EV / EBITDA14.0726.36
FCF yield6.90%13.28%

Profitability

MetricBKNGMELI
Gross margin100.00%43.86%
Operating margin34.28%9.59%
Net margin22.23%6.04%
ROE-96.88%26.37%
ROIC50.82%11.78%

Dividends

MetricBKNGMELI
Dividend yield0.97%
Payout ratio24.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBKNGMELI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)37.43%46.59%
EPS CAGR (5Y)158.62%83.23%
FCF CAGR (5Y)39.83%73.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.81%2.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BKNG or MELI?
It depends on your goal. value: BKNG (lower P/E); growth: MELI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: BKNG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BKNG leads 10 to 5.
Is BKNG or MELI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BKNG is cheaper: BKNG trades at a 21.75 P/E and MELI at 41.96.
Which has grown faster, BKNG or MELI?
Over the past five years, MELI grew revenue faster — BKNG at a 37.43% CAGR versus MELI at 46.59%.
Does BKNG or MELI pay a bigger dividend?
BKNG pays a dividend (0.97% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.
Is BKNG or MELI more profitable?
BKNG runs the higher net margin — BKNG at 22.23% versus MELI at 6.04%.
Which has been the better investment, BKNG or MELI?
Over the past 10-year, MELI delivered the higher annualized total return — BKNG at 12.30% versus MELI at 28.09%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.