MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) vs Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)

ROST leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of MercadoLibre, Inc. and Ross Stores, 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).

MercadoLibre, Inc. logo
MELI
MercadoLibre, Inc.
$80.59B
$1589.60Consumer Cyclical
Ross Stores, Inc. logo
ROST
Ross Stores, Inc.
$77.03B
$240.13Consumer Cyclical

Total return — MELI vs ROST

growth of $100 · last 19y
MELI +5536.9%ROST +3286.9%MELI compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $1002011201520192023$5,637$3,387
MELI ROST

MELI vs ROST: by the numbers

  • •MELI is the larger company ($80.59B vs $77.03B market cap).
  • •ROST trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.54 vs 41.96 P/E).
  • •ROST converts more revenue to profit (9.74% vs 6.04% net margin).
  • •MELI grew revenue faster over the past five years (46.59% vs 9.35% CAGR).
  • •ROST pays a dividend (0.71% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, MELI or ROST?

Metric tally: MELI 7 · ROST 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueROST(lower P/E)
GrowthMELI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityROST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricMELIROST
P/E ratio41.9633.54●
Forward P/E28.09●30.68
P/S ratio2.53●3.24
P/B ratio11.07●12.24
PEG ratio11.345.96●
EV / EBITDA26.3620.90●
FCF yield13.28%●3.41%

Profitability

MetricMELIROST
Gross margin43.86%●28.33%
Operating margin9.59%12.22%●
Net margin6.04%9.74%●
ROE26.37%36.73%●
ROIC11.78%17.10%●

Dividends

MetricMELIROST
Dividend yield—0.71%
Payout ratio—25.53%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMELIROST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)46.59%●9.35%
EPS CAGR (5Y)83.23%94.40%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)73.42%●-6.35%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.68%16.14%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, MELI or ROST?
It depends on your goal. value: ROST (lower P/E); growth: MELI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ROST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ROST leads 9 to 7.
Is MELI or ROST cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ROST is cheaper: MELI trades at a 41.96 P/E and ROST at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, MELI or ROST?
Over the past five years, MELI grew revenue faster — MELI at a 46.59% CAGR versus ROST at 9.35%.
Does MELI or ROST pay a bigger dividend?
ROST pays a dividend (0.71% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.
Is MELI or ROST more profitable?
ROST runs the higher net margin — MELI at 6.04% versus ROST at 9.74%.
Which has been the better investment, MELI or ROST?
Over the past 10-year, MELI delivered the higher annualized total return — MELI at 28.09% versus ROST at 17.31%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MELI analysisFull ROST analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

MercadoLibre P/E ratioRoss Stores P/E ratioMercadoLibre dividend yieldRoss Stores dividend yieldMercadoLibre ROERoss Stores ROEMercadoLibre operating marginRoss Stores operating marginMercadoLibre revenue growthRoss Stores revenue growthMercadoLibre free cash flowRoss Stores free cash flow

MercadoLibre & Ross Stores appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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.