Mercado Libre Shares Drop 13% in New York Following Quarterly Results

Mercado Libre shares fell 13% on the New York Stock Exchange this Thursday. The decline followed the company's report of $448 million in net income for the third quarter. This figure fell short of the $476 million expected by the market.

The company's operating margin retreated to 6.3%. This result missed the 7% forecast and remained below the nearly 10% recorded in the same period last year. EBIT reached $676 million, representing a 6% drop year-over-year.

Analysts note that revenue growth in Brazil remains strong. However, pressure on margins and a slowdown in certain credit lines are causing caution. The company is working to balance the pace of reinvestment with the normalization of its operating costs.

The credit operation requires attention due to the high interest rate environment in Brazil. The need for more conservative lending criteria may impact the growth of gross merchandise volume. The market is monitoring whether the company can maintain expansion without compromising the quality of its portfolio.

The global performance of technology and e-commerce companies influences investor risk perception regarding growth assets. Results below expectations from industry giants often increase volatility in international stock markets.