Specialty Retail
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4 / 10Stock Comparison
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Application
Specialty Retail
Software - Infrastructure
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Retail | Software - Application | Specialty Retail | Software - Infrastructure |
| Market Cap | $54.44B | $14.98B | $93.34B | $2.79B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $21.04B | $3.55B | $28.89B | $10.82B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.43B | $379M | $2.00B | $2.29B |
| Gross Margin | 44.9% | 43.5% | 44.5% | 68.4% |
| Operating Margin | 8.2% | 5.7% | 11.1% | 38.6% |
| Forward P/E | 25.4x | 34.5x | 38.6x | 1.1x |
| Total Debt | $4.12B | $2.05B | $11.39B | $17.57B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.41B | $3.43B | $3.67B | $4.82B |
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Dec 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Limited (SE) | 100 | 45.2 | -54.8% |
| Grab Holdings Limit… (GRAB) | 100 | 29.3 | -70.7% |
| MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) | 100 | 109.9 | +9.9% |
| StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) | 100 | 13.5 | -86.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SE is the clearest fit if your priority is efficiency.
- 5.8% ROA vs GRAB's 3.3%, ROIC 5.4% vs 3.3%
GRAB is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.42, Low D/E 30.4%, current ratio 1.75x
- Beta 1.42, current ratio 1.75x
MELI is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and growth exposure is your priority.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.20
- Rev growth 39.1%, EPS growth 4.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 38.9%
- 13.4% 10Y total return vs SE's 463.8%
- 39.1% revenue growth vs STNE's -74.0%
STNE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (1.1x vs 34.5x)
- 21.1% margin vs SE's 6.8%
- +4.5% vs SE's -36.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 39.1% revenue growth vs STNE's -74.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (1.1x vs 34.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.1% margin vs SE's 6.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.20 vs STNE's 1.67 | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +4.5% vs SE's -36.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.8% ROA vs GRAB's 3.3%, ROIC 5.4% vs 3.3% |
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
MELI leads in 2 of 6 categories
STNE leads 1 • SE leads 0 • GRAB leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
STNE leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MELI is the larger business by revenue, generating $28.9B annually — 8.1x GRAB's $3.6B. STNE is the more profitable business, keeping 21.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SE's 6.8%. On growth, MELI holds the edge at +44.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $21.0B | $3.6B | $28.9B | $10.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.0B | $395M | $4.0B | $5.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.4B | $379M | $2.0B | $2.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.9B | -$88M | $10.1B | -$241M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.9% | +43.5% | +44.5% | +68.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.2% | +5.7% | +11.1% | +38.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.8% | +10.7% | +6.9% | +21.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.5% | -2.5% | +35.0% | -2.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +38.3% | +23.5% | +44.6% | -77.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +126.9% | +2.1% | -12.5% | +119.7% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — MELI and STNE each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.7x trailing earnings, STNE trades at a 95% valuation discount to SE's 123.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MELI's 26.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SE's 53.4x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $54.4B | $15.0B | $93.3B | $2.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $56.2B | $13.6B | $101.1B | $5.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 123.32x | 59.18x | 46.74x | 6.74x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.45x | 34.46x | 38.60x | 1.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 0.29x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 53.39x | 35.88x | 26.79x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.24x | 4.44x | 3.23x | 4.16x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.42x | 2.35x | 13.83x | 1.39x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.42x | 111.77x | 8.66x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — SE and GRAB and MELI each lead in 3 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MELI delivers a 33.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $34 in annual profit, vs $6 for GRAB. GRAB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.30x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MELI's 1.69x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SE scores 7/9 vs STNE's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +15.2% | +5.8% | +33.7% | +19.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.8% | +3.3% | +5.7% | +4.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.4% | +3.3% | +20.8% | -10.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.0% | +2.9% | +28.3% | -13.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.49x | 0.30x | 1.69x | 1.59x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.7B | -$1.4B | $7.7B | $12.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.4B | $3.4B | $3.7B | $4.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.1B | $2.1B | $11.4B | $17.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 49.70x | 2.96x | 17.53x | 1.59x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MELI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MELI five years ago would be worth $12,730 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,268 for STNE. Over the past 12 months, STNE leads with a +4.5% total return vs SE's -36.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MELI at 12.8% vs STNE's 0.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -31.5% | -25.8% | -6.7% | -5.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -36.8% | -22.1% | -17.4% | +4.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +6.7% | +12.9% | +43.3% | +0.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -62.2% | -68.2% | +27.3% | -77.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +463.8% | -68.3% | +1338.9% | -55.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +2.2% | +4.1% | +12.8% | +0.2% |
Risk & Volatility
MELI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MELI is the less volatile stock with a 1.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than STNE's 1.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MELI currently trades 69.6% from its 52-week high vs SE's 45.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.45x | 1.42x | 1.20x | 1.67x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $199.30 | $6.62 | $2645.22 | $19.95 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $77.05 | $3.48 | $1593.21 | $10.74 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +45.2% | +56.9% | +69.6% | +57.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.4 | 40.9 | 51.9 | 30.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.8M | 47.7M | 505K | 5.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: SE as "Buy", GRAB as "Buy", MELI as "Buy", STNE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 77.7% upside for GRAB (target: $7) vs 31.4% for MELI (target: $2420).
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $147.67 | $6.70 | $2420.00 | $19.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 44 | 12 | 33 | 21 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.8% | +0.0% | +21.3% |
MELI leads in 2 of 6 categories (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). STNE leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
SE vs GRAB vs MELI vs STNE: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MercadoLibre, Inc.
(MELI) is the stronger pick with 39. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -74. 0% for StoneCo Ltd. (STNE). StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) offers the better valuation at 6. 7x trailing P/E (1. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Sea Limited (SE) a "Buy" — based on 44 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
On trailing P/E, StoneCo Ltd.
(STNE) is the cheapest at 6. 7x versus Sea Limited at 123. 3x. On forward P/E, StoneCo Ltd. is actually cheaper at 1. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
Over the past 5 years, MercadoLibre, Inc.
(MELI) delivered a total return of +27. 3%, compared to -77. 3% for StoneCo Ltd. (STNE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MELI returned +1339% versus GRAB's -68. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MercadoLibre, Inc.
(MELI) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 20β versus StoneCo Ltd. 's 1. 67β — meaning STNE is approximately 39% more volatile than MELI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Grab Holdings Limited (GRAB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 30% versus 169% for MercadoLibre, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MercadoLibre, Inc.
(MELI) is pulling ahead at 39. 1% versus -74. 0% for StoneCo Ltd. (STNE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Grab Holdings Limited grew EPS 342. 2% year-over-year, compared to 4. 5% for MercadoLibre, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MELI leads at 38. 9% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
StoneCo Ltd.
(STNE) is the more profitable company, earning 68. 6% net margin versus 2. 6% for Sea Limited — meaning it keeps 68. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MELI leads at 11. 1% versus -90. 2% for STNE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MELI leads at 44. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, StoneCo Ltd.
(STNE) trades at 1. 1x forward P/E versus 38. 6x for MercadoLibre, Inc. — 37. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GRAB: 77. 7% to $6. 70.
08Which pays a better dividend — SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is SE or GRAB or MELI or STNE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MercadoLibre, Inc.
(MELI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 20), +1339% 10Y return). StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) carries a higher beta of 1. 67 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MELI: +1339%, STNE: -55. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between SE and GRAB and MELI and STNE?
These companies operate in different sectors (SE (Consumer Cyclical) and GRAB (Technology) and MELI (Consumer Cyclical) and STNE (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: SE is a mid-cap high-growth stock; GRAB is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MELI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; STNE is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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