Look, let’s be real. In the investing world, “pricing power” isn’t some fancy buzzword. It’s the difference between a company that can shrug off inflation like it’s a bad Tinder date, and one that’s frantically emailing suppliers begging for a break. Basically, can they raise prices without customers staging a revolt? Two companies currently answering “yes” – and doing it with a surprising amount of flair – are MercadoLibre and Chipotle. And yes, I’m starting with the food one because, frankly, I’m hungry.
1. MercadoLibre: The Amazon of… Everywhere Else
MercadoLibre is basically Amazon, but for Latin America. Which, let’s be honest, is a massive market that most American companies treat like a geographical afterthought. Their genius isn’t just selling stuff online; it’s building an entire financial ecosystem. They’ve got marketplaces, credit cards, mobile payments… it’s like they’re trying to be the operating system for Latin American commerce. And they’re succeeding. It’s a little unsettling, actually. Are they going to start issuing passports next?
The numbers tell the story. Their e-commerce “take rate” – which is fancy investor-speak for “how much extra they’re squeezing out of each transaction” – is up to 25.2%. That’s a solid jump from two years ago. Translation: they’re getting better at monetizing everything. And people are still buying. Unique active buyers are up 26% year-over-year. It’s like they’ve discovered a loophole in the laws of supply and demand. Or, more likely, they just offer a really good service.
They’re even throwing in free same-day shipping and loyalty programs (Meli+). It’s the retail equivalent of offering a complimentary mini-bar. It’s not necessary, but it feels awfully good. And it keeps people coming back. It’s a growth flywheel, people! A FLYWHEEL! (Sorry, I get carried away with the jargon sometimes.) Their fintech segment is booming too, with monthly active buyers up 29%. They’re basically turning everyone into a customer, and then turning those customers into even more customers. It’s… efficient.
Analysts are predicting earnings growth of 32% annually. That’s not bad. Not bad at all. Investing in MercadoLibre feels less like picking a stock and more like betting on the future of Latin American commerce. And I’m okay with that.
2. Chipotle: The Guac is Worth It
Chipotle. Ah, yes. The restaurant that single-handedly validated my life choices. Seriously, when you can justify a $15 burrito bowl, you know you’ve made it. They’ve delivered a 352% return to investors over the last decade, even after a recent dip. That’s a solid run. And it’s all thanks to consistently good food and, crucially, the ability to raise prices without triggering a nationwide boycott.
They’ve been steadily increasing menu prices – 5.2% in 2023, 2.9% in 2024, and 2.3% so far in 2025. Most restaurants would be facing a customer revolt, but Chipotle seems to be immune. Same-store sales growth was over 7% even with those increases. It’s like they’ve unlocked the secret to pricing psychology. Or maybe everyone just really likes guacamole. (I suspect it’s the guac.)
The restaurant industry is facing headwinds – fewer people are dining out – but Chipotle still managed a 7% revenue increase last quarter. And they claim their prices are 20-30% below their peers. That suggests they have room to raise prices even further. Which, let’s be honest, is probably what they’re going to do.
Chipotle is planning to expand to 7,000 locations. That’s a lot of burritos. The stock trades at 33 times forward earnings, even after a 41% drop from its peak. It’s not cheap, but it feels… justified. They’ve built a brand that people trust, and a menu that people crave. And in this economy, that’s a powerful combination.
So, there you have it. Two companies with pricing power, and a potential return on investment. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to order a burrito. For research purposes, of course.
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2026-01-28 18:23