WallStSmart

HCA Holdings Inc (HCA)vsMercadoLibre Inc. (MELI)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

HCA Holdings Inc generates 162% more annual revenue ($75.60B vs $28.89B). HCA leads profitability with a 9.0% profit margin vs 6.9%. MELI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.76. HCA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

HCA

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.0Value: 10.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.71

MELI

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 7.3Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 2.04
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

HCAUndervalued (+59.9%)

Margin of Safety

+59.9%

Fair Value

$1326.31

Current Price

$484.02

$842.29 discount

UndervaluedFair: $1326.31Overvalued
MELISignificantly Overvalued (-654.6%)

Margin of Safety

-654.6%

Fair Value

$267.44

Current Price

$1639.47

$1372.03 premium

UndervaluedFair: $267.44Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HCA5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
136.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 136 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
-8.3310/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$108.62B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
17.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
44.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 44.5% YoY

MELI5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
36.0%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
44.6%10/10

Revenue surging 44.6% year-over-year

Market CapQuality
$81.72B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.768/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.78B8/10

Generating 4.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

HCA1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.714/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MELI4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
12.3x4/10

Trading at 12.3x book value

Profit MarginProfitability
6.9%3/10

6.9% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
41.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HCA

The strongest argument for HCA centers on Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, Market Cap. PEG of 1.35 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : MELI

The strongest argument for MELI centers on Return on Equity, Revenue Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 44.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.76 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : HCA

The primary concerns for HCA are Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : MELI

The primary concerns for MELI are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 41.0x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HCA profiles as a value stock while MELI is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

MELI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.53 — expect wider price swings.

MELI is growing revenue faster at 44.6% — sustainability is the question.

MELI generates stronger free cash flow (4.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

HCA scores higher overall (69/100 vs 62/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

HCA Holdings Inc

HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES · USA

HCA Healthcare is an American for-profit operator of health care facilities that was founded in 1968. It is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and, as of May 2020, owns and operates 186 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics in 21 states and the United Kingdom.

Visit Website →

MercadoLibre Inc.

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · INTERNET RETAIL · USA

MercadoLibre, Inc. operates online trading platforms in Latin America. The company is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?