MercadoLibre's (MELI) management appears willing to invest in areas that improve user experience and engagement, which Morgan Stanley said could support long-term operating leverage but weigh on near-term margins.

Management sees under-penetrated verticals to expand e-commerce via first-party and cross-border transactions. Its goal to become the largest digital bank in Latin America also requires investment, Morgan Stanley added, noting that payback is mostly driven by when cohorts mature.

While management expects strategic investments in Brazil shipping, credit cards, first-party commerce and cross-border initiatives to be accretive to earnings before interest and taxes over time, they can weigh on near-term margins, according to the Monday note.

The Argentina credit card launch is another near-term drag which adds to typical seasonality. Morgan Stanley now forecasts Q1 EBIT of $602 million for a 7.1% margin, down 580 basis points year over year.

Morgan Stanley reiterated its overweight rating on MercadoLibre and lowered the price target to $2600 from $2800.

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