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Latin American companies making their mark on Wall Street

What are the most important Latin American companies listed on the U.S. stock market? What do they do and why are they important? Find out all about them in this article.

Latin American companies making their mark on Wall Street

In this article:

  • Wall Street: The home of Latin American companies in expansion.

  • Latin American success: Leading companies in trade, natural resources and technology.

  • Financial resilience: Latin American companies find their place in global markets.


In the globalized world of finance, Wall Street has long been the epicenter of investment and securities trading. Although known primarily as the financial heartland of the United States, Wall Street is also home to a group of Latin American companies that have managed to transcend the borders of their home countries and are listed on the U.S. Stock Exchange. 

In this article, we will explore some of the most representative Latin American companies that have found a place on Wall Street's stock market scene.

MercadoLibre (MELI): Considered the "Amazon of Latin America," MercadoLibre is an Argentine company that has left a significant mark on e-commerce in the region. Founded in 1999 by Marcos Galperin, the platform has expanded to multiple Latin American countries and has diversified its services to include electronic payments and financial solutions. Its Wall Street listing has made it one of the region's most prominent technology companies.

Vale S.A. (VALE): Based in Brazil, Vale is one of the world's largest iron ore producers. The company operates in more than 30 countries and is a key player in the global mining industry. Despite facing environmental and regulatory challenges, Vale remains a dominant force in international commodities markets.

Ambev (ABEVN): Brazilian brewing giant Ambev is another example of Latin American business success on Wall Street. With popular brands such as Brahma and Skol, Ambev has a strong presence in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage market throughout Latin America and beyond.

Petrobras (PBR): Brazil's state-owned oil company Petrobras has been a central figure in Latin America's economy for decades. Despite the political and economic challenges it has faced in the past, Petrobras is listed on Wall Street and continues to be one of the region's leading companies in the energy sector.

Grupo Televisa (TV): From Mexico comes Grupo Televisa, one of the largest and most recognized Spanish-language media companies. With a broad portfolio of television channels, content production and telecommunications services, Grupo Televisa has found a prominent place on Wall Street.

Cemex (CX): Cemex, a leading Mexican company in the construction and building materials industry, has established a solid international presence. With operations in more than 50 countries, Cemex has been listed on Wall Street for years and has contributed significantly to infrastructure development in Latin America and elsewhere.

Banco Bradesco (BBD): Latin America's financial sector is also well represented on Wall Street, with Brazil's Banco Bradesco being a prominent player. Bradesco is one of Brazil's largest private banks and has expanded its banking and financial services internationally.

Banco Santander Brasil (BSBR): Another Brazilian financial institution, Banco Santander Brasil has a strong presence on the New York Stock Exchange. As part of the Santander group, this bank provides a wide range of banking and financial services in Latin America and beyond.

LATAM Airlines Group (LTM): The aviation industry is also represented on Wall Street by LATAM Airlines Group. This company, which emerged from the merger of LAN Airlines of Chile and TAM Airlines of Brazil, is one of the most important players in air transportation in Latin America.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (PAC): Based in Mexico, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico operates a number of airports throughout Latin America, including some of the busiest in Mexico. Its presence on Wall Street reflects the importance of transportation infrastructure in the region.

These Latin American companies have managed to overcome diverse challenges, from economic and political problems to global competition, to establish themselves in the financial epicenter of Wall Street. Their success is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Latin American companies in a highly competitive global marketplace. Would you consider adding any to your investment portfolio?

*This is an illustrative example and does not represent an investment recommendation.