Alcon Inc. (ALC) vs Medline Inc. (MDLN)
A side-by-side comparison of Alcon Inc. and Medline Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ALC
Alcon Inc.
$71.47HealthcareDelayed quote: Aug 28, 2026, 12:44 PM EDT
MDLN
Medline Inc.
$35.22HealthcareDelayed quote: Aug 28, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT
Total return — ALC vs MDLN
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 1yALC -8.1% (-8.1%/yr)MDLN -15.5% (-15.5%/yr)ALC compounded faster over this window
ALC MDLN
ALC vs MDLN: by the numbers
- •ALC is the larger company ($34.86B vs $29.78B market cap).
- •MDLN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (40.29 vs 55.56 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ALC converts more revenue to profit (5.95% vs 2.31% net margin).
- •ALC pays a dividend (0.50% yield), while MDLN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALC | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 55.56 | 40.29 |
| Forward P/E | 20.49 | 22.97 |
| P/S ratio | 3.28 | 1.00 |
| P/B ratio | 1.63 | 2.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.44 | 14.57 |
| FCF yield | 4.77% | 6.79% |
Profitability
| Metric | ALC | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 56.43% | 25.02% |
| Operating margin | 10.26% | 6.07% |
| Net margin | 5.95% | 2.31% |
| ROE | 2.96% | 5.97% |
| ROIC | 3.35% | 4.05% |
Dividends
| Metric | ALC | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.50% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 18.06% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALC | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.57% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 40.55% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.16% | N/A |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALC or MDLN?
- MDLN has the lower trailing P/E: ALC trades at 55.56 and MDLN at 40.29. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Does ALC or MDLN pay a bigger dividend?
- ALC pays a dividend (0.50% yield), while MDLN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is ALC or MDLN more profitable?
- ALC runs the higher net margin — ALC at 5.95% versus MDLN at 2.31%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alcon P/E ratioMedline P/E ratioAlcon dividend yieldAlcon ROEMedline ROEAlcon operating marginMedline operating marginAlcon revenue growthMedline revenue growthAlcon free cash flowMedline free cash flow
Alcon & Medline appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 28, 2026.