Is MDLN or WAT cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MDLN is cheaper: MDLN trades at a 30.26 P/E and WAT at 45.18.

Is MDLN or WAT more profitable?

WAT runs the higher net margin — MDLN at 3.31% versus WAT at 11.91%.

Medline Inc. (MDLN) vs Waters Corporation (WAT)

MDLN and WAT are evenly matched — 5 metrics each of 10.

A side-by-side comparison of Medline Inc. and Waters Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — MDLN vs WAT

growth of $100 · last 1y

MDLN -10.7%WAT -6.1%WAT compounded faster

MDLN WAT

MDLN vs WAT: by the numbers

•MDLN is the larger company ($30.96B vs $23.17B market cap).
•MDLN trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.26 vs 45.18 P/E).
•WAT converts more revenue to profit (11.91% vs 3.31% net margin).

Which is better, MDLN or WAT?

Metric tally: MDLN 5 · WAT 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMDLN(lower P/E)

QualityWAT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	MDLN	WAT
P/E ratio	30.26●	45.18
Forward P/E	22.08	21.65
P/S ratio	1.04●	7.74
P/B ratio	2.68	1.91●
PEG ratio	—	75.62
EV / EBITDA	14.87●	37.11
FCF yield	5.05%●	0.90%

Profitability

Metric	MDLN	WAT
Gross margin	24.04%	55.02%●
Operating margin	7.04%	17.08%●
Net margin	3.31%	11.91%●
ROE	8.55%●	2.94%
ROIC	5.69%	17.57%●

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MDLN	WAT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	—	8.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	—	5.16%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	-17.63%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	—	1.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MDLN or WAT?: It depends on your goal. value: MDLN (lower P/E); quality: WAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is MDLN or WAT cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MDLN is cheaper: MDLN trades at a 30.26 P/E and WAT at 45.18.
Is MDLN or WAT more profitable?: WAT runs the higher net margin — MDLN at 3.31% versus WAT at 11.91%.

Go deeper

Full MDLN analysis Full WAT analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Medline P/E ratio Waters P/E ratio Medline dividend yield Waters dividend yield Medline ROE Waters ROE Medline operating margin Waters operating margin Medline revenue growth Waters revenue growth Medline free cash flow Waters free cash flow

Medline & Waters appear in these rankings

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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 June 14, 2026.