Becton Dickinson (BDX) vs Medline (MDLN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Becton Dickinson is the larger company by market cap ($49.78 billion vs $48.09 billion), about 1.0 times the size. On valuation, Becton Dickinson trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 22.7x for Medline). Becton Dickinson pays a dividend yielding 2.29%, while Medline does not currently pay one.
Becton Dickinson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.7% versus 4.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BDX | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $182.75 | $35.74 |
| Market cap | $49.78B | $48.09B |
| 1-day change | +1.44% | +0.82% |
| YTD return | +19.78% | -14.90% |
| 1-year return | +19.87% | — |
| 5-year return | -1.20% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 42.50 | 89.35 |
| Forward P/E | 13.74 | 22.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.30 | $0.40 |
| Dividend yield | 2.29% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $4.19 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.84B | $28.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.24% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.68B | $1.16B |
| Gross margin | 45.44% | 26.44% |
| Operating margin | 11.81% | 7.78% |
| Net margin | 7.68% | 4.08% |
| 52-week high | $193.07 | $50.88 |
| 52-week low | $127.59 | $31.49 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.35% | -29.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.20% | +24.51% |
| Average volume | 1.78M | 7.66M |
| Shares outstanding | 272.39M | 877.35M |
| Employees | 72,000 | 45,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical/Dental Instruments | Medical/Dental Instruments |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Medline trades at a higher earnings multiple (89.4x vs 42.5x trailing P/E).
- Becton Dickinson offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.29% vs 0.00%).
About Becton Dickinson
BDX stock →Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. It operates through Medical Essentials, Connected Care, BioPharma Systems, Interventional and Life Sciences segments.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 72,000 employees
About Medline
MDLN stock →Medline Inc. manufactures med-surg products serving the hospital, surgery centers, physician offices, post-acute facilities, and nursing home sites of care in the United States and Internationally.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 45,000 employees
BDX vs MDLN FAQ
Which is bigger, Becton Dickinson or Medline?
Becton Dickinson (BDX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $49.78B compared with $48.09B for Medline (MDLN).
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDX or MDLN?
BDX has the lower trailing P/E at 42.5, versus 89.4 for MDLN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Becton Dickinson or Medline?
Becton Dickinson pays a dividend yielding 2.29%, while Medline does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Becton Dickinson and Medline in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical/Dental Instruments industry within the Health Care sector.