Medline (MDLN) vs 3M (MMM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
3M is the larger company by market cap ($83.61 billion vs $47.70 billion), about 1.8 times the size. On valuation, 3M trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 22.5x for Medline). 3M pays a dividend yielding 1.86%, while Medline does not currently pay one.
3M converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.0% 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 | MDLN | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.45 | $162.12 |
| Market cap | $47.70B | $83.61B |
| 1-day change | -0.28% | -0.93% |
| YTD return | -15.60% | +1.26% |
| 1-year return | — | +4.37% |
| 5-year return | — | +6.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 88.63 | 28.80 |
| Forward P/E | 22.48 | 16.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.40 | $5.63 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.86% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.02 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $28.43B | $24.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +1.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.16B | $3.25B |
| Gross margin | 26.44% | 39.91% |
| Operating margin | 7.78% | 18.55% |
| Net margin | 4.08% | 13.03% |
| 52-week high | $50.88 | $184.90 |
| 52-week low | $31.49 | $139.34 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.32% | -12.32% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.53% | +15.51% |
| Average volume | 7.59M | 3.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 877.35M | 515.72M |
| Employees | 45,000 | 60,500 |
| Sector | Health Care | Industrials |
| Industry | Medical/Dental Instruments | Conglomerates |
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 (88.6x vs 28.8x trailing P/E).
- 3M offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.86% vs 0.00%).
- 3M is more profitable, keeping 13.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.1 cents for Medline.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Medline in Health Care and 3M in Industrials.
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
About 3M
MMM stock →3M Company provides diversified technology services in the America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, and Consumer.
Industrials · Conglomerates · 60,500 employees
MDLN vs MMM FAQ
Which is bigger, Medline or 3M?
3M (MMM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $83.61B compared with $47.70B for Medline (MDLN).
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MDLN or MMM?
MMM has the lower trailing P/E at 28.8, versus 88.6 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, Medline or 3M?
3M pays a dividend yielding 1.86%, while Medline does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Medline and 3M in the same industry?
No. Medline is in the Health Care sector, while 3M is in Industrials.