WallStSmart

Medline Inc. Class A Common Stock (MDLN)vsWaters Corporation (WAT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Medline Inc. Class A Common Stock generates 673% more annual revenue ($29.14B vs $3.77B). WAT leads profitability with a 11.9% profit margin vs 3.3%. MDLN trades at a lower P/E of 36.7x. WAT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 52/100 (C-).

MDLN

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.0Value: 6.3Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 4/9

WAT

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.5Value: 3.3Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.92
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

MDLNUndervalued (+69.5%)

Margin of Safety

+69.5%

Fair Value

$147.84

Current Price

$39.52

$108.32 discount

UndervaluedFair: $147.84Overvalued
WATSignificantly Overvalued (-63.1%)

Margin of Safety

-63.1%

Fair Value

$201.83

Current Price

$355.13

$153.30 premium

UndervaluedFair: $201.83Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

MDLN2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
1258.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 1258.0% YoY

Price/BookValuation
3.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

WAT2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
91.5%10/10

Revenue surging 91.5% year-over-year

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9210/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Areas to Watch

MDLN4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
36.7x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Return on EquityProfitability
6.0%3/10

ROE of 6.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
3.3%3/10

3.3% margin — thin

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-113.00M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

WAT4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.524/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
8.3x4/10

Trading at 8.3x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
5.2%3/10

ROE of 5.2% — below average capital efficiency

P/E RatioValuation
44.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : MDLN

The strongest argument for MDLN centers on EPS Growth, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 10.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WAT

The strongest argument for WAT centers on Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score. Revenue growth of 91.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : MDLN

The primary concerns for MDLN are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Thin 3.3% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : WAT

The primary concerns for WAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 44.6x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MDLN profiles as a value stock while WAT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

WAT is growing revenue faster at 91.5% — sustainability is the question.

WAT generates stronger free cash flow (-42M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

MDLN scores higher overall (52/100 vs 52/100) and 10.7% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Medline Inc. Class A Common Stock

HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES · USA

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. The company is headquartered in Northfield, Illinois.

Visit Website →

Waters Corporation

HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA

Waters Corporation is a publicly traded Analytical Laboratory instrument and software company headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?