What Just Happened To Medline Stock?
For questions about this article or underlying research, email help@trefis.com.
Medline (MDLN) stock rose 18.4% on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, outpacing the S&P 500’s 1.6% gain. The medical-surgical products supplier reported its third-quarter 2026 results that day. On the earnings call, management said cost pressures had intensified through the year, mostly from inflation tied to elevated oil prices. Strong sales were helping to offset those pressures, management said. So what else did Medline report that day?
Medline Reported Higher Sales And Raised Guidance
Third-quarter net sales rose 10% from a year earlier to $7.9 billion. The Supply Chain Solutions segment grew the fastest, posting a 14% increase in net sales to $4.2 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA, management’s measure of profit, rose 12% to $1 billion. The quarter’s results included an $81 million benefit from tariff refunds. Management said that without that benefit, higher sales were partly offset by higher costs. The company also raised its 2026 organic sales growth guidance for the third consecutive quarter, to 10% to 10.5% from 9% to 10%. In addition, Medline announced a $1 billion share repurchase program, the company’s first.
For 2027, however, management expects profit growth to trail sales growth. The company expects net sales growth in the high single digits and adjusted EBITDA growth in the low to mid single digits.
Did Medline Rise With Other Health Care Stocks?
Medline rose alongside other health care stocks, but by far more. Health care stocks advanced that day on the midterm election results, with hospital groups among the stocks that jumped. XLV, the fund tracking the health care sector, rose 3.1%, and Medline gained nearly six times as much.
Medline’s peers also rose. Among them, McKesson gained 7.0% and Medtronic 6.1%. While McKesson posted the largest gain on Medline’s peer list, it remained less than half of Medline’s rise.
Where Does Medline Stock Stand Now?
Medline had not recorded a one-day rise this large over the prior 365 days. The stock closed at $40.35, below the $49.99 high close it reached on February 24, 2026. Its lowest close over those 365 days was $31.64, on September 18, 2026.
Including the jump, the stock returned 13.3% over the month to November 4, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.4%. Over the six months to November 4, the stock is down 8.7%, compared with a 7.4% gain for the index.
On the November 4 call, management said it expects inflation to weigh more heavily in the fourth quarter than in the third, as higher-cost inventory flows through. Medline’s adjusted EBITDA margin, 12.2% in the third quarter, is the figure to watch when the company reports fourth-quarter 2026 results. That third-quarter margin included the tariff refund benefit.
Sitting On A Big Gain In Medline?
Hold, trim or sell: the tax bill can decide more than the stock does. A free 30-minute strategy review with our partner advisory firm covers ways to protect the gain and unwind it with less tax.
Spot an error or want more like this? Tell us in 10 seconds.