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Medline Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales up 10.4% in quarter: Net sales were $7.9 billion, up 10.4%, with Organic Sales up 10.5% on the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Net income down 1.2%, EPS $0.22: Net income was $318 million, down 1.2% on the prior-year quarter. Diluted EPS was $0.22 and Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.44. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 11.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $960 million, up 11.8% from the prior-year quarter, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.2%. Source
  • IEEPA refund benefits recognized: Following the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling, the company recognized $81 million of net IEEPA tariff refund benefits in the quarter and $324 million for nine months. Source
  • Tracy fire net losses for nine months: Net losses from the Tracy, California distribution center fire were $316 million for nine months after insurance proceeds, against a $20 million net insurance benefit in the quarter. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $1.8 billion: Free Cash Flow was $1.8 billion for nine months, up 49.6%, after net capital expenditures of $348 million. Source

“Medline delivered another strong quarter, with double-digit net sales growth, reflecting continued momentum across our business,”

Jim Boyle, chief executive officer of Medline

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic Sales growth SourceFull year 202610.0% to 10.5%Raised from 9.0% to 10.0%
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$3.3 billion to $3.4 billionKept
Share repurchase authorization SourceProgram approved October 2026$1 billionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year Organic Sales growth guidance raised to 10.0% to 10.5%, from 9.0% to 10.0%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $3.3 billion to $3.4 billion reaffirmed, after the prior quarter's update to that range. Source
  • New: Board approved a $1 billion share repurchase program in October 2026. Source
  • New: Company prepaid $750 million of principal on the 2033 Refinancing Term Loan Facility. Source

Quarter results and growth drivers

  • Net sales up 10.4% in quarter: Net sales were $7.9 billion, up 10.4%, with Organic Sales up 10.5% on the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Net income down 1.2%, EPS $0.22: Net income was $318 million, down 1.2% on the prior-year quarter. Diluted EPS was $0.22 and Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.44. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 11.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $960 million, up 11.8% from the prior-year quarter, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.2%. Source
  • Nine-month sales up 10.9%: Nine-month net sales rose 10.9% to $22.9 billion, net income fell 28.8% to $696 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose 5.0% to $2.8 billion. Source

Segments and margins

  • Medline Brand sales and margin rose: Medline Brand net sales were $3.6 billion, up 6.6%, with Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.9% against 24.1% a year earlier. Source
  • Supply Chain margin fell: Supply Chain Solutions net sales rose 13.9% to $4.2 billion, while its Adjusted EBITDA fell 10.2% and its margin was 4.4% against 5.5%. Source
  • Refund benefits booked in Medline Brand: All IEEPA tariff refund amounts in the quarter were recorded in the Medline Brand segment and included in net income and Adjusted EBITDA. Source

“We are advancing key strategic priorities, including capacity expansion and new technology across our distribution network and progress with our global quality initiatives.”

Jim Boyle, chief executive officer of Medline

Costs, margins and IEEPA refunds

  • IEEPA refund benefits recognized: Following the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling, the company recognized $81 million of net IEEPA tariff refund benefits in the quarter and $324 million for nine months. Source
  • Refunds reduced cost of goods sold: Tariff refunds were $70 million in the quarter and $402 million for nine months, recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 24.5%: Gross margin was 24.5% in the quarter against 26.4% a year earlier, and 26.1% for nine months against 27.1%. Source
  • SG&A expenses rose 12.8%: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.26 billion in the quarter, up 12.8%, and rose 16.0% for nine months. Source

Demand and customer drivers

  • Existing customers and 2025 signings drove growth: Management attributed the quarter's sales growth primarily to existing customer growth and the implementation of new customer signings from 2025. Source
  • Customer repayment adjustment added $11M: Quarter net sales included an $11 million increase from an adjustment of customer repayment amounts, with a corresponding reduction in the related accrual. Source
  • Customer mix partly offset profit growth: Management cited higher operating expenses and customer mix as partial offsets to the quarter's Adjusted EBITDA growth. Source

“We remain focused on serving our customers, advancing our strategic priorities and driving sustainable long-term growth.”

Jim Boyle, chief executive officer of Medline

Tracy fire and quality costs

  • Tracy fire net losses for nine months: Net losses from the Tracy, California distribution center fire were $316 million for nine months after insurance proceeds, against a $20 million net insurance benefit in the quarter. Source
  • FDA remediation costs in quarter: Costs for remediation activities undertaken in response to FDA observations and warning letters were $13 million in the quarter. Source
  • Medline Brand bed recall costs: Recall and discontinuation costs for Medline Brand beds were $13 million in the quarter. Source

Cash, capital and investment

  • Operating cash flow reached $2.2 billion: Net cash from operating activities was $2.2 billion for nine months, up 42.0%, including tariff refunds received and favorable working capital. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $1.8 billion: Free Cash Flow was $1.8 billion for nine months, up 49.6%, after net capital expenditures of $348 million. Source
  • Capex on automation and new sites: Capital expenditures were primarily for automation across the distribution network, new distribution centers, and expanded kitting manufacturing capacity. Source
  • Buybacks and debt reduction framed together: Management described the buyback approval and term loan prepayment as reflecting cash generation, debt reduction and return of capital. Source
  • Net Leverage at 2.5: Net debt was $9.1 billion and Net Leverage was 2.5, against 2.9 in the prior quarter's release. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Repurchases at company discretion: Timing, manner, price and amount of repurchases are set by the company at its discretion, and the program may be modified or discontinued. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total new customer signings SourceContinued progress toward annual goal; no figure given

Risks management discussed

  • External: Inflation raised inventory costs, which management cited as a primary driver of the net income decline in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Accrued customer repayments tied to IEEPA tariff refunds reduced net sales by $78 million for nine months. Source
  • External: Nine-month cost of goods sold included the impact of tariffs, which management listed among the drivers of higher costs. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance set in the prior quarter's update. Source
  • Not stated: Management said the exclusion of IEEPA tariff refunds from Adjusted EBITDA guidance is consistent with prior guidance. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.