Company Overview - Medline, a key manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, was founded in 1966 and is based in Northfield, Illinois. The company produces items such as surgical kits, gloves, and gowns used by hospitals globally [6][9] - Medline has maintained net sales growth every year since its inception, even through economic cycles and the COVID-19 pandemic [6] IPO Details - Medline shares surged over 40% during its New York debut, valuing the company at $54 billion, marking the largest US IPO since Rivian's listing in 2021 [1] - The company sold 216 million shares at an IPO price of $29 per share, raising $6.26 billion, making it the largest private-equity-backed IPO ever [2][4] - The stock opened at $35 and closed at $41 on its first day of trading [1] Financial Performance - For the nine months ending September 27, Medline reported a net income of $977 million on revenue of $20.6 billion, an increase from $911 million on $18.7 billion in the same period the previous year [11] Market Position and Strategy - Medline's dominant position in branded medical equipment has attracted investors, who appreciate its growth prospects and relative insulation from broader economic fluctuations [10] - The company operates 33 facilities, with about half of its output coming from the US or North America, allowing it to mitigate tariff impacts [7][9] - CEO Jim Boyle stated that the IPO will enable the company to reduce debt and enhance its market presence while continuing to operate as before [4][13] Industry Context - The IPO market in the US has shown resilience in 2025, with first-time share sales raising a total of $46.15 billion, the highest since 2021 [14] - The successful listing of Medline may encourage more private equity-backed firms to pursue IPOs [18]
Medline shares surge 30% — worth $46B in Wall Street's biggest IPO of the year