LMAT vs MMSI

For growth investors, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the stronger pick with 13. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 7% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (MMSI). Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (MMSI) offers the better valuation at 29. 3x trailing P/E (15. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT) a "Buy" — based on 20 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(MMSI) is the cheapest at 29. 3x versus LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. at 42. 8x. On forward P/E, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is actually cheaper at 15. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) delivered a total return of +118. 2%, compared to -3. 6% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (MMSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LMAT returned +608. 6% versus MMSI's +214. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 57β versus Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 's 0. 71β — meaning MMSI is approximately 24% more volatile than LMAT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 57% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is pulling ahead at 13. 5% versus 11. 7% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (MMSI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. grew EPS 30. 6% year-over-year, compared to 4. 9% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LMAT leads at 15. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the more profitable company, earning 23. 1% net margin versus 8. 5% for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LMAT leads at 27. 2% versus 12. 2% for MMSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LMAT leads at 71. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(MMSI) trades at 15. 5x forward P/E versus 37. 2x for LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. — 21. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MMSI: 52. 4% to $95. 00.

In this comparison, LMAT (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. MMSI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(LMAT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 57), 0. 7% yield, +608. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LMAT: +608. 6%, MMSI: +214. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

LMAT pays a dividend while MMSI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.