ALC vs. ALGN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and ALGN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | Align Technology, Inc. |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 37.97 billion USD | 9.65 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | April 9, 2019 | January 30, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC and ALGN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.99% | 3.41% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -12.43% | -33.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -27.18% | -13.71% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 0.56% | -43.33% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.26% | 6.28% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -21.20% | -36.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.10M | 1.27M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.10M | 1.38M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.35% | 80.66% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.85 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALC
4.93%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.93%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -12.52%
ALC’s Return on Equity of 4.93% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
ALGN
11.29%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.93%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -12.52%
ALGN’s Return on Equity of 11.29% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
10.70%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.41%
- Q3
- 13.71%
- Median
- 10.08%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -5.58%
ALC’s Net Profit Margin of 10.70% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
ALGN
11.04%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.41%
- Q3
- 13.71%
- Median
- 10.08%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -5.58%
ALGN’s Net Profit Margin of 11.04% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
14.38%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 18.11%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- -0.28%
ALC’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.38% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
ALGN
15.15%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 18.11%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- -0.28%
ALGN’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.15% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 4.93% | 11.29% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.49% | 7.03% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.70% | 11.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.38% | 15.15% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.26% | 69.84% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.86
ALC’s Current Ratio of 2.60 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ALGN
1.23
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.86
ALGN’s Current Ratio of 1.23 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
0.24
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.61
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
ALC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.24 is typical for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
ALGN
0.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.61
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ALGN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ALC
9.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.60
- Q1
- 3.78
- Min
- -26.49
ALC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.60 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
ALGN
38.91
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.60
- Q1
- 3.78
- Min
- -26.49
ALGN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.91 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.60 | 1.23 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 1.06 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | 38.91 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALC
0.44%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.15%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.44% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ALGN
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.15%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALGN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ALC
94.32%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 66.60%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.32% is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
ALGN
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 66.60%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALGN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 94.32% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALC
35.26
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.29
- Q3
- 47.01
- Median
- 30.94
- Q1
- 23.91
- Min
- 10.79
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 35.26 is within the middle range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
ALGN
21.90
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.29
- Q3
- 47.01
- Median
- 30.94
- Q1
- 23.91
- Min
- 10.79
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ALGN’s P/E Ratio of 21.90 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ALC
3.77
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 0.74
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 3.77 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
ALGN
2.42
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 0.74
ALGN’s P/S Ratio of 2.42 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
1.98
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 6.56
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 2.36
- Min
- 0.71
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 1.98 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
ALGN
3.51
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 6.56
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 2.36
- Min
- 0.71
ALGN’s P/B Ratio of 3.51 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | ALGN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.26 | 21.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.77 | 2.42 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.98 | 3.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 26.74 | 15.18 |