ALC vs. BSX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and BSX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALC | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | Boston Scientific Corporation |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 39.93 billion USD | 155.75 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 9, 2019 | May 19, 1992 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC and BSX 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 | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -8.00% | 1.31% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.18% | 0.58% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -19.68% | -0.53% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -20.67% | 32.08% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.38% | 0.18% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -14.43% | 17.68% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.65M | 6.45M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.08M | 7.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.13% | 18.71% |
| Beta | 0.96 | 0.64 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALC
5.22%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
ALC’s Return on Equity of 5.22% 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.
BSX
11.51%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
BSX’s Return on Equity of 11.51% 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
11.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
ALC’s Net Profit Margin of 11.28% 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.
BSX
13.55%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.55% places BSX in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
15.24%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
ALC’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.24% 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.
BSX
17.02%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
BSX’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.02% 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 | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.22% | 11.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.69% | 6.30% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.28% | 13.55% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.24% | 17.02% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.25% | 68.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.70
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.86
ALC’s Current Ratio of 2.70 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.
BSX
1.37
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.86
BSX’s Current Ratio of 1.37 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
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- 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.
BSX
0.52
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
BSX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.52 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ALC
9.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
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.
BSX
8.48
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
BSX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.48 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.70 | 1.37 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.66 | 0.76 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 0.52 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | 8.48 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALC
0.29%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.29% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
BSX
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BSX 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
58.30%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.30% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BSX
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BSX 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 | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.29% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.30% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALC
40.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 40.00 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.
BSX
62.29
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
A P/E Ratio of 62.29 places BSX in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ALC
4.51
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 4.51 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.
BSX
8.44
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
BSX’s P/S Ratio of 8.44 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.34
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 2.34 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.
BSX
7.09
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
BSX’s P/B Ratio of 7.09 is in the upper tier for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | BSX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.00 | 62.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.51 | 8.44 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.34 | 7.09 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.83 | 44.81 |