ALC vs. EW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and EW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALC | EW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | Edwards Lifesciences Corporation |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 38.09 billion USD | 50.58 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 9, 2019 | March 27, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC and EW 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 | EW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.70% | 2.64% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.73% | 10.27% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -22.10% | 14.30% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.55% | 29.74% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.18% | 4.67% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -19.77% | 16.57% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.54M | 3.75M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 4.63M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.48% | 20.48% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALC
4.93%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.82%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 9.69%
- Q1
- 5.19%
- Min
- -7.98%
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.
EW
13.39%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.82%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 9.69%
- Q1
- 5.19%
- Min
- -7.98%
EW’s Return on Equity of 13.39% 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
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 14.10%
- Median
- 10.09%
- Q1
- 5.84%
- Min
- -6.13%
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.
EW
23.25%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 14.10%
- Median
- 10.09%
- Q1
- 5.84%
- Min
- -6.13%
A Net Profit Margin of 23.25% places EW 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
14.38%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.34%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -0.13%
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.
EW
23.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.34%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -0.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 23.43% places EW in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | EW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 4.93% | 13.39% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.49% | 10.36% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.70% | 23.25% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.38% | 23.43% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.26% | 78.19% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.12
- Q1
- 1.54
- 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.
EW
4.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.12
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.86
EW’s Current Ratio of 4.00 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
0.24
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.62
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.15
- 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.
EW
0.06
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.62
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, EW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.06 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
- 24.86
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- -21.65
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.
EW
3.15
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- -21.65
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, EW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.15 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | EW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.60 | 4.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 3.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | 3.15 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALC
0.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.36%
- Q3
- 1.87%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.43% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
EW
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.36%
- Q3
- 1.87%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EW 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
- 67.77%
- Median
- 28.21%
- 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.
EW
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 67.77%
- Median
- 28.21%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EW 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 | EW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 94.32% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALC
36.15
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.59
- Q3
- 41.41
- Median
- 33.11
- Q1
- 22.82
- Min
- 8.68
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 36.15 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.
EW
36.52
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.59
- Q3
- 41.41
- Median
- 33.11
- Q1
- 22.82
- Min
- 8.68
EW’s P/E Ratio of 36.52 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ALC
3.87
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.92
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.61
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 3.87 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.
EW
8.49
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.92
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.61
EW’s P/S Ratio of 8.49 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
2.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.77
- Q3
- 6.04
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.83
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 2.00 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.
EW
4.47
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.77
- Q3
- 6.04
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.83
EW’s P/B Ratio of 4.47 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 | EW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.15 | 36.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.87 | 8.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 4.47 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 27.41 | 50.89 |