ALGN vs. STE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALGN and STE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
STE’s market capitalization of 23.37 billion USD is significantly greater than ALGN’s 14.27 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ALGN’s beta of 1.64 points to significantly higher volatility compared to STE (beta: 0.94), suggesting ALGN has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | ALGN | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Align Technology, Inc. | STERIS plc |
| Country | US | IE |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Devices | Medical - Devices |
| CEO | Joseph M. Hogan | Daniel A. Carestio |
| Price | 196.82 USD | 237.55 USD |
| Market Cap | 14.27 billion USD | 23.37 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.64 | 0.94 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | January 30, 2001 | June 1, 1992 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALGN and STE 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ALGN
10.67%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 49.04%
- Q3
- 9.53%
- Median
- -7.46%
- Q1
- -32.83%
- Min
- -82.64%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, ALGN’s Return on Equity of 10.67% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
STE
9.46%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 49.04%
- Q3
- 9.53%
- Median
- -7.46%
- Q1
- -32.83%
- Min
- -82.64%
STE’s Return on Equity of 9.46% is on par with the norm for the Medical - Devices industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
ALGN
9.78%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 21.88%
- Q3
- 6.63%
- Median
- -1.11%
- Q1
- -21.08%
- Min
- -51.95%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, ALGN’s Return on Invested Capital of 9.78% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
STE
7.20%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 21.88%
- Q3
- 6.63%
- Median
- -1.11%
- Q1
- -21.08%
- Min
- -51.95%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, STE’s Return on Invested Capital of 7.20% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ALGN
10.29%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 44.80%
- Q3
- 9.77%
- Median
- -5.53%
- Q1
- -29.37%
- Min
- -87.68%
A Net Profit Margin of 10.29% places ALGN in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
STE
11.26%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 44.80%
- Q3
- 9.77%
- Median
- -5.53%
- Q1
- -29.37%
- Min
- -87.68%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.26% places STE in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ALGN
14.69%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 30.13%
- Q3
- 13.12%
- Median
- 3.47%
- Q1
- -24.42%
- Min
- -80.56%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.69% places ALGN in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
STE
15.87%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 30.13%
- Q3
- 13.12%
- Median
- 3.47%
- Q1
- -24.42%
- Min
- -80.56%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.87% places STE in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices 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 | ALGN | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.67% | 9.46% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.71% | 6.06% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 9.78% | 7.20% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.29% | 11.26% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.69% | 15.87% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 69.87% | 45.31% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ALGN
1.21
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 12.68
- Q3
- 6.30
- Median
- 4.05
- Q1
- 1.85
- Min
- 0.01
ALGN’s Current Ratio of 1.21 falls into the lower quartile for the Medical - Devices industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
STE
1.96
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 12.68
- Q3
- 6.30
- Median
- 4.05
- Q1
- 1.85
- Min
- 0.01
STE’s Current Ratio of 1.96 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Devices industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ALGN
0.03
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 2.34
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.37
- Q1
- 0.08
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, ALGN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
STE
0.02
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 2.34
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.37
- Q1
- 0.08
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, STE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 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
ALGN
--
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 18.18
- Q3
- 7.53
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- -9.80
- Min
- -33.94
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ALGN is currently unavailable.
STE
10.05
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 18.18
- Q3
- 7.53
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- -9.80
- Min
- -33.94
STE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.05 is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALGN | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.21 | 1.96 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.08 | 1.39 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.94 | -0.04 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 10.05 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ALGN and STE. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ALGN
0.00%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 3.57%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
STE
0.96%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 3.57%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.96%, STE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Devices industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ALGN
0.00%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 102.12%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
STE
35.77%
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 102.12%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.77% is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ALGN | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.96% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 35.77% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ALGN
35.35
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 90.56
- Q3
- 56.92
- Median
- 43.19
- Q1
- 21.79
- Min
- 5.55
ALGN’s P/E Ratio of 35.35 is within the middle range for the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
STE
37.98
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 90.56
- Q3
- 56.92
- Median
- 43.19
- Q1
- 21.79
- Min
- 5.55
STE’s P/E Ratio of 37.98 is within the middle range for the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ALGN
3.34
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 6.56
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 2.22
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.03
ALGN’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.34 is within the middle range of its peers in the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
STE
4.19
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 6.56
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 2.22
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.03
A Forward PEG Ratio of 4.19 places STE in the upper quartile for the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ALGN
3.58
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 15.74
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 3.40
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- 0.42
ALGN’s P/S Ratio of 3.58 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
STE
4.28
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 15.74
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 3.40
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- 0.42
STE’s P/S Ratio of 4.28 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Devices industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ALGN
3.82
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 16.65
- Q3
- 8.03
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- 0.65
ALGN’s P/B Ratio of 3.82 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Devices 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.
STE
3.53
Medical - Devices Industry
- Max
- 16.65
- Q3
- 8.03
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- 0.65
STE’s P/B Ratio of 3.53 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Devices 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 | ALGN | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 35.35 | 37.98 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.34 | 4.19 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.58 | 4.28 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.82 | 3.53 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 22.62 | 29.95 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 16.80 | 18.84 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.39 | 4.27 |