Price movement over the last 24 hours
Alcon AG vs A O Smith Corp — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $66.88 (market cap $32.69B), while A O Smith Corp trades at $59.7 (market cap $8.45B). The key difference: Alcon AG is far larger — about 3.9× A O Smith Corp's market cap, and A O Smith Corp pays the higher dividend (2.32%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | AOS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.69B | $8.45B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $92.22 | $80.47 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $55.78 |
Enterprise Value | $36.28B | $8.90B |
Dividend Yield | 0.54% | 2.32% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $66.87, down 4.01% on the day, amid a mixed technical and fundamental backdrop. The stock exhibits a bullish technical signal overall, with moving averages supporting a positive trend, while oscillators remain neutral. Fundamentally, revenue growth is steady, reaching $10.40 billion in 2025, though net income margin compressed to 7.7%. Recent news highlights product innovation, including a collaboration with RxSight for adjustable PCIOLs, signaling ongoing R&D investment. Analyst sentiment is predominantly positive, with a consensus price target of $86.00 implying significant upside.
The outlook for ALC is cautiously optimistic, driven by new product launches and strategic partnerships that may fuel growth. However, risks include competitive pressures, macroeconomic headwinds, and margin compression. With a P/E of 40.92, the valuation appears rich relative to historical norms, requiring strong earnings delivery to justify current levels. Investors should weigh robust analyst buy ratings against execution risks and market volatility.
A.O. Smith (AOS) trades at $61.31, down 2.25% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported a Q1 2026 earnings miss ($0.85 actual vs. $0.94 expected) but maintains strong profitability with a 13.84% net margin and 28.27% ROE. Recent leadership changes include CEO Stephen Shafer becoming chairman as of July 1, 2026 (PRNewswire, June 22, 2026).
The stock shows mixed signals: solid fundamentals and a $68 consensus price target suggest upside, but recent earnings weakness and repeated Zacks Strong Sell ratings (June 18, 2026) indicate near-term headwinds. Investors face risks from China market softness and competitive pressures, though cash flow stability and dividend payments provide support.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →