Alcon AG vs Diageo plc — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $73.99 (market cap $36.44B), while Diageo plc trades at $94.95 (market cap $53.05B). The key difference: Diageo plc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Diageo plc pays the higher dividend (3.5%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | DEO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.44B | $53.05B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $115.33 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $72.47 |
Enterprise Value | $40.28B | $72.54B |
Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 3.5% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $73.59, down slightly by 0.05% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $86.67 implying 17.8% upside. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $0.84 versus $0.77 expected, and the company raised its 2026 profitability outlook, driving positive investor sentiment. Revenue growth has been steady, reaching $10.40 billion in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 5.92%.
The outlook is positive given strong earnings beats, raised guidance, and bullish analyst ratings, but risks include elevated P/E of 57.52, high RSI levels suggesting overbought conditions, and margin pressures from rising costs. Institutional ownership trends and recent collaborations, like with RxSight, support growth, yet macroeconomic and competitive factors warrant caution.
Diageo (DEO) trades at $93.96, down 3.24% today, with mixed technical signals showing bullish moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported FY2026 results with organic sales declining 2% but operating profit increasing 2% through cost savings. Recent news highlights a $1 billion cost-cutting plan and strategic reset under new CEO Dave Lewis, driving investor optimism despite North American weakness.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with analyst consensus leaning buy (49%) as cost savings and cash generation initiatives offset regional challenges. Key risks include persistent North American sales pressure and execution risks on the turnaround plan, while valuation metrics suggest premium pricing relative to historical levels.
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 →Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →