Alcon AG vs HSBC Holdings plc — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $75 (market cap $35.19B), while HSBC Holdings plc trades at $103.03 (market cap $353.82B). The key difference: HSBC Holdings plc is far larger — about 10.1× Alcon AG's market cap, and HSBC Holdings plc pays the higher dividend (3.63%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | HSBC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $35.19B | $353.82B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $107.86 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $63.84 |
Enterprise Value | $39.03B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.49% | 3.63% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $71.81, up 3.26% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and ADX indicators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.84, beating estimates, and raised its profit guidance on August 11, 2026, citing strong product launches. Revenue grew to $10.4B in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 9.42%. Valuation ratios include a P/E of 43 and P/S of 3.34, reflecting premium pricing.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus at 54% buy ratings and a 27.8% upside target, but risks include margin pressure and high debt. The stock offers growth potential from innovation but faces competitive and macroeconomic headwinds.
HSBC trades at $103.73, up 1.14% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and support at $102. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 14.76, net income margin of 34.54%, and ROE of 12.44%. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, driven by 7% revenue growth and a $1 billion buyback announcement, reflecting robust banking and wealth management performance.
Outlook is positive due to earnings momentum and shareholder returns, but risks include China regulatory changes and a recent Citi downgrade. Analyst consensus is mixed with 38.1% buy ratings, suggesting cautious optimism amid a 40% year-to-date run, requiring monitoring of Asia exposure and interest rate trends.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations. It serves customers worldwide through four global businesses: Retail, Commercial, Global Banking, and Private Banking.
Read more on HSBC →