Alcon AG vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $73.8 (market cap $36.44B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $227.02 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 2.5× Alcon AG's market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.44B | $90.68B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $40.28B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $73.525, down 0.14% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and positive analyst sentiment. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates, with revenue of $10.4 billion in 2025 and a net income margin of 5.92%. The company raised its 2026 profitability outlook, citing tariff relief and strong product launches.
The stock offers a 17.9% upside to the consensus price target of $86.67, supported by bullish analyst ratings and improving cash flow trends. Key risks include elevated P/E valuation at 57.52 and potential macroeconomic pressures on medical device demand. Earnings growth and execution on new products remain critical for sustained momentum.
WM trades at $227.2, up 0.26% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.02, beating estimates, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 11.12%. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $25.20B in 2025, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 59.74 appear elevated. Recent news highlights institutional trading activity and earnings focus on pricing discipline.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 16% upside, supported by 57% buy ratings. Risks include high debt levels and sensitivity to economic cycles, but consistent cash flow generation and margin gains provide a solid foundation for long-term investors.
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →