Align Technology, Inc. vs Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $172.77 (market cap $12.51B), while Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $308.56 (market cap $68.63B). The key difference: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. is far larger — about 5.5× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. pays a 2.35% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | APD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.51B | $68.63B |
Sector | Health | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $314.19 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $230.42 |
Enterprise Value | $11.52B | $85.80B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.35% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALGN trades at $173.66, up 2.71% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.64 surpassing the $2.62 estimate. Revenue reached a record $1.06 billion in Q2 2026, driven by clear aligner growth. Recent board changes and strategic initiatives aim to enhance long-term value.
The outlook is positive, supported by robust fundamentals and institutional interest, but risks include competitive pressures and scanner segment weakness. Valuation multiples remain below historical peaks, offering potential upside if growth accelerates. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic amid ongoing operational reviews.
Air Products and Chemicals (APD) trades at $303.44, up 1.17% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong analyst support with a consensus price target of $346, though high valuation ratios like a P/E of 30.86 and EV/EBITDA of 50.36 raise concerns. Recent news highlights a major semiconductor supply deal in Taiwan and raised guidance after Q3 2026 results.
The outlook is mixed: positive momentum from contract wins and earnings performance offers upside, but negative net income margins and elevated debt levels pose risks. Investors should weigh growth catalysts against financial leverage and profitability challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Align is the leading manufacturer of clear dental aligners globally, having pioneered the technology with the introduction of its Invisalign branded aligners in 1998. Since then, Invisalign has become a household name, having treated over 10 million patients with malocclusion (misaligned teeth) through orthodontist and dentist-guided treatment plans. The company maintains dominant market share of clear aligners, despite the introduction of direct-to-consumer competitors upon the expiration of key patents that began in 2017. Align also manufactures intraoral scanners (iTero), used for orthodontic treatment and restorative dental procedures (digital models for crowns, veneers, and implants).
Read more on ALGN →Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →