Price movement over the last 24 hours
Align Technology, Inc. vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $175.9 (market cap $13.27B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $275.16 (market cap $79.67B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 6× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.27B | $79.67B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $12.32B | $88.42B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.03% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALGN trades at $185.22, up 0.38% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst consensus. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. Revenue remains stable around $4.0B, supported by a 67.57% gross margin and positive cash flow trends. Recent news highlights global expansion and product innovation, including a new manufacturing facility in India.
Outlook is positive with a $220.75 consensus price target, though risks include regulatory scrutiny from the European Commission and competitive pressures. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 31.65 reflects growth expectations, but investors should monitor execution on international growth and demand stability in North America.
ECL trades at $283.08, down 0.1% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $1.70, meeting expectations, and maintains strong profitability with a net income margin of 12.8%. Recent acquisition of CoolIT for $4.75B enhances its AI cooling portfolio, positioning for long-term growth. Cash flow from operations remains robust at $3.0B in 2025, though net cash flow turned negative due to significant investing activities.
Outlook is positive with 73% analyst buy ratings and a consensus price target of $326.17, implying 15% upside. Risks include rising costs and integration challenges from acquisitions. The stock's high P/E of 38.39 suggests premium valuation, requiring sustained earnings growth to justify current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the hospitality, healthcare, and industrial markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. The company has a strong hold on the U.S. market and is looking to increase its profitability abroad. Additionally, Ecolab serves customers in water, manufacturing, and life sciences end markets, selling customized solutions.
Read more on ECL →