Price movement over the last 24 hours
Align Technology, Inc. vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $179.45 (market cap $12.86B), while Hershey Co trades at $173.97 (market cap $35.23B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 2.7× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.34% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.86B | $35.23B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $11.92B | $40.03B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.34% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Align Technology (ALGN) trades at $179.45, up 0.72% with a bullish technical outlook from moving averages. The company maintains solid profitability with a 10.5% net margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent developments include a new manufacturing facility in India and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings on July 29, 2026.
ALGN offers growth potential with a consensus price target of $218.40, representing 22% upside, supported by 73% analyst buy ratings. Risks include European regulatory scrutiny and North American demand pressures. The stock's valuation at 30x P/E requires sustained earnings growth to justify further gains.
HSY trades at $173.66, up 1.17% with recent earnings beats and easing cocoa costs supporting fundamentals. Technicals are bearish with resistance at $175, while valuation metrics like a P/E of 32.34 suggest premium pricing. The company maintains strong cash flow and a 3.22% dividend yield, with Q2 2026 earnings due July 30, 2026, as a key catalyst.
Outlook: Upside exists to the $210.33 consensus target if margin recovery continues, but high debt and volatile input costs pose risks. Analyst sentiment is cautious with 65.7% hold ratings, reflecting balanced growth and valuation concerns amid competitive pressures.
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 →Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the U.S. (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 46% of the domestic chocolate space (per IRI). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the U.S., including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix and Pirate Brands (including the Pirate's Booty, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings brands) over the past few years.
Read more on HSY →