Align Technology, Inc. vs Howmet Aerospace Inc — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $173.38 (market cap $12.29B), while Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $282.01 (market cap $112.20B). The key difference: Howmet Aerospace Inc is far larger — about 9.1× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Howmet Aerospace Inc pays a 0.2% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | HWM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.29B | $112.20B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $291.28 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $171.00 |
Enterprise Value | $11.30B | $116.30B |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.2% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALGN trades at $174.63, down 0.8% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with record revenue and clear aligner volume. Fundamentals show solid profitability with a 68.05% gross margin and 9.99% net income margin, though revenue growth has moderated. Recent news highlights a patent win in China and strategic initiatives following activist investor engagement.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is strongly bullish (73% buy ratings), but technicals and slowing revenue growth pose near-term risks. Investment opportunity lies in international expansion and digital dentistry platform growth, while risks include competitive pressures and execution of new strategic initiatives. The stock's valuation at 30x P/E requires sustained earnings growth to justify.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $281.63, down 0.73% on the day, with strong technical support at $279 and resistance at $285. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.33 exceeding expectations by 7.3%, driven by robust aerospace and defense demand. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with 84% buy ratings and a $334.63 price target, representing 19% upside potential.
Outlook remains positive with raised 2026 guidance and strong cash flow generation, though elevated valuation multiples (P/E 60.63) and significant capital expenditures present risks. The stock offers growth exposure to aerospace recovery but faces execution risks amid capacity expansion plans and supply chain 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 →Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →