Price movement over the last 24 hours
Align Technology, Inc. vs Southwest Airlines Co — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $179.45 (market cap $12.86B), while Southwest Airlines Co trades at $47.45 (market cap $23.67B). The key difference: Southwest Airlines Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Southwest Airlines Co pays a 1.49% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | LUV | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.86B | $23.67B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $54.80 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $29.06 |
Enterprise Value | $11.92B | $26.74B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.49% |
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.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) trades at $48.43, down 1.61% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and RSI near oversold levels. The company reported mixed Q1 2026 earnings, missing estimates, but maintains a positive outlook with Q2 2026 EPS expected at $0.52. Recent news highlights sector tailwinds from lower fuel costs and a partnership with AWS to accelerate AI capabilities by 2028.
LUV presents a balanced risk-reward profile with a consensus price target of $52.47, offering ~8% upside. Key opportunities include earnings growth potential and favorable industry dynamics, while risks involve Boeing 737 MAX incidents and volatile fuel prices. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with 42% buy ratings, reflecting cautious optimism amid operational 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 →Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic carrier in the United States, as measured by the number of originating passengers boarded. Southwest operates over 700 aircraft in an all-Boeing 737 fleet. Despite expanding into longer routes and business travel, the airline still specializes in short-haul leisure flights, using a point-to-point network. Southwest operates a low-cost carrier business model.
Read more on LUV →