Align Technology, Inc. vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $173.38 (market cap $12.51B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $273.99 (market cap $193.70B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 15.5× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays a 2.72% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.51B | $193.70B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $11.52B | $247.47B |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.72% |
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.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.15, down slightly by 0.12% on the day, with technical indicators showing a neutral overall signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent revenue growth, reaching $26.89 billion in 2025, and robust profitability with a 31.72% net income margin. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company has announced a new global growth strategy focused on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance.
The outlook for MCD is positive, supported by strong analyst consensus with a $322.45 price target implying significant upside. Key opportunities include the successful execution of its new growth plan and its defensive qualities in a challenging economy. Primary risks involve inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and intense competition in the quick-service restaurant sector.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →