Align Technology, Inc. vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $179.9 (market cap $12.86B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $276.06 (market cap $195.10B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 15.2× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays a 2.71% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.86B | $195.10B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $264.54 |
Enterprise Value | $11.92B | $248.82B |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.71% |
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.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.60, down 0.68% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bearish trend while fundamentals remain solid. The company reported $26.89B revenue in 2025 with a 31.62% net margin, though Q3 2025 EPS missed expectations. Recent news highlights McDonald's new 'NEXT' growth strategy focusing on automation and menu innovation to counter competitive pressures and attract customers.
The stock presents a mixed outlook: strong cash flow and analyst consensus support upside to $325.50, but technical weakness and inflation risks pose near-term challenges. Investment appeal hinges on execution of strategic initiatives amid economic headwinds.
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 →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 →