Compare Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Align Technology, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $179.9 (market cap $12.86B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.56 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 23.7× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.75% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.86B | $305.12B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $11.92B | $348.54B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.75% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.54, down 1.22% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $135.14. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q1 2026, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 13.59%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, signaling strategic growth initiatives amid a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The stock presents a favorable risk-reward profile with upside potential driven by earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, though risks include patent expirations and regulatory pressures. Institutional buying activity and a 67.57% buy rating from analysts underscore confidence, but investors should monitor execution risks and market volatility.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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Latest headlines on both assets
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About Align Technology, Inc.
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
