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 $173.38 (market cap $12.29B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $132.93 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 26.2× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.29B | $321.77B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $11.30B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.61% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.45, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 28.07%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by analyst consensus favoring a buy rating (67.57%) and a price target of $140.36. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion through M&A and solid cash flow generation. Risks involve high valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 104.34, and potential integration challenges from acquisitions. Investors should weigh growth prospects against elevated earnings expectations and market volatility.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →
