Align Technology, Inc. vs First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $173.38 (market cap $12.29B), while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd trades at $53.21. The key difference: Align Technology, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | QCLN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.29B | — |
Sector | Health | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $68.47 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $36.11 |
Enterprise Value | $11.30B | — |
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.
QCLN trades at $53.09, up 2.0% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF benefits from clean energy sector momentum driven by data center power demand and global energy security concerns. Recent news highlights clean energy ETF gains amid volatile oil markets, though regulatory challenges and supply chain pressures present headwinds. Key support sits at $51-52 with resistance at $53-55.
The outlook remains positive given structural energy transition trends, but investors face regulatory uncertainty from U.S. permit delays and China trade tensions. Wall Street sentiment leans bullish on clean energy themes, though valuation metrics are unavailable for this ETF. Risks include geopolitical supply chain disruptions and policy shifts affecting renewable project economics.
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 →QCLN invests in U.S.-listed companies engaged in clean energy technologies. It focuses on solar power, wind, electric vehicles, and energy storage, with major holdings in firms like Tesla, ON Semiconductor, and Rivian.
Read more on QCLN →