Align Technology, Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $179.9 (market cap $12.86B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $234.5 (market cap $93.70B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 7.3× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays a 1.52% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.86B | $93.70B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $207.19 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $11.92B | $116.43B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.52% |
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.
WM trades at $233.33, up 0.72% today, showing steady performance near its 52-week high. The stock maintains a bullish technical signal with strong moving average support. Fundamentally, revenue grew to $25.20B in 2025 with a net income margin of 10.99%, though recent quarters show mixed earnings results. Analyst consensus remains positive with a $263.57 price target. The company continues its dividend payments, with the next $0.95 dividend scheduled for June 2026.
Outlook: WM's defensive business model and pricing power provide stability, but elevated valuation ratios (P/E 33.77) pose risks if growth slows. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 earnings expectations. Key risks include debt levels and economic sensitivity. Wall Street's strong buy sentiment (57% buy ratings) supports a cautiously optimistic view.
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →