Align Technology, Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Align Technology, Inc. trades at $174.15 (market cap $12.29B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $227.08 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 7.4× Align Technology, Inc.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays a 1.56% dividend while Align Technology, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALGN | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.29B | $90.68B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $197.51 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $124.88 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $11.30B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALGN trades at $173.4, down 1.5% today, amid a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, a P/E of 30.03, and a net income margin of 9.99%. Recent news highlights a patent win in China and strategic initiatives under activist investor engagement, supporting its digital orthodontics leadership.
Outlook remains positive due to solid profitability and growth initiatives, but risks include competitive pressures and scanner segment weakness. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 73% buy ratings, viewing current valuation as attractive for long-term growth despite near-term technical headwinds.
WM trades at $227.2, up 0.26% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.02, beating estimates, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 11.12%. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $25.20B in 2025, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 59.74 appear elevated. Recent news highlights institutional trading activity and earnings focus on pricing discipline.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 16% upside, supported by 57% buy ratings. Risks include high debt levels and sensitivity to economic cycles, but consistent cash flow generation and margin gains provide a solid foundation for long-term investors.
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 →