MetaCap

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs Align Technology (ALGN)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has outperformed Align Technology (ALGN) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a gain of 7.2%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with -76.3% for ALGN. Applied Industrial Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($12.22 billion vs $9.82 billion), about 1.2 times the size.

On valuation, Align Technology trades at a lower forward P/E (11.1x vs 25.1x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Applied Industrial Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Align Technology does not currently pay one. Align Technology converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.2% versus 8.3%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AIT+32.38%ALGN+7.20%
+54%+23%-8%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
AIT+248.30%ALGN-78.27%
+295%+98%-98%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AIT versus ALGN key metrics
MetricAITALGN
Share price$332.59$138.27
Market cap$12.22B$9.82B
1-day change-0.60%-1.14%
YTD return+30.30%-10.43%
1-year return+32.38%+7.20%
5-year return+250.64%-76.28%
P/E ratio (TTM)30.3724.05
Forward P/E25.1411.08
EPS (TTM)$10.95$5.75
Dividend yield0.58%0.00%
Annual dividend$1.94$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$4.97B$4.03B
Revenue growth (YoY)+8.84%+0.90%
Net income (latest FY)$414.52M$410.35M
Gross margin30.34%67.19%
Operating margin11.06%13.53%
Net margin8.35%10.17%
52-week high$374.80$200.44
52-week low$238.34$124.91
Distance from 52-week high-11.26%-31.02%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+20.27%+45.88%
Average volume280.11K896.31K
Shares outstanding36.73M71.04M
Employees6,90020,435
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryHealth Care
IndustryIndustrial SpecialtiesIndustrial Specialties

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • AIT has outperformed ALGN by 25.2 percentage points over the past year.
  • Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.4x vs 24.0x trailing P/E).
  • Applied Industrial Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.84% vs +0.90%).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Applied Industrial Technologies in Consumer Discretionary and Align Technology in Health Care.

About Applied Industrial Technologies

AIT stock →

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.

Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,900 employees

About Align Technology

ALGN stock →

Align Technology, Inc. provides Invisalign clear aligners, Vivera retainers, and iTero intraoral scanners and services in the United States, Switzerland, and internationally.

Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 20,435 employees

AIT vs ALGN FAQ

Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or Align Technology?

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.22B compared with $9.82B for Align Technology (ALGN).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or ALGN?

AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.20% for ALGN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or ALGN?

ALGN has the lower trailing P/E at 24.0, versus 30.4 for AIT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Industrial Technologies or Align Technology?

Applied Industrial Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Align Technology does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Applied Industrial Technologies and Align Technology in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.

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