Alcon (ALC) vs Cooper Companies (COO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Alcon (ALC) has outperformed Cooper Companies (COO) over the past year, losing 17.5% versus a loss of 22.7%. Over five years, ALC leads with a -19.1% price change compared with -45.5% for COO. Alcon is the larger company by market cap ($30.99 billion vs $10.34 billion), about 3.0 times the size, while Cooper Companies is growing revenue faster (+5.1% vs +4.9%).
On valuation, Cooper Companies trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 16.2x for Alcon). Alcon pays a dividend yielding 0.55%, while Cooper Companies does not currently pay one. Alcon converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.4% versus 9.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ALC | COO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $64.11 | $54.37 |
| Market cap | $30.99B | $10.34B |
| 1-day change | +1.55% | +0.13% |
| YTD return | -19.90% | -33.75% |
| 1-year return | -17.53% | -22.72% |
| 5-year return | -19.08% | -45.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 48.57 | 18.68 |
| Forward P/E | 16.17 | 11.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.32 | $2.91 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.353 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $10.40B | $4.09B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.94% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $980.00M | $374.90M |
| Gross margin | 55.24% | 65.54% |
| Operating margin | 13.08% | 16.69% |
| Net margin | 9.42% | 9.16% |
| 52-week high | $87.64 | $89.83 |
| 52-week low | $61.84 | $51.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.85% | -39.47% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.32% | +21.02% |
| Average volume | 1.85M | 3.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 483.40M | 190.16M |
| Employees | 25,000 | 15,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Ophthalmic Goods | Ophthalmic Goods |
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
- Alcon is about 3.0 times larger than Cooper Companies by market value ($30.99B vs $10.34B).
- Alcon trades at a higher earnings multiple (48.6x vs 18.7x trailing P/E).
About Alcon
ALC stock →Alcon Inc. researches, develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells eye care products worldwide.
Health Care · Ophthalmic Goods · 25,000 employees
About Cooper Companies
COO stock →The Cooper Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets contact lens wearers. The company operates in two segments, CooperVision and CooperSurgical.
Health Care · Ophthalmic Goods · 15,000 employees
ALC vs COO FAQ
Which is bigger, Alcon or Cooper Companies?
Alcon (ALC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $30.99B compared with $10.34B for Cooper Companies (COO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALC or COO?
ALC returned -17.53% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.72% for COO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALC or COO?
COO has the lower trailing P/E at 18.7, versus 48.6 for ALC. 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, Alcon or Cooper Companies?
Alcon pays a dividend yielding 0.55%, while Cooper Companies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Alcon and Cooper Companies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Ophthalmic Goods industry within the Health Care sector.