Align Technology (ALGN) vs MSA Safety (MSA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Align Technology (ALGN) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 7.2% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -76.3% for ALGN. Align Technology is the larger company by market cap ($9.97 billion vs $6.87 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while MSA Safety is growing revenue faster (+3.7% vs +0.9%).
On valuation, Align Technology trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 17.9x for MSA Safety). MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.20%, while Align Technology does not currently pay one. MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 10.2%.
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 | ALGN | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $140.35 | $178.10 |
| Market cap | $9.97B | $6.87B |
| 1-day change | +0.34% | -0.66% |
| YTD return | -10.43% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +7.20% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | -76.28% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.41 | 22.15 |
| Forward P/E | 11.25 | 17.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.75 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.03B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.90% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $410.35M | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 67.19% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 13.53% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 10.17% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $200.44 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $124.91 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.98% | -14.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +43.72% | +17.43% |
| Average volume | 896.31K | 260.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 71.04M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 20,435 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Industrial 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
- MSA Safety offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 0.00%).
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
About MSA Safety
MSA stock →MSA Safety Incorporated develops, manufactures, and supplies safety products and technology solutions that protect workers and facility infrastructures worldwide. The company offers breathing apparatus products, including self-contained breathing apparatus; firefighter helmets and protective apparel; and fixed gas and flame detection systems, such as fixed gas detection monitoring systems, flame detectors and open-path infrared gas detectors, and refrigerant detection and identification solution, as well as hand-held portable gas detection instruments to detect the presence or absence of various gases in the air.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 5,300 employees
ALGN vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Align Technology or MSA Safety?
Align Technology (ALGN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.97B compared with $6.87B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALGN or MSA?
ALGN returned +7.20% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.18% for MSA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALGN or MSA?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.2, versus 24.4 for ALGN. 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, Align Technology or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.20%, while Align Technology does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Align Technology and MSA Safety in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.