Align Technology (ALGN) vs Pool (POOL)
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 Pool (POOL) over the past year, gaining 7.2% versus a loss of 48.8%. Over five years, POOL leads with a -66.0% price change compared with -76.3% for ALGN. Align Technology is the larger company by market cap ($9.94 billion vs $5.60 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Align Technology trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 13.1x for Pool). Pool pays a dividend yielding 3.28%, 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 7.7%.
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 | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $139.87 | $154.14 |
| Market cap | $9.94B | $5.60B |
| 1-day change | -1.12% | -2.59% |
| YTD return | -10.43% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | +7.20% | -48.81% |
| 5-year return | -76.28% | -65.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.33 | 14.53 |
| Forward P/E | 11.21 | 13.06 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.75 | $10.61 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $5.05 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.03B | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.90% | -0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $410.35M | $406.40M |
| Gross margin | 67.19% | 29.73% |
| Operating margin | 13.53% | 10.97% |
| Net margin | 10.17% | 7.68% |
| 52-week high | $200.44 | $305.63 |
| 52-week low | $124.91 | $153.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.22% | -49.57% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +44.21% | +40.78% |
| Average volume | 901.62K | 779.36K |
| Shares outstanding | 71.04M | 36.34M |
| Employees | 20,435 | 6,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- ALGN has outperformed POOL by 56.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Align Technology trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.3x vs 14.5x trailing P/E).
- Pool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Align Technology in Health Care and Pool in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 employees
ALGN vs POOL FAQ
Which is bigger, Align Technology or Pool?
Align Technology (ALGN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.94B compared with $5.60B for Pool (POOL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALGN or POOL?
ALGN returned +7.20% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.81% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALGN or POOL?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.5, versus 24.3 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 Pool?
Pool pays a dividend yielding 3.28%, while Align Technology does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Align Technology and Pool in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.