Align Technology (ALGN) vs Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Align Technology (ALGN) has outperformed Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN) over the past year, gaining 6.0% versus a loss of 25.0%. Over five years, SNN leads with a -23.8% price change compared with -76.1% for ALGN. Smith & Nephew SNATS is the larger company by market cap ($11.28 billion vs $10.02 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Smith & Nephew SNATS trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 11.3x for Align Technology). Smith & Nephew SNATS pays a dividend yielding 1.47%, 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 10.1%.
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 | SNN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $141.03 | $26.96 |
| Market cap | $10.02B | $11.28B |
| 1-day change | +0.83% | +0.26% |
| YTD return | -9.68% | -17.83% |
| 1-year return | +5.97% | -24.97% |
| 5-year return | -76.08% | -23.82% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.53 | 18.34 |
| Forward P/E | 11.33 | 11.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.75 | $1.47 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.47% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.397 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.03B | $6.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.90% | +6.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $410.35M | $625.00M |
| Gross margin | 67.19% | 68.01% |
| Operating margin | 13.53% | 12.88% |
| Net margin | 10.17% | 10.14% |
| 52-week high | $200.44 | $37.51 |
| 52-week low | $124.91 | $26.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.64% | -28.13% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +43.03% | +19.88% |
| Average volume | 900.35K | 1.65M |
| Shares outstanding | 71.04M | 418.52M |
| Employees | 20,435 | 17,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Healthcare |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Medical Devices |
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 SNN by 30.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Align Technology trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.5x vs 18.3x trailing P/E).
- Smith & Nephew SNATS offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.47% vs 0.00%).
- Smith & Nephew SNATS grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+6.09% vs +0.90%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Align Technology in Health Care and Smith & Nephew SNATS in Healthcare.
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 Smith & Nephew SNATS
SNN stock →Smith & Nephew plc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management.
Healthcare · Medical Devices · 17,000 employees
ALGN vs SNN FAQ
Which is bigger, Align Technology or Smith & Nephew SNATS?
Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.28B compared with $10.02B for Align Technology (ALGN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALGN or SNN?
ALGN returned +5.97% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.97% for SNN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALGN or SNN?
SNN has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, versus 24.5 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 Smith & Nephew SNATS?
Smith & Nephew SNATS pays a dividend yielding 1.47%, while Align Technology does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Align Technology and Smith & Nephew SNATS in the same industry?
No. Align Technology is in the Health Care sector, while Smith & Nephew SNATS is in Healthcare.