Align Technology (ALGN) vs STERIS (Ireland) (STE)
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 STERIS (Ireland) (STE) over the past year, gaining 7.2% versus a loss of 13.2%. Over five years, STE leads with a -6.8% price change compared with -76.3% for ALGN. STERIS (Ireland) is the larger company by market cap ($20.44 billion vs $9.94 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Align Technology trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 17.1x for STERIS (Ireland)). STERIS (Ireland) pays a dividend yielding 1.20%, while Align Technology does not currently pay one. STERIS (Ireland) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.2% 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 | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $139.87 | $209.68 |
| Market cap | $9.94B | $20.44B |
| 1-day change | -1.12% | +0.49% |
| YTD return | -10.43% | -17.29% |
| 1-year return | +7.20% | -13.20% |
| 5-year return | -76.28% | -6.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.33 | 25.51 |
| Forward P/E | 11.21 | 17.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.75 | $8.22 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.03B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.90% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $410.35M | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 67.19% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 13.53% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 10.17% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $200.44 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $124.91 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.22% | -22.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +44.21% | +25.49% |
| Average volume | 901.62K | 694.18K |
| Shares outstanding | 71.04M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 20,435 | 17,937 |
| 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
- STERIS (Ireland) is about 2.1 times larger than Align Technology by market value ($20.44B vs $9.94B).
- ALGN has outperformed STE by 20.4 percentage points over the past year.
- STERIS (Ireland) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 0.00%).
- STERIS (Ireland) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.73% vs +0.90%).
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 STERIS (Ireland)
STE stock →STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services in the United States, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,937 employees
ALGN vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, Align Technology or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.44B compared with $9.94B for Align Technology (ALGN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALGN or STE?
ALGN returned +7.20% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.20% for STE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALGN or STE?
ALGN has the lower trailing P/E at 24.3, versus 25.5 for STE. 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 STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) pays a dividend yielding 1.20%, while Align Technology does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Align Technology and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.