Should Investors Buy Align as Growth Meets Valuation and Demand Risks?

Align’s International Growth Supports the Bull Case

Second-quarter 2026 Clear Aligner shipments reached a record 691,800 cases, up 7.4% year over year. EMEA and APAC both delivered double-digit volume growth, while Latin America posted record second-quarter shipments.

Doctor participation also broadened, with a record 89,200 doctors submitting Invisalign cases and utilization rising 3.8%. Management now expects 2026 Clear Aligner volume growth of approximately 6%, above its prior mid-single-digit view.

Based on short-term price targets offered by 14 analysts, the average price target for Align Technology comes to $208.50. The average price target represents an increase of 19.81% from the last closing price. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ALGN’s Broader Portfolio Expands Its Opportunity

Align is extending Invisalign beyond traditional adult and teen alignment through Invisalign First, the Invisalign Palatal Expander and mandibular advancement products. These offerings target growing patients and more complex cases.

Teen and growing-patient treatment starts increased 7.2% to 240,000 cases in the second quarter. Broader launches across EMEA and APAC, including newer approvals and commercial rollouts, could widen adoption across patient groups and geographies.

Align’s Digital Platform Adds Longer-Term Leverage

Scanner placements to new doctors reached a record level and increased at a double-digit rate, while the active installed base grew about 11%. More than 12.4 million restorative, wellness and orthodontic scans were completed in the quarter, up 16%.

Exocad revenues also grew at a double-digit rate. A larger scanner base can deepen integration between diagnostics, treatment planning, restorative workflows and Clear Aligner conversion, creating longer-term leverage even when upfront hardware revenue is pressured.

ALGN Faces Demand and Scanner Pricing Pressure

Systems and Services revenues declined 10.8% year over year to $185.3 million as capital-equipment demand stayed weak and customers shifted toward lower-priced scanners, leases, rentals and certified pre-owned systems. Management expects 2026 segment revenues to decline 6%-8% even as scanner shipments rise at a double-digit rate.

Competition adds another constraint. Dentsply Sirona Inc. XRAY participates across orthodontics, CAD/CAM and dental equipment, while Envista Holdings Corporation NVST offers clear aligners through its Ormco business. Their broad dental portfolios reinforce the need for Align to sustain doctor adoption and product differentiation.

Align’s Valuation Offers Support but Not a Clean Signal

ALGN trades at 14.6X forward 12-month earnings, below 17.8X for its Zacks sub-industry and its five-year median of 28.4X. The discount provides valuation support after a period of uneven demand.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Yet the current fiscal year EPS growth projection is negative 18.3%. The EPS estimate has also moved 1.1% lower over the past four weeks, showing why a low multiple does not automatically translate into an attractive entry point.

ALGN’s Mixed Scores Support a Measured Stance

The balance of improving Clear Aligner demand, international expansion and digital-platform adoption against scanner pricing pressure and softer retail demand favors patience rather than an outright buy case. Valuation is more supportive, but earnings trends remain a restraint.

Align currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with a VGM Score of B, Value Score of B, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of F. The favorable Value and Growth scores recognize useful attributes, but the weak Momentum Score and Hold rank fit a selective posture while investors wait for firmer earnings and demand signals.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research