$ALGN

Align Technology (ALGN) reports Q3 earnings on Oct 28. Q2 saw record aligner shipments (+7.4% YoY) but scanner revenue fell 10.8%. International growth offset North American softness. Analysts expect Q3 revenue of $1.004B (+0.9% YoY) and EPS of $2.77 (+6.0% YoY). Management anticipates ASP declines due to pricing pressure and geographic mix. Scanner revenue is guided down 6-8% for 2026. Shares are down 1.05% YTD.

Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, favoring utilities, healthcare, and infrastructure. 4D Molecular Therapeutics (FDMT) and Abbott Laboratories (ABT) received multiple ratings. ABT's price targets varied, with some raised and others lowered. Other notable updates include downgrades for Aegon (AEG) and Alcoa (AA), while Alphabet (GOOGL) saw a lowered target. Sector-specific trends and individual stock ratings reflect varying market outlooks.

Piper Sandler kept its Overweight rating on Align Technology with a $205 price target, implying a 36.2% upside from the Oct 20 close. The firm cited Align's 90% market share in clear aligners and a 3.4% year-over-year increase in total exams as reasons for its rating.

Henry Schein (HSIC) reported Q2 revenues of $3.46B, up 6.7% YoY, beating estimates. Envista (NVST) saw 7.1% YoY growth, while Align Tech (ALGN) and Dentsply Sirona (XRAY) reported mixed results. Sector stocks are down 18.3% on average since earnings.

A European court ruled that Angelalign's Torque Ridges feature infringes Align Technology's patent, ordering Angelalign to stop offering the product in parts of Europe. Align (ALGN) welcomed the decision, which includes damages and an injunction. Angelalign (6699.HK) can appeal. The ruling follows prior patent disputes between the companies.

Wall Street analysts issued upgrades, downgrades, and initiations for various companies. Bank of America (BAC) was upgraded to Outperform, while PayPal (PYPL) was downgraded to Underperform. Other notable actions include upgrades for Crocs (CROX) and Walmart (WMT), and downgrades for Align Technology (ALGN) and Spotify (SPOT). The market saw declines, with the Nasdaq down 1.88% due to inflation concerns and energy price impacts.

Analysts downgraded several companies: Baird's Jeff Johnson cut Envista (NVST) to Neutral, Cirrus Logic (CRUS) to Equal-Weight, and Align Tech (ALGN) to Neutral. Goldman's Ronald Keung downgraded ZTO Express (ZTO) to Neutral. Goldman's Neil Mehta downgraded Par Pacific (PARR) to Neutral. Price targets were also adjusted.

Analysts updated price targets for several companies. Needham raised CrowdStrike's (CRWD) target to $310, Baird increased Humana's (HUM) to $596, and others adjusted targets for Robinhood (HOOD), Webull (BULL), Align (ALGN), Pacira (PCRX), Sailpoint (SAIL), Unity (U), and Arcturus (ARCT). AT&T's (T) target was cut by Scotiabank.

Stifel reduced Align Technology's (ALGN) price target to $175 from $210, citing weak U.S. Invisalign demand. Shares are down 10% YTD and 19% over six months. Analysts note soft conversion and volume trends, with earnings estimates being revised downward. ALGN reported Q2 2026 earnings of $2.64 per share on $1.06B revenue, slightly beating expectations, but guidance indicated near-term pressure. Evercore ISI downgraded ALGN to In Line with a $155 target.

A federal appeals court reversed a lower court ruling, allowing antitrust claims against Align Technology (ALGN) to proceed. The case involves allegations related to dental aligners, specifically Invisalign. This decision may impact ALGN's legal and financial outlook.