0HCK.LSE
Quentin Blackford Joins Align Technology Board
Align Technology has appointed Quentin Blackford, President and CEO of iRhythm Technologies, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, while Andrea Saia will retire after 13 years of service on September 23, 2026. Blackford, who has led iRhythm since 2021 and previously served as COO of Dexcom, brings extensive experience in healthcare and digital innovation. Chairman Kevin Conroy welcomed Blackford, citing his leadership and strategic judgment as assets for Align's future in digital dentistry. CEO Joe Hogan thanked Saia for her contributions and dedicated service.
0HCK.LSE▲
Align Technology Wins China Patent Case Against Angelalign
Align Technology has prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit in China against Angelalign Technology's operating subsidiaries. The Jinan Intermediate People's Court issued a first-instance judgment on August 10, 2026, finding that Angel's use of its MasterForce and ATreat systems to generate A7 and A7 Speed premolar extraction treatment solutions infringes Align's patent CN113693748B. The court ordered Angel to cease using the patented technology and stop manufacturing and selling the infringing products in China, and awarded Align RMB 10 million in damages. Angel may appeal the ruling to the Supreme People's Court, and the appeal deadline has not yet expired. The decision follows other recent enforcement actions, including a preliminary injunction from the Unified Patent Court in February 2026 and an ongoing U.S. International Trade Commission investigation with an initial determination expected in November 2026.
Align Technology Meets Q2 Revenue Estimates but Issues Cautious Guidance on Scanner Mix Shift
Align Technology reported second-quarter revenue of $1.06 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations with 4.3% year-on-year growth, while adjusted earnings per share of $2.64 beat estimates by 1.7%. Clear Aligner volumes rose 7.4% year on year, driven by double-digit growth in APAC, EMEA, and Latin America, though North American performance was stable. The company's Systems and Services segment faced headwinds from a deliberate shift toward lower-priced scanners and flexible acquisition models, which pressured margins and contributed to an operating margin decline to 14.6% from 16.1% a year earlier. For the third quarter, Align guided for revenue of $1.01 billion at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $1.02 billion, as CFO John Morici cautioned that the scanner business transition will continue to weigh on reported revenue and profitability in the near term. The company also announced a strategic and operating model review following discussions with Elliott Management, alongside the addition of three new independent directors.
0HCK.LSE
Align Technology's Global Expansion and iTero Gains Offset by Currency and Macro Headwinds
Align Technology's international expansion and iTero scanner growth are poised to drive future gains, but currency headwinds and macroeconomic pressures weigh on the stock. The company has expanded into new regions in Africa and Latin America, now operating 13 fabrication and treatment locations worldwide, while Clear Aligner volumes grew double digits year over year in both EMEA and APAC regions. iTero intraoral scanners and the Exocad CAD/CAM software continue to gain traction, with recent enhancements to the iTero Digital Solutions platform. However, unfavorable foreign exchange movements, particularly in the Japanese yen, Euro, and Brazilian real, impacted first-quarter gross margin by 0.4 points year over year, and macroeconomic pressures led to a 1.4% increase in cost of sales in the first quarter of 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share remains at $11.36, with revenues pegged at $4.19 billion, suggesting a 3.7% rise from the prior year.
Align Technology responds to EU antitrust probe over iTero-Invisalign exclusivity
Align Technology has responded to the European Commission's formal antitrust investigation into whether it illegally tied its iTero intra-oral scanners to Invisalign clear aligners. The probe, opened on June 30, 2026, follows a competitor complaint and focuses on two practices since 2017: refusing to approve competing scanners for automated digital scan submissions for Invisalign orders, and rejecting scans from other intra-oral scanners even when based on industry-standard files. Align called the investigation purely procedural, emphasized that iTero can be used with aligners other than Invisalign, and pledged full cooperation with the Commission. Shares closed Tuesday at $168.66, down 2.75%, and edged lower in pre-market trading.
0HCK.LSE▼
Dental Equipment Stocks Beat Q1 Revenue Estimates but Shares Decline
The four dental equipment and technology stocks tracked by StockStory reported strong first-quarter results, with aggregate revenues beating analysts' consensus estimates by 3% while next-quarter revenue guidance was in line. Dentsply Sirona posted flat revenue of $880 million, exceeding expectations by 4.8%, but its stock fell 10% since reporting. Envista delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers at 14.4% to $705.5 million, yet shares declined 6.7%. Henry Schein, the weakest performer against estimates, saw revenue rise 6.3% to $3.37 billion and its stock gained 11.2%. Align Technology reported a 6.2% revenue increase to $1.04 billion, beating estimates, but its stock dropped 6.3%. On average, share prices across the group are down 2.9% since the latest earnings results.
Align Technology names Kevin Conroy as new chairman effective July 2026
Align Technology announced that independent director Kevin Conroy will succeed retiring Chairman C. Raymond Larkin, Jr. effective July 1, 2026. Larkin is stepping down after more than 20 years on the board but will remain a director and member of the Nominating and Governance Committee through December 31, 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Conroy has served as an independent director since December 2023 and has chaired the Compensation and Human Capital Committee since January 2026.
0HCK.LSE
Align Technology Stock Lags the Dow Over the Past Year
Align Technology shares have underperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average over the past year, declining 1.6% compared with the Dow's 23.2% gain. The medical device company, known for its Invisalign clear aligners, has a market capitalization of $12.9 billion and saw its stock slip 13.8% from a 52-week high of $208.30. Over the past three months, ALGN rose 5.9%, trailing the Dow's 10.7% return, though it is up nearly 15% year-to-date, outpacing the Dow's 8.2% advance. The company reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share on revenue of $1.04 billion, beating estimates, and announced a new $200 million share repurchase program while reaffirming full-year revenue growth of 3% to 4%. Analysts hold a consensus Moderate Buy rating with a mean price target of $208.23, implying a nearly 16% premium.
USA