Align Technology, Inc. $ALGN Shares Purchased by Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN) by 34.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,212 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after buying an additional 4,643 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Align Technology were worth $3,122,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sunbelt Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Align Technology by 222.4% during the 4th quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 158 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Align Technology by 77.5% in the first quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 158 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky increased its stake in shares of Align Technology by 77.7% in the fourth quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 183 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Tobam purchased a new position in shares of Align Technology during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Align Technology during the first quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.43% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Align Technology from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Evercore increased their price target on Align Technology from $200.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Citigroup began coverage on Align Technology in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. They set a “buy” rating and a $240.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings raised Align Technology from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $189.00 target price on shares of Align Technology in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $206.36.

Align Technology Price Performance

ALGN opened at $169.16 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $174.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $175.21. Align Technology, Inc. has a 1 year low of $122.00 and a 1 year high of $200.43. The stock has a market cap of $12.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.67.

Align Technology (NASDAQ:ALGN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.62 by $0.02. Align Technology had a net margin of 9.99% and a return on equity of 15.86%. The company had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.49 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Align Technology, Inc. will post 9.48 EPS for the current year.

Align Technology declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 29th that allows the company to repurchase $200.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical equipment provider to reacquire up to 1.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

More Align Technology News

Here are the key news stories impacting Align Technology this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q2 results exceeded expectations. Align reported adjusted earnings of $2.64 per share and revenue of approximately $1.06 billion, topping consensus estimates. Revenue increased 4.3% year over year, while record Clear Aligner shipments and improved non-GAAP margins supported profitability. Align Technology Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Digital orthodontics remains a growth focus. Management highlighted expanding digital workflows, connected orthodontic tools and long-term opportunities for Invisalign, iTero scanners and exocad software. The company’s 2026 outlook was reaffirmed, while an orthodontic summit showcased its product and technology strategy. ALGN Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Digital Growth Push
• Positive Sentiment: Board changes could improve shareholder value. Following discussions with Elliott Investment Management, Align plans to add three independent directors and conduct an operational review. The initiatives may increase accountability, improve execution and identify opportunities to enhance returns. Align Technology to Overhaul Board Following Engagement with Elliott
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation is viewed as more attractive after the pullback. Some analysts see ALGN as reasonably valued, but believe the stock needs faster growth to generate sustained upside. Align Technology: Attractively Valued, But Growth Still Needs To Pick Up
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term guidance and execution remain concerns. Third-quarter revenue guidance of roughly $1.0 billion was described as slightly below or around expectations, limiting the benefit of the earnings beat.
• Negative Sentiment: Systems weakness is capping upside. Analysts noted softer scanner and systems performance, along with pricing pressure, despite strong Clear Aligner volumes. Needham maintained a Hold rating. Align Technology Hold Rating Maintained
• Negative Sentiment: Growth is still relatively modest. Investors may remain cautious because revenue growth has not yet accelerated enough to justify a more bullish outlook, even with improving margins and record aligner shipments.

About Align Technology

Align Technology, Inc (NASDAQ: ALGN) pioneered the use of digital technology in orthodontics through the development of the Invisalign system, a series of clear, removable aligners that provide an alternative to traditional metal braces. Since its founding in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, the Tempe, Arizona–based company has expanded its focus to include intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM software for dental laboratories and comprehensive digital dentistry solutions.

The company’s signature Invisalign system leverages 3D imaging and computer-aided design (CAD) to create customized aligners that gradually reposition teeth, improving patient comfort and treatment predictability.