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TEMPE, Ariz. - Align Technology , Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN), a prominent medical device company known for its Invisalign® System, announced its plan to purchase $225 million of its common stock in the open market. This move is set to finalize the company’s $1.0 billion stock repurchase program, which was authorized by Align’s Board of Directors in January 2023. The announcement comes as the stock trades near its 52-week low of $185.20, with InvestingPro data showing management’s consistent commitment to share buybacks.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Finance, John Morici, stated that the decision to buy back stock demonstrates the firm’s robust financial position and its commitment to delivering shareholder value. This is supported by the company’s strong financial metrics, including a healthy 70% gross margin and minimal debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Align’s strategic investments aim to usher in a new growth phase and solidify the Invisalign® System as the orthodontic standard of care. According to InvestingPro’s comprehensive analysis, the company maintains a GOOD financial health score, with 10+ additional insights available to subscribers.
The stock repurchases will be conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, with the timing and amount of shares bought back depending on market conditions, stock price, trading volume, and other operational factors. The company expects to complete the repurchase by early May 2025, using cash reserves. As reported on December 31, 2024, Align had approximately 73.8 million shares outstanding and $1,043.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. With a current market capitalization of $14.2 billion, InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock may be undervalued at current levels.
Align Technology has been influential in the orthodontic industry for 28 years, providing advanced clear aligner systems, intraoral scanners, and CAD/CAM software to over 271.6 thousand doctor customers globally. The company’s digital platform is integral to enhancing orthodontic and restorative workflows, which in turn benefits patient outcomes and practice efficiency. Discover more detailed insights about Align Technology’s market position and growth potential in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Align Technology, Inc. It is important to note that forward-looking statements from the company involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ from those predicted in such statements. Align regularly files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which detail these and other risks.
In other recent news, Align Technology reported fourth-quarter earnings that narrowly missed analyst estimates, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.44 compared to the expected $2.46. Revenue for the quarter was $995.2 million, slightly below the anticipated $1 billion, marking a 4.0% year-over-year increase. The company’s first-quarter guidance projected revenue between $965 million and $985 million, falling short of Wall Street’s forecast of $1.03 billion, due to factors such as unfavorable foreign exchange rates and seasonal declines in capital equipment sales. For the full year 2024, Align Technology posted revenue of $4.0 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year, with a similar growth rate in Clear Aligner shipments.
Align Technology’s guidance for 2025 suggests "low single digits" revenue growth, with Clear Aligner volume growth in the "mid-single digits," while foreign exchange rates are expected to impact results by about 2 percentage points. Piper Sandler adjusted its price target for the company from $275.00 to $270.00, maintaining an Overweight rating, following the earnings report. The firm noted that the company’s guidance aligns with the current challenging macroeconomic environment but also sees potential for growth in international markets.
Additionally, Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) initiated coverage of Align Technology with an Overweight rating and a price target of $255.00, highlighting the company’s strong market position and brand recognition. The analyst from Wells Fargo emphasized the company’s durable competitive advantage and potential for long-term growth due to the underpenetrated market for malocclusion treatments. These recent developments reflect both challenges and opportunities for Align Technology as it navigates the current economic landscape.
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