Dj Align Technology Inc, Inst Holders, 3Q 2024 (Algn)

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Align Technology (ALGN). Shares have added about 5.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Align Technology due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Align Technology's Q3 Earnings Top Estimates, Revenues Miss

Align Technologydelivered third-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share of $2.35, up 9.8% from the year-ago level. The reported figure topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%.

GAAP earnings per share for the quarter was $1.55, reflecting a decline of 1.9% from $1.58 in the comparable period of 2023.

ALGN's Q3 Revenues

The top line increased 1.8% year over year to $977.9 million but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.3%. Revenues were unfavorably impacted by foreign exchange of approximately $14.6 million or 1.5% year over year.

ALGN's Segments in Detail

Revenues in the Clear Aligner segment declined 1% year over year to $786.8 million.

Clear Aligner revenues had a 1.5% unfavorable foreign exchange impact.

Revenues from Imaging Systems & CAD/CAM Services rose 15.6% to $191 million in the reported quarter. The top line, too, witnessed an unfavorable currency impact of 1.5% year over year.

Margins

Gross profit in the quarter was $681.8 million, up 2.8% year over year. The gross margin expanded 67 basis points (bps) year over year to 69.7% due to a decrease of 0.3% in the cost of net revenues.

SG&A expenses increased 6.4% to $434.1 million, while R&D expenses declined 3.9% to $85.3 million.

Operating income totaled $162.4 million, down 2.3% year over year. The operating margin contracted 72 bps to 16.6%.

Financial Details of ALGN

The company exited the third quEarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1 billion compared with $738.9 million recorded at the end of the second quarter.

The cumulative net cash provided by operating activities at the end of the third quarter was $452.1 million compared with $738.9 million in the year-ago period.

Stock Repurchase

Currently, $500 million is available for repurchases under ALGN’s $1.0 billion Stock Repurchase Program, authorized in January 2023.

ALGN's Guidance

Align Technology maintained its financial outlook for full-year 2024. It also provided a guidance for the fourth quarter.

For the full year, ALGN anticipates revenues to be up 4-6% year over year (down from the previous guidance of 6-8%). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2024 revenues is pegged at $4.04 billion, suggesting 4.5% growth year over year.

The 2024 GAAP operating margin for the full year is anticipated to be slightly below the 2023 level. The 2024 non-GAAP operating margin is likely to be above the prior-year reported figure.

The company expects to invest more than $100 million in capital expenditures, primarily related to building construction and improvements as well as manufacturing capacity, to support continued expansion.

For the fourth quarter, ALGN anticipates worldwide revenues to be in the range of $995-$1.01 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.02 billion.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, estimates revision have trended downward during the past month.

VGM Scores

At this time, Align Technology has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Align Technology has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.

Zacks Investment Research

Align Technologies ALGN has received a CE Mark in Europe under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745) for its Invisalign Palatal Expander System. The system has completed registration with MHRA for the United Kingdom and overseas territories.

The latest developments mark a milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and efficiency in orthodontics. Both approvals are for broad patient applicability, including growing children, teens and adults (with surgery or other techniques).

ALGN Stock's Potential Movement Following the News

ALGN shares finished at $223.87 yesterday and edged up 0.5% in the after-hours trading following the announcement. With the company actively commercializing its first direct 3D printed orthodontic appliance to more markets, we expect the latest development to boost market sentiment toward ALGN stock.

Align Technology has a market capitalization of $16.62 billion at present. Going by the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the company’s earnings are likely to increase 7.9% in 2024 on a 3.9% improvement in revenues. In the trailing four quarters, it delivered an earnings beat of 6.18%, on average.

Relevance of ALGN’s Invisalign Palatal Expander System

The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is a modern and innovative direct 3D printed device based on proprietary and patented technology. Invisalign Palatal Expanders are intended for rapid expansion and subsequent holding of skeletal and/or dental narrow maxilla (upper jaw) with primary, mixed or permanent dentition during the treatment of patients.

The system consists of a series of removable devices staged in small increments of movement to expand a patient’s narrow maxilla to a position determined by their treating doctor. Each direct 3D printed device is customized to the patient’s unique anatomy based on an iTero intraoral digital scan. A palatal expansion treatment plan and device design are then developed using the company’s proprietary AI-driven orthodontic software.

The Invisalign Palatal Expanders, along with Invisalign First aligners, offer a full early intervention treatment solution for Phase 1 treatment, an early interceptive orthodontic treatment in patients aged six through 10. The addition of mandibular advancement features to Invisalign aligners also provides doctors with more options for treating skeletal and dental jaw imbalances and bite correction for their growing patients during their teenage years.

Align Technology expects to commercially avail the System across the EMEA in the first quarter of 2025. At present, it is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Industry Prospects Favoring ALGN

Per a Research report, the global 3D printing market is valued at $3.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to witness a compound annual rate of 26.4% through 2030. 3D printing dentistry has established a strong position in today’s dental products due to the combination of state-of-the-art technology and a potential footprint.

Other Developments in ALGN

Last month, the company unveiled the next innovation of Invisalign Smile Architect software, now with Multiple Treatment Plans, allowing doctors to visually compare and modify orthodontic-only and ortho-restorative treatment plans side-by-side. The Multiple Treatment Plans are integrated into ClinCheck treatment planning software for doctors to visually compare, review and choose the best treatment option for each patient.

ALGN Stock Price Performance

In the past month, ALGN shares have risen 6.2% compared with the industry’s 4.9% growth.

ALGN’s Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Align Technologies currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Penumbra PEN, Haemonetics HAE and Globus Medical GMED, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Penumbra’s shares have risen 16.4% in the past year. Estimates for the company’s 2024 earnings per share have jumped 8.1% to $2.79 in the past 30 days. PEN’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 10.54%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 23.19%.

Estimates for Haemonetics’ fiscal 2025 earnings per share have jumped 0.4% to $4.59 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have rallied 14% in the past year against the industry’s 0.7% fall. HAE’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 2.82%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 2.75%.

Estimates for Globus Medical’s 2024 earnings per share have increased 0.4% to $2.95 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have surged 14% in the past year against the industry’s 4.1% fall. GMED’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 17.65%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 27.69%.

Zacks Investment Research