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A vs ALC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) vs. Alcon Inc. (ALC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- A (Agilent Technologies) has delivered stronger year-to-date (YTD) performance at approximately 15% compared to ALC (Alcon Inc.) at around 7% as of early May 2026.
- Agilent trades at a lower trailing P/E ratio (price-to-earnings ratio) of 25.3 versus Alcon's 37.4, suggesting relatively better valuation in the life sciences sector.
- Both stocks operate in healthcare-related markets, but Agilent's broader exposure to diagnostics and life sciences contrasts with Alcon's specialized focus on eye care products.
- Recent market activity shows Agilent experiencing price volatility with a surge in late April followed by stabilization around $114, while Alcon dipped to near $74 amid steady dividend approval.
- Agilent's upcoming Q2 earnings and research showcases signal potential catalysts, while Alcon benefits from approved shareholder dividends and vision care collaborations.
- Market caps are comparable, with Alcon at $37 billion slightly ahead of Agilent's $32 billion.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines A (Agilent Technologies, Inc.) and ALC (Alcon Inc.), two prominent players in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Investors and traders interested in medical technology, diagnostics, and specialized health products may find value in assessing their relative performance, valuations, and market positioning. Amid evolving market conditions, including sector-specific advancements in research and surgical innovations, understanding contrasts in momentum, growth drivers, and risk profiles can inform portfolio strategies for those eyeing healthcare exposure.
A Overview and Recent Performance
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) provides application-focused solutions in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets through segments like Life Sciences and Diagnostics, Agilent CrossLab services, and Applied Markets. The company offers instruments such as chromatography systems, mass spectrometry, and laboratory informatics software. In recent weeks, shares have traded around $114-$116, reflecting a 3.8% surge in late April amid anticipation for Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings on May 27. Earlier Q1 results showed core revenue growth of 4.4% to $1.8 billion, driven by demand in genomics and biomolecular analysis. Sentiment has been influenced by showcases at cancer research conferences and collaborations, though YTD gains of about 15% follow earlier volatility from broader market pressures in diagnostics.
ALC Overview and Recent Performance
Alcon Inc. (ALC) specializes in eye care, operating in Surgical and Vision Care segments with products including intraocular lenses (IOLs), surgical equipment, contact lenses, and pharmaceuticals for cataracts, vitreoretinal procedures, and ocular health. Shares have hovered near $74 in recent market activity, with a 3.4% dip in late April offset by stability post-2026 Annual General Meeting. The AGM approved a CHF 0.28 dividend per share and board elections, reinforcing shareholder confidence. Quarterly revenue growth reached 8.6% year-over-year, supported by procedure growth and collaborations like those in vision research. YTD performance stands at roughly 7%, buoyed by demand in refractive surgery and consumables amid a 52-week range of $72-$99.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Agilent’s business model emphasizes broad instrumentation and services across life sciences and chemicals, contrasting Alcon’s niche in eye care surgical devices and consumer vision products. Growth drivers differ: Agilent benefits from diversified diagnostics demand and recurring CrossLab revenue, while Alcon leverages rising procedure volumes and IOL innovations. Recent momentum favors Agilent with higher YTD returns and lower P/E valuation, though Alcon shows stronger quarterly revenue growth at 8.6% versus Agilent’s core 4.4%. Risk factors include Agilent’s exposure to R&D spending cycles and Alcon’s reliance on elective surgeries amid economic sensitivity. Sector-wise, both tap healthcare tailwinds, but Agilent’s stability (ROE implied higher via margins) edges Alcon’s higher debt/equity at 24%. Market sentiment tilts toward Agilent’s catalysts, while Alcon offers dividend appeal in a trade-off for growth.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI tools currently lean toward A (Agilent Technologies) over ALC (Alcon), based on superior trend consistency, relatively attractive valuation, and near-term catalysts like upcoming earnings and research momentum. Agilent’s positioning suggests higher probability of outperformance in the short-to-medium term within life sciences, though Alcon remains viable for eye care specialists seeking stability and dividends.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is A is a StrongBuy and ALC is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
A’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileALC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- A’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ALC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
A’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ALC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- A’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ALC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
A (@Medical Specialties) experienced а -0.07% price change this week, while ALC (@Pharmaceuticals: Other) price change was +0.78% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -3.28%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +13.41%, and the average quarterly price growth was -7.34%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Other industry was -2.97%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.88%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.78%.
Reported Earning Dates
A is expected to report earnings on Aug 18, 2026.
ALC is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (-3.28% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
@Pharmaceuticals: Other (-2.97% weekly)Pharmaceuticals (Other) comprise companies that are involved in the discovery, development or manufacturing of therapeutic and preventative medicines. They often collaborate with or acquire other pharmaceutical/healthcare firms. Examples of companies in this segment include Bausch Health Companies Inc., Icon Plc and Perrigo Company Plc.
| A | ALC | A / ALC | |
| Capitalization | 38.3B | 32.8B | 117% |
| EBITDA | 1.82B | 2.54B | 72% |
| Gain YTD | -0.058 | -15.226 | 0% |
| P/E Ratio | 27.20 | 40.01 | 68% |
| Revenue | 7.07B | 10.6B | 67% |
| Total Cash | 1.76B | 1.66B | 106% |
| Total Debt | 3.35B | 5.25B | 64% |
A | ALC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 41 | 56 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 10 Undervalued | 18 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 91 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 46 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 43 | 77 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 48 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
A's Valuation (10) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ALC (18) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that A’s stock grew similarly to ALC’s over the last 12 months.
A's Profit vs Risk Rating (91) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ALC (100) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that A’s stock grew similarly to ALC’s over the last 12 months.
A's SMR Rating (46) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ALC (89) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that A’s stock grew somewhat faster than ALC’s over the last 12 months.
A's Price Growth Rating (43) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ALC (77) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that A’s stock grew somewhat faster than ALC’s over the last 12 months.
ALC's P/E Growth Rating (48) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as A (55) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that ALC’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
| A | ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 51% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 48% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 50% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 27 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 56% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 57% |
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ALC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ALC has been loosely correlated with SYK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ALC jumps, then SYK could also see price increases.