Advertisement
ALC vs TMO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Alcon Inc. (ALC) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Different healthcare niches: ALC (Alcon) is a pure-play eye care company, while TMO (Thermo Fisher Scientific) is a diversified life sciences, diagnostics, and lab services giant.
- Divergent price momentum: TMO has rallied strongly in recent months toward its 52-week high, while ALC shares have pulled back from earlier-year levels despite solid quarterly results.
- Scale gap: Thermo Fisher generates roughly four times Alcon's annual revenue and carries a market capitalization of around $250 billion.
- Fundamentals remain healthy at both: Both companies posted second-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates and raised full-year profit guidance.
- Risk profiles differ: ALC faces competitive pressure and softer U.S. cataract procedure volumes, while TMO navigates a stretched valuation and lingering end-market softness in select segments.
Introduction
Investors comparing ALC and TMO are weighing two very different ways to gain exposure to the healthcare sector. Alcon is a focused eye care leader spanning surgical equipment, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and ocular health products. Thermo Fisher Scientific is a broad life sciences platform serving pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and diagnostic customers worldwide. This stock comparison is particularly relevant for traders and investors seeking to understand how relative performance, market positioning, and sector exposure diverge between a specialized medical device maker and a diversified scientific tools powerhouse.
ALC Overview and Recent Performance
ALC, or Alcon Inc., is a Swiss-American eye care company whose business spans surgical products (implantables, consumables, and equipment) and vision care (contact lenses and ocular health). In its most recent quarterly report, Alcon delivered sales of roughly $2.78 billion, up about 7% on a constant-currency basis, supported by strong equipment demand tied to its Unity platform and growth in dry-eye products such as Systane and Tryptyr. Management also raised its full-year core earnings per share (EPS) growth outlook to a range of 12% to 15% and reduced its estimated tariff impact after factoring in an anticipated U.S. government refund.
Despite these operational strengths, ALC's stock has shown weaker relative performance in recent market activity. The company faces competitive pressure in intraocular lenses, softer U.S. cataract procedure volumes, and a difficult reimbursement environment in surgical glaucoma. Alcon also recorded a significant non-cash charge after discontinuing its PowerVision accommodating intraocular lens program. These factors, along with mixed analyst sentiment that includes some downgrades, have contributed to a pullback in the share price even as underlying revenue and margin trends have improved.
TMO Overview and Recent Performance
TMO, or Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., is one of the world's largest life sciences companies, providing analytical instruments, laboratory products, specialty diagnostics, and biopharma services. The company reported second-quarter revenue of approximately $11.99 billion, up about 10% year over year, with adjusted EPS of $6.03 that beat consensus estimates. Management raised its full-year revenue and EPS guidance, supported by broad-based end-market improvement across pharma, biotech, diagnostics, and healthcare.
Thermo Fisher's recent momentum has been notable, with the stock advancing strongly over the trailing three-month period and trading near its 52-week high. Strategic moves include the acquisition of digital endpoint provider Clario, the addition of a filtration and separation business from Solventum, and a planned divestiture of its microbiology unit. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by about 10%. A strong "Strong Buy" analyst consensus and a market capitalization near $250 billion reflect investor confidence, though the stock's valuation has tightened toward analyst price targets after its extended run.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page offers a curated view of the firm's AI-powered trading bots, selected for their suitability to current market conditions. Tickeron maintains hundreds of AI trading bots that collectively monitor thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance history, and universe of securities. Rather than listing every bot, the Trending AI Robots section highlights those whose recent signals and statistics stand out in the prevailing market environment, helping traders quickly identify models aligned with today's conditions. Exploring the page can provide a data-driven complement to a manual stock comparison like this one, offering systematic, rule-based perspectives on relative momentum and trend.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The most striking contrast between these two stocks is scale and diversification. TMO operates across multiple scientific end markets, which spreads demand risk but also exposes it to pharmaceutical funding cycles and government spending. ALC is more concentrated in eye care, giving it clearer thematic exposure but less diversification.
On momentum, TMO currently holds the advantage, with strong recent price gains and favorable analyst revisions. ALC, by contrast, has delivered solid fundamentals but has seen its stock lag amid competitive and procedural-volume headwinds. In terms of valuation, ALC trades at a discount to its average analyst price target, suggesting more perceived upside, while TMO's rally has brought its price closer to consensus targets, implying a higher bar for further gains. Risk factors also differ: ALC faces cataract market softness and intraocular lens competition, whereas TMO contends with tariff uncertainty, foreign-exchange volatility, and sensitivity to biopharma funding levels.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, relative momentum, and market positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward TMO in the current environment. Thermo Fisher has demonstrated stronger and more consistent price momentum, broad-based end-market improvement, expanding margins, and rising analyst conviction, all of which tend to align with trend-following and momentum-oriented signals. That said, TMO's extended valuation introduces the possibility of consolidation after its rally. ALC offers a more favorable valuation and improving fundamentals but currently shows weaker trend characteristics and faces competitive and procedural headwinds. An AI-driven system would likely prefer TMO for its momentum while acknowledging that ALC's positioning could improve if its near-term challenges ease.
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.
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 ALC is a StrongBuy and TMO is a Hold.
ALC in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026
ALC moved above its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 23 of 33 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ALC as a result. In 61 of 91 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ALC just turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where ALC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 28 of 53 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
Following a +5.68% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ALC advanced for three days, in 181 of 320 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ALC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 56%.
ALC broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for ALC entered a downward trend on October 20, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 10 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. ALC’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 69 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.509) is normal, around the industry mean (4.961). P/E Ratio (51.083) is within average values for comparable stocks, (37.232). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.165) is also within normal values, averaging (4.143). Dividend Yield (0.015) settles around the average of (0.005) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (2.996) is also within normal values, averaging (56.876).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. ALC’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 95, placing this stock worse than average.
TMO in +2.15% Uptrend, rising for three consecutive days on October 21, 2026
Moving higher for three straight days is viewed as a bullish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future growth. Considering data from situations where TMO advanced for three days, in 194 of 310 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on TMO as a result. In 55 of 88 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 142 of 246 cases where TMO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 58%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for TMO moved out of overbought territory on October 01, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 37 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 20 of the 37 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 54%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for TMO turned negative on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 43 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 25 of the 43 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 58%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where TMO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 62%.
TMO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 10 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. TMO’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 65 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.871) is normal, around the industry mean (66.046). P/E Ratio (37.293) is within average values for comparable stocks, (2.422). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.021) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.003) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.247) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 80 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. TMO’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 89, placing this stock better than average.
ALC | TMO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 38 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 69 Overvalued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 80 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 88 | 60 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 10 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 10 | 25 | |
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.
TMO's Valuation (65) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as ALC (69) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew similarly to ALC’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's Profit vs Risk Rating (80) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as ALC (100) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew similarly to ALC’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's SMR Rating (60) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as ALC (88) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew similarly to ALC’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's Price Growth Rating (10) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ALC (56) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew somewhat faster than ALC’s over the last 12 months.
ALC's P/E Growth Rating (10) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as TMO (25) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that ALC’s stock grew similarly to TMO’s over the last 12 months.
| ALC | TMO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 63% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 56% | 4 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 58% |
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 overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ALC’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while TMO’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ALC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- TMO’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
ALC’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while TMO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ALC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- TMO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ALC (@Pharmaceuticals: Other) experienced а +6.08% price change this week, while TMO (@Medical Specialties) price change was -2.86% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Other industry was +0.59%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.91%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.47%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -3.29%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.63%, and the average quarterly price growth was +42.53%.
Reported Earning Dates
ALC is expected to report earnings on Nov 10, 2026.
TMO is expected to report earnings on Feb 04, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Other (+0.59% 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.
@Medical Specialties (-3.29% 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.
Advertisement
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.
TMO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, TMO has been closely correlated with A. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if TMO jumps, then A could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To TMO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMO | 100% | -2.52% | ||
| A - TMO | 74% Closely correlated | -2.17% | ||
| DHR - TMO | 71% Closely correlated | -1.76% | ||
| RVTY - TMO | 69% Closely correlated | +0.48% | ||
| IQV - TMO | 68% Closely correlated | +0.61% | ||
| BRKR - TMO | 67% Closely correlated | -3.04% | ||
More | ||||