Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) vs Alcon Inc. (ALC)

A side-by-side comparison of Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Alcon Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnA vs ALC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 7y
A +94.7% (+10.0%/yr)ALC +26.9% (+3.5%/yr)A compounded faster over this window
100150200Start $100202120232025$195$127
A ALC

A vs ALC: by the numbers

  • A is the larger company ($42.45B vs $35.16B market cap).
  • A trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.80 vs 55.57 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • A converts more revenue to profit (19.53% vs 5.95% net margin).
  • ALC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.57% vs 3.72% CAGR).
  • A pays the higher dividend yield (0.67% vs 0.50%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAALC
P/E ratio29.8055.57
Forward P/E24.4120.73
P/S ratio5.813.29
P/B ratio5.821.63
EV / EBITDA23.5817.44
FCF yield3.35%4.77%

Profitability

MetricAALC
Gross margin53.73%56.43%
Operating margin22.23%10.26%
Net margin19.53%5.95%
ROE19.56%2.96%
ROIC11.88%3.35%

Dividends

MetricAALC
Dividend yield0.67%0.50%
Payout ratio22.07%18.06%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAALC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.72%6.57%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.52%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)2.54%40.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.50%-2.73%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, A or ALC?
A has the lower trailing P/E: A trades at 29.80 and ALC at 55.57. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, A or ALC?
Over the past five years, ALC grew revenue faster — A at a 3.72% CAGR versus ALC at 6.57%.
Does A or ALC pay a bigger dividend?
A yields 0.67% and ALC yields 0.50% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is A or ALC more profitable?
A runs the higher net margin — A at 19.53% versus ALC at 5.95%.
How have A and ALC total returns compared?
Over the past 5 years, A delivered 13.29% and ALC delivered -2.73% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 3, 2026.