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.
A
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
$150.31HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT
ALC
Alcon Inc.
$72.09HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:19 PM EDT
Total return — A vs ALC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 7yA +94.7% (+10.0%/yr)ALC +26.9% (+3.5%/yr)A compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | A | ALC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.80 | 55.57 |
| Forward P/E | 24.41 | 20.73 |
| P/S ratio | 5.81 | 3.29 |
| P/B ratio | 5.82 | 1.63 |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.58 | 17.44 |
| FCF yield | 3.35% | 4.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | A | ALC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.73% | 56.43% |
| Operating margin | 22.23% | 10.26% |
| Net margin | 19.53% | 5.95% |
| ROE | 19.56% | 2.96% |
| ROIC | 11.88% | 3.35% |
Dividends
| Metric | A | ALC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.67% | 0.50% |
| Payout ratio | 22.07% | 18.06% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | A | ALC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Agilent Technologies P/E ratioAlcon P/E ratioAgilent Technologies dividend yieldAlcon dividend yieldAgilent Technologies ROEAlcon ROEAgilent Technologies operating marginAlcon operating marginAgilent Technologies revenue growthAlcon revenue growthAgilent Technologies free cash flowAlcon free cash flow
Agilent Technologies & Alcon appear in these rankings
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.