Alcon Inc. (ALC) vs IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV)
A side-by-side comparison of Alcon Inc. and IQVIA Holdings Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ALC
Alcon Inc.
$70.50HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 4, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
IQV
IQVIA Holdings Inc.
$267.77HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 4, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ALC vs IQV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 7yALC +26.6% (+3.4%/yr)IQV +88.6% (+9.5%/yr)IQV compounded faster over this window
ALC IQV
ALC vs IQV: by the numbers
- •IQV is the larger company ($44.07B vs $34.38B market cap).
- •IQV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.70 vs 55.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •IQV converts more revenue to profit (8.10% vs 5.95% net margin).
- •ALC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.57% vs 5.61% CAGR).
- •ALC pays a dividend (0.50% yield), while IQV has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 55.45 | 33.70 |
| Forward P/E | 20.72 | 20.95 |
| P/S ratio | 3.28 | 2.70 |
| P/B ratio | 1.63 | 7.42 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.41 | 17.24 |
| FCF yield | 4.78% | 5.70% |
Profitability
| Metric | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 56.43% | 26.23% |
| Operating margin | 10.26% | 13.57% |
| Net margin | 5.95% | 8.10% |
| ROE | 2.96% | 22.28% |
| ROIC | 3.35% | 8.32% |
Dividends
| Metric | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.50% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 18.06% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.57% | 5.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 40.21% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 40.55% | 4.44% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.79% | 0.63% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALC or IQV?
- IQV has the lower trailing P/E: ALC trades at 55.45 and IQV at 33.70. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ALC or IQV?
- Over the past five years, ALC grew revenue faster — ALC at a 6.57% CAGR versus IQV at 5.61%.
- Does ALC or IQV pay a bigger dividend?
- ALC pays a dividend (0.50% yield), while IQV has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is ALC or IQV more profitable?
- IQV runs the higher net margin — ALC at 5.95% versus IQV at 8.10%.
- How have ALC and IQV total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, ALC delivered -2.79% and IQV delivered 13.44% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alcon P/E ratioIQVIA P/E ratioAlcon dividend yieldAlcon ROEIQVIA ROEAlcon operating marginIQVIA operating marginAlcon revenue growthIQVIA revenue growthAlcon free cash flowIQVIA free cash flow
Alcon & IQVIA 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 4, 2026.