TEMPE, Ariz. - Align (NASDAQ:ALGN) Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN), known for its Invisalign clear aligners and digital dental equipment, announced its plan to repurchase $275 million of its common stock. This buyback is part of a broader $1.0 billion stock repurchase program approved by Align's Board of Directors in January 2023.
The company's Chief Financial Officer, John Morici, expressed confidence in Align's financial strength and ongoing market opportunities. He stated that the repurchase reflects the company's robust balance sheet and cash flow, which allows it to deliver value back to shareholders.
Align's stock repurchases will be made through open market transactions, adhering to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. The specifics of the repurchase, such as the timing and quantity of shares, will depend on market conditions, including stock price, trading volume, and general business climate. The company aims to complete the buyback by the end of January 2025, using its available cash. As of September 30, 2024, Align had about 74.8 million shares outstanding and held $1,041.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.
This repurchase initiative comes as Align continues to invest in technology and scalability, aiming to establish the Invisalign System as the standard in orthodontics. The company's approach focuses on a doctor-centered model, which they believe will drive growth and transform the industry.
Align Technology has been a significant player in the dental market for over 27 years, providing advanced clear aligner systems, intraoral scanners, and CAD/CAM software. With a customer base of over 271 thousand doctors, Align has treated nearly 18.9 million patients with the Invisalign System and is progressing in digital dentistry through its Align Digital Platform.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Align Technology, Inc. It is important to note that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ from those projected. Align regularly files reports with the SEC, detailing potential risks and past performance.
In other recent news, Align Technology has seen several developments. Stifel and Piper Sandler adjusted their outlooks on the company, reducing the price target to $275, while maintaining their respective Buy and Overweight ratings. This followed Align Technology's third-quarter results, which came in slightly below expectations, with a modest year-over-year revenue increase of 1.8% to $978 million. The company's Clear Aligner volumes grew by 2.5% to 617,000, largely due to expansion in international markets, offsetting a decline in U.S. volumes.
Align Technology's management has revised its year-over-year revenue growth guidance for 2024 to approximately 4%, slightly lower than the previously forecasted range of 4-6%. However, earnings per share (EPS) estimates may remain stable as the company plans to implement a restructuring program aimed at operational margin expansion in 2025. The restructuring efforts include layoffs, with the goal of improving future margins.
Looking ahead to 2025, it is anticipated that consensus estimates will align with the firm's forecast of mid-single-digit percentage growth year-over-year, equating to around $4.2 billion in revenue. Despite current economic headwinds and softer consumer demand, Align Technology remains optimistic about its growth prospects, particularly in international markets. These recent developments underline the company's strategic efforts to maintain profitability into 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
Align Technology's recent announcement of a $275 million stock repurchase plan aligns with InvestingPro data, which reveals that management has been aggressively buying back shares. This strategy underscores the company's confidence in its financial position and future prospects.
The company's robust financial health is further evidenced by its market capitalization of $16.17 billion and a revenue of $3.96 billion over the last twelve months as of Q3 2023. Despite a challenging market environment, Align has maintained profitability, with InvestingPro Tips indicating that analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year.
However, investors should note that Align is trading at a high P/E ratio of 35.41, which suggests the stock may be relatively expensive compared to its earnings. This valuation metric is particularly relevant given the company's moderate revenue growth of 4.03% over the last twelve months.
For those seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional insights, with 9 more tips available for Align Technology. These tips could provide valuable context for understanding the company's market position and future potential in the evolving dental technology sector.
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