Filing Flows › Align Technology (ALGN) › Guidance history
Align Technology (ALGN) guidance history: what it guided and what it reported
Align Technology gave guidance in 12 earnings releases on file since Jan 31, 2024. Of 10 guided periods since reported, it met or beat its own guidance 5 times (50%). GAAP operating margin: 2 of 6, on average -0.1 pts against the guided midpoint. Its releases raised guidance once and lowered it 0 times.
GAAP gross margin
Met or beat 3 of 4 periods (1 above, 2 within, 1 below).
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2026 | 71.0% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 2026 | 67.5%–68.5% (Jul 29, 2026) | 68.7% | above the range | +0.7 pts |
| FY2026 | 70.2%–70.5% (Jul 29, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q4 2025 | 65.5%–66.0% (Oct 29, 2025) | 65.3% | below the range | -0.5 pts |
| FY2025 | 67.0%–68.0% (Jul 30, 2025) | 67.2% | within the range | -0.3 pts |
| Q3 2025 | 64.0%–65.0% (Jul 30, 2025) | 64.2% | within the range | -0.3 pts |
Adjusted gross margin
The guide is on an adjusted basis that the GAAP statements do not show, so there is no reported figure to hold it to.
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2026 | 72.0% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 2026 | 71.0% (Jul 29, 2026) | — | — | — |
GAAP operating margin
Met or beat 2 of 6 periods (2 above, 0 within, 4 below).
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2026 | 20.0% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 2026 | 13.5%–15.0% (Jul 29, 2026) | 16.7% | above the range | +2.4 pts |
| Q2 2026 | 16.4% (Apr 29, 2026) | 14.6% | below the range | -1.8 pts |
| Q1 2026 | 12.4%–12.8% (Feb 4, 2026) | 13.6% | above the range | +1.1 pts |
| FY2026 | 18.0% (Feb 4, 2026) → reaffirmed 18.0% (Apr 29, 2026) → lowered 15.1%–15.6% (Jul 29, 2026) → raised 16.2% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q4 2025 | 15.3%–15.8% (Oct 29, 2025) | 14.8% | below the range | -0.7 pts |
| FY2025 | 13.0%–14.0% (Jul 30, 2025) → raised 13.6%–13.8% (Oct 29, 2025) | 13.5% | below the range | -0.2 pts |
| Q3 2025 | 10.5%–11.5% (Jul 30, 2025) | 9.7% | below the range | -1.3 pts |
| Q4 2024 | 14.0% (Oct 23, 2024) | — | — | — |
Adjusted operating margin
The guide is on an adjusted basis that the GAAP statements do not show, so there is no reported figure to hold it to.
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2026 | 24.4% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| FY2026 | 23.7% (Apr 29, 2026) → reaffirmed 23.7% (Jul 29, 2026) → reaffirmed 23.7% (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q2 2026 | 21.5% (Apr 29, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q3 2026 | 23.7% (Feb 4, 2026) → raised 24.0% (Jul 29, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q1 2026 | 19.5% (Feb 4, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q4 2025 | 26.0% (Oct 29, 2025) | — | — | — |
| Q3 2025 | 22.0% (Jul 30, 2025) | — | — | — |
| FY2025 | 22.5% (Feb 5, 2025) → reaffirmed 22.5% (Apr 30, 2025) → reaffirmed 22.5% (Jul 30, 2025) → reaffirmed 22.5% (Oct 29, 2025) | — | — | — |
Capital expenditures
The GAAP figure from the filings is shown for each period reported; it is not judged against the guide, which may leave items out (one-off payments, acquisitions).
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $125M–$150M (Feb 4, 2026) → reaffirmed $125M–$150M (Apr 29, 2026) → reaffirmed $125M–$150M (Jul 29, 2026) → reaffirmed $125M–$150M (Oct 28, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| FY2025 | $100M–$150M (Feb 5, 2025) → reaffirmed $100M–$150M (Apr 30, 2025) → lowered $100M–$125M (Jul 30, 2025) → lowered $100M (Oct 29, 2025) | $102M (GAAP) | not judged | — |
| FY2024 | $100M (Jan 31, 2024) → reaffirmed $100M (Apr 24, 2024) → reaffirmed $100M (Jul 24, 2024) → reaffirmed $100M (Oct 23, 2024) | $116M (GAAP) | not judged | — |
The latest quarter
Align Technology, Q3 2026: revenue $1.0B (+2% year over year), operating margin 16.7%, net earnings $135M, operating cash flow $183M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
Questions
Does Align Technology beat its guidance?
Align Technology gave guidance in 12 earnings releases on file since Jan 31, 2024. Of 10 guided periods since reported, it met or beat its own guidance 5 times (50%). GAAP operating margin: 2 of 6, on average -0.1 pts against the guided midpoint.
How often does Align Technology raise guidance?
Its earnings releases raised guidance once and lowered it 0 times since Jan 31, 2024.
Each guided period is held to the last guidance given before its figures were reported; a single figure counts as in line within 1% (0.25 pts for a rate). Reported figures are GAAP, from the company's filings; adjusted guidance shows its moves only.