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Align Technology Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 16 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 4.3% year-over-year: Total revenues were $1,056.2 million, up 1.5% sequentially and 4.3% year-over-year. Clear Aligner revenue was $870.9 million, up 8.2% year-over-year. Source
  • Clear Aligner volume reached 691.8 thousand cases: Clear Aligner cases shipped were 691.8 thousand, up 7.4% year-over-year and 0.9% sequentially. Management attributed growth to double-digit international expansion and stable North America performance. Source
  • Double-digit Clear Aligner growth outside North America: Clear Aligner volume grew at double-digit rates in APAC, EMEA and Latin America, while North America was stable year-over-year. Source
  • Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM revenue fell: Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM Services revenue was $185.3 million, up 0.7% sequentially and down 10.8% year-over-year. Management attributed the decline to capital equipment softness and a mix shift to lower-priced scanners. Source
  • Operating margin 14.6%, non-GAAP 22.9%: Operating income was $154.0 million, against $163.0 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 22.9%, compared with 21.3%. Source
  • UK tribunal ruled clear aligners not VAT-exempt: The UK Upper Tribunal overturned the earlier ruling on July 7, 2026. The company had stopped charging UK VAT to UK customers from August 1, 2025, after the earlier decision. Source
  • UK VAT liability of $37.5 million recorded: An estimated liability of about $37.5 million, including interest, was recorded and reduced second-quarter operating income. Source

“We delivered a solid second quarter with record revenues of $1.06 billion, up 4.3% year-over-year, driven by record Clear Aligner volumes of 691.8 thousand cases and 8.2% Clear Aligner revenue growth.”

Align Technology President and CEO Joe Hogan

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Worldwide revenue SourceQ3 2026$1,000M to $1,020MNew
GAAP gross margin SourceQ3 202667.5% to 68.5%New
Non-GAAP gross margin SourceQ3 2026approximately 71.0%New
One-time charges, gross margin line SourceQ3 2026$20 million to $30 millionNew
GAAP operating margin SourceQ3 202613.5% to 15.0%New
One-time charges, operating SourceQ3 2026$35 million to $50 millionNew
Non-GAAP operating margin SourceQ3 2026approximately 24.0%New
Worldwide revenue growth SourceFY 20263% to 4% year-over-yearKept
Foreign exchange benefit assumption SourceFY 2026approximately 100 basis pointsKept
Clear Aligner volume growth SourceFY 2026approximately 6% year-over-year
Clear Aligner ASP SourceFY 2026flat to slightly down from 2025New
Systems and Services revenue growth SourceFY 2026down 6% to 8% year-over-yearNew
ITero scanner shipment growth SourceFY 2026up double-digits year-over-yearNew
GAAP gross margin SourceFY 2026approximately 70.2% to 70.5%New
Non-GAAP gross margin SourceFY 2026up approximately 100 basis points over 2025New
One-time charges, gross margin line SourceFY 2026$30 million to $40 millionNew
GAAP operating margin SourceFY 2026approximately 15.1% to 15.6%Lowered from slightly below 18.0%
One-time charges, operating SourceFY 2026$90 million to $110 millionNew
Non-GAAP operating margin SourceFY 2026approximately 23.7%Kept
Capital expenditures SourceFY 2026$125 million to $150 millionKept
Share repurchases Source2026$400 million to $500 millionRaised from up to $200.0 million over a six-month period beginning on or about May 1, 2026
Share repurchases through October 2026 SourceThrough October 2026approximately $133 millionNew
Operating margin, fiscal 2027 SourceFY 2027increase at least approximately 100 basis points year-over-yearNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Share repurchase plan for 2026 raised to $400 million to $500 million, from up to $200.0 million over six months. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 GAAP operating margin now about 15.1% to 15.6%, from slightly below 18.0% in the prior release. Source
  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 Systems and Services revenue growth range given, not in the prior release. Source
  • New: Strategic and operating model review under way; formal 2027 guidance deferred until it is complete. Source
  • New: UK VAT at 20% to be added to invoices on applicable products from September 7, 2026, following the Upper Tribunal ruling. Source
  • New: UK VAT liability recorded for the first time in this quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 4.3% year-over-year: Total revenues were $1,056.2 million, up 1.5% sequentially and 4.3% year-over-year. Clear Aligner revenue was $870.9 million, up 8.2% year-over-year. Source
  • Clear Aligner volume reached 691.8 thousand cases: Clear Aligner cases shipped were 691.8 thousand, up 7.4% year-over-year and 0.9% sequentially. Management attributed growth to double-digit international expansion and stable North America performance. Source
  • GAAP net income and EPS declined: GAAP net income was $108.3 million, down 13.1% year-over-year, and diluted EPS was $1.51 against $1.72. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.64, against $2.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Foreign exchange lifted revenue year-over-year: Currency movements added about $12.5 million to revenue year-over-year and reduced it by about $6.1 million sequentially. Source

Segments and regions

  • Double-digit Clear Aligner growth outside North America: Clear Aligner volume grew at double-digit rates in APAC, EMEA and Latin America, while North America was stable year-over-year. Source
  • Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM revenue fell: Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM Services revenue was $185.3 million, up 0.7% sequentially and down 10.8% year-over-year. Management attributed the decline to capital equipment softness and a mix shift to lower-priced scanners. Source
  • Scanner adoption described as healthy: Management said underlying scanner adoption remained healthy, while Systems and Services revenue was below its original expectations. Source
  • Foreign exchange added to Systems revenue: Currency movements added about $1.9 million to Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM Services revenue year-over-year and reduced it by about $1.0 million sequentially. Source

“While this model may impact upfront economics and timing of revenue recognition, it enables us to serve more customers and to drive for higher-margin treatment revenue and durable long-term growth.”

Align Technology CFO and EVP Global Finance, John Morici

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin 71.7%, non-GAAP 72.3%: GAAP gross margin was 71.7%, compared with 69.9% a year earlier. Non-GAAP gross margin was 72.3%, compared with 70.5%. Currency movements reduced GAAP gross margin by about 0.8 points year-over-year. Source
  • Operating margin 14.6%, non-GAAP 22.9%: Operating income was $154.0 million, against $163.0 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 22.9%, compared with 21.3%. Source
  • Expense control and operations cited: Management cited disciplined expense management and operational improvements, with non-GAAP operating margin above its expectations. Source
  • Q1 held-for-sale gain noted: The company recognized an $11.7 million gain on assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2026, from an increase in fair value less costs to sell. It is excluded from non-GAAP results. Source

Customers and patients

  • Doctor base and patients treated: Align reports over 302.0 thousand doctor customers, and says it has helped doctors treat about 23.5 million patients with the Invisalign System over 29 years. Source
  • Doctor utilization held at 7.8: Invisalign-trained doctors shipped to rose to 89,175, and cases per doctor were 7.8, the same as the first quarter and up from 7.5 a year earlier. Source
  • Growth across patient ages and channels: Management said Clear Aligner growth reflected adoption across orthodontist and GP dentist channels and across adult, teen and growing patient segments. Source

“Our innovation engine remains a key differentiator and central to our growth strategy.”

Align Technology President and CEO Joe Hogan

UK VAT and tariffs

  • UK tribunal ruled clear aligners not VAT-exempt: The UK Upper Tribunal overturned the earlier ruling on July 7, 2026. The company had stopped charging UK VAT to UK customers from August 1, 2025, after the earlier decision. Source
  • UK VAT liability of $37.5 million recorded: An estimated liability of about $37.5 million, including interest, was recorded and reduced second-quarter operating income. Source
  • Section 122 tariffs held unlawful, under appeal: Temporary tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act were held unlawful by the Court of International Trade, a decision subject to appeal. Management does not expect a material impact on results. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Cash rose to $1.10 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $1,102.6 million at June 30, 2026. The company had $300.0 million available under its revolving line of credit. Source
  • Repurchased 0.4 million shares in quarter: About 393.4 thousand shares were bought back at an average $169.45, returning about $67.0 million. $733.3 million remains under the $1.0 billion program announced in April 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose over six months: Net cash provided by operating activities was $343.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, against $181.3 million a year earlier. Management cited healthy free cash flow generation. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Patient financing and subscriptions drive adoption: Management cited patient financing, subscription programs such as DSP, no-AA offerings and digital workflow innovation as helping doctors improve conversion and utilization. Source
  • Innovation roadmap and direct fabrication: Management said it is advancing its innovation roadmap and direct fabrication technologies to create more effective and personalized treatment solutions. Source
  • Scanners start the digital workflow: Management said every digital workflow begins with a scan, so scanner adoption matters for patient access and long-term platform growth. Source
  • Adult treatment expansion through oral health: Management said it is expanding adult treatment through innovations linking oral health, restorative workflows and digital orthodontics. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 July 2026

  • Repurchase plan completion expected October: The $200.0 million plan announced April 29, 2026 is expected to be completed in October 2026. Source
  • UK VAT on invoices from September 7: Invoices will include UK VAT at 20% on applicable products from September 7, 2026. List prices are unchanged. Source
  • Teen treatment season entering second half: Management said it is entering the teen treatment season with a digital treatment portfolio for growing patients and teens. Source
  • Detail on 2027 guidance after review: Management will give more detail on fiscal 2027 after the strategic and operating model review is complete, with formal 2027 guidance. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Clear Aligner shipments (cases) Source691.8 thousand
Invisalign-trained doctors shipped to Source89,175
Invisalign-trained doctor utilization rate Source7.8
Clear Aligner revenue per case shipment Source$1,260
Doctor customers Sourceover 302.0 thousand
Patients treated with Invisalign Sourceabout 23.5 million

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited softness in the capital equipment market and a shift to lower-priced scanners and flexible acquisition models as weighing on Systems and Services revenue. Source
  • External: Foreign exchange reduced both GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS by about $0.23 year-over-year. Source
  • External: Full-year assumptions exclude circumstances beyond the company's control, including foreign exchange, macroeconomic conditions, an extended war and tariff changes. Source
  • Regulatory: Management intends to appeal the UK VAT ruling, and the final result is uncertain. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said Q2 revenues and Clear Aligner volumes were in line with the expectations it gave. Source
  • Missed: Management said Q2 Systems and Services revenue was below its original expectations. Source
  • On track: Management reiterated the full-year non-GAAP operating margin improvement, consistent with its previous guidance. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.