Brew Markets Activist Bites into Invisalign & LUNR Commercializing our Solar System
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Mar 19, 2026 A deep dive into Elliott Management’s move into a struggling orthodontics maker and why its shares cratered. A look at Intuitive Machines’ push to commercialize lunar missions and the wild swings that follow each landing. Coverage of regulator scrutiny on an EV giant’s self-driving tech, a new robotaxi tie-up for Rivian, and a retail name surprising investors.
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Align's Rise From Bay Area Startup To Market Leader
- Ann Berry traced Align's history from its 1997 founding and 2001 IPO through acquisitions like Cadent and Exocad that expanded its digital dental capabilities.
- Those deals and peak growth preceded a 2021 share-price peak near $730 and later decade-low valuations.
Elliott Targets Align To Lift Shares
- Align Technology shares fell over 75% from their 2021 highs due to weak discretionary dental demand and margin pressure from competition.
- Elliott Management built a significant stake and may push for changes, illustrating how large activists can force corporate adjustments.
Moon Contracts Create Binary Stock Outcomes
- Intuitive Machines is positioning as a lunar infrastructure provider with NASA contracts for payloads, communications, and a lunar terrain vehicle.
- The stock is binary: mission successes lift shares while mission failures (tipping landers) trigger sharp drops.