Swiss eye care firm Alcon's quarterly revenue rises less than expected
Alcon's Financial Performance and Market Developments
By Simon Ferdinand Eibach
Gdansk, May 6 (Reuters) - Swiss-American eye care company Alcon reported a 10% rise in its quarterly revenue, citing recent product launches as the main drivers.
Quarterly Revenue and Sales Figures
• Alcon's net sales rose to $2.69 billion in the first quarter of 2026 from $2.45 reported a year earlier.
• Sales missed estimates of $2.71 billion by analysts polled by LSEG, with net sales in the implantables segment almost stagnant due to competitive pressures.
Stock Market Reaction and Analyst Commentary
• Shares of Alcon opened down 4.67% at 0700 GMT, with Vontobel analysts pointing to soft cataract markets.
Profitability and Earnings Guidance
• Alcon's operating earnings amounted to $292 million in the first quarter, falling 32% from a year earlier.
• The company hiked its full-year guidance for diluted earnings per share growth to 10%-13% from 9%-12%, as it announced a $1.5 billion share repurchase program with a plan to cancel the acquired shares.
Cost Management and Tariff Adjustments
• In an investor webcast, Finance Chief Timothy Stonesifer said the company cut its assumed average tariff rate on U.S. imports for the remainder of the year to 10% from 15%, resulting in a $25 million reduction in projected tariff-related expenses for 2026.
Product Launches and Innovation
New Offerings in Eye Care
• Alcon launched 10 new products in the first quarter of 2026, including Clareon TruPlus IOL, the next generation of monofocal and toric lenses for cataract surgery.
Impact on Cataract Surgery Market
(Reporting by Simon Ferdinand Eibach; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
