Business
New Product Launches Drive Alcon's First-Quarter 2026 Growth as Momentum from Unity and Tryptyr Builds
GENEVA, May 05, 2026--New Product Launches Drive Alcon's First-Quarter 2026 Growth as Momentum from Unity and Tryptyr Builds
About this update from Alcon Ag
Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53 LR GENEVA, May 05, 2026 --( BUSINESS WIRE )--Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, reported its financial results for the three months ending March 31, 2026. For the first quarter of 2026, sales were $2.7 billion, up 10% on a reported basis and up 6% on a constant currency basis 1 , as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alcon reported diluted earnings per share of $0.39 and core diluted earnings per share 2 of $0.85 in the first quarter of 2026. "2026 is off to a solid start, driven by strong performance from our new product launches, including Unity VCS and CS, PanOptix Pro, Tryptyr and Precision7. Combined with the resilience of our balanced portfolio, we are well positioned to navigate market variability and maintain consistent performance," said David J. Endicott, Alcon's Chief Executive Officer. "Our innovation remains a key growth engine, delivering differentiated technologies that reinforce our leadership in eye care and support sustained revenue growth and margin expansion." First-quarter 2026 results Reported net sales for the first quarter of 2026 were $2.7 billion, up 10% versus the first quarter of 2025. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 4%, sales were up 6% on a constant currency basis. The following table highlights net sales by segment for the first quarter of 2026: Net sales by segment Surgical Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were $1.5 billion, an increase of 10% on a reported basis and 6% on a constant currency basis versus the first quarter of 2025. Vision Care Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were $1.2 billion, an increase of 9% on a reported basis and 6% on a constant currency basis versus the first quarter of 2025. Operating income Operating income was $292 million (-38%, -42% cc), compared to $468 million in the prior year period. Operating margin decreased 8.2 percentage points. The prior year period included gains on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. The current year period included costs associated with efficiency initiatives, impairment charges related to an intangible asset, incremental tariffs, sales and marketing behind new product launches and increased research and development ("R&D"), partially offset by improved operating leverage from higher sales and manufacturing efficiencies. Excluding a positive 0.5 percentage point impact from currency, operating margin decreased 8.7 percentage points on a constant currency basis. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the current year period were $277 million, mainly due to $129 million of amortization, $88 million of costs associated with efficiency initiatives, $38 million of impairment charges related to an intangible asset and $21 million of acquisition and integration related items. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the prior year period were $43 million, mainly due to $172 million of amortization and $13 million of acquisition and integration related items, partially offset by gains of $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. Core operating income was $569 million (+11%, +6% cc), compared to $511 million in the prior year period. Core operating margin increased 0.4 percentage points as the current year period included improved operating leverage from higher sales and manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by incremental tariffs, sales and marketing behind new product launches and increased R&D. Excluding a positive 0.4 percentage point impact from currency, core operating margin was in line with the prior year period on a constant currency basis. Taxes Reported tax expense was $51 million, compared to $64 million in the prior year period, and the average reported tax rate was 21.3%, compared to 15.5% in the prior year period. The prior year period included a non-taxable gain on the fair value remeasurement of an investment in an associated company. Core tax expense was $102 million, compared to $97 million in the prior year period, and the average core tax rate was 19.7%, compared to 21.0% in the prior year period. The decrease in average core tax rate is primarily driven by a more favorable mix of pre-tax income/(loss) across geographical tax jurisdictions and the tax effect of an increase of inventory in certain international markets, partially offset by discrete tax expenses in the current year period. Diluted earnings per share Diluted earnings per share of $0.39 decreased 44%, or 50% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period. The prior year period included gains of $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. Core diluted earnings per share of $0.85 increased 16%, or 10% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period. Cash flow highlights Net cash flows from operating activities amounted to $418 million for the first three months of 2026, compared to $384 million in the prior year period. Free cash flow was $279 million for the first three months of 2026, compared to $278 million in the prior year period. Capital allocation Dividend On April 30, 2026, at the Company's Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved a dividend of CHF 0.28 per share, which is expected to be paid on or around May 7, 2026. The total dividend payments will amount to a maximum of $177 million using the CHF/USD exchange rate as of April 30, 2026. Share repurchase authorization On May 5, 2026, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of the Company’s common shares, par value of CHF 0.04 per share, on a second trading line with the SIX Swiss Exchange. The shares to be acquired under this share buyback program will be cancelled as a return of capital to shareholders. Alcon expects to fund the program through cash generated from operations. The program is subject to customary safe harbor conditions and authorization of the Swiss Takeover Board. The timing and total amount of share repurchases and cancellations will depend upon a variety of factors. The program is expected to be completed over a three-year period, but may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Further information (including official publications in English, German and French) will be available as of May 6, 2026 at https://investor.alcon.com/stock-information/share-repurchase-history/default.aspx . 2026 outlook The Company updated its 2026 outlook as per the table below. This outlook assumes the following: Webcast and Conference Call Instructions The Company will host a conference call on May 6, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Central European Time to discuss its first-quarter 2026 earnings results. The webcast can be accessed online through Alcon's Investor Relations website, i.e. investor.alcon.com. Listeners should log on approximately 10 minutes in advance. A replay will be available online within 24 hours after the event. To listen the Company's conference call, click on the link: https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2026/Alcons-First-Quarter-2026-Earnings-Call-2026-HSeoMI-KHy/default.aspx The Company's first-quarter 2026 press release, interim financial report and supplemental presentation materials can be found online through Alcon's Investor Relations website, or by clicking on the link: https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2026/Alcons-First-Quarter-2026-Earnings-Call-2026-HSeoMI-KHy/default.aspx Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "commitment," "look forward," "maintain," "plan," "goal," "seek," "target," "assume," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our 2026 outlook, liquidity, revenue, revenue growth, gross margin, operating margin, core operating margin, core operating margin growth, effective tax rate, foreign currency exchange movements, tariff impact, nonoperating expenses, earnings per share, earnings per share growth, operating cash flow, free cash flow, our plans and decisions relating to various capital expenditures, capital allocation priorities and other discretionary items such as our market growth assumptions, our social impact and sustainability plans, targets, goals and expectations, and generally, our expectations concerning our future performance. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as: cybersecurity breaches and technology failures that could disrupt operations; our ability to effectively manage the risks associated with transformational information technology changes such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies and the migration to cloud-based platforms; compliance with data privacy, identity protection and information security laws, particularly with the increased use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a disruption in our global supply chain, including the effect of tariffs, or important facilities, particularly when we single-source or rely on limited sources of supply; our reliance on outsourcing key business functions; the increasingly challenging economic, political and legal environment in China; global and regional economic, financial, monetary, legal, tax, political and social change; our ability to comply with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, export control, trade sanction, or similar laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to manage the risks associated with operating as a third party contract manufacturer; our success in completing strategic acquisitions, including equity investments in early-stage companies, on favorable terms or at all, and in integrating acquired businesses; the success of our research and development efforts, including our ability to innovate to compete effectively; our ability to manage the rapid evolution and adoption of artificial intelligence; terrorism, war and similar events; our ability to forecast sales demand and manage our inventory levels and the changing buying patterns of our customers; pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage and reimbursement methodologies; our ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject; the ability to obtain regulatory clearance and approval of our products as well as compliance with any post-approval obligations, including quality control of our manufacturing; the effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals; our ability to manage social impact and sustainability matters; our ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on our products; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions, including pension and other post-employment benefit plan obligations and the carrying value of intangible assets, and the adequacy of our financial reporting, accounting practices and internal controls; our ability to service our debt obligations; the need for additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity; the effects of litigation, including product liability lawsuits and governmental investigations; legislative, tax and regulatory reform; the impact of being listed on two stock exchanges; the ability to declare and pay dividends; the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss corporation compared to a US corporation; the effect of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status under US securities laws; and the ability to enforce US judgments against Swiss corporations. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. Should one or more of these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We also undertake no obligation to update the 2026 outlook as circumstances evolve. Intellectual Property This report may contain references to our proprietary intellectual property. All product names appearing in italics or ALL CAPS are trademarks owned by or licensed to Alcon Inc. Product names identified by a "®" or a "™" are trademarks that are not owned by or licensed to Alcon or its subsidiaries and are the property of their respective owners. Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company Alcon uses certain non-IFRS metrics when measuring performance, including when measuring current period results against prior periods, including core results, percentage changes measured in constant currency, EBITDA, free cash flow and net (debt)/liquidity. Because of their non-standardized definitions, the non-IFRS measures (unlike IFRS measures) may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are presented solely to permit investors to more fully understand how Alcon management assesses underlying performance. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for IFRS measures. Core results Alcon core results, including core operating income and core net income, exclude all amortization and impairment charges of intangible assets, excluding software, product discontinuation charges, net gains and losses on fund investments and equity securities valued at fair value through profit and loss ("FVPL"), fair value adjustments of financial assets in the form of options to acquire a company carried at FVPL, fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies and certain acquisition related items. The following items that exceed a threshold of $10 million, are not operating expenses necessary to the operation of the business and have costs that will vary over periods are also excluded from core results: integration and divestment related income and expenses, divestment gains and losses, restructuring charges/releases and related items, legal related items, gains/losses on early extinguishment of debt or debt modifications, past service costs for post-employment benefit plans, impairments of property, plant and equipment and software, as well as income and expense items that management deems exceptional and that are or are expected to accumulate within the year to be over a $10 million threshold. Taxes on the adjustments between IFRS and core results take into account, for each individual item included in the adjustment, the tax rate that will finally be applicable to the item based on the jurisdiction where the adjustment will finally have a tax impact. Generally, this results in amortization and impairment of intangible assets and acquisition-related restructuring and integration items having a full tax impact. There is usually a tax impact on other items, although this is not always the case for certain items such as legal settlements in certain jurisdictions. Alcon believes that investor understanding of its performance is enhanced by disclosing core measures of performance because, since they exclude items that can vary significantly from period to period, the core measures enable a helpful comparison of business performance across periods. For this same reason, Alcon uses these core measures in addition to IFRS and other measures as important factors in assessing its performance. A limitation of the core measures is that they provide a view of Alcon operations without including all events during a period, such as the effects of an acquisition, divestment, or amortization/impairments of purchased intangible assets and restructurings. Constant currency Changes in the relative values of non-US currencies to the US dollar can affect Alcon's financial results and financial position. To provide additional information that may be useful to investors, including changes in sales volume, we present information about changes in our net sales and various values relating to operating and net income that are adjusted for such foreign currency effects. Constant currency calculations have the goal of eliminating two exchange rate effects so that an estimate can be made of underlying changes in the Consolidated Income Statement excluding: Alcon calculates constant currency measures by translating the current year's foreign currency values for sales and other income statement items into US dollars, using the average exchange rates from the historical comparative period and comparing them to the values from the historical comparative period in US dollars. EBITDA Alcon defines earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as net income excluding income taxes, depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including any related impairment charges), depreciation of right-of-use assets, amortization of intangible assets (including any related impairment charges), interest expense and other financial income and expense. Alcon management primarily uses EBITDA together with net (debt)/liquidity to monitor leverage associated with financial debts. Free cash flow Alcon defines free cash flow as net cash flows from operating activities less cash flow associated with the purchase or sale of property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is presented as additional information because Alcon management believes it is a useful supplemental indicator of Alcon's ability to operate without reliance on additional borrowing or use of existing cash. Free cash flow is not intended to be a substitute measure for net cash flows from operating activities as determined under IFRS. Net (debt)/liquidity Alcon defines net (debt)/liquidity as current and non-current financial debt less cash and cash equivalents, current investments, including time deposits, and derivative financial instruments. Net (debt)/liquidity is presented as additional information because management believes it is a useful supplemental indicator of Alcon's ability to pay dividends, to meet financial commitments and to invest in new strategic opportunities, including strengthening its balance sheet. Growth rate and margin calculations For ease of understanding, Alcon uses a sign convention for its growth rates such that a reduction in operating expenses or losses compared to the prior year is shown as a positive growth. Gross margins, core gross margins, operating income margins and core operating income margins are calculated based upon net sales unless otherwise noted. Reconciliation of guidance for forward-looking non-IFRS measures The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable efforts, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. These items are uncertain, depend on many factors and could have a material impact on our IFRS results for the guidance period. Financial tables Net sales by region Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited) Segment contribution Operating income Non-operating income & expense Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure) Three months ended March 31, 2026 Three months ended March 31, 2025 Explanatory footnotes to IFRS to core reconciliation tables EBITDA (non-IFRS measure) Cash flow and net (debt)/liquidity (non-IFRS measure) Net (debt)/liquidity (non-IFRS measure) Free cash flow (non-IFRS measure) The following is a summary of free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, together with a reconciliation to net cash flows from operating activities, the most directly comparable IFRS measure: About Alcon Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of people in over 140 countries and territories each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com . Connect with us on Facebook LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260501516196/en/ Contacts Investor Relations Daniel Cravens Allen Trang + 41 589 112 110 (Geneva) + 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth) [email protected] Media Relations Steven Smith + 41 589 112 111 (Geneva) + 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth) [email protected]