EssilorLuxottica (EU:EL), the maker of Ray-Ban eyewear, saw its shares soar to a record high on Friday, climbing more than 10% after reporting a blowout third quarter. Strong demand for its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses helped the company beat sales forecasts and deliver its best quarterly results ever.
The Franco-Italian group posted third-quarter revenue of €6.9 billion ($8.1 billion), up 11.7% year-on-year and well above market expectations. According to Chief Financial Officer Stefano Grassi, the AI-powered glasses contributed more than four percentage points to the company’s overall sales growth. He added that demand has been so strong that EssilorLuxottica is bringing forward its production capacity expansion plans.
By 07:54 GMT, the company’s stock had jumped 11.7% to €308, on track for its biggest single-day gain in over eight years—adding nearly €15 billion to its €126.1 billion market capitalization.
In a note to clients, J.P. Morgan analysts said the smart glasses had become a “material growth driver,” while the company’s traditional eyewear business remained solid. The latest Ray-Ban Meta models, priced between $379 and $799 for the flagship version with a built-in display, are currently available in select stores, with expansion to Canada, France, Italy, and the U.K. planned for early 2026.
Barclays analysts described smart glasses as potentially “the most disruptive innovation since mobile phones,” predicting global sales could reach 60 million units by 2035.
Meanwhile, Equita analysts raised their wearable revenue forecast, now expecting the product line to add around €1 billion to group sales this year.
“The acceleration in third-quarter revenues and the level of confidence expressed on fourth-quarter and mid-term prospects are an important indicator of the success of the group’s strategic drivers,” they wrote.
EssilorLuxottica shares have climbed 17% since the start of the year.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.
Leave a Reply