Alcon Prices EUR 500 Million Senior Notes Offering

Alcon Inc. (ALC) reported Q2 2026 net sales of $2.782B, up 8% YoY. Surgical sales rose 8%, with Equipment/Other up 26% but Implantables up only 1%. Vision Care sales increased 8%, driven by contact lenses and ocular health products. Reported operating margin fell to 0.4% due to a $402M charge, but core margin improved to 20.6%. Management maintained sales growth outlook at 5-7% but raised core EPS growth guidance to 12-15%.

Alcon and RxSight announced a non-exclusive collaboration to develop adjustable presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. RxSight’s Light Adjustable Lens is described as FDA-approved and adjustable after surgery via non-invasive light treatments. Alcon will lead global commercialization, RxSight will handle development and manufacturing and receive royalties on net sales.

Alcon terminated its PowerVision intraocular lens program after clinical data showed unpredictable postoperative distance-vision outcomes, according to the company. The decision led to a $402 million write-off in Q2. Alcon, which bought PowerVision in 2019 for $285 million, said it will continue investing in next-generation IOLs and in July began a non-exclusive collaboration with RxSight.

Alcon (NYSE: ALC) reported 2Q 2026 net sales of $2.8B, up 8% year over year, and raised its 2026 outlook. The company expects a $60M U.S. tariff refund after cutting its estimated tariff burden to $40M, and plans to reinvest about two-thirds. Operating income fell to $11M due to a $402M pre-tax charge from discontinuing PowerVision IOL programs. It returned $469M to shareholders.

Alcon (NYSE:ALC) shares rose about 4% after the company raised its 2026 core profitability outlook. Management expects core operating margin expansion of 90-190 bps at constant currency and core diluted EPS growth of 12%-15%, versus prior 10%-13%. Q2 sales increased 8% to $2.78B, with Unity platform sales up 26%. Alcon cut its tariff burden estimate to $40M-$90M and returned $469M via dividends and buybacks.

Alcon reported Q2 2026 adjusted diluted EPS of $0.84, up 11.2% versus the $0.76 consensus, on net sales of $2.78B, 7.2% higher year over year and slightly above the $2.77B estimate. A $402M pre-tax impairment charge related to discontinuing PowerVision programs drove GAAP EPS to $0.00. Alcon raised full-year 2026 core EPS growth guidance to 12% to 15% constant currency and reiterated sales growth of 5% to 7%.