Alcon Inc. · Q1 2026 earnings

Briefing

Alcon Q1 2026: $2.7B sales (+10%) led by Unity, Tryptyr and Precision7 launches

Alcon Inc. reported first-quarter 2026 net sales of $2.685 billion, up 10% reported and 6% constant currency versus the prior year, with surgical sales of $1.460 billion (+10% reported, +6% cc) and vision care sales of $1.225 billion (+9% reported, +6% cc). Operating income was $292 million (10.9% margin) compared with $468 million in Q1 2025, which benefited from fair-value gains on associated-company investments; core operating income rose 11% to $569 million (21.2% core margin). Net income was $189 million and diluted EPS was $0.39; core diluted EPS was $0.85 (+16% reported). Growth was driven by new products including Unity VCS/CS, PanOptix Pro, Tryptyr and Precision7, partially offset by efficiency initiative costs, intangible impairments, tariffs and higher R&D. Free cash flow was $279 million. The board approved a CHF 0.28 dividend and a new $1.5 billion three-year share repurchase authorization. Management maintained cc net sales growth guidance of +5% to +7% and raised core diluted EPS growth outlook to +10% to +13% cc.

• Net sales $2.685B (+10% reported, +6% cc); surgical $1.46B, vision care $1.225B.
• Diluted EPS $0.39; core diluted EPS $0.85 (+16%).
• Core operating income $569M at 21.2% margin; reported operating margin 10.9%.
• Free cash flow $279M; operating cash flow $418M.
• New $1.5B share repurchase program; FY core EPS outlook raised to +10–13% cc.

Headline financials

Revenue & EPS history

2026 outlook maintains constant-currency net sales growth of +5% to +7% and core operating margin expansion of +70 to +170 bps; core diluted EPS growth updated to +10% to +13% cc.