Eye-care group Alcon expects product launches to drive 2026 sales, profitability

Feb 25 (Reuters) – Alcon on Tuesday forecast 2026 sales growth largely in line with market estimates and guided for a significant expansion in its operating margin, signalling confidence that product launches would drive improved profitability.

The Swiss eye-care group sees constant-currency sales growth of 5% to 7%, which is roughly in line with analysts’ average revenue estimate of $11.13 billion, according to LSEG data, as it bets on continued uptake of its surgical platforms and contact lenses despite tariff pressures.

The company said tariff-related costs would be between $125 million and $175 million in 2026, net of mitigation actions.

Growth in China will remain sensitive to volume‑based procurement initiatives and broader economic softness, it added.

Last year, Alcon benefited from sturdy procedural demand in cataract surgery, widely viewed as a largely non‑discretionary procedure for ageing populations. 

Surgical sales rose 9% to $1.55 billion in the fourth quarter, led by 21% growth in equipment following recent launches, including the Unity surgery tools platform. Consumables, a recurring revenue engine, climbed 8%.

Operating margin fell to 11.6% in the quarter, from 15.9% a year earlier, as Alcon increased spending on new product launches and absorbed higher research-and-development and tariff-related costs.

Investors are likely to focus on whether the momentum from PanOptix Pro and newer equipment platforms can sustain growth through 2026 amid supply-chain and pricing pressures.

(Reporting by Maria Rugamer in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)