Core Insights - Eselor Luxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, reported an 11.7% increase in sales in the most recent quarter, with significant revenue growth attributed to its partnership with Meta for smart glasses [1] Group 1: Company Performance - The company has successfully launched smart glasses under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands, with plans for a Prada version in development [1] - The smart glasses have been well-received, with users noting their aesthetic appeal and functionality, such as video recording capabilities [2][4] Group 2: Product Features - The smart glasses allow users to record videos hands-free, making them suitable for activities like capturing moments with children [4] - Users can interact with the glasses using voice commands, enhancing the user experience by integrating features like Siri [5]

Core Insights - Shares of EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban, increased by over 9% in early trading following the release of better-than-expected quarterly revenue [1] - The positive revenue performance was attributed to strong demand for its Meta AI glasses [1] Company Summary - EssilorLuxottica reported quarterly revenue that exceeded market expectations [1] - The surge in demand for Meta AI glasses significantly contributed to the company's revenue growth [1]

Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica's shares surged 14% to an all-time high, adding nearly $20 billion in market value due to investor enthusiasm for AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta glasses [1][5] - The company reported third-quarter sales growth of 11.7% year-over-year, reaching €6.9 billion ($8.1 billion), marking its best quarterly performance ever [2] - Smart glasses have become a focal point for analysts and investors, with Barclays predicting 60 million units sold globally by 2035 [3] Financial Performance - The AI-powered glasses contributed over four percentage points to sales growth, prompting the company to accelerate production capacity plans [4] - EssilorLuxottica's market capitalization reached €126.5 billion following the significant rise in share price [5] Product Development and Market Position - The latest Ray-Ban Meta models are priced between $379 and $799, with plans for expansion into Canada, France, Italy, and Britain by early 2026 [6] - The success of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses has revitalized interest in the eyewear computer market, previously abandoned by Google and Microsoft [6] - Major tech companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple are re-entering the smart glasses market, indicating a competitive landscape [7]

Core Insights - Lenskart is preparing for an IPO, aiming for a valuation of $9 billion, which could position its founder, Peyush Bansal, to join the billionaire club with a stake valued at approximately $800 million [2][3]. Company Overview - Founded by Peyush Bansal and partners met on LinkedIn, Lenskart has evolved into a multi-billion dollar eyewear startup over 15 years [1]. - The company has achieved its first full-year profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, indicating a shift towards profitability [5]. - Lenskart operates 2,723 stores across India and international markets, with nearly 40% of its revenue generated from outside India [14]. Market Position and Strategy - Lenskart utilizes robotic production technology imported from Germany, allowing for efficient manufacturing of eyewear [4]. - The company is expanding into Southeast Asia, with demand patterns in countries like Indonesia and Vietnam reflecting those in India a decade ago [5]. - Lenskart's business model includes controlling nearly every aspect of its value chain, from lens design to last-mile delivery, and employing ophthalmologists for remote consultations [13]. Financial Aspects - The IPO proceeds are intended for opening new stores, investing in technology and AI, making acquisitions, and general corporate purposes [14]. - Earlier valuations by Fidelity Management & Research pegged Lenskart at $6.1 billion, highlighting investor interest in the company [8]. Industry Context - The Indian startup ecosystem has faced challenges, with many companies experiencing valuation declines, but Lenskart's upcoming IPO is seen as a test of renewed investor confidence in the sector [7][9]. - Lenskart's reliance on China for over one-third of its purchases poses potential risks related to supply chain disruptions [10]. Future Prospects - The company is developing a new manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, expected to be the world's largest, with a capacity for hundreds of thousands of glasses daily [11]. - Lenskart is also investing in smart eyewear technology, integrating features like AI tools and cameras [15].

Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica achieved a record high revenue growth of 11.7% at constant currency in the third quarter, marking the best result in the company's history [1] - All three largest geographical regions reported double-digit growth: North America increased by 12.1%, EMEA by 12.7%, and Asia Pacific by 10.5%, while Latin America saw a mid-single-digit growth of 5.2% [1] Segment Performance - Both the Professional Solution and Direct-to-Consumer segments delivered double-digit growth in the quarter [2] - The recent acquisitions of Heidelberg and Supreme contributed approximately 2 percentage points to the overall sales growth [2] Product Development - Wearable products significantly contributed to the growth profile in the third quarter, indicating the establishment of a new category with unprecedented opportunities [2]

Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica reported record third-quarter sales, driven by strong demand for AI-powered smart glasses, with revenue reaching 6.9 billion euros ($8.1 billion), marking an 11.7% year-on-year increase [1][2] Financial Performance - The company's quarterly sales exceeded the average forecast of 6.7 billion euros from an LSEG poll [2] - North America, the largest market for EssilorLuxottica, saw a 12.1% increase in quarterly sales compared to the previous year [2] Pricing Strategy - The company has raised prices in the U.S. in response to tariffs, expecting benefits from these increases in the second half of the year, although price hikes were not the primary driver of growth in North America [3] Production Capacity - EssilorLuxottica plans to accelerate production capacity for wearables, aiming to produce 10 million units annually ahead of the original timeline, now expected before the end of 2026 [4] Product Development - The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, launched in September at $379, have seen commercial success, with improvements in battery and camera features [5] - A new flagship model priced at $799 includes advanced AI features, such as a built-in display and a wristband for gesture commands, with plans for rollout in Canada, France, Italy, and Britain by early 2026 [6]

Core Insights - The Franco-Italian eyewear group achieved a revenue of $8 billion, marking a 12% increase from the previous year, which is the best quarter since its formation in 2018 [1] Company Performance - Revenue reached $8 billion, reflecting a significant growth of 12% year-over-year [1] - This quarter is noted as the best performance since the company's establishment in 2018 [1]

Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica achieved its best quarterly performance ever, with consolidated revenue reaching Euro 6,867 million in Q3 2025, marking an 11.7% year-on-year increase at constant exchange rates compared to Q3 2024 [1][6] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 11.7% in Q3 2025 at constant exchange rates and 6.7% at current exchange rates compared to the previous year [1][6] - For the first nine months of 2025, revenue grew by 8.8% [6] Market Contributions - Strong contributions from EMEA and North America were highlighted, with both regions experiencing double-digit growth in both PS and DTC channels [2][6] - The wearables segment significantly boosted revenue, supported by a robust pipeline of product innovation [6] Product Innovations - The company unveiled its most advanced portfolio of AI glasses, including the next generations of Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses, as well as Meta Ray-Ban Display [3] - Stellest lenses, aimed at myopia management, received FDA market authorization, marking a new category in the U.S. [3][6] Strategic Developments - The acquisition of RetinAI was announced, and Optegra was closed, set to be consolidated from October 1 [6] - The company aims to drive lasting transformation by integrating innovation, science, and human potential [4]

Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica achieved its best quarterly performance ever, with consolidated revenue reaching Euro 6,867 million in Q3 2025, marking an 11.7% year-on-year increase at constant exchange rates [1][6] - The growth was significantly driven by strong contributions from the EMEA and North America regions, particularly in wearables, vision care, and sunglasses [2][6] Revenue Performance - Revenue increased by 11.7% in Q3 2025 at constant exchange rates, and by 8.8% over the first nine months of the year [6] - Vision care and sunglasses segments grew by 5% at constant exchange rates [6] Product Innovation and Market Expansion - The company launched its most advanced portfolio of AI glasses, including the next generations of Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses, enhancing its position in wearable technology [3] - Stellest lenses received FDA market authorization, marking a significant advancement in myopia management in the U.S. [6] Strategic Acquisitions - The acquisition of RetinAI was announced, and Optegra has been closed, with consolidation effective from October 1 [6]

MILAN — Eyewear player House of Modo, the owner of Lapo Elkann’s Italia Independent eyewear brand, in addition to the Modo and Eco labels, has welcomed a minority investment to support its growth while remaining an independent player in the highly polarized eyewear sector. A pool of investors led by the London-based Valiant Asset Management Ltd., an alternative credit investment firm focused on the Western European corporate middle market, has invested $100 million in Modo for an undisclosed minority stake ...