Core Viewpoint - Alcon, Inc. reported a decline in core earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 2025, missing consensus estimates, while revenues also fell short of expectations, indicating challenges in both earnings and sales growth [1][2][13]. Financial Performance - The core EPS for Q1 2025 was 73 cents, down 6.4% year-over-year, and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.9% [1] - Net sales for the quarter were $2.45 billion, a 0.3% increase from the previous year but below the consensus estimate by 2.3% [2] - The gross profit decreased by 0.1% to $1.38 billion, with a core gross margin contraction of 20 basis points to 56.3% [9] Segment Analysis - Surgical segment sales were $1.33 billion, down 1% year-over-year, while Vision Care segment sales reached $1.10 billion, up 1% year-over-year [4][7] - Within the Surgical segment, Implantables sales remained flat year-over-year, while Consumables saw a 6% increase at constant exchange rates [5][6] - Vision Care's Contact Lenses sales increased by 4% year-over-year, driven by product innovation [7] Cost and Margin Dynamics - The cost of net sales increased by 0.8% year-over-year to $1.07 billion, contributing to a decline in operating margin by 147 basis points to 14.1% [9] Cash Flow and Financial Position - Alcon ended Q1 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.41 billion, down from $1.68 billion at the end of Q4 2024 [10] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $278 million, an increase from $229 million in the same period last year [10] 2025 Outlook - The company revised its 2025 net sales guidance to a range of $10.4-$10.5 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 6-7% [11] - Core EPS for the full year is now expected to be in the range of $3.05-$3.15, suggesting a growth of 2%-5% from 2024 levels [12] Market Reaction - Following the earnings release, Alcon's stock price fell by 2.4% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor concerns over the missed earnings and revenue estimates [2][13]