Alcon Delivers Strong Fourth-Quarter 2025 Topline Growth as New Product Launches Accelerate Sales

• Fourth-quarter 2025 sales of $2.7 billion, up 9% on a reported basis, or up 7% constant currency¹ (cc), versus fourth-quarter 2024
• Fourth-quarter 2025 diluted EPS of $0.44; core diluted EPS² of $0.78
• Generated $2.3 billion of cash from operations and $1.7 billion of free cash flow³ in full-year 2025
• Returned $848 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends

Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53 LR

GENEVA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, reported its financial results for the three and twelve month periods ending December 31, 2025. For the fourth quarter of 2025, sales were $2.7 billion, up 9% on a reported basis and up 7% on a constant currency basis¹, as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alcon reported diluted earnings per share of $0.44 and core diluted earnings per share² of $0.78 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“2025 was a pivotal and productive year for Alcon. Despite softer markets, we successfully launched a wave of innovative new products that fueled sales acceleration as the year progressed,” said David J. Endicott, Alcon’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we look to 2026, we’re encouraged by the momentum we’re carrying into the year and confident in our ability to continue to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value. Our outlook reflects a balanced view of market conditions combined with the progress made with new product launches, giving us a strong foundation as we move forward.”

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results

Reported net sales for the fourth quarter of 2025 were $2.7 billion, up 9% versus the fourth quarter of 2024. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 2%, sales were up 7% on a constant currency basis. Reported net sales for the full-year 2025 were $10.3 billion, up 5% compared to full-year 2024. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, sales were up 4% on a constant currency basis.

The following table highlights net sales by segment for the fourth quarter and full-year of 2025:

Net sales by segment

Fourth quarter

Surgical

Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were $1.5 billion, an increase of 9% on a reported basis and 6% on a constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Implantables net sales were $474 million, an increase of 4%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 2%, Implantables net sales increased 2% constant currency. This growth reflects strong performance by PanOptix Pro in the US, partially offset by continued competitive pressures, particularly in international markets.

• Consumables net sales were $794 million, an increase of 8%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 3%, Consumables net sales increased 5% constant currency. Growth was driven by cataract and vitreoretinal procedural growth, as well as price increases.

• Equipment/other net sales were $277 million, an increase of 21%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 3%, Equipment/other net sales increased 18%. This growth was led by recent equipment launches, including the Unity platform.

Vision Care

Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were $1.2 billion, an increase of 10% on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Contact lenses net sales were $683 million, an increase of 7%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 3%, Contact lenses net sales increased 4% constant currency. This growth was led by price increases and product innovation, partially offset by declines in legacy products.

• Ocular health net sales were $474 million, an increase of 14%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 2%, Ocular health net sales increased 12% constant currency. Growth was led by our portfolio of dry eye products, including Tryptyr and Systane.

Full year

Surgical

Surgical net sales were $5.8 billion, an increase of 4% on a reported and constant currency basis versus the full-year 2024.

• Implantables net sales were $1.8 billion, in line with the prior year period on a reported and constant currency basis. These results reflect the launch of PanOptix Pro in the US, as well as soft market conditions and competitive pressures.

• Consumables net sales were $3.0 billion, an increase of 6%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Consumables net sales increased 5% constant currency. Growth was driven by vitreoretinal procedural growth and price increases, partially offset by soft cataract market conditions.

• Equipment/other net sales were $941 million, an increase of 6% on a reported and constant currency basis, as sales of recently launched equipment, including Unity VCS, were partially offset by declines in legacy equipment.

Vision Care

Vision Care net sales were $4.6 billion, an increase of 6% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis versus the full-year 2024.

• Contact lenses net sales were $2.8 billion, an increase of 6%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Contact lenses net sales increased 5% constant currency, primarily driven by price increases and product innovation, partially offset by declines in legacy products.

• Ocular health net sales were $1.8 billion, an increase of 5%. Excluding unfavorable currency impacts of 1%, Ocular health net sales increased 6% constant currency. Growth was led by our portfolio of dry eye products, including Tryptyr and Systane. The prior year period included sales of certain eye drops in China which were divested and out-licensed in late 2024.

Operating income

Fourth quarter

Operating income was $313 million (-21%, -27% cc), compared to $395 million in the prior year period. Operating margin decreased 4.3 percentage points. The current year period included sales and marketing investments behind new product launches, increased investment in research and development (“R&D”), including from recent acquisitions, incremental tariffs and acquisition and integration related items, partially offset by favorability from annual incentive compensation and price increases. The prior year period included a net gain related to the divestment of certain product rights in China. Excluding a positive 0.8 percentage point impact from currency, operating margin decreased 5.1 percentage points on a constant currency basis.

Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the current year period were $201 million, mainly due to $175 million of amortization and $22 million of acquisition and integration related items. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the prior year period were $103 million, mainly due to $169 million of amortization, partially offset by a $57 million net gain related to the divestment of certain product rights in China.

Core operating income was $514 million (+3%, -2% cc), compared to $498 million in the prior year period. Core operating margin decreased 1.1 percentage points as the current year period included sales and marketing investments behind new product launches, increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions and incremental tariffs, partially offset by favorability from annual incentive compensation and price increases. Excluding a positive 0.5 percentage point impact from currency, core operating margin decreased 1.6 percentage points on a constant currency basis.

Full year

Operating income was $1.4 billion (-4%, -5% cc), down slightly from the prior year period. Operating margin decreased 1.2 percentage points. The current year period included sales and marketing investments behind new product launches, increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions, incremental tariffs, acquisition and integration related items and product discontinuation charges in Vision Care. The decline in operating margin was partially offset by price increases, fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies and favorability from annual incentive compensation. The prior year period included a net gain related to the divestment of certain product rights in China. Excluding a positive 0.1 percentage point impact from currency, operating margin decreased 1.3 percentage points on a constant currency basis.

Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the current year period were $679 million, mainly due to $696 million of amortization, $58 million of acquisition and integration related items and $44 million of product discontinuation charges, partially offset by $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the prior year period were $614 million, mainly due to $667 million of amortization, partially offset by a $57 million net gain related to the divestment of certain product rights in China.

Core operating income was $2.0 billion (+1%, 0% cc) in both the current and prior year periods. Core operating margin decreased 0.8 percentage points. The current year period included sales and marketing investments behind new product launches, increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions and incremental tariffs, partially offset by price increases and favorability from annual incentive compensation. Excluding a positive 0.1 percentage point impact from currency, core operating margin decreased 0.9 percentage points on a constant currency basis.

Taxes

Fourth quarter

Reported tax expense was $47 million, compared to $65 million in the prior year period, and the average reported tax rate was 17.8%, compared to 18.6% in the prior year period. Core tax expense was $83 million, compared to $93 million in the prior year period, and the average core tax rate was 17.8%, compared to 20.6% in the prior year period. Both the average reported and core tax rates were lower in the current year period due to a more favorable mix of pre-tax income/(loss) across geographical tax jurisdictions and higher discrete tax benefits in the current year period.

Full year

Reported tax expense was $180 million, compared to $238 million in the prior year period, and the average reported tax rate was 15.5%, compared to 18.9% in the prior year period. Core tax expense was $323 million, compared to $355 million in the prior year period, and the average core tax rate was 17.5%, compared to 19.0% in the prior year period. The average reported tax rate was lower in the current year period due to a non-taxable gain. In addition, both the average reported and core tax rates benefited from higher discrete tax benefits in the current year period.

Diluted earnings per share

Fourth quarter

Diluted earnings per share of $0.44 decreased 23%, or 30% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period, primarily due to lower operating income. Core diluted earnings per share of $0.78 increased 8%, or 2% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period.

Full year

Diluted earnings per share of $1.98 decreased 3%, or 5% on a constant currency basis, primarily due to lower operating income and higher non-operating income & expense⁴, partially offset by lower tax expense. Core diluted earnings per share of $3.07 increased 1%, or 0% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period.

Cash flow highlights

Net cash flows from operating activities amounted to $2.3 billion for the full-year 2025, compared to $2.1 billion in the prior year period. Free cash flow was $1.7 billion for the full-year 2025, compared to $1.6 billion in the prior year period, primarily due to increased cash flows from operating activities.

Capital allocation

For the full-year 2025, the company returned $848 million to shareholders. Capital returns include the repurchase of approximately 8.4 million shares⁵ for $682 million and dividend payments of $166 million. Additionally, as of January 20, 2026, the Company completed its $750 million share repurchase program.

Proposed dividend

The Company’s Board of Directors proposed a dividend of CHF 0.28 per share, based on 2025 financial results. The Company’s shareholders will vote on this proposal at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) on April 30, 2026.

Efficiency measures

The Company has undertaken a series of operational improvements and infrastructure investments to drive efficiencies across the organization. These initiatives have enabled the Company to identify approximately $100 million of run‑rate savings, of which approximately $50 million is expected to benefit 2026. The total program cost is estimated at $150 million, with implementation expected to be completed in 2026.

2026 outlook

Beginning with its 2026 outlook, the Company is updating the way it presents guidance to align with the framework and priorities outlined at its 2025 Capital Markets Day. The Company’s 2026 outlook is provided in the table below.

This outlook assumes the following:

• Aggregated markets grow approximately 3% to 4%.
• The Company expects a full-year tariff impact, net of mitigating actions, of approximately $125 to $175 million, which is expected to pressure cost of net sales.
• Exchange rates as of the end of January 2026 prevail through year-end. As of the end of January, the expected currency impact to:
  • Net sales growth is +120 basis points,
  • Core operating margin change is +15 basis points, and
  • Core diluted EPS growth is +230 basis points.
• Non-operating expense⁴ for FY 2026 is expected to be between $200 and $220 million.
• The core effective tax rate⁷ for FY 2026 is expected to be approximately 20%.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be mid-single digits as a percentage of sales.
• Approximately 498 million weighted-averaged diluted shares.

Board Elections at Alcon’s 2026 AGM

Mr. Scott Maw will not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors at Alcon’s 2026 AGM on April 30, 2026. “Our Board and leadership team are deeply grateful for Scott’s dedication, judgment and commitment to Alcon as one of our founding board members and the Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee,” said F. Michael Ball, Alcon’s Chair of the Board.

The Board of Directors proposes the election of R. Scott Herren, an accomplished financial executive and public company board member who most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Cisco Systems, Inc. If elected, Mr. Herren is expected to be appointed Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Board of Directors also proposes the re-election of all other current members of the Board, including the Chair of the Board.

Webcast and Conference Call Instructions

The Company will host a conference call on February 25, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Central European Time to discuss its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings results. The webcast can be accessed online through Alcon’s Investor Relations website, i.e. investor.alcon.com. Listeners should log on approximately 10 minutes in advance. A replay will be available online within 24 hours after the event. To listen the Company’s conference call, click on the link:

https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2026/Alcons-Full-Year-2025-Earnings-Call-2026-WO8uNd9SMd/default.aspx

The Company’s fourth-quarter 2025 press release, interim financial report and supplemental presentation materials, as well as its 2025 Annual Report, can be found online through Alcon’s Investor Relations website, or by clicking on the link:

https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2026/Alcons-Full-Year-2025-Earnings-Call-2026-WO8uNd9SMd/default.aspx

Additionally, Alcon’s 2025 Annual Report is available at https://investor.alcon.com/financials/annual-reports/default.aspx and its 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed today with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on https://investor.alcon.com/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx. Alcon shareholders may receive a hard copy of either of these documents, each of which contains our complete audited financial statements, free of charge, upon request.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “target,” “assume,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our 2026 outlook, liquidity, revenue, revenue growth, gross margin, operating margin, core operating margin, core operating margin growth, effective tax rate, foreign currency exchange movements, tariff impact, nonoperating expenses, earnings per share, earnings per share growth, operating cash flow, free cash flow, our plans and decisions relating to various capital expenditures, capital allocation priorities and other discretionary items such as our market growth assumptions, our social impact and sustainability plans, targets, goals and expectations, and generally, our expectations concerning our future performance.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as: cybersecurity breaches and technology failures that could disrupt operations; our ability to effectively manage the risks associated with transformational information technology changes such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies and the migration to cloud-based platforms; compliance with data privacy, identity protection and information security laws, particularly with the increased use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a disruption in our global supply chain, including the effect of tariffs, or important facilities, particularly when we single-source or rely on limited sources of supply; our reliance on outsourcing key business functions; the increasingly challenging economic, political and legal environment in China; global and regional economic, financial, monetary, legal, tax, political and social change; our ability to comply with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, export control, trade sanction, or similar laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to manage the risks associated with operating as a third party contract manufacturer; our success in completing strategic acquisitions, including equity investments in early-stage companies, on favorable terms or at all, and in integrating acquired businesses; the success of our research and development efforts, including our ability to innovate to compete effectively; our ability to manage the rapid evolution and adoption of artificial intelligence; terrorism, war and similar events; our ability to forecast sales demand and manage our inventory levels and the changing buying patterns of our customers; pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage and reimbursement methodologies; our ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject; the ability to obtain regulatory clearance and approval of our products as well as compliance with any post-approval obligations, including quality control of our manufacturing; the effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals; our ability to manage social impact and sustainability matters; our ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on our products; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions, including pension and other post-employment benefit plan obligations and the carrying value of intangible assets, and the adequacy of our financial reporting, accounting practices and internal controls; our ability to service our debt obligations; the need for additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity; the effects of litigation, including product liability lawsuits and governmental investigations; legislative, tax and regulatory reform; the impact of being listed on two stock exchanges; the ability to declare and pay dividends; the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss corporation compared to a US corporation; the effect of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status under US securities laws; and the ability to enforce US judgments against Swiss corporations.

Contacts

Investor Relations
Daniel Cravens

Allen Trang

+ 41 589 112 110 (Geneva)

+ 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth)

[email protected]

Media Relations
Steven Smith

+ 41 589 112 111 (Geneva)

+ 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth)

[email protected]

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