Alcon Inc (CH:ALC)
:ALC
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Alcon (ALC) AI Stock Analysis

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CH:ALC

Alcon

(ALC)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
CHF69.00
▲(15.12% Upside)
Alcon's strong financial performance and positive earnings call guidance are the primary drivers of its stock score. However, the high valuation and mixed technical indicators temper the overall outlook. The company's focus on innovation and growth in vision care are positive, but challenges such as tariff impacts and market conditions in cataracts present risks.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong product demand and effective market strategies, supporting long-term business expansion.
Innovation in Product Launches
Successful product launches like Unity VCS enhance competitive positioning and drive future revenue, reflecting a robust R&D pipeline.
Cash Flow Management
Strong cash flow management ensures liquidity and financial flexibility, enabling strategic investments and shareholder returns.
Negative Factors
Gross Margin Pressure
Decreasing gross margins due to tariffs could impact profitability and limit financial resources for reinvestment in growth.
Challenges in Cataract Markets
Slower growth in cataract markets may hinder revenue expansion in a key segment, affecting overall business performance.
Operating Margin Decline
Declining operating margins due to increased R&D investment and tariffs may pressure profitability and strategic flexibility.

Alcon (ALC) vs. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL)

Alcon Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAlcon Inc., an eye care company, researches, develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells eye care products for eye care professionals and their patients worldwide. The company's Surgical segment offers equipment, instrumentation and diagnostics, intraocular lenses (IOLs), and other implantables; and consumables, including viscoelastics, surgical solutions, incisional instruments, surgical custom packs, and other products for use in surgical procedures. Its cataract products include centurion vision system, LenSx femtosecond laser, LuxOR surgical ophthalmic microscope, NGENUITY 3D visualization system, and ORA system for intra-operative measurements; custom pak surgical procedure packs; vitreoretinal products comprising constellation vision systems, procedure packs, lasers and hand-held microsurgical instruments, and grieshaber and MIVS instruments, as well as scissors, forceps and micro-instruments, medical grade vitreous tamponades, and Hypervit vitrectomy probes; refractive surgery products, including WaveLight lasers and Contoura Vision used for LASIK treatment; EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device; and implantables products, including AcrySof IQ IOLs products include monofocal IOLs and advanced technology IOLs under the PanOptix and ReSTOR brands for the correction of presbyopia and astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. Its Vision Care segment provides daily disposable, reusable, and color-enhancing contact lenses; ocular health products, such as dry eye, glaucoma, contact lens care, and ocular allergies; and ocular vitamins and redness relievers under the TOTAL, PRECISION, DAILIES AquaComfort PLUS, Air Optix, Opti-Free, Clear Care, Tears Naturale, Genteal, ICAPS, and Vitalux brands. The company was formerly known as Alcon Universal S.A. and changed the name to Alcon Inc. in December 2001. Alcon Inc. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
How the Company Makes MoneyAlcon generates revenue through its diverse product lines within the Surgical and Vision Care segments. The Surgical segment earns money primarily from the sale of surgical equipment, consumables, and intraocular lenses used in cataract and refractive surgeries. The Vision Care segment's revenue comes from the sale of daily, weekly, and monthly contact lenses, as well as lens care solutions. The company also benefits from partnerships with healthcare providers and hospitals, which often utilize Alcon's products in surgical procedures. Additionally, Alcon invests in research and development to introduce new products and technologies, thereby expanding its market share and enhancing its earnings potential.

Alcon Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 11, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a company experiencing strong product launches and growth in vision care, but also facing challenges with gross margins and market conditions in cataracts. The strategic focus on innovation and product differentiation is driving positive momentum, although external pressures from tariffs and market dynamics create ongoing challenges.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Surgical Equipment Success
Unity VCS launched successfully, delivering greater efficiency and workflow optimization. Sales of equipment grew by 13% in Q3, driven by Unity VCS.
Vision Care Growth
Contact lens sales increased by 5% to $707 million in Q3, with double-digit growth in toric modalities.
Strong Ocular Health Performance
Systane artificial tears delivered high single-digit growth, and the new Tryptyr product showed encouraging early performance.
Growing Market Share in Implantables
PanOptix Pro stabilized market share in the U.S., with 94% light utilization and reduced light scatter.
Negative Updates
Gross Margin Pressure
Core gross margin decreased by 50 basis points year-over-year, mainly due to incremental tariffs.
Challenges in Cataract Markets
Cataract procedure volumes grew only 3% in Q3, below historical averages.
Impact of Tariffs
The company incurred $57 million of tariff-related charges in the first 9 months, with an expected full-year impact of $100 million.
Core Operating Margin Decline
Core operating margin reduced to 20.2%, down 60 basis points due to lower gross margin and increased R&D investment.
Company Guidance
During the Alcon Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, significant guidance was provided, highlighting the company's strong performance and optimistic outlook. Alcon reported third-quarter sales of $2.6 billion, a 5% increase compared to the previous year. The Surgical franchise revenue rose by 5% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, with equipment sales notably accelerating by 13% to $243 million. Vision Care sales also grew by 5% to $1.2 billion, driven by innovation in contact lenses and price adjustments. The company's core operating margin was 20.2%, slightly down by 60 basis points mainly due to increased tariffs and investments in new product launches. Tariff-related charges impacted cost of sales, with a full-year expectation of approximately $100 million. Despite these challenges, Alcon reaffirmed its full-year guidance, anticipating sales between $10.3 billion and $10.4 billion, with constant currency growth of 4% to 5%. Looking to 2026, Alcon expects continued acceleration from recent product launches, with potential headwinds from tariffs and investments in new phases of clinical trials. The company remains focused on disciplined execution to deliver sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.

Alcon Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Alcon demonstrates strong financial health with robust revenue and profit growth, improving margins, low leverage, and exceptional cash generation. The income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement collectively suggest Alcon is well-positioned for sustained growth and financial stability.
Income Statement
88
Very Positive
Alcon's income statement shows strong growth and profitability. The gross profit margin increased to 55.6%, indicating efficient cost management. Net profit margin improved to 10.3%, reflecting robust earnings growth. Revenue growth rate from the previous year was 4.8%, maintaining a positive trajectory. EBIT margin increased to 14.3% and EBITDA margin to 27.0%, suggesting enhanced operational efficiency. Overall, Alcon's income statement reflects a solid financial performance with improving margins and consistent revenue growth.
Balance Sheet
82
Very Positive
Alcon's balance sheet is stable with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, indicating a low level of leverage, which reduces financial risk. Return on equity improved to 4.7%, showing better utilization of equity. The equity ratio is strong at 71.0%, underscoring a robust financial structure. The balance sheet reflects a well-capitalized company with low reliance on debt, although there is room for improvement in returns to shareholders.
Cash Flow
90
Very Positive
Alcon's cash flow statement is very strong, with a significant free cash flow growth rate of 161.9%, highlighting excellent cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.04, indicating efficient cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.38 further confirms strong cash flow management. Overall, the cash flow statements point to excellent liquidity and financial flexibility, supporting future growth and investment.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue10.03B9.91B9.46B8.72B8.29B6.83B
Gross Profit5.53B5.51B5.25B4.75B4.65B2.94B
EBITDA2.02B2.68B2.24B1.72B1.76B1.11B
Net Income1.07B1.02B974.00M335.00M376.00M-531.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets31.39B30.35B29.61B29.21B28.00B27.60B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.41B1.83B1.10B980.00M1.58B1.57B
Total Debt5.25B5.14B5.13B5.07B4.48B4.50B
Total Liabilities9.26B8.79B8.99B9.53B8.74B8.78B
Stockholders Equity22.11B21.55B20.62B19.68B19.26B18.82B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.62B1.41B537.00M472.00M165.00M256.00M
Operating Cash Flow2.10B2.08B1.39B1.22B1.34B823.00M
Investing Cash Flow-1.55B-1.17B-1.09B-1.86B-1.20B-572.00M
Financing Cash Flow-564.00M-322.00M-211.00M-8.00M-123.00M466.00M

Alcon Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price59.94
Price Trends
50DMA
60.56
Positive
100DMA
64.63
Negative
200DMA
70.79
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.34
Negative
RSI
52.72
Neutral
STOCH
45.25
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CH:ALC, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 59.94 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 60.56, below the 50-day MA of 60.56, and below the 200-day MA of 70.79, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.34 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 52.72 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 45.25 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for CH:ALC.

Alcon Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
CHF193.14B16.273.31%7.62%-18.33%
73
Outperform
$30.83B33.954.82%0.46%0.39%-12.46%
73
Outperform
$229.33B24.1531.98%3.16%4.77%-11.07%
72
Outperform
CHF15.66B39.871.00%4.49%45.08%
69
Neutral
CHF34.38B105.960.10%6.22%
68
Neutral
CHF12.41B23.782.20%3.79%-7.84%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CH:ALC
Alcon
59.94
-15.39
-20.44%
CH:ROG
Roche Holding AG
306.70
64.22
26.48%
CH:NOVN
Novartis AG
102.00
14.08
16.01%
CH:STMN
Straumann Holding AG
94.92
-14.92
-13.58%
CH:SOON
Sonova Holding AG
194.30
-100.96
-34.19%
CH:GALD
Galderma Group AG
146.00
60.20
70.16%

Alcon Corporate Events

Alcon Reports Strong Q3 2025 Growth in Eye Care
Nov 13, 2025

Alcon is a leading global eye care company, renowned for its extensive range of surgical and vision care products that improve sight and quality of life for individuals worldwide. In its latest earnings report, Alcon announced a robust performance for the third quarter of 2025, with sales reaching $2.6 billion, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The company also reported a diluted earnings per share of $0.48 and a core diluted earnings per share of $0.79, alongside a strong cash flow from operations.

Alcon’s Earnings Call: Growth Amid Challenges
Nov 13, 2025

Alcon’s recent earnings call painted a picture of a company navigating both triumphs and trials. The sentiment was largely positive, driven by strong product launches and growth in the vision care segment. However, challenges such as gross margin pressures and market conditions in cataracts were also highlighted. The company’s strategic focus on innovation and product differentiation is fostering positive momentum, although external pressures, particularly from tariffs and market dynamics, present ongoing challenges.

Alcon Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results with Equipment Growth
Nov 12, 2025

Alcon Inc. reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with sales reaching $2.6 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The company’s growth was driven by accelerated performance in equipment and ocular health, with notable progress in its Unity VCS platform. Alcon maintained its full-year guidance and highlighted promising developments with its PanOptix Pro and Tryptyr products, indicating a solid foundation for 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (CH:ALC) stock is a Buy with a CHF80.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Alcon stock, see the CH:ALC Stock Forecast page.

Alcon’s Strategic Moves: Q2 2025 Results and STAAR Acquisition
Aug 19, 2025

On August 19, 2025, Alcon reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting a 4% increase in sales compared to the previous year, reaching $2.6 billion. The company launched Tryptyr, a new treatment for dry eye disease, and announced the acquisition of STAAR Surgical to enhance its offerings in myopia correction. These strategic moves aim to strengthen Alcon’s market position and expand its product portfolio, potentially benefiting shareholders and patients alike.

The most recent analyst rating on (CH:ALC) stock is a Buy with a CHF79.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Alcon stock, see the CH:ALC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 13, 2025