EssilorLuxottica Shares Surge Amid Smart Glasses Momentum

Investor interest in AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta glasses lifted EssilorLuxottica’s shares to a record high, signaling growing confidence in wearables.

Strong Quarterly Results and Market Reaction

EssilorLuxottica shares climbed 14% on Friday, reaching an all-time high and adding nearly €20 billion to its market value. The company reported third-quarter revenue of €6.9 billion ($8.1 billion), up 11.7% year-over-year, marking its strongest quarterly performance to date. Analysts attributed the growth to rising demand for wearable products, particularly the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses developed in partnership with Meta. Although smart glasses currently represent a small portion of total revenue, they have become a strategic focus for both investors and the company.

According to Chief Financial Officer Stefano Grassi, the AI-enabled glasses contributed over four percentage points to overall sales growth. Production capacity for the glasses is being expanded ahead of schedule due to accelerating demand. Barclays analysts have projected that smart glasses could rival the impact of smartphones, estimating global sales to reach 60 million units by 2035. EssilorLuxottica stated that the rapid growth in wearables provided a notable boost to its top-line performance.

Broader Industry Impact and Competitive Landscape

The company’s stock rose 13.8% by mid-afternoon Friday, marking its largest single-day gain since 2008 and lifting its market capitalization to €126.5 billion. This surge also pushed the Stoxx Europe Luxury 10 index up more than 7% for the week, its best performance since January. The latest Ray-Ban Meta models, priced between $379 and $799, feature built-in displays and are currently available in select stores, with broader distribution planned for 2026. Meta’s success in reviving the smart eyewear category has prompted renewed interest from competitors including Google, Samsung, and reportedly Apple.

J.P. Morgan analysts described the smart glasses as a “material growth driver,” noting that EssilorLuxottica’s core business remains stable. Equita raised its annual revenue forecast for wearables, now expecting a €1 billion contribution to group sales this year. The company’s confidence in fourth-quarter and mid-term prospects was highlighted as a key indicator of its strategic momentum. While the smart glasses segment is still emerging, its influence on investor sentiment and corporate planning is increasingly evident.

Revival of Smart Eyewear Market

Smart glasses have historically struggled to gain traction, with earlier efforts from Google and Microsoft failing to achieve widespread adoption. The integration of generative AI and improved camera technology appears to be changing that narrative. Meta’s collaboration with EssilorLuxottica has demonstrated that design and functionality can coexist, reigniting interest in the category. Industry observers suggest that the next wave of wearable computing may be shaped by these developments, with implications for both consumer tech and luxury markets.