Alcon Deal Brings Cash but Core Lens Sales Slump Forces Guidance Withdrawal
Alcon partnership: $60M upfront, up to $140M milestones, royalties RxSight will co-develop adjustable lenses with Alcon, getting $60 million upfront, up to $140 million more if milestones are met, and royalties on sales. Alcon handles global selling. This validates RxSight's technology and gives cash and a bigger reach, which supports the stock.
This is the biggest new positive force for RXST this period.
Core Light Adjustable Lens sales fall 19%, guidance withdrawn Second-quarter product sales excluding Alcon dropped 19% to $27.2 million, lens unit volumes fell 9%, and gross margin slipped. The company withdrew its 2026 guidance and now expects to give new guidance in early 2027. This weak core business is the main reason the stock is under pressure.
This is the key negative driver and explains why the stock is moving down despite the Alcon deal.
Analyst downgrades and fair value cut after soft Q2 Jefferies cut its price target to $6.50 and BofA to $6.50 with an Underperform rating after Q2 sales missed expectations. The modelled fair value fell from $9.93 to $8.43. These downgrades reflect lower growth and profit assumptions, which weigh on the stock price.
Analyst reactions show how the weak quarter changed professional expectations for RXST.
Alcon's strong Q2 and IOL demand support collaboration outlook Alcon reported 7% sales growth, raised its EPS outlook, and said its premium lens adoption is strong. Alcon also discontinued a competing lens program and highlighted the RxSight collaboration. A healthy partner with commercial reach improves the odds the co-developed lenses succeed, a longer-term positive for RxSight.
Alcon's health and commitment are a real counterweight to RxSight's own weak sales.