National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.02 EPS

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) announced its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.02, FiscalAI reports. National Vision had a net margin of 1.49% and a return on equity of 5.15%. The business had revenue of $543.88 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $545.09 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.34 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. National Vision updated its FY 2026 guidance to 0.850-1.090 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from National Vision’s conference call:

• Q1 results were solid, with revenue up 6.6% to $544 million, comparable store sales up 4.5%, and adjusted operating margin expanding 210 basis points to 10.2%. Adjusted EPS rose to $0.45 from $0.34 a year ago.
• The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, citing confidence in its growth initiatives and saying Q2 comp trends are temporarily pressured by the new website re-platforming. Management said traffic is improving sequentially and the business remains within plan.
• Mix shift toward higher-value customers and products continued to drive ticket growth, especially in managed care, progressive lenses, and premium frames. Management said cash-pay customers are also trading up, supporting stronger and more profitable growth.
• The company highlighted several new product and merchandising launches, including Ray-Ban Meta expansion, Nikeon Lenswear pilot, and added premium brands like Tory Burch, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Persol. Management believes these initiatives should help lift average ticket and margins over time.
• Cost discipline and balance sheet improvements helped profitability, with SG&A leverage driving margin expansion and debt falling to $241.8 million net of discounts. National Vision also ended the quarter with $361.2 million of total liquidity and expects about $10 million of annualized cost savings this year.

National Vision Price Performance

Shares of EYE stock traded up $0.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $17.72. 5,372,267 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,531,583. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $25.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $26.42. National Vision has a 1-year low of $14.75 and a 1-year high of $30.02. The firm has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a PE ratio of 47.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.18.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Vision

In other news, Chairman L Reade Fahs sold 7,601 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.58, for a total transaction of $224,837.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 694,880 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,554,550.40. This trade represents a 1.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 68,819 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,583,000 after purchasing an additional 637 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 14,245 shares of the company’s stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 975 shares in the last quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 10.4% during the 4th quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. now owns 10,377 shares of the company’s stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 977 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Vision during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 16.6% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 8,303 shares of the company’s stock worth $214,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185 shares in the last quarter.

Key Stories Impacting National Vision

Here are the key news stories impacting National Vision this week:

• Positive Sentiment: National Vision reported first-quarter EPS of $0.45, beating estimates of $0.43, while revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $543.9 million, helping drive investor interest. National Vision Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s earnings call highlights pointed to strong revenue growth and improving operating performance, reinforcing the view that the quarter came in ahead of expectations. National Vision Holdings Inc (EYE) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and …
• Neutral Sentiment: Management issued FY2026 EPS guidance of $0.85 to $1.09 and revenue guidance of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion, which is roughly in line to slightly below Wall Street expectations, limiting the upside from the earnings beat. National Vision Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst reaction has been mixed: Bank of America lowered its price target to $30 from $35 but kept a buy rating, while Wells Fargo cut its target to $20 from $30 and moved to equal weight, suggesting some caution around the stock’s near-term rerating. Benzinga
• Negative Sentiment: A shareholder investigation announcement from Johnson Fistel may add overhang, as it raises the possibility of legal scrutiny tied to investor losses. National Vision Holdings, Inc. Shareholders Are Encouraged to Reach Out to Johnson Fistel for More Information about Potentially Recovering Their Losses

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EYE. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of National Vision from a “sell (d-)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Wolfe Research set a $35.00 price objective on shares of National Vision in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of National Vision from $30.00 to $20.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $40.00 price objective on shares of National Vision in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Roth Mkm set a $25.00 price objective on shares of National Vision in a research report on Thursday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $29.31.

National Vision Company Profile

National Vision Holdings, Inc is an American optical retailer specializing in accessible vision care and eyewear. The company operates under multiple retail banners, offering comprehensive eye health services and a wide range of optical products. Since its founding in the early 1990s, National Vision has focused on providing value-driven solutions, targeting underserved and price‐conscious consumer segments.

Through its primary retail brands—including America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Optical America and Vista Optical—National Vision delivers services such as comprehensive eye examinations, prescription eyewear, contact lenses, sunglasses and lens accessories.