Warby Parker Inc. rises as Meta launches new smart glasses
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 20 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Warby Parker Inc. saw a price increase of 5.34% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, despite the broader market decline with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.71% and the S&P 500 down 0.16%.
The rise in Warby Parker's stock can be attributed to sector rotation, as Meta's recent launch of AI-powered smart glasses at $299 has intensified competition in the wearables market. Meta's aggressive pricing strategy and strong market share, in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, highlight the competitive landscape that may benefit Warby Parker as consumers explore alternatives in smart eyewear.
This development suggests that Warby Parker could capitalize on the growing interest in smart eyewear, positioning itself strategically in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive with new entrants and innovations.
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Analyst Views on WRBY
Wall Street analysts forecast WRBY stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 29.240
Low
18.00
Averages
26.36
High
35.00
Current: 29.240
Low
18.00
Averages
26.36
High
35.00
About WRBY
Warby Parker Inc. is a lifestyle brand that operates at the intersection of design, technology, healthcare, and social enterprise. The Company provides vision care by offering eyewear, contacts, and eye care directly to consumers through its integrated, omnichannel platform. It operates an integrated omnichannel platform across digital commerce and approximately 323 retail stores. It enables customers to customize lenses with a variety of options, including single-vision, progressive, light-responsive, polarized, blue-light-filtering, tinted, and non-prescription lenses. It also offers lens replacements, allowing customers to keep frames as prescription changes. It offers a selection of contact lenses from third-party manufacturers. It also offers in-person eye exams utilizing technology, including digital retinal imaging. It provides telehealth services, such as its Virtual Vision Test app, which enables customers to renew prescriptions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Warby Parker Expands Retail Business with Growth Potential
- Market Expansion Opportunity: Warby Parker is transitioning from an online eyewear store to a full-service retailer, showcasing potential for densification in existing markets and growth in new ones, with expectations of double-digit revenue growth and 100 to 200 basis points EBIT margin expansion.
- Buy Rating Support: BofA Securities has assigned a Buy rating to Warby Parker with a price target of $33, indicating a 13% upside from Friday's close, reflecting analysts' confidence in its unique in-house design and marketing platforms.
- New Business Model: The introduction of $95 eye exams has made exam customers Warby Parker's highest revenue cohort, expected to be accretive over time despite lower margins, particularly appealing to tech-forward eye doctors attracted by the company's low-pressure sales culture.
- Successful In-Store Partnerships: The company has opened five shop-in-shops at Target and plans five more this year, leveraging Target's traffic to attract an older demographic with a higher penetration of more expensive progressive lenses.
See More
Latest Wall Street Ratings Overview
- Applied Aerospace & Defense Rating: Bank of America initiates coverage of Applied Aerospace & Defense (AADX) with a Buy rating and a price target of $24, reflecting a 23x EV/EBITDA for 2027E, indicating strong confidence in the growing demand within the aerospace sector.
- TeraWulf Buy Rating: Citi initiates TeraWulf with a Buy rating and a target price of $36, suggesting optimism regarding the bitcoin miner's expansion in data centers, which highlights a positive outlook for the cryptocurrency industry.
- Liftoff Mobile Buy Rating: Goldman Sachs initiates coverage of Liftoff Mobile, Inc. (LFTO) with a Buy rating and a $40 price target, indicating that the mobile app optimization company has significant room for growth, reflecting a bullish perspective on the mobile technology market.
- Six Flags Market Outperform Rating: Citizens initiates Six Flags as market outperform, noting that while the merger with Cedar Fair has not progressed as expected, continued integration is viewed as a catalyst for driving attendance growth, demonstrating confidence in the theme park industry.
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Warby Parker CEO's Stock Sale Raises Investor Interest
- Stock Sale Overview: Warby Parker's Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal sold 63,040 shares of Class A common stock on May 19, 2026, via open-market conversion of derivative securities for approximately $1.89 million, reflecting a strategic liquidity management approach.
- Holding Change Analysis: Post-transaction, Blumenthal's direct holdings decreased to 50,165 shares, with a direct ownership market value of about $1.28 million, indicating a continued reduction in his stake that may impact future market confidence.
- Transaction Context Interpretation: The sale was executed under a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, indicating it was a routine portfolio management action rather than a significant strategic shift, as Blumenthal retains nearly three million convertible Class B shares.
- Market Performance and Outlook: Warby Parker's stock has risen due to strong business performance, with Q1 revenue increasing 8% year-over-year, and the company expects sales growth of 10% to 12% in 2026 compared to 2025, providing investor confidence despite the executive's stock sale potentially raising short-term concerns.
See More
Warby Parker Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal Sells Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Executive Stock Sale: Warby Parker's Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal sold 63,040 shares of Class A common stock on May 19, 2026, for approximately $1.89 million at an average price of $30.03 per share, reflecting his confidence in the company's future.
- Ownership Change: This transaction represented 12.28% of Blumenthal's direct Class A holdings, yet he retains nearly three million Class B shares post-sale, indicating his ongoing investment and trust in the company he co-founded.
- Positive Market Reaction: At the time of the sale, Warby Parker's stock was near its 52-week high of $31, showcasing market optimism driven by the company's strong performance and growth prospects, with Q1 revenue rising 8% year-over-year to $18.7 million.
- Future Growth Expectations: Warby Parker anticipates sales growth of 10% to 12% in 2026 compared to 2025, a positive outlook that supports rising stock prices, although the analyst team did not include it in their list of top investment stocks.
See More
Meta Unveils AI-Powered Smart Glasses Starting at $299
- Product Launch: Meta has unveiled its new AI-powered smart glasses starting at $299, targeting consumers interested in smart wearables, particularly tech-savvy individuals and content creators.
- Feature Highlights: The glasses come equipped with dual cameras and a microphone, allowing users to access information via voice commands, such as identifying artwork or suggesting recipes based on ingredients, enhancing user experience and interactivity.
- Market Positioning: Despite lacking prominent branding, the glasses offer similar functionalities to other brands, with Meta dominating the smart glasses market, which is expected to further solidify its market share.
- Competitive Landscape: Meta faces competition from companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple, all of which are developing their own smart glasses, indicating that market competition will intensify, necessitating continuous innovation from Meta to maintain its lead.
See More
Meta Launches $299 Smart Glasses Amid Market Competition
- Price Advantage: Meta's newly launched smart glasses are priced at $299, which is $80 less than the second-generation Meta Ray-Ban glasses, aimed at attracting more consumers and increasing market share.
- Market Dominance: In partnership with EssilorLuxottica, Meta holds over 80% market share in the smart glasses sector, having sold millions of units since their 2021 launch, indicating strong market demand.
- Product Features: The new glasses lack a display but include a camera and personal speakers, allowing users to interact with AI for translation or to capture their surroundings, enhancing user experience.
- Future Development Direction: Meta executives have indicated that these lightweight smart glasses represent a step towards more advanced devices, with future versions potentially featuring screens and computing capabilities, further expanding their product line.
See More
Warby Parker Expands Retail Business with Growth Potential
- Market Expansion Opportunity: Warby Parker is transitioning from an online eyewear store to a full-service retailer, showcasing potential for densification in existing markets and growth in new ones, with expectations of double-digit revenue growth and 100 to 200 basis points EBIT margin expansion.
- Buy Rating Support: BofA Securities has assigned a Buy rating to Warby Parker with a price target of $33, indicating a 13% upside from Friday's close, reflecting analysts' confidence in its unique in-house design and marketing platforms.
- New Business Model: The introduction of $95 eye exams has made exam customers Warby Parker's highest revenue cohort, expected to be accretive over time despite lower margins, particularly appealing to tech-forward eye doctors attracted by the company's low-pressure sales culture.
- Successful In-Store Partnerships: The company has opened five shop-in-shops at Target and plans five more this year, leveraging Target's traffic to attract an older demographic with a higher penetration of more expensive progressive lenses.
See More
Latest Wall Street Ratings Overview
- Applied Aerospace & Defense Rating: Bank of America initiates coverage of Applied Aerospace & Defense (AADX) with a Buy rating and a price target of $24, reflecting a 23x EV/EBITDA for 2027E, indicating strong confidence in the growing demand within the aerospace sector.
- TeraWulf Buy Rating: Citi initiates TeraWulf with a Buy rating and a target price of $36, suggesting optimism regarding the bitcoin miner's expansion in data centers, which highlights a positive outlook for the cryptocurrency industry.
- Liftoff Mobile Buy Rating: Goldman Sachs initiates coverage of Liftoff Mobile, Inc. (LFTO) with a Buy rating and a $40 price target, indicating that the mobile app optimization company has significant room for growth, reflecting a bullish perspective on the mobile technology market.
- Six Flags Market Outperform Rating: Citizens initiates Six Flags as market outperform, noting that while the merger with Cedar Fair has not progressed as expected, continued integration is viewed as a catalyst for driving attendance growth, demonstrating confidence in the theme park industry.
See More
Warby Parker CEO's Stock Sale Raises Investor Interest
- Stock Sale Overview: Warby Parker's Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal sold 63,040 shares of Class A common stock on May 19, 2026, via open-market conversion of derivative securities for approximately $1.89 million, reflecting a strategic liquidity management approach.
- Holding Change Analysis: Post-transaction, Blumenthal's direct holdings decreased to 50,165 shares, with a direct ownership market value of about $1.28 million, indicating a continued reduction in his stake that may impact future market confidence.
- Transaction Context Interpretation: The sale was executed under a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, indicating it was a routine portfolio management action rather than a significant strategic shift, as Blumenthal retains nearly three million convertible Class B shares.
- Market Performance and Outlook: Warby Parker's stock has risen due to strong business performance, with Q1 revenue increasing 8% year-over-year, and the company expects sales growth of 10% to 12% in 2026 compared to 2025, providing investor confidence despite the executive's stock sale potentially raising short-term concerns.
See More
Warby Parker Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal Sells Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Executive Stock Sale: Warby Parker's Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal sold 63,040 shares of Class A common stock on May 19, 2026, for approximately $1.89 million at an average price of $30.03 per share, reflecting his confidence in the company's future.
- Ownership Change: This transaction represented 12.28% of Blumenthal's direct Class A holdings, yet he retains nearly three million Class B shares post-sale, indicating his ongoing investment and trust in the company he co-founded.
- Positive Market Reaction: At the time of the sale, Warby Parker's stock was near its 52-week high of $31, showcasing market optimism driven by the company's strong performance and growth prospects, with Q1 revenue rising 8% year-over-year to $18.7 million.
- Future Growth Expectations: Warby Parker anticipates sales growth of 10% to 12% in 2026 compared to 2025, a positive outlook that supports rising stock prices, although the analyst team did not include it in their list of top investment stocks.
See More
Meta Unveils AI-Powered Smart Glasses Starting at $299
- Product Launch: Meta has unveiled its new AI-powered smart glasses starting at $299, targeting consumers interested in smart wearables, particularly tech-savvy individuals and content creators.
- Feature Highlights: The glasses come equipped with dual cameras and a microphone, allowing users to access information via voice commands, such as identifying artwork or suggesting recipes based on ingredients, enhancing user experience and interactivity.
- Market Positioning: Despite lacking prominent branding, the glasses offer similar functionalities to other brands, with Meta dominating the smart glasses market, which is expected to further solidify its market share.
- Competitive Landscape: Meta faces competition from companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple, all of which are developing their own smart glasses, indicating that market competition will intensify, necessitating continuous innovation from Meta to maintain its lead.
See More
Meta Launches $299 Smart Glasses Amid Market Competition
- Price Advantage: Meta's newly launched smart glasses are priced at $299, which is $80 less than the second-generation Meta Ray-Ban glasses, aimed at attracting more consumers and increasing market share.
- Market Dominance: In partnership with EssilorLuxottica, Meta holds over 80% market share in the smart glasses sector, having sold millions of units since their 2021 launch, indicating strong market demand.
- Product Features: The new glasses lack a display but include a camera and personal speakers, allowing users to interact with AI for translation or to capture their surroundings, enhancing user experience.
- Future Development Direction: Meta executives have indicated that these lightweight smart glasses represent a step towards more advanced devices, with future versions potentially featuring screens and computing capabilities, further expanding their product line.
See More
