Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 29 2026
0mins
Source: SeekingAlpha
Revenue Revenue for Q1 2026 was $1.2 billion, representing a 5% increase year-over-year. This growth was driven by strong performance in the Consumer and Vision Care segments, as well as favorable foreign exchange rates.
Gross Margin Gross margin improved to 58%, up from 56% in Q1 2025. The 2% increase was attributed to cost efficiencies and a favorable product mix.
Operating Income Operating income was $250 million, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. This was due to higher revenue and improved operational efficiencies.
Net Income Net income for the quarter was $150 million, up 15% year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by higher operating income and lower interest expenses.
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Earnings per share came in at $0.75, a 15% increase from $0.65 in Q1 2025, reflecting the growth in net income.
Free Cash Flow Free cash flow was $100 million, a 25% increase year-over-year, driven by improved working capital management and higher operating cash flows.
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Analyst Views on BLCO
Wall Street analysts forecast BLCO stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 17.110
Low
13.00
Averages
18.11
High
21.00
Current: 17.110
Low
13.00
Averages
18.11
High
21.00
About BLCO
Bausch + Lomb Corporation is an eye health company. It operates through three segments: Vision Care, Pharmaceuticals, and Surgical. Vision Care segment includes both a contact lens and a consumer eye care business that consists of contact lens care products, over-the-counter eye drops and eye vitamins. Pharmaceuticals segment consists of generic pharmaceutical products for post-operative treatments and treatments for a number of eye conditions, such as glaucoma, eye inflammation, ocular hypertension, dry eyes and retinal diseases. Surgical segment consists of medical device equipment, consumables, instruments and technologies for the treatment of cataracts, corneal and vitreous and retinal eye conditions, which includes delivery systems, phacoemulsification equipment and other surgical instruments and devices for cataract surgery. Its brands consist of PreserVision, Biotrue, Artelac, Alaway, Mioclear, Ocuvite, ScoutPro, XIIDRA, Vyzulta, Lotemax, Prolensa, Minims, INFUSE, and many more.
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.
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- Webcast Information: The company will provide a live webcast for the earnings release, with all relevant materials available on the Investor Relations section prior to the call, ensuring timely access to information and enhancing market trust.
- Global Eye Health Mission: Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to helping people see better to live better, having evolved over nearly two centuries to meet the changing needs of patients and customers, showcasing its commitment to innovation and leadership in eye health.
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- Webcast Information: The company will provide a live webcast for the earnings release, with all relevant materials available on the Investor Relations section prior to the call, ensuring timely access to information and enhancing market trust.
- Global Eye Health Mission: Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to helping people see better to live better, having evolved over nearly two centuries to meet the changing needs of patients and customers, showcasing its commitment to innovation and leadership in eye health.
- Diverse Product Line: The company offers a wide range of products from contact lenses to prescription items, over-the-counter options, and surgical devices, demonstrating its comprehensive approach and ongoing innovation in the eye health sector aimed at improving patient care standards.
See More
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- Emotional Health Impact: The survey reveals that 73% of dry eye sufferers reported improvement in stress or anxiety levels following treatment, indicating that addressing symptoms not only alleviates physical discomfort but also enhances overall emotional well-being.
- Confidence and Productivity: Approximately 60% of prescription eye drop users reported substantial improvements in self-confidence (64%) and productivity (60%), compared to only 25% and 43% of OTC users, respectively, highlighting the effectiveness of prescription treatments.
- Awareness Gaps: The survey found that 90% of sufferers were unaware that dry eye symptoms could be linked to menopause, and 78% did not know about associations with autoimmune conditions, indicating a significant need for public education on dry eye awareness.
- Impact on Life Quality: Additionally, 22% of respondents felt that dry eye symptoms affected their self-confidence, 20% reported impacts on emotional health, and 33% indicated that symptoms influenced their stress and anxiety levels, underscoring the profound effects of dry eye on quality of life.
See More
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- Executive Compensation Approval: Shareholders approved the compensation of named executive officers in a non-binding advisory vote, reflecting recognition of the management team and potentially enhancing executive motivation and retention.
- Auditor Appointment: The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm until the 2027 Annual Meeting ensures financial transparency and compliance for the company.
- Commitment to Disclosure: The company will file a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission detailing the final vote results and will make this report available on its website, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and shareholder communication.
See More
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- Surgical Business Challenges: Although the surgical segment showed growth, results fell short of expectations due to weather-related disruptions and reimbursement pressures, with the CEO emphasizing the need to rebuild the U.S. surgical team to strengthen competitive positioning.
- Improved Adjusted EPS: The adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.08, compared to a loss of $0.07 in the prior year, reflecting improvements in the quality of earnings and effective conversion of operating leverage.
- Full-Year Revenue Guidance Raised: The company raised its full-year revenue guidance by $45 million to a range of $5.42 billion to $5.52 billion, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance despite external cost pressures.
See More
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- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $1.24 billion, an 8.8% year-over-year increase, beating market expectations by $20 million, reflecting robust recovery in product demand.
- Adjusted EBITDA Performance: Adjusted EBITDA stood at $189 million, with $200 million excluding acquired IPR&D, demonstrating ongoing improvements in cost control and operational efficiency.
- 2026 Outlook: Bausch + Lomb raised its revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026, targeting $5.475 billion, showcasing confidence in growth from the dry eye market and the strategic potential of its expansion plans.
See More
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- Flow Rate Efficiency: Compared to the Bi-Blade, the Bi-Blade+ achieves a 25% increase in average flow rate, making vitreous removal more efficient and optimizing surgical outcomes.
- Reduced Pressure Fluctuations: When used with Adaptive Fluidics, Bi-Blade+ demonstrates a 62% reduction in average infusion pressure during surgery, ensuring intraocular pressure stability and reducing surgical risks.
- Clinical Application Prospects: A study showed that the combination of Bi-Blade+ and Adaptive Fluidics significantly improved intraocular pressure, bringing it closer to physiological levels (10-20 mmHg), thus providing a better operational experience for retinal surgeries.
See More
