Ray-Ban Maker EssilorLuxottica Shares Hit All-Time High as AI Smart Glasses Impress Investors

Ray-Ban Maker’s Shares Hit Record High as Investors Bet on Smart Glasses Future

The Franco-Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, maker of the world-famous Ray-Ban glasses, saw its shares skyrocket to an all-time high on Friday after investors showed strong confidence in the company’s new AI-powered smart glasses. The company’s stock jumped 14% in a single day, marking its biggest daily gain since 2008, pushing its market value to nearly €126.5 billion.

Investors have named the company a new “watchlist stock,” anticipating major growth in the smart wearables sector. EssilorLuxottica’s third-quarter financial results revealed an 11.7% year-on-year revenue growth, reaching €6.9 billion, making it one of the company’s strongest quarters in history.

Analysts say the surge is largely due to the company’s partnership with Meta (formerly Facebook) to develop advanced smart glasses. These new-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses feature integrated AI capabilities, enabling users to capture videos, access real-time information, and stay connected to the digital world — blending fashion and technology in a way never seen before.

Experts predict that this innovation could revolutionize the eyewear industry, much like how smartphones transformed communication. According to a Barclays report, global smart glasses sales could reach 60 million units by 2035. This projection has fueled investor enthusiasm, positioning EssilorLuxottica as a potential tech giant of the future.

However, competition is intensifying. Tech heavyweights Apple, Google, and Samsung are also developing their own smart eyewear. Analysts believe EssilorLuxottica’s key challenge will be managing pricing pressure, supply chain stability, and scaling production to meet growing global demand. Despite these hurdles, CEO Francesco Milleri expressed optimism, stating that the company is “well-positioned to lead the future of smart wearables.”

Today, EssilorLuxottica stands at the crossroads of fashion and technology, redefining what eyewear can do. If the company maintains its growth momentum and continues to innovate, it could soon become a global symbol of smart fashion tech. The recent stock surge underscores how investors now see the blend of style and AI as the next big global market trend.