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National Vision Holdings, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 11 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net revenue rose 6.6%: Net revenue rose 6.6% to $543.9 million from $510.3 million, helped by comparable store sales and a 2.0% benefit from the timing of unearned revenue. Source
  • Adjusted operating income and margin rose: Adjusted operating income rose 34.4% to $55.5 million from $41.3 million. Adjusted operating margin was 10.2%, up from 8.1%. Source
  • EPS rose, unearned revenue added $0.07: Diluted EPS was $0.38 against $0.18, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.45 against $0.34. The unearned revenue margin change added $0.07 to both measures. Source
  • Comparable sales rose on ticket and managed care: Comparable store sales grew 4.4% and adjusted comparable store sales grew 4.5%, with management citing higher average ticket and continued managed care strength. Source
  • AAFES names National Vision sole optical partner: The AAFES agreement makes National Vision the only optical retail partner on AAFES bases in the U.S., effective April 1, 2026. Source
  • SG&A ratio fell on payroll, advertising: SG&A rose 0.2% to $256.1 million, but its share of net revenue fell 300 basis points to 47.1%, driven by lower payroll and advertising. Source

“We believe our advancements across merchandising and store experience are strengthening our position as the destination for value in the optical category - delivering great branded products and leading eye exams without compromise, for every customer.”

Alex Wilkes, National Vision’s CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenue SourceFiscal 2026 (52 weeks ending January 2, 2027)$2.033 billion - $2.091 billionKept
Adjusted comparable store sales growth SourceFiscal 20263.0% - 6.0%Kept
Total comparable store sales growth SourceFiscal 20262.8% - 5.8%Kept
Adjusted operating income SourceFiscal 2026$107 million - $133 millionKept
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026$0.85 - $1.09Kept
New stores SourceFiscal 202630-35Kept
Depreciation and amortization SourceFiscal 2026$88 million - $92 millionKept
Interest expense SourceFiscal 2026$14 million - $16 millionKept
Tax rate SourceFiscal 202628%Kept
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026$73 million - $78 millionKept
Share count assumption SourceFiscal 2026approximately 82 million sharesKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Management announced an expanded relationship with AAFES, naming National Vision the sole optical retail partner on AAFES bases in the U.S. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net revenue rose 6.6%: Net revenue rose 6.6% to $543.9 million from $510.3 million, helped by comparable store sales and a 2.0% benefit from the timing of unearned revenue. Source
  • Adjusted operating income and margin rose: Adjusted operating income rose 34.4% to $55.5 million from $41.3 million. Adjusted operating margin was 10.2%, up from 8.1%. Source
  • EPS rose, unearned revenue added $0.07: Diluted EPS was $0.38 against $0.18, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.45 against $0.34. The unearned revenue margin change added $0.07 to both measures. Source

Products, customers and channels

  • Comparable sales rose on ticket and managed care: Comparable store sales grew 4.4% and adjusted comparable store sales grew 4.5%, with management citing higher average ticket and continued managed care strength. Source
  • Customers trading up to better products: Management said customers continued to opt into better products and that the company expanded its managed care business during the quarter. Source
  • AAFES names National Vision sole optical partner: The AAFES agreement makes National Vision the only optical retail partner on AAFES bases in the U.S., effective April 1, 2026. Source

“We have the right team and the right strategy in place to continue driving our transformation.”

Alex Wilkes, National Vision’s CEO

Brands and store footprint

  • Three brands grew comps; America's Best eased: Comparable sales were 4.4% at America's Best (down from 5.9%), 5.2% at Eyeglass World (up from 3.1%), 2.2% at Military (up from 1.7%) and 4.7% at Fred Meyer (up from 1.6%). Source
  • Eight America's Best stores opened: The company opened eight America's Best stores and closed three America's Best stores and one Military store during the quarter. Source
  • Twenty Military stores added at quarter end: At quarter end the company added 20 new Military stores, expanding its presence in the military channel. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Cost ratio rose on product mix: Costs applicable to revenue rose 6.8% to $219.1 million. Their share of net revenue rose 10 basis points to 40.3%, partly offset by pricing and optometrist-related cost leverage. Source
  • SG&A ratio fell on payroll, advertising: SG&A rose 0.2% to $256.1 million, but its share of net revenue fell 300 basis points to 47.1%, driven by lower payroll and advertising. Source
  • Adjusted SG&A ratio fell 200 basis points: Adjusted SG&A rose 2.1% to $246.0 million and fell to 45.2% of net revenue. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Cash rose to $67.9 million: Cash stood at $67.9 million at April 4, 2026, up from $38.7 million at January 3, 2026. Source
  • Revolver undrawn at quarter end: No borrowings were drawn on the $300.0 million first lien revolver. Letters of credit of $6.7 million were outstanding. Source
  • Total debt was $241.8 million: Total debt of $241.8 million comprised first lien term loans and finance lease obligations, net of unamortized discounts. Source
  • Operating cash flow was $61.7 million: Net cash provided by operating activities was $61.7 million in the quarter, against $32.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Treasury stock purchases $10.5 million: The company bought $10.5 million of treasury stock, against $1.6 million a year earlier. Net cash used for financing activities was $14.1 million. Source
  • $50 million buyback authorization in place: The board authorized repurchases of up to $50 million of common stock from March 2, 2026 until December 28, 2030, as reported in the prior release.

Strategy and investment

  • Data and consumer insights in use: Management said it is using data and consumer insights more than before, which it said makes the company more agile and customer-centric. Source
  • ERP and CRM costs declined: ERP and CRM implementation expenses were $0.4 million in the quarter, against $2.3 million a year earlier, as adjusted for non-GAAP purposes. Source
  • Store segmentation and premium lens activation: Management said it is moving forward with activating its store segmentation initiative and executing its premium lens strategy. Source

Coming up, as management said on 13 May 2026

  • Executing with discipline through 2026: Management said it remains focused on executing with discipline through 2026 and delivering sustainable value for customers and shareholders. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Store count, end of period Source1,274
America's Best stores opened in quarter Source8
Military stores added at quarter end Source20

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited lower self-pay customer traffic as an offset to comparable store sales growth in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the transformation laid out at Investor Day is translating into growth and improved profitability. Source
  • Not stated: Management described operating margin expansion as a clear priority and said the company was delivering on it.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.