National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) Sets New 1-Year Low on Analyst Downgrade

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE) hit a new 52-week low on Thursday after Citigroup lowered their price target on the stock from $40.00 to $39.00. Citigroup currently has a buy rating on the stock. National Vision traded as low as $14.75 and last traded at $16.92, with a volume of 13323034 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.94.

EYE has been the topic of a number of other reports. UBS Group decreased their price objective on National Vision from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Wolfe Research set a $35.00 price objective on National Vision in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on National Vision from $30.00 to $22.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Bank of America decreased their price objective on National Vision from $35.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $40.00 price objective on shares of National Vision in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $29.23.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Key Stories Impacting National Vision

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

• Positive Sentiment: National Vision reported first-quarter earnings and revenue that beat estimates, with same-store sales up 4.5% and operating margin expanding by 320 basis points, reinforcing the view that its turnaround is gaining traction. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: The company reiterated its 2026 guidance, suggesting management remains confident in its outlook despite a mixed revenue print and ongoing macro pressure. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Citigroup lowered its price target to $39 from $40 while keeping a buy rating, and other firms also trimmed targets, including Wells Fargo to $20 and Bank of America to $30; the cuts were notable, but all implied meaningful upside from the current share price. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: A securities-law investigation announced by Johnson Fistel could create some overhang on the stock if investor concerns or legal risk intensify. Article Title

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Vision

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 4.4% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 46,257 shares of the company’s stock valued at $591,000 after buying an additional 1,948 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 6.0% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 235,125 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,005,000 after buying an additional 13,384 shares during the period. Creative Planning purchased a new position in shares of National Vision during the second quarter valued at approximately $395,000. Walleye Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 29.4% during the second quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 27,127 shares of the company’s stock valued at $624,000 after buying an additional 6,170 shares during the period. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 13.8% during the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 16,887 shares of the company’s stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 2,049 shares during the period.

National Vision Stock Down 1.5%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.40 billion, a PE ratio of 30.61, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $24.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $26.30.

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 13th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.02. National Vision had a return on equity of 6.41% and a net margin of 2.31%.The firm had revenue of $543.88 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $545.09 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.34 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. National Vision has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.850-1.090 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that National Vision Holdings, Inc. will post 0.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About National Vision

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.