Meta Acquires Minority Stake in EssilorLuxottica for Approximately $3.5 Billion

Meta Platforms acquired an unknown minority stake in EssilorLuxottica for approximately €3 billion, valuing the stake at around 3% of EssilorLuxottica's shares. The deal was completed on July 9, 2025.

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has acquired a minority stake in EssilorLuxottica S.A. (EPA: EL), a leading eyewear company, for approximately €3 billion. The acquisition, completed on July 9, 2025, values the stake at around 3% of EssilorLuxottica's shares, according to Bloomberg [1].

The investment aligns with Meta's strategic push into AI-powered eyewear, as the company continues to grow outside its traditional social media platforms. Meta's acquisition follows its ongoing partnership with EssilorLuxottica, which includes co-developing smart glasses like the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands. Meta currently markets Ray-Ban smart glasses and recently introduced a new line of Oakley-branded products enhanced with AI technology.

EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri had signaled last year that a stake purchase by Meta was under consideration, though terms had yet to be finalized at the time. The deal’s closing indicates growing confidence within both firms that smart eyewear is poised for mainstream adoption. The acquisition also illustrates Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s broader pivot toward artificial intelligence as a core growth pillar for the company.

Meta may expand its stake to roughly 5% in the future, though no final decision has been made. The investment cements Meta’s position as a strategic partner while keeping its ownership as a minority investor. American Depository Receipts of EssilorLuxottica rose 7% before the closing bell following the report [2].

The deal comes as Meta bets big on smart wearables embedded with artificial intelligence, amid its broader efforts to transition into a leading AI company. EssilorLuxottica, which designs, manufactures, and distributes ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses globally, has licenses to make eyewear for luxury names like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Armani, and Versace, among others [3].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meta-invests-3-5-billion-194124193.html
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4465967-meta-buys-minority-stake-in-eyewear-giant-essilorluxottica-worth-35b
[3] https://simplywall.st/stocks/fr/healthcare/epa-el/essilorluxottica-societe-anonyme-shares