EssilorLuxottica Hits 19.6% Nikon Stake; Acquisition Talk Resurfaces

EssilorLuxottica — the French company behind Ray-Ban — has lifted its Nikon stake to 19.61%, up from 5.1% in October 2024. A paywalled Japanese magazine column from mid-August 2026 quoted unnamed sources saying the holding could be a prelude to a full acquisition. That's speculation, not a confirmed plan. Nikon posted large losses for the fiscal year ending March 2026 and has a new president in place. EssilorLuxottica received Japanese government clearance under FEFTA to hold up to 20% — it's now sitting just under that ceiling. Nikon Rumors notes an acquisition remains unlikely given Japan's national security constraints over Nikon's technology.