NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2025, 7:52 p.m. ET — Market closed
Warby Parker Inc. (NYSE: WRBY) heads into the weekend under pressure after a sharp decline in the final session of the holiday-shortened week. Shares closed Friday at $24.18, down $2.16 (-8.18%) from the prior close of $26.33, after trading in a wide $24.14–$26.20 range. With U.S. stock markets closed until Monday, investors are left to weigh whether Friday’s drop was a year-end volatility burst—or a meaningful reset after a catalyst-heavy December for the eyewear retailer. [1]
The broader market backdrop: a quiet Friday, but WRBY wasn’t quiet
Friday’s broader tape was relatively muted, with major U.S. indexes little changed in light post-Christmas trading. Against that calmer backdrop, WRBY’s outsized move stands out—particularly for a stock that has been sensitive to sentiment shifts and headline-driven swings in recent months. [2]
In the past 24–48 hours, the limited company-specific news flow has largely centered on the price action itself. A MarketBeat recap flagged the intraday selloff in WRBY during Friday’s session, while Investing.com listed Warby Parker among notable market-cap “movers” on the day—an indication that the stock’s decline was significant enough to show up on broader market scanners even without a fresh headline catalyst. [3]
Where Warby Parker stock stands right now
As of the most recent official close:
- Last close (Fri.): $24.18
- Day range: $24.14–$26.20
- Volume: ~3.88M shares
- 52-week range: roughly $13.63 to ~$31
- Beta: about 2.07 (a reminder that WRBY tends to move more than the overall market) [4]
That high beta matters as the calendar flips toward year-end positioning and thinner liquidity. Big single-day moves can be amplified in late December—especially for higher-volatility names—so investors will be watching whether trading normalizes as the regular session returns Monday.
What’s driving sentiment: the Google “intelligent eyewear” narrative still dominates
Even though Friday’s drop didn’t come with a new press release, the big narrative shaping WRBY’s medium-term debate remains its “intelligent eyewear” partnership with Google.
Warby Parker’s partnership announcement—published in a press release furnished via the SEC—outlined that Google committed up to $150 million to the collaboration, including up to $75 million for product development/commercialization costs and up to $75 million for a potential equity investment tied to milestones. [5]
Reuters later reported that the companies expect the first AI-powered smart glasses product to launch in 2026, leveraging Android XR and Gemini AI, with two broad device approaches described (screen-free AI assistance vs. display-enabled glasses). Notably, Reuters also emphasized that pricing and distribution details were not provided at the time. [6]
This is the key tension in WRBY’s stock story right now:
- Bulls see a rare “category creation” opportunity that could pull new customers into Warby Parker’s ecosystem (eye exams, prescriptions, and omnichannel retail).
- Bears argue that meaningful revenue and margin impact may be slower and smaller than the market initially priced in.
A clear example of that debate: William Blair’s caution
In a widely circulated note summarized by The Fly (via TipRanks), William Blair took what it called a “sober look” at the Google partnership, suggesting early revenue expectations may be getting ahead of themselves and implying that significant 2026 contribution assumptions could be too aggressive. [7]
Analyst outlook: price targets cluster in the mid-$20s, but the range is wide
Wall Street’s aggregate view on WRBY remains constructive—but not unanimous.
Data aggregators tracking analyst updates show:
- MarketBeat: consensus rating “Moderate Buy,” average target around $26.75, with targets ranging roughly from $20 to $35. [8]
- Benzinga: consensus price target about $25.63 (with a high of $32 and low of $20), reflecting a mix of Buy and Hold stances. [9]
- Investing.com also publishes an average target near the mid-$20s, with a similarly broad high/low spread. [10]
Named calls investors are still citing
While not within the last 48 hours, a cluster of December analyst actions remains central to how the Street frames WRBY:
- Piper Sandler raised its price target to $32 while maintaining an Overweight rating, explicitly tying the re-rate to the optionality around Google AI glasses and potential customer acquisition benefits. Benzinga’s analyst table attributes that call to Anna Andreeva at Piper Sandler. [11]
- Stifel has been more cautious, with a Hold stance and a lower target; Benzinga attributes a recent Stifel rating to Jim Duffy. [12]
Put simply: the upside case exists on paper, but the Street is still debating timing and magnitude—which can translate into volatility when the stock moves quickly in either direction.
Fundamentals check: what Warby Parker last told investors
Warby Parker’s most recent quarterly update (Q3 2025, released Nov. 6) showed accelerating revenue and customer growth, alongside improved profitability metrics. The company reported 15% year-over-year net revenue growth, and management emphasized both operational discipline and a push into AI-enabled innovation. [13]
Among the company’s stated highlights:
- Net income improved to $5.9 million in the quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA rose to $25.7 million (11.6% margin). [14]
- For full-year 2025, Warby Parker guided to net revenue of $871–$874 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $98–$101 million. [15]
- The company said it remained on track to open 45 new stores, including shop-in-shops at select Target locations. [16]
That backdrop matters for WRBY stock because the Google partnership excitement has to coexist with a more traditional retail execution story—stores, traffic, conversion, mix, and margins.
Insider activity: recent Form 4 filings investors often watch
Beyond analyst notes, insider transactions can add texture to sentiment—especially after big spikes.
Recent SEC Form 4 filings show:
- Director Youngme E. Moon reported selling 38,832 shares at $29.07 on Dec. 11, 2025. [17]
- Director Joel E. Cutler reported selling 19,932 shares at a weighted average price around $26.01 on Dec. 16, 2025 (with additional related foundation/trust entries in the filing). [18]
These filings don’t automatically signal a thesis change—insiders sell for many reasons—but they are part of the information set that active traders frequently reference during volatile stretches.
Earnings calendar: the next big “known date” is in early March
If you’re thinking about what could re-price WRBY next, the cleanest scheduled catalyst is the next earnings report.
Both TipRanks and Investing.com list Warby Parker’s next report date as March 4, 2026 (before open), for Q4 2025, with consensus EPS expectations shown on those platforms. Investors should still monitor Warby Parker’s investor relations site for any updates or confirmations as the date approaches. [19]
What investors should know before the next session (Monday)
Because markets are currently closed, the next “real” price discovery for WRBY will happen when trading reopens Monday. Here’s what matters most heading into that open:
- Expect year-end liquidity effects
Late December can bring thinner order books and sharper moves, especially in higher-beta stocks like WRBY. A modest shift in risk appetite can translate into outsized percentage swings. - Watch for any weekend headline surprises
Even if the last 48 hours were quiet on corporate news, investors should keep an eye out for:
- unexpected SEC filings,
- company updates,
- analyst notes that hit the tape early Monday.
- Know the U.S. trading-hour structure
If you plan to monitor Monday’s setup, Nasdaq’s published schedule is a helpful reference: pre-market typically runs 4:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. ET, regular trading 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET, and after-hours 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. ET (broker access varies). [20] - Keep the holiday calendar in mind
The market will be closed for New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026), per official exchange schedules—another factor that can influence end-of-year positioning and liquidity in the sessions leading up to it. [21]
Bottom line
Warby Parker stock enters the weekend on the defensive after a steep Friday decline, with no single new headline clearly explaining the magnitude of the move. The bigger investment narrative—Google-backed intelligent eyewear and what it could mean for Warby Parker’s growth engine—remains intact, but the market is still wrestling with timelines, realistic revenue contribution, and valuation. [22]
For Monday, WRBY investors should be prepared for continued volatility as year-end trading conditions meet an ongoing tug-of-war between bullish “category upside” forecasts and more cautious analyst views urging patience on near-term financial impact.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
References
1. www.foxbusiness.com, 2. www.barchart.com, 3. www.marketbeat.com, 4. www.foxbusiness.com, 5. www.sec.gov, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.tipranks.com, 8. www.marketbeat.com, 9. www.benzinga.com, 10. www.investing.com, 11. www.investing.com, 12. www.benzinga.com, 13. www.businesswire.com, 14. www.businesswire.com, 15. www.businesswire.com, 16. www.businesswire.com, 17. www.sec.gov, 18. www.sec.gov, 19. www.tipranks.com, 20. www.nasdaq.com, 21. www.nyse.com, 22. www.reuters.com
