The “wow effect” of the stock market after Macron wore the glasses detached from “Top Gun”. The manufacturer's stock exploded
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland on January 20, 2026. PHOTO: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Emmanuel Macron's aviator sunglasses sent shares of its maker, iVision Tech, up nearly 28 percent on Thursday after the look the French president wore during his speech at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos went viral online.
Italian group iVision Tech, which owns French luxury eyewear brand Henry Jullien, said on Wednesday that the model worn by Macron is the Pacific S 01, which costs 659 euros ($770) when ordered from the company's website.
This “definitely created a wow effect on the stock,” iVision Tech CEO Stefano Fulchir told Reuters.
The stock increase added about 3.5 million euros ($4.1 million) to the Italian company's market capitalization.
Memes, comments and speculation about Macron's appearance have run rampant on social media, with ubiquitous references to the famous 1986 film “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise.
Even US President Donald Trump had a reaction, poking fun at his French counterpart during the leader's White House speech in Davos on Wednesday. “I saw him yesterday (Tuesday, no) with those nice sunglasses. What the hell happened?” Trump said during his speech in Switzerland.
“I actually like him, although it's hard to believe,” Trump mocked the French leader.
Trump mocks Macron's appearance in sunglasses: “What the hell happened?”
Macron's press office said the decision to wear sunglasses during his speech, which took place indoors, was made to protect his eyes due to a ruptured blood vessel in one eye. The Élysée Palace has not confirmed the brand of the glasses.
However, Stefano Fulchir stated that he clearly recognized the Henry Jullien glasses.
The Italian group said it sent Macron the sunglasses as a gift in 2024, but that he insisted on paying for them and made sure they were made in France.
On Wednesday, the group's Milan-listed shares rose nearly 6 percent before being automatically halted from trading for most of the day.
Trading in the stock resumed briefly around 11:15 GMT on Thursday before being halted again. The shares were on track for the biggest daily gain in the company's stock market history.
“Top Gun” at Davos. Macron's glasses caused hysterics on the Internet and blocked the official website of the manufacturer / How much does the accessory cost
