Cooper Companies: Strategic Review, Governance Improvements, and Product Pipeline Support Buy Rating and Multiple Expansion Potential

, an analyst from William Blair, has initiated a new Buy rating on Cooper Co (COO).

William Blair has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors that highlight both improving fundamentals and attractive optionality for shareholders. The firm sees meaningful value in Cooper Companies’ ongoing strategic review, including the potential separation or sale of the CooperSurgical business, which could free up capital for reinvestment in CooperVision, share repurchases, or targeted acquisitions. In addition, the stock currently trades at a discount to peers on a forward earnings basis despite expectations for comparable earnings growth, suggesting room for multiple expansion as execution improves. Recent governance changes, such as refreshed board dynamics, revised executive incentives tied to total shareholder return, and an increased focus on buybacks, further support the potential for enhanced shareholder value.

William Blair also views the company’s fiscal 2026 guidance as prudently set, leaving room for upside if conditions in the fertility market stabilize and supply constraints in key lens franchises ease. Improved availability of MyDay lenses should support a series of new product launches, including expanded myopia management and specialty lens offerings, as well as more private-label opportunities. The firm acknowledges competitive and execution risks—particularly from rival myopia-control products—but believes that broader category awareness and pipeline catalysts, such as the pending SightGlass spectacle approval, can reinforce Cooper’s growth trajectory. Taken together, these factors underpin William Blair’s conviction that the risk-reward profile is favorable at current valuation levels, justifying a Buy recommendation.

In another report released on January 23, Barclays also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $98.00 price target.

Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 21 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of COO in relation to earlier this year.