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Staar Surgical (STAA)
NASDAQ:STAA
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Staar Surgical (STAA) AI Stock Analysis

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STAA

Staar Surgical

(NASDAQ:STAA)

Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$29.00
▲(4.54% Upside)
Staar Surgical's overall stock score is primarily impacted by financial struggles, with declining revenues and negative margins being significant concerns. Technical analysis shows bullish momentum, but valuation remains weak due to negative profitability. The earnings call provides some optimism with strategic initiatives, but challenges in China and profitability issues weigh heavily.
Positive Factors
Earnings
STAA's 2Q25 revenue beat consensus with growth of 10%.
Market Recovery
Management sounds confident that China can turn around in the second half of 2025, which is its biggest market by far.
Strategic Acquisition
The acquisition makes sense strategically, and valuation appears attractive for a differentiated technology.
Negative Factors
Acquisition Impact
The deal will be dilutive in the first year and modestly accretive in the second year.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Visibility into a macroeconomic turnaround is difficult to predict and purchasing patterns for a premium elective procedure may take time to fully recover.
Stock Performance
The stock is down 58% in the past year, and there is a need to see proof before getting more constructive on the name.

Staar Surgical (STAA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Staar Surgical Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionStaar Surgical Company is a leading medical device company that specializes in the development, manufacture, and marketing of implantable lens products for the eye. Founded in 1982, Staar operates primarily in the ophthalmic sector, focusing on vision correction solutions for conditions such as cataracts and myopia. The company's flagship products include the Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) and the EVO Visian ICL, which are designed to provide a safe and effective alternative to traditional laser vision correction procedures.
How the Company Makes MoneyStaar Surgical generates revenue primarily through the sale of its implantable lens products, which are sold to ophthalmic surgeons and healthcare providers. The company also earns income from related services, including training and support for medical professionals. Key revenue streams include direct sales of lenses and surgical instruments, as well as royalties from licensing agreements with other manufacturers. Staar Surgical has established significant partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and eye care professionals, which contribute to its market penetration and revenue growth. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of vision disorders and the growing demand for innovative vision correction solutions are critical factors driving Staar's earnings.

Staar Surgical Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
The earnings call reflected significant challenges primarily due to the decline in China sales and impact on profitability, but highlighted strategic initiatives in management restructuring, tariff mitigation, and expansion in global markets. The positive strides in operational efficiency and global sales growth were overshadowed by the severe revenue and profitability declines.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Streamlined Management Structure
Reorganization of management with promotions to improve operational efficiency, including Warren Faust as President and Deborah Andrews as Interim CFO.
Tariff Mitigation in China
Successfully negotiated consignment agreements and shipped inventory to China to mitigate tariff impacts, ensuring supply through early 2026.
Global Sales Growth (Excluding China)
Reported 9% sales growth outside of China, driven by strong performance in APAC, Americas, and EMEA regions.
Expansion of Swiss Manufacturing
Increased production capacity in Switzerland with expectations to produce over 300,000 lenses annually by the end of 2026.
Introduction of EVO+ Lens in China
Anticipation for the upcoming approval of the EVO+ (V5) lens in China, expected to enhance the product offering in the market.
Negative Updates
Significant Revenue Decline
Total net sales for Q1 2025 were $42.6 million, down from $77.4 million year-over-year, primarily due to minimal purchases by China distributors.
Profitability Impacted by Restructuring Charges
Q1 2025 reported a $26.4 million adjusted EBITDA loss, impacted by $22.7 million in restructuring and impairment charges.
China Sales Plummet
China sales decreased dramatically from $38.5 million in Q1 2024 to $389,000 in Q1 2025.
Gross Margin Decline
Gross margin decreased to 65.8% from 78.9% year-over-year, with impacts from higher manufacturing costs and inventory reserves.
Inventory Management Challenges
Challenges in managing inventory levels in China, with a focus on aligning Q3 revenue to in-market procedure volume.
Company Guidance
During the STAAR Surgical first quarter 2025 earnings call, several key metrics and strategic initiatives were discussed. The company reported a total net sales of $42.6 million for Q1 2025, a decrease from $77.4 million in the same period last year, primarily due to minimal purchases by China distributors as they consumed existing inventory. Excluding China, net sales grew by 9% year-over-year. The company highlighted its efforts to manage costs, aiming to reduce SG&A to approximately $225 million by the end of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was a loss of $26.4 million, compared to earnings of $5.3 million in the prior year. Gross margin was 65.8%, down from 78.9% in the previous year, with a target of 70% in the second half of 2025. The company ended the quarter with $222.8 million in cash and investments, expecting a minimum cash balance of $140 million before improving cash flows later in the year. Despite withdrawing formal guidance due to economic uncertainties, STAAR Surgical expressed confidence in its strategic initiatives, particularly in managing China tariffs and expanding its manufacturing capacity in Switzerland.

Staar Surgical Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Staar Surgical is facing financial headwinds, particularly in terms of revenue and profitability. The income statement reveals significant challenges with a notable decline in revenue growth and negative margins. The balance sheet remains stable with low leverage, but cash flow analysis shows mixed results with negative operating cash flow.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Staar Surgical's income statement reveals significant challenges, particularly in the TTM period. The company experienced a notable decline in revenue growth, with a negative growth rate of -19.59%. Profitability metrics such as the net profit margin and EBIT margin have turned negative, indicating operational difficulties. Historically, the company showed positive growth and margins, but recent performance suggests a downturn.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The balance sheet remains relatively stable, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12 in the TTM period, indicating conservative leverage. However, the return on equity has turned negative, reflecting the company's recent financial struggles. The equity ratio remains healthy, suggesting a solid capital structure despite recent profitability issues.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows mixed results. The TTM period indicates a significant improvement in free cash flow growth, yet operating cash flow remains negative, highlighting cash management challenges. The free cash flow to net income ratio is strong, suggesting efficient cash conversion, but the negative operating cash flow coverage ratio is a concern.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue224.45M313.90M322.42M284.39M230.47M163.46M
Gross Profit160.94M239.58M252.65M223.38M178.64M118.36M
EBITDA-73.24M-5.72M33.22M48.31M36.98M9.86M
Net Income-95.27M-20.21M21.35M39.66M27.51M5.91M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets437.78M509.52M488.69M415.15M345.78M257.42M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments189.88M230.49M220.73M211.64M199.71M152.45M
Total Debt40.52M38.74M35.83M31.04M32.06M10.80M
Total Liabilities101.21M112.19M102.74M82.71M87.22M60.19M
Stockholders Equity336.57M397.33M385.95M332.44M258.56M197.22M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-26.07M-7.67M-3.59M17.61M30.32M12.55M
Operating Cash Flow-28.52M15.72M14.59M35.72M43.96M20.95M
Investing Cash Flow5.74M-59.22M74.35M-156.38M-13.64M-8.40M
Financing Cash Flow-3.98M5.72M7.42M8.30M17.79M19.57M

Staar Surgical Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price27.74
Price Trends
50DMA
21.63
Positive
100DMA
19.73
Positive
200DMA
20.81
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.73
Positive
RSI
73.50
Negative
STOCH
25.13
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For STAA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 27.74 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 27.62, above the 50-day MA of 21.63, and above the 200-day MA of 20.81, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 73.50 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.13 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for STAA.

Staar Surgical Risk Analysis

Staar Surgical disclosed 44 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Staar Surgical reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Staar Surgical Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$40.19B28.8825.86%0.81%9.84%37.48%
78
Outperform
$169.67B66.0516.02%20.77%23.16%
56
Neutral
$1.36B55.81-25.55%-32.59%-667.81%
55
Neutral
$5.18B-4.22%8.81%40.43%
54
Neutral
$12.68B136.07-3.30%2.81%-27.41%67.01%
54
Neutral
$7.59B116.65-20.54%-8.36%-669.36%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.33-41.39%2.23%23.26%-2.03%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STAA
Staar Surgical
27.74
-3.75
-11.91%
BAX
Baxter International
24.17
-12.52
-34.12%
ISRG
Intuitive Surgical
469.07
-12.66
-2.63%
MASI
Masimo
137.74
22.69
19.72%
RMD
Resmed
270.99
28.35
11.68%
BLCO
Bausch + Lomb Corporation
14.81
-1.50
-9.20%

Staar Surgical Corporate Events

M&A Transactions
Staar Surgical Merges with Alcon in $1.5B Deal
Positive
Aug 5, 2025

On August 4, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company entered into a merger agreement with Alcon, where STAAR will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcon. The merger, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, involves Alcon purchasing all outstanding shares of STAAR for $28 per share, representing a significant premium over STAAR’s recent stock prices. The acquisition is expected to complement Alcon’s laser vision correction business and be accretive in the second year. The transaction is anticipated to close within six to twelve months, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Staar Surgical Appoints Deborah Andrews as CFO
Neutral
Jun 25, 2025

On June 25, 2025, STAAR Surgical announced the appointment of Deborah Andrews as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Andrews, who previously served as interim CFO since March 2025 and held various roles at STAAR, brings extensive experience and is expected to enhance financial and operational rigor. Additionally, STAAR established a new Capital Stewardship Committee to guide financial strategies, chaired by Lilian Y. Zhou, aiming to improve capital management and shareholder value. The company also restructured its investor relations function, resulting in the departure of Brian Moore, Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Development.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Staar Surgical Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting
Neutral
Jun 18, 2025

On June 18, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders where three proposals were voted upon. The shareholders elected six directors for terms expiring at the 2026 Annual Meeting, ratified the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as the independent accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2026, and approved the compensation of the Company’s executive officers on a non-binding advisory basis.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Staar Surgical to Present Strategic Plans to Investors
Positive
Jun 4, 2025

STAAR Surgical Company announced that its representatives will present to investors starting June 4, 2025, sharing insights on their strategic plans and financial performance. The presentation will highlight the company’s focus on innovative vision correction technologies and its commitment to addressing global myopia, with implications for continued growth and market leadership.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 14, 2025