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Staar Surgical Company (STAA)
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Staar Surgical (STAA) AI Stock Analysis

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STAA

Staar Surgical

(NASDAQ:STAA)

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Neutral 50 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:50Neutral
Price Target:
$27.00
▲(6.93% Upside)
Staar Surgical's overall stock score is primarily impacted by its financial performance and valuation concerns. The company's declining revenue and profitability, coupled with a negative P/E ratio, highlight significant operational and valuation challenges. Technical analysis provides a neutral outlook, with no strong momentum indicators. The absence of earnings call data and corporate events leaves some uncertainty about future strategic directions.
Positive Factors
Partnership with Alcon
The merger with Alcon could strengthen Staar Surgical's market position by leveraging Alcon's extensive distribution network and resources, potentially enhancing product reach and innovation capabilities.
Low Leverage
A low debt-to-equity ratio indicates conservative financial management, providing flexibility for future investments and reducing risk associated with interest obligations.
Free Cash Flow Growth
Improved free cash flow growth suggests better cash management and operational efficiency, which can support reinvestment in business growth and innovation.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue Growth
A significant decline in revenue growth indicates challenges in market demand or competitive positioning, which could impact long-term profitability and market share.
Negative Profitability Metrics
Negative profitability metrics highlight operational inefficiencies and potential pricing pressures, which may require strategic adjustments to restore financial health.
Negative Operating Cash Flow
Negative operating cash flow suggests difficulties in generating sufficient cash from core operations, potentially limiting the ability to fund growth initiatives without external financing.

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 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Chart Insights
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Staar Surgical Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 25, 2026
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 faces financial challenges with declining revenue growth and negative profitability metrics. Despite a stable balance sheet with low leverage, the income statement and cash flow statements highlight operational difficulties. The company must address these issues to improve financial health.
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 2021Dec 2018Dec 2017Dec 2016
Income Statement
Total Revenue270.23M313.90M230.47M123.95M90.61M82.43M
Gross Profit207.17M239.58M178.64M91.51M64.28M58.37M
EBITDA-26.91M-5.72M36.98M9.06M-277.00K-9.66M
Net Income-16.87B-20.21M27.51M4.97M-2.14M-12.13M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets456.36M509.52M345.78M167.34M67.93M65.44M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments192.66M230.49M199.71M103.88M18.52M14.00M
Total Debt39.12M38.74M32.06M5.34M6.25M6.82M
Total Liabilities102.58M112.19M87.22M34.91M25.00M27.54M
Stockholders Equity353.78M397.33M258.56M132.43M42.94M37.91M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-58.48M-7.67M30.32M10.52M1.81M-2.16M
Operating Cash Flow-65.19M15.72M43.96M12.77M2.85M1.05M
Investing Cash Flow30.51M-59.22M-13.64M-2.25M-1.05M-3.21M
Financing Cash Flow-2.89M5.72M17.79M74.64M2.44M2.95M

Staar Surgical Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price25.25
Price Trends
50DMA
26.78
Negative
100DMA
23.88
Positive
200DMA
21.18
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.18
Positive
RSI
52.29
Neutral
STOCH
34.88
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 25.25 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.13, below the 50-day MA of 26.78, and above the 200-day MA of 21.18, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.18 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.29 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.88 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
72
Outperform
$13.69B33.975.01%6.35%12.94%
69
Neutral
$16.52B29.8611.12%1.74%-25.29%
64
Neutral
$6.82B46.699.55%0.25%5.95%7.73%
56
Neutral
$7.63B-17.93%-16.03%-813.48%
56
Neutral
$5.57B-4.69%6.23%17.53%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
50
Neutral
$1.25B-24.65%-32.42%-540.37%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STAA
Staar Surgical
26.63
-2.96
-10.00%
COO
Cooper Co
69.00
-34.75
-33.49%
HOLX
Hologic
74.15
-4.61
-5.85%
MASI
Masimo
143.84
-18.57
-11.43%
STVN
Stevanato Group
24.41
2.69
12.38%
BLCO
Bausch + Lomb Corporation
15.53
-4.47
-22.35%

Staar Surgical Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsShareholder Meetings
Staar Surgical Postpones Stockholders Meeting Amid Merger Talks
Neutral
Oct 27, 2025

On October 27, 2025, STAAR Surgical announced the postponement of its special meeting of stockholders, originally scheduled for November 6, 2025, to December 3, 2025, due to ongoing discussions with Alcon regarding a merger agreement. The new record date for voting eligibility is October 24, 2025. This delay reflects the company’s strategic considerations in finalizing the merger, which could significantly impact its market positioning and stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsShareholder Meetings
STAAR Surgical Adjourns Stockholders Meeting for Merger
Neutral
Oct 23, 2025

On October 23, 2025, STAAR Surgical announced the adjournment of its special stockholders meeting, originally scheduled for the same day, to November 6, 2025. This meeting is intended to vote on the merger agreement with Alcon, a global leader in eye care. The adjournment allows more time for stockholders to consider the merger proposal, which could significantly impact STAAR’s operations and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

Legal ProceedingsM&A Transactions
STAAR Surgical Faces Legal Challenges in Alcon Merger
Negative
Oct 14, 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. However, the merger has faced legal challenges as two lawsuits were filed by STAAR stockholders alleging misrepresentation in the proxy statement. Despite these challenges, STAAR plans to supplement the proxy statement to provide additional information to stockholders. The outcome of these legal matters remains uncertain, but STAAR believes the claims are without merit and aims to proceed with the merger to enhance shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

M&A Transactions
Staar Surgical Announces Proposed Merger with Alcon
Positive
Sep 26, 2025

On September 26, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company announced an investor presentation and press release regarding a proposed merger with Alcon, highlighting the merger’s potential to maximize value for stockholders. The Board of Directors believes the all-cash offer of $28.00 per share provides a significant premium and is the best strategic path forward, considering the company’s standalone challenges and lack of competing acquisition proposals over the past decade.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

STAAR Surgical Announces Merger with Alcon
Sep 16, 2025

On August 4, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company entered into a merger agreement with Alcon Research, LLC, and Rascasse Merger Sub, Inc., a subsidiary of Alcon. According to the agreement, STAAR will merge with Rascasse Merger Sub, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcon. STAAR stockholders will receive $28.00 in cash per share, representing a 59% premium to the 90-day volume weighted average price of STAAR stock as of August 4, 2025. The merger, which has been unanimously approved by STAAR’s Board of Directors, is contingent upon stockholder approval at a special meeting scheduled for October 23, 2025. If completed, STAAR will cease to be publicly traded, impacting its stockholders and market presence.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

Staar Surgical’s Merger Faces Hurdles: Stockholder Approval and Regulatory Challenges Loom
Aug 8, 2025

The completion of the merger involving Staar Surgical Company is contingent upon fulfilling several conditions, including stockholder approval and regulatory clearances, which may not be achieved in a timely manner or at all. The concentrated ownership of Staar’s common stock, with the largest investor holding approximately 27%, poses a significant risk if they do not support the merger. Additionally, regulatory approvals from jurisdictions such as China and Japan, along with compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, add layers of complexity. Failure to consummate the merger could lead to financial penalties, negative publicity, and potential declines in stock value, impacting the company’s financial health and stakeholder relationships.

STAAR Surgical Reports Q2 2025 Earnings Amidst Challenges
Aug 7, 2025

STAAR Surgical Company, a leader in the field of ophthalmic surgery, specializes in implantable phakic intraocular lenses (ICLs) designed for vision correction, offering a minimally invasive alternative to glasses or contact lenses. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the company has a global presence with operations in over 75 countries.

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.

The most recent analyst rating on (STAA) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Staar Surgical stock, see the STAA Stock Forecast page.

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: Oct 24, 2025