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Staar Surgical Company (STAA)
:STAA

Staar Surgical (STAA) AI Stock Analysis

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STAA

Staar Surgical

(NASDAQ:STAA)

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Neutral 46 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:46Neutral
Price Target:
$25.00
▼(-0.99% Downside)
Staar Surgical's overall stock score is primarily impacted by its financial performance and technical analysis. The company's financial challenges and bearish technical indicators weigh heavily on the score. The valuation is also weak due to negative earnings. However, the potential merger with Alcon offers a positive outlook, though it is not included in the weighted score due to the exclusion of corporate events.
Positive Factors
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships enhance market reach and product offerings, supporting long-term revenue growth and competitive positioning.
Balance Sheet Health
A low debt-to-equity ratio provides financial stability and flexibility, enabling the company to invest in growth opportunities.
Market Position
Being a key player in a growing market positions the company well for capturing future demand and sustaining revenue growth.
Negative Factors
Profitability Challenges
Sustained profitability challenges can hinder the company's ability to reinvest in its business and maintain competitive advantages.
Cash Flow Issues
Negative cash flow can strain liquidity and limit the company's ability to fund operations and strategic initiatives.
Merger Uncertainty
Legal uncertainties surrounding the merger could delay strategic plans and affect stakeholder confidence, impacting long-term stability.

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

Staar Surgical Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSTAAR Surgical Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells implantable lenses for the eye, and companion delivery systems to deliver the lenses into the eye. The company provides Visian implantable Collamer lens product family (ICLs) to treat visual disorders, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia; and Hyperopic ICL, which treats far-sightedness. It also offers preloaded silicone cataract intraocular lenses and injector systems for use in cataract surgery. In addition, the company sells injector parts, and other related instruments and devices. It markets its products to health care providers, including ophthalmic surgeons, vision and surgical centers, hospitals, government facilities, and distributors, as well as products are primarily used by ophthalmologists. The company sells its products directly through its sales representatives in the United States, Japan, Germany, Spain, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, as well as through own representatives and independent distributors in China, Korea, India, France, Benelux, Italy, and internationally. STAAR Surgical Company was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyStaar Surgical generates revenue primarily through the sale of its implantable lenses and related ophthalmic surgical products. The company's revenue model is built on direct sales to eye care professionals and clinics, as well as partnerships with ophthalmic surgeons who perform procedures using Staar's products. Key revenue streams include the sale of Visian ICL lenses, which are implanted in patients to correct vision, and ancillary products that support surgical procedures. Additionally, Staar Surgical benefits from strategic collaborations and distribution agreements that expand its market reach and enhance its product offerings, ultimately driving sales and contributing to its financial performance.

Staar Surgical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

Staar Surgical Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 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 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue230.59M313.90M322.42M284.39M230.47M163.46M
Gross Profit170.33M239.58M252.65M223.38M178.64M118.36M
EBITDA-54.23M-5.72M33.22M48.31M36.98M9.86M
Net Income-96.37M-20.21M21.35M39.66M27.51M5.91M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets456.36M509.52M488.69M418.82M345.78M257.42M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments192.66M230.49M220.73M211.64M199.71M152.45M
Total Debt39.12M38.74M35.83M31.04M32.06M10.80M
Total Liabilities102.58M112.19M102.74M82.71M87.22M60.19M
Stockholders Equity353.78M397.33M385.95M336.11M258.56M197.22M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-39.54M-7.67M-3.59M17.61M30.32M12.55M
Operating Cash Flow-29.67M15.72M14.59M35.72M43.96M20.95M
Investing Cash Flow46.26M-59.22M74.35M-156.38M-13.64M-8.40M
Financing Cash Flow-4.62M5.72M7.42M8.30M17.79M19.57M

Staar Surgical Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price25.25
Price Trends
50DMA
26.13
Negative
100DMA
26.08
Negative
200DMA
21.86
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.53
Positive
RSI
42.16
Neutral
STOCH
24.70
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For STAA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 25.25 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 25.88, below the 50-day MA of 26.13, and above the 200-day MA of 21.86, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.53 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 42.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 24.70 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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
76
Outperform
$16.09B43.804.59%5.06%-4.47%
69
Neutral
$16.68B30.2011.12%1.74%-25.29%
67
Neutral
$5.68B36.609.81%0.29%9.19%23.06%
61
Neutral
$6.12B-4.69%6.23%17.53%
54
Neutral
$8.12B-17.93%-16.03%-813.48%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
46
Neutral
$1.20B-24.65%-32.42%-540.37%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STAA
Staar Surgical
24.13
0.20
0.84%
COO
Cooper Co
82.08
-11.90
-12.66%
HOLX
Hologic
75.00
2.56
3.53%
MASI
Masimo
138.34
-38.92
-21.96%
STVN
Stevanato Group
20.82
-2.44
-10.49%
BLCO
Bausch + Lomb Corporation
16.99
-1.56
-8.41%

Staar Surgical Corporate Events

M&A Transactions
Staar Surgical Amends Merger Agreement with Alcon
Positive
Dec 9, 2025

On December 9, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company announced an amendment to its merger agreement with Alcon Research, LLC, increasing the cash consideration for its common stock from $28.00 to $30.75 per share. The amendment also outlines the conversion of restricted stock units to Alcon shares and the elimination of certain tax indemnification arrangements, potentially enhancing shareholder value and streamlining the merger process.

M&A Transactions
Staar Surgical Concludes Go-Shop Period with Alcon
Neutral
Dec 8, 2025

On December 8, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company announced the expiration of its go-shop period, which ended on December 6, 2025, as part of its amended merger agreement with Alcon Inc. During this period, STAAR actively solicited acquisition proposals from 21 third parties but received no competing offers, validating the effectiveness of its board’s sale process. The outcome discredits allegations from Broadwood Partners, L.P. about ignored acquisition interest, confirming Alcon as the best buyer for STAAR.

M&A TransactionsShareholder Meetings
Staar Surgical Amends Merger Agreement with Alcon
Neutral
Nov 7, 2025

On November 7, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company announced an amendment to its merger agreement with Alcon Inc., introducing a 30-day go-shop period allowing STAAR to solicit third-party acquisition proposals. This amendment, which includes no termination fee for accepting a superior proposal and Alcon waiving matching rights, aims to maximize shareholder value by encouraging competitive offers. The special meeting of STAAR stockholders to vote on the merger proposal has been postponed to December 19, 2025, to accommodate this process.

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.

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.

M&A TransactionsLegal Proceedings
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.

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.

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: Dec 10, 2025