Staar Surg Stock Price, News & Analysis

Yunqi Capital, a 5.1% stakeholder in STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), has announced its opposition to STAAR's proposed sale to Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC) at $28 per share. As STAAR's sixth-largest shareholder with 2,500,061 shares, Yunqi Capital argues that the deal significantly undervalues the company.

The Hong Kong-based investment firm criticizes the Board's decision on three main grounds: (1) failure to conduct a thorough sales process by engaging only with Alcon, (2) an overly pessimistic view of China's market prospects, and (3) inadequate deal valuation, noting the $28 offer represents a 49% discount from Alcon's original October 2024 offer of $55 per share.

Yunqi Capital intends to vote against the merger and urges other shareholders to do the same, aligning with Broadwood Partners (27.4% stockholder) in opposing the transaction.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA), a leader in phakic IOLs, has announced its Board's unanimous support for the proposed merger with Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) at $28.00 per share in cash. The merger represents significant premiums: 51% to the pre-announcement closing price and 59% to the 90-day VWAP.

The company will hold a Special Meeting of Stockholders on October 23, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. PT for shareholders to vote on the merger agreement. The Board strongly recommends voting "FOR" the merger, citing STAAR's lower growth rate, competitive challenges, and declining sales trends in China as key factors making the Alcon deal the best path forward for stockholders.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA), a global leader in phakic IOLs, has reaffirmed the value of its merger agreement with Alcon. The deal offers shareholders $28 per share in cash, representing a 51% premium to STAAR's closing price on August 4, 2025, and a 59% premium to its 90-day VWAP.

The company emphasizes that this valuation exceeds potential standalone performance, particularly given STAAR's declining growth rate and challenges in key markets, especially China. The Board of Directors unanimously supports the merger, citing it as the best interest for all stockholders. STAAR has filed preliminary proxy materials with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) reported challenging Q2 2025 results, with net sales declining 55% year-over-year to $44.3 million, primarily due to planned inventory reduction in China. Excluding China, sales grew 10% to $39.0 million.

The company reported a net loss of $(16.8) million, or $(0.34) per share, compared to net income of $7.4 million year ago. Gross margin decreased to 74.0% from 79.2% last year but improved from 65.8% in Q1 2025. The company maintained a strong balance sheet with $189.9 million in cash and investments, with no debt.

During Q2, STAAR repurchased 261,000 shares for approximately $4.5 million under its $30 million share repurchase program. The company is currently pending acquisition by Alcon Inc.

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) for $28 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $1.5 billion. The deal offers a 59% premium to STAAR's 90-day VWAP.

The acquisition includes STAAR's EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (ICL), which provides vision correction for moderate to high myopia patients. This strategic move enhances Alcon's surgical vision correction portfolio, particularly targeting the growing myopia market, expected to affect 50% of the world's population by 2050.

The transaction is expected to close within 6-12 months, subject to regulatory and STAAR shareholder approval, and become earnings accretive in year two. Alcon plans to finance the acquisition through short- and long-term credit facilities.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA), the global leader in phakic IOLs, has scheduled its second quarter 2025 earnings conference call for August 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The company will release its financial results for the quarter ended June 27, 2025, after the market close on the same day.

STAAR Surgical specializes in Implantable Collamer® Lenses (EVO ICL™), having sold over 3 million ICLs across 75+ countries. The company's innovative EVO ICL™ product line offers vision correction through a minimally invasive procedure, eliminating or reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA), a leader in phakic IOLs, has appointed Deborah Andrews as Chief Financial Officer effective June 25, 2025. Andrews, who has been serving as Interim CFO since March 2025, previously held the CFO position from 2007-2013 and 2017-2020.

The company also announced the formation of a new Capital Stewardship Committee of the Board of Directors, to be chaired by Lilian Y. Zhou, focusing on financial strategies and capital allocation. As part of cost reduction efforts, STAAR is restructuring its investor relations function, with VP Brian Moore departing on June 27, 2025. The company is on track to achieve its targeted $225 million annual SG&A run rate ahead of schedule.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) has announced a $30 million share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors. The company, a global leader in phakic IOLs with the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses, will execute the program over the next six months through various methods including open market purchases and structured agreements. As of March 28, 2025, STAAR had $222.8 million in cash and investments, no outstanding debt, and approximately 49.5 million shares outstanding. The company expects its cash position to remain above $140 million before generating cash in the latter half of 2025. The repurchase program demonstrates management's confidence in STAAR's future growth potential and commitment to shareholder value.

STAAR Surgical (STAA) reported challenging Q1 2025 results with net sales of $42.6 million, down 45% Y/Y, primarily due to planned channel inventory reduction in China. The company posted a net loss of $(54.2) million or $(1.10) per share, compared to $(3.3) million loss year ago. Excluding China, sales grew 9% Y/Y to $42.2 million across all key markets. Gross margin declined to 65.8% from 78.9%. The company implemented cost control measures, targeting SG&A reduction to $225 million by end of 2025. STAAR received regulatory approvals in Taiwan and Brazil for EVO ICL products and expects mid-year approval for EVO+ lenses in China. To address China tariffs, STAAR negotiated consignment agreements and is expanding manufacturing in Switzerland. The company withdrew its previous financial outlook due to global economic uncertainty but expects normalized China sales resumption in Q3 2025.