Slotnik Capital Acquires 635,000 Shares of STAAR Surgical for $17.06 Million
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 30 2025
0mins
Should l Buy STAA?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- New Investment Position: Slotnik Capital initiated a new position in STAAR Surgical by acquiring 635,000 shares valued at approximately $17.06 million during Q3, representing 5.33% of the fund's reportable U.S. equity holdings, although this stake remains outside the fund's top five positions, indicating confidence in the company's future potential.
- Strong Financial Performance: STAAR Surgical reported net sales of $94.7 million in its latest earnings report, reflecting a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, while gross margins surged to 82.2%, demonstrating effective management of costs and market demand, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the ophthalmic surgery market.
- Robust Cash Flow: As of the end of the quarter, STAAR Surgical held approximately $193 million in cash and investments with no debt, allowing for flexibility in navigating demand fluctuations in Asia while continuing stock buybacks, which bolsters investor confidence.
- Clear Market Positioning: As a specialized medical device manufacturer focused on advanced implantable lenses, STAAR maintains a direct sales approach to engage with eye care professionals and continues to innovate to address unmet needs in the refractive and cataract surgery markets, ensuring its leadership in the industry.
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Analyst Views on STAA
Wall Street analysts forecast STAA stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 16.490
Low
30.75
Averages
30.75
High
30.75
Current: 16.490
Low
30.75
Averages
30.75
High
30.75
About STAA
STAAR Surgical Company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells implantable lenses for the eye and accessory delivery systems used to deliver the lenses into the eye. The Company markets and sells its ICLs for refractive surgery to treat myopia (nearsightedness) as its EVO family of lenses. Its EVO family of lenses includes its EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, and EVO Visian ICL. The Company's newest offering, EVO Viva, has an extended depth of focus (EDoF) optic, which is designed to treat myopia with presbyopia (age-related loss of ability to focus). It also market and sell an ICL lens to treat hyperopia (farsightedness), called Visian ICL. It makes its ICL product offerings available in multiple models, powers and lengths, including some with toric ICL (TICL) versions to correct for astigmatism (blurred vision). The Company’s principal products are ICLs used in refractive surgery, including its EVO family of lenses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- Upgrades and Downgrades: While specific stock names are not mentioned, such rating changes typically lead to price fluctuations in the affected stocks, prompting investors to closely monitor these adjustments for portfolio optimization.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Analyst rating adjustments may trigger short-term market reactions, especially when investor sentiment is sensitive towards certain stocks, thereby impacting overall market sentiment.
- Information Access Channels: Investors can access a comprehensive view of rating changes through Benzinga's analyst ratings page, enabling them to make more informed investment decisions.
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- Search Committee Formation: The company has established a search committee to find the next permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring leadership stability and ongoing development while seeking a suitable long-term leader.
- Stock Performance: As of last Friday, STAAR shares closed at $18.95, up 0.05% on Nasdaq, reflecting a relatively stable market reaction to the executive changes without significant impact on stock price.
- Strategic Implications: This executive transition and search process not only affects the company's governance structure but may also have profound implications for future business direction and strategic decisions, particularly in finding a leader capable of driving innovation and growth.
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- Growth Drivers: Over the past two years, Alcon has aggressively driven revenue growth through increased R&D spending and several acquisitions, with analysts noting a robust product pipeline despite the stock trading at a roughly 25% premium to historical levels.
- Equipment Market Opportunity: Alcon's equipment segment accounts for about 10% of sales, with the upcoming launches of the UNITY surgical platforms in 2025 and 2026 expected to be significant growth drivers, particularly as customers replace aging systems.
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- Board Changes: Neal Bradsher and Richard LeBuhn from Broadwood Partners, along with Christopher Wang from Yunqi Capital, have joined STAAR Surgical's Board of Directors, aiming to enhance profitability and long-term value creation, indicating a strong focus on the company's future development.
- Executive Departures: The board restructuring sees the departure of Chair Elizabeth Yeu and CEO Stephen Farrell, who will remain until January 31, 2026, signaling a significant shift in the company's strategic direction.
- Stock Performance: STAAR shares are currently priced at $20.82, trading 10% below the 20-day simple moving average and 19% below the 100-day moving average, reflecting a bearish outlook with a 3.50% decline over the past 12 months.
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STAAR Surgical (STAA) Board Changes Amid 3.3% Share Drop
- Board Changes: Neal C. Bradsher, Richard T. LeBuhn, and Christopher Wang have joined STAAR Surgical's board, with Broadwood Partners holding a 31% stake, indicating its significant influence on corporate governance.
- Executive Departures: CEO Stephen Farrell and Chair Elizabeth Yeu have both stepped down, expanding the board from six to seven members, which signals a major restructuring in the company's governance.
- Acquisition Termination Impact: Alcon terminated its acquisition agreement with STAAR last week due to insufficient shareholder support, reflecting strong opposition from Broadwood and Yunqi Capital, which may affect the company's future strategic direction.
- Market Reaction: STAAR's shares fell by 3.3%, indicating negative investor sentiment in response to the board changes and acquisition failure, potentially leading to a decline in market confidence in the short term.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- Upgrades and Downgrades: While specific stock names are not mentioned, such rating changes typically lead to price fluctuations in the affected stocks, prompting investors to closely monitor these adjustments for portfolio optimization.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Analyst rating adjustments may trigger short-term market reactions, especially when investor sentiment is sensitive towards certain stocks, thereby impacting overall market sentiment.
- Information Access Channels: Investors can access a comprehensive view of rating changes through Benzinga's analyst ratings page, enabling them to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
STAAR Surgical Appoints Interim Co-CEOs Following CEO Exit
- Executive Changes: STAAR Surgical announced that effective February 1, COO Warren Foust and CFO Deborah Andrews will serve as interim Co-CEOs following the exit of the previous CEO in January, demonstrating the company's agility in responding to leadership transitions.
- Search Committee Formation: The company has established a search committee to find the next permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring leadership stability and ongoing development while seeking a suitable long-term leader.
- Stock Performance: As of last Friday, STAAR shares closed at $18.95, up 0.05% on Nasdaq, reflecting a relatively stable market reaction to the executive changes without significant impact on stock price.
- Strategic Implications: This executive transition and search process not only affects the company's governance structure but may also have profound implications for future business direction and strategic decisions, particularly in finding a leader capable of driving innovation and growth.
See More
William Blair Initiates Coverage on Alcon Inc. with Market Perform Rating
- Market Perform Rating: William Blair initiated coverage on Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ALC) with a Market Perform rating on Friday, indicating a neutral outlook on the company's future performance and reflecting a cautious view on its current stock price.
- Growth Drivers: Over the past two years, Alcon has aggressively driven revenue growth through increased R&D spending and several acquisitions, with analysts noting a robust product pipeline despite the stock trading at a roughly 25% premium to historical levels.
- Equipment Market Opportunity: Alcon's equipment segment accounts for about 10% of sales, with the upcoming launches of the UNITY surgical platforms in 2025 and 2026 expected to be significant growth drivers, particularly as customers replace aging systems.
- Consumables Growth Outlook: Consumables are projected to accelerate to about 7% growth in 2026, up from 5% in 2025, primarily driven by the premium-priced UNITY consumables, which enhances Alcon's competitive position in the market.
See More
Activist Investors Target Staar Surgical, Alumis, and Other Stocks
Increased Investments: There has been a notable rise in holdings across various sectors, indicating a growing confidence among investors.
Market Trends: The increase in holdings reflects broader market trends, suggesting potential growth opportunities in the near future.
See More
STAAR Surgical Board Restructuring with Broadwood Partners Joining
- Board Changes: Neal Bradsher and Richard LeBuhn from Broadwood Partners, along with Christopher Wang from Yunqi Capital, have joined STAAR Surgical's Board of Directors, aiming to enhance profitability and long-term value creation, indicating a strong focus on the company's future development.
- Executive Departures: The board restructuring sees the departure of Chair Elizabeth Yeu and CEO Stephen Farrell, who will remain until January 31, 2026, signaling a significant shift in the company's strategic direction.
- Stock Performance: STAAR shares are currently priced at $20.82, trading 10% below the 20-day simple moving average and 19% below the 100-day moving average, reflecting a bearish outlook with a 3.50% decline over the past 12 months.
- Analyst Ratings: STAAR Surgical holds a consensus Hold rating among analysts with an average price target of $31.42, suggesting that despite current pressures, developments from the new board members could influence future performance.
See More
STAAR Surgical (STAA) Board Changes Amid 3.3% Share Drop
- Board Changes: Neal C. Bradsher, Richard T. LeBuhn, and Christopher Wang have joined STAAR Surgical's board, with Broadwood Partners holding a 31% stake, indicating its significant influence on corporate governance.
- Executive Departures: CEO Stephen Farrell and Chair Elizabeth Yeu have both stepped down, expanding the board from six to seven members, which signals a major restructuring in the company's governance.
- Acquisition Termination Impact: Alcon terminated its acquisition agreement with STAAR last week due to insufficient shareholder support, reflecting strong opposition from Broadwood and Yunqi Capital, which may affect the company's future strategic direction.
- Market Reaction: STAAR's shares fell by 3.3%, indicating negative investor sentiment in response to the board changes and acquisition failure, potentially leading to a decline in market confidence in the short term.
See More
