Shareholder Opposition: Broadwood Partners, holding 30.2% of STAAR's shares, strongly opposes the acquisition proposal by Alcon, citing significant flaws in the transaction process that do not serve shareholders' best interests.
Board Dissent: At least one member of STAAR's Board voted against the deal, indicating that some directors question the process, timing, and pricing of the transaction, reflecting widespread shareholder dissatisfaction.
Market Environment Shift: Broadwood highlights that valuations in the medical technology sector have risen significantly over the past three months, with declining interest rates and improved business prospects for STAAR, arguing that Alcon's offered price does not reflect the company's true value.
Private Equity Interest: Broadwood notes that STAAR received an acquisition interest from a reputable private equity firm potentially willing to pay more than Alcon, but the management mishandled this opportunity, showcasing the Board's missteps.
ALC
$79.57+Infinity%1D
Analyst Views on ALC
Wall Street analysts forecast ALC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ALC is 93.78 USD with a low forecast of 80.00 USD and a high forecast of 112.74 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
12 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast ALC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ALC is 93.78 USD with a low forecast of 80.00 USD and a high forecast of 112.74 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
9 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 79.020
Low
80.00
Averages
93.78
High
112.74
Current: 79.020
Low
80.00
Averages
93.78
High
112.74
Needham
David Saxon
Buy
maintain
$24 -> $27
2025-12-16
New
Reason
Needham
David Saxon
Price Target
$24 -> $27
2025-12-16
New
maintain
Buy
Reason
Needham analyst David Saxon raised the firm's price target on SI-Bone (SIBN) to $27 from $24 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm has also added the stock to its 'Conviction List', replacing Alcon (ALC) and named it Needham's '2026 Top Pick'. Needham believes that SI-Bone can deliver potential upside to estimates over the near-term, which should drop through to drive increasing profitability. The firm further notes that the company's upcoming product launches could result in active surgeon adoption across its portfolio to drive utilization higher.
BofA
Buy -> Underperform
downgrade
$100 -> $75
2025-12-11
Reason
BofA
Price Target
$100 -> $75
2025-12-11
downgrade
Buy -> Underperform
Reason
BofA double downgraded Alcon to Underperform from Buy with a price target of $75, down from $100. The firm sees limited share upside and market uncertainty for Alcon, saying 2025 was marked by a market slowdown, competition, and guidance cuts. Consensus expectations are too optimistic heading into 2026, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Bofa believes consensus estimates assume a sharp rebound, share gains, and "ambitious" Unity ramp-up despite Alcon's low visibility. This leaves little room for positive surprises, the firm contends.
Oddo BHF
Outperform
initiated
$79
2025-12-10
Reason
Oddo BHF
Price Target
$79
2025-12-10
initiated
Outperform
Reason
Oddo BHF initiated coverage of Alcon with an Outperform rating and CHF 79 price target.
Canaccord
William Plovanic
Hold
maintain
$28
2025-12-10
Reason
Canaccord
William Plovanic
Price Target
$28
2025-12-10
maintain
Hold
Reason
Canaccord analyst William Plovanic raised the firm's price target on Staar Surgical (STAA) to $30.75 from $28 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. The firm noted Alcon (ALC) announced this morning an amended merger agreement with Staar Surgical, where the they have increased its acquisition price to $30.75 from previous $28, a 10% increase in its bid.
About ALC
Alcon AG is a Switzerland-based eye care company. The Company research, develop, manufacture, distribute and sell a full suite of eye care products within two key businesses: Surgical and Vision Care. The Company’s Surgical business is focused on ophthalmic products for cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, refractive laser surgery and glaucoma surgery. The surgical portfolio includes implantables, consumables and surgical equipment required for these procedures and supports the end-to-end needs of the ophthalmic surgeon. The Company’s Vision Care business comprises of daily disposable, reusable and color-enhancing contact lenses and a portfolio of ocular health products, including products for dry eye, ocular allergies, glaucoma, and contact lens care, as well as ocular vitamins and redness relievers. The Company operates in 60 countries and serves consumers and patients in over 140 countries.
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.
