STAAR Surgical Appoints Interim Co-CEOs Following CEO Exit
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy STAA?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- 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.
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Analyst Views on STAA
Wall Street analysts forecast STAA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for STAA is 30.75 USD with a low forecast of 30.75 USD and a high forecast of 30.75 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.
3 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 17.580
Low
30.75
Averages
30.75
High
30.75
Current: 17.580
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.
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.
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Market Trends: The increase in holdings reflects broader market trends, suggesting potential growth opportunities in the near future.
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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.
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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
