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Staar Surgical Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales more than doubled: Net sales reached $93.5 million, up 119.6% from $42.6 million; management described it as the highest first-quarter net sales in the company's history. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $24.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, against a loss of $(26.3) million a year earlier. Source
  • China returned to growth: Management said China returned to growth in the quarter, with distributor inventory at or below contractual levels. Source
  • China sales reflected demand, not stocking: Management attributed the China sales result to a recovery in in-market demand rather than to inventory buildup. Source
  • US sales grew double digits: US net sales grew 22% in the quarter, and quarterly US net sales passed $6 million for the first time. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 73.6%: Gross margin was 73.6% of net sales against 65.8% a year earlier; the company cited the end of Swiss ramp-up period costs, lower Advanced Manufacturing expense and lower inventory provisions. Source
  • Cash balance declined: Cash, cash equivalents and investments available for sale were $163.9 million, down from $187.5 million at year-end 2025; the company has no outstanding debt. Source

“In the approximately 100 days since we were appointed to lead the Company, our focus has been clear: improve operational execution and position STAAR to deliver sustainable, long-term value creation.”

Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews, Interim Co-Chief Executive Officers (shareholder letter)

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Nidau supply to China Source2026100%New
Operating margin Sourceover time, as net sales growdouble-digit

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The FDA approved an expanded EVO ICL indication to patients aged 45 to 60, which management said increases the addressable market. Source
  • New: The company is rolling out a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, described as a multi-year effort that is in its early stages. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales more than doubled: Net sales reached $93.5 million, up 119.6% from $42.6 million; management described it as the highest first-quarter net sales in the company's history. Source
  • Sales excluding China grew 6.0%: Net sales outside China were $46.1 million, up 6.0%; US growth was partly offset by headwinds in the Middle East and India markets. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $24.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, against a loss of $(26.3) million a year earlier. Source
  • GAAP net income of $5.2 million: GAAP net income was $5.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(54.2) million, or $(1.10) per diluted share, a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • China returned to growth: Management said China returned to growth in the quarter, with distributor inventory at or below contractual levels. Source
  • Distributor stock held steady: Distributor units on hand at the end of the quarter were comparable to the fourth quarter of 2025, and downstream visibility improved from a year earlier. Source
  • China sales reflected demand, not stocking: Management attributed the China sales result to a recovery in in-market demand rather than to inventory buildup. Source
  • US sales grew double digits: US net sales grew 22% in the quarter, and quarterly US net sales passed $6 million for the first time. Source
  • Geopolitical hit under $2 million: Certain regions were affected by geopolitical disruption; management estimated the effect on first-quarter net sales at below $2 million, in markets it described as a small share of the business. Source

“Early demand has exceeded expectations, supported by strong surgeon adoption and the product’s differentiated clinical profile.”

Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews (shareholder letter)

Products and customers

  • EVO+ launch in China: Management described the EVO+ ICL launch in China as an important step in its innovation strategy, with early demand above expectations. Source
  • Marketing aimed at committed surgeons: The updated US marketing strategy focuses on surgeons prioritizing EVO ICL; management said early results show improved patient awareness and engagement. Source
  • Surgeon engagement at ASCRS: Management said surgeon engagement at the recent ASCRS meeting reinforced its view that interest in EVO ICL and lens-based surgery is building. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose to 73.6%: Gross margin was 73.6% of net sales against 65.8% a year earlier; the company cited the end of Swiss ramp-up period costs, lower Advanced Manufacturing expense and lower inventory provisions. Source
  • Lower volume raised unit costs: Higher per-unit manufacturing costs from lower 2025 production volume partly offset the margin gains, according to the company. Source
  • Operating expenses down 18%: Operating expenses excluding restructuring and merger costs were $51.5 million; general and administrative spending fell on lower outside services and compensation. Source
  • EVO+ price expected to lift margins: EVO+ carries a premium price, and management expects it to contribute to margin expansion as volumes scale. Source

“We remain committed to strengthening our partnership with shareholders and delivering long-term value creation.”

Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews (shareholder letter)

Demand and market structure

  • Lens-based surgery gaining share: Management said laser procedures are flat or declining in most major markets while lens-based refractive surgery continues to gain momentum. Source
  • China market growing moderately: Management said underlying demand for refractive procedures in China continues to grow at a moderate pace. Source
  • Long-term myopia growth cited: Management said penetration rates in China have significant room to expand, supported by rising incomes and high myopia prevalence. Source

Strategy, investment and capital

  • Swiss plant scaling progresses: Management said it continues to make progress scaling the Nidau, Switzerland manufacturing facility as a foundational initiative. Source
  • Three core objectives set: The company lists revenue growth, profit expansion and innovation acceleration as its three core objectives, with profit expansion tied to cost discipline and manufacturing efficiency. Source
  • Cash balance declined: Cash, cash equivalents and investments available for sale were $163.9 million, down from $187.5 million at year-end 2025; the company has no outstanding debt. Source
  • Innovation pipeline work continues: Management said innovation is a third core objective, covering near-term product enhancements and the pipeline. Source

Leadership and shareholder commitment

  • Interim co-CEOs sign letter: The shareholder letter is signed by Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews, with titles as listed in the document. Source
  • Team aligned on strategy: Management said the leadership team, Board and employees are aligned around a clear strategy and a disciplined approach to execution. Source
  • Engagement from stakeholders noted: Management said it is encouraged by continued engagement from employees, surgeons, distributors and investors after a challenging 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 13 May 2026

  • ERP expected to improve visibility: Management expects the ERP platform to improve visibility and coordination and to support more efficient scaling of the business over time. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Global ICL unit growth, Q1 2026 year over year Source134%
Cumulative ICLs sold globally Sourcemore than 4 million

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said the company operates in a dynamic global environment shaped by tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and uneven macroeconomic conditions. Source
  • Demand: Management described India as a long-term market, with near-term pricing sensitivity and macro volatility from geopolitical disruption. Source
  • Operational: Management said the ERP rollout is at an early stage, and disruptions to the business from it have been limited so far. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said it achieved its targeted operating expense run rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 and in the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said the company expected modest in-market growth and higher China net sales in 2026; the current release does not state whether that was met.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.