Exploring STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Have you ever wondered who is investing in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) and, more importantly, why? As of 2024, STAAR Surgical, a company that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells implantable lenses and delivery systems for the eye, shows a gross margin of 76.32% and a return on assets of -4.05%. With a price/sales ratio of 3.52 in 2024, understanding the investor profile can provide valuable insights into the company's future prospects and market sentiment. Let's delve into who's buying STAA and the factors driving their investment decisions.

STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Who Invests in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) and Why?

Understanding the investor profile of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) involves examining the diverse range of entities and individuals who hold its stock, and their motivations for investing. These investors typically include retail investors, institutional investors like mutual funds and pension funds, and hedge funds. Each group brings different investment strategies and expectations, influencing the stock's trading dynamics and overall valuation.

Key Investor Types:

The investor base of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) can be segmented into several key types:

• Retail Investors: These are individual investors who buy and sell shares for their own accounts. Retail investors may be attracted to STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) due to its growth prospects in the ophthalmology market, particularly its innovative implantable Collamer lens (ICL) technology.
• Institutional Investors: This category includes mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and other large financial institutions. Institutional investors often have a long-term investment horizon and conduct thorough research before investing.
• Hedge Funds: Hedge funds are investment partnerships that use various strategies, including leverage, derivatives, and short-selling, to generate returns. They may invest in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) based on perceived short-term opportunities or strategic assessments of the company's potential.

Investment Motivations:

Investors are drawn to STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) for a variety of reasons:

• Growth Prospects: STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) operates in a growing market driven by increasing demand for vision correction procedures. The company's focus on ICL technology, a premium alternative to LASIK, positions it to capture a significant share of this market.
• Market Position: STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) has established a strong market position with its ICL product, which is approved in numerous countries and has a track record of clinical success.
• Financial Performance: Investors monitor STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow, to assess the company's ability to generate sustainable returns.

Investment Strategies:

Different investors adopt various strategies when investing in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA):

• Long-Term Holding: Many institutional investors and some retail investors adopt a long-term holding strategy, based on the belief that STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s growth prospects and market position will drive long-term value creation.
• Short-Term Trading: Hedge funds and some active traders may engage in short-term trading strategies, seeking to profit from short-term price fluctuations in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s stock.
• Value Investing: Value investors may identify STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) as undervalued based on its fundamentals, such as its growth rate, market share, and potential for future profitability.

Analyzing the composition of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s investor base and understanding their motivations and strategies can provide valuable insights into the stock's potential performance and risks. For example, a high concentration of institutional investors may indicate confidence in the company's long-term prospects, while a significant presence of hedge funds may suggest higher volatility.

Here's a hypothetical overview of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s investor composition:

For more insights into STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s financial health, you might find this resource useful: Breaking Down STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Institutional Ownership and Major Shareholders of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)

Understanding the institutional ownership and major shareholders of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) provides valuable insights into the company's stock dynamics and strategic direction. Institutional investors, who manage large sums of money, can significantly influence a company's stock price through their trading activities and also play a role in corporate governance.

As of December 31, 2024, the top institutional holders of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) include:

• Vanguard Group Inc: As of March 31, 2025, Vanguard Group Inc. holds 3,678,398 shares, representing approximately 7.28% ownership.
• BlackRock Fund Advisors: As of March 31, 2025, BlackRock Fund Advisors holds 2,784,397 shares, representing approximately 5.50% ownership.
• State Street Global Advisors, Inc.: As of March 31, 2025, State Street Global Advisors, Inc. holds 1,399,891 shares, representing approximately 2.77% ownership.
• Geode Capital Management LLC: As of March 31, 2025, Geode Capital Management LLC holds 703,241 shares, representing approximately 1.39% ownership.
• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP: As of March 31, 2025, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP holds 664,830 shares, representing approximately 1.31% ownership.

Examining changes in ownership can reveal shifts in investor sentiment and potential future stock performance. Recent transactions and adjustments in holdings by institutional investors provide clues about the perceived value and prospects of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).

Recent changes in ownership include:

• Vanguard Group Inc: Increased holdings by 112,584 shares in the first quarter of 2025.
• BlackRock Fund Advisors: Decreased holdings by -139,661 shares in the first quarter of 2025.
• State Street Global Advisors, Inc.: Decreased holdings by -37,331 shares in the first quarter of 2025.
• Geode Capital Management LLC: Increased holdings by 21,334 shares in the first quarter of 2025.
• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP: Decreased holdings by -34,484 shares in the first quarter of 2025.

These ownership dynamics are crucial because institutional investors often have significant research capabilities and can influence market sentiment. Changes in their positions can drive trading volume and affect STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)’s stock price.

The actions of these major institutional investors can have a substantial impact on STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s stock price and overall strategy:

• Stock Price: Large purchases can drive the price up, while significant sales can exert downward pressure.
• Company Strategy: Institutional investors, particularly those with substantial holdings, may engage with company management regarding strategic decisions, influencing the direction of the company.
• Market Confidence: High institutional ownership can signal confidence in the company's prospects, attracting other investors.

A detailed look into the company's financial health can further inform investment decisions. For more insights, consider reading Breaking Down STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Analyzing these ownership trends and the roles of major institutional players is essential for understanding the investment landscape of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).

STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Key Investors and Their Impact on STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)

Understanding the investor profile of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) provides valuable insights into the company's stability, growth potential, and strategic direction. Key investors can significantly influence company decisions and stock performance through their investment decisions and level of involvement.

While specific real-time data on all individual investors and their direct impact can fluctuate, examining institutional ownership and recent trading activity offers a glimpse into the prevailing investor sentiment. As of fiscal year 2024, institutional investors hold a significant percentage of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s outstanding shares. These entities include mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds, and other large investment firms.

Some notable institutional investors that may hold significant positions in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) include:

• Vanguard Group: Often one of the largest shareholders in publicly traded companies, Vanguard typically holds a substantial stake in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).
• BlackRock Fund Advisors: Another major asset manager, BlackRock, is likely to have a considerable investment in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).
• State Street Corp: As a leading provider of financial services, State Street could maintain a notable position in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).
• RA Capital Management, LP: RA Capital is a healthcare-focused investment firm.

These major investors often have a long-term investment horizon, which can contribute to the stability of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)'s stock. Their decisions to increase or decrease their positions can signal confidence or concern about the company’s prospects, influencing other investors and potentially affecting stock prices.

Recent moves by institutional investors, such as buying or selling large blocks of shares, are closely watched by analysts and individual investors. For example, a significant purchase by a prominent fund might indicate a belief in the company's future growth, while a large sell-off could suggest concerns about its performance or market conditions.

While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact influence of each investor, their collective actions reflect the overall sentiment towards STAAR Surgical Company (STAA). Active engagement from activist investors, though not always present, can drive significant changes in corporate governance or strategic direction. However, it is important to note that the investment landscape is constantly evolving, and ownership structures can change frequently.

Here is a hypothetical example of institutional ownership in STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) as of the end of the fiscal year 2024:

For more insights into STAAR Surgical Company (STAA), you can explore: STAAR Surgical Company (STAA): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

STAAR Surgical Company (STAA) Market Impact and Investor Sentiment

Understanding investor sentiment and market reactions is crucial for assessing the potential future of STAAR Surgical Company. Several factors, including major shareholder activities, analyst ratings, and overall market conditions, influence the stock's performance.

As of April 15, 2025, the share price of STAAR Surgical was $16.52. A year prior, on April 16, 2024, the share price was $46.62, marking a significant decline of 64.56% over that period.

Here's a breakdown of key elements shaping investor perception:

• Institutional Ownership: STAAR Surgical has a substantial institutional presence. As of recent filings, 472 institutional owners and shareholders held a total of 57,945,170 shares. Major shareholders include:
  • Broadwood Capital Inc
  • BlackRock, Inc.
  • Vanguard Group Inc
  • IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
  • State Street Corp
  • VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares
  • Resona Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
  • IWM - iShares Russell 2000 ETF
  • NAESX - Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares
  • Geode Capital Management, Llc
• Fund Sentiment: There are 473 funds or institutions reporting positions in STAAR Surgical, which is unchanged over the last quarter. The average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to STAAR Surgical is 0.16%, an increase of 20.14%. Total shares owned by institutions increased by 2.04% in the last three months, reaching 57,934K shares.
• Put/Call Ratio: The put/call ratio for STAAR Surgical is 1.08, suggesting a bearish outlook.

Recent moves by major shareholders reflect nuanced sentiment:

• Broadwood Capital holds 10,849K shares, representing 22.00% ownership. They increased their holdings by 0.74% in the last quarter but decreased their portfolio allocation in STAAR Surgical by 32.91%.
• IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF holds 3,192K shares, representing 6.47% ownership. They increased their holdings by 2.10% but decreased their portfolio allocation by 34.28%.
• VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 1,548K shares, representing 3.14% ownership, a decrease of 0.52%.
• Resona Asset Management Co. increased its holdings by 32.18%.

Recent executive leadership changes have also contributed to investor uncertainty. The appointment of Stephen Farrell as CEO, along with other key executive transitions, occurred amidst downward earnings revisions by analysts. BTIG maintained a Neutral rating, noting potential investor hesitation due to the lack of reaffirmed fiscal year 2025 guidance following these changes.

Following the Q4 2024 earnings release, STAAR Surgical's stock experienced a significant drop of 33.59% in after-hours trading. This decline reflected disappointment with the earnings miss, with the stock closing at $14.53, near its 52-week low. The company cited reduced demand in China as a primary factor for the financial downturn.

Analysts covering STAAR Surgical have mixed opinions, contributing to a consensus rating of 'Hold.'

According to MarketBeat, based on 11 Wall Street analysts, the stock has a consensus rating of 'Hold.'

• 1 analyst has given a sell rating
• 9 analysts have given a hold rating
• 1 analyst has given a buy rating

The consensus price target is $24.25, representing a forecasted upside of 46.70% from the current price of $16.53. The highest price target is $53.00, while the lowest is $16.00.

TipRanks reports a similar consensus, with an average price target of $16.83 based on 9 analysts, with forecasts ranging from $13.00 to $20.00.

Here's a summary of analyst ratings based on data from TipRanks:

• Buy Ratings: 5
• Hold Ratings: 16
• Sell Ratings: 1

Wells Fargo initiated coverage on STAAR Surgical with an 'Equal-Weight' recommendation. As of April 2, 2025, the average one-year price target was $22.51, with forecasts ranging from $13.13 to $55.27. This average price target suggests a 33.25% upside from the reported closing price of $16.89.

Despite recent challenges, analysts project an increase in annual revenue to $534 million, a 69.98% increase, with a projected non-GAAP EPS of $2.48.

For more insights into STAAR Surgical Company's vision and values, you can explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of STAAR Surgical Company (STAA).

Overall, investor sentiment toward STAAR Surgical Company appears mixed. While major shareholders maintain significant positions, concerns about revenue growth, particularly in the Chinese market, and recent executive changes have created uncertainty. Analyst ratings reflect this cautious outlook, with a consensus 'Hold' rating and varied price targets.