STAAR Surgical Authorizes $50 Million Stock Buyback, Citing Cash Position and Business Progress

Key Points

• STAAR Surgical authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of its common stock.
• The program is expected to run for about 12 months, though the board may extend or shorten it.
• STAAR plans to fund any buybacks with cash on hand and organic free cash flow.
• As of July 3, 2026, the company reported $181.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments, with no outstanding debt.
• Authorization does not require STAAR to buy any shares.

STAAR Surgical’s (NASDAQ: STAA) board has approved a share repurchase program of up to $50 million. CEO Warren Foust said the decision reflects management’s confidence in the vision-correction company’s progress and its view that STAAR shares are substantially undervalued. The authorization gives STAAR the option to buy stock; it is not a commitment to spend the full amount.

How STAAR’s Share Repurchase Program Will Work

STAAR may buy shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, block purchases, structured repurchase agreements or Rule 10b5-1 trading plans.

The company will decide when and how much to repurchase based on market conditions, legal requirements and other considerations. It can also change, pause or end the program without prior notice. The board expects the authorization to remain in place for the next 12 months unless it changes that timeline.

Cash and Free Cash Flow Will Fund Potential Buybacks

STAAR said it intends to use organic free cash flow and existing cash to pay for repurchases. As of July 3, 2026, it held $181.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments and had no outstanding debt. Approximately 50.1 million common shares were outstanding as of August 7, 2026.

Chief Financial Officer Deborah Andrews described the authorization as part of a capital-allocation approach that balances investment in the business with returning capital to shareholders.

Management Points to Growth, Profit and Innovation

Foust said STAAR’s recent progress across revenue growth, profit expansion and innovation helped support the board’s decision. STAAR makes the EVO family of Implantable Collamer Lenses for vision correction.

For shareholders, the key distinction is between the $50 million authorization and completed repurchases. The amount of stock STAAR ultimately buys—and at what prices—will depend on decisions it makes over the life of the program.