STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA) saw its shares climb 18% in after-hours trading Wednesday after announcing preliminary first quarter net sales that materially surpassed analyst expectations.
For the quarter ended April 3, 2026, STAAR reported that net sales are expected to top $90 million, compared with the consensus analyst estimate of $67.2 million. The company noted that this represents a sizable increase year-over-year from the $42.6 million in net sales recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
Management attributed the bulk of the improvement to performance in China, which STAAR identified as its largest market and the primary contributor to the sales boost. The Americas region also delivered continued double-digit growth during the quarter, the company said.
STAAR indicated that the higher net sales, together with what it described as an improved cost structure, are expected to produce a meaningful improvement in adjusted EBITDA for the quarter. The company cautioned that the figures it released are preliminary and unaudited and therefore subject to change.
The company explained that first quarter 2025 results had been suppressed by minimal shipments of EVO ICLs to China while distributors worked down excess inventory. As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, STAAR said distributor inventory levels appear to be within the firm’s targeted range.
Despite the overall increase in net sales, certain regions did not experience growth. STAAR reported declines in the Middle East and in parts of EMEA and APAC, noting those reductions were linked to geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges in those areas. The company warned that if such conditions persist, they could continue to weigh on sales growth in affected regions.
"These results deliver on two of the three core objectives outlined in our Shareholder Letter earlier this year - Revenue Growth and Profit Expansion - and though early in the year, are indicators of the overall good health of our business," said Deborah Andrews, Interim Co-CEO and CFO.
STAAR reiterated that it does not provide forward revenue or earnings guidance at this time and expects to publish its complete first quarter financial results in early May. The preliminary sales figures released are unaudited and may be adjusted when the full results are reported.
Market reaction and context
The after-hours price move reflected investor response to the preliminary top-line beat and the company’s commentary on improved profitability metrics. While the company highlighted progress on two strategic objectives cited earlier in the year, it maintained its stance of offering no formal forward guidance.
What to watch next
- STAAR’s audited first quarter results when released in early May, which may confirm or revise the preliminary figures.
- Regional sales trends, particularly inventory levels in China and ongoing geopolitical or macroeconomic developments in the Middle East, EMEA and APAC that the company identified as risks to growth.