Izzy (on for Ryan)'s questions to STAAR Surgical Co (STAA) leadership • Q4 2024
Question
An analyst identified as Izzy asked about the drivers behind the 39% year-over-year decline in global units and any associated pricing changes in the quarter. They also questioned the 2025 guidance, which assumes a slowdown in refractive volumes across all regions, and whether the projected second-half recovery in China is entirely dependent on government stimulus.
Answer
Chief Financial Officer Patrick Williams attributed the significant unit decline directly to the sharp fall in Q4 China revenue. CEO Tom Frinzi and CFO Patrick Williams clarified that the 2025 China outlook is influenced by potential stimulus but is fundamentally based on a wide range for the overall refractive market's performance, from a 10% decline to a 10% rebound. They also detailed the underlying assumptions for other regions, including a projected 5-10% market decline in the Americas and flat markets in EMEA and APAC ex-China.