Let’s dig into the relative performance of STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 medical devices & supplies - specialty earnings season.

The medical devices industry operates a business model that balances steady demand with significant investments in innovation and regulatory compliance. The industry benefits from recurring revenue streams tied to consumables, maintenance services, and incremental upgrades to the latest technologies, although specialty devices are more niche. The capital-intensive nature of product development, coupled with lengthy regulatory pathways and the need for clinical validation, can weigh on profitability and timelines. In addition, there are constant pricing pressures from healthcare systems and insurers maximizing cost efficiency. Over the next several years, one tailwind is demographic–aging populations means rising chronic disease rates that drive greater demand for medical interventions and monitoring solutions. Advances in digital health, such as remote patient monitoring and smart devices, are also expected to unlock new demand by shortening upgrade cycles. On the other hand, the industry faces headwinds from pricing and reimbursement pressures as healthcare providers increasingly adopt value-based care models. Additionally, the integration of cybersecurity for connected devices adds further risk and complexity for device manufacturers.

The 7 medical devices & supplies - specialty stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 5.2%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

Best Q1: STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA)

With over 2.5 million implants performed worldwide, STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) designs and manufactures implantable lenses that correct vision problems without removing the eye's natural lens.

STAAR Surgical reported revenues of $93.52 million, up 120% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 20.8%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

STAAR Surgical pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 1.8% since reporting and currently trades at $28.89.

Is now the time to buy STAAR Surgical? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Globus Medical (NYSE: GMED)

With operations spanning 64 countries and a portfolio of over 10 new products launched in 2023 alone, Globus Medical (NYSE: GMED) develops and sells implantable devices, surgical instruments, and technology solutions for spine, orthopedic, and neurosurgical procedures.

Globus Medical reported revenues of $759.9 million, up 27% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $79.72.

Is now the time to buy Globus Medical? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Inspire Medical Systems (NYSE: INSP)

Offering an alternative for the millions who struggle with traditional CPAP machines, Inspire Medical Systems (NYSE: INSP) develops and sells an implantable neurostimulation device that treats obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating nerves to keep airways open during sleep.

Inspire Medical Systems reported revenues of $204.6 million, up 1.6% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted full-year revenue and EPS guidance estimates.

Inspire Medical Systems delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 22.7% since the results and currently trades at $42.42.

Read our full analysis of Inspire Medical Systems’s results here.

Bausch + Lomb (NYSE: BLCO)

With a nearly 170-year history dedicated to vision care and eye health innovation, Bausch + Lomb (NYSE: BLCO) develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of eye health products including contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, surgical devices, and consumer eye care solutions.

Bausch + Lomb reported revenues of $1.24 billion, up 9.4% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 2.2%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

The stock is down 2.7% since reporting and currently trades at $15.29.

Read our full, actionable report on Bausch + Lomb here, it’s free.

Integer Holdings (NYSE: ITGR)

With its name reflecting the mathematical term for "whole" or "complete," Integer Holdings (NYSE: ITGR) is a medical device outsource manufacturer that produces components and systems for cardiac, vascular, neurological, and other medical applications.

Integer Holdings reported revenues of $439.6 million, flat year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS and revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Integer Holdings had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 10.1% since reporting and currently trades at $92.15.

Read our full, actionable report on Integer Holdings here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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