CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO) announced Wednesday it will retain its CooperSurgical division after a strategic review initiated in December 2025 considered a potential sale of the business.
Board Chair Colleen Jay said directors unanimously concluded that continued ownership better serves shareholders than a transaction. She cited temporary factors weighing on perceived valuation, specifically recent regulatory updates regarding a competitive entrant to the non-hormonal IUD market and the impact of a recent fertility litigation settlement.
Two independent directors with healthcare and medical-device CEO experience were added during the review process.
CooperCompanies also expanded its share repurchase authorization to $3 billion from $2 billion. The company has repurchased $445 million of shares in the current fiscal year.
The firm outlined operational changes tied to the retention decision. It plans to expand CooperVision's global sales and marketing organization, implement cost-reduction and efficiency programs, and revise inventory and logistics approaches. Investment will be prioritized in CooperVision for commercial strengths and organic growth, while CooperSurgical will focus on organic growth initiatives and operational performance improvements.
CooperCompanies operates two units: CooperVision, which manufactures contact lenses, and CooperSurgical, which serves fertility and women's healthcare markets. The company employs more than 15,000 people and sells products in over 130 countries.
CooperVision's global R&D innovation hub, known as The Vision Centre, is set to open on September 23 in Singapore.
