Shares of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (COO, Financial), a global contact lens manufacturer, fell after its earnings fell short of Wall Street expectations. Results were negatively impacted by missteps in integrating its recent acquisition of Sauflon Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a British contact lens company, as well as fallout from new competitive lenses. Management projected moderating market share gains and lowered the company’s targeted five-year growth rate. Although disappointed, we remain cautiously optimistic, given Cooper’s reduced valuation and our belief that its revised earnings targets are achievable. Furthermore, we believe that shifts in the contact lens market toward greater adoption of silicon hydrogel lenses and daily modalities will play to Cooper’s strengths.
From Baron Funds' Baron Asset Fund commentary for fourth quarter 2015.
