Cooper Shares Face Mounting Pressure as Growth Prospects Diminish

The medical technology sector's former standout performer is confronting significant challenges, with Wells Fargo's recent downgrade adding to the company's difficulties. As Cooper navigates headwinds in both its contact lens and fertility treatment divisions, investors are questioning whether the stock has found its bottom or if further declines await.

Market sentiment toward Cooper has deteriorated substantially, with the equity currently trading approximately 35% below its 52-week peak. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has surrendered more than 20% of its value, while losses from November 2024 onward have accumulated to over 28%. These figures clearly indicate diminishing investor confidence in the company's growth narrative.

The downward trajectory appears firmly established, with Wells Fargo's recently established price target of $72 offering limited upside potential and reinforcing subdued expectations among market participants.

Analyst Downgrade Highlights Fundamental Weaknesses

On November 13, 2025, Wells Fargo tightened its assessment of Cooper, reducing its rating from "Overweight" to "Equal-Weight." Market researchers justified their position by pointing to anticipated softening in the contact lens market and persistent operational challenges within CooperSurgical.

Particularly concerning is the projection that CooperVision, traditionally the company's primary growth engine, will likely expand at only the market average of approximately 3% during the fourth quarter—falling short of previous expectations that it would outperform this benchmark. Such performance would represent a significant setback for the growth story that has long supported the company's valuation.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Cooper?

Dual Business Segments Encounter Headwinds

While the contact lens operation loses momentum, CooperSurgical's in-vitro fertilization unit continues to face structural difficulties. The fertility treatment business, once promoted as a key growth driver, continues to demonstrate sustained weakness despite its substantial contribution to overall revenue.

Third-quarter results showed CooperSurgical generating $341.9 million in revenue, representing approximately one-third of Cooper's total quarterly revenue of $1.06 billion. Although both divisions reported growth in the most recent quarter—CooperVision advancing 6% and CooperSurgical increasing 4%—the organic growth rate of just 2% across both segments explains why warning signals are flashing.

Recovery Timeline Extends Into 2026

Management continues to target full-year 2025 revenue between $4.076 billion and $4.096 billion. However, expectations for 2026 suggest the executive team will adopt a more cautious stance, with significant improvement not anticipated until the latter half of the year.

The critical question facing market observers is whether Cooper can successfully navigate the current slowdown affecting both the contact lens market and fertility industry, or if the medical technology specialist must prepare for an extended period of constrained performance.