STAAR Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, today announced that it has been included on a list of preliminary additions to the Russell 3000® Index, the Russell Microcap® Index and the Russell Global® Index posted by Russell Investments on June 11, 2010 on www.russell.com. These changes are expected to go into effect after the close of trading on Friday, June 25, 2010. Inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index means that STAAR Surgical would be automatically included in the widely noted Russell 2000® Index, which measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index. Initial inclusion in the Russell indexes may lead to an increase in trading volume of STAAR Surgical shares if investment funds that track the index add the shares to their portfolios.
"The expected addition of STAAR Surgical to these Russell indexes recognizes the progress we have made the past few years and should expand awareness of our company among institutional investors as we continue to execute our growth strategy," said Barry G. Caldwell, President & CEO of STAAR Surgical Company.
The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, and is constructed to provide a comprehensive, unbiased and stable barometer of the broad market. The Index is reconstituted annually. The Russell 3000 also serves as the U.S. component to the Russell Global Index. The Russell Microcap Index is comprised of the smallest 1,000 in the Russell 3000 Index, plus the next smallest 1,000, and is comprised to provide a comprehensive, unbiased and stable barometer of the broad market. The Index is reconstituted annually.