GKOS
HealthcareGlaukos Corporation · Medical - Devices · $8B
What is Glaukos Corporation?
Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company focused on treating glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. Headquartered in San Clemente, California, Glaukos develops minimally invasive devices and drug-delivery platforms targeting conditions that affect millions of patients worldwide.
Glaukos generates revenue by developing and commercializing micro-scale surgical devices and targeted drug-delivery implants for ophthalmic conditions. Its flagship micro-bypass stents are placed during cataract surgery to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. The company also advances a pipeline of standalone and injectable therapies for more complex glaucoma cases. Products are sold through a direct sales force in the United States and via distributors internationally.
Glaukos Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in San Clemente, California.
- iStent and iStent inject micro-bypass stents for open-angle glaucoma
- iStent inject W, a next-generation trabecular micro-bypass device
- iStent Infinite, a standalone three-stent system for refractory glaucoma
- iDose TR, a sustained-release injectable drug-delivery implant
- Corneal health therapies targeting corneal disorders and retinal diseases
Is GKOS a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates GKOS as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed profile where strong momentum in certain areas is offset by meaningful structural weaknesses.
The Growth pillar stands out as a genuine bright spot — Glaukos is expanding its addressable market through pipeline products and international distribution. The Risk pillar also registers as Strong, suggesting the company's financial structure and operational profile carry lower near-term downside risk than many peers in the sector.
The Quality and Moat pillars both register as Weak, pointing to concerns around profitability consistency and durable competitive advantages. The Valuation pillar is Elevated, meaning the market may already be pricing in considerable future success.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does GKOS pay dividends?
No — Glaukos Corporation does not currently pay a dividend.
Glaukos does not currently pay a dividend. For a company at this stage of commercial and pipeline development, retaining capital to fund R&D, clinical trials, and market expansion is the typical priority. Investors drawn to GKOS are generally seeking growth rather than income, and any future dividend policy would likely depend on achieving sustained profitability.
When does GKOS report earnings?
Glaukos Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Revenue trends have reflected the company's ongoing commercial rollout of newer products alongside continued investment in its pipeline. Profitability remains a work in progress as Glaukos balances growth spending with operational scaling. Quarterly results tend to draw attention to procedure volume trends and pipeline milestone updates.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Glaukos Corporation's investor relations page directly.
GKOS Price History
+65.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Glaukos Corporation?
Based on Glaukos Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
GKOS Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar rating of Strong suggests Glaukos has meaningful runway ahead, driven by expanding adoption of its micro-bypass stent family and the commercial trajectory of newer pipeline products. However, the Elevated Valuation pillar indicates that much of this anticipated growth may already be reflected in the current share price. The Weak Quality and Moat ratings introduce uncertainty about whether growth will translate into durable, high-quality earnings over time.
Growth drivers
- Broader adoption of iDose TR and iStent Infinite as standalone glaucoma procedures
- International market expansion through distributor partnerships
- Pipeline diversification into corneal and retinal disease therapies
Key risks
- Elevated valuation leaves limited margin of safety if growth disappoints
- Weak profitability metrics may pressure the business during slower growth periods
- Competitive pressure from larger ophthalmic device and pharmaceutical companies
GKOS vs Peers
Glaukos operates in the broader medical technology space alongside companies that serve different niches within diagnostics, imaging, and surgical devices.
Bio-Rad focuses on life science research tools and clinical diagnostics rather than surgical implants, giving it a more diversified revenue base across laboratory markets.
Bruker specializes in scientific instruments and analytical systems for research and industrial applications, operating in a largely different end-market from ophthalmic surgery.
Globus Medical concentrates on musculoskeletal implants and spine surgery solutions, sharing Glaukos's minimally invasive device focus but targeting an entirely different anatomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Glaukos Corporation do?
Glaukos develops minimally invasive surgical devices and drug-delivery implants for ophthalmic conditions including glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. Its best-known products are micro-bypass stents placed during cataract surgery to lower intraocular pressure. The company also has a pipeline of standalone and injectable therapies for more advanced glaucoma cases.
Does GKOS pay dividends?
Glaukos does not currently pay a dividend. The company is in an active growth and pipeline-investment phase, and retaining capital for R&D and commercial expansion is the current priority. Investors in GKOS are generally seeking capital appreciation rather than income.
When does GKOS report earnings?
Glaukos reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For exact dates and the most recent earnings releases, check the investor relations section of the Glaukos corporate website.
Is GKOS a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates GKOS as Below Average overall. The Growth and Risk pillars are rated Strong, which is encouraging, but the Quality and Moat pillars are Weak and the Valuation pillar is Elevated. That combination means investors are paying a premium for growth that has yet to fully convert into durable profitability. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is GKOS overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for GKOS is rated Elevated, suggesting the current market price may already reflect a significant amount of future growth. This does not mean the stock will decline, but it does indicate a reduced margin of safety relative to peers with more modest valuations. Pro members can view the full valuation metrics behind this rating.
How does GKOS compare to its competitors?
Glaukos occupies a specialized niche in ophthalmic surgical devices, which distinguishes it from broader medtech and diagnostics peers. Compared to companies like Globus Medical or Bio-Rad, Glaukos has a narrower product focus but targets a large and underserved patient population. Its UQS profile reflects a growth-oriented company still building toward consistent profitability.
What is GKOS's market cap bracket?
Glaukos Corporation is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range where growth potential can be meaningful but where the company may have less financial resilience than large-cap peers during periods of market stress or slower revenue growth.
Who founded Glaukos Corporation?
Glaukos was incorporated in 1998. Founding details are widely available through public company filings and the Glaukos corporate website, which provides a full history of the company's origins in ophthalmic medical technology.
Is GKOS a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, the UQS profile for GKOS presents a mixed picture. The Strong Growth rating points to a meaningful commercial opportunity, but the Weak Quality and Moat ratings suggest the company has not yet established the durable competitive advantages and consistent profitability that typically define high-quality long-term holdings. Monitoring pillar progression over time is worthwhile.
What is the main competitive advantage of Glaukos?
Glaukos holds an early-mover position in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, with a portfolio of proprietary micro-bypass stents that have accumulated clinical evidence over many years. However, the UQS Moat pillar is currently rated Weak, indicating that this advantage may not yet be sufficiently durable or wide to protect long-term returns from competitive pressure.
What sector does GKOS belong to?
Glaukos Corporation operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical development. It sits at the intersection of surgical devices and drug delivery, targeting eye diseases that affect a large and growing global patient population.
Is GKOS a growth stock or value stock?
Based on its UQS pillar profile, GKOS leans firmly toward the growth category. The Growth pillar is rated Strong, reflecting active pipeline development and commercial expansion. The Valuation pillar is Elevated, which is typical of growth-oriented stocks where investors pay a premium in anticipation of future earnings rather than current profitability.
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Pro Analysis
GKOS — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 41.2 | 16.7 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 75.0 | 9.9 | -0.7 |
| May 7, 2026 | 41.9 | 16.7 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 7.2 | +1.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 40.8 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 5.3 | -0.7 |
| May 1, 2026 | 41.5 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 9.8 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 41.7 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 11.3 | +0.2 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 41.5 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 10.1 | -0.3 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 41.8 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 12.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 42.0 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 13.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 42.2 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 14.7 | 0.0 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 42.2 | 13.3 | 33.0 | 80.3 | 82.4 | 15.0 | — |
GKOS — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 16.7/100 (25%)Glaukos Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 80.3/100 (20%)Glaukos Corporation is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 75.0/100 (15%)Glaukos Corporation carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 9.9/100 (15%)Glaukos Corporation appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Moat
— 33/100 (25%)Glaukos Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for GKOS.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the GKOS UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Glaukos Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Glaukos Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Glaukos Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.