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Cognex Corporation (CGNX)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/15/2025: CGNX (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
1 Year Target Price $47.21
1 Year Target Price $47.21
8 | Strong Buy |
3 | Buy |
8 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
1 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -16.28% | Avg. Invested days 39 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 7.45B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 61.33 | 1Y Target Price 47.21 |
Price to earnings Ratio 61.33 | 1Y Target Price 47.21 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 20 | Beta 1.49 | 52 Weeks Range 22.57 - 45.23 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 22.57 - 45.23 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.71% | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.72 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 13.13% | Operating Margin (TTM) 17.44% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.11% | Return on Equity (TTM) 8.1% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 61.33 | Forward PE 28.65 | Enterprise Value 7308019053 | Price to Sales(TTM) 8.02 |
Enterprise Value 7308019053 | Price to Sales(TTM) 8.02 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.86 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 44.42 | Shares Outstanding 167899008 | Shares Floating 160346913 |
Shares Outstanding 167899008 | Shares Floating 160346913 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.28 | Percent Institutions 101.09 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Cognex Corporation

Company Overview
History and Background
Cognex Corporation was founded in 1981 by Dr. Robert J. Shillman, Bill Silver, and Marilyn Matz at MIT. It pioneered machine vision technology. Initially focusing on expert systems and AI, Cognex shifted to machine vision for industrial automation, achieving significant growth through strategic acquisitions and product development.
Core Business Areas
- Machine Vision Systems: Develops and manufactures machine vision systems used to automate manufacturing and quality control processes across various industries.
- Barcode Readers: Offers barcode readers for both fixed-mount and mobile applications used for logistics, warehousing, and retail operations.
- Vision Software: Provides advanced vision software including platforms like VisionPro and Designer that enable customized machine vision solutions.
Leadership and Structure
Robert J. Shillman is Chairman of the Board. Robert Willett is the President and CEO. The company operates with a functional organizational structure, dividing operations across various product lines, sales regions, and supporting functions.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- In-Sight Vision Systems: A line of smart cameras used for automated inspection, guidance, and identification. Cognex holds a significant market share (estimated 30-40%) in the machine vision camera market. Competitors include Keyence, Omron, and Teledyne Technologies.
- Market Share: 35%
- DataMan Barcode Readers: Industrial barcode readers used in manufacturing, logistics, and retail applications. Cognex is a leader in the industrial barcode reader market. Competitors include Datalogic and Zebra Technologies.
- Market Share: 30%
- Market Share: 20%
- VisionPro Software: A PC-based vision software platform allowing developers to create custom machine vision applications. It is widely used across different industries. Competitors include National Instruments and Matrox Imaging.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The machine vision market is experiencing growth driven by increasing automation, Industry 4.0, and rising demand for quality control in manufacturing. Key trends include advancements in AI, deep learning, and 3D vision.
Positioning
Cognex is a leading player in the machine vision industry known for its advanced technology, comprehensive product portfolio, and global presence. It has a strong brand reputation and enjoys high customer loyalty.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for machine vision is estimated to reach $15 billion by 2027. Cognex is well-positioned to capture a significant portion of this market due to its leading technology and broad application scope.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation
- Leading technology in machine vision
- Extensive product portfolio
- Global sales and service network
- Strong financial position
Weaknesses
- High product prices compared to some competitors
- Dependence on cyclical industries
- Vulnerability to economic downturns
- Complex product implementation for some users
Opportunities
- Expanding into new geographic markets
- Developing new applications for machine vision
- Acquiring complementary technologies
- Leveraging AI and deep learning
- Growth in emerging markets
Threats
- Intense competition from established players
- Emergence of new disruptive technologies
- Economic slowdown affecting capital spending
- Fluctuations in currency exchange rates
- Supply chain disruptions
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- KEYC
- OMRNY
- FLIR
Competitive Landscape
Cognex leads with advanced tech and global reach. Competitors like Keyence focus on high-end solutions while others, such as Omron, have broader automation offerings. Cognex's pricing can be a disadvantage against more cost-effective competitors.
Major Acquisitions
Webscan
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 30
- Strategic Rationale: Acquired Webscan to enhance its barcode verification and validation capabilities, improving its offerings for applications that require traceability and quality control.
SAC
- Year: 2017
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 27.7
- Strategic Rationale: SACu2019s 3D vision technology enhanced Cognexu2019s existing 3D product line, bringing greater accuracy and wider application to Cognex customers.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Cognex has experienced strong growth over the past decade, fueled by increasing demand for machine vision solutions across various industries. Growth rates have fluctuated based on economic cycles and market conditions.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued growth for Cognex, driven by the increasing adoption of automation and the expansion of machine vision applications. Revenue growth is expected to be in the high single digits to low double digits percentage range.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in AI and deep learning, expansion into new markets, and strategic acquisitions to broaden its product portfolio.
Summary
Cognex Corporation is a leader in machine vision, boasting robust technology and a solid market presence. Its strategic acquisitions and product innovation have fueled growth. However, its high prices and reliance on cyclical industries pose potential challenges. The company is well-positioned for future expansion in the growing automation market, but must navigate competitive pressures and economic uncertainties.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings
- Analyst Reports
- Industry Research Reports
Disclaimers:
The data provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market data and analyst estimates are subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Cognex Corporation
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Natick, MA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1989-07-20 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Matthew Moschner | ||
Sector Technology | Industry Scientific & Technical Instruments | Full time employees 2914 | Website https://www.cognex.com |
Full time employees 2914 | Website https://www.cognex.com |
Cognex Corporation provides machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate manufacturing and distribution tasks worldwide. Its machine vision products are used to automate the manufacturing and tracking of discrete items, including mobile phones, automotive components, and e-commerce packages by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them. The company offers VisionPro software, a suite of patented vision tools for advanced programming; In-Sight product line of vision systems and sensors; QuickBuild that allows customers to build vision applications with a graphical, flowchart-based programming interface; and DataMan, an image-based barcode readers and barcode verifiers; vision accessories, such as industrial cameras, lenses, lighting, vision controllers, frame grabbers, and I/O cards. It sells its products to automotive, logistics, consumer electronics, medical-related, semiconductor, consumer products, and food and beverage industries through a network of distributors and integrators. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts.

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