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Cognex Corporation (CGNX)

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Upturn Advisory Summary
12/30/2025: CGNX (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
1 Year Target Price $48.65
1 Year Target Price $48.65
| 8 | Strong Buy |
| 3 | Buy |
| 8 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 1 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -24.22% | Avg. Invested days 44 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 6.10B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 55.95 | 1Y Target Price 48.65 |
Price to earnings Ratio 55.95 | 1Y Target Price 48.65 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 20 | Beta 1.52 | 52 Weeks Range 22.52 - 49.65 | Updated Date 12/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 22.52 - 49.65 | Updated Date 12/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.88% | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.65 |
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 11.33% | Operating Margin (TTM) 20.86% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.86% | Return on Equity (TTM) 7.21% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 55.95 | Forward PE 24.69 | Enterprise Value 5890959847 | Price to Sales(TTM) 6.27 |
Enterprise Value 5890959847 | Price to Sales(TTM) 6.27 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 6.06 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 31.09 | Shares Outstanding 167598049 | Shares Floating 160046081 |
Shares Outstanding 167598049 | Shares Floating 160046081 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.28 | Percent Institutions 103.91 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Cognex Corporation

Company Overview
History and Background
Cognex Corporation was founded in 1981 by Dr. Morris "Monty" Barnet. It pioneered the field of machine vision and has become a leading supplier of these systems. Key milestones include the development of its first vision system in the mid-1980s, its IPO in 1989, and continuous innovation in product lines for industrial automation.
Core Business Areas
- Factory Automation: Cognex provides machine vision systems, software, and sensors that automate manufacturing and logistics processes. These solutions are used for inspection, identification, and guidance tasks, improving quality, reducing costs, and increasing throughput in various industries.
- Logistics: This segment focuses on machine vision solutions for the logistics and e-commerce fulfillment industries, enabling automated sorting, picking, and tracking of packages.
Leadership and Structure
Cognex Corporation is led by a management team with deep expertise in machine vision and automation. Robert J. Willett serves as President and CEO. The company operates on a decentralized structure with strong R&D and engineering teams driving product innovation.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- In-Sight Vision Systems: These are Cognex's flagship vision systems, offering a wide range of capabilities from simple vision sensors to advanced 3D vision systems. They are widely used for inspection, guidance, and identification. Competitors include Keyence, Omron, and Banner Engineering. Market share data for individual product lines is not publicly disclosed, but Cognex is a leader in the industrial machine vision market.
- DataMan Industrial Barcode Readers: Cognex's DataMan readers are designed for high-speed, high-accuracy barcode reading in challenging industrial environments. They support 1D and 2D codes. Competitors include Zebra Technologies, Honeywell, and Datalogic. Cognex holds a significant share in the industrial barcode reader market.
- VisionPro Software: This is Cognex's powerful software platform for developing and deploying machine vision applications. It offers advanced tools for image processing, analysis, and pattern matching. Competitors include Halcon (MVTec Software) and various open-source libraries. It is a key component of Cognex's integrated solutions.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The industrial automation and machine vision market is experiencing robust growth driven by the increasing demand for automation in manufacturing, logistics, and quality control. Factors such as Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the need for improved efficiency and precision are key drivers. The market is competitive, with a mix of large diversified automation companies and specialized vision providers.
Positioning
Cognex is a leading player in the industrial machine vision market, known for its innovative technology, comprehensive product portfolio, and strong customer support. Its competitive advantages include deep domain expertise, a broad range of integrated hardware and software solutions, and a strong global sales and service network.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global machine vision market is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. Cognex is well-positioned to capture a substantial portion of this TAM due to its established presence and advanced technology offerings.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand recognition and reputation in the machine vision industry.
- Comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software solutions.
- Proprietary technology and continuous innovation.
- Deep application expertise across various industries.
- Strong global sales and service network.
Weaknesses
- Reliance on a few key product lines.
- Potential for slower adoption of new technologies by some traditional industries.
- Competition from both specialized players and larger automation conglomerates.
Opportunities
- Growing demand for automation in emerging markets.
- Expansion into new industries and applications (e.g., life sciences, autonomous vehicles).
- Leveraging AI and deep learning for enhanced vision capabilities.
- Increased adoption of smart factories and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- Growth in e-commerce driving demand for logistics automation.
Threats
- Economic downturns impacting capital spending on automation.
- Intensifying competition and pricing pressures.
- Rapid technological advancements requiring significant R&D investment.
- Supply chain disruptions affecting component availability.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with connected industrial systems.
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Keyence Corporation (6861.T)
- Omron Corporation (6645.T)
- Honeywell International Inc. (HON)
- Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA)
Competitive Landscape
Cognex holds a strong position due to its specialized focus on machine vision and automation, proprietary technology, and comprehensive solutions. However, it faces intense competition from larger, diversified automation companies like Keyence and Omron, as well as more specialized players in specific product categories. Cognex's advantage lies in its deep expertise and integrated approach.
Major Acquisitions
Fusion Logistics
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 70
- Strategic Rationale: To enhance its offerings in the growing logistics and e-commerce fulfillment automation market, specifically in automated sortation solutions.
PAX
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 50
- Strategic Rationale: To strengthen its AI and deep learning capabilities for advanced defect detection and inspection in manufacturing.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Cognex has exhibited consistent long-term growth, fueled by its leadership in machine vision and automation. The company has successfully expanded its product offerings and market reach, adapting to evolving industrial needs. Example data structure for plotting: [{"Year": 2020, "Revenue (USD Millions)": 700.5}, {"Year": 2021, "Revenue (USD Millions)": 816.7}, {"Year": 2022, "Revenue (USD Millions)": 839.7}]
Future Projections: Analyst projections generally anticipate continued growth for Cognex, driven by the increasing adoption of automation and smart manufacturing technologies. Expected growth rates are typically in the mid-to-high single digits annually. Example data structure for plotting: [{"Year": 2023 (Est.), "Revenue (USD Millions)": 890.0, "EPS (USD)": 2.65}, {"Year": 2024 (Est.), "Revenue (USD Millions)": 980.0, "EPS (USD)": 2.90}]
Recent Initiatives: Cognex has been actively investing in R&D to enhance its AI and deep learning capabilities within its machine vision solutions. The company also focuses on expanding its presence in key vertical markets and strengthening its logistics automation offerings.
Summary
Cognex Corporation is a robust leader in the industrial machine vision market, characterized by strong technological innovation and a comprehensive product suite. Its focus on factory automation and logistics positions it well for continued growth driven by global automation trends. While facing significant competition, its specialized expertise and established market presence provide a solid foundation. Cognex needs to remain vigilant against rapid technological shifts and economic sensitivities in its core markets.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Cognex Corporation Investor Relations
- Financial news outlets (e.g., Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal)
- Market research reports (e.g., MarketsandMarkets, Mordor Intelligence)
- Analyst reports (e.g., Seeking Alpha, Yahoo Finance)
Disclaimers:
This JSON output is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Numerical data, particularly financial metrics and market share, is illustrative and may not reflect real-time figures. Specific market share percentages are estimations based on industry reports and may vary. Users should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.
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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