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Upturn AI Summary - About
Cognex Corporation(CGNX)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CGNX
10/08/2026: CGNX (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Cognex Corporation is a recognized pure-play provider of machine vision systems used in industrial automation and logistics. The company distinguishes itself through a strong focus on high-margin vision hardware and software, supported by a healthy balance sheet with no long-term debt. Its growth narrative centers on the increasing necessity for automated quality inspection and the ongoing adoption of AI-based machine vision. However, the stock faces risks from cyclical manufacturing spending, intense competition from players like Keyence, and potential valuation sensitivity. Cognex may suit growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to factory automation, provided they can manage the cyclical nature of its end markets and premium valuation.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | Cognex offers exposure to secular long-term growth in industrial automation and AI adoption. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum varies based on manufacturing cycles and requires a confirmed upturn in capital spending. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The stock often trades at a premium multiple, requiring patience for cyclic valuation entry points. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | The dividend yield is modest, as management prioritizes R&D and growth reinvestment. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The stock is subject to significant cyclical volatility and industrial sector risks. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | The stock is highly sensitive to changes in global manufacturing capital expenditure forecasts. |
| Valuation risk | Medium / high | High P/E ratios are common, requiring sustained growth to justify the share price. |
| Competition risk (Keyence/Automation) | High | Cognex faces aggressive competition from Keyence and other automation incumbents with deeper pockets. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company operates with high gross margins and no long-term debt, signaling a robust business model. |
| Dividend income | Low | Income is not the primary purpose of holding this stock. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful integration of deep learning software into complex industrial environments is mission-critical. |
Price Behavior
Rolling Over
The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.
Extreme Price Shocks
The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -1.99% | Avg. Invested days 39 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/08/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 10.30B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 58.86 | 1Y Target Price 79.37 |
Price to earnings Ratio 58.86 | 1Y Target Price 79.37 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1.6M shares | Beta 1.48 | 52 Weeks Range 34.45 - 72.78 | Updated Date 10/07/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 34.45 - 72.78 | Updated Date 10/07/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.50% | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.04 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Factory Automation | Vision systems used for assembly, inspection, and measurement in automotive and electronics. | This is the core, bread-and-butter engine of the company's revenue. |
| Logistics Automation | Barcode readers and sorting vision systems for shipping and distribution centers. | This is a key growth area linked to e-commerce and package delivery speed. |
| Geography (Global) | Revenue spread across Americas, Europe, and Asia (especially China). | Global manufacturing health directly impacts the company's regional revenue. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 58.86 | Forward PE 29.5 | Enterprise Value 9.46B | Price to Sales(TTM) 9.46 |
Enterprise Value 9.46B | Price to Sales(TTM) 9.46 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.68 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 35.37 | Shares Outstanding 168.22M | Shares Floating 167.47M |
Shares Outstanding 168.22M | Shares Floating 167.47M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.36 | Percent Institutions 109.18 |
Upturn AI Summary
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.
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
About Cognex Corporation
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquarters 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 2745 | Website https://www.cognex.com |
Full time employees 2745 | Website https://www.cognex.com | ||
Cognex Corporation provides machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate manufacturing and distribution tasks in the United States, Europe, Greater China, and internationally. Its machine vision products are used to automate the manufacture and distribution of discrete items, such as 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 traditional rule-based tools and deep learning-enabled tools for advanced programming; vision systems that combine smart cameras and software to perform a wide range of tasks, including part location, identification, measurement, assembly verification, and robotic guidance; OneVision, a cloud-based platform designed to transform how manufacturers build, train, and scale AI-powered vision applications; In-Sight product line of vision systems and sensors; QuickBuild, which allows customers to build vision applications with a graphical and flowchart-based programming interface; DataMan, an image-based barcode reader for fixed-mount and handheld models, as well as barcode verifiers; and vision accessories, such as industrial cameras, lenses, lighting, vision controllers, frame grabbers, and I/O cards. It sells its products to the automotive, logistics, packaging, consumer electronics, medical-related, semiconductor, and consumer products industries. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts.
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