Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Cognex (NASDAQ:CGNX – Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Saturday morning.
A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on CGNX. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Cognex in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating and set a $74.00 target price (up from $72.00) on shares of Cognex in a research report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on Cognex from $76.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on Cognex from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Seaport Research Partners set a $75.00 price target on Cognex in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $75.85.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cognex
Cognex Trading Down 0.7%
Cognex (NASDAQ:CGNX – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.42 by $0.03. Cognex had a net margin of 16.05% and a return on equity of 13.50%. The business had revenue of $291.26 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $292.10 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.25 EPS. Cognex’s revenue was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. Cognex has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.640-1.680 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.540 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Cognex will post 1.65 EPS for the current year.
Cognex Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be issued a $0.085 dividend. This represents a $0.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. Cognex’s dividend payout ratio is presently 33.01%.
Insider Activity
In related news, insider Mark Fennell sold 64,873 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.05, for a total transaction of $4,349,734.65. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,263 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $755,184.15. This trade represents a 85.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Darren Marc Long sold 20,252 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.34, for a total value of $1,343,517.68. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 3,990 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $264,696.60. The trade was a 83.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 224,847 shares of company stock worth $14,975,098. 1.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cognex
A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Cognex in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,158,123,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Cognex by 173,138.2% in the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 10,477,448 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $376,979,000 after purchasing an additional 10,471,400 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Cognex in the fourth quarter worth $73,103,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Cognex in the fourth quarter worth $68,388,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in Cognex during the 2nd quarter valued at $129,348,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.12% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting Cognex
Here are the key news stories impacting Cognex this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Strong earnings and raised guidance: Cognex reported adjusted EPS of $0.45, exceeding the $0.42 consensus and rising from $0.25 a year ago. Revenue reached a record $291 million, up 16.9% year over year, while margin improvement, favorable product mix and cost controls boosted profitability. The company raised full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $1.64–$1.68, versus the $1.48 consensus, and projected third-quarter EPS of $0.50–$0.54. Cognex Q2 Earnings Beat on Margin Gains Despite Revenue Miss
- Positive Sentiment: Growth opportunities are broadening: Management highlighted AI-enabled machine vision, data-center expansion and increasing business with existing customers as growth drivers. Investors are also encouraged by strength across most major end markets and improving margins. Cognex Q2 Earnings Call Centers on AI and Data Center Growth
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst targets moved higher: Cantor Fitzgerald raised its target to $84 and assigned an overweight rating, Needham lifted its target to $80 with a buy rating, and Truist increased its target to $78 while maintaining a hold rating. The revisions signal greater confidence in Cognex’s earnings trajectory. Analyst price-target updates
- Neutral Sentiment: Revenue modestly missed estimates: Quarterly revenue of approximately $291 million was slightly below the $292.1 million consensus, but the shortfall was offset by stronger margins and earnings. Cognex misses Q2 revenue estimates
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling may temper enthusiasm: Recent disclosures indicate company insiders made 16 sales and no purchases over the past six months. This does not necessarily indicate deteriorating fundamentals, but it can add a valuation-related overhang.
About Cognex
Cognex Corporation is a leading provider of machine vision systems, software, sensors and industrial barcode readers used to automate manufacturing, logistics and distribution processes. The company designs and develops vision-based products that help manufacturers and logistics operators inspect, identify and guide parts, assemblies and packaged goods in real time. Its solutions are applied in a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and general manufacturing.
The company’s product portfolio includes stand-alone vision systems, vision sensors and deep learning-based software platforms that enable automated inspection, quality control and traceability.
Featured Stories
- Five stocks we like better than Cognex
- Quantum Earnings Week: Winners and Losers Are Finally Emerging
- Axon’s Post-Earnings Pullback May Be More About Valuation Than Growth
- Uber Stock Lags in 2026, But Cash Flow and AV Bets Fuel Upside
- AppLovin Stock Hits 52-Week Low as Analysts Trim Targets, Stay Bullish
Receive News & Ratings for Cognex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cognex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
