NASDAQ$CGNX
Cognex Corp · Q3 2021 earnings
Q3 2021 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
Cognex reported record quarterly revenue, surpassing the prior record set last quarter and achieved an operating margin above the long-term target despite supply chain challenges.
Cognex Corporation reported record revenue of $285 million for Q3 2021, a 13% increase from Q3 2020 and a 6% increase from Q2 2021. The company's operating margin was 31%, exceeding the long-term target of 30%. Growth was driven by logistics, automotive, and other markets, offset by lower revenue from consumer electronics. Supply chain constraints are beginning to hold back revenue growth and drive cost increases.
- Cognex reported the highest quarterly revenue in the company's 40-year history.
- Operating margin was 31%, above the company's 30% long-term target.
- Growth in logistics, automotive, and other markets was offset by lower revenue from consumer electronics.
- Supply chain constraints are beginning to hold back revenue growth and drive cost increases.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Cognex · Revenue · Quarterly
$285M
Forward guidance
Cognex anticipates Q4 2021 revenue to range between $210 million and $230 million, roughly flat compared to Q4 2020. Gross margin is expected to be in the low-70% range due to elevated costs. Operating expenses are projected to increase by mid-single digits from Q3 2021.
Tailwinds
- Demand from customers is high
- New product development
- Sales and marketing activities
- Investments around the company’s growth plans, including additional resources
- The effective tax rate is expected to be 18%, excluding discrete tax items.
Headwinds
- Lingering headwind from last year’s high concentration of consumer electronics revenue
- Delayed product sales due to supply-chain constraints
- Low growth in logistics due to the timing of revenue
- Gross margin for Q4-21 is expected to be in the low-70% range and below the company’s mid-70% long-term target because of elevated costs, particularly for components and freight.
- Operating expenses are expected to increase by mid-single digits from Q3-21
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q3 2021
+1.5%
Avg return
Earnings day
+0.4%
Avg return
5 days after
+1.3%
Avg return
30 days after
59%
40 / 68 earnings
Positive
+36.3%
Q4 2025
Best reaction
-22.7%
Q2 2015
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | +2.8% | +5.5% | -2.4% | |
| Q4 2025 | +36.3% | +32.7% | +11.5% | |
| Q3 2025 | -12.9% | -15.7% | -19.7% | |
| Q1 2025 | +1.9% | +1.9% | +9.8% | |
| Q4 2024 | -13.6% | -15.8% | -19.7% | |
| Q3 2024 | -0.9% | +0.6% | -1.5% | |
| Q2 2024 | -20.0% | -24.6% | -17.4% | |
| Q1 2024 | +7.0% | +12.1% | +11.2% | |
| Q4 2023 | +5.5% | +9.1% | +12.6% | |
| Q3 2023 | -0.5% | +3.8% | +7.9% | |
| Q2 2023 | -3.2% | -4.4% | -6.9% | |
| Q1 2023 | +4.8% | +4.6% | +20.1% | |
| Q4 2022 | -14.6% | -16.2% | -13.7% | |
| Q3 2022 | +7.7% | +9.8% | +18.8% | |
| Q2 2022 | -8.1% | -5.1% | -15.9% | |
| Q1 2022 | -20.2% | -28.1% | -29.4% | |
| Q4 2021 | +2.5% | +0.5% | +11.7% | |
| Q3 2021 | -12.8% | -8.2% | -17.0% | |
| Q2 2021 | -4.4% | -5.5% | -1.9% | |
| Q1 2021 | -2.9% | -6.3% | -0.5% | |
| Q4 2020 | +6.4% | +2.4% | -8.2% | |
| Q3 2020 | +1.4% | +1.4% | +11.7% | |
| Q2 2020 | +2.1% | +3.5% | +5.8% | |
| Q1 2020 | +14.4% | +7.4% | +29.4% | |
| Q4 2019 | -2.0% | -7.2% | -18.7% | |
| Q3 2019 | -1.0% | -0.2% | -0.9% | |
| Q2 2019 | +9.4% | -0.3% | +2.8% | |
| Q1 2019 | -8.2% | -10.8% | -24.1% | |
| Q4 2018 | +2.8% | +4.3% | +10.1% | |
| Q3 2018 | +1.8% | +12.9% | +3.3% | |
| Q2 2018 | +15.6% | +15.8% | +16.3% | |
| Q1 2018 | -0.2% | +2.1% | +0.4% | |
| Q4 2017 | -3.9% | -2.8% | -4.7% | |
| Q3 2017 | -1.8% | +6.0% | +8.3% | |
| Q2 2017 | +11.1% | +5.8% | +14.0% | |
| Q1 2017 | +5.7% | +5.5% | +7.2% | |
| Q4 2016 | +9.3% | +9.7% | +15.4% | |
| Q3 2016 | +0.2% | -1.4% | +16.0% | |
| Q2 2016 | +8.3% | +9.5% | +10.2% | |
| Q1 2016 | +15.8% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +6.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | -9.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -22.7% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -0.9% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | +8.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | -3.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | +13.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | -0.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | -7.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | +5.9% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | +4.9% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | +5.9% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | +1.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | +2.4% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | +4.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | +4.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | -4.7% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | -0.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | +4.9% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | +15.7% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | +0.1% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -7.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2008 | -7.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2009 | +10.5% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | +10.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2009 | +8.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +8.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | +8.6% | — | — |
Discussion
Share your read of this quarter. Sign-in carries your eToro identity.
Join the conversation
Sign in with eToro to post your read of this quarter and vote on others'.
Sign in with eToro