NASDAQ$CGNX

Cognex Corp · Q4 2023 earnings

Q4 2023 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Cognex's Q4 2023 results reflected a challenging but stable business environment, with revenue across most end markets down year-on-year and major customers pausing significant capital expenditures.

Cognex's Q4 2023 revenue was $196.7 million, a decrease of 18% year-over-year. Net income was $11.2 million, a decrease of 80% year-over-year. The company remains focused on cost management and investing in long-term growth prospects.

  • Revenue decreased by 18% compared to Q4 2022, but was flat compared to Q3 2023.
  • Gross margin was 69% for Q4 2023, compared to 71% for Q4 2022.
  • Net income decreased by 80% from Q4 2022 and 41% from Q3 2023.
  • Cognex's financial position remained strong with $576 million in cash and investments and no debt.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$197M

Previous: $239M-17.9%
EPS (adj)

$0.11

Previous: $0.27-59.3%
Gross Margin

69.0%

Previous: 71.0%-2.8%
Effective Tax Rate (GAAP)

22.0%

Previous: 7.0%+214.3%
Capital Expenditures

-$7.02M

Previous: $4.06M-272.7%
Net Income

$11.2M

Previous: $55.3M-79.7%
Operating Income

$12.7M

Previous: $54.3M-76.6%
Gross Profit

$135M

Previous: $170M-20.4%
R&D Expense

$34.7M

No prior period

Revenue & EPS history

Cognex · Revenue · Quarterly

$197M

Q4 2023-17.9%vs Q4 2022
Beat estimate in 12 of 15 quarters(80%)
ActualEstimate

Forward guidance

Cognex expects Q1 2024 revenue to be between $190 million and $205 million, with Moritex contributing 6-8% of revenue. Adjusted gross margin is expected to be in the high-60% range, and adjusted operating expense is expected to increase mid-single-digits sequentially. The adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be 16%.

Tailwinds

  • Moritex is expected to contribute 6-8% of revenue.
  • Strategic logistics project is expected to drive longer-term, high-margin subscription revenue.
  • Focus on Emerging Customer initiative.
  • Expect another quarter with a challenging, yet relatively stable operating environment.
  • Adjusted gross margin1 is expected to be in the high-60% range

Headwinds

  • De-leverage from softer revenue.
  • Negative revenue mix.
  • Approximately 2 percentage point drag from a full-quarter of Moritex.
  • 2 percentage point drag from a strategic logistics project.
  • Adjusted operating expense1 is expected to increase mid-single-digits on a sequential basis

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 Q4 2023

Historical avgQ4 2023

+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

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (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%

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