NASDAQ$CGNX

Cognex Corp · Q4 2024 earnings

Q4 2024 earnings · · After market close · Investor relations

Briefing

Cognex achieved strong revenue growth of 16.78% YoY in Q4 2024, driven by demand in Logistics and Semiconductor. Operating margin improved significantly, and net income more than doubled. Automotive remains a weak spot, while cost discipline contributed to higher profitability.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$230M

Previous: $197M+16.8%
EPS (adj)

$0.20

Previous: $0.11+81.8%
Gross Margin

0.7%

Previous: 69.0%-99.0%
Adjusted Gross Margin

0.7%

No prior period
Operating Margin

0.1%

No prior period
Adjusted Operating Margin

0.2%

No prior period
Adjusted EBITDA Margin

0.2%

No prior period
Effective Tax Rate (GAAP)

0.2%

Previous: 22.0%-99.1%
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

0.2%

No prior period
Capital Expenditures

-$2.07M

Previous: -$7.02M+70.4%
Net Income

$28.3M

Previous: $11.2M+152.4%
Operating Income

$30.8M

Previous: $12.7M+142.3%
Gross Profit

$158M

Previous: $135M+16.9%
R&D Expense

$32.5M

Previous: $34.7M-6.2%

Revenue & EPS history

Cognex · Revenue · Quarterly

$230M

Q4 2024+16.8%vs Q4 2023
Beat estimate in 12 of 15 quarters(80%)
ActualEstimate

Forward guidance

Cognex expects stable revenue for Q1 2025, with growth in Logistics and Semiconductor offset by weakness in Automotive and foreign exchange headwinds. Cost management is expected to drive margin improvements.

Tailwinds

  • Revenue expected to be between $200M and $220M, stable YoY
  • Continued growth in Logistics and Semiconductor businesses
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin forecasted at 12% - 15%, improving YoY
  • Strong cost discipline and operating expense management
  • Ongoing investments in AI-powered machine vision technology

Headwinds

  • Automotive sector remains weak, especially in EV batteries
  • Expected sequential revenue decline due to Q4 demand acceleration
  • Foreign exchange expected to negatively impact revenue by $9M
  • Gross margin pressure from product mix and pricing challenges
  • Higher effective tax rate compared to prior year

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 2024

Historical avgQ4 2024

+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%

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