Third-Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights
- Revenue grew 18% year over year or 16% on a constant-currency basis.
-
Excluding the one-time benefit from the commercial partnership with a medical lab automation channel partner (the "
Commercial Partnership " or "CP"), revenue grew 13% year over year. - Operating margin of 20.9%; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.9%, up 730 basis points year over year, and the highest level since the second quarter of 2023.
-
Net income per diluted share was
$0.10 ; Adjusted diluted earnings per share were$0.33 , an increase of 69% year over year, the fifth consecutive quarter of growth. -
Returned
$37 million to shareholders during the quarter; returned more than 100% of Free Cash Flow to shareholders over the trailing twelve-month period. - Announced the launch of the Solutions Experience – or SLX – product portfolio in Logistics, bringing AI-enabled Vision applications to the fast-growing Logistics market.
"I'm pleased to report Q3 was another strong quarter for Cognex," said
Financial Performance Highlights for the Third Quarter
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
Three-months ended |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
September |
|
September |
|
September |
|
Y/Y Change |
|
Y/Y Change |
|
|
As Reported |
|
Excluding CP |
|
As Reported |
|
As Reported |
|
Excluding CP |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+18 % |
|
+13 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+83 % |
|
+50 % |
|
% of Revenue |
20.9 % |
|
17.9 % |
|
13.4 % |
|
+750 bps |
|
+450 bps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
67 % |
|
+42 % |
|
% of Revenue |
24.9 % |
|
22.1 % |
|
17.6 % |
|
+730 bps |
|
+450 bps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per Diluted Share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
-39 % |
|
-67 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+69 % |
|
+44 % |
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS (Diluted) include non-GAAP adjustments. A reconciliation from GAAP to non-GAAP metrics is provided in this news release. |
- Revenue was
$277 million , compared with$235 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 18%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange (FX), revenue increased 16% compared to the prior year. The year-over-year increase in revenue was driven by growth in Logistics and strength in broader Factory Automation, particularly inConsumer Electronics and Packaging . Excluding the one-time benefit from theCommercial Partnership , revenue grew 13% year over year or 10% on a constant-currency basis. - Gross margin was 67.6% compared to 67.9% in the third quarter of 2024. Adjusted gross margin of 68.4% compared to 68.7% in the third quarter of 2024, a decline of 30 basis points. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to less favorable industry mix, and, to a lesser extent, the impact from tariffs, partially offset by the one-time benefit from the
Commercial Partnership . - Operating expenses were
$130 million compared to$128 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 1%. Adjusted operating expenses were$125 million , consistent with the third quarter of 2024. On a constant-currency basis, Adjusted operating expenses declined 2% year over year, driven by disciplined cost management. - Operating income was
$58 million compared to$32 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 83%. Operating margin was 20.9% compared to 13.4% in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 750 basis points. Adjusted operating margin was 23.2% compared to 15.4% in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 780 basis points. - Adjusted EBITDA was
$69 million compared to$41 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 67%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.9% compared to 17.6% in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 730 basis points. Excluding the one-time benefit from theCommercial Partnership , Adjusted EBITDA of$58 million increased 42% year over year and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.1% increased 450 basis points year over year, the highest level since Q2 2023. The year-over-year expansion was driven by revenue growth and disciplined cost management. - Net income of
$18 million compared to$30 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 40%. Adjusted net income of$56 million compared to$34 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 65%. - Net income per diluted share was
$0.10 compared to$0.17 in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 39%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were$0.33 compared to$0.20 in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 69%. Excluding the one-time benefit from the commercial partnership, Adjusted diluted earnings per share of$0.28 increased 44% year over year.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights
- As of
September 28, 2025 , Cognex's financial position remained strong, with$600 million in cash and investments and no debt. - During the third quarter, Cognex generated
$87 million of cash from operating activities compared to$56 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 55%. - During the third quarter, Cognex generated Free Cash Flow (FCF) of
$86 million compared to$52 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 66%. Third quarter FCF conversion rate was 487% of net income and trailing twelve-month FCF conversion rate was 194% of net income. Third quarter FCF conversion rate was 153% of Adjusted net income and trailing twelve-month FCF conversion rate was 133% of Adjusted net income. - Cognex repurchased
$24 million of its common stock and paid$13 million in dividends to shareholders in the third quarter.
Dividend
On
Guidance
Cognex issued fourth-quarter 2025 guidance; details are summarized in the table below.
As of the date of this release, Cognex continues to expect no material impact on Adjusted Earnings per Share or Adjusted EBITDA margin from tariffs.
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) |
Q4 2025 |
|
Q4 2024 |
|
Y/Y Change** |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
+3 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 |
17.0% - 20.0% |
|
18.5 % |
|
Flat |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (diluted)1 |
|
|
|
|
+7.5 % |
|
|
|
**At the midpoint of guidance. |
|
|
|
1Cognex has provided the forward-looking non-GAAP measures of adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted earnings per share (diluted), but cannot, without unreasonable effort, forecast such items to present or provide a reconciliation to corresponding forecasted GAAP measures. These include special items such as reorganization charges, acquisition and integration charges, and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, all of which are subject to limitations in predictability of timing, ultimate outcome and numerous conditions outside of Cognex's control. Additionally, these items are outside of Cognex's normal business operations and not used by management to assess Cognex's operating results. Cognex believes these limitations would result in a range of projected values so broad as to not be meaningful to investors. For these reasons, Cognex believes that the probable significance of such information is low. Information with respect to special items for certain historical periods is included in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Selected Items From GAAP to Non-GAAP". For these reasons, Cognex believes that the probable significance of such information is low. Information with respect to special items for certain historical periods is included in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Selected Items from GAAP to Non-GAAP." In Q4 2024 the GAAP operating margin was 13.4% and GAAP earnings per share (diluted) were |
Analyst Conference Call and Simultaneous Webcast
- Cognex will host a conference call on
October 30, 2025 at8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The telephone number is (877) 704-4573 or (201) 389-0911 if outsidethe United States . - A real-time audio broadcast of the conference call or an archived recording, together with a slide presentation, will be accessible on the Events & Presentations page of the Cognex Investor website: www.cognex.com/investor.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release, as well as oral statements made by
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 245,898 |
|
$ 186,094 |
|
Current investments, allowance for credit losses of |
54,368 |
|
59,956 |
|
Accounts receivable, allowance for credit losses of |
154,612 |
|
143,359 |
|
Unbilled revenue |
16,909 |
|
3,055 |
|
Inventories |
143,679 |
|
157,527 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
55,453 |
|
63,376 |
|
Total current assets |
670,919 |
|
613,367 |
|
Non-current investments, allowance for credit losses of |
300,078 |
|
340,898 |
|
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
89,868 |
|
98,445 |
|
Operating lease assets |
74,182 |
|
67,326 |
|
|
392,084 |
|
384,937 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
86,751 |
|
90,684 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
383,611 |
|
392,166 |
|
Other assets |
5,257 |
|
5,027 |
|
Total assets |
$ 2,002,750 |
|
$ 1,992,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ 45,480 |
|
$ 38,046 |
|
Accrued expenses |
86,708 |
|
71,760 |
|
Accrued income taxes |
2,705 |
|
25,685 |
|
Deferred revenue and customer deposits |
23,767 |
|
25,035 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
10,613 |
|
8,854 |
|
Total current liabilities |
169,273 |
|
169,380 |
|
Non-current operating lease liabilities |
68,312 |
|
61,363 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
249,082 |
|
217,155 |
|
Reserve for income taxes |
26,359 |
|
26,365 |
|
Other liabilities |
88 |
|
1,082 |
|
Total liabilities |
513,114 |
|
475,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, |
— |
|
— |
|
Common stock, |
335 |
|
341 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
1,123,134 |
|
1,090,638 |
|
Retained earnings |
412,347 |
|
499,303 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
(46,180) |
|
(72,777) |
|
Total shareholders' equity |
1,489,636 |
|
1,517,505 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ 2,002,750 |
|
$ 1,992,850 |
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Three-months Ended |
|
Nine-months Ended |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
$ 276,892 |
|
$ 234,742 |
|
$ 742,021 |
|
$ 684,831 |
|
Cost of revenue (1) |
89,602 |
|
75,343 |
|
242,532 |
|
216,896 |
|
Gross profit |
187,290 |
|
159,399 |
|
499,489 |
|
467,935 |
|
Percentage of revenue |
67.6 % |
|
67.9 % |
|
67.3 % |
|
68.3 % |
|
Research, development, and engineering expenses (1) |
35,081 |
|
35,210 |
|
102,910 |
|
107,277 |
|
Percentage of revenue |
12.7 % |
|
15.0 % |
|
13.9 % |
|
15.7 % |
|
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (1) |
94,444 |
|
92,625 |
|
269,289 |
|
276,433 |
|
Percentage of revenue |
34.1 % |
|
39.5 % |
|
36.3 % |
|
40.4 % |
|
Operating income |
57,765 |
|
31,564 |
|
127,290 |
|
84,225 |
|
Percentage of revenue |
20.9 % |
|
13.4 % |
|
17.2 % |
|
12.3 % |
|
Foreign currency gain (loss) |
840 |
|
1,221 |
|
(3,116) |
|
1,086 |
|
Investment income |
4,197 |
|
3,561 |
|
12,227 |
|
9,797 |
|
Other income (expense) |
61 |
|
209 |
|
2,322 |
|
581 |
|
Income before income tax expense |
62,863 |
|
36,555 |
|
138,723 |
|
95,689 |
|
Income tax expense |
45,199 |
|
6,964 |
|
56,945 |
|
17,864 |
|
Net income |
$ 17,664 |
|
$ 29,591 |
|
$ 81,778 |
|
$ 77,825 |
|
Percentage of revenue |
6.4 % |
|
12.6 % |
|
11.0 % |
|
11.4 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per weighted-average common and common- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ 0.11 |
|
$ 0.17 |
|
$ 0.49 |
|
$ 0.45 |
|
Diluted |
$ 0.10 |
|
$ 0.17 |
|
$ 0.48 |
|
$ 0.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common and common-equivalent shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
167,840 |
|
171,519 |
|
168,324 |
|
171,588 |
|
Diluted |
169,323 |
|
172,753 |
|
169,507 |
|
172,733 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends per common share |
$ 0.080 |
|
$ 0.075 |
|
$ 0.240 |
|
$ 0.225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expense, as follows: |
|||||||
|
Cost of revenue |
$ 489 |
|
$ 442 |
|
$ 1,694 |
|
$ 1,460 |
|
Research, development, and engineering |
3,794 |
|
3,707 |
|
11,933 |
|
11,636 |
|
Selling, general, and administrative |
8,133 |
|
8,952 |
|
21,022 |
|
26,271 |
|
Total stock-based compensation expense |
$ 12,416 |
|
$ 13,101 |
|
$ 34,649 |
|
$ 39,367 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating expense, adjusted operating income and margin, adjusted EBITDA and margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share of common stock, diluted, adjusted effective tax rate, and free cash flow. Cognex defines its non-GAAP metrics as follows:
- Adjusted gross profit and margin: Gross margin adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, as well as, if applicable, restructuring charges, reorganization charges, acquisition and integration costs and one-time discrete events.
- Adjusted operating expense: Operating expense adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, as well as, if applicable, restructuring charges, reorganization charges, acquisition and integration costs and one-time discrete events.
- Adjusted operating income and margin: Operating income adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, as well as, if applicable, restructuring charges, reorganization charges, acquisition and integration costs and one-time discrete events.
- Adjusted EBITDA and margin: Operating income adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and depreciation, as well as, if applicable, restructuring charges, reorganization charges, acquisition and integration costs and one-time discrete events.
- Adjusted net income: Net income adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, as well as, if applicable, restructuring charges, reorganization charges, acquisition and integration costs, discrete tax items, tax impact on reconciling items and one-time discrete events.
- Adjusted earnings per share of common stock, diluted: Adjusted net income divided by diluted weighted average common and common-equivalent shares.
- Adjusted effective tax rate: Effective tax rate adjusted for discrete tax items and the net impact of the other non-GAAP adjustments.
- Free cash flow: Cash provided by operating activities less cash for capital expenditures.
- Free cash flow conversion rate: Free cash flow divided by adjusted net income.
Cognex may disclose results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate its performance and compare results between periods as if the exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period.
Cognex believes these non-GAAP financial measures are helpful because they allow investors to more accurately compare results over multiple periods using the same methodology that management employs in its budgeting process, in its review of operating results, and for forecasting and planning for future periods. Cognex's definitions may differ from the definitions used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. In addition, other companies may not publish these or similar metrics. Furthermore, these measures have certain limitations in that they do not include the impact of certain non-recurring expenses that are reflected in our consolidated statement of operations that are necessary to run our business. Thus, our non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Please see the section "Reconciliation of Selected Items from GAAP to Non-GAAP" below for more detailed information regarding non-GAAP financial measures herein, including the items reflected in our adjusted financial metrics and a description of these adjustments.
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Three-months Ended |
|
Nine-months Ended |
||||
|
|
September |
|
|
|
September |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (GAAP) |
$ 187,290 |
|
$ 159,399 |
|
$ 499,489 |
|
$ 467,935 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs |
213 |
|
281 |
|
666 |
|
2,082 |
|
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets |
1,379 |
|
1,640 |
|
4,099 |
|
4,457 |
|
Reorganization charges |
400 |
|
— |
|
486 |
|
— |
|
Adjusted gross profit |
$ 189,282 |
|
$ 161,320 |
|
$ 504,740 |
|
$ 474,474 |
|
GAAP gross margin |
67.6 % |
|
67.9 % |
|
67.3 % |
|
68.3 % |
|
Adjusted gross margin |
68.4 % |
|
68.7 % |
|
68.0 % |
|
69.3 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expense (GAAP) |
$ 129,525 |
|
$ 127,835 |
|
$ 372,199 |
|
$ 383,710 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs |
(180) |
|
(962) |
|
(977) |
|
(3,468) |
|
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets |
(1,260) |
|
(1,746) |
|
(3,846) |
|
(4,469) |
|
Reorganization charges |
(2,966) |
|
— |
|
(4,588) |
|
— |
|
Adjusted operating expense |
$ 125,119 |
|
$ 125,127 |
|
$ 362,788 |
|
$ 375,773 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (GAAP) |
$ 57,765 |
|
$ 31,564 |
|
$ 127,290 |
|
$ 84,225 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs |
393 |
|
1,243 |
|
1,643 |
|
5,550 |
|
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets |
2,639 |
|
3,386 |
|
7,945 |
|
8,926 |
|
Reorganization charges |
3,366 |
|
— |
|
5,074 |
|
— |
|
Adjusted operating income |
$ 64,163 |
|
$ 36,193 |
|
$ 141,952 |
|
$ 98,701 |
|
GAAP operating margin |
20.9 % |
|
13.4 % |
|
17.2 % |
|
12.3 % |
|
Adjusted operating margin |
23.2 % |
|
15.4 % |
|
19.1 % |
|
14.4 % |
|
Depreciation (adjusted for amounts included in Acquisition and integration costs) |
4,666 |
|
5,027 |
|
14,844 |
|
15,254 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 68,829 |
|
$ 41,220 |
|
$ 156,796 |
|
$ 113,955 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
24.9 % |
|
17.6 % |
|
21.1 % |
|
16.6 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (GAAP) |
$ 17,664 |
|
$ 29,591 |
|
$ 81,778 |
|
$ 77,825 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs |
393 |
|
1,243 |
|
1,643 |
|
5,550 |
|
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets |
2,639 |
|
3,386 |
|
7,945 |
|
8,926 |
|
Reorganization charges |
3,366 |
|
— |
|
5,074 |
|
— |
|
Discrete tax (benefit) expense |
33,650 |
|
889 |
|
33,132 |
|
3,511 |
|
Tax impact of reconciling items |
(1,615) |
|
(1,176) |
|
(3,871) |
|
(3,563) |
|
Adjusted net income |
$ 56,097 |
|
$ 33,933 |
|
$ 125,701 |
|
$ 92,249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share of common stock, diluted (GAAP) |
$ 0.10 |
|
$ 0.17 |
|
$ 0.48 |
|
$ 0.45 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs |
— |
|
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.03 |
|
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets |
0.02 |
|
0.02 |
|
0.05 |
|
0.05 |
|
Reorganization charges |
0.02 |
|
— |
|
0.03 |
|
— |
|
Discrete tax (benefit) expense |
0.20 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.20 |
|
0.02 |
|
Tax impact of reconciling items |
(0.01) |
|
(0.01) |
|
(0.02) |
|
(0.02) |
|
Adjusted earnings per share of common stock, diluted |
$ 0.33 |
|
$ 0.20 |
|
$ 0.74 |
|
$ 0.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate (GAAP) |
71.9 % |
|
19.1 % |
|
41.0 % |
|
18.7 % |
|
Discrete tax benefit (expense) |
(53.5) % |
|
(2.4) % |
|
(23.9) % |
|
(3.7) % |
|
Net impact of other reconciling items |
0.6 % |
|
1.0 % |
|
0.9 % |
|
1.3 % |
|
Adjusted effective tax rate |
19.0 % |
|
17.6 % |
|
18.0 % |
|
16.3 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) |
$ 87,485 |
|
$ 56,271 |
|
$ 170,612 |
|
$ 97,677 |
|
Capital expenditures |
(1,452) |
|
(4,399) |
|
(6,147) |
|
(12,970) |
|
Free cash flow |
$ 86,033 |
|
$ 51,872 |
|
$ 164,465 |
|
$ 84,707 |
Description of adjustments:
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with
Depreciation:
- The company incurs expense related to its normal use of property, plant and equipment.
Acquisition and integration costs:
- The Company has incurred charges related to the purchase and integration of acquired businesses. During the periods presented, these costs were primarily related to the ongoing integration of Moritex Corporation, which the company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets:
- The Company excludes the amortization of acquired intangible assets from non-GAAP expense and income measures. These items are inconsistent in amount and frequency and are significantly impacted by the timing and size of acquisitions, and include the amortization of customer relationships, completed technologies, and trademarks that originated from prior acquisitions. The largest driver of intangible asset amortization was the acquisition of Moritex Corporation.
Reorganization charges:
- The Company has incurred charges related to the reorganization of its employees. During the nine-month period ended
September 28, 2025 , these costs consisted primarily of severance.
Discrete tax (benefit) expense and tax impact of reconciling items:
- Items unrelated to current period ordinary income or (loss) that generally relate to changes in tax laws, adjustments to prior period's actual liability determined upon filing tax returns, adjustments to previously recorded reserves for uncertain tax positions, establishments and adjustments of valuation allowances, stock based compensation, and adjustments to deferred tax positions.
- We estimate the tax effect of items identified in the reconciliation by applying the statutory tax rate to the pre-tax amount.
About
For over 40 years, Cognex has been making advanced machine vision easy, paving the way for manufacturing and distribution companies to become faster, smarter, and more efficient through automation. Innovative technology in our vision sensors and systems solves critical manufacturing and distribution challenges, providing unparalleled performance for industries from automotive to consumer electronics to packaged goods.
Cognex makes these tools more capable and easier to deploy thanks to a longstanding focus on AI, helping factories and warehouses improve quality and maximize efficiency without needing highly technical expertise. We are headquartered near
Investor Contacts:
ir@cognex.com
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