Cognex Reports First Quarter 2025 Results; Announces CEO Transition
Rhea-AI Summary
Cognex reported Q1 2025 financial results and announced a significant leadership change. Revenue grew 2% year-over-year to $216 million, with a 5% increase on a constant-currency basis. The company achieved an operating margin of 12.1% and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8%.
In a major development, Matt Moschner, current President and COO, will succeed Robert J. Willett as CEO on June 27, 2025. Willett, who led the company since 2011, will remain on the Board of Directors. Under his 17-year tenure, Cognex's revenue grew fivefold to over $900 million in 2024.
The company's Q1 performance showed strength in Logistics and Semiconductor businesses, while the Automotive sector continued to face challenges. Cognex returned $116 million to shareholders through share repurchases ($102 million) and dividends ($14 million). The company maintains a strong financial position with $513 million in cash and investments and no debt.
Positive
- Revenue grew 2% YoY (5% constant-currency) to $216M
- Operating margin improved significantly to 12.1% from 6.7% YoY
- Operating expenses decreased 7% YoY through cost management
- Strong free cash flow of $162M (120% of adjusted net income) over TTM
- Net income doubled to $24M from $12M YoY
- Returned $116M to shareholders via buybacks ($102M) and dividends ($14M)
- Strong balance sheet with $513M cash/investments and no debt
Negative
- Gross margin declined to 66.8% from 67.3% YoY
- Continued weakness in Automotive market segment
- Potential impact from uncertain tariff situation
- CEO transition announced - Robert Willett stepping down after 17 years
- Q2 guidance projects lower gross margins compared to Q2 2024
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, CGNX gained 1.90%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
First-Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights
- Revenue grew
2% year-on-year or5% on a constant-currency basis - Operating expenses declined
7% year-on-year, driven primarily by cost management - Operating margin of
12.1% ; Adjusted EBITDA margin of16.8% , above high end of guidance - Returned
to shareholders during the quarter, highest amount since Q1 2022$116 million - Expect to substantially mitigate direct cost impact of tariffs currently in effect in 2025
- Cognex hosting Investor Day on June 10th at
Natick, MA headquarters
Cognex today announced that Matt Moschner, Cognex's President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Robert J. Willett as Chief Executive Officer on June 27, 2025. Mr. Willett, who became President and Chief Operating Officer in 2010 and Chief Executive Officer in 2011, will continue to serve on Cognex's Board of Directors. Mr. Moschner will join the Cognex Board effective June 27.
"Reflecting on my 17-year tenure at Cognex, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished as a team, increasing revenue fivefold to over
Commenting on first-quarter performance, Mr. Willett said, "We delivered revenue growth of
Dennis Fehr, CFO, added, "While the tariff situation remains fluid and uncertain, we anticipate substantially mitigating the direct cost impact of the tariffs currently in effect, with no material impact to earnings per share throughout the remainder of 2025."
Mr. Fehr continued, "Our focus on profitability and disciplined working capital management drove another strong quarter for Free Cash Flow, with
Financial Performance Highlights for the First Quarter
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Y/Y Change | |||
Revenue | +2 % | ||||
Operating Income | +84 % | ||||
% of Revenue | 12.1 % | 6.7 % | +540 bps | ||
Adjusted EBITDA* | +44 % | ||||
% of Revenue | 16.8 % | 11.9 % | +490 bps | ||
Net Income per Diluted Share | +99 % | ||||
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)* | +41 % | ||||
*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
, compared with$216 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$211 million 2% . Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange (FX), revenue increased5% compared to the prior year. The year-on-year increase in revenue was driven by strength in the Logistics and Semiconductor businesses, partially offset by continued weakness in the Automotive industry, while broader Factory Automation revenue remained stable. - Gross margin was
66.8% compared to67.3% in the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted gross margin was67.6% compared to68.8% in the first quarter of 2024. The year-on-year decline was primarily due to unfavorable mix and FX, while the unfavorable impact of pricing was offset by productivity measures. - Operating expenses were
compared to$118 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of$128 million 7% . Adjusted operating expenses were compared to$115 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of$125 million 8% , driven by lower overall headcount, tight cost management, lower stock expense and FX. - Operating margin was
12.1% compared to6.7% in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 540 basis points. Adjusted operating margin was14.4% compared to9.4% in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 500 basis points. - Adjusted EBITDA margin was
16.8% compared to11.9% in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 490 basis points. The year-on-year expansion was driven by revenue growth and lower operating expenses. - Net income of
compared to$24 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$12 million 96% . Adjusted net income of compared to$27 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$19 million 39% . - Net income per diluted share was
compared to$0.14 in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$0.07 99% . Adjusted diluted earnings per share were compared to$0.16 in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$0.11 41% .
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights
- As of March 30, 2025, Cognex's financial position remained strong, with
in cash and investments and no debt.$513 million - During the first quarter, Cognex generated
of cash from operating activities compared to$41 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$14 million 197% . - During the first quarter, Cognex generated Free Cash Flow (FCF) of
compared to$38 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of$10 million 297% . First quarter FCF conversion rate was140% of adjusted net income and trailing twelve-month FCF conversion rate was120% of adjusted net income. - Cognex repurchased
of its common stock and paid$102 million in dividends to shareholders in the first quarter.$14 million
Dividend
On April 30, 2025, Cognex's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of
Guidance
Cognex issued second-quarter 2025 guidance; details are summarized in the table below.
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 |
Y/Y Change* | ||
Revenue | +2.5 % | ||||
Adjusted Gross Margin1 | High | 70.3 % | Slightly Down | ||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 | 19.9 % | +10 bps | |||
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate1 | 16.0 % | 15.0 % | +100 bps |
*At the midpoint of Revenue and Adj. EBITDA Margin guidance |
1Cognex has provided the forward-looking non-GAAP measures of adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted effective tax rate, 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". |
Investor Day
Cognex will host an Investor Day on June 10th, where management will present its 5-year strategic objectives, discuss technology leadership, customer experience, the evolution of AI in the machine vision landscape, and outline an updated financial framework and capital allocation strategy.
- June 9th: Customer Engagement and Cocktail Reception
- June 10th: Investor Day - Cognex Headquarters in
Natick, MA
Please reach out to investor relations at ir@cognex.com for more information or register here.
Analyst Conference Call and Simultaneous Webcast
- Cognex will host a conference call on May 1, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The telephone number is (877) 704-4573 (or (201) 389-0911 if outside
the 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.
COGNEX CORPORATION | |||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||
(in thousands) | |||
March 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||
(unaudited) | |||
ASSETS | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 143,744 | $ 186,094 | |
Current investments, allowance for credit losses of | 56,703 | 59,956 | |
Accounts receivable, allowance for credit losses of | 161,185 | 143,359 | |
Unbilled revenue | 2,755 | 3,055 | |
Inventories | 152,113 | 157,527 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 61,179 | 63,376 | |
Total current assets | 577,679 | 613,367 | |
Non-current investments, respectively, allowance for credit losses of | 312,310 | 340,898 | |
Property, plant, and equipment, net | 95,979 | 98,445 | |
Operating lease assets | 70,212 | 67,326 | |
Goodwill | 389,929 | 384,937 | |
Intangible assets, net | 91,134 | 90,684 | |
Deferred income taxes | 390,170 | 392,166 | |
Other assets | 5,090 | 5,027 | |
Total assets | $ 1,932,503 | $ 1,992,850 | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Accounts payable | $ 43,303 | $ 38,046 | |
Accrued expenses | 67,849 | 71,760 | |
Accrued income taxes | 22,677 | 25,685 | |
Deferred revenue and customer deposits | 39,858 | 25,035 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 10,277 | 8,854 | |
Total current liabilities | 183,964 | 169,380 | |
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 63,425 | 61,363 | |
Deferred income taxes | 212,205 | 217,155 | |
Reserve for income taxes | 27,194 | 26,365 | |
Other liabilities | 87 | 1,082 | |
Total liabilities | 486,875 | 475,345 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Shareholders' equity: | |||
Preferred stock, | — | — | |
Common stock, | 336 | 341 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,097,989 | 1,090,638 | |
Retained earnings | 405,949 | 499,303 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (58,646) | (72,777) | |
Total shareholders' equity | 1,445,628 | 1,517,505 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 1,932,503 | $ 1,992,850 | |
COGNEX CORPORATION | ||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||
Three-months Ended | ||||
March 30, 2025 | March 31, 2024 | |||
Revenue | $ 216,036 | $ 210,797 | ||
Cost of revenue (1) | 71,713 | 68,860 | ||
Gross profit | 144,323 | 141,937 | ||
Percentage of revenue | 66.8 % | 67.3 % | ||
Research, development, and engineering expenses (1) | 34,727 | 37,105 | ||
Percentage of revenue | 16.1 % | 17.6 % | ||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (1) | 83,504 | 90,628 | ||
Percentage of revenue | 38.7 % | 43.0 % | ||
Operating income | 26,092 | 14,204 | ||
Percentage of revenue | 12.1 % | 6.7 % | ||
Foreign currency gain (loss) | (2,453) | 46 | ||
Investment income | 3,990 | 3,120 | ||
Other income (expense) | 169 | 196 | ||
Income before income tax expense | 27,798 | 17,566 | ||
Income tax expense | 4,195 | 5,544 | ||
Net income | $ 23,603 | $ 12,022 | ||
Percentage of revenue | 10.9 % | 5.7 % | ||
Net income per weighted-average common and common-equivalent share: | ||||
Basic | $ 0.14 | $ 0.07 | ||
Diluted | $ 0.14 | $ 0.07 | ||
Weighted-average common and common-equivalent shares outstanding: | ||||
Basic | 169,265 | 171,692 | ||
Diluted | 170,391 | 172,594 | ||
Cash dividends per common share | $ 0.080 | $ 0.075 | ||
(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expense, as follows: | ||||
Cost of revenue | $ 668 | $ 605 | ||
Research, development, and engineering | 4,696 | 4,389 | ||
Selling, general, and administrative | 4,575 | 8,308 | ||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ 9,939 | $ 13,302 | ||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating expense, adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, 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, 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.
COGNEX CORPORATION | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED ITEMS FROM GAAP TO NON-GAAP | ||||
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts (Unaudited) | ||||
Three-months Ended | ||||
March 30, 2025 | March 31, 2024 | |||
Gross profit (GAAP) | $ 144,323 | $ 141,937 | ||
Acquisition and integration costs | 242 | 1,568 | ||
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | 1,338 | 1,429 | ||
Reorganization charges | 86 | — | ||
Adjusted gross profit | $ 145,989 | $ 144,934 | ||
GAAP gross margin | 66.8 % | 67.3 % | ||
Adjusted gross margin | 67.6 % | 68.8 % | ||
Operating expense (GAAP) | $ 118,231 | $ 127,733 | ||
Acquisition and integration costs | (538) | (1,303) | ||
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | (1,290) | (1,384) | ||
Reorganization charges | (1,622) | — | ||
Adjusted operating expense | $ 114,781 | $ 125,046 | ||
Operating income (GAAP) | $ 26,092 | $ 14,204 | ||
Acquisition and integration costs | 780 | 2,871 | ||
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | 2,628 | 2,813 | ||
Reorganization charges | 1,708 | — | ||
Adjusted operating income | $ 31,208 | $ 19,888 | ||
GAAP operating margin | 12.1 % | 6.7 % | ||
Adjusted operating margin | 14.4 % | 9.4 % | ||
Depreciation (adjusted for amounts included in Acquisition and integration costs) | 5,083 | 5,279 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 36,291 | $ 25,167 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 16.8 % | 11.9 % | ||
Net income (GAAP) | $ 23,603 | $ 12,022 | ||
Acquisition and integration costs | 780 | 2,871 | ||
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | 2,628 | 2,813 | ||
Reorganization charges | 1,708 | — | ||
Discrete tax (benefit) expense | (307) | 3,085 | ||
Tax impact of reconciling items | (1,365) | (1,354) | ||
Adjusted net income | $ 27,047 | $ 19,437 | ||
Earnings per share of common stock, diluted (GAAP) | $ 0.14 | $ 0.07 | ||
Acquisition and integration costs | — | 0.02 | ||
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | 0.02 | 0.02 | ||
Reorganization charges | 0.01 | — | ||
Discrete tax (benefit) expense | — | 0.02 | ||
Tax impact of reconciling items | (0.01) | (0.01) | ||
Adjusted earnings per share of common stock, diluted | $ 0.16 | $ 0.11 | ||
Effective tax rate (GAAP) | 15.1 % | 31.6 % | ||
Discrete tax benefit (expense) | 1.1 % | (17.6) % | ||
Net impact of other reconciling items | 1.6 % | 2.4 % | ||
Adjusted effective tax rate | 17.8 % | 16.4 % | ||
Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) | $ 40,502 | $ 13,643 | ||
Capital expenditures | (2,501) | (4,061) | ||
Free cash flow | $ 38,001 | $ 9,582 | ||
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.
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 three-month period ended March 30, 2025, these costs consisted primarily of severance.
Discrete tax (benefit) expense:
- 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.
Certain statements made in this release, as well as oral statements made by the Company from time to time, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by our use of the words "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," "believes," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," "shall," "could," "should," "opportunity," "goal" and similar words and other statements of a similar sense. These statements are based on our current estimates and expectations as to prospective events and circumstances, which may or may not be in our control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding business and market trends, future financial performance and financial targets, the impact of tariffs, customer demand and order rates and timing of related revenue, future product or revenue mix, research and development activities, sales and marketing activities, new product offerings, innovation and product development activities, customer acceptance of our products, capital expenditures, cost and working capital management activities, investments, liquidity, dividends and stock repurchases, strategic and growth plans and opportunities, acquisitions, and estimated tax benefits and expenses and other tax matters, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include: (1) the technological obsolescence of current products and the inability to develop new products; (2) the impact of competitive pressures; (3) the inability to attract and retain skilled employees, effectively plan for succession including managing the change of our Chief Executive Officer, all while maintaining our unique corporate culture; (4) the failure to properly manage the distribution of products and services; (5) economic, political, and other risks associated with international sales and operations, including the impact of trade disputes, the imposition of tariffs, the economic climate in
About Cognex Corporation
Cognex Corporation ("the Company" or "Cognex") invents and commercializes technologies that address some of the most critical manufacturing and distribution challenges. We are a leading global provider of machine vision products and solutions that improve efficiency and quality in a wide range of businesses across attractive industrial end markets. Our solutions blend physical products and software to capture and analyze visual information, allowing for the automation of manufacturing and distribution tasks for customers worldwide. Machine vision products are used to automate the manufacturing or distribution and tracking of discrete items, such as mobile phones, automotive components, and e-commerce packages, by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them. Machine vision is particularly valuable for applications in which human vision is inadequate to meet requirements for size, accuracy, or speed, or in instances where substantial cost savings are obtained through the reduction of labor or improved product quality.
Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 5 million image-based products, representing over
Investor Contacts:
Greer Aviv – Senior Investor Relations Consultant
Jordan Bertier – Senior Manager, Investor Relations
Cognex Corporation
ir@cognex.com
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SOURCE Cognex Corporation