Companies /Technology

Cognex Corp

NASDAQ: CGNX Scientific & Technical Instruments
$62.98
â–² $1.26 (+2.04%) today
Markets open · 1:35pm ET

Q2 2026 Earnings

Reported Aug 5, 2026, 4:32pm ET · SEC source
$0.45
Beat +7.14%
EPS · est. $0.42 Adjusted
$291.3M
Miss −0.43%
Revenue · est. $292.5M
6 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−9%−6%−3%0Aug 5Aug 6report 4:32pm ETearnings−0.3%−9.6%
−9%−6%−3%0Aug 5Aug 6earnings−0.3%−9.6%
CGNX −9.6%S&P 500 −0.3%
−8%−4%0Aug 5Aug 6report 4:32pm ETearnings−0.3%−9.6%
−8%−4%0Aug 5Aug 6earnings−0.3%−9.6%
CGNX −9.6%NASDAQ −0.3%
−15%−10%−5%0Aug 4Aug 13report 4:32pm ETearnings+0.9%−14.5%
−15%−10%−5%0Aug 4Aug 13earnings+0.9%−14.5%
CGNX −14.5%S&P 500 +0.9%
−12%−6%0Aug 4Aug 13report 4:32pm ETearnings+2.1%−14.5%
−12%−6%0Aug 4Aug 13earnings+2.1%−14.5%
CGNX −14.5%NASDAQ +2.1%
−4.71%
Day of report
−0.73%
Next session
−8.59%
One week

Did CGNX Beat Earnings? Q2 2026 Results

Cognex delivered a strong second quarter for fiscal 2026, posting adjusted EPS of $0.45 against a consensus estimate of $0.42, a beat of 7.14% that extends the company's streak of exceeding Wall Street expectations to five consecutive quarters. Revenue climbed 16.9% year over year to a record $291.26 million, with management citing broad-based strength across most major end markets as the primary engine of growth. Margin expansion was equally compelling, as GAAP operating margin widened by roughly 1,200 basis points to 29.4%, driven by favorable product mix, higher volumes, and disciplined cost management that saw adjusted operating expenses decline 3% year over year. Net income nearly doubled to $72.76 million, while free cash flow rose 70% to $67.62 million, leaving Cognex with $755.00 million in cash and no debt. With analysts already anticipating healthy momentum heading into the back half of the year, the company reinforced that outlook by guiding Q3 revenue to $300 million to $320 million and raising full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $1.13 billion to $1.15 billion, implying 15% growth at the midpoint.

Key Takeaways
  • Broad-based strength across most major end markets
  • Favorable mix and volume driving gross margin expansion
  • Disciplined cost management reducing adjusted operating expenses 5% YoY on constant-currency basis
  • Eighth consecutive quarter of margin expansion and earnings growth

“Q2 was another strong quarter for Cognex and further evidence that our strategy is driving results. We delivered exceptional performance, highlighted by record revenue, strong margin expansion, and significant earnings growth, which we believe reflects both a more favorable demand environment and focused execution across the business. We continue to make meaningful progress against our strategic objectives to extend our leadership in AI-enabled machine vision, deliver the leading customer experience in the industry, and double our customer base.”

Cognex CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Cognex issued Q3 2026 guidance with revenue of $300M-$320M (up 12% YoY at midpoint, or 17% excluding the prior-year one-time commercial partnership benefit), adjusted EBITDA margin of 32%-35%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.50-$0.54. Full-year 2026 guidance calls for revenue of $1,130M-$1,150M (up 15% YoY at midpoint), adjusted EBITDA margin of 29%-31% (up 850 bps at midpoint), and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.64-$1.68 (up 63% at midpoint). The company anticipates strong double-digit revenue growth and significant year-over-year expansion in profitability.

CGNX YoY Financials

Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025 · SEC filings Q2 2025 Q2 2026
$0$90.0M$180.0M$270.0M$249.1M$291.3MRevenue$167.9M$205.8MGross Profit$43.4M$85.5MOperating Income$40.5M$72.8MNet Income
$0$90.0M$180.0M$270.0MRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.