New York, Feb 13, 2026, 08:24 EST — Premarket
- Cognex finished Thursday’s session up roughly 36%, ending at $58.67.
- The company is looking for first-quarter adjusted EPS between $0.22 and $0.26, with revenue forecast to land somewhere in the $235 million to $255 million range.
- The board tacked on another $500 million to the buyback program and set the quarterly dividend at $0.085 per share.
Cognex Corp shares drew attention ahead of Friday’s open, following a 36% jump to $58.67 during the last session.
Cognex is entrenched in the unpredictable world of factory automation budgets, where order flows shift on a dime and quarterly results often dictate sentiment. Thursday’s surge shoved the stock back into focus—momentum traders and long-only funds, both sidelined until now, are eyeing a clearer inflection.
The question of “industrial AI” hardware is suddenly getting a lot more pointed. Cognex, known for its machine-vision systems—think cameras and software that handle inspection and tracking in warehouses and factories—has investors pressing for real signs that demand goes deeper than the latest buzzword.
Cognex on Wednesday posted fourth-quarter revenue of $252 million, marking a 10% gain over the same period last year, with adjusted diluted EPS coming in at $0.27. The company projected first-quarter revenue somewhere between $235 million and $255 million, with adjusted earnings per share expected in the $0.22 to $0.26 range. CEO Matt Moschner described 2025 as a “return to profitable growth.” CFO Dennis Fehr highlighted a 25% adjusted EBITDA margin target—defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization—on a run-rate basis by the close of 2026. Management plans to exit around $22 million in low-margin revenue and aims for $35 million to $40 million in annualized cost reductions. (SEC)
Cognex beat Wall Street forecasts for both profit and revenue in the quarter, surpassing analyst targets of $0.22 per share and roughly $238.92 million in sales, according to MarketBeat. (MarketBeat)
Cognex set its quarterly dividend at $0.085 a share, with payment due March 12 for holders registered as of Feb. 26. The board gave the green light for another $500 million in share buybacks. Purchases could happen on the open market or through alternatives like pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans, the company said. (SEC)
During the earnings call, Fehr described Cognex as a “short-cycle business” and confirmed the company isn’t giving full-year guidance. Management pointed out continued unevenness in some end-markets, and warned investors that certain profit mix elements from last year might not recur in 2026. (The Motley Fool)
Needham’s James Ricchiuti bumped his price target on the stock to $67, up from $47, while sticking with a “Buy” rating, per a GuruFocus report.
The jump sets a tougher standard. That outlook? All based on adjusted (non-GAAP) numbers. Demand, though, is fickle—factory projects can stall or budgets get tightened up in a hurry. If margins slip, Thursday’s rerating faces its real test.
Traders are eyeing whether the stock can stick to its new range as Friday’s cash session approaches, also keeping an ear out for any signs of buybacks ramping up. Next up: Feb. 26, the dividend record date. After that, March 12 is circled for payment.
