Cognex

CGNX · NASDAQ

$56.77+$1.61 (+2.92%)TodayMarket closed · Oct 20, 7:55 PM ET

Prev close $55.16

CGNX analyst rating

BuyConsensus of 13 analysts over the last 12 months. 62% rate it a buy.

Strong buy0
Buy8
Hold5
Underperform0
Sell0

12-month price target · 23 analysts

Average $80.14 (+41.2% upside)

Low: $65.65
Now: $56.77
High: $96.60

Upgrades and downgrades

The latest rating actions, newest first

CGNX analyst upgrades, downgrades and rating actions
Firm	Date	Action	Rating	Price target	Hit rate
Barclays	Oct 12, 2026	Maintains	Overweight	$80.00 → $85.00	62%
Truist Securities	Oct 5, 2026	Maintains	Hold	$78.00 → $74.00	59%
DA Davidson	Sep 23, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$65.00	72%
Baird	Sep 23, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$78.00 → $70.00	72%
Needham	Sep 15, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$80.00	47%
DA Davidson	Aug 10, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$62.00 → $65.00	72%
HSBC	Aug 10, 2026	Downgrade	Buy → Hold	—	38%
Barclays	Aug 10, 2026	Maintains	Overweight	$75.00 → $80.00	62%
Citigroup	Aug 7, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$72.00 → $74.00	80%
Needham	Aug 7, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$75.00 → $80.00	59%

The case for and against

Updated Oct 18, 2026

Bull case

Cognex is supported by a stronger fundamental setup as management’s 2024 leadership transition has improved strategic clarity, investor communication, and profitability, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding 440bps in 2025 even as sales rose about 9%. Its core machine-vision franchise is benefiting from AI-enabled use cases, reshoring, labor scarcity, and healthier capex trends, while new customer additions reached 9,000 in 2025 and 4,500 YTD in 2026, signaling broadening penetration. The acquisition of RealSense adds a market leader in robotic perception expected to generate $80-90M of 2026 sales, grow >50% in 2026, and enhance Cognex’s reach in robotics, logistics, semiconductors, and data-center supply chains while preserving a strong balance sheet.

Bear case

Cognex is facing a negative fundamental setup because its business is highly exposed to short-cycle capital spending and limited near-term visibility, which can amplify quarter-to-quarter earnings volatility. About 62% of sales come from Logistics, Automotive, and Consumer Electronics, so a slowdown in those end markets, persistent weakness in Europe auto, or customer concentration could quickly pressure revenue and profits. Despite management raising guidance across core end markets ex-Auto, the company still has sizable Greater China exposure, limited progress in data center supply chain opportunities, and vulnerability to disruptive technologies and tariff-related demand weakness.

Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Market data is delayed at least 15 minutes and is provided without warranty. Analyst ratings, price targets and company data come from third-party sources. Past performance does not guarantee future results.