Cognex Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

NATICK, Mass., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024. Table 1 below shows selected financial data for Q4-24 and the full year 2024 compared with Q4-23 and the full year 2023.

"Cognex delivered strong results in the fourth quarter, with revenue at the high end of our guidance range. Growth was driven by continued momentum in our Logistics and Semiconductor businesses, including accelerated demand late in the quarter. Across most of our other factory automation end markets, demand remains soft but stable, while Automotive remains very weak," said Robert J. Willett, CEO.

Mr. Willett added, "Cognex continues to define the leading edge of technology in industrial machine vision. Powerful AI models are making our advanced technology easier to use, enabling us to improve our customers' experience and address many more use cases. We recently launched VisionPro Deep Learning 4.0, Cognex's first product to utilize next-generation AI Transformer models, and our new AI-driven DataMan series, our most powerful and easiest-to-use ID readers yet."

In addition to Mr. Willett's comments, Dennis Fehr, CFO, stated, "Revenue growth coupled with cost discipline and working capital efficiencies led to above-guidance adjusted EBITDA margin, with year-on-year expansion of 580 basis points, and strong free cash flow generation of $49 million. We were pleased to return $57 million in capital to shareholders during the quarter."


                                                     
            
              
                Table 1

                                             
            (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



                                                                        ---

                                               Current                            Prior
                                                                                   Year                      Y/Y                 Current         Prior           Y/Y
                                     Quarter                           Quarter                        Change                Year           Year           Change
                                                                      Q4-23                                                       2024           2023
                                                Q4-24



     
     Revenue                                   $230                              $197                              +17 %           $915           $838                    +9 %





     
     Operating Income                           $31                               $13                             +142 %           $115           $131                   -12 %



     
     
                % of Revenue               13.4 %                            6.5 %                          +690 bps         12.6 %        15.6 %              (300) bps





     
     Adjusted EBITDA*                           $42                               $25                              +71 %           $156           $155                    +1 %



     
     
                % of Revenue               18.5 %                           12.6 %                          +580 bps         17.1 %        18.5 %              (140) bps





     
     Net Income per Diluted Share             $0.16                             $0.07                             +153 %          $0.62          $0.65                    -6 %





     
     Adjusted EPS (Diluted)*                  $0.20                             $0.11                              +84 %          $0.74          $0.73                     0 %




     Note: Numbers shown may not foot due to rounding.



     *Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS (Diluted) include Non-GAAP adjustments. A reconciliation from GAAP to Non-GAAP metrics is provided in this news release.

Details of the Quarter

Statement of Operations Highlights - Fourth Quarter of 2024

    --  Revenue grew by 17% from Q4-23. Excluding the 5 percentage point
        contribution to revenue growth from Moritex, revenue increased by 12%.
        The year-on-year increase in revenue excluding Moritex was driven by
        continued strength in our Logistics and Semiconductor businesses,
        including accelerated demand late in the quarter. This growth was
        partially offset by continued weakness in Automotive.
    --  Gross margin of 68.7% was flat compared to Q4-23. We recorded $2 million
        in amortization of intangible assets and other acquisition charges in
        cost of revenue in Q4-24, primarily related to the Moritex acquisition.
        Adjusted gross margin was 69.4% for Q4-24 compared to 70.7% for Q4-23.
        The year-on-year decline was primarily driven by the dilution effect
        from Moritex as well as negative mix, and, to a lesser extent, pricing.
    --  Operating expenses of $127 million increased by 4% from Q4-23. Adjusted
        operating expenses of $122 million in Q4-24 increased by 3% from Q4-23.
        The year-on-year increase was driven by Moritex operating expenses,
        investment in our sales transformation, and incentive compensation,
        partly offset by lower overall headcount and tight cost management.
    --  Net income of $28 million in Q4-24 increased by 152% from Q4-23.
        Adjusted net income of $35 million in Q4-24 increased by 84% from Q4-23.
        The year-on-year increase in adjusted net income was driven by revenue
        growth excluding Moritex, the contribution from Moritex and leverage on
        our operating expenses.

Details of the Year

Statement of Operations Highlights - Full Year 2024

    --  Revenue grew by 9% in 2024, or 1% excluding Moritex. Our Logistics and
        Semiconductor businesses exhibited strong growth throughout the year.
        Factory automation businesses such as Consumer Goods and Food and
        Beverage stabilized, while Automotive weakened during the year, with a
        significant decline in the EV battery business.
    --  Gross margin was 68.4% for the full year compared to 71.8% in 2023.
        Adjusted gross margin of 69.3% declined from 72.5% in 2023. The
        year-on-year decline was due to the addition of Moritex, unfavorable
        revenue mix, and, to a lesser extent, pricing.
    --  Operating expenses increased 9% year-on-year. Adjusted operating
        expenses increased by 6% year-on-year due to the addition of Moritex and
        investment in our sales transformation and expansion. This was partially
        offset by tight cost management, with year-end headcount down 3%
        year-on-year.
    --  Operating margin declined to 12.6% from 15.6% in 2023. Adjusted
        operating margin was 14.9%, down from 16.4% in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA
        margin of 17.1% was down from 18.5% in 2023. The step-down was primarily
        due to the decline in gross margin and investment in our sales
        transformation.
    --  Net income and diluted earnings per share both declined by 6%
        year-on-year. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per
        share were both flat year-on-year as the contribution from Moritex
        offset softness in factory automation. Our effective tax rate increased
        to 19% from 16% in 2023, while our adjusted effective tax rate increased
        to 17% from 15% in 2023.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights - December 31, 2024

    --  Cognex's financial position as of December 31, 2024 continued to be
        strong, with $587 million in cash and investments and no debt.
    --  In Q4-24, Cognex generated $51 million of cash from operating activities
        and $49 million in free cash flow, a $37 million and $42 million
        improvement year-on-year, respectively.
    --  The company spent $43 million to repurchase its common stock and paid
        $14 million in dividends to shareholders. Cognex intends to continue to
        repurchase shares of its common stock pursuant to its existing stock
        repurchase program, subject to market conditions and other relevant
        factors.

Financial Outlook - First Quarter of 2025

    --  Cognex expects revenue to be between $200 million and $220 million. At
        the midpoint, this represents a similar revenue level year-on-year,
        driven by expected growth in Logistics and Semiconductor, offset by
        weaker Automotive and a $5 million FX headwind. The expected sequential
        step-down is driven by the acceleration in demand from customers in Q4
        and an anticipated $4 million FX headwind.
    --  Adjusted gross margin(1) is expected to be in the high 60 percent range.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) is expected to be between 12% and 15%. This
        represents a 150 basis point increase year-on-year at the midpoint
        driven by continued tight management of operating expenses.
    --  The adjusted effective tax rate(1) is expected to be 16%.

(1)Cognex 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 restructuring 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".

Analyst Conference Call and Simultaneous Webcast

    --  Cognex will host a conference call on February 13, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
        Eastern Standard Time (EST). 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)




                                                                                                                                                                                                        December 31, December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2024          2023





     
                ASSETS



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                             $186,094      $202,655



     Current investments, amortized cost of $60,725 and $132,799 in 2024 and 2023, respectively, allowance for credit losses of $0 in 2024 and 2023                                                          59,956       129,392



     Accounts receivable, allowance for credit losses of $827 and $583 in 2024 and 2023, respectively                                                                                                       143,359       114,164



     Unbilled revenue                                                                                                                                                                                         3,055         2,402



     Inventories                                                                                                                                                                                            157,527       162,285



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                                                               63,376        68,099



     Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                                   613,367       678,997



     Non-current investments, amortized cost of $345,033 and $250,790 in 2024 and 2023, respectively, allowance for credit losses of $0 in 2024 and 2023                                                    340,898       244,230



     Property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                                                                                                                     98,445       105,849



     Operating lease assets                                                                                                                                                                                  67,326        75,115



     Goodwill                                                                                                                                                                                               384,937       393,181



     Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                                                                                  90,684       112,952



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                  392,166       400,400



     Other assets                                                                                                                                                                                             5,027         7,088



     Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                        $1,992,850    $2,017,812





     
                LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



     Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                                                                       $38,046       $21,454



     Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                                                                        71,760        72,374



     Accrued income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                    25,685        16,907



     Deferred revenue and customer deposits                                                                                                                                                                  25,035        31,525



     Operating lease liabilities                                                                                                                                                                              8,854         9,624



     Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                              169,380       151,884



     Non-current operating lease liabilities                                                                                                                                                                 61,363        68,977



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                  217,155       246,877



     Reserve for income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                26,365        26,685



     Non-current accrued income taxes                                                                                                                                                                             -       18,338



     Other liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                        1,082           299



     Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                      475,345       513,060





     Commitments and contingencies



     Shareholders' equity:



     Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - Authorized: 400 shares in 2024 and 2023, respectively, no shares issued and outstanding                                                                                   -



     Common stock, $0.002 par value - Authorized: 300,000 shares in 2024 and 2023, respectively, issued and outstanding: 170,434 and 171,599 shares in 2024 and 2023, respectively                              341           343



     Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                           1,090,638     1,037,202



     Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                                                      499,303       512,543



     Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax                                                                                                                                                      (72,777)     (45,336)



     Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                           1,517,505     1,504,752



     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                                                                                          $1,992,850    $2,017,812


                                                                               
        
                COGNEX CORPORATION

                                                                            
        
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                  
        
                (Unaudited)

                                                                          
       
           (In thousands, except per share amounts)




                                                                                                                                
              
     Three-months Ended                    Twelve-months Ended


                                                                                                                               December 31,        September 29,  December 31,   December 31,          December 31,
                                                                                                                                       2024                  2024           2023            2024                   2023





     Revenue                                                                                                                      $229,684              $234,742       $196,670        $914,515               $837,547



     Cost of revenue (1)                                                                                                            71,825                75,343         61,626         288,721                236,306



     Gross profit                                                                                                                  157,859               159,399        135,044         625,794                601,241



     
                Percentage of revenue                                                                                             68.7 %               67.9 %        68.7 %         68.4 %                71.8 %



     Research, development, and engineering expenses (1)                                                                            32,538                35,210         34,693         139,815                139,400



     
                Percentage of revenue                                                                                             14.2 %               15.0 %        17.6 %         15.3 %                16.6 %



     Selling, general, and administrative expenses (1)                                                                              94,481                92,625         90,372         370,914                339,139



     
                Percentage of revenue                                                                                             41.1 %               39.5 %        46.0 %         40.6 %                40.5 %



     Loss (recovery) from fire                                                                                                           -                            (2,750)                              (8,000)



     Operating income                                                                                                               30,840                31,564         12,729         115,065                130,702



     
                Percentage of revenue                                                                                             13.4 %               13.4 %         6.5 %         12.6 %                15.6 %



     Foreign currency gain (loss)                                                                                                      445                 1,221          (129)          1,531               (10,039)



     Investment income                                                                                                               4,174                 3,561          1,520          13,971                 14,093



     Other income (expense)                                                                                                            341                   209            234             922                    592



     Income before income tax expense                                                                                               35,800                36,555         14,354         131,489                135,348



     Income tax expense                                                                                                              7,454                 6,964          3,125          25,318                 22,114



     Net income                                                                                                                    $28,346               $29,591        $11,229        $106,171               $113,234



     
                Percentage of revenue                                                                                             12.3 %               12.6 %         5.7 %         11.6 %                13.5 %





     Net income per weighted-average common and common-equivalent share:



     Basic                                                                                                                           $0.17                 $0.17          $0.07           $0.62                  $0.66



     Diluted                                                                                                                         $0.16                 $0.17          $0.07           $0.62                  $0.65





     Weighted-average common and common-equivalent shares outstanding:



     Basic                                                                                                                         171,282               171,519        171,771         171,438                172,249



     Diluted                                                                                                                       172,508               172,753        172,571         172,611                173,399





     Cash dividends per common share                                                                                                $0.080                $0.075         $0.075          $0.305                 $0.286









     (1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expense, as follows:



     Cost of revenue                                                                                                                  $506                  $442           $482          $1,966                 $1,979



     Research, development, and engineering                                                                                          2,992                 3,707          3,823          14,628                 16,480



     Selling, general, and administrative                                                                                            9,578                 8,952          8,945          35,849                 36,309



     Total stock-based compensation expense                                                                                        $13,076               $13,101        $13,250         $52,443                $54,768

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 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, such as loss or recovery
        related to a fire.
    --  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, such as loss or recovery
        related to a fire.
    --  Adjusted operating income: 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, such as loss or recovery
        related to a fire.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA: 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, such as loss or
        recovery related to a fire.
    --  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,
        such as loss or recovery related to a fire or a foreign currency (gain)
        loss on a forward contract to hedge the Moritex purchase price.
    --  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.

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                    Twelve-months Ended


                                                                                                                                                             December 31,        September 29,  December 31,   December 31,          December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                     2024                  2024           2023            2024                   2023





     Gross profit (GAAP)                                                                                                                                        $157,859              $159,399       $135,044        $625,794               $601,241



     Acquisition and integration costs                                                                                                                               213                   281          2,882           2,295                  2,882



     Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets                                                                                                         1,360                 1,640          1,126           5,817                  2,975



     Reorganization charges                                                                                                                                           18                                                 18



     Adjusted gross profit                                                                                                                                      $159,450              $161,320       $139,052        $633,924               $607,098



     GAAP gross margin                                                                                                                                            68.7 %               67.9 %        68.7 %         68.4 %                71.8 %



     Adjusted gross margin                                                                                                                                        69.4 %               68.7 %        70.7 %         69.3 %                72.5 %





     Operating expense (GAAP)                                                                                                                                   $127,019              $127,835       $122,315        $510,729               $470,539



     (Loss) recovery from fire                                                                                                                                         -                              2,750                                 8,000



     Acquisition and integration costs                                                                                                                             (761)                (962)       (5,101)        (4,229)               (7,080)



     Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets                                                                                                       (1,132)              (1,746)       (1,053)        (5,601)               (1,635)



     Reorganization charges                                                                                                                                      (2,972)                                           (2,972)



     Adjusted operating expense                                                                                                                                 $122,154              $125,127       $118,911        $497,927               $469,824





     Operating income (GAAP)                                                                                                                                     $30,840               $31,564        $12,729        $115,065               $130,702



     Loss (recovery) from fire                                                                                                                                         -                            (2,750)                              (8,000)



     Acquisition and integration costs                                                                                                                               974                 1,243          7,983           6,524                  9,962



     Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets                                                                                                         2,492                 3,386          2,179          11,418                  4,610



     Reorganization charges                                                                                                                                        2,990                                              2,990



     Adjusted operating income                                                                                                                                   $37,296               $36,193        $20,141        $135,997               $137,274



     GAAP operating margin                                                                                                                                        13.4 %               13.4 %         6.5 %         12.6 %                15.6 %



     Adjusted operating margin                                                                                                                                    16.2 %               15.4 %        10.2 %         14.9 %                16.4 %



     Depreciation (adjusted for amounts included in Acquisition and integration costs)                                                                             5,139                 5,027          4,713          20,393                 17,270



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                             $42,435               $41,220        $24,854        $156,390               $154,544



     Adjusted EBITDA margin                                                                                                                                       18.5 %               17.6 %        12.6 %         17.1 %                18.5 %





     Net income (GAAP)                                                                                                                                           $28,346               $29,591        $11,229        $106,171               $113,234



     Loss (recovery) from fire                                                                                                                                         -                            (2,750)                              (8,000)



     Acquisition and integration costs                                                                                                                               974                 1,243          7,983           6,524                  9,962



     Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets                                                                                                         2,492                 3,386          2,179          11,418                  4,610



     Foreign currency (gain) loss on forward contract                                                                                                                  -                                                                   8,456



     Reorganization charges                                                                                                                                        2,990                                              2,990



     Discrete tax (benefit) expense                                                                                                                                2,220                   889          1,498           5,731                  2,338



     Tax impact of reconciling items                                                                                                                             (2,008)              (1,176)       (1,134)        (5,571)               (3,207)



     Adjusted net income                                                                                                                                         $35,014               $33,933        $19,006        $127,263               $127,393





     Earnings per share of common stock, diluted (GAAP)                                                                                                            $0.16                 $0.17          $0.07           $0.62                  $0.65



     Loss (recovery) from fire                                                                                                                                         -                             (0.02)                               (0.05)



     Acquisition and integration costs                                                                                                                              0.01                  0.01           0.05            0.04                   0.06



     Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets                                                                                                          0.01                  0.02           0.01            0.07                   0.03



     Foreign currency (gain) loss on forward contract                                                                                                                  -                                                                    0.05



     Reorganization charges                                                                                                                                         0.02                                               0.02



     Discrete tax (benefit) expense                                                                                                                                 0.01                  0.01           0.01            0.03                   0.01



     Tax impact of reconciling items                                                                                                                              (0.01)               (0.01)        (0.01)         (0.03)                (0.02)



     Adjusted earnings per share of common stock, diluted                                                                                                          $0.20                 $0.20          $0.11           $0.74                  $0.73











     Effective tax rate (GAAP)                                                                                                                                    20.8 %               19.1 %        21.8 %         19.3 %                16.3 %



     Discrete tax benefit (expense)                                                                                                                              (6.2) %              (2.4) %      (10.4) %        (4.4) %               (1.7) %



     Net impact of other reconciling items                                                                                                                         2.5 %                1.0 %         1.4 %          1.6 %                 0.7 %



     Adjusted effective tax rate                                                                                                                                  17.1 %               17.6 %        12.7 %         16.5 %                15.3 %





     Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)                                                                                                                $51,404               $56,271        $14,491        $149,081               $112,916



     Capital expenditures                                                                                                                                        (2,073)              (4,399)       (7,015)       (15,043)              (23,077)



     Free cash flow                                                                                                                                              $49,331               $51,872         $7,476        $134,038                $89,839

Description of adjustments:

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company also provides various non-GAAP measures that incorporate adjustments for the impacts of special items. Adjustments incorporated in the preparation of these non-GAAP measures for the periods presented include the items described below:

Depreciation:

    --  The company incurs expense related to its normal use of property, plant
        and equipment.

Loss (recovery) from fire:

    --  On June 7, 2022, the Company's primary contract manufacturer experienced
        a fire at its plant in Indonesia. During the twelve-month period ended
        December 31, 2023, the Company recorded recoveries related to the fire
        of $8,000,000 consisting of $2,500,000 for proceeds received from the
        Company's insurance carrier in relation to a business interruption claim
        and $5,500,000 for proceeds received as part of a financial settlement
        for lost inventory and other losses incurred as a result of the fire.
        Management does not anticipate additional recoveries.

Acquisition and integration costs:

    --  The Company has incurred charges related to the purchase and integration
        of acquired businesses. During the twelve-month period ended December
        31, 2024, 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 twelve-month period ended December 31, 2024, 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, and
        establishments and adjustments of valuation allowances.
    --  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 report, 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 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, 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, and maintain 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 on the economic climate in China; (6) the challenges in integrating and achieving expected results from acquired businesses; (7) uncertainty surrounding our future capital needs; (8) information security breaches; (9) the failure to comply with laws or regulations relating to data privacy or data protection; (10) the inability to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property; (11) the failure to manufacture and deliver products in a timely manner; (12) the inability to obtain, or the delay in obtaining, components for our products at reasonable prices; (13) the inability to design and manufacture high-quality products; (14) the loss of, or curtailment of purchases by, large customers in the logistics, consumer electronics, or automotive industries; (15) challenges in accurately forecasting our financial results due to seasonal and cyclical variations in customer purchasing patterns; (16) potential impairment charges with respect to our investments or acquired intangible assets; (17) exposure to additional tax liabilities, increases and fluctuations in our effective tax rate, and other tax matters; (18) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the use of derivative instruments; (19) unfavorable global economic conditions, including increases in interest rates and elevated inflation rates; (20) business disruptions from natural or man-made disasters, public health crises, or other events outside our control; (21) exposure to potential liabilities, increased costs, reputational harm, and other adverse effects associated with expectations relating to environmental, social, and governance considerations; (22) stock price volatility; and (23) our involvement in time-consuming and costly litigation or activist shareholder activities. The foregoing list should not be construed as exhaustive and we encourage readers to refer to the detailed discussion of risk factors included in Part I - Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date such statements are made.

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 high-growth-potential 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, electric vehicle batteries and e-commerce packages, by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them. Machine vision is important for applications in which human vision is inadequate to meet requirements for size, accuracy, or speed, or in instances where substantial cost savings or quality improvements are maintained.

Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 4.5 million image-based products, representing over $11 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, USA, Cognex has offices and distributors located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For details, visit Cognex online at www.cognex.com.

Investor Contacts:
Nathan McCurren - Head of Investor Relations and Treasurer
Jordan Bertier - Sr. Manager, Investor Relations
Cognex Corporation
ir@cognex.com

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SOURCE Cognex Corporation