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Mar 29, 2020

Cognex Q1 2020 Earnings Report

Cognex's Q1 2020 results were reported, showing a decrease in revenue and net income compared to Q1 2019, but gross margin improved due to favorable product mix.

Key Takeaways

Cognex reported Q1 2020 financial results with revenue of $167.235 million and net income of $20.477 million, which were in line with guidance. The COVID-19 outbreak had a modest adverse impact. The company expects a decline in both revenue and earnings per share for Q2 2020.

Revenue decreased by 4% year-over-year to $167.235 million due to weakness in the automotive sector and other industrial end markets.

Net income decreased by 38% year-over-year to $20.477 million.

Gross margin improved to 75% due to a favorable mix towards higher-margin products.

The COVID-19 outbreak had a modest adverse impact on business in Q1 2020.

Total Revenue
$167M
Previous year: $173M
-3.6%
EPS
$0.11
Previous year: $0.17
-35.3%
Gross Margin
75%
Previous year: 73%
+2.7%
Effective Tax Rate
11%
Previous year: 7%
+57.1%
Gross Profit
$126M
Previous year: $127M
-0.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$845M
Previous year: $105M
+702.9%
Free Cash Flow
$59M
Previous year: $56.2M
+4.9%
Total Assets
$1.89B
Previous year: $1.35B
+39.2%

Cognex

Cognex

Forward Guidance

Cognex expects a decline in both revenue and earnings per share, excluding discrete tax items, for Q2 2020 on both a year-on-year and sequential basis. Gross margin for Q2 2020 is expected to be in the mid-70% range and lower than the gross margin reported for Q1-20. Operating expenses are expected to decline by greater than 10% from Q1-20 as a result of lower discretionary spending. The effective tax rate is expected to be 17%, excluding discrete tax items.

Positive Outlook

  • Operating expenses are expected to decline by greater than 10% from Q1-20 as a result of lower discretionary spending.

Challenges Ahead

  • Cognex expects to report a decline in both revenue and earnings per share, excluding discrete tax items, for Q2-20 on both a year-on-year and sequential basis.
  • Gross margin for Q2-20 is expected to be in the mid-70% range and lower than the gross margin reported for Q1-20.
  • The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has expanded and accelerated into Q2-20.
  • Cognex has noted lower demand for its products in certain industries.
  • Additional disruptions to the supply chain, longer customer delivery times, higher delivery costs, and further shutdowns of customer facilities are expected.