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Dec 31, 2022

Cognex Q4 2022 Earnings Report

Cognex reported Q4 2022 results, which were in line with guidance, but not representative of the company's long-term growth expectations, as the company is navigating through a challenging business environment.

Key Takeaways

Cognex's Q4 2022 revenue was $239.43 million, a decrease of 2% compared to Q4 2021. Net income was $55.31 million, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year. Diluted EPS was $0.32, compared to $0.30 in Q4 2021. The company is facing challenges due to paused investments from e-commerce customers and slower trends across the broader factory automation business.

Revenue decreased by 2% from Q4-21 and increased by 14% from Q3-22.

Gross margin was 71% for Q4-22, compared to 72% for Q4-21.

The effective tax rate was 7% in Q4-22.

Cognex expects revenue for Q1-23 to be between $180 million and $200 million.

Total Revenue
$239M
Previous year: $244M
-1.9%
EPS
$0.27
Previous year: $0.3
-10.0%
Gross Margin
71%
Previous year: 72%
-1.4%
Effective Tax Rate
7%
Previous year: 8%
-12.5%
Gross Profit
$170M
Previous year: $175M
-3.1%
Cash and Equivalents
$854M
Previous year: $907M
-5.9%
Free Cash Flow
$62.2M
Previous year: $50.4M
+23.3%
Total Assets
$1.96B
Previous year: $2B
-2.3%

Cognex

Cognex

Forward Guidance

Cognex expects revenue for Q1-23 to be between $180 million and $200 million. Gross margin for Q1-23 is expected to be in the low-70% range. The combined total of expenses for RD&E and SG&A is expected to increase by approximately 10% on a sequential basis. The effective tax rate is expected to be 16%, excluding discrete tax items.

Positive Outlook

  • Revenue for Q1-23 is expected to be between $180 million and $200 million.
  • Gross margin for Q1-23 is expected to be in the low-70% range.
  • The effective tax rate is expected to be 16%, excluding discrete tax items.
  • Company continues to invest in the sales and marketing organization.
  • Company has new product launches coming up this year.

Challenges Ahead

  • Revenue for Q1-23 represents a decline both year-on-year and sequentially.
  • Decline is due to lower revenue from a few large e-commerce customers.
  • Decline is due to broader macroeconomic softness.
  • Q1-23 gross margin reflects the significant premiums the company has paid to procure components previously destroyed by the fire.
  • The combined total of expenses for RD&E and SG&A is expected to increase by approximately 10% on a sequential basis due to investments in the company’s sales and marketing organization, merit increases, and an unfavorable impact from currency exchange rates.