COGNEX CORP (CGNX)

AI-Powered SEC Filing Analysis

Insider Trading Filed: 2026-05-08

Key Insights

  • CFO Dennis Fehr acquired 5,394 shares through restricted stock unit vesting on May 6, 2026, with a vesting structure tied to a relocation requirement to Massachusetts by October 31, 2026, suggesting company interest in consolidating leadership presence.
  • Fehr disposed of 1,984 shares at $62.26 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vested RSUs, a routine tax management action with no discretionary selling signal.
  • The CFO maintains substantial equity incentives with over 186,000 unexercised stock options across multiple vesting dates and exercise prices ranging from $33.04 to $57.09, indicating strong long-term alignment with shareholder interests.
  • The RSU vesting schedule (20% year 1, 30% year 2, 50% year 3) is contingent on the Massachusetts relocation condition, which represents a notable retention and location strategy mechanism for this senior executive.
Quarterly Report Filed: 2026-05-07

Key Insights

  • The filing shows Q1 2026 results for COGNEX CORP with fiscal year end December 31, 2025, indicating the company is maintaining its standard quarterly reporting cadence with no material disruptions to operations.
  • Multiple currency exposures are tracked across 11 different currencies (SGD, CNY, EUR, MXN, HUF, GBP, JPY, CHF, INR, KRW, USD), suggesting significant international revenue streams that create foreign exchange risk and opportunity.
  • The company completed a disposal of its Japan-focused trading business as of April 1, 2026, representing a strategic portfolio adjustment that may improve focus on core vision and machine learning operations.
  • Two active share repurchase programs are in effect (March 2022 program and new February 2026 program), indicating management confidence in valuation and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
  • The presence of multiple intangible asset categories (customer contracts, developed technology rights, trademarks, distribution rights) reflects a portfolio of acquisitions and suggests reliance on proprietary technology and customer relationships for competitive advantage.
Current Report Filed: 2026-05-06

Key Insights

  • Cognex reported Q2 2026 financial results (quarter ended April 5, 2026) on May 6, 2026, indicating the company continues to meet regular earnings reporting obligations and maintain investor communication consistency.
  • The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share payable June 4, 2026, demonstrating management confidence in cash generation and commitment to returning capital to shareholders despite market conditions.
  • The filing indicates this is a routine earnings announcement with no material agreements, leadership changes, or extraordinary events disclosed, suggesting stable operational conditions without material developments requiring special disclosure.
Current Report Filed: 2026-04-30

Key Insights

  • Joerg Kuechen's demotion from executive officer to Head of M&A suggests a potential strategic shift in the company's acquisition focus or organizational restructuring, though he remains employed at the company.
  • The 2026 Annual Meeting showed shareholder approval of all proposals, but notably the say-on-pay vote received 79.6% support (109.6M for vs 29.7M against), indicating some investor concern about executive compensation relative to performance.
  • Amendment No. 1 to the 2023 Stock Option and Incentive Plan was approved with strong support (97.3% for), suggesting confidence in the company's equity-based compensation structure and future incentive strategy.
  • Director election results show notably lower support for Angelos Papadimitriou (85.4% for) compared to Moschner (97.9%) and Donato (96.3%), which could indicate investor concerns about specific board composition or his role.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-03-16

Key Insights

  • Insider Laura A. MacDonald, VP and PAO, exercised 368 restricted stock units and sold 109 shares to cover tax withholding obligations, indicating an ongoing commitment to the company.
  • MacDonald holds a significant equity stake in Cognex Corp, with over 91,000 shares and options/RSUs outstanding, aligning her interests with shareholders.
  • The filing shows a mix of vesting and exercise of equity awards, suggesting a balanced approach to stock ownership and diversification.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-03-03

Key Insights

  • Dianne M. Parrotte, a director at Cognex Corp, exercised a total of 44,000 stock options and sold 44,000 shares of common stock on March 2, 2026.
  • The stock options were granted at various exercise prices ranging from $45.06 to $51.49 per share, and were exercised and subsequently sold at $54 per share.
  • This insider transaction suggests Parrotte is taking profits, but still maintains a direct ownership of 33,431 shares of Cognex common stock.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • John Tseng-Chung Lee, a director of Cognex Corporation, has exercised 2,913 restricted stock units that were granted on February 21, 2023, indicating his continued commitment to the company.
  • Lee's ownership of Cognex common stock has increased to 24,820 shares following this transaction, suggesting he has confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
  • The vesting schedule of the restricted stock units shows that 20% vested on the first anniversary, 30% on the second, and 50% on the third, aligning his interests with those of the company and its shareholders.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Sheila DiPalma, an EVP at Cognex Corp, executed several stock transactions on February 20 and 21, 2026, including the exercise of restricted stock units and the subsequent sale of shares to cover tax withholding obligations.
  • DiPalma's transactions resulted in a net increase in her direct beneficial ownership of Cognex's common stock, from 12,390 shares to 15,013 shares.
  • The insider transactions are consistent with DiPalma's role as a key executive at Cognex, and the relatively modest size of the trades suggests normal compensation-related activities rather than any significant change in her investment position.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Laura MacDonald, the VP and PAO of Cognex Corp, exercised 1,902 and 2,754 restricted stock units on February 20 and 21, 2026 respectively, suggesting ongoing executive confidence in the company.
  • MacDonald also sold 559 and 809 shares to cover tax withholding obligations on the vesting of the restricted stock units, indicating she is not significantly reducing her direct equity ownership in Cognex.
  • The reporting includes details on MacDonald's existing equity awards, including various stock options and restricted stock units, providing insight into her overall compensation structure and incentive alignment with shareholders.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • The reporting person, Carl Gerst, an EVP at Cognex, has exercised restricted stock units (RSUs) and made open market sales of the underlying common stock on multiple dates in February 2026.
  • The total number of shares sold across the reported transactions is 14,336, which represents a significant portion of Gerst's holdings in Cognex.
  • Gerst continues to hold a substantial number of stock options and RSUs, indicating he maintains a significant equity stake in the company.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Joerg Kuechen, the Head of Corporate M&A, exercised and sold a significant number of stock options and restricted stock units of COGNEX CORP, potentially signaling an insider's view on the company's near-term prospects.
  • The option exercises and sales occurred at favorable prices, potentially suggesting that Kuechen believes the stock is overvalued and may be a good time to take profits.
  • The transactions involve a mix of vested and unvested equity awards, providing insight into Kuechen's portfolio management and liquidity needs.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • CEO Matthew Moschner exercised a significant number of stock options and restricted stock units, indicating his confidence in the company's future performance.
  • Moschner sold a portion of the shares acquired through the option exercises and RSU vesting, likely to cover tax withholding obligations.
  • The company has granted Moschner a substantial number of equity awards, aligning his interests with those of shareholders.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Anthony Sun, a director at Cognex Corporation (CGNX), exercised 2,913 restricted stock units and acquired an additional 52,608 shares indirectly through an LLC, indicating increased ownership in the company.
  • Sun holds a combination of restricted stock units, non-qualified stock options, and direct share ownership, suggesting he has a significant long-term stake in Cognex's performance.
  • The timing of this transaction, shortly before the company's fiscal year-end, may signal Sun's confidence in Cognex's future prospects.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Sachin Lawande, a director of Cognex Corporation, exercised 2,913 restricted stock units on February 21, 2026, acquiring the same number of common shares of the company.
  • Lawande continues to hold 28,431 shares of Cognex's common stock directly, as well as an additional 4,817 restricted stock units that will vest on February 17, 2027.
  • This transaction suggests that Lawande, a key insider, has confidence in Cognex's long-term prospects and is increasing his stake in the company.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Marjorie Sennett, a director of Cognex Corporation, acquired 2,913 shares of the company's common stock through the vesting of restricted stock units on February 21, 2026.
  • Sennett now holds a total of 25,936 shares of Cognex stock directly, indicating continued ownership and confidence in the company's prospects.
  • The filing also discloses that Sennett has been granted additional 4,817 restricted stock units, which will vest on February 17, 2027, further aligning her interests with those of Cognex shareholders.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • The reporting person, Dianne M. Parrotte, is a director of Cognex Corporation and has acquired 2,913 shares of common stock through the vesting of restricted stock units.
  • Parrotte also holds non-qualified stock options for a total of 44,000 shares, indicating ongoing equity-based compensation and retention.
  • The transaction date of February 21, 2026 suggests regular vesting of equity awards, which is a common practice for directors and executives.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-24

Key Insights

  • Angelos Papadimitriou, a director of Cognex Corporation, acquired 2,537 shares of the company's common stock through the vesting of restricted stock units on February 21, 2026.
  • Following the acquisition, Papadimitriou sold 4,150 shares of Cognex common stock on February 23, 2026 at a price of $55.58 per share.
  • Papadimitriou currently holds 16,222 shares of Cognex common stock directly, indicating an ongoing commitment to the company.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-19

Key Insights

  • Dennis Fehr, the SVP and Chief Financial Officer of Cognex Corp, exercised 5,085 non-qualified stock options and acquired 24,523 restricted stock units on February 17, 2026, indicating continued confidence in the company's future performance.
  • Fehr also sold 1,618 shares to cover tax withholding obligations, suggesting he is not cashing out a significant portion of his holdings at this time.
  • The recent grants of stock options and restricted stock units suggest Fehr's compensation is heavily tied to the company's long-term success, aligning his interests with those of shareholders.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-19

Key Insights

  • Matthew Moschner, the CEO and President of Cognex Corp (CGNX), exercised 5,085 non-qualified stock options and acquired 56,928 restricted stock units on February 17-18, 2026.
  • Moschner sold 1,600 shares to cover tax withholding obligations, indicating a neutral sentiment and confidence in the company's prospects.
  • The reported transactions align with Moschner's previous grants and vesting schedule, suggesting a continuation of his long-term commitment to the company.
Insider Trading Filed: 2026-02-19

Key Insights

  • Angelos Papadimitriou, a director at Cognex Corporation, acquired 4,817 restricted stock units on 02/17/2026, indicating ongoing management confidence in the company.
  • Papadimitriou also exercised 8,324 restricted stock units on 02/18/2026, suggesting he is holding a significant portion of his equity compensation.
  • The company has granted additional restricted stock units that will vest in the future, aligning management's interests with shareholders.

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Important Information

AI-generated analysis is for informational purposes only. Always read original SEC filings and consult with qualified professionals before making investment decisions.