Badger Meter (BMI) vs Cognex (CGNX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cognex (CGNX) has outperformed Badger Meter (BMI) over the past year, gaining 33.2% versus a loss of 30.6%. Over five years, BMI leads with a +19.7% price change compared with -27.5% for CGNX. Cognex is the larger company by market cap ($10.25 billion vs $3.70 billion), about 2.8 times the size, while Badger Meter is growing revenue faster (+10.9% vs +8.7%).
On valuation, Badger Meter trades at a lower forward P/E (25.7x vs 30.0x for Cognex). Badger Meter offers the higher dividend yield (1.25% vs 0.55%). Badger Meter converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.5% versus 11.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BMI | CGNX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $127.66 | $60.91 |
| Market cap | $3.70B | $10.25B |
| 1-day change | +2.89% | -0.49% |
| YTD return | -28.86% | +70.12% |
| 1-year return | -30.63% | +33.21% |
| 5-year return | +19.70% | -27.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.83 | 58.57 |
| Forward P/E | 25.70 | 30.04 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.28 | $1.04 |
| Dividend yield | 1.25% | 0.55% |
| Annual dividend | $1.60 | $0.335 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $916.66M | $994.36M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.90% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $141.63M | $114.44M |
| Gross margin | 41.68% | 66.92% |
| Operating margin | 20.01% | 16.35% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 11.51% |
| 52-week high | $204.00 | $72.88 |
| 52-week low | $112.09 | $34.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.42% | -16.42% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.72% | +29.88% |
| Average volume | 414.07K | 1.89M |
| Shares outstanding | 28.99M | 168.22M |
| Employees | 2,477 | 2,745 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Cognex is about 2.8 times larger than Badger Meter by market value ($10.25B vs $3.70B).
- CGNX has outperformed BMI by 63.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Cognex trades at a higher earnings multiple (58.6x vs 29.8x trailing P/E).
About Badger Meter
BMI stock →Badger Meter, Inc. manufactures and markets flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,477 employees
About Cognex
CGNX stock →Cognex Corporation provides machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate manufacturing and distribution tasks in the United States, Europe, Greater China, and internationally. Its machine vision products are used to automate the manufacture and distribution of discrete items, such as mobile phones, automotive components, and e-commerce packages, by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,745 employees
BMI vs CGNX FAQ
Which is bigger, Badger Meter or Cognex?
Cognex (CGNX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.25B compared with $3.70B for Badger Meter (BMI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BMI or CGNX?
CGNX returned +33.21% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.63% for BMI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BMI or CGNX?
BMI has the lower trailing P/E at 29.8, versus 58.6 for CGNX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Badger Meter or Cognex?
Badger Meter has the higher yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.55% for Cognex.
Are Badger Meter and Cognex in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.