Cognex (CGNX) vs ESCO Technologies (ESE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Cognex (CGNX) has outperformed ESCO Technologies (ESE) over the past year, gaining 33.3% versus a gain of 22.8%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +204.0% price change compared with -27.4% for CGNX. Cognex is the larger company by market cap ($10.30 billion vs $6.66 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while ESCO Technologies is growing revenue faster (+19.2% vs +8.7%).
On valuation, ESCO Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (27.8x vs 30.2x for Cognex). Cognex offers the higher dividend yield (0.55% vs 0.12%). ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% 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 | CGNX | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $61.21 | $256.90 |
| Market cap | $10.30B | $6.66B |
| 1-day change | -7.75% | -4.22% |
| YTD return | +70.29% | +31.48% |
| 1-year return | +33.34% | +22.81% |
| 5-year return | -27.41% | +203.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 58.86 | 47.66 |
| Forward P/E | 30.19 | 27.85 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.04 | $5.39 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 0.12% |
| Annual dividend | $0.335 | $0.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $994.36M | $1.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.73% | +19.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.44M | $299.22M |
| Gross margin | 66.92% | 42.09% |
| Operating margin | 16.35% | 15.55% |
| Net margin | 11.51% | 27.32% |
| 52-week high | $72.88 | $362.15 |
| 52-week low | $34.60 | $193.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.01% | -29.06% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.24% | +52.10% |
| Average volume | 1.88M | 216.73K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.22M | 25.91M |
| Employees | 2,745 | 3,359 |
| Sector | Industrials | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Telecommunications Equipment |
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
- CGNX has outperformed ESE by 10.5 percentage points over the past year.
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 11.5 cents for Cognex.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs +8.73%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Cognex in Industrials and ESCO Technologies in Telecommunications.
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
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 employees
CGNX vs ESE FAQ
Which is bigger, Cognex or ESCO Technologies?
Cognex (CGNX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.30B compared with $6.66B for ESCO Technologies (ESE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CGNX or ESE?
CGNX returned +33.34% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.81% for ESE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CGNX or ESE?
ESE has the lower trailing P/E at 47.7, versus 58.9 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, Cognex or ESCO Technologies?
Cognex has the higher yield at 0.55%, compared with 0.12% for ESCO Technologies.
Are Cognex and ESCO Technologies in the same industry?
No. Cognex is in the Industrials sector, while ESCO Technologies is in Telecommunications.