Cognex (CGNX) vs Garmin (GRMN)
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 Garmin (GRMN) over the past year, gaining 33.2% versus a gain of 7.7%. Over five years, GRMN leads with a +76.9% price change compared with -27.5% for CGNX. Garmin is the larger company by market cap ($53.26 billion vs $10.30 billion), about 5.2 times the size.
On valuation, Garmin trades at a lower forward P/E (24.8x vs 30.2x for Cognex). Garmin offers the higher dividend yield (1.52% vs 0.55%). Garmin converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.0% 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 | GRMN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $61.21 | $276.16 |
| Market cap | $10.30B | $53.26B |
| 1-day change | -7.75% | -1.09% |
| YTD return | +70.12% | +36.14% |
| 1-year return | +33.21% | +7.74% |
| 5-year return | -27.48% | +76.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 58.86 | 28.83 |
| Forward P/E | 30.19 | 24.80 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.04 | $9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 1.52% |
| Annual dividend | $0.335 | $4.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $994.36M | $7.25B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.73% | +15.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.44M | $1.66B |
| Gross margin | 66.92% | 58.74% |
| Operating margin | 16.35% | 25.89% |
| Net margin | 11.51% | 22.96% |
| 52-week high | $72.88 | $314.28 |
| 52-week low | $34.60 | $186.67 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.01% | -12.13% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.24% | +9.36% |
| Average volume | 1.88M | 905.83K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.22M | 192.85M |
| Employees | 2,745 | 23,000 |
| 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
- Garmin is about 5.2 times larger than Cognex by market value ($53.26B vs $10.30B).
- CGNX has outperformed GRMN by 25.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Cognex trades at a higher earnings multiple (58.9x vs 28.8x trailing P/E).
- Garmin is more profitable, keeping 23.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 11.5 cents for Cognex.
- Garmin grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+15.06% vs +8.73%).
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 Garmin
GRMN stock →Garmin Ltd. designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes a diverse range of GPS-enabled products and navigation, communications, sensor-based, and information products and services worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 23,000 employees
CGNX vs GRMN FAQ
Which is bigger, Cognex or Garmin?
Garmin (GRMN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $53.26B compared with $10.30B for Cognex (CGNX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CGNX or GRMN?
CGNX returned +33.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.74% for GRMN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CGNX or GRMN?
GRMN has the lower trailing P/E at 28.8, 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 Garmin?
Garmin has the higher yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.55% for Cognex.
Are Cognex and Garmin in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.