Cognex (CGNX) vs Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Cognex (CGNX) has outperformed Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) over the past year, gaining 30.3% versus a loss of 2.3%. Over five years, ZWS leads with a +29.6% price change compared with -27.8% for CGNX. Cognex is the larger company by market cap ($10.25 billion vs $7.67 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (22.7x vs 30.0x for Cognex). Zurn Elkay Water Solutions offers the higher dividend yield (0.91% vs 0.55%). Zurn Elkay Water Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% 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 | ZWS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $60.91 | $46.24 |
| Market cap | $10.25B | $7.67B |
| 1-day change | -0.49% | -0.52% |
| YTD return | +69.29% | -0.54% |
| 1-year return | +30.29% | -2.30% |
| 5-year return | -27.84% | +29.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 58.57 | 28.72 |
| Forward P/E | 30.04 | 22.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.04 | $1.61 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 0.91% |
| Annual dividend | $0.335 | $0.42 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $994.36M | $1.70B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.73% | +8.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.44M | $198.00M |
| Gross margin | 66.92% | 45.10% |
| Operating margin | 16.35% | 16.45% |
| Net margin | 11.51% | 11.68% |
| 52-week high | $72.88 | $55.00 |
| 52-week low | $34.60 | $43.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.42% | -15.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.88% | +25.43% |
| Average volume | 1.89M | 903.92K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.22M | 165.86M |
| Employees | 2,745 | 2,600 |
| 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
- CGNX has outperformed ZWS by 32.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Cognex trades at a higher earnings multiple (58.6x vs 28.7x trailing P/E).
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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
ZWS stock →Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation engages in design, procurement, manufacture, and marketing of water management solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers water dispensing and filtration products, such as filtered bottle filling stations, water fountains and water dispensers, and filtered faucets under the Elkay and Halsey Taylor brand names; filtered units including water filters; and water safety and control products, such as backflow preventers, fire system valves, pressure reducing valves, and thermostatic mixing valves under the Zurn and Wilkins brand names.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,600 employees
CGNX vs ZWS FAQ
Which is bigger, Cognex or Zurn Elkay Water Solutions?
Cognex (CGNX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.25B compared with $7.67B for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CGNX or ZWS?
CGNX returned +30.29% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.30% for ZWS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CGNX or ZWS?
ZWS has the lower trailing P/E at 28.7, 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, Cognex or Zurn Elkay Water Solutions?
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions has the higher yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.55% for Cognex.
Are Cognex and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.