Cognex [CGNX] vs Esco Technologies [ESE] Detailed Stock Comparison
TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary
Based on 21 vital metrics comparison: Cognex Corporation wins in 8 metrics, Esco Technologies Inc. wins in 13 metrics, with 0 ties. Esco Technologies Inc. appears stronger overall.
View Metrics Details
Vital Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Cognex Corporation | Esco Technologies Inc. | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 79.79 | 65.31 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Price-to-Book Ratio | 6.07 | 5.21 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio | 5.13 | 13.53 | Cognex Corporation |
| PEG Ratio | 4.52 | 3.00 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| EV/EBITDA | 45.15 | 30.23 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.51% | 26.01% | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 13.98% | 13.25% | Cognex Corporation |
| EBITDA Margin (TTM) | 13.98% | 13.25% | Cognex Corporation |
| Return on Equity | 7.61% | 8.91% | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.07% | 5.49% | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $236.77M | $189.77M | Cognex Corporation |
| Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 0.16% | Cognex Corporation |
| 1-Year Return | 119.72% | 61.06% | Cognex Corporation |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.11 | 6.95 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Enterprise Value | $8.73B | $8.24B | Cognex Corporation |
| EV/Revenue Ratio | 8.78 | 7.04 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 65.75% | 41.40% | Cognex Corporation |
| Revenue per Share (TTM) | $6 | $45 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Earnings per Share (Diluted) | $0.68 | $4.81 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Beta (Stock Volatility) | 1.47 | 1.14 | Esco Technologies Inc. |
| Short % of Float | 3.11% | 1.95% | Esco Technologies Inc. |
Cognex Corporation vs Esco Technologies Inc. Stock Performance Analysis
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Performance Comparison
Short-term Returns
| Stock | 1D | 1W | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognex Corporation | 0.00% | -3.29% | 17.37% | 22.76% | 73.03% | 78.93% |
| Esco Technologies Inc. | 1.26% | -4.43% | -11.01% | 2.02% | 42.91% | 47.54% |
Long-term Returns
| Stock | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | 15Y | 20Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognex Corporation | 119.72% | 15.79% | -17.17% | 197.69% | 668.38% | 914.64% |
| Esco Technologies Inc. | 61.06% | 204.09% | 217.42% | 617.02% | 723.18% | 458.87% |
Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Cognex Corporation vs Esco Technologies Inc.
| Metric | CGNX | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Market Information | ||
| Market Cap | $9.06B | $8.26B |
| Market Cap Category | Mid cap | Mid cap |
| 10 Day Avg. Volume | 1,495,076 | 390,506 |
| 90 Day Avg. Volume | 1,698,755 | 343,335 |
| Last Close | $66.08 | $295.24 |
| 52 Week Range | $29.22 - $71.90 | $174.92 - $346.20 |
| % from 52W High | -8.09% | -14.72% |
| All-Time High | $101.82 (Feb 08, 2021) | $340.33 (May 05, 2026) |
| % from All-Time High | -35.10% | -13.25% |
| Growth Metrics | ||
| Quarterly Revenue Growth | 0.10% | 0.35% |
| Quarterly Earnings Growth | 0.15% | 0.22% |
| Financial Health | ||
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.12% | 0.26% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 0.14% | 0.13% |
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.08% | 0.09% |
| Debt to Equity (MRQ) | 5.13 | 13.53 |
| Cash & Liquidity | ||
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $8.93 | $60.28 |
| Cash per Share (MRQ) | $2.03 | $4.01 |
| Operating Cash Flow (TTM) | $245.51M | $276.63M |
| Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $190.51M | $339.68M |
| Dividends | ||
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 0.16% |
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $0.42 | $0.32 |
Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: Cognex Corporation vs Esco Technologies Inc.
| Metric | CGNX (Apr 26, 2026) | ESE (Apr 24, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Price Ratios | ||
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 79.79 | 65.31 |
| Forward P/E | 35.29 | 34.34 |
| PEG Ratio | 4.52 | 3.00 |
| Price to Sales (TTM) | 9.11 | 6.95 |
| Price to Book (MRQ) | 6.07 | 5.21 |
| Market Capitalization | ||
| Market Capitalization | $9.06B | $8.26B |
| Enterprise Value | $8.73B | $8.24B |
| Enterprise Value Metrics | ||
| Enterprise to Revenue | 8.78 | 7.04 |
| Enterprise to EBITDA | 45.15 | 30.23 |
| Risk & Other Metrics | ||
| Beta | 1.47 | 1.14 |
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $8.93 | $60.28 |
Financial Statements Comparison: Cognex Corporation vs Esco Technologies Inc.
Financial Metrics
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Revenue
Operating Margin
Profit Margin
Long Term Debt
Income Flow Analysis
Financial Statements Comparison
Income Statement
| Metric | CGNX (2025) | ESE (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue/Sales | 994.36M | 1.10B |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 328.97M | 634.30M |
| COGS % of Revenue | 33.1% | 57.9% |
| Gross Profit | 665.39M | 461.09M |
| Gross Margin | 66.9% | 42.1% |
| Research & Development | 138.97M | N/A |
| Operating Income (EBIT) | 162.57M | 173.13M |
| Operating Margin | 16.3% | 15.8% |
| EBITDA | 180.49M | 245.38M |
| EBITDA Margin | 18.2% | 22.4% |
| Pre-Tax Income | 182.80M | 152.85M |
| Pre-Tax Income % of Revenue | 18.4% | 14.0% |
| Income Tax | 68.36M | 36.55M |
| Income Tax % of Revenue | 6.9% | 3.3% |
| Net Income (Profit) | 114.44M | 299.22M |
| Profit Margin | 11.5% | 27.3% |
Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics
| Metric | CGNX (2025) | ESE (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Equivalents | 262.93M | 101.35M |
| Total Current Assets | 697.25M | 688.51M |
| Total Current Assets % of Revenue | 70.1% | 62.9% |
| Total Current Liabilities | 183.55M | 508.15M |
| Total Current Liabilities % of Revenue | 18.5% | 46.4% |
| Long-Term Debt | 64.87M | 210.40M |
| Long-Term Debt % of Revenue | 6.5% | 19.2% |
| Total Shareholders Equity | 1.49B | 1.54B |
| Retained Earnings | 406.36M | 1.37B |
| Retained Earnings % of Revenue | 40.9% | 125.4% |
| Property, Plant & Equipment | 121.78M | 47.71M |
Cash Flow Statement Comparison
| Metric | CGNX (2025) | ESE (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Cash Flow | 246.48M | 191.01M |
| Operating Cash Flow % of Revenue | 24.8% | 17.4% |
| Capital Expenditures | -2.04M | N/A |
| Free Cash Flow | 236.77M | 189.77M |
| FCF Margin | 23.8% | 17.3% |
| Debt Repayment | N/A | -597.00M |
| Common Stock Repurchase | -151.23M | 0 |
Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis
| Metric | CGNX | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Shares Short | 4.61M | 368,530 |
| Short Ratio | 2.55 | 1.32 |
| Short % of Float | 3.11% | 1.95% |
| Shares Outstanding | 167.00M | 25.90M |
| Float Shares | 158.08M | 25.75M |
| % Held by Insiders | 0.36% | 0.38% |
| % Held by Institutions | 102.31% | 100.51% |
| % Held by Public | -2.67% | -0.89% |
Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: Cognex Corporation vs Esco Technologies Inc.
| Metric | CGNX | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $0.42 | $0.32 |
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 0.16% |
| 3-Year Avg Annual Dividend | $0.33 | $0.35 |
| 3-Year Avg Dividend Yield | 0.19% | 0.07% |
| 3-Year Total Dividends | $0.99 | $1.04 |
| Ex-Dividend Date | Feb 26, 2026 | Jan 02, 2026 |