COGNEX CORP - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2013

or

for the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 001-34218

COGNEX CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

One Vision Drive

Natick, Massachusetts 01760-2059

(508) 650-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  x

As of September 29, 2013, there were 87,280,585 shares of Common Stock, $.002 par value per share, of the registrant outstanding.

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INDEX

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COGNEX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, these notes are condensed and do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Reference should be made to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

In the opinion of the management of Cognex Corporation (the “Company”), the accompanying consolidated unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments and financial statement reclassifications necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 29, 2013, and the results of its operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, and changes in shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods presented.

On July 29, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which was effected through a stock dividend distributed on September 16, 2013. All references made to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been restated to reflect the effect of this two-for-one stock split for all periods presented.

The results disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

NOTE 2: New Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”

The amendments in ASU 2013-01 require companies to present enhanced disclosure about certain financial instruments and derivative instruments that are offset in the balance sheet or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The disclosure requirement became effective, retrospectively, in the first quarter of our fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. However, as this ASU related only to presentation and disclosure it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”

The amendments in ASU 2013-02 require companies to present information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to net income, by component. The effect of significant reclassification adjustments being made out of accumulated OCI on the corresponding line items in net income must be presented when the item is reclassified in its entirety during one reporting period. While the new guidance in ASU 2013-12 changes the presentation of accumulated OCI, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or OCI under current accounting guidance.

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations were realized gains of $20,000 and $103,000 during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013, respectively, and realized gains of $340,000 and $1,411,000 during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”

The amendments in ASU 2013-11 require companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward or a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless the uncertain tax position is not available to reduce, or would not be used to reduce, the NOL or carryforward under the tax law in the same jurisdiction; otherwise, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a gross liability and should not net the unrecognized tax benefit with a

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

deferred tax asset. As the Company does not currently have any NOL carryforwards, this guidance will most likely apply to research and development tax credit carryforwards. ASU 2013-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date. Companies may choose to apply this guidance retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. Management is the process of evaluating the impact of this Update.

NOTE 3: Fair Value Measurements

Financial Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 29, 2013 (in thousands):

The Company’s cash equivalents and money market instruments are reported at fair value based upon the daily market price for identical assets in active markets, and are therefore classified as Level 1 investments. The Company’s corporate stock position is reported at fair value based upon quoted market prices on a stock exchange, and is therefore classified as a Level 1 investment.

The Company’s debt securities and currency forward contracts are reported at fair value based upon model-driven valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset, and are therefore classified as Level 2 investments. Management is responsible for estimating the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities, and in doing so, considers valuations provided by a large, third-party pricing service. For debt securities, this service maintains regular contact with market makers, brokers, dealers, and analysts to gather information on market movement, direction, trends, and other specific data. They use this information to structure yield curves for various types of debt securities and arrive at the daily valuations.

The Company did not record an other-than-temporary impairment of these investments during the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013.

Financial Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

The Company has an interest in a limited partnership, which is accounted for using the cost method and is required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Management is responsible for estimating the fair value of this investment, and in doing so, considers valuations of the partnership’s investments as determined by the General Partner. Publicly-traded investments in active markets are reported at the market closing price less a discount, as appropriate, to reflect restricted marketability. Fair value for private investments for which observable market prices in active markets do not exist is based upon the best information available including the value of a recent financing, reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies (such as revenue multiples), public or private transactions (such as the sale of a comparable company), and valuations for publicly-traded comparable companies. The valuations also

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

incorporate the General Partner’s own judgment and close familiarity with the business activities of each portfolio company. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The portfolio consists of securities of public and private companies, and consequently, inputs used in the fair value calculation are classified as Level 3. The Company did not record an other-than-temporary impairment of this asset during the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013.

Non-financial Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Non-financial assets such as goodwill, intangible assets, and property, plant, and equipment are required to be measured at fair value only when an impairment loss is recognized. The Company did not record an impairment charge related to these assets during the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013.

NOTE 4: Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments consisted of the following (in thousands):

The Company’s investment portfolio includes corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, treasury bills, sovereign bonds, municipal bonds, and agency bonds. Corporate bonds consist of debt securities issued by both domestic and foreign companies; asset-backed securities consist of debt securities collateralized by pools of receivables or loans with credit enhancement; treasury bills consist of debt securities issued by both the U.S. and foreign governments; sovereign bonds consist of direct debt issued by foreign governments; municipal bonds consist of debt securities issued by state and local government entities; and agency bonds consist of domestic or foreign obligations of government agencies and government sponsored enterprises that have government backing.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The following tables summarize the Company’s available-for-sale investments as of September 29, 2013 (in thousands):

The following table summarizes the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair values for available-for-sale investments in an unrealized loss position as of September 29, 2013 (in thousands):

As of September 29, 2013, the Company did not recognize an other-than-temporary impairment of these investments. In its evaluation, management considered the type of security, the credit rating of the security, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the size of the loss position, our intent and ability to hold the security to expected recovery of value, and other meaningful information. The Company does not intend to sell, and is unlikely to be required to sell, any of these available-for-sale investments before its effective maturity or market price recovery.

The Company recorded gross realized gains and gross realized losses on the sale of investments totaling $32,000 and $12,000, respectively, during the three-month period ended September 29, 2013 and $342,000 and $1,000, respectively, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2012. The Company recorded gross realized gains and gross realized losses of $182,000 and $79,000, respectively, during the nine-month period ending September 29, 2013, and $1,669,000 and $239,000, respectively, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the effective maturity dates of the Company’s available-for-sale investments as of September 29, 2013 (in thousands):

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company purchased equity securities, representing stock in a publicly-traded U.S. company, with an aggregate fair value of $2,131,000 as of December 31, 2012. As of September 29, 2013, these securities had an aggregate fair value of $1,864,000, resulting in a net unrealized loss of $267,000.

The Company is a Limited Partner in Venrock Associates III, L.P. (Venrock), a venture capital fund. The Company has committed to a total investment in the limited partnership of up to $20,500,000, with an expiration date of December 31, 2013. As of September 29, 2013, the Company contributed $19,886,000 to the partnership. The remaining commitment of $614,000 can be called by Venrock at any time before December 31, 2013. Distributions and contributions are at the discretion of Venrock’s management. No contributions were made during the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013. The Company received a cash distribution of $1,285,000 during the second quarter of 2013, which was accounted for as a return of capital.

NOTE 5: Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

NOTE 6: Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company evaluates the possible impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. No triggering event occurred in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013 that would indicate a potential impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets. However, the Company continues to monitor a variety of factors that could result in an impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets in a future period.

NOTE 7: Warranty Obligations

The Company records the estimated cost of fulfilling product warranties at the time of sale based upon historical costs to fulfill claims. Obligations may also be recorded subsequent to the time of sale whenever specific events or circumstances impacting product quality become known that would not have been taken into account using historical data. While we engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our component suppliers and third-party contract manufacturers, the Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage, and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. An adverse change in any of these factors may result in the need for additional warranty provisions. Warranty obligations are included in “Accrued expenses” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The changes in the warranty obligations were as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 8: Contingencies

In May 2008, the Company filed a complaint against MvTec Software GmbH, MvTec LLC, and Fuji America Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging infringement of certain patents owned by the Company. This matter is ongoing.

In May 2009, the Company pre-filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. §1337, against MvTec Software GmbH, MvTec LLC, Fuji America, and several other respondents alleging unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in the unlawful importation into the United States, sale for importation, or sale within the United States after importation. By this filing, the Company requested the ITC to investigate the Company’s contention that certain machine vision software, machine vision systems, and products containing the same infringe, and respondents directly infringe and/or actively induce and/or contribute to the infringement in the United States, of one or more of the Company’s U.S. patents. In July 2009, the ITC issued an order that it would institute an investigation based upon the Company’s assertions. In September 2009, the Company reached a settlement with two of the respondents, and in December 2009, the Company reached a settlement with five additional respondents. In March 2010, the Company reached a settlement with respondent Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Fuji America Corporation. These settlements did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial results. An ITC hearing was held in May 2010. In July 2010, the Administrative Law Judge issued an initial determination finding two of the Company’s patents invalid and that respondents did not infringe the patents-at-issue. In September 2010, the ITC issued a notice that it would review the initial determination of the Administrative Law Judge. The ITC issued its Final Determination in November 2010 in which it determined to modify-in-part and affirm-in-part the Administrative Law Judge’s determination, and terminate the investigation with a finding of no violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as amended 19 U.S.C. §1337). The Company has filed an appeal of the decision with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. An oral hearing before the United States Court of Appeals occurred in February 2012. This matter is ongoing.

In March 2013, the Company filed a lawsuit against Microscan Systems, Inc. (“Microscan”) and Code Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that Microscan’s Mobile Hawk handheld imager infringes U.S. Patent 7,874,487 owned by the Company. The lawsuit seeks to prohibit Code Corporation from manufacturing the product, and Microscan from selling and distributing the product. The Company is also seeking monetary damages resulting from the alleged infringement. Both parties have filed motions for summary judgment and a hearing on these motions was held in October 2013. Trial was originally scheduled for October 2013, but has been moved to February 2014 at the earliest. This matter is ongoing.

The Company cannot predict the outcome of the above-referenced pending matters and an adverse resolution of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, liquidity, results of operations, and/or indemnification obligations. In addition, various other claims and legal proceedings generally incidental to the normal course of business are pending or threatened on behalf of or against the Company. While we cannot predict the outcome of these incidental matters, we believe that any liability arising from them will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 9: Guarantees

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into guarantee contracts with certain customers, generally in the Company’s Surface Inspection Systems Division (SISD) business. These guarantees represent standby letters of credit (LOC) which can be grouped into three categories: (1) bank guarantees which may require the Company to return a customer’s initial payment if the Company cannot deliver the order; (2) warranty bonds which may require the Company to resolve warranty issues within a specified time period; and (3) performance bonds which include a combination of the above two options. The type of LOC is generally determined based upon customer request and the guarantee amount represents the maximum potential amount of future payments. All of the Company’s LOCs are with the same counterparty and they do not contain any recourse provisions or collateral obligations.

The following table details the letters of credit outstanding as of September 29, 2013:

The Company evaluates losses for guarantees under accounting for contingencies. The Company considers such factors as the degree of probability that the Company would be required to satisfy the liability and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the loss. To date, the Company has not incurred any losses as a result of these obligations, and therefore, has not recorded any liability related to such obligation in its financial statements. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding guarantees is immaterial for all periods presented.

NOTE 10: Indemnification Provisions

Except as limited by Massachusetts law, the by-laws of the Company require it to indemnify certain current or former directors, officers, and employees of the Company against expenses incurred by them in connection with each proceeding in which he or she is involved as a result of serving or having served in certain capacities. Indemnification is not available with respect to a proceeding as to which it has been adjudicated that the person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that the action was in the best interests of the Company. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is unlimited. The Company has never incurred significant costs related to these indemnification provisions. As a result, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these provisions is minimal.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may accept standard limited indemnification provisions in connection with the sale of its products, whereby it indemnifies its customers for certain direct damages incurred in connection with third-party patent or other intellectual property infringement claims with respect to the use of the Company’s products. The term of these indemnification provisions generally coincides with the customer’s use of the Company’s products. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is generally subject to fixed monetary limits. The Company has never incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. As a result, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these provisions is minimal.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also accepts limited indemnification provisions from time to time, whereby it indemnifies customers for certain direct damages incurred in connection with bodily injury and property damage arising from the installation of the Company’s products. The term of these indemnification provisions generally coincides with the period of installation. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is generally limited and is likely recoverable under the Company’s insurance policies. As a result of this coverage, and the fact that the Company has never incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these provisions is minimal.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 11: Derivative Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations including foreign currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk. The Company currently mitigates certain foreign currency exchange rate risks with derivative instruments. The Company does not currently manage its interest rate risk with derivative instruments.

The Company faces exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, as a significant portion of its revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the Company’s subsidiaries or the reporting currency of the Company, which is the U.S. Dollar. The Company faces two types of foreign currency exchange rate exposures:

The Company’s foreign currency risk management strategy is principally designed to mitigate the potential financial impact of changes in the value of transactions and balances denominated in foreign currencies resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative instruments, specifically foreign currency forward contracts with maturities of up to three months, are used to manage the exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that arise primarily from foreign-denominated receivables and payables. As of September 29, 2013, the Company’s forward contracts do not qualify for effective hedge accounting. Because forward contracts are used as an economic hedge, any gain or loss on the underlying foreign-denominated balance is intended to be offset by the loss or gain on the forward contract. Gains and losses on forward contracts and foreign-denominated receivables and payables are included in “Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded net foreign currency losses of $442,000 and $303,000 in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013, respectively, and net foreign currency losses of $409,000 and $1,077,000 in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

As of September 29, 2013, the Company had the following outstanding forward contracts that were entered into to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risk (in thousands):

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Information regarding the fair value of the forward contracts outstanding as of September 29, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

Information regarding the effect of the forward contracts, net of the underlying exposure, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 12: Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company’s share-based payments that result in compensation expense consist solely of stock option grants. As of September 29, 2013, the Company had 11,178,930 shares available for grant under two stock option plans: the 2001 General Stock Option Plan (8,660,710) and the 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (2,518,220). Each of these plans expires ten years from the date the plan was approved. In December 2011, the 2001 General Stock Option Plan received shareholder approval for an amendment and restatement of the plan, extending the plan until September 2021. Generally, stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date, vest over four years based upon continuous service, and expire ten years from the grant date.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013:

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The fair values of stock options granted in each period presented were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

Risk-free rate

The risk-free rate was based upon a treasury instrument whose term was consistent with the contractual term of the option.

Expected dividend yield

Generally, the current dividend yield is calculated by annualizing the cash dividend declared by the Company’s Board of Directors and dividing that result by the closing stock price on the grant date. However, in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company paid the full annual dividends for 2013 and 2014 in advance, and therefore, the dividend yield for those years has been adjusted to zero. At the time of the 2013 valuation, a dividend yield of 1.04% was estimated for future periods from 2015 through the expected life of the option.

Expected volatility

The expected volatility was based upon a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the contractual term of the option and implied volatility for traded options of the Company’s stock.

Expected term

The expected term was derived from the binomial lattice model from the impact of events that trigger exercises over time.

The weighted-average grant-date fair values of stock options granted during the three-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $8.07 and $6.48, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair values of stock options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $8.07 and $6.58, respectively.

The Company stratifies its employee population into two groups: one consisting of senior management and another consisting of all other employees. The Company currently expects that approximately 71% of its stock options granted to senior management and 69% of its options granted to all other employees will actually vest. Therefore, the Company currently applies an estimated annual forfeiture rate of 12% to all unvested options for senior management and a rate of 13% for all other employees.

The total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized for the three-month period ended September 29, 2013 were $2,220,000 and $721,000, respectively, and for the three-month period ended September 30, 2012 were $1,492,000 and $478,000, respectively. The total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013 were $8,299,000 and $2,725,000, respectively, and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 were $6,795,000 and $2,212,000, respectively. No compensation expense was capitalized as of September 29, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table details the stock-based compensation expense by caption for each period presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised for the three-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $14,422,000 and $1,436,000, respectively. The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised for the nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $28,374,000 and $14,744,000, respectively. The total fair values of stock options vested for the three-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $197,000 and $242,000, respectively. The total fair values of stock options vested for the nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $9,428,000 and $8,927,000, respectively.

As of September 29, 2013, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was $10,411,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

NOTE 13: Stock Repurchase Program

In April 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50,000,000 of the Company’s common stock, primarily as a means to reduce the dilutive effect of employee stock options. As of September 29, 2013, the Company had repurchased 3,578,000 shares at a cost of $50,000,000 under this program, including 536,000 shares at a cost of $11,891,000 in the second quarter of 2013 and 291,000 shares at a cost of $8,109,000 in the third quarter of 2013. Stock repurchases under this program are now complete. In November 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $80,000,000 of the Company’s common stock to help reduce the dilutive effect of employee stock options. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company purchased 272,000 shares at a cost of $8,059,000 under this 2011 repurchase program. The Company may repurchase shares under the 2011 program in future periods depending upon a variety of factors, including, among other things, the impact of dilution from employee stock options, stock price, share availability, and cash requirements.

NOTE 14: Two-for-One Stock Split

On July 29, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split, effected in the form of a stock dividend, on the shares of the Company’s common stock. Each shareholder of record on August 26, 2013, received an additional share of common stock for each share of common stock then held. The stock was distributed on September 16, 2013. The Company retained the current par value of $0.002 per share for all shares of common stock. All references in the financial statements to the number of shares outstanding, number of shares repurchased, per-share amounts, and stock option data related to the Company’s common stock have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock split for all periods presented.

Stockholders’ equity reflects the stock split by reclassifying from “Additional paid in capital” to “Common stock” an amount equal to the par value of the additional shares arising from the split.

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NOTE 15: Taxes

A reconciliation of the United States federal statutory corporate tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate, or income tax provision, was as follows:

The effective tax rate for 2013 included the impact of the following discrete tax events: (1) a decrease in tax expense of $1,790,000 recorded in the third quarter from the expiration of statutes of limitations for certain reserves for income tax uncertainties, (2) an increase in tax expense of $267,000 recorded in the third quarter from the final true-up of the prior year’s tax accrual upon filing the actual tax returns, and (3) a decrease in tax expense of $555,000 recorded in the first quarter from the retroactive application of the 2012 research and development credit. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was passed by Congress and signed into law on January 1, 2013. The provisions under this law are to be applied retroactively to January 1, 2012. As a result of the law being signed on January 1, 2013, the financial impact of the retroactive provision was recorded as a discrete event in the first quarter of 2013. These discrete tax events decreased the effective tax rate from a provision of 19% to a provision of 13% for the three-month period in 2013 and decreased the effective tax rate from a provision of 19% to a provision of 16% for the nine-month period in 2013.

The effective tax rate for 2012 included the impact of the following discrete tax events: (1) a decrease in tax expense of $441,000 recorded in the third quarter from the expiration of statutes of limitations for certain reserves for income tax uncertainties and (2) an increase in tax expense of $84,000 recorded in the third quarter from the final true-up of the prior year’s tax accrual upon filing the actual tax returns. These discrete tax events decreased the effective tax rate from a provision of 21% to a provision of 19% for the three-month period in 2012 and decreased the effective tax rate from a provision of 21% to a provision of 20% for the nine-month period in 2012.

During the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013, the Company recorded a $679,000 decrease in liabilities, net of deferred tax benefit, for uncertain tax positions that were recorded as income tax benefit, of which $1,597,000 of income tax benefit was recorded in the three-month period ended September 29, 2013. Estimated interest and penalties included in these amounts totaled $834,000 for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2013, of which $911,000 was recorded in the three-month period ended September 29, 2013.

The Company’s reserve for income taxes, including gross interest and penalties, was $4,390,000 as of September 29, 2013, all of which was classified as noncurrent. The amount of gross interest and penalties included in these balances was $297,000. If the Company’s tax positions were sustained or the statutes of limitations related to certain positions expired, these reserves would be released and income tax expense would be reduced in a future period, less $361,000 that would be recorded through additional paid in capital. As a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations, there is a potential that a portion of these reserves could be released, which would decrease income tax expense by approximately $450,000 to $550,000 over the next twelve months.

The Company has defined its major tax jurisdictions as the United States, Ireland, China, and Japan, and within the United States, Massachusetts and California. Within the United States, the tax years 2010 through 2012 remain open to examination by various taxing authorities, while the tax years 2009 through 2012 remain open to examination by various taxing authorities in other jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company has recently been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that its U.S. Federal tax returns for years 2010 and 2011 are under audit. The Company believes it is adequately reserved for these years.

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 16: Weighted-Average Shares

On July 29, 2013 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock, which was effected through a stock dividend distributed on September 16, 2013. All references made to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures reflect this two-for-one stock split.

Weighted-average shares were calculated as follows (in thousands):

Stock options to purchase 76,653 and 1,357,004 shares of common stock, on a weighted-average basis, were outstanding during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013, respectively, and 1,870,684 and 1,784,698 for the same periods in 2012, but were not included in the calculation of dilutive net income per share because they were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 17: Segment Information

The Company has two reportable segments: the Modular Vision Systems Division (MVSD) and the Surface Inspection Systems Division (SISD). MVSD develops, manufactures, and markets modular vision systems that are used to control the manufacture of discrete items by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them during the manufacturing process. SISD develops, manufactures, and markets surface inspection vision systems that are used to inspect surfaces of materials processed in a continuous fashion, such as metals, paper, nonwoven, plastics, and glass, to ensure there are no flaws or defects on the surfaces. Segments are determined based upon the way that management organizes its business for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company evaluates segment performance based upon income or loss from operations, excluding stock-based compensation expense.

The following table summarizes information about the segments (in thousands):

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COGNEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Reconciling items consist of stock-based compensation expense and unallocated corporate expenses, which primarily include corporate headquarters costs, professional fees, and patent infringement litigation. Additional asset information by segment is not produced internally for use by the chief operating decision maker, and therefore, is not presented. Additional asset information is not provided because cash and investments are commingled and the segments share assets and resources in a number of locations around the world.

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ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this report, as well as oral statements made by the Company from time to time, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by our use of the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “shall,” “could,” “should,” and similar words and other statements of a similar sense. These statements are based upon our current estimates and expectations as to prospective events and circumstances, which may or may not be in our control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding business and market trends, future financial performance, customer order rates, expected areas of growth, future product mix, research and development activities, investments, and strategic plans, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include: (1) current and future conditions in the global economy; (2) the cyclicality of the semiconductor and electronics industries; (3) the reliance on revenue from the automotive industry; (4) the inability to penetrate new markets; (5) the inability to achieve significant international revenue, including in Asia; (6) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (7) the loss of a large customer; (8) the inability to attract and retain skilled employees; (9) the reliance upon key suppliers to manufacture and deliver critical components for our products; (10) the failure to effectively manage product transitions or accurately forecast customer demand; (11) the inability to design and manufacture high-quality products; (12) the technological obsolescence of current products and the inability to develop new products; (13) the failure to properly manage the distribution of products and services; (14) the inability to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property; (15) our involvement in time-consuming and costly litigation; (16) the impact of competitive pressures; (17) the challenges in integrating and achieving expected results from acquired businesses; (18) potential impairment charges with respect to our investments or for acquired intangible assets or goodwill; (19) exposure to additional tax liabilities; and (20) information security breaches or business system disruptions. The foregoing list should not be construed as exhaustive and we encourage readers to refer to the detailed discussion of risk factors included in Part I—Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date such statements are made.

Executive Overview

Cognex Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information in order to automate tasks, primarily in manufacturing processes, where vision is required. Our Modular Vision Systems Division (MVSD) specializes in machine vision systems that are used to automate the manufacture of discrete items, while our Surface Inspection Systems Division (SISD) specializes in machine vision systems that are used to inspect the surfaces of materials processed in a continuous fashion.

In addition to product revenue derived from the sale of machine vision systems, the Company also generates revenue by providing maintenance and support, training, consulting, and installation services to its customers. Our customers can be classified into three primary markets: factory automation, semiconductor and electronics capital equipment, and surface inspection.

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Revenue for the third quarter of 2013 totaled $90,788,000, representing an increase of $10,712,000, or 13%, from the same period in the prior year driven by higher sales to customers in the factory automation market. Gross margin was 76% of revenue in the third quarters of both 2013 and 2012. Operating expenses increased by $7,294,000, or 19%, from the third quarter of 2012 due primarily to expenses associated with increased engineering and sales headcount in strategic areas, higher company bonus accruals, and higher sales commissions. As a result of these strategic investments, which management believes will fuel longer-term revenue growth, the Company recorded operating income of $23,379,000, or 26% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2013, compared to operating income of $21,803,000, or 27% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2012. A lower effective tax rate resulted in net income of $20,727,000, or 23% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2013, compared to net income of $17,805,000, or 22% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2012. Net income per diluted share was $0.23 in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $0.20 in the third quarter of 2012.

Results of Operations

As foreign currency exchange rates are a factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of results on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors’ ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. We also use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant-currency basis as excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. Results on a constant-currency basis are not in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Revenue

Revenue increased by $10,712,000, or 13%, for the three-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, and increased by $16,079,000, or 7%, for the nine-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The increase in revenue for both periods was driven by higher sales to factory automation customers.

Factory Automation Market

Sales to customers in the factory automation market represented 80% and 78% of total revenue for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, respectively, compared to 77% and 75% for the same periods in 2012. Sales to these customers increased by $10,812,000, or 18%, for the three-month period and increased by $20,310,000, or 11%, for the nine-month period. A weaker Japanese Yen in 2013 compared to the prior year had a negative impact on reported factory automation revenue, as sales denominated in Yen were translated to U.S. Dollars at a lower rate. This was offset by the positive impact of a stronger Euro during the same periods. Excluding the impact of all foreign currency exchange rate changes on revenue, sales to factory automation customers increased by $10,556,000, or 17%, for the three-month period and increased by $21,837,000, or 12%, for the nine-month period.

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Geographically, increases for both the three-month and nine-month periods were noted across all major regions except for Japan. However, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes, revenue in Japan increased compared to both the three-month and nine-month periods of 2012. Revenue in Japan had declined in both 2011 and 2012 after the natural disasters that hit this region early in 2011. In both the three-month and nine-month periods, the largest percentage increases were noted in Asia. The Company has made significant investments in Asia, particularly in China, to expand its sales and support infrastructure in order to access more of the machine vision market in this high-potential growth region. The largest dollar increases were noted in the Americas where sales of the Company’s ID Products in the logistics industry were strong in the third quarter of 2013. The Company expects its Asia region and its ID Products business to continue to provide growth opportunities in upcoming quarters.

Revenue from the factory automation market increased by $5,017,000, or 7%, from the second quarter of 2013, with the largest increase coming from the Americas. Management expects factory automation revenue to continue to grow in the fourth quarter as compared to the third quarter.

Semiconductor and Electronics Capital Equipment Market

Sales to customers who make automation equipment for the semiconductor and electronics industries represented 6% and 8% of total revenue for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, respectively, compared to 8% and 10% for the same periods in 2012. Sales to these customers decreased by $1,132,000, or 17%, for the three-month period and decreased by $3,567,000, or 15%, for the nine-month period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes, which primarily relates to the Japanese Yen, sales to semiconductor and electronics capital equipment customers decreased by $818,000, or 12%, for the three-month period and decreased by $2,570,000, or 11%, for the nine-month period.

Revenue from the semiconductor and capital equipment market decreased by $1,388,000, or 20%, from the second quarter of 2013. The semiconductor and electronics capital equipment market has historically been highly cyclical and management has limited visibility regarding future order levels from these customers.

Surface Inspection Market

Sales to customers in the surface inspection market represented 14% of total revenue for both the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, compared to 15% for both the three-month and nine-month periods in 2012. Sales to these customers increased by $1,031,000, or 9%, for the three-month period and decreased by $664,000, or 2%, for the nine-month period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes, which primarily relates to the Japanese Yen, sales to surface inspection customers increased by $1,347,000, or 11%, for the three-month period and increased by $608,000, or 2%, for the nine-month period.

Revenue from the surface inspection market increased by $650,000, or 5%, from the second quarter of 2013. The revenue reported each quarter can vary significantly depending upon the timing of customer orders, system deliveries, and installations, as well as the impact of revenue deferrals.

Product Revenue

Product revenue increased by $11,027,000, or 15%, for the three-month period and increased by $15,541,000, or 7%, for the nine-month period. These increases were driven by a higher volume of MVSD systems sold than in the prior year, partially offset by a lower average selling price due to a shift in revenue mix to ID Products, which have relatively lower average selling prices. We expect this trend related to ID products to continue in upcoming quarters.

Service Revenue

Service revenue, which is derived from the sale of maintenance and support, training, consulting, and installation services, decreased by $315,000, or 4%, for the three-month period and increased by $538,000, or 3%, for the nine-month period. The decrease for the three-month period was primarily due to lower revenue from MVSD consulting services, while the increase for the nine-month period was due principally to higher revenue from SISD installation services. Service revenue as a percentage of total revenue was 8% for both the three-month and nine-month periods of 2013, compared to 10% and 8% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2012, respectively.

Gross Margin

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 76% for all periods presented.

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MVSD Margin

MVSD margin as a percentage of revenue was 80% for both the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, compared to 79% and 80% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2012, respectively. In the three-month period, the improvement in MVSD margin was primarily due to a greater percentage of MVSD revenue from the sale of products, which have relatively higher margins than services. In the nine-month period, a slightly lower product margin was offset by improvements in consulting service margins to result in a relatively flat MVSD margin percentage year-over-year. The deterioration in the product margin was due to a shift in revenue mix to relatively lower-margin ID Products, higher new product introduction costs, and higher provisions for warranty and for excess and obsolete inventory, all largely offset by the favorable impact of higher sales volume.

SISD Margin

SISD margin as a percentage of revenue was 55% and 53% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, respectively, compared to 54% and 53% for the same periods in 2012. The increase for the three-month period was due principally to improvements in installation service margins.

Product Margin

Product margin as a percentage of revenue was 78% for all periods presented. In the nine-month period, a reduction in MVSD product margin as described above was offset by a favorable shift in revenue mix to MVSD products, which have relatively higher margins than SISD products.

Service Margin

Service margin as a percentage of revenue was 56% and 54% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, respectively, compared to 52% and 49% for the same periods in 2012. These increases were due to improvements in MVSD consulting margins, as well as improved installation margins at SISD.

Research, Development, and Engineering Expenses

Research, development, and engineering (RD&E) expenses increased by $2,182,000, or 22%, for the three-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, and increased by $4,729,000, or 15%, for the nine-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. MVSD RD&E expenses increased by $1,956,000, or 22%, for the three-month period and increased by $4,401,000, or 16%, for the nine-month period, while SISD RD&E expenses increased by $226,000, or 24%, for the three-month period and increased by $328,000, or 12%, for the nine-month period.

The table below details the $1,956,000 and the $4,401,000 net increases in MVSD RD&E for the three-month and nine-month periods, respectively (in thousands):

The increase in MVSD RD&E expenses was primarily due to headcount additions, resulting in higher personnel-related costs, such as salaries and fringe benefits. In addition, the Company recorded higher company bonus accruals, increased costs related to outsourced engineering projects, and increased stock-based compensation expense due to a higher valuation of stock options granted in the first quarter of 2013.

The increase in SISD RD&E expenses was principally due to higher spending on outsourced engineering services ($128,000 in the three-month period and $68,000 in the nine-month period) and materials ($35,000 in the three-month period and $113,000 in the nine-month period), as well as higher personnel-related costs resulting from headcount additions ($71,000 in the three-month period and $68,000 in the nine-month period), all to support new product development.

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RD&E expenses as a percentage of revenue were 13% and 14% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2013, respectively, compared to 12% and 13% for the three-month and nine-month periods in 2012, respectively. We believe that a continued commitment to RD&E activities is essential in order to maintain or achieve product leadership with our existing products and to provide innovative new product offerings. In addition, we consider our ability to accelerate time to market for new products to be critical to our revenue growth. Therefore, we expect to continue to make significant RD&E investments in the future, and we target our RD&E spending to be between 10% and 15% of revenue.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $5,112,000, or 18%, for the three-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, and increased by $9,903,000, or 11%, for the nine-month period in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. MVSD SG&A expenses increased by $3,344,000, or 14%, for the three-month period and increased by $6,932,000, or 10%, for the nine-month period, while SISD SG&A expenses increased by $416,000, or 15%, for the three-month period and increased by $882,000, or 10%, for the nine-month period. Corporate expenses that are not allocated to either division increased by $1,352,000, or 54%, for the three-month period and increased by $2,089,000, or 23%, for the nine-month period.