Cognex (Nasdaq: CGNX) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 29. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
 Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Cognex's revenues will increase 1.2% and EPS will wane -14.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $85.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Cognex notched revenue of $80.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 4.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $77.7 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 Last quarter, EPS came in at $0.35. GAAP EPS of $0.35 for Q1 were 6.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.33 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
 For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 76.0%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.3%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $347.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.76.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 286 members out of 315 rating the stock outperform, and 29 members rating it underperform. Among 103 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give Cognex a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cognex is outperform, with an average price target of $41.25.

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