Cognex (Nasdaq: CGNX) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Cognex beat slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew. GAAP earnings per share expanded.

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Cognex recorded revenue of $80.9 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $79.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.35. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.36 per share. 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.

Margin details
 For the 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. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $84.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $347.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.81.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 272 members out of 301 rating the stock outperform, and 29 members rating it underperform. Among 88 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 76 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 hold, with an average price target of $41.25.

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