CGNX vs KLIC

For growth investors, Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is the stronger pick with 8.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 4% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC). Cognex Corporation (CGNX) offers the better valuation at 96. 9x trailing P/E (53. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) a "Buy" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is the cheapest at 96.

9x versus Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. at 9999. 0x. On forward P/E, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 37. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

(KLIC) delivered a total return of +101. 0%, compared to -13. 2% for Cognex Corporation (CGNX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KLIC returned +814. 1% versus CGNX's +249. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

50β versus Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 's 1. 87β — meaning KLIC is approximately 25% more volatile than CGNX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 5% for Cognex Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is pulling ahead at 8.

7% versus -7. 4% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. grew EPS 100. 3% year-over-year, compared to 9. 7% for Cognex Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CGNX leads at -0. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is the more profitable company, earning 11.

5% net margin versus 0. 0% for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CGNX leads at 16. 3% versus -0. 5% for KLIC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CGNX leads at 66. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

(KLIC) trades at 37. 4x forward P/E versus 53. 0x for Cognex Corporation — 15. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CGNX: -8. 6% to $60. 22.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC) offers the highest yield at 1. 0%, versus 0. 5% for Cognex Corporation (CGNX).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

(KLIC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 0% yield, +814. 1% 10Y return). Cognex Corporation (CGNX) carries a higher beta of 1. 50 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (KLIC: +814. 1%, CGNX: +249. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

KLIC pays a dividend while CGNX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.