CGNX vs. MSFT
CGNX (Cognex Corporation) and MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — CGNX in Scientific & Technical Instruments, MSFT in Software - Infrastructure. Over the past 10 years, CGNX returned 11.89%/yr vs 24.64%/yr for MSFT. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CGNX vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CGNX achieves a 73.89% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -14.48% return. Over the past 10 years, CGNX has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 11.89%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.64% annualized return.
CGNX
- 1D
- 2.58%
- 1M
- -4.85%
- YTD
- 73.89%
- 6M
- 62.85%
- 1Y
- 107.46%
- 3Y*
- 4.89%
- 5Y*
- -3.98%
- 10Y*
- 11.89%
MSFT
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- YTD
- -14.48%
- 6M
- -15.77%
- 1Y
- -11.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.85%
- 5Y*
- 11.09%
- 10Y*
- 24.64%
CGNX vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CGNX Cognex Corporation | 73.89% | 1.24% | -13.45% | -10.84% | -39.11% | -2.85% | 47.69% | 45.54% | -36.53% | 92.91% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | -14.48% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between CGNX and MSFT is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 1989 | 0.36 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CGNX and MSFT has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.36, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CGNX:
$10.51B
MSFT:
$3.07T
CGNX:
$0.84
MSFT:
$16.79
CGNX:
73.88
MSFT:
24.52
CGNX:
10.06
MSFT:
9.65
CGNX:
7.10
MSFT:
7.40
CGNX:
$1.05B
MSFT:
$318.27B
CGNX:
$712.01M
MSFT:
$217.41B
CGNX:
$224.08M
MSFT:
$200.96B
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Return for Risk
CGNX vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank
CGNX
MSFT
CGNX vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cognex Corporation (CGNX) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| CGNX | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 0.94 | +0.48 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.88 | -0.35 | +4.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.76 | -0.73 | +9.49 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| CGNX | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.87 | -0.47 | +2.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.09 | 0.42 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 0.91 | -0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.28 | 0.74 | -0.46 |
Drawdowns
CGNX vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CGNX drawdown since its inception was -83.71%, which is greater than MSFT's maximum drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGNX and MSFT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CGNX | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -83.71% | -69.38% | -14.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -27.86% | -33.91% | +6.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -59.98% | -33.91% | -26.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -74.07% | -37.15% | -36.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -74.63% | -37.15% | -37.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.35% | -23.56% | -7.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.52% | -21.78% | -15.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.31% | 16.13% | -3.82% |
Volatility
CGNX vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison
Cognex Corporation (CGNX) has a higher volatility of 13.16% compared to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10.25%. This indicates that CGNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CGNX | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.16% | 10.25% | +2.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 42.07% | 22.36% | +19.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 58.00% | 25.31% | +32.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 43.52% | 26.64% | +16.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 41.85% | 27.06% | +14.79% |
Dividends
CGNX vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison
CGNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than MSFT's 0.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CGNX Cognex Corporation | 0.54% | 0.90% | 0.85% | 0.68% | 0.56% | 0.32% | 2.77% | 0.37% | 0.48% | 0.27% | 0.46% | 0.62% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.86% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
Financials
CGNX vs. MSFT - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cognex Corporation and Microsoft Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CGNX vs. MSFT - Profitability Comparison
CGNX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cognex Corporation reported a gross profit of 190.94M and revenue of 268.44M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.1%.
MSFT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a gross profit of 56.06B and revenue of 82.89B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.6%.
CGNX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cognex Corporation reported an operating income of 59.87M and revenue of 268.44M, resulting in an operating margin of 22.3%.
MSFT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported an operating income of 38.40B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in an operating margin of 46.3%.
CGNX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cognex Corporation reported a net income of 51.70M and revenue of 268.44M, resulting in a net margin of 19.3%.
MSFT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a net income of 31.78B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in a net margin of 38.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CGNX and MSFT have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CGNX has higher volatility (13.16%) compared to MSFT (10.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGNX dropped -83.71% vs MSFT's -69.38%.
CGNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs -0.47), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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