Form 4: Cognex CEO Moschner Reports Equity Grants, Tax Withholding
Insider Transaction Report
Cognex CEO and President Matthew Moschner reported the acquisition of new stock options and restricted stock units, alongside the vesting of existing units and shares withheld for tax obligations.
Summary
- Matthew Moschner, CEO & President of Cognex Corp, reported transactions involving common stock and derivative securities.
- On February 18, 2026, 5,085 shares of common stock were acquired, resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units.
- Concurrently on February 18, 2026, 1,600 shares of common stock were disposed of at $56.72 per share to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vested restricted stock units.
- On February 17, 2026, Moschner was granted 58,744 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $57.09, vesting in five equal annual installments starting February 17, 2027.
- Also on February 17, 2026, 56,928 restricted stock units were granted, vesting approximately 20%, 30%, and 50% on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date, respectively.
- Following these transactions, Moschner directly holds 11,847 shares of common stock and a total of 735,202 derivative securities (options and RSUs).
Sentiment
Score: 6
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive event, reflecting routine executive compensation and alignment of interests through new equity grants, with no significant negative implications beyond standard tax-related share dispositions.
Positives
- CEO Matthew Moschner received significant new grants of 58,744 non-qualified stock options and 56,928 restricted stock units, aligning his interests with long-term shareholder value.
- The vesting of 5,085 restricted stock units indicates the achievement of prior compensation milestones.
Negatives
- 1,600 shares of common stock were disposed of to cover tax withholding obligations, which is a routine event but represents a reduction in direct share ownership.
Future Outlook
NA
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that executive compensation, particularly through equity grants like stock options and restricted stock units, is a standard practice across the technology and industrial automation sectors. These grants are designed to align executive incentives with long-term company performance and shareholder interests, a common strategy employed by peers to retain top talent and drive strategic growth.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The new equity grants align the CEO's long-term interests with shareholder value, potentially fostering sustained performance.
- Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this filing.
- Customers, Suppliers, Creditors: No direct impact on these stakeholders is indicated.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 02/20/2019 | Date exercisable for 1,600 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $56.44. |
| 11/19/2019 | Date exercisable for 4,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $40.71. |
| 02/19/2020 | Date exercisable for 4,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $51.49. |
| 10/30/2020 | Date exercisable for 9,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $51.97. |
| 10/31/2021 | Date exercisable for 7,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $42.84. |
| 02/21/2024 | Date exercisable for 37,832 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $47.21. Also, vesting start date for 3,495 restricted stock units. |
| 08/07/2024 | Vesting start date for 4,999 restricted stock units. |
| 02/18/2025 | Grant date for 5,085 restricted stock units that vested on February 18, 2026. |
| 02/20/2025 | Date exercisable for 58,260 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $39.44. Also, vesting start date for 8,113 restricted stock units. |
| 08/09/2025 | Date exercisable for 8,426 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $86.38. |
| 02/17/2026 | Earliest transaction date for the filing. Grant date for 58,744 non-qualified stock options and 56,928 restricted stock units. |
| 02/18/2026 | Transaction date for acquisition of 5,085 common shares and disposition of 1,600 common shares for tax withholding. Vesting date for 5,085 restricted stock units. Date exercisable for 68,823 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $33.04. |
| 02/19/2026 | Signature date of the reporting person. |
| 02/21/2026 | Expiration date for 3,495 restricted stock units. |
| 08/04/2026 | Date exercisable for 35,639 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $47.95. |
| 08/07/2026 | Expiration date for 4,999 restricted stock units. |
| 02/17/2027 | First vesting anniversary for 58,744 non-qualified stock options and 56,928 restricted stock units granted on 02/17/2026. |
| 02/20/2027 | Expiration date for 8,113 restricted stock units. |
| 08/07/2027 | Date exercisable for 47,962 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $50.01. |
| 02/18/2028 | Third anniversary vesting for 5,085 restricted stock units granted on 02/18/2025. |
| 02/20/2028 | Expiration date for 1,600 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $56.44. |
| 10/31/2028 | Expiration date for 7,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $42.84. |
| 11/19/2028 | Expiration date for 4,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $40.71. |
| 02/17/2029 | Third anniversary vesting for 56,928 restricted stock units granted on 02/17/2026. |
| 02/19/2029 | Expiration date for 4,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $51.49. |
| 02/21/2029 | Date exercisable for 76,924 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $32.78. |
| 05/05/2029 | Date exercisable for 279,070 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $27.99. |
| 10/30/2029 | Expiration date for 9,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $51.97. |
| 08/09/2031 | Expiration date for 8,426 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $86.38. |
| 08/04/2032 | Expiration date for 35,639 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $47.95. |
| 02/21/2033 | Expiration date for 37,832 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $47.21. |
| 08/07/2033 | Expiration date for 47,962 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $50.01. |
| 02/20/2034 | Expiration date for 58,260 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $39.44. |
| 02/18/2035 | Expiration date for 68,823 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $33.04. |
| 02/21/2035 | Expiration date for 76,924 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $32.78. |
| 05/05/2035 | Expiration date for 279,070 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $27.99. |
| 02/17/2036 | Expiration date for 58,744 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $57.09. |
Recommendation
holdThis Form 4 filing details routine executive compensation, including new equity grants and tax-related share dispositions. It does not provide new information on company performance, strategic shifts, or market-moving events that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. The grants align management's interests with long-term shareholder value, which is a positive, but not a catalyst for a 'buy' or 'sell' decision based solely on this filing.
Keywords
Cognex, CGNX, Matthew Moschner, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units, Executive Compensation, Beneficial Ownership
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