Form 4: Cognex VP Reports Equity Grants and Vesting

Cognex VP and PAO Laura Ann MacDonald reported the grant of new stock options and restricted stock units, alongside the vesting and tax-related disposition of existing units.

Summary

• Laura Ann MacDonald, VP and PAO of Cognex Corp, reported several transactions involving company equity.
• On February 18, 2026, 2,422 shares of common stock were acquired through the exercise of restricted stock units.
• Concurrently, 711 shares of common stock were disposed of at $56.72 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vested restricted stock units.
• Following these transactions, MacDonald directly beneficially owns 3,923 shares of common stock.
• An additional 20 shares are indirectly beneficially owned by her child.
• On February 17, 2026, MacDonald was granted 7,231 Non-Qualified Stock Options with an exercise price of $57.09. These options will vest in five approximately equal annual installments starting February 17, 2027.
• Also on February 17, 2026, 11,211 Restricted Stock Units were granted, which will vest approximately 20%, 30%, and 50% on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date, respectively.
• MacDonald also holds numerous other Non-Qualified Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units from previous grants with various vesting and expiration dates.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a routine insider transaction filing, reflecting standard equity compensation grants and vesting events for a key executive, which is generally neutral but shows continued incentive alignment.

Positives

• Grant of 7,231 new Non-Qualified Stock Options on February 17, 2026, with an exercise price of $57.09, aligning executive incentives with future company performance.
• Grant of 11,211 new Restricted Stock Units on February 17, 2026, providing further long-term incentive and retention for a key executive.
• Vesting of 2,422 Restricted Stock Units on February 18, 2026, demonstrating the realization of prior equity compensation.

Negatives

• Disposition of 711 shares of common stock at $56.72 on February 18, 2026, to cover tax withholding obligations, which reduces direct beneficial ownership.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transaction filings like this Form 4 provide transparency into executive compensation and ownership, which can be a signal of management's alignment with shareholder interests, though this specific filing primarily details routine equity compensation events.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Provides transparency on executive compensation and ownership, indicating continued alignment of executive interests with long-term company performance through equity grants.

Next Steps

• Vesting of 7,231 Non-Qualified Stock Options in five approximately equal annual installments starting February 17, 2027.
• Vesting of 11,211 Restricted Stock Units approximately 20%, 30%, and 50% on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the February 17, 2026 grant date.
• Continued vesting of previously granted Non-Qualified Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units according to their respective schedules.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 details routine equity compensation grants and vesting for a company executive. It does not provide new information that would significantly alter the investment thesis for Cognex Corporation, thus a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate.

Keywords

Cognex, CGNX, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units, Equity Compensation, Executive Compensation, Laura Ann MacDonald