Form 4: Cognex VP Sells Shares Under Pre-Arranged Plan
Insider Transaction Report
Cognex Corp's VP and PAO, Laura Ann MacDonald, sold 2,666 shares of common stock for $45 per share under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
Summary
- Laura Ann MacDonald, the Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) of Cognex Corp (CGNX), executed a sale of 2,666 shares of common stock.
- The transaction took place on September 5, 2025, with shares sold at a price of $45 each.
- This sale was an open market transaction conducted pursuant to a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
- Following the reported transaction, MacDonald directly holds 4,593 shares of Cognex common stock.
- An additional 20 shares are indirectly owned by her child, for which she disclaims beneficial ownership except for her pecuniary interest.
- MacDonald also holds various derivative securities, including non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units, with varying exercise prices and expiration dates.
Sentiment
Score: 5
Explanation: The sale of shares by a VP is generally a neutral event when conducted under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan, as it reflects personal financial planning rather than a reaction to company performance or outlook. It's not a strong positive or negative signal.
Positives
- The sale was conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, indicating a pre-scheduled transaction rather than a reaction to immediate company news or a discretionary decision based on material non-public information.
Negatives
- An insider sale, even if planned, results in a reduction of the reporting person's direct equity stake in the company.
Related Party Transactions
- 20 shares of common stock are indirectly held by the reporting person's child, for which the reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of her pecuniary interest.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders may note a slight reduction in insider ownership, though the impact is mitigated by the pre-planned nature of the sale.
- Employees are not directly impacted by this specific transaction.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 02/21/2018 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $38.39 |
| 02/20/2019 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $56.44 |
| 02/19/2020 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $51.49 |
| 02/18/2021 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $50.94 |
| 02/16/2022 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $90.5 |
| 05/01/2022 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $48.28 |
| 02/22/2023 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $64.43 |
| 02/21/2024 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $47.21 |
| 02/21/2024 | Date exercisable for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 02/20/2025 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $39.44 |
| 02/20/2025 | Date exercisable for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 03/15/2025 | Date exercisable for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 09/05/2025 | Date of common stock transaction (sale) |
| 09/08/2025 | Signature date of reporting person |
| 02/18/2026 | Date exercisable for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $33.04 |
| 02/18/2026 | Date exercisable for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 02/21/2026 | Expiration date for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 02/21/2027 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $38.39 |
| 02/20/2027 | Expiration date for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 03/15/2027 | Expiration date for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 02/20/2028 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $56.44 |
| 02/18/2028 | Expiration date for Restricted Stock Unit |
| 02/19/2029 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $51.49 |
| 05/01/2029 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $48.28 |
| 02/18/2030 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $50.94 |
| 02/16/2031 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $90.5 |
| 02/22/2032 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $64.43 |
| 02/21/2033 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $47.21 |
| 02/20/2034 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $39.44 |
| 02/18/2035 | Expiration date for Non-Qualified Stock Option with exercise price $33.04 |
Recommendation
holdThe insider sale was conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which suggests it was a pre-scheduled personal financial decision rather than a signal of negative company outlook. While a reduction in insider holdings is noted, it does not provide new material information to warrant a change in investment recommendation based solely on this filing. Investors should continue to hold and evaluate the company based on its broader financial performance and strategic initiatives.
Keywords
Cognex Corp, CGNX, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Sale, Laura Ann MacDonald, 10b5-1 Plan, Equity Transaction
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