Zebra Technologies Acquires Photoneo & Boosts Product Portfolio

Zebra Technologies Corporation ZBRA recently closed the acquisition of Photoneo, a market leader in the 3D machine vision solutions industry.Based in Slovakia, Photoneo is a well-known developer of robotic vision and intelligence solutions. The company is well-known for manufacturing advanced 3D cameras with the world’s highest resolution and accuracy features. Photoneo’s intelligent robots enable companies from the food, automotive, logistics and e-commerce industries to boost the efficiency of their manufacturing, fulfillment and assembly processes.Acquisition RationaleThe latest buyout is in sync with Zebra Technologies’ policy of acquiring businesses to strengthen its business and product portfolio. With the buyout, the company will be able to combine its advanced sensors, vendor-agnostic software and AI-based image processing capabilities with Photoneo’s 3D machine vision solutions.This will enable ZBRA to enhance its portfolio of 3D machine vision solutions and address customers’ several challenges in high-value applications. This includes bin picking, depalletizing and inspecting objects utilized in logistics, automotive manufacturing and other industries.ZBRA’s Zacks Rank, Price Performance and Earnings TrendZBRA, with a $15.7 billion market capitalization, currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). It has been dealing with the adverse impacts of the high costs and expenses. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the company’s cost of sales increased 22.3% year over year due to high raw material costs. High debt levels, if not controlled, may raise Zebra Technologies’ financial obligations and hurt profitability. Exiting 2024, the company’s long-term debt totaled $2.09 billion. Considering Zebra Technologies’ high debt level, its cash and cash equivalents of $901 million do not look impressive. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchIts shares have lost 20.9% compared with the Manufacturing - Thermal Products industry’s 18.8% decline in the past month.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has decreased 4.1% to $15.30 per share in the past 30 days.Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked companies are discussed below:RBC Bearings Incorporated RBC presently sports a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5%, on average. The consensus estimate for RBC’s fiscal 2025 (ending March 2025) earnings has increased 1.2% in the past 30 days.Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. AIT presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 5.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIT’s fiscal 2025 (ending June 2025) earnings has improved 0.3% in the past 30 days.The Middleby Corporation MIDD presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MIDD delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.9%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Middleby’s 2025 earnings has increased 0.6% in the past 30 days.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC): Free Stock Analysis Report Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT): Free Stock Analysis Report The Middleby Corporation (MIDD): Free Stock Analysis Report Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks