CTS Announces Third Quarter 2023 Results

LISLE, Ill., Oct. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of custom engineered solutions that “Sense, Connect and Move,” today announced third quarter 2023 results.

“We managed through a challenging operating environment in the third quarter, with continued headwinds in industrial end markets and distribution weighing on our results,” said Kieran O’Sullivan, CEO of CTS Corporation. “We are continuing to advance our long-term strategy and secured several wins in both electrification and non-transportation markets during the quarter. Our teams remain focused on driving operational improvements to strengthen profitability as we manage near-term challenges and generate sustained value for all stakeholders.”

Third Quarter 2023 Results

• Sales were $135 million, down 11% year-over-year. Sales to non-transportation end markets decreased 20%, and sales to the transportation end market decreased 3% over the same period.
• Net income was $14 million, or 10.4% of sales, compared to $12 million, or 7.8% of sales, in the third quarter of 2022.
• Diluted earnings per share were $0.44, compared to $0.37 per share, in the third quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.54, down from $0.62 in the third quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin was 22.5% compared to 22.3% in the third quarter of 2022.
• Operating cash flow was $22 million compared to $60 million in the third quarter of 2022. The third quarter of 2022 included a one-time cash inflow of $34 million relating to the US pension plan.

2023 Guidance

As a result of continued headwinds in industrial and distribution end markets, recent softness in the commercial vehicle market and the UAW strike, CTS is updating its guidance of sales from the range of $565 – $585 million to $545 - $555 million, and adjusted diluted EPS from the range of $2.20 – $2.40 to $2.15 – $2.25.

CTS does not provide reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, such as estimated adjusted diluted earnings per share, to the most comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because CTS is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and amount of certain items, such as, but not limited to, restructuring costs, environmental remediation costs, acquisition-related costs, foreign exchange rates and other non-routine costs. Each of such adjustments has not yet occurred, are out of CTS' control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. For the same reasons, CTS is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

Conference Call and Supplemental Materials

As previously announced, the Company has scheduled a conference call for 10:00 a.m. (EDT) today. The dial-in number for the U.S. and Canada is 833-470-1428 (+1 929-526-1599, if calling from outside the U.S. and Canada). The passcode is 224664. In addition, the Company will be using a supplemental slide presentation that will be referred to during the call. The presentation and a live audio webcast of the conference call will be available and can be accessed directly from CTS’ website at https://www.ctscorp.com/investors/events-presentations/.

About CTS 

CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS) is a leading designer and manufacturer of products that Sense, Connect and Move. CTS manufactures sensors, actuators and electronic components in North America, Europe and Asia, and provides engineered products to customers in the aerospace/defense, industrial, medical and transportation markets. For more information, visit www.ctscorp.com.

Safe Harbor 

This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any financial or other guidance, statements that reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and any other statements that are not based solely on historical fact. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations, certain assumptions, and currently available information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based on various assumptions as to future events, the occurrence of which necessarily are subject to uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause CTS’ actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those presented in the forward-looking statements. Examples of factors that may affect future operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: supply chain disruptions; changes in the economy generally, including inflationary and/or recessionary conditions, and in respect to the business in which CTS operates; unanticipated issues in integrating acquisitions; the results of actions to reposition CTS’ business; rapid technological change; general market conditions in the transportation, as well as conditions in the industrial, aerospace and defense, and medical markets; reliance on key customers; unanticipated public health crises (including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTS’ business, results of operations or financial condition), natural disasters or other events; environmental compliance and remediation expenses; the ability to protect CTS’ intellectual property; pricing pressures and demand for CTS’ products; and risks associated with CTS’ international operations, including trade and tariff barriers, exchange rates and political and geopolitical risks (including, without limitation, the potential impact U.S./China relations and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may have on our business, results of operations and financial condition). Many of these, and other risks and uncertainties, are discussed in further detail in Item 1A. of CTS’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made with the SEC. CTS undertakes no obligation to publicly update CTS’ forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, including market or industry changes. 

Contact 
Ashish Agrawal 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
CTS Corporation 
4925 Indiana Avenue 
Lisle, IL 60532 USA 
+1 (630) 577-8800 
ashish.agrawal@ctscorp.com 

CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - UNAUDITED (In thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September, 2023				September 30, 2022				September 30, 2023				September 30, 2022
Net sales		$	134,552			$	151,911			$	425,728			$	444,588
Cost of goods sold			88,151				98,565				276,933				285,054
Gross margin			46,401				53,346				148,795				159,534
Selling, general and administrative expenses			18,666				24,003				64,339				68,029
Research and development expenses			6,321				6,207				19,628				18,695
Restructuring charges			3,226				492				6,033				1,434
Operating earnings			18,188				22,644				58,795				71,376
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense			(997	)			(342	)			(2,509	)			(1,490	)
Interest income			952				167				3,087				610
Other income (expense), net			594				(5,171	)			(1,847	)			(10,530	)
Total other income (expense), net			549				(5,346	)			(1,269	)			(11,410	)
Earnings before income taxes			18,737				17,298				57,526				59,966
Income tax expense			4,766				5,500				12,314				15,331
Net earnings		$	13,971			$	11,798			$	45,212			$	44,635
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.45			$	0.37			$	1.44			$	1.39
Diluted		$	0.44			$	0.37			$	1.43			$	1.38
Basic weighted – average common shares outstanding:			31,302				31,865				31,474				32,018
Effect of dilutive securities			209				225				216				220
Diluted weighted – average common shares outstanding:			31,511				32,090				31,690				32,238
Cash dividends declared per share		$	0.04			$	0.04			$	0.12			$	0.12

CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars)
		(Unaudited) September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	160,112			$	156,910
Accounts receivable, net			89,556				90,935
Inventories, net			65,384				62,260
Other current assets			19,272				15,655
Total current assets			334,324				325,760
Property, plant and equipment, net			92,880				97,300
Operating lease assets, net			27,545				22,702
Other Assets
Goodwill			154,130				152,361
Other intangible assets, net			103,828				108,053
Deferred income taxes			23,725				23,461
Other			17,530				18,850
Total other assets			299,213				302,725
Total Assets		$	753,962			$	748,487
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable		$	49,848			$	53,211
Accrued payroll and benefits			13,330				20,063
Operating lease obligations			4,444				3,936
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			35,804				35,322
Total current liabilities			103,426				112,532
Long-term debt			76,665				83,670
Long-term operating lease obligations			26,016				21,754
Long-term pension obligations			4,963				5,048
Deferred income taxes			15,288				16,010
Other long-term obligations			4,937				3,249
Total Liabilities			231,295				242,263
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock			319,125				316,803
Additional contributed capital			44,718				46,144
Retained earnings			588,144				546,703
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(675	)			(671	)
Total shareholders’ equity before treasury stock			951,312				908,979
Treasury stock			(428,645	)			(402,755	)
Total shareholders’ equity			522,667				506,224
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$	753,962			$	748,487

CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
(In millions of dollars, except percentages and per share amounts)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

From time to time, CTS may use non-GAAP financial measures in discussing CTS’ business. These measures are intended to supplement, not replace, CTS’ presentation of its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. CTS believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented are commonly used by financial analysts and others in the industries in which CTS operates, and thus further provide useful information to investors. CTS’ definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from those terms as defined or used by other companies. Non-GAAP measures should not be used by investors or third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions, as they may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.

CTS has presented these non-GAAP financial measures as it believes that the presentation of its financial results that exclude (1) restructuring charges; (2) environmental charges; (3) acquisition-related costs; (4) inventory fair value step-up costs; (5) foreign exchange (gains) losses; (6) non-cash pension expenses (income); and (7) certain discrete tax items are useful and assist in comparing CTS’ current operating results with past periods and with the operational performance of other companies in its industry. Included below is a description of the expenses that CTS has determined are not normal, recurring cash operating expenses necessary to operate its business and the rationale for why providing financial measures for its business with such expenses excluded or adjusted is useful to investors as a supplement to the U.S. GAAP measures.

• Restructuring charges – costs primarily relating to workforce reduction costs, building and equipment relocation costs, asset impairment charges and other facility closure costs in connection with our continued optimization of our organization.
• Environmental charges – costs associated with our non-operating facilities that are unrelated to ongoing operations.
• Acquisition-related costs – diligence and transaction costs related to acquisitions.
• Inventory fair value step-up costs – purchase accounting-related inventory costs from acquisitions.
• Foreign exchange (gains) losses – remeasurement income and expenses for non-U.S. subsidiaries with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.
• Non-cash pension expenses (income) – pension income and expenses relating to the non-operating U.S. pension and post-retirement life insurance plans, including historical plan settlement activities.
• Discrete tax items – non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual tax adjustments (e.g., valuation allowances, uncertain tax position changes, unremitted assertion changes and discrete impacts associated with pre-tax non-GAAP items, etc.).
  

At times, the reconciliations below have been intentionally rounded to the nearest thousand, or $0.01 for EPS figures, and, therefore, may not sum.

Adjusted Gross Margin

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Gross margin		$	46.4			$	53.3			$	148.8			$	159.5			$	210.5			$	184.6			$	139.1
Net sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	425.7			$	444.6			$	586.9			$	512.9			$	424.1
Gross margin as a % of net sales			34.5	%			35.1	%			35.0	%			35.9	%			35.9	%			36.0	%			32.8	%
Adjustments to reported gross margin:
Inventory fair value step-up (b)		$	—			$	2.2			$	—			$	3.3			$	4.0			$	—			$	—
Adjusted gross margin		$	46.4			$	55.6			$	148.8			$	162.9			$	214.5			$	184.6			$	139.1
Adjusted gross margin as a % of net sales			34.5	%			36.6	%			35.0	%			36.6	%			36.5	%			36.0	%			32.8	%

Adjusted Operating Earnings

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Operating earnings		$	18.2			$	22.6			$	58.8			$	71.4			$	93.0			$	76.5			$	45.1
Net sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	425.7			$	444.6			$	586.9			$	512.9			$	424.1
Operating earnings as a % of net sales			13.5	%			14.9	%			13.8	%			16.1	%			15.8	%			14.9	%			10.6	%
Adjustments to reported operating earnings:
Restructuring charges (c)			3.2				0.5				6.0				1.4				1.9				1.7				1.8
Environmental charges (a)			0.4				0.3				3.1				1.8				2.8				2.3				2.8
Acquisition-related costs (a)			—				—				0.2				0.8				0.8				—				0.3
Inventory fair value step-up (b)			—				2.2				—				3.3				4.0				—				—
Total adjustments to reported operating earnings		$	3.6			$	3.0			$	9.3			$	7.3			$	9.5			$	3.9			$	4.9
Adjusted operating earnings		$	21.8			$	25.7			$	68.1			$	78.7			$	102.5			$	80.4			$	50.0
Adjusted operating earnings as a % of net sales			16.2	%			16.9	%			16.0	%			17.7	%			17.5	%			15.7	%			11.8	%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Net earnings (loss)		$	14.0			$	11.8			$	45.2			$	44.6			$	59.6			$	(41.9	)		$	34.7
Net sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	425.7			$	444.6			$	586.9			$	512.9			$	424.1
Net earnings (loss) margin			10.4	%			7.8	%			10.6	%			10.0	%			10.2	%			-8.2	%			8.2	%
Depreciation and amortization expense			7.3				8.0				21.4				21.7				29.8				26.9				26.7
Interest expense			1.0				0.3				2.5				1.5				2.2				2.1				3.3
Tax expense (benefit)			4.8				5.5				12.3				15.3				21.2				(19.0	)			10.8
EBITDA			27.0				25.6				81.5				83.2				112.7				(31.8	)			75.4
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Restructuring charges (c)			3.2				0.5				6.0				1.4				1.9				1.7				1.8
Environmental charges (a)			0.4				0.3				3.1				1.8				2.8				2.3				2.8
Acquisition-related costs (a)			—				—				0.2				2.5				2.5				—				0.3
Inventory fair value step-up (b)			—				2.2				—				3.3				4.0				—				—
Non-cash pension and related expense (d)			—				4.7				—				4.8				4.8				132.4				2.5
Foreign currency loss (gain) (d)			(0.3	)			0.5				2.3				4.0				4.9				3.3				(5.3	)
Total adjustments to EBITDA			3.3				8.2				11.7				17.8				20.9				139.7				2.1
Adjusted EBITDA		$	30.3			$	33.8			$	93.1			$	101.0			$	133.6			$	107.9			$	77.5
Adjusted EBITDA Margin			22.5	%			22.3	%			21.9	%			22.7	%			22.8	%			21.0	%			18.3	%

Adjusted Net Earnings

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Net earnings (loss) (A)		$	14.0			$	11.8			$	45.2			$	44.6			$	59.6			$	(41.9	)		$	34.7
Net sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	425.7			$	444.6			$	586.9			$	512.9			$	424.1
Net earnings (loss) as a % of net sales			10.4	%			7.8	%			10.6	%			10.0	%			10.2	%			-8.2	%			8.2	%
Adjustments to reported net earnings (loss):
Restructuring charges (c)			3.2				0.5				6.0				1.4				1.9				1.7				1.8
Environmental charges (a)			0.4				0.3				3.1				1.8				2.8				2.3				2.8
Acquisition-related costs (a)			—				—				0.2				2.5				2.5				—				0.3
Inventory fair value step-up (b)			—				2.2				—				3.3				4.0				—				—
Non-cash pension and related expense (d)			—				4.7				—				4.8				4.8				132.4				2.5
Foreign currency loss (gain) (d)			(0.3	)			0.5				2.3				4.0				4.9				3.3				(5.3	)
Total adjustments to reported net earnings (loss)		$	3.3			$	8.2			$	11.7			$	17.8			$	20.9			$	139.7			$	2.1
Total adjustments, tax affected(B)		$	3.0			$	8.0			$	10.2			$	16.6			$	19.3			$	108.6			$	0.4
Tax adjustments:
Increase in valuation allowances (e)			—				—				—				—				—				0.9				0.2
Other discrete tax items (e)			—				—				—				—				0.2				(4.7	)			1.2
Total tax adjustments(C)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	0.2			$	(3.8	)		$	1.4
Adjusted net earnings (A+B+C)		$	17.0			$	19.8			$	55.4			$	61.3			$	79.1			$	63.0			$	36.5
Adjusted net earnings as a % of net sales			12.6	%			13.0	%			13.0	%			13.8	%			13.5	%			12.3	%			8.6	%

(a) reflected in selling, general and administrative and other (expense) income, net.
(b) reflected in cost of goods sold.
(c) reflected in restructuring charges.
(d) reflected in other (expense) income, net.
(e) reflected in income tax expense (income).

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.44			$	0.37			$	1.43			$	1.38			$	1.85			$	(1.30	)		$	1.06
Tax affected charges to reported diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Restructuring charges			0.10				0.01				0.17				0.04				0.05				0.06				0.04
Foreign currency (gain) loss			(0.01	)			0.01				0.07				0.12				0.15				0.10				(0.16	)
Non-cash pension expense			—				0.16				—				0.16				0.16				3.13				0.06
Environmental charges			0.01				0.01				0.08				0.04				0.07				0.05				0.07
Acquisition-related costs			—			—					—				0.07				0.07				—				0.01
Inventory fair value step-up			—				0.06				—				0.09				0.10				—				—
Discrete tax items			—				—				—				—				0.01				(0.11	)			0.04
Adjusted diluted earnings per share		$	0.54			$	0.62			$	1.75			$	1.90			$	2.46			$	1.93			$	1.12

NOTE: CTS believes that adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share provide useful information to investors regarding its operational performance because they enhance an investor’s overall understanding of CTS’ core financial performance and facilitate comparisons to historical results of operations, by excluding items that are not related directly to the underlying performance of CTS’ fundamental business operations (such as those items noted above in the paragraph titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) or were not part of CTS’ business operations during a comparable period.

Controllable Working Capital

		September 30,								December 31,
		2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Net accounts receivable		$	89.6			$	97.0			$	90.9			$	82.2			$	81.0
Net inventory		$	65.4			$	63.5			$	62.3			$	49.5			$	45.9
Accounts payable		$	(49.8	)		$	(65.7	)		$	(53.2	)		$	(55.5	)		$	(50.5	)
Controllable working capital		$	105.1			$	94.8			$	100.0			$	76.2			$	76.4
Quarter sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	142.3			$	132.5			$	123.0
Multiplied by 4			4				4				4				4				4
Annualized sales		$	538.2			$	607.6			$	569.1			$	530.0			$	492.1
Controllable working capital as a % of annualized sales			19.5	%			15.6	%			17.6	%			14.4	%			15.5	%

NOTE: CTS believes the controllable working capital ratio is a useful measure because it provides an objective measure of the efficiency with which CTS manages its short-term capital needs.

Free Cash Flow

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	22.1			$	60.4			$	56.7			$	95.7			$	121.2			$	86.1			$	76.8
Capital expenditures			(2.7	)			(2.3	)			(11.2	)			(9.3	)			(14.3	)			(15.6	)			(14.9	)
Free cash flow		$	19.4			$	58.1			$	45.5			$	86.5			$	106.9			$	70.5			$	61.9

NOTE: CTS believes that free cash flow is a useful measure because it demonstrates the company’s ability to generate cash. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, information contained in the company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

Capital Expenditures

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Capital expenditures		$	2.7			$	2.3			$	11.2			$	9.3			$	14.3			$	15.6			$	14.9
Net sales		$	134.6			$	151.9			$	425.7			$	444.6			$	586.9			$	512.9			$	424.1
Capex as % of net sales			2.0	%			1.5	%			2.6	%			2.1	%			2.4	%			3.0	%			3.5	%

Additional Information

The following table includes other financial information not presented in the preceding financial statements.

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022				2022				2021				2020
Depreciation and amortization expense		$	7.3			$	8.0			$	21.4			$	21.7			$	29.8			$	26.9			$	26.7
Stock-based compensation expense		$	1.4			$	2.2			$	4.6			$	5.8			$	7.7			$	6.1			$	3.4