Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2026 (Form 10-Q)

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A")

(in thousands of dollars, except percentages and per share amounts)

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included under Item 1, as well as our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Overview

CTS is a global manufacturer of sensors, connectivity components, and actuators. CTS was established in 1896 as a provider of high-quality telephone products and was incorporated as an Indiana corporation in February 1929. Our principal executive offices are located in Lisle, Illinois.

We design, manufacture, and sell a broad line of sensors, connectivity components, and actuators primarily to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), tier one suppliers for the aerospace and defense, industrial, medical, and transportation markets, and the U.S. Government. Our vision is to be a leading provider of sensing and motion devices as well as connectivity components, enabling an intelligent and seamless world. These devices are categorized by their ability to Sense, Connect or Move. Sense products provide vital inputs to electronic systems. Connect products allow systems to function in synchronization with other systems. Move products ensure required movements are effectively and accurately executed. We are committed to achieving our vision by continuing to invest in the development of products, technologies, and talent within these categories.

We operate manufacturing facilities in North America, Asia, and Europe. Sales and marketing are accomplished through our sales engineers. We also utilize independent manufacturers' representatives and distributors to extend our sales capability.

There is an increasing proliferation of sensing and motion applications within various markets we serve. In addition, the increasing connectivity of various devices to the internet results in greater demand for communication bandwidth and data storage, increasing the need for our connectivity products. Our success is dependent on the ability to execute our strategy to support these trends. We are subject to a number of challenges including, without limitation, periodic market softness, competition from other suppliers, changes in technology, changes in the economy generally, including inflationary and/or recessionary conditions and increased tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, availability and cost of rare earth elements, minerals, and metals, as well as the ability to add new customers, launch new products or penetrate new markets. Many of these, and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and our business, are discussed in further detail in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made with the SEC.

Results of Operations: First Quarter 2026 versus First Quarter 2025

The following table highlights changes in significant components of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025:

Net sales were $139,230 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $13,461 or 10.7% from the first quarter of 2025. Net sales to the diversified end markets increased $11,792 or 17.5% while net sales to transportation markets increased $1,669 or 2.9%. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased net sales by $2,898, net of hedges, due to the U.S. Dollar depreciating compared to the Euro.

Gross margin was $54,986 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $8,437 or 18.1% from the first quarter of 2025. The increase in gross margin was driven by improved mix of sales to our diversified end markets as well as efficiency improvements. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased gross margin by $672, net of hedges, due to the U.S. Dollar depreciating compared to the Euro. See Note 11, "Derivative Financial Instruments" in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information. As a result, our gross margin percentage increased from 37.0% for the first quarter of 2025 to 39.5% for the first quarter of 2026.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $25,984 or 18.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2026, versus $23,623 or 18.8% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in SG&A expenses is primarily related to an increase in incentive compensation expense.

Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $6,634 or 4.8% of net sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $6,190 or 4.9% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. Our R&D expenses are in line with our commitment to continue investing in research and product development to drive organic growth.

Restructuring charges were $386 or 0.3% of net sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $451 or 0.4% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. The restructuring charges in the quarter ended March 31, 2026 were primarily related to efficiency enhancements. See Note 7, "Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities" in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

Other income and expense items are summarized in the following table:

Interest expense decreased due to lower borrowings in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Our effective income tax rate was 20.7% and 17.1% in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate is primarily attributed to a change in mix of earnings taxed at higher rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We historically have funded our capital and operating needs primarily through cash flows from operating activities, supported by available credit under our Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below). We believe that cash flows from operating activities and available borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility will be adequate to fund our working capital needs, capital expenditures, investments, and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. However, we may choose to pursue additional equity and debt financing to provide additional liquidity or to fund acquisitions.

Cash and cash equivalents were $90,851 at March 31, 2026, and $82,295 at December 31, 2025, of which $89,576 and $75,943, respectively, were held outside the United States. Total long-term debt was $62,500 as of March 31, 2026 and $57,500 as of December 31, 2025.

Cash Flow Overview

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $17,295 during the three months ended March 31, 2026. Components of net cash provided by operating activities included net earnings of $17,197, depreciation and amortization expense of $8,810, other net non-cash items of $2,940, and a net cash outflow from changes in assets and liabilities of $11,652.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15,518 during the three months ended March 31, 2025. Components of net cash provided by operating activities included net earnings of $13,367, depreciation and amortization expense of $8,494, other net non-cash items of $1,339, and a net cash outflow from changes in assets and liabilities of $7,682.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $2,109 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, driven by capital expenditures of $4,997 partially offset by the maturity of short term investments of $2,888.

Net cash used in investing activities was $4,465 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, driven entirely by capital expenditures.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $6,441. The net cash outflow was the result of treasury stock purchases of $8,558 (net of excise taxes unpaid), dividends paid of $1,151, taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants of $1,732, partially offset by net cash borrowed on long-term debt of $5,000.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $15,900. The net cash outflow was the result of treasury stock purchases of $6,465 (net of excise taxes unpaid), dividends paid of $1,201, taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants of $2,634, and net cash used in the paydown of long-term debt of $5,600.

Capital Resources

Revolving Credit Facility

Long-term debt is comprised of the following:

On November 24, 2025, we entered into a five-year revolving credit agreement (the "Revolving Credit Facility") with a group of banks for a total credit facility availability of $300,000, which may be increased by at least $125,000 pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facility subject to administrative agent's approval. The Revolving Credit Facility is unsecured and replaced the prior $400,000 revolving credit facility, which would have expired on December 15, 2026. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on November 24, 2030 and modified the financial and non-financial covenants to provide the Company additional flexibility.

Borrowings in U.S. dollars under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at a per annum rate equal to the applicable Term SOFR rate (but not less than 0.0%), plus the Term SOFR adjustment, and plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.00% to 1.75%, based on our net leverage ratio. Similarly, borrowings of alternative currencies under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest equal to a defined risk-free reference rate, plus the applicable risk-free rate adjustment and plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.00% to 1.75%, based on our net leverage ratio. We use interest rate swaps to convert a portion of our revolving credit facility's outstanding balance from a variable rate of interest to a fixed rate. The contractual rate of these arrangements ranges from 2.45% to 3.36%.

The Revolving Credit Facility includes a swingline sublimit of $20,000 and a letter of credit sublimit of $20,000 and an alternative currency sublimit of $150,000. We also pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. The commitment fee ranges from 0.175% to 0.25% based on our net leverage ratio. We were in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2026.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In connection with the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company uses estimates and makes judgments and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and the related disclosures. The assumptions, estimates, and judgments are based on historical experience, current trends, and other factors the Company believes are relevant at the time it prepares the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The critical accounting policies and estimates are consistent with those discussed in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the MD&A section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Refer to Note 1, "Basis of Presentation" for updates to the Company's critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Significant Customers

Our net sales to customers representing at least 10% of total net sales is as follows:

No other customer accounted for 10% or more of total net sales during these periods.

Forward-Looking Statements

Readers are cautioned that the statements contained in this document regarding expectations of our performance or other matters that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" as defined by the "safe harbor" provisions in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this document, including statements regarding our strategy, financial position, guidance, funding for continued operations, cash reserves, liquidity, projected costs, plans, projects, awards and contracts, and objectives of management, among others, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," "target," "continued," "project," "plan," "goals," "opportunity," "appeal," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "demonstrates," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," "shall," "possible," "would," "approximately," "likely," "outlook," "schedule," "on track," "poised," "pipeline," and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results. 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 (including, but not limited to, the availability and cost of rare earth elements, minerals and metals); changes in the economy generally, including inflationary and/or recessionary conditions and increased tariffs, and in respect to the businesses in which CTS operates; unanticipated issues in integrating acquisitions; the funding of contracts by the U.S. Government; 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, natural disasters or other events; environmental compliance and remediation expenses; the ability to protect CTS' intellectual property; pricing pressures and demand for CTS' products; risks associated with CTS' international operations, including trade and tariff barriers, exchange rates and political and geopolitical risks (including, without limitation, the impact of tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, and other nations); the potential impact of U.S./China relations and the impact of geopolitical conflicts may have on our business, results of operations and financial condition; write offs of goodwill on our balance sheet; the amount and timing of any share repurchases; and the effect of any cybersecurity incidents on our business. Many of these, and other risks and uncertainties, are discussed in further detail in Item 1A. of CTS's 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.