Littelfuse Inc.

05/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2026 10:15

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 28, 2026 (Form 10-Q)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA").
Certain statements in this section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These statements include statements regarding the Company's future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "estimates," "will," "should," "plans" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to general economic conditions; product demand and market acceptance; economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product quality problems or product recalls; capacity and supply difficulties or constraints; coal mining exposures reserves; cybersecurity matters; failure of an indemnification for environmental liability; changes in import and export duty and tariff rates; exchange rate fluctuations; commodity price fluctuations; the effect of the Company's accounting policies; labor disputes and shortages; restructuring costs in excess of expectations; pension plan asset returns less than assumed; uncertainties related to political or regulatory changes; integration of acquisitions may not be achieved in a timely manner, or at all; limited realization of the expected benefits from investment and strategic plans; and other risks that may be detailed in Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of Part I and Item 1, "Legal Proceedings" and Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of Part II of this Report, as well as Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of Part II of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025, and the Company's other filings and submissions with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, new information or otherwise.
This report, including the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, should be read in conjunction with information provided in the consolidated financial statements and the related Notes thereto appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide information that is supplemental to, and should be read together with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Information in MD&A is intended to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of (i) the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the changes in certain key items within those financial statements from year-to-year, (iii) the primary factors that contributed to those changes, and (iv) any changes in known trends or uncertainties that the Company is aware of and that may have a material effect on future performance. In addition, MD&A provides information about the Company's segments and how the results of those segments impact the results of operations and financial condition as a whole.
Executive Overview
Founded in 1927, Littelfuse is a diversified, industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 17,000 global associates, we partner with customers to design and deliver innovative, reliable solutions. Serving over 100,000 end customers, our products are found in a variety of industrial, transportation and electronics end markets - everywhere, every day.
The Company maintains a network of global laboratories and engineering centers that develop new products and product enhancements, provide customer application support and test products for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The Company conducts its business through three reportable segments: Electronics, Transportation, and Industrial. Within these segments, the Company designs, manufactures and sells components and modules empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Our products protect against electrostatic discharge, power surges, short circuits, voltage spikes and other harmful occurrences, safely and efficiently control power and improve productivity and are used to identify and detect temperature, proximity, flow speed and fluid level in various applications.
Executive Summary
For the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized net sales of $657.0 million, an increase of $102.7 million, or 18.5% as compared to $554.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 including $33.2 million, or 6.0% of incremental net sales, from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment and $17.5 million, or 3.2% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume in the Electronics segment. The Company recognized net income of $75.1 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $43.6 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher operating income of $23.5 million from the Electronics segment driven by increases in net sales and volume leverage.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $80.3 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $65.8 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $14.5 million was primarily due to higher cash earnings, partially offset by increases in working capital primarily resulting from higher annual incentive bonus payments made in 2026 as compared to 2025.
On March 12, 2026, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") to amend and restate and effect certain changes to its existing Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), including, among other changes: (i) paying off and eliminating the $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) increasing the size of the revolver from $700 million to $800 million; and (iii) extending the maturity date to March 12, 2031 (the "Maturity Date"). As a result of entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company paid off $62.5 million of the term loan and replaced $200 million of the term loan under the Existing Credit Agreement with $200 million borrowing under the revolver under the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Other Risk
In Item 1A. "Risk factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025, the Company disclosed its exposure to political, economic, and other risks that arise from operating a multinational business, including effects on the global economy due to geopolitical tensions. Among those tensions, is the ongoing military conflict among the U.S., Israel, Iran and Lebanon and the related disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which have led to significant volatility in global energy markets and could lead to prolonged increases in crude oil and natural gas prices. Disruptions in these markets may reduce supply availability and increase material costs, including petroleum-based plastic resins, which we use in some of our products and manufacturing processes. Energy price volatility may also increase transportation and logistics costs for the Company.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods presented. The first quarter of 2026 included $7.4 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. In addition, during the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $1.2 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $5.4 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustment related to the Basler acquisition.
The first quarter of 2025 included $8.9 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs, and $0.1 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment within the Electronics segment. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $0.5 million of purchase accounting inventory step-down adjustment related to the Dortmund acquisition, and $0.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions.
First Quarter
(in thousands) 2026 2025 Change %
Change
Net sales $ 656,969 $ 554,307 $ 102,662 18.5 %
Cost of sales 402,820 347,051 55,769 16.1 %
Gross profit 254,149 207,256 46,893 22.6 %
Operating expenses 152,984 137,106 15,878 11.6 %
Operating income 101,165 70,150 31,015 44.2 %
Income before income taxes 96,731 59,947 36,784 61.4 %
Income taxes 21,584 16,376 5,208 31.8 %
Net income 75,147 43,571 31,576 72.5 %
Net Sales
Net sales increased $102.7 million, or 18.5%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 including $33.2 million or 6.0% of incremental net sales from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment and $17.5 million or 3.2% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume of $38.2 million and $17.4 million in the electronics products and semiconductor businesses within the Electronics segment, respectively, driven by higher end market demand and favorable price.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $402.8 million, or 61.3% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $347.1 million, or 62.6% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase of $55.8 million included $25.1 million of incremental cost of sales from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment. The remaining increase was due to higher volume across all segments. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 1.3% primarily due to improved margin from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, the industrial circuit protection products business within the Industrial segment, and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment driven by volume leverage and favorable product mix. The improved margin was also favorably impacted by higher gross margin from the Basler acquisition, partially offset by purchase accounting inventory charges of $5.4 million or 0.8%.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $254.1 million, or 38.7% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $207.3 million, or 37.4% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase of $46.9 million in gross profit and the improved gross margin were primarily due to higher volume and favorable price and product mix from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and the industrial circuit protection business within the Industrial segment. Additionally, gross margin was higher due to the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment and higher gross margin from the Basler acquisition, partially offset by the purchase accounting inventory charges of $5.4 million or 0.8%.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $153.0 million, or 23.3% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $137.1 million, or 24.7% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in operating expenses of $15.9 million was primarily driven by incremental operating expenses of $11.8 million from the Basler acquisition.
Operating Income
Operating income was $101.2 million, representing an increase of $31.0 million, or 44.2%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $70.2 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in operating income was due to higher gross profit from
the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, the industrial circuit protection products business within the Industrial segment, and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by higher operating expenses mainly driven by the Basler acquisition noted above. Operating margins increased from 12.7% in the first quarter of 2025 to 15.4% in the first quarter of 2026 driven by improved gross margin from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, the industrial circuit protection products business within the Industrial segment, and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment driven by volume leverage and favorable price and product mix.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes was $96.7 million, or 14.7% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $59.9 million, or 10.8% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2025. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by foreign exchange gains of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to foreign exchange losses of $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, and lower unrealized losses of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 related to the Company's equity investment.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 28, 2026 was 22.3% compared to the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2025 of 27.3%. The effective tax rate for 2026 was lower than the effective tax rate for the comparable 2025 period primarily due to lapses in the statute of limitations for previously unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the first quarter of 2026.
The effective tax rate for three months ended March 28, 2026 was higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to losses in non-U.S. jurisdictions with no related tax benefit, partially offset by lapses in the statute of limitations for previously unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the first quarter. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2025 was higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to losses in non-US jurisdictions with no related tax benefit.
Segment Results of Operations
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 14, Segment Information, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company's net sales and operating income by segment:
Net Sales First Quarter
(in thousands) 2026 2025 Change %
Change
Electronics $ 362,775 $ 307,249 $ 55,526 18.1 %
Transportation 170,381 161,862 8,519 5.3 %
Industrial 123,813 85,196 38,617 45.3 %
Total $ 656,969 $ 554,307 $ 102,662 18.5 %
Segment Operating Income First Quarter
(in thousands) 2026 2025 Change %
Change
Electronics $ 70,279 $ 46,766 $ 23,513 50.3 %
Transportation 24,103 18,917 5,186 27.4 %
Industrial 20,761 13,074 7,687 58.8 %
Total segment operating income 115,143 78,757 36,386
Other (a)
(13,978) (8,607) (5,371)
Total operating income $ 101,165 $ 70,150 $ 31,015 44.2 %
(a) Included in "Other" Operating income for the first quarter of 2026 was $7.4 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. In
addition, during the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $1.2 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $5.4 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustment related to the Basler acquisition.
Included in "Other" Operating income for the first quarter of 2025 was $8.9 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs, and $0.1 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment within the Electronics segment. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $0.5 million of purchase accounting inventory step-down adjustment related to the Dortmund acquisition, and $0.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales increased $55.5 million, or 18.1%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $10.5 million or 3.4%. The net sales increase was primarily due to higher volume of $38.2 million and $17.4 million in the electronics products and semiconductor businesses, respectively, driven by higher end market demand and favorable price.
Operating Income
Operating income was $70.3 million, representing an increase of $23.5 million, or 50.3%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $46.8 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in operating income was primarily from the electronics products business due to volume leverage and favorable product mix. Operating margins increased from 15.2% in the first quarter of 2025 to 19.4% in the first quarter of 2026 primarily due to volume leverage and favorable price and product mix from the electronics products business.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
Net sales increased $8.5 million, or 5.3%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $6.2 million or 3.8%. The remaining net sales increase was due to higher volume in the passenger car products business driven by higher market demand with vehicle content growth.
Operating Income
Operating income was $24.1 million, representing an increase of $5.2 million, or 27.4%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $18.9 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gross margin from the passenger car products business driven by volume leverage and operational execution. Operating margins increased from 11.7% in the first quarter of 2025 to 14.1% in the first quarter of 2026.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
Net sales increased $38.6 million, or 45.3%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 including $33.2 million of incremental net sales from the Basler acquisition and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.8 million or 1.0%. The remaining net sales increase was due to higher net sales from the industrial circuit protection products driven by higher volume, partially offset by lower volume from industrial control and sensor products.
Operating Income
Operating income was $20.8 million, representing an increase of $7.7 million, or 58.8%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $13.1 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in operating income was due to higher gross margin from the industrial circuit protection products driven by volume leverage, operational efficiencies, favorable product mix and the incremental increase from the Basler acquisition. Operating margins increased from 15.3% in the first quarter of 2025 to 16.8% in the first quarter of 2026 due to improved gross margin in the industrial circuit protection products and the Basler acquisition
noted previously, partially offset by lower margin from industrial control and sensor products and higher amortization expenses of $2.9 million related to the Basler acquisition.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company's net sales by geography:
First Quarter
(in thousands) 2026 2025 Change %
Change
Americas $ 261,846 $ 224,690 $ 37,156 16.5 %
Asia-Pacific 248,276 205,284 42,992 20.9 %
Europe 146,847 124,333 22,514 18.1 %
Total $ 656,969 $ 554,307 $ 102,662 18.5 %
Americas
Net sales increased $37.2 million, or 16.5%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.8 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental net sales of $29.9 million from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment, and higher volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, partially offset by lower volume from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment and industrial control and sensor products within the Industrial segment.
Asia-Pacific
Net sales increased $43.0 million, or 20.9%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.3 million. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume from the Electronics segment and the industrial circuit protection products within the Industrial segment, and incremental net sales of $1.8 million from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment.
Europe
Net sales increased $22.5 million, or 18.1%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $14.4 million. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and across all businesses within the Transportation segment and incremental net sales of $1.5 million from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company's (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company's operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
Cash and cash equivalents were $481.7 million as of March 28, 2026, a decrease of $81.7 million, as compared to December 27, 2025. As of March 28, 2026, $67.6 million of the Company's $481.7 million cash and cash equivalents was held by U.S. subsidiaries.
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
On March 12, 2026, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") to amend and restate and effect certain changes to its existing credit agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), including, among other changes: (i) paying off and eliminating the $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) increasing the size of the revolving credit facility from $700 million to $800 million; and (iii) extending the maturity date to March 12, 2031 (the "Maturity Date"). As a result of entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company paid off
$62.5 million of the term loan and replaced $200 million of the term loan under the Existing Credit Agreement with $200 million borrowing under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
The principal balance of the revolving credit facility is due on the Maturity Date. The revolving loan balances under the Credit Facility were $200.0 million as of March 28, 2026. Prior to entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company paid off $100.0 million of the revolving loan and $3.8 million of the term loan under the Existing Credit Agreement during the first quarter of 2026.
Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement ("the Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company's option, at either (i) Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, based upon the Company's Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement or (ii) the bank's Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus 0.00% to 0.75%, based upon the Company's Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.
Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty.
On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.
As of March 28, 2026, the effective interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility was 3.88% on the hedged portion.
As of March 28, 2026, the Company had $1.2 million outstanding letters of credit and had $598.8 million of borrowing capacity available under the revolving credit facility. As of March 28, 2026, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 ("Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023"), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 ("Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028") (together, the "Euro Senior Notes"). During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company paid off €117 million of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023. Interest on the Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028 is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 ("U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022"), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 ("U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027") (together, the "U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027") were funded. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 ("U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025") and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 ("U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030")
(together, the "U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030") were funded. During the first fiscal quarter of 2025, the Company paid off $50 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A, due 2025. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.
On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement ("2022 Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 ("U.S. Senior Notes due 2032") (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the "Senior Notes"). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2022.
The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws. The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
The Senior Notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including limitations on the Company's ability, with certain exceptions, to engage in mergers, consolidations, asset sales and transactions with affiliates, to engage in any business that would substantially change the general business of the Company, and to incur liens. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a make-whole amount to note holders and are required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at par following certain events, including a change of control.
Debt Covenants
The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement and Senior Notes as of March 28, 2026 and currently expects to remain in compliance based on management's estimates of operating and financial results for 2025. As of March 28, 2026, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
Acquisitions
On December 11, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Basler. Basler is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electrical control and protection solutions for high-growth industrial markets including grid and utility infrastructure, power generation and data center. At the time of acquisition, Basler had annualized sales of approximately $130 million. The business is reported within the Company's Industrial segment. The total purchase consideration of $352.8 million, net of cash acquired, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with the Company's cash on hand.
On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany ("Dortmund Fab") from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab was approximately €94 million, of which a €37.2 million down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and €56.7 million (approximately $58.8 million) was paid at closing. The business is reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company's Electronics segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company's cash on hand.
Dividends
During the first quarter of 2026, the Company paid quarterly dividends of $18.8 million to its shareholders. On May 6, 2026, the Company announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.75 per share payable on June 4, 2026 to stockholders of record as of May 21, 2026.
Cash Flow Overview
First Three Months
(in thousands) 2026 2025
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 80,258 $ 65,758
Net cash used in investing activities (16,571) (80,508)
Net cash used in financing activities (142,656) (97,034)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (2,762) 5,603
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (81,731) (106,181)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 565,104 726,437
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 483,373 $ 620,256
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company's products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes, and other operating activities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $80.3 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $65.8 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $14.5 million was primarily due to higher cash earnings, partially offset by increases in working capital primarily resulting from higher annual incentive bonus payments made in 2026 as compared to 2025.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $16.6 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $80.5 million during the three months ended March 29, 2025. The Company made a payment of $2.5 million for the Basler acquisition during the three months ended March 28, 2026. Net cash paid for the Dortmund Fab acquisition was $57.4 million during the three months ended March 29, 2025. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 28, 2026 were $14.1 million, representing a decrease of $9.0 million, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $142.7 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $97.0 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. On March 12, 2026, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement to amend and restate and effect certain changes to its existing credit agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022. As a result of entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company paid off $62.5 million of the term loan and replaced $200 million of the term loan under the existing credit agreement with $200 million borrowing under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement. Prior to the amendment on March 12, 2026, the Company paid off $100.0 million of the revolving credit facility and $3.8 million of the term loan under the prior Credit Agreement during the first quarter of 2026. During the three months ended March 29, 2025, the Company paid off $50.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 and made payments of $3.8 million on the term loan. The Company received $45.2 million net proceeds related to stock-based award activities during the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $2.1 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. In addition, the Company paid dividends of $18.8 million and $17.3 million in the three months ended March 28, 2026 and March 29, 2025, respectively. During the three months ended March 29, 2025, the Company repurchased 120,689 shares of its common stock totaling $27.4 million.
Share Repurchase Program
On April 25, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a three-year program to repurchase up to $300.0 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company's stock for the period from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2027 ("2024 program"). The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock for the three months ended March 28, 2026. During the three months ended March 29, 2025, the Company repurchased 120,689 shares of its common stock totaling $27.4 million pursuant to the 2024 program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 28, 2026, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the
debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
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 significant accounting policies and critical accounting estimates are consistent with those discussed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, 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 27, 2025. During the three months ended March 28, 2026, there were no significant changes in the application of critical accounting policies and estimates.
Littelfuse Inc. published this content on May 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on May 06, 2026 at 16:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]