CTS Announces First Quarter 2022 Results

Delivered solid growth, further advancing diversification strategy

Lisle, IL, United States


LISLE, Ill., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of custom engineered solutions that “sense, connect and move” today announced first quarter 2022 results.

“Our solid first quarter results highlight the progress of our diversification strategy and our ability to deliver enhanced profitability, with revenue growing 15% and Adjusted EBITDA margin expanding 350-basis points. Our acquisition of TEWA Sensors in the first quarter and our recently announced agreement to acquire Ferroperm demonstrate our efforts to expand growth of non-transportation end markets and will move this portion of the business closer to 50% of total revenues in the year ahead,” said Kieran O’Sullivan, CEO of CTS Corporation. "Demand remains robust across all end markets. Our strong balance sheet and solid cash flow generation continue to be key competitive advantages as we further execute on our strategic priorities and drive value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter 2022 Results

  • Sales were $147.7 million, up 15% year-over-year. Sales to non-transportation end markets increased 30%, and sales to the transportation end market increased 4% over the same period.
  • Net income was $20.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to $12.0 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.67, up from $0.46 in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.5% compared to 20.0% in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Operating cash flow was $19.3 million compared to $20.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.

2022 Guidance

Including the impact of the recent TEWA Sensors acquisition, CTS now expects full year 2022 sales to be in the range of $550 – $580 million, up from the previous guidance of $525 – $550 million and adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $2.20 - $2.45, up from the previous guidance of $2.00 – $2.25. Management continues to carefully evaluate the impact of inflation, supply chain issues, COVID 19-related disruptions in China, and geopolitical risks.

Conference Call and Supplemental Materials

As previously announced, the Company has scheduled a conference call at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) today to discuss the first quarter 2022 financial results. The dial-in number for the U.S. and Canada is 844-200-6205 (+1 929-526-1599, if calling from outside the U.S. or Canada). The passcode is 549088. 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 (NYSE: CTS) is a leading designer and manufacturer of products that Sense, Connect, and Move. The company 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: the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTS’ business, results of operations or financial condition; changes in the economy generally and in respect to the business in which CTS operates; unanticipated issues in integrating acquisitions including TEWA Temperature Sensors and Ferroperm Piezoceramics (once closed subject to obtaining regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions); 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; 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 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’ 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.

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’ management believes that non-GAAP financial measures can be useful to investors in analyzing CTS’ financial performance and results of operations over time. CTS recommends that investors consider both actual and adjusted measures in evaluating the performance of CTS with peer companies.

The information included in this press release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share, debt to capitalization ratio, controllable working capital ratio, and free cash flow. Many of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of certain expenses and income not related directly to the underlying performance of CTS’ fundamental business operations.

CTS believes that adjusted gross margins, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, 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 or were not part of CTS’ business operations during a comparable period.

CTS believes that debt to capitalization ratio is a measurement of financial leverage and provides an insight into the financial structure of CTS and its financial strength. CTS believes the controllable working capital ratio provides an objective measure of the efficiency with which CTS manages its short-term capital needs. CTS believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of its ability to generate cash.

CTS believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are commonly used by financial analysts and others in the industries in which CTS operates, and thus further provide useful information to investors. Note that CTS’ definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from those terms as defined or used by other companies.

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.

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 of dollars, except per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31,
2022
  March 31,
2021
 
Net sales $147,695  $128,427 
Cost of goods sold  93,355   85,836 
Gross margin  54,340   42,591 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  21,788   18,325 
Research and development expenses  6,194   5,687 
Restructuring charges  312   81 
Operating earnings  26,046   18,498 
Other (expense) income:        
Interest expense  (546)  (555)
Interest income  180   202 
Other income (expense), net  66   (3,356)
Total other expense, net  (300)  (3,709)
Earnings before income taxes  25,746   14,789 
Income tax expense  5,507   2,799 
Net earnings  20,239   11,990 
Earnings per share:        
Basic $0.63  $0.37 
Diluted $0.63  $0.37 
Basic weighted – average common shares outstanding:  32,123   32,319 
Effect of dilutive securities  204   301 
Diluted weighted – average common shares outstanding:  32,327   32,620 
Cash dividends declared per share $0.04  $0.04 


CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of dollars)

  (Unaudited)     
  March 31, 2022  December 31,
2021
 
ASSETS        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $126,118  $141,465 
Accounts receivable, net  95,107   82,191 
Inventories, net  52,454   49,506 
Other current assets  18,366   15,927 
Total current assets  292,045   289,089 
Property, plant and equipment, net  97,041   96,876 
Operating lease assets, net  23,212   21,594 
Other Assets        
Prepaid pension asset  31,882   49,382 
Goodwill  117,524   109,798 
Other intangible assets, net  79,849   69,888 
Deferred income taxes  23,828   25,415 
Other  19,365   2,420 
Total other assets  272,448   256,903 
Total Assets $684,746  $664,462 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable $60,010  $55,537 
Operating lease obligations  3,522   3,393 
Accrued payroll and benefits  12,954   18,418 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  38,554   36,718 
Total current liabilities  115,040   114,066 
Long-term debt  50,000   50,000 
Long-term operating lease obligations  22,712   21,354 
Long-term pension obligations  6,464   6,886 
Deferred income taxes  5,865   5,894 
Other long-term obligations  4,487   2,684 
Total Liabilities  204,568   200,884 
Commitments and Contingencies        
Shareholders’ Equity        
Common stock  316,496   314,620 
Additional contributed capital  41,158   42,549 
Retained earnings  511,197   492,242 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (3,445)  (4,525)
Total shareholders’ equity before treasury stock  865,406   844,886 
Treasury stock  (385,228)  (381,308)
Total shareholders’ equity  480,178   463,578 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $684,746  $664,462 


CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

Adjusted Gross Margin

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Gross margin $54.3  $42.6  $184.6  $139.1  $157.6 
Adjustments to reported gross margin:                    
Inventory fair value step-up $0.6  $  $  $  $ 
                     
Adjusted gross margin $54.9  $42.6  $184.6  $139.1  $157.6 
                     
Net sales $147.7  $128.4  $512.9  $424.1  $469.0 
                     
Adjusted gross margin as a % of net sales  37.2%  33.2%  36.0%  32.8%  33.6%


Adjusted Operating Earnings

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Operating earnings $26.0  $18.5  $76.5  $45.1  $53.8 
Adjustments to reported operating earnings:                    
Restructuring charges  0.3   0.1   1.7   1.8   7.4 
Environmental charges  0.5   0.2   2.3   2.8   2.3 
Legal settlement              (0.5)
Transaction costs  0.5         0.3   0.7 
Inventory fair value step-up  0.6             
Costs of tax improvement initiatives              0.1 
Total adjustments to reported operating earnings $1.9  $0.3  $3.9  $4.9  $10.0 
                     
Adjusted operating earnings $28.0  $18.8  $80.4  $50.0  $63.8 
                     
Net sales $147.7  $128.4  $512.9  $424.1  $469.0 
                     
Adjusted operating earnings as a % of net sales  19.0%  14.6%  15.7%  11.8%  13.6%


Adjusted EBITDA

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Net earnings (loss) $20.2  $12.0  $(41.9) $34.7  $36.1 
                     
Depreciation and amortization expense  6.7   6.8   26.9   26.7   24.6 
Interest expense  0.5   0.6   2.1   3.3   2.6 
Tax expense (benefit)  5.5   2.8   (19.0)  10.8   14.1 
                     
EBITDA  33.0   22.2   (31.8)  75.4   77.5 
                     
Adjustments to EBITDA:                    
Restructuring charges  0.3   0.1   1.7   1.8   6.9 
Environmental charges  0.5   0.2   2.3   2.8   2.3 
Legal settlement              (0.5)
Transaction costs  0.5         0.3   0.7 
Inventory fair value step-up  0.6             
Costs of tax improvement initiatives              0.1 
Non-cash pension expense     1.9   132.4   2.5   0.8 
Foreign currency (gain) loss  (0.3)  1.3   3.3   (5.3)  1.8 
                     
Total adjustments to EBITDA  1.7   3.5   139.7   2.1   12.0 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA $34.7  $25.7  $107.8  $77.5  $89.5 
                     
Net sales $147.7  $128.4  $512.9  $424.1  $469.0 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales  23.5%  20.0%  21.0%  18.3%  19.1%


Adjusted Net Earnings

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Net earnings (loss) (A) $20.2  $12.0  $(41.9) $34.7  $36.1 
Adjustments to reported net earnings (loss):                    
Restructuring charges  0.3   0.1   1.7   1.8   7.4 
Environmental charges  0.5   0.2   2.3   2.8   2.3 
Legal settlement              (0.5)
Transaction costs  0.5         0.3   0.7 
Inventory fair value step-up  0.6             
Costs of tax improvement initiatives              0.1 
Non-cash pension expense     1.9   132.4   2.5   0.8 
Foreign currency (gain) loss  (0.3)  1.3   3.3   (5.3)  1.8 
Total adjustments to reported net earnings (loss) $1.7  $3.5  $139.7  $2.1  $12.6 
Total adjustments, tax affected (B) $1.4  $3.0  $108.6  $0.4  $10.2 
                     
Tax adjustments:                    
Increase in valuation allowances        0.9   0.2    
Other discrete tax items        (4.7)  1.2   1.8 
Total tax adjustments (C) $  $  $(3.8) $1.4  $1.8 
Adjusted net earnings (A+B+C) $21.7  $15.0  $63.0  $36.5  $48.1 
                     
Net sales $147.7  $128.4  $512.9  $424.1  $469.0 
                     
Adjusted net earnings as a % of net sales  14.7%  11.7%  12.3%  8.6%  10.3%


Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.63  $0.37  $(1.30) $1.06  $1.09 
Tax affected charges to reported diluted earnings (loss) per share:                    
Restructuring charges  0.01      0.06   0.04   0.18 
Foreign currency (gain) loss  (0.01)  0.04   0.10   (0.16)  0.05 
Non-cash pension expense     0.04   3.13   0.06   0.02 
Environmental charges  0.01   0.01   0.05   0.07   0.05 
Transaction costs  0.02         0.01   0.02 
Inventory fair value step-up  0.01             
Legal settlement              (0.01)
Discrete tax items        (0.11)  0.04   0.05 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share $0.67  $0.46  $1.93  $1.12  $1.45 


Debt to Capitalization

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Total debt (A)$50.0  $50.0  $50.0  $54.6  $99.7 
Total shareholders' equity (B)$480.2  $435.7  $463.6  $423.7  $405.2 
Total capitalization (A+B)$530.2  $485.7  $513.6  $478.3  $504.9 
Total debt to capitalization 9.4%  10.3%  9.7%  11.4%  19.7%


Controllable Working Capital

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Net accounts receivable$95.1  $81.6  $82.2  $81.0  $78.0 
                    
Net inventory$52.5  $47.5  $49.5  $45.9  $42.2 
                    
Accounts payable$(60.0) $(53.3) $(55.5) $(50.5) $(48.2)
                    
Controllable working capital$87.6  $75.8  $76.2  $76.4  $72.0 
                    
Quarter sales$147.7  $128.4  $132.5  $123.0  $115.0 
Multiplied by 4 4   4   4   4   4 
Annualized sales$590.8  $513.6  $530.1  $492.1  $460.2 
                    
Controllable working capital as a % of annualized net sales 14.8%  14.8%  14.4%  15.5%  15.7%


Free Cash Flow

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Net cash provided by operating activities $19.3  $20.1  $86.1  $76.8  $64.4 
Capital expenditures  (3.4)  (1.6)  (15.6)  (14.9)  (21.7)
Free cash flow $15.9  $18.5  $70.5  $61.9  $42.7 


Capital Expenditures

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Capital expenditures $3.4  $1.6  $15.6  $14.9  $21.7 
Net sales $147.7  $128.4  $512.9  $424.1  $469.0 
Capex as % of net sales  2.3%  1.3%  3.0%  3.5%  4.6%


Additional Information

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

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2022  2021  2021  2020  2019 
Depreciation and amortization expense $6.7  $6.8  $26.9  $26.7  $24.6 
Stock-based compensation expense $2.0  $1.2  $6.1  $3.4  $5.0 



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