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CTS Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales rose 11% year over year: Sales were $139.2 million against $125.8 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Diversified end markets grew 18%: Sales to diversified end markets increased 18%, and sales to the transportation market increased 3%. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin up 250 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 39.5%, against 37.0% a year earlier. The release gives no cause for the change. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose $1.8 million: Operating cash flow was $17.3 million, against $15.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Sales guidance range narrowed: Full-year 2026 net sales are now $560-$580 million, against $550-$580 million previously. The top end is unchanged. Source
  • Adjusted EPS guidance narrowed: Adjusted diluted EPS guidance is $2.35-$2.45, against $2.30-$2.45 previously. The top end is unchanged. Source

“CTS delivered another quarter of strong performance, with diversified end ‑ market sales up 18% year over year and modest growth in transportation,”

Kieran O’Sullivan, CEO of CTS Corporation

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFull-year 2026$560-$580 millionRaised from $550-$580 million
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFull-year 2026$2.35-$2.45Raised from $2.30-$2.45

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 sales guidance narrowed to $560-$580 million from $550-$580 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance narrowed to $2.35-$2.45 from $2.30-$2.45. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Sales rose 11% year over year: Sales were $139.2 million against $125.8 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS increased: Net earnings were $17.2 million, or 12.4% of sales, against $13.4 million, or 10.6%. Diluted EPS was $0.59, against $0.44. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 18 cents: Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.62, against $0.44 a year earlier. The adjusted figure excludes items in the company's non-GAAP reconciliation, including restructuring and environmental charges. Source

Segments and end markets

  • Diversified end markets grew 18%: Sales to diversified end markets increased 18%, and sales to the transportation market increased 3%. Source
  • Transportation growth followed a decline: In the prior quarter, transportation sales declined 1%. The current quarter shows transportation sales up 3%.
  • Diversified markets defined: Diversified end markets are the industrial, aerospace & defense, and medical end markets, previously called the non-transportation market. Source

“Our teams executed well, driving profitable growth, margin expansion, and strong cash generation.”

Kieran O’Sullivan, CEO of CTS Corporation

Margins and operating costs

  • Adjusted gross margin up 250 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 39.5%, against 37.0% a year earlier. The release gives no cause for the change. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin widened: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.0%, against 20.5%. Adjusted EBITDA was $32.0 million, against $25.8 million. Source
  • Operating margin rose to 15.8%: Operating earnings were $22.0 million, or 15.8% of sales, against 12.9% a year earlier. Adjusted operating earnings were 16.3% of sales. Source
  • Operating expenses rose modestly: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $26.0 million, against $23.6 million. Research and development expenses were $6.6 million, against $6.2 million. Source

Cash flow and working capital

  • Operating cash flow rose $1.8 million: Operating cash flow was $17.3 million, against $15.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow was $12.3 million: Free cash flow was $12.3 million, against $11.0 million. It was 69% of adjusted net earnings, against 83% a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending at 3.6% of sales: Capital expenditures were $5.0 million, or 3.6% of net sales, against $4.5 million, also 3.6% of net sales. Source
  • Receivables and inventory increased: Net accounts receivable were $93.8 million at March 31, 2026, against $88.1 million at December 31, 2025. Net inventories were $57.3 million, against $52.9 million. Source
  • Controllable working capital at 18.1%: Controllable working capital was $100.7 million, or 18.1% of annualized sales, against 18.3% in the comparable period. Source

Balance sheet and shareholder returns

  • Cash balance increased: Cash and cash equivalents were $90.9 million at March 31, 2026, against $82.3 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Long-term debt rose $5.0 million: Long-term debt was $62.5 million, up from $57.5 million at December 31, 2025. The release gives no reason for the change. Source
  • Dividend held at four cents: Cash dividends declared were $0.04 per share in both quarters. Diluted weighted-average shares were 29.0 million, against 30.3 million. Source
  • Treasury stock balance rose: Treasury stock was $552.3 million, against $543.7 million at December 31, 2025. The release does not describe the transactions behind the change. Source

2026 guidance

  • Sales guidance range narrowed: Full-year 2026 net sales are now $560-$580 million, against $550-$580 million previously. The top end is unchanged. Source
  • Adjusted EPS guidance narrowed: Adjusted diluted EPS guidance is $2.35-$2.45, against $2.30-$2.45 previously. The top end is unchanged. Source
  • Adjusted guidance not reconciled to GAAP: Forward-looking adjusted EPS is not reconciled to GAAP, because the company cannot reasonably predict the timing or amount of certain adjusting items. Source

Strategy, footprint and compensation

  • Diversification named as central strategy: Management describes diversification as central to its strategy, with the stated aim of stronger growth and quality of earnings. Source
  • Manufacturing spans three regions: The company manufactures sensors, actuators and electronic components in North America, Europe and Asia, and provides engineered products to several end markets. Source
  • Stock-based compensation rose: Stock-based compensation expense was $2.0 million in the quarter, against $1.6 million a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 April 2026

  • Supplemental slides used on call: A supplemental slide presentation will be referred to during the call. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Gross margin (adjusted) Source39.5%
End-market revenue, diversified Sourceup 18%
End-market revenue, transportation Sourceup 3%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Certain adjusting items, such as restructuring, environmental, acquisition-related and currency costs, are hard to forecast in timing and amount, so adjusted guidance is not reconciled to GAAP. Source
  • External: The narrowed 2026 guidance is conditional on current market conditions continuing. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Earlier 2026 guidance, which this release narrows. The release does not state a status against it.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.