CTS Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2013 Results

CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS) today announced fourth quarter and full-year 2013 financial results. The EMS segment was divested on October 2nd 2013 for $75 million, and is now reported as discontinued operations.

Fourth Quarter 2013 Results

• Sales from continuing operations were $102.4 million, a 35% increase from fourth quarter of 2012.
• GAAP loss per share was $0.09 compared to earnings per share of $0.26 in the same period last year. Adjusted EPS was $0.25 compared to $0.18 in fourth quarter of 2012.

In the fourth quarter, sales from continuing operations increased 35% from fourth quarter of 2012. Electronic component sales grew 7% helped by demand for piezo-ceramic products. The sensors and mechatronic product sales grew 56% primarily driven by the acquisition of D&R Technologies and the rebound in automobile production volumes. We booked $78 million in new orders in the fourth quarter.

2013 Full-Year Results

• Sales from continuing operations were $409.5 million, an increase of 34% from 2012.
• GAAP loss per share was $0.12 compared to earnings per share of $0.59 for 2012. Adjusted EPS was $0.82 compared to $0.64 in 2012.
• Cash from operating activities was $38 million compared to $41.7 million in 2012. Capital expenditures were $14.0 million compared to $13.5 million in 2012.

Full-year sales from continuing operations increased 34%. Electronic component sales increased 15% driven by higher demand for piezo-ceramic products. Sensors and Mechatronics grew 48% from the acquisition of D&R Technologies and an increase in automobile production volumes.

Commenting on the 2013 results, Kieran O’Sullivan, CEO, stated, “2013 and 2014 are transitional years for CTS. Last year, we developed a clear strategic plan. We simplified our business model by divesting the non-core EMS segment and strengthened our balance sheet. At the same time, we initiated footprint rationalization projects to improve our cost structure. These projects are progressing according to plan. In addition, we strengthened our leadership team. In 2014, we will continue to focus on strengthening our core Components and Sensors business by increasing sales and marketing presence closer to target customers. Our investment in research and development for new products remains strong. We believe that these steps will position CTS to drive profitable growth.”

Looking ahead, management anticipates full-year 2014 sales to increase in the range of 4% to 6% over 2013 while continuing to carefully monitor the trend in emerging markets. Diluted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $0.96 to $1.02. Results are expected to show continuous improvement through the year, with a stronger second half.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company has scheduled a conference call on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. EST. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-523-1228 (719-785-1753, if calling from outside the U.S.). The conference I.D. number is 2552181. There will be a replay of the conference call from 3:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, February 7, 2014 through 3:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, February 14, 2014. The telephone number for the replay is 888-203-1112 (719-457-0820, if calling from outside the U.S.). The access code is 2552181. Also, please note that a live audio webcast of the conference call will be available and can be accessed directly from the website of CTS Corporation www.ctscorp.com.

About CTS

CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of electronic components and sensors to OEMs in the automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial and computer markets. CTS manufactures products in North America, Europe and Asia. CTS' stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "CTS.”

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 our 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: changes in the economy generally and in respect to the businesses in which CTS operates; unanticipated issues in integrating acquisitions; the results of actions to reposition our businesses; rapid technological change; general market conditions in the automotive, communications, and computer industries, as well as conditions in the industrial, defense and aerospace, and medical markets; reliance on key customers; unanticipated natural disasters or other events; the ability to protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures and demand for our products; and risks associated with our international operations, including trade and tariff barriers, exchange rates and political and geopolitical risks. Many of these, and other, risks and uncertainties are discussed in further detail in Item 1.A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update our forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, including market or industry changes.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted earnings/(loss) per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is diluted earnings/(loss) per share.

CTS adjusts for this item because they are discrete events which have a significant impact on comparable GAAP financial measures and could distort an evaluation of our normal operating performance.

CTS uses an adjusted earnings/(loss) per share measure to evaluate overall performance, establish plans and perform strategic analysis. Using this measure avoids distortion in the evaluation of operating results by eliminating the impact of events which are not related to normal operating performance. Because this measure is based on the exclusion or inclusion of specific items, they may not be comparable to measures used by other companies which have similar titles. CTS' management compensates for this limitation when performing peer comparisons by evaluating both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures reported by peer companies. CTS believes that this measure is useful to its management, investors and stakeholders in that it:

- provides a truer measure of CTS' operating performance,

- reflects the results used by management in making decisions about the business, and

- helps review and project CTS' performance over time.

We recommend that investors consider both actual and adjusted measures in evaluating the performance of CTS with peer companies.