CTS CORP Revenue Disclosure
NOTE 2 – Revenue Recognition
CTS designs and manufactures sensors, actuators, and electronic components for original equipment manufacturers and the U.S. Government. For each contract with a customer, we determine the transaction price based on the consideration expected to be received by the Company in exchange for performing its obligations under the applicable contract. We allocate the transaction price to each distinct performance obligation to deliver a good or service, or a collection of goods and/or services, based on the relative standalone selling prices. We usually expect payment from our customers within 30 to 90 days from the shipping date or invoicing date, depending on our terms with the customer. None of our contracts as of December 31, 2025 or 2024 contained a significant financing component. Differences between the amount of revenue recognized and the amount invoiced, collected from, or paid to our customers are recognized as contract assets or liabilities. Contract assets will be reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that they may not be recoverable.
To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, we estimate the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing the most likely value method based on an analysis of historical experience and current facts and circumstances, which may require significant judgment. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in our judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur.
Our revenue reserves contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the value of future credits to customers for product returns, price adjustments, and stock rotation adjustments. We base these estimates on the most likely value method considering all reasonably available information, including our historical experience and current expectations, and are reflected in the transaction price when sales are recorded.
Approximately 96% of our revenue is derived from contracts for sales of commercial products, which generally contain a single performance obligation. We generally recognize revenue at a point in time on the delivery date based on the shipping terms stipulated in the contract.
We also design, manufacture, and test products for certain customers under contracts that allow the customers to unilaterally terminate the contract for convenience, take control of any work in process, and pay us for costs incurred plus a reasonable profit. Revenue from these contracts is generally recognized over time as the work progresses, either as products are produced or services are rendered, because we generally do not have an alternative use for the completed assets produced and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. These contracts may contain a single or multiple performance obligations. The accounting for these contracts involves applying significant judgment with respect to estimating total revenues, costs and profit for each performance obligation. We generally estimate revenue for these contracts using the costs incurred by the Company as we have determined that this method is the most representative of the Company's cumulative efforts relative to the total expected efforts to satisfy the performance obligations. Approximately 4% of the Company's revenue is recognized over time.
At December 31, 2025, we estimated that $8,628 in revenue is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period for contracts greater than one year. We expect to recognize 6,072 and 2,556 of the Company's unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) performance obligations as revenue in and , respectively.
See Note 11, "Commitments and Contingencies" for information about our product warranties.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Contract assets and liabilities included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
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As of December 31, |
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2025 |
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|
2024 |
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|
2023 |
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Contract Assets |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unbilled customer receivables included in Other current assets |
|
$ |
6,688 |
|
|
$ |
4,104 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Total Contract Assets |
|
$ |
6,688 |
|
|
$ |
4,104 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Contract Liabilities |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Customer advance payments included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
$ |
(1,633 |
) |
|
$ |
(910 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
Total Contract Liabilities |
|
$ |
(1,633 |
) |
|
$ |
(910 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
The Company recognized $478 of revenue that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2024.
Disaggregated Revenue
The following table presents revenues disaggregated by the major end markets we serve:
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Years Ended |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Transportation |
|
$ |
233,938 |
|
|
$ |
250,374 |
|
|
$ |
301,451 |
|
Industrial |
|
|
140,057 |
|
|
|
125,396 |
|
|
|
129,440 |
|
Medical |
|
|
84,569 |
|
|
|
69,967 |
|
|
|
68,252 |
|
Aerospace & Defense |
|
|
82,754 |
|
|
|
69,019 |
|
|
|
51,279 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
541,318 |
|
|
$ |
514,756 |
|
|
$ |
550,422 |
|
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.