Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) 2023 2022 2021
Net sales
Product sales $ 2,389,711 $ 2,135,882 $ 2,104,447
Service sales 455,662 421,143 396,314
Total net sales 2,845,373 2,557,025 2,500,761
Cost of sales
Cost of product sales 1,507,480 1,348,569 1,330,575
Cost of service sales 270,715 253,847 242,384
Total cost of sales 1,778,195 1,602,416 1,572,959
Gross profit 1,067,178 954,609 927,802
Research and development expenses 85,764 80,836 88,489
Selling expenses 137,088 121,586 116,956
General and administrative expenses 359,724 324,093 326,140
Loss on divestiture — 4,651 —
Impairment of assets held for sale — — 19,088
Operating income 484,602 423,443 377,129
Interest expense 51,393 46,980 40,240
Other income, net 29,861 12,732 12,067
Earnings before income taxes 463,070 389,195 348,956
Provision for income taxes ( 108,561 ) ( 94,847 ) ( 86,127 )
Net earnings $ 354,509 $ 294,348 $ 262,829
Basic earnings per share $ 9.26 $ 7.67 $ 6.50
Diluted earnings per share $ 9.20 $ 7.62 $ 6.47
Dividends per share $ 0.79 $ 0.75 $ 0.71
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 38,283 38,386 40,417
Diluted 38,529 38,649 40,602
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Net earnings $ 354,509 $ 294,348 $ 262,829
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation, net of tax (1)
37,519 ( 61,241 ) ( 10,829 )
Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax (2)
8,174 ( 7,210 ) 131,220
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 45,693 ( 68,451 ) 120,391
Comprehensive income $ 400,202 $ 225,897 $ 383,220
(1) The tax benefit (expense) included in other comprehensive income for foreign currency translation adjustments for 2023, 2022, and 2021 was immaterial.
(2) The tax benefit (expense) included in other comprehensive income for pension and postretirement adjustments for 2023, 2022, and 2021 was ($ 3.0 ) million, $ 3.1 million, and ($ 42.3 ) million, respectively.
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31,
(In thousands, except share data) 2023 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 406,867 $ 256,974
Receivables, net 732,678 723,304
Inventories, net 510,033 483,113
Other current assets 67,502 52,623
Total current assets 1,717,080 1,516,014
Property, plant, and equipment, net 332,796 342,708
Goodwill 1,558,826 1,544,635
Other intangible assets, net 557,612 620,897
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 141,435 153,855
Prepaid pension asset 261,869 222,627
Other assets 51,351 47,567
Total assets $ 4,620,969 $ 4,448,303
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term and short-term debt $ — $ 202,500
Accounts payable 243,833 266,525
Accrued expenses 188,039 174,440
Deferred revenue 303,872 254,801
Other current liabilities 70,800 82,779
Total current liabilities 806,544 981,045
Long-term debt 1,050,362 1,051,900
Deferred tax liabilities 132,319 123,001
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefit costs 66,875 58,348
Long-term operating lease liability 118,611 132,275
Long-term portion of environmental reserves 12,784 12,547
Other liabilities 105,061 107,973
Total liabilities 2,292,556 2,467,089
Contingencies and Commitments (Notes 10, 14, and 19)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $ 1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; 49,187,378 shares issued as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; outstanding shares were 38,202,754 as of December 31, 2023 and 38,259,722 as of December 31, 2022
49,187 49,187
Additional paid in capital 140,182 134,553
Retained earnings 3,487,751 3,163,491
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 213,223 ) ( 258,916 )
Common treasury stock, at cost ( 10,984,624 shares as of December 31, 2023 and 10,927,656 shares as of December 31, 2022)
( 1,135,484 ) ( 1,107,101 )
Total stockholders' equity 2,328,413 1,981,214
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 4,620,969 $ 4,448,303
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 354,509 $ 294,348 $ 262,829
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 116,172 112,027 114,384
Loss on divestiture — 4,651 —
Impairment of assets held for sale — — 19,088
(Gain) on sale/disposal of long-lived assets ( 2,883 ) ( 4,671 ) ( 568 )
Deferred income taxes 2,908 ( 23,635 ) ( 10,200 )
Share-based compensation 16,803 15,384 13,450
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and disposed of:
Receivables, net ( 2,394 ) ( 75,955 ) ( 61,172 )
Inventories, net ( 21,568 ) ( 62,562 ) 13,554
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 11,571 42,493 17,713
Deferred revenue 47,914 ( 17,646 ) 14,649
Income taxes ( 27,350 ) 55,847 ( 14,212 )
Pension and postretirement, net ( 18,307 ) ( 15,049 ) ( 1,236 )
Other ( 29,286 ) ( 30,456 ) 19,389
Net cash provided by operating activities 448,089 294,776 387,668
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long-lived assets 9,147 9,841 4,045
Purchases of investments — ( 10,000 ) —
Additions to property, plant, and equipment ( 44,666 ) ( 38,217 ) ( 41,108 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — ( 282,429 ) —
Additional consideration paid on prior year acquisitions — ( 5,062 ) ( 5,340 )
Net cash used for investing activities ( 35,519 ) ( 325,867 ) ( 42,403 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 638,116 1,697,647 455,950
Payment of revolving credit facilities ( 638,116 ) ( 1,791,547 ) ( 362,050 )
Borrowings of debt — 300,000 —
Principal payments on debt ( 202,500 ) — ( 100,000 )
Repurchases of company stock ( 50,141 ) ( 56,870 ) ( 343,129 )
Proceeds from share-based compensation plans 10,584 9,997 9,705
Dividends paid ( 30,249 ) ( 28,779 ) ( 28,660 )
Other ( 1,097 ) ( 1,020 ) ( 945 )
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities ( 273,403 ) 129,428 ( 369,129 )
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash 10,726 ( 12,367 ) ( 3,380 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 149,893 85,970 ( 27,244 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 256,974 171,004 198,248
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 406,867 256,974 171,004
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)
Common Stock Additional
Paid
in Capital Retained
Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Treasury Stock
January 1, 2021 (as previously reported) $ 49,187 $ 122,535 $ 2,670,328 $ ( 310,856 ) $ ( 743,620 )
Correction of prior period error (Note 2) — — ( 6,575 ) — —
January 1, 2021 (as revised) 49,187 122,535 2,663,753 ( 310,856 ) ( 743,620 )
Net earnings — — 262,829 — —
Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — 120,391 —
Dividends paid — — ( 28,660 ) — —
Restricted stock — ( 9,007 ) — — 9,007
Employee stock purchase plan — 877 — — 8,828
Share-based compensation — 13,296 — — 154
Repurchase of common stock (1)
— — — — ( 343,129 )
Other — ( 597 ) — — 597
December 31, 2021 $ 49,187 $ 127,104 $ 2,897,922 $ ( 190,465 ) $ ( 1,068,163 )
Net earnings — — 294,348 — —
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — ( 68,451 ) —
Dividends paid — — ( 28,779 ) — —
Restricted stock — ( 8,523 ) — — 8,523
Employee stock purchase plan — 1,273 — — 8,724
Share-based compensation — 15,205 — — 179
Repurchase of common stock (1)
— — — — ( 56,870 )
Other — ( 506 ) — — 506
December 31, 2022 $ 49,187 $ 134,553 $ 3,163,491 $ ( 258,916 ) $ ( 1,107,101 )
Net earnings — — 354,509 — —
Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — 45,693 —
Dividends paid — — ( 30,249 ) — —
Restricted stock — ( 13,878 ) — — 13,878
Employee stock purchase plan — 3,312 — — 7,272
Share-based compensation — 16,456 — — 347
Repurchase of common stock (1)
— — — — ( 50,141 )
Other — ( 261 ) — — 261
December 31, 2023 $ 49,187 $ 140,182 $ 3,487,751 $ ( 213,223 ) $ ( 1,135,484 )
(1) For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Corporation repurchased approximately 0.3 million, 0.4 million, and 2.7 million shares of its common stock, respectively.
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Curtiss-Wright Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Corporation or the Company) is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace & defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding commercial power, process, and industrial markets.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. The most significant of these estimates includes the estimate of costs to complete on certain contracts using the over-time revenue recognition accounting method, cash flow estimates used for testing the recoverability of assets, pension plan and postretirement obligation assumptions, estimates for inventory obsolescence, fair value estimates around assets and assumed liabilities from acquisitions, estimates for the valuation and useful lives of intangible assets, legal reserves, and the estimate of future environmental costs. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of money market funds and commercial paper that are readily convertible into cash, all with original maturity dates of three months or less.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at lower of cost or net realizable value. Production costs are comprised of direct material and labor and applicable manufacturing overhead.
Progress Payments
Certain long-term contracts provide for interim billings as costs are incurred on the respective contracts. Pursuant to contract provisions, agencies of the U.S. Government and other customers obtain control of promised goods or services to the extent that progress payments are received. Accordingly, these receipts have been reported as a reduction of unbilled receivables as presented in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In the event that progress payments received exceed revenue recognized to date on a specific contract, a contract liability has been established with such amount reported in the "Deferred revenue" line within the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Corporation also receives progress payments on development contracts related to certain aerospace and defense programs. Progress payments received on partially funded development contracts have been reported as a reduction of inventories, as presented in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the asset are expensed in the period that they are incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.
Average useful lives for property, plant, and equipment are as follows:
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Buildings and improvements 5 to 40
Machinery, equipment, and other 3 to 15
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on property, plant, and equipment.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are generally the result of acquisitions and consist primarily of purchased technology, customer related intangibles, trademarks, and technology licenses. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from 1 to 20 years. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on other intangible assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Corporation reviews the recoverability of all long-lived assets, including the related useful lives, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset might not be recoverable. If required, the Corporation compares the estimated fair value determined by either the undiscounted future net cash flows or appraised value to the related asset’s carrying value to determine whether there has been an impairment. If an asset is considered impaired, the asset is written down to fair value in the period in which the impairment becomes known. The Corporation recognized no significant impairment charges on assets held in use during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Goodwill
Goodwill results from business acquisitions. The Corporation accounts for business acquisitions by allocating the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values, and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated is recorded as goodwill. The recoverability of goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment. The impairment test is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying businesses. The Corporation’s goodwill impairment test is performed annually in the fourth quarter of each year. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on goodwill.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting guidance requires certain disclosures regarding the fair value of financial instruments. Due to the short maturities of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the net book value of these financial instruments is deemed to approximate fair value. See Notes 11 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Corporation's financial instruments.
Research and Development
The Corporation funds research and development programs for commercial products and independent research and development and bid and proposal work related to government contracts. Development costs include engineering for new customer requirements. Corporation-sponsored research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Research and development costs associated with customer-sponsored programs are capitalized to inventory and are recorded in cost of sales when products are delivered or services performed. Funds received under shared development contracts are a reduction of the total development expenditures under the shared contract and are shown net as research and development costs.
Accounting for Share-Based Payments
The Corporation follows the fair value based method of accounting for share-based employee compensation, which requires the Corporation to expense all share-based employee compensation. Share-based employee compensation is a non-cash expense since the Corporation settles these obligations by issuing the shares of Curtiss-Wright Corporation instead of settling such obligations with cash payments.
Compensation expense for performance shares and time-based restricted stock is recognized over the requisite service period for the entire award based on the grant date fair value.
Income Taxes
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The Corporation accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws is recognized in the results of operations in the period the new laws are enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized.
The Corporation records amounts related to uncertain income tax positions by 1) prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements and 2) the measurement of the income tax benefits recognized from such positions. The Corporation’s accounting policy is to classify uncertain income tax positions that are not expected to be resolved in one year as a non-current income tax liability and to classify interest and penalties as a component of interest expense and general and administrative expenses, respectively. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Derivatives
Interest Rate Risks and Related Strategies
The Corporation’s primary interest rate exposure results from changes in U.S. dollar interest rates. The Corporation’s policy is to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. The Corporation periodically uses interest rate swaps to manage such exposures. Under these interest rate swaps, the Corporation exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount.
For interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (i.e., hedges against the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt due to changes in market interest rates.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Recently issued accounting standards to be adopted
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures , which requires enhanced income tax disclosures, including disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table and disaggregated information related to income taxes paid. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning with the year ending December 31, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued A SU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvement to Reportable Segment Disclosures . This ASU enhances disclosures required for reportable segments in both annual and interim consolidated financial statements. The ASU, which requires retrospective application, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning with the year ending December 31, 2024, and interim periods beginning with the three months ending March 31, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. CORRECTION OF PRIOR PERIOD ERROR
During the third quarter of 2023, the Corporation identified an error related to a single long-term contract within a subsidiary of its Naval & Power segment. The error primarily impacts 2020 and 2021, whereby certain events occurring during the pandemic, including constructive changes to the contract as well as labor inefficiencies and hiring delays due to a facility relocation, were not reflected in the contract’s estimated costs of completion.
In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Nos. 99 and 108, the Corporation evaluated this error and, based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors, determined that it was not material to any one of the prior reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission is not required. However, the Corporation concluded that the cumulative misstatement could not be corrected in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, without materially misstating those respective periods. Therefore, the Corporation revised the accompanying prior period financial statements and related notes hereto included within this filing, as summarized below.
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The net impact of the error resulted in an overstatement of previously reported total net sales and net earnings of approximately $ 5 million and $ 4 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021 and an overstatement of previously reported total net sales and net earnings of approximately $ 8 million and $ 7 million , respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The net impact of the error for the year ended December 31, 2020 of approximately $ 7 million has been corrected as an adjustment to the beginning balance as of January 1, 2021 in the accompanying consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2021. The error did not impact previously reported total net sales or net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following tables summarize the net impact of the error in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022:
(In thousands) As previously reported Corrections As revised
Receivables, net $ 724,603 $ ( 1,299 ) $ 723,304
Total current assets 1,517,313 ( 1,299 ) 1,516,014
Total assets 4,449,602 ( 1,299 ) 4,448,303
Accrued expenses 177,536 ( 3,096 ) 174,440
Deferred revenue 242,483 12,318 254,801
Other current liabilities 82,395 384 82,779
Total current liabilities 971,439 9,606 981,045
Total liabilities 2,457,483 9,606 2,467,089
Retained earnings 3,174,396 ( 10,905 ) 3,163,491
Total stockholders' equity 1,992,119 ( 10,905 ) 1,981,214
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 4,449,602 ( 1,299 ) 4,448,303
Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2021:
(In thousands) As previously reported Corrections As revised
Product sales $ 2,109,617 $ ( 5,170 ) $ 2,104,447
Total net sales 2,505,931 ( 5,170 ) 2,500,761
Cost of product sales 1,330,191 384 1,330,575
Total cost of sales 1,572,575 384 1,572,959
Gross profit 933,356 ( 5,554 ) 927,802
Operating income 382,683 ( 5,554 ) 377,129
Earnings before income taxes 354,510 ( 5,554 ) 348,956
Provision for income taxes ( 87,351 ) 1,224 ( 86,127 )
Net earnings 267,159 ( 4,330 ) 262,829
Basic earnings per share $ 6.61 $ ( 0.11 ) $ 6.50
Diluted earnings per share $ 6.58 $ ( 0.11 ) $ 6.47
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2021:
(In thousands) As previously reported Corrections As revised
Net earnings $ 267,159 $ ( 4,330 ) $ 262,829
Comprehensive income 387,550 ( 4,330 ) 383,220
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2021:
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(In thousands) As previously reported Corrections As revised
Net earnings $ 267,159 $ ( 4,330 ) $ 262,829
Receivables, net ( 61,277 ) 105 ( 61,172 )
Deferred revenue 9,584 5,065 14,649
Income taxes ( 12,988 ) ( 1,224 ) ( 14,212 )
Other 19,005 384 19,389
Net cash provided by operating activities 387,668 — 387,668
3. REVENUE
The Corporation accounts for revenues in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of a promised good and/or service is transferred to a customer at a transaction price that reflects the consideration that the Corporation expects to be entitled to in exchange for that good and/or service.
Performance Obligations
The Corporation identifies a performance obligation for each promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. As part of its assessment, the Corporation considers all goods and/or services promised in the contract, regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or implied by customary business practices. The Corporation’s contracts may contain either a single performance obligation, including the promise to transfer individual goods or services that are not separately distinct within the context of the respective contracts, or multiple performance obligations. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Corporation allocates the overall transaction price to each performance obligation using standalone selling prices, where available, or utilizes estimates for each distinct good or service in the contract where standalone prices are not available. In certain instances, the transaction price may include estimated amounts of variable consideration including but not limited to incentives, awards, price escalations, liquidated damages, and penalties, only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized to date around such variable consideration will not occur. The Corporation estimates variable consideration to be included in the transaction price using either the expected value method or most likely amount method, contingent upon the facts and circumstances of the specific arrangement. Variable consideration associated with the Corporation’s respective arrangements is not typically constrained.
The Corporation’s performance obligations are satisfied either at a point-in-time or on an over-time basis. Typically, over-time revenue recognition is based on the utilization of an input measure used to measure progress, such as costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs. Changes in total estimated costs are recognized using the cumulative catch-up method of accounting which recognizes the cumulative effect of the changes on current and prior periods in the current period. Accordingly, the effect of the changes on future periods of contract performance is recognized as if the revised estimate had been the original estimate. A significant change in an estimate on one or more contracts could have a material effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial position, results or operations, or cash flows. There were no significant changes in estimated contract costs during 2023, 2022, or 2021. If a performance obligation does not qualify for over-time revenue recognition, revenue is then recognized at the point-in-time in which control of the distinct good or service is transferred to the customer, typically based upon the terms of delivery.
The following table illustrates the approximate percentage of revenue recognized for performance obligations satisfied over-time versus at a point-in-time for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Over-time 47 % 51 % 50 %
Point-in-time 53 % 49 % 50 %
Contract backlog represents the remaining performance obligations that have not yet been recognized as revenue. Backlog includes deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. Total backlog was approximately $ 2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023, of which the Corporation expects to recognize approximatel y 90 % as net sales over the next 36 months . The remainder will be recognized thereafter.
Disaggregation of Revenue
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The following table presents the Corporation’s total net sales disaggregated by end market and customer type:
Total Net Sales by End Market and Customer Type
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Aerospace & Defense
Aerospace Defense $ 551,622 $ 479,743 $ 452,661
Ground Defense 308,008 219,739 220,290
Naval Defense 720,013 694,015 705,518
Commercial Aerospace 324,949 276,519 267,722
Total Aerospace & Defense Customers $ 1,904,592 $ 1,670,016 $ 1,646,191
Commercial
Power & Process $ 509,998 $ 472,300 $ 473,489
General Industrial 430,783 414,709 381,081
Total Commercial Customers $ 940,781 $ 887,009 $ 854,570
Total $ 2,845,373 $ 2,557,025 $ 2,500,761
Contract Balances
Timing of revenue recognition and cash collection may result in billed receivables, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and deferred revenue (contract liabilities) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Corporation’s contract assets primarily relate to its rights to consideration for work completed but not billed as of the reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to billed receivables when the rights to consideration become unconditional. This is typical in situations where amounts are billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms or upon achievement of contractual milestones. The Corporation’s contract liabilities primarily consist of customer advances received prior to revenue being earned. Revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the respective years were approximately $ 195 million, $ 219 million, and $ 210 million, respectively. Changes in contract assets and contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 were not materially impacted by any other factors. Contract assets and contract liabilities are reported in the "Receivables, net" and "Deferred revenue" lines, respectively, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
4. ACQUISITIONS
The Corporation continually evaluates potential acquisitions that either strategically fit within the Corporation’s existing portfolio or expand the Corporation’s portfolio into new product lines or adjacent markets. The Corporation has completed numerous acquisitions that have been accounted for as business combinations and have resulted in the recognition of goodwill in the Corporation's financial statements. This goodwill arises because the purchase prices for these businesses reflect the future earnings and cash flow potential in excess of the earnings and cash flows attributable to the current product and customer set at the time of acquisition. Thus, goodwill inherently includes the know-how of the assembled workforce, the ability of the workforce to further improve the technology and product offerings, and the expected cash flows resulting from these efforts. Goodwill may also include expected synergies resulting from the complementary strategic fit these businesses bring to existing operations.
The Corporation allocates the purchase price at the date of acquisition based upon its understanding of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. Only items identified as of the acquisition date are considered for subsequent adjustment. The Corporation will make appropriate adjustments to the purchase price allocation prior to completion of the measurement period, as required.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Corporation did not complete any acquisitions.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Corporation acquired two businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $ 282 million, net of cash acquired. Such acquisitions contributed $ 45 million of total net sales and $ 1 million of net losses for the year ended December 31, 2022 which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Also, the Corporation paid $ 5
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million during the year ended December 31, 2022 for the final portion of the purchase price on the acquisition of Dyna-Flo Control Valve Services Ltd. (Dyna-Flo), which was initially held back as security for potential indemnification claims against the seller in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for all acquisitions consummated:
(In thousands) 2022
Accounts receivable $ 10,567
Inventory 24,088
Property, plant, and equipment 4,190
Intangible assets 147,074
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 5,103
Other current and non-current assets 2,078
Current and non-current liabilities ( 17,264 )
Net tangible and intangible assets 175,836
Goodwill 106,593
Total Purchase price $ 282,429
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes $ 106,593
5. RECEIVABLES
Receivables include current notes, amounts billed to customers, claims, other receivables, and unbilled revenue on long-term contracts, which consists of amounts recognized as sales but not billed. Substantially all amounts of unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected in the subsequent year. An immaterial amount of billed receivables are subject to retainage provisions. The amount of claims and unapproved change orders within our receivables balances is immaterial.
The Corporation is either a prime contractor or subcontractor to various agencies of the U.S. Government. Revenues derived directly and indirectly from government sources (primarily the U.S. Government) were 56 % and 54 % of total net sales in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total receivables due from government sources (primarily the U.S Government) were $ 482.5 million and $ 473.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Government (primarily the U.S. Government) unbilled receivables, net of progress payments, were $ 266.9 million and $ 279.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The composition of receivables as of December 31 is as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Billed receivables:
Trade and other receivables $ 427,830 $ 412,682
Unbilled receivables:
Recoverable costs and estimated earnings not billed 309,561 315,383
Less: Progress payments applied ( 687 ) ( 67 )
Net unbilled receivables 308,874 315,316
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts ( 4,026 ) ( 4,694 )
Receivables, net $ 732,678 $ 723,304
6. INVENTORIES
Inventoried costs contain amounts relating to long-term contracts and programs with long production cycles, a portion of which will not be realized within one year. The caption "Inventoried costs related to U.S. Government and other long-term contracts" includes an immaterial amount of claims or other similar items subject to uncertainty concerning their determination or realization. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
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The composition of inventories as of December 31 is as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Raw materials $ 239,313 $ 242,116
Work-in-process 103,750 76,328
Finished goods 126,174 128,090
Inventoried costs related to U.S. Government and other long-term contracts (1)
43,255 39,685
Inventories, net of reserves 512,492 486,219
Less: Progress payments applied ( 2,459 ) ( 3,106 )
Inventories, net $ 510,033 $ 483,113
(1) As of December 31, 2023, this caption also includes capitalized development costs of $ 13.8 million related to certain aerospace and defense programs. These capitalized costs will be liquidated as units are produced and sold under contract. As of December 31, 2023, capitalized development costs of $ 8.8 million are not currently supported by existing firm orders.
7. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
The composition of property, plant, and equipment as of December 31 is as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Land $ 16,173 $ 16,880
Buildings and improvements 253,408 252,713
Machinery, equipment, and other 905,409 866,761
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost 1,174,990 1,136,354
Less: Accumulated depreciation ( 842,194 ) ( 793,646 )
Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 332,796 $ 342,708
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 51 million, $ 51 million, and $ 55 million, respectively.
8. GOODWILL
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
(In thousands) Aerospace & Industrial Defense Electronics Naval & Power Consolidated
December 31, 2021 $ 316,147 $ 714,014 $ 432,865 $ 1,463,026
Acquisitions 12,445 — 94,148 106,593
Adjustments — 967 — 967
Foreign currency translation adjustment ( 7,042 ) ( 12,195 ) ( 6,714 ) ( 25,951 )
December 31, 2022 $ 321,550 $ 702,786 $ 520,299 $ 1,544,635
Foreign currency translation adjustment 3,581 7,592 3,018 14,191
December 31, 2023 $ 325,131 $ 710,378 $ 523,317 $ 1,558,826
The purchase price allocations relating to the businesses acquired are initially based on estimates. The Corporation adjusts these estimates based upon final analysis, including input from third party appraisals, when deemed appropriate. The determination of fair value is finalized no later than twelve months from acquisition. Goodwill adjustments represent subsequent adjustments to the purchase price allocation for acquisitions.
The Corporation completed its annual goodwill impairment testing as of October 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill.
9. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
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Intangible assets are generally the result of acquisitions and consist primarily of purchased technology, customer related intangibles, and trademarks. Intangible assets are amortized over useful lives that generally range between 1 and 20 years.
The following tables present the cumulative composition of the Corporation’s intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
2023 2022
(In thousands) Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Accumulated Amortization Net
Technology
$ 308,256 $ ( 195,446 ) $ 112,810 $ 306,160 $ ( 176,675 ) $ 129,485
Customer-related intangibles
670,966 ( 339,325 ) 331,641 666,638 ( 298,160 ) 368,478
Programs (1)
144,000 ( 41,400 ) 102,600 144,000 ( 34,200 ) 109,800
Other intangible assets
54,227 ( 43,666 ) 10,561 53,879 ( 40,745 ) 13,134
Total $ 1,177,449 $ ( 619,837 ) $ 557,612 $ 1,170,677 $ ( 549,780 ) $ 620,897
(1) Programs include values assigned to major programs of acquired businesses and represent the aggregate value associated with the customer relationships, contracts, technology, and trademarks underlying the associated program.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Corporation did not acquire any intangible assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Corporation acquired intangible assets of $ 147 million as a result of the Corporation's Keronite and arresting systems acquisitions, which included Customer-related intangibles of $ 106 million, Technology of $ 36 million, and Other intangible assets of $ 5 million. The weighted average amortization periods for these aforementioned intangible assets upon acquisition were 16.1 , 14.9 , and 10.0 years, respectively.
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 65 million, $ 61 million, and $ 60 million, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets over the next five years is as follows:
(In millions)
2024 $ 56
2025 $ 54
2026 $ 53
2027 $ 50
2028 $ 44
10. LEASES
The Corporation conducts a portion of its operations from leased facilities, which include manufacturing and service facilities, administrative offices, and warehouses. In addition, the Corporation leases machinery and office equipment under operating leases. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from approximately 1 year to 15 years, some of which include options for renewals, escalations, or terminations. Rental expenses for all operating leases amounted to $ 44 million, $ 42 million, and $ 42 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Generally, the Corporation's lease contracts do not provide a readily determinable interest rate. Accordingly, the Corporation determines the incremental borrowing rate as of the lease commencement date in order to calculate the present value of its lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is determined based on information available at the lease commencement date, including the lease term, market rates for the Corporation’s outstanding debt, as well as market rates for debt of companies with similar credit ratings.
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The components of lease expense were as follows:
Year Ended
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost $ 44,322 $ 42,125
Finance lease cost:
Depreciation of finance leases $ 1,037 $ 1,037
Interest on lease liabilities 347 390
Total finance lease cost $ 1,384 $ 1,427
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Year Ended
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Cash used for operating activities:
Operating cash flows used for operating leases $ ( 36,294 ) $ ( 34,186 )
Operating cash flows used for finance leases ( 347 ) ( 390 )
Non-cash activity:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations $ 14,361 $ 17,740
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
As of December 31,
(In thousands, except lease term and discount rate) 2023 2022
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net $ 141,435 $ 153,855
Other current liabilities $ 30,629 $ 29,910
Long-term operating lease liability 118,611 132,275
Total operating lease liabilities $ 149,240 $ 162,185
Finance Leases
Property, plant, and equipment $ 15,561 $ 15,561
Accumulated depreciation ( 9,682 ) ( 8,645 )
Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 5,879 $ 6,916
Other current liabilities $ 1,181 $ 1,098
Other liabilities 6,742 7,924
Total finance lease liabilities $ 7,923 $ 9,022
Weighted average remaining lease term
Operating leases 7.2 years 7.5 years
Finance leases 5.7 years 6.7 years
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases 3.99 % 3.80 %
Finance leases 4.05 % 4.05 %
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Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31, 2023
(In thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases
2024 $ 35,623 $ 1,481
2025 29,043 1,518
2026 24,115 1,556
2027 18,438 1,595
2028 15,429 1,635
Thereafter 49,883 1,107
Total lease payments 172,531 8,892
Less: imputed interest ( 23,291 ) ( 969 )
Total $ 149,240 $ 7,923
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Interest Rate Risks and Related Strategies
The Corporation’s primary interest rate exposure results from changes in U.S. dollar interest rates. The Corporation’s policy is to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt.
Debt
The estimated fair value amounts were determined by the Corporation using available market information, which is primarily based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues as of December 31, 2023. The fair values of our debt instruments are characterized as Level 2 measurements which are based on market-based inputs or unobservable inputs and corroborated by market data such as quoted prices, interest rates, or yield curves. The estimated fair values of the Corporation’s fixed rate debt instruments as of December 31, 2023, net of debt issuance costs, totaled $ 973 million compared to a carrying value, net of debt issuance costs, of $ 1,046 million. The estimated fair values of the Corporation’s fixed rate debt instruments as of December 31, 2022, net of debt issuance costs, totaled $ 1,151 million compared to a carrying value, net of debt issuance costs, of $ 1,248 million.
The fair values described above may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, the use of different methodologies to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
12. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Accrued compensation $ 130,471 $ 87,835
Accrued interest 13,150 16,412
Accrued commissions 8,421 6,807
Accrued insurance 5,988 6,418
Income taxes payable 10,352 35,091
Other 19,657 21,877
Total accrued expenses $ 188,039 $ 174,440
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Other current liabilities consist of the following as of December 31:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Short-term operating lease liabilities $ 30,629 $ 29,910
Warranty reserves 15,207 18,147
WEC legal reserve — 10,000
Pension and other postretirement liabilities 4,981 5,013
Other 19,983 19,709
Total other current liabilities $ 70,800 $ 82,779
13. INCOME TAXES
2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs A ct
In conjunction with the enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), the Corporation recorded provisional income tax expense of $ 18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to the one-time transition tax on certain foreign earnings. The finalized transition tax of $ 23.6 million was to be paid over 8 years pursuant to the Tax Act. The transition tax liability, which is expected to be paid in 2024 and 2025, was $ 7.8 million and $ 7.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation reassessed its assertion around whether foreign undistributed earnings should continue to no longer be considered permanently reinvested. Consistent with the prior year findings, the Corporation remained no longer permanently reinvested with the exception of one foreign subsidiary. The Corporation has recorded a liability for withholding taxes that would arise upon distribution of the Corporation’s foreign undistributed earnings.
Except as noted above, the Corporation remains permanently reinvested to the extent of any outside basis differences in its foreign subsidiaries in excess of the amount of undistributed earnings, as it is not practicable to determine the provision impact, if any, due to the complexities associated with this calculation.
Earnings before income taxes for the years ended December 31 consist of:
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Domestic $ 300,200 $ 239,356 $ 266,140
Foreign (1)
162,870 149,839 82,816
$ 463,070 $ 389,195 $ 348,956
(1) The Corporation recognized a pre-tax loss of $ 5 million during the first quarter of 2022 pertaining to the sale of its industrial valve business in Germany, as well as pre-tax impairment losses of $ 19 million in 2021.
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 consists of:
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Current:
Federal $ 58,629 $ 65,047 $ 56,804
State 13,098 12,717 15,359
Foreign 36,791 34,520 22,034
Total current 108,518 112,284 94,197
Deferred:
Federal ( 180 ) ( 11,413 ) ( 7,167 )
State 507 ( 4,442 ) ( 477 )
Foreign ( 284 ) ( 1,582 ) ( 426 )
Total deferred 43 ( 17,437 ) ( 8,070 )
Provision for income taxes $ 108,561 $ 94,847 $ 86,127
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The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the years ended December 31, principally:
2023 2022 2021
U.S. federal statutory tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
Add (deduct):
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit 2.3 1.7 3.7
Foreign earnings (1)
1.3 0.7 0.2
Foreign loss on sale — 0.2 —
Foreign asset impairment (held for sale) — — 1.6
Valuation allowance for foreign assets held for sale — — 0.2
R&D tax credits ( 1.1 ) ( 1.1 ) ( 1.3 )
Foreign-derived intangible income ( 1.2 ) ( 1.2 ) ( 1.4 )
All other, net 1.1 3.1 0.7
Effective tax rate 23.4 % 24.4 % 24.7 %
(1) Foreign earnings primarily include the net impact of differences between local statutory rates and the U.S. Federal statutory rate, the cost of repatriating foreign earnings, and the impact of changes to foreign valuation allowances, excluding items related to foreign assets that were classified as held for sale in 2021 .
The components of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Deferred tax assets:
Capitalized R&D expenses $ 39,463 $ 23,785
Operating lease liabilities 32,041 34,977
Inventories, net 24,282 21,992
Incentive compensation 9,314 8,531
Environmental reserves 8,949 8,677
Net operating loss 8,348 9,096
Legal reserves 287 2,864
Other 30,130 40,965
Total deferred tax assets 152,814 150,887
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill amortization 110,543 103,174
Other intangible amortization 53,551 59,966
Pension and other postretirement assets 37,870 29,053
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 30,327 32,651
Withholding taxes 16,120 13,200
Depreciation 15,339 15,433
Other 8,160 7,256
Total deferred tax liabilities 271,910 260,733
Valuation allowance 4,892 5,664
Net deferred tax liabilities $ 123,988 $ 115,510
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected on the Corporation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Net noncurrent deferred tax assets (1)
$ 8,331 $ 7,491
Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities 132,319 123,001
Net deferred tax liabilities $ 123,988 $ 115,510
(1) Amount is classified within the "Other Assets" caption in the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
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The Corporation has income tax net operating loss carryforwards related to international operations of $ 20.1 million, of which $ 18.4 million have an indefinite life and $ 1.7 million which expire through 2029. The Corporation has federal and state income tax net loss carryforwards of $ 47.9 million, all of which are net operating losses that expire through 2041. The Corporation has recorded a deferred tax asset of $ 8.3 million, reflecting the benefit of the loss carryforwards related to international and domestic operations.
Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2023 the Corporation decreased its valuation allowance by $ 0.8 million to $ 4.9 million, in order to measure only the portion of deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized. As of December 31, 2023, $ 2.0 million of the total valuation allowance relates to foreign tax credits arising from branch operations that the Corporation believes it will be unable to utilize. The Corporation recorded a tax benefit of $ 1.4 million in the current year as compared to a provision of $ 2.7 million in prior year related to the valuation allowance on branch foreign tax credits. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth.
Income tax payments, net of refunds, of $ 136.4 million, $ 61.1 million, and $ 107.1 million were made in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The Corporation has recorded a liability in Other liabilities for interest of $ 4.2 million and penalties of $ 2.5 million as of December 31, 2023.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Balance as of January 1, $ 17,371 $ 17,018 $ 15,585
Additions for tax positions of prior periods 2,387 3,004 2,877
Reductions for tax positions of prior periods ( 2,419 ) ( 1,732 ) ( 1,861 )
Additions for tax positions related to the current year 1,744 1,068 655
Settlements ( 1,195 ) ( 1,987 ) ( 238 )
Balance as of December 31, $ 17,888 $ 17,371 $ 17,018
In many cases, the Corporation’s uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by tax authorities.
The following describes the open tax years, by major tax jurisdiction, as of December 31, 2023:
United States (Federal) 2020 - present
United States (Various states) 2012 - present
United Kingdom 2022 - present
Canada 2020 - present
The Corporation does not expect any significant changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with its uncertain tax positions through the next twelve months. Included in total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 is $ 15.3 million, $ 15.1 million, and $ 14.1 million, respectively, which if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate.
14. DEBT
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Debt consists of the following as of December 31:
(In thousands) 2023 2023 2022 2022
Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value
3.70 % Senior notes due 2023
$ — $ — $ 202,500 $ 202,082
3.85 % Senior notes due 2025
90,000 88,243 90,000 87,298
4.24 % Senior notes due 2026
200,000 195,556 200,000 191,760
4.05 % Senior notes due 2028
67,500 64,801 67,500 63,300
4.11 % Senior notes due 2028
90,000 85,999 90,000 83,955
3.10 % Senior notes due 2030
150,000 131,942 150,000 127,429
3.20 % Senior notes due 2032
150,000 127,649 150,000 123,656
4.49 % Senior notes due 2032
200,000 187,584 200,000 183,007
4.64 % Senior notes due 2034
100,000 92,961 100,000 90,341
Total debt 1,047,500 974,735 1,250,000 1,152,828
Debt issuance costs, net ( 1,541 ) ( 1,541 ) ( 1,631 ) ( 1,631 )
Unamortized interest rate swap proceeds (1)
4,403 4,403 6,031 6,031
Total debt, net 1,050,362 977,597 1,254,400 1,157,228
Less: current portion of long-term debt — — 202,500 202,082
Total long-term debt $ 1,050,362 $ 977,597 $ 1,051,900 $ 955,146
(1) Represents the gain from termination of the Corporation's interest rate swap agreements on its 3.85 % and 4.24 % Senior Notes in February 2016, which will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining terms of the respective notes.
The Corporation's total debt outstanding had a weighted-average interest rate of 3.9 % in 2023 and 3.4 % in 2022.
Aggregate maturities of debt are as follows:
(In thousands)
2024 $ —
2025 90,000
2026 200,000
2027 —
2028 157,500
Thereafter 600,000
Total $ 1,047,500
Interest payments of $ 52 million, $ 42 million, and $ 40 million were made in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Revolving Credit Agreement
In May 2022, the Corporation terminated its existing credit agreement, which was set to expire in October 2023, and entered into a new credit agreement (Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of financial institutions. The Credit Agreement, which is set to expire in May 2027, increased the size of the Corporation’s revolving credit facility to $ 750 million, and expanded the accordion feature to $ 250 million. The Corporation plans to use the Credit Agreement for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of possible future acquisitions or supporting internal growth initiatives. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation had $ 20 million in letters of credit supported by the Credit Agreement and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The unused credit available under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023 was $ 730 million, which the Corporation had the ability to borrow in full without violating its debt to capitalization covenant.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants that the Corporation considers usual and customary for an agreement of this type for comparable commercial borrowers, including a maximum consolidated debt to capitalization ratio of 60 % ( 65 % for four consecutive quarters following an acquisition greater than $100 million). The Credit Agreement has customary events of default, such as non-payment of principal when due; nonpayment of interest, fees, or other amounts; cross-payment default and cross-acceleration.
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Borrowings under the credit agreement accrue interest based on (i) the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or (ii) a base rate of the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Daily Term SOFR Rate. The interest rate and level of facility fees are dependent on certain financial ratios, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also provides customary fees, including administrative agent and commitment fees. In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Corporation paid customary transaction fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes
On October 27, 2022 , the Corporation issued $ 300 million of Senior Notes (the 2022 Notes), consisting of $ 200 million of 4.49 % notes that mature on October 27, 2032 and $ 100 million of 4.64 % notes that mature on October 27, 2034 . The 2022 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, equal in right of payment to the Corporation’s existing senior indebtedness. The Corporation, at its option, can prepay at any time all or any part of the 2022 Notes, subject to a make-whole payment in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement. In connection with the issuance of the 2022 Notes, the Corporation paid customary fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the 2022 Notes. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreements, the Corporation is required to maintain certain financial ratios, the most restrictive of which are a debt to capitalization limit of 60 % ( 65 % for four consecutive quarters following an acquisition greater than $100 million) and an interest coverage ratio not to be less than 3 to 1. The debt to capitalization ratio (as defined per the Notes Purchase Agreement and Credit Agreement) is calculated using the same formula for all of the Corporation’s debt agreements and is a measure of the Corporation’s indebtedness to capitalization, where capitalization equals debt plus equity. The 2022 Notes also contain a cross default provision with respect to the Corporation’s other senior indebtedness.
On August 13, 2020 , the Corporation issued $ 300 million of Senior Notes (the 2020 Notes), consisting of $ 150 million of 3.10 % Senior Notes that mature on August 13, 2030 and $ 150 million of 3.20 % Senior Notes that mature on August 13, 2032 . The 2020 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, equal in right of payment to the Corporation’s existing senior indebtedness. The Corporation, at its option, can prepay at any time all or any part of the 2020 Notes, subject to a make-whole payment in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement. In connection with the issuance of the 2020 Notes, the Corporation paid customary fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the 2020 Notes. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreements, as amended, the Corporation is required to maintain certain financial ratios, the most restrictive of which are a debt to capitalization limit of 60 % ( 65 % for four consecutive quarters following an acquisition greater than $100 million) and an interest coverage ratio not to be less than 3 to 1. The debt to capitalization ratio (as defined per the Notes Purchase Agreement and Credit Agreement) is calculated using the same formula for all of the Corporation’s debt agreements and is a measure of the Corporation’s indebtedness to capitalization, where capitalization equals debt plus equity. The 2020 Notes also contain a cross default provision with respect to the Corporation’s other senior indebtedness.
On February 26, 2013 , the Corporation issued $ 500 million of Senior Notes (the 2013 Notes). The 2013 Notes consisted of $ 225 million of 3.70 % Senior Notes that matured on February 26, 2023 , $ 100 million of 3.85 % Senior Notes that mature on February 26, 2025 , and $ 75 million of 4.05 % Senior Notes that mature on February 26, 2028 . $ 100 million of additional 4.11 % Senior Notes were deferred and subsequently issued on September 26, 2013 that mature on September 26, 2028 . On October 15, 2018, the Corporation made a discretionary $ 50 million prepayment on the $ 500 million 2013 Notes. The 2013 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, equal in right of payment to the Corporation’s existing senior indebtedness. The Corporation, at its option, can prepay at any time all or any part of the 2013 Notes, subject to a make-whole payment in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement. In connection with the issuance of the 2013 Notes, the Corporation paid customary fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the 2013 Notes. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, as amended, the Corporation is required to maintain certain financial ratios, the most restrictive of which are a debt to capitalization limit of 60 % ( 65 % for four consecutive quarters following an acquisition greater than $100 million) and an interest coverage ratio of less than 3 to 1. The debt to capitalization ratio (as defined per the Notes Purchase Agreement and Credit Agreement) is calculated using the same formula for all of the Corporation’s debt agreements and is a measure of the Corporation’s indebtedness to capitalization, where capitalization equals debt plus equity. The 2013 Notes also contain a cross default provision with respect to the Corporation’s other senior indebtedness.
On December 8, 2011 , the Corporation issued $ 300 million of Senior Notes (the 2011 Notes). The 2011 Notes consist of $ 100 million of 3.84 % Senior Notes that matured on December 1, 2021 and $ 200 million of 4.24 % Senior Series Notes that mature on December 1, 2026 . The 2011 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, equal in right of payment to our existing senior indebtedness. The Corporation, at its option, can prepay at any time all or any part of our 2011 Notes, subject to a make-whole payment in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement. In connection with the 2011 Notes, the Corporation paid customary fees that have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the 2011 Notes. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, as amended, the Corporation is required to maintain certain financial ratios, the most restrictive of which is a debt to capitalization limit of 60 % ( 65 % for four consecutive quarters following an acquisition greater than $100
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million) and an interest coverage ratio of less than 3 to 1. The debt to capitalization ratio (as defined per the Notes Purchase Agreement and Credit Agreement) is calculated using the same formula for all of the Corporation’s debt agreements and is a measure of the Corporation’s indebtedness to capitalization, where capitalization equals debt plus equity. The 2011 Notes also contain a cross default provision with our other senior indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation had the ability to borrow additional debt of $ 2.3 billion without violating our debt to capitalization covenant.
15. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Corporation is required to report both basic earnings per share (EPS), based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, based on the basic EPS adjusted for all potentially dilutive shares issuable.
As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were no anti-dilutive equity-based awards excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
Earnings per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, were as follows:
(In thousands, except per share data) Net Earnings Weighted-
Average Shares
Outstanding Earnings per Share
2023
Basic earnings per share $ 354,509 38,283 $ 9.26
Dilutive effect of deferred stock compensation 246
Diluted earnings per share $ 354,509 38,529 $ 9.20
2022
Basic earnings per share $ 294,348 38,386 $ 7.67
Dilutive effect of deferred stock compensation 263
Diluted earnings per share $ 294,348 38,649 $ 7.62
2021
Basic earnings per share $ 262,829 40,417 $ 6.50
Dilutive effect of deferred stock compensation 185
Diluted earnings per share $ 262,829 40,602 $ 6.47
16. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
In May 2014, the Corporation adopted the Curtiss-Wright 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2014 Omnibus Plan). The plan replaced the Corporation's existing 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan and the 2005 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (collectively the 2005 Stock Plans). Beginning in May 2014, all awards were granted under the 2014 Omnibus Plan. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Omnibus Plan are 2,400,000 less one share of common stock for every one share of common stock granted under any prior plan after December 31, 2013 and prior to the effective date of the 2014 Omnibus Plan. In addition, any awards that were previously granted under any prior plan that terminate without issuance of shares shall be eligible for issuance under the 2014 Omnibus Plan. Awards under the 2014 Omnibus Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSU), other stock-based awards, performance share units (PSU), or cash-based performance units (PU).
During 2023, the Corporation granted share-based awards in the form of RSUs and PSUs. Previous grants under the 2005 Stock Plans included non-qualified stock options. Under our employee benefit program, the Corporation also provides an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) to most active employees. Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control.
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The compensation cost for employee and non-employee director share-based compensation programs during 2023, 2022, and 2021 is as follows:
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Employee Stock Purchase Plan $ 1,869 $ 1,764 $ 1,710
Performance Share Units 5,109 5,069 4,850
Restricted Share Units 8,032 6,725 5,661
Other share-based payments 1,793 1,826 1,229
Total share-based compensation expense before income taxes $ 16,803 $ 15,384 $ 13,450
Other share-based grants include service-based restricted stock awards to non-employee directors, who are treated as employees as prescribed by the accounting guidance on share-based payments. The compensation cost recognized follows the cost of the employee, which is primarily reflected as general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2023, 2022, or 2021.
The following table summarizes the cash received from share-based awards on share-based compensation:
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Cash received from share-based awards $ 10,584 $ 9,997 $ 9,705
Performance Share Units
The Corporation has granted performance share units to certain employees, whose three year cliff vesting is contingent upon the Corporation's total shareholder return over the three-year term beginning at the start of the fiscal year following the date of grant. Performance is measured by determining the percentile rank of the total shareholder return of the Corporation's common stock in relation to the total shareholder return of a self-constructed peer group (for awards granted in 2022 and 2023) or compared to the S&P Midcap 400 Index (for awards granted in 2021). The non-vested shares are subject to forfeiture if established performance goals are not met or employment is terminated other than due to death, disability, or retirement. Share plans are denominated in share-based units based on the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of grant. The performance share unit’s compensation cost is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period.
Restricted Share Units
Restricted share units cliff vest at the end of the awards’ vesting period. The restricted share units are service-based and thus compensation cost is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is typically three years . The non-vested restricted units are subject to forfeiture if employment is terminated other than due to death, disability, or retirement.
A summary of the Corporation’s 2023 activity related to performance share units and restricted share units are as follows:
Performance Share Units (PSUs) Restricted Share Units (RSUs)
Shares/Units
(000’s) Weighted-
Average
Fair Value Shares/Units
(000’s) Weighted-
Average
Fair Value
Nonvested as of December 31, 2022 105 $ 143.69 212 $ 114.15
Granted 36 172.89 58 174.33
Vested ( 57 ) 103.86 ( 78 ) 83.43
Forfeited — — ( 6 ) 146.84
Nonvested as of December 31, 2023 84 $ 183.09 186 $ 144.59
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2023 84 $ 183.09 186 $ 144.59
Nonvested PSUs had an intrinsic value of $ 18.7 million and unrecognized compensation costs of $ 5.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Nonvested RSUs had an intrinsic value of $ 41.4 million and unrecognized compensation costs of $ 12.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Unrecognized compensation costs related to PSUs and RSUs are expected to be recognized over 1.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively.
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Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Corporation’s ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase the Corporation’s common stock at a price per share equal to 85 % of the fair market value at the end of each offering period. Each offering period of the ESPP lasts six months, commencing on January 1st and July 1st of each year. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the six-month vesting period during which employees perform related services.
17. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Corporation maintains separate and distinct pension and other post-retirement defined benefit plans, consisting of three domestic plans and six separate foreign pension plans. The domestic plans include a qualified pension plan, a non-qualified pension plan, and a postretirement health-benefits plan. The foreign plans consist of one defined benefit pension plan each in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Switzerland, and two in Mexico.
Domestic Plans
Qualified Pension Plan
The Corporation maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the CW Pension Plan) covering certain employee populations under six benefit formulas: a non-contributory non-union and union formula for certain Curtiss-Wright (CW) employees, a contributory union and non-union benefit formula for employees at the EMD business unit, and two benefit formulas providing annuity benefits for participants in the former Williams Controls salaried and union plans.
CW non-union employees hired prior to February 1, 2010 receive a final average pay benefit based on years of credited service, using the five highest consecutive years’ compensation during the last ten years of service. These employees became participants under the CW Pension Plan after one year of service and were vested after three years of service. CW non-union employees hired on or after the effective date were eligible for a cash balance benefit through December 31, 2013, and were transitioned to the new defined contribution plan, further described below. CW union employees who have negotiated a benefit under the CW Pension Plan are entitled to a benefit based on years of service multiplied by a monthly pension rate.
The formula for EMD employees is based on a career average pay benefit and covers both union and non-union employees and is designed to satisfy the requirements of relevant collective bargaining agreements. Employee contributions are withheld each pay period and are equal to 1.5 % of salary. The benefits for the EMD employees are based on years of service and compensation. On December 31, 2012, the Corporation amended the CW Pension Plan to close the benefit to EMD employees hired after January 1, 2014.
Participants of the former Williams Controls UAW Local 492 Plan for union employees are entitled to a benefit based on years of service multiplied by a monthly pension rate, and may be eligible for supplemental benefits based upon attainment of certain age and service requirements.
Effective January 1, 2014, all active non-union employees participating in the final and career average pay formulas in the defined benefit plan will cease accruals 15 years from the effective date of the amendment. In addition to the sunset provision, cash balance benefit accruals for non-union participants ceased as of January 1, 2014. Non-union employees who were not currently receiving final or career average pay benefits became eligible to participate in a new defined contribution plan which provides both employer match and non-elective contribution components. Subsequent to the original amendment, the Corporation successfully negotiated the sunset provision into the bargaining agreements for all represented employees that received benefits through this plan.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Corporation had a noncurrent pension asset of $ 244.1 million and $ 209.9 million, respectively. The change in balance was primarily due to a higher return on plan assets during 2023.
Nonqualified Pension Plan
The Corporation also maintains a non-qualified restoration plan (the CW Restoration Plan) covering those employees of CW and EMD whose compensation or benefits exceed the IRS limitation for pension benefits. Benefits under the CW Restoration Plan are not funded, and, as such, the Corporation had an accrued pension liability of $ 44.8 million and $ 40.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Corporation’s contributions to the CW Restoration Plan are expected to be $ 3.2 million in 2024.
Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Plan
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The Corporation provides post-employment benefits consisting of retiree health and life insurance to three distinct groups of employees/retirees: the CW Grandfathered plan, and plans assumed in the acquisitions of EMD and Williams Controls.
The Corporation also provides retiree health and life insurance benefits for substantially all Curtiss-Wright EMD employees. The plan provides basic health and welfare coverage for pre-65 participants based on years of service and are subject to certain caps. Effective January 1, 2011, the Corporation modified the benefit design for post-65 retirees by introducing Retiree Reimbursement Accounts (RRAs) to participants in lieu of the traditional benefit delivery. Participant accounts are funded a set amount annually that can be used to purchase supplemental coverage on the open market, effectively capping the benefit.
The plan also provides retiree health and life insurance benefits for certain retirees of the Williams Controls salaried and union pension plans. Effective August 31, 2013, the Corporation modified the benefit design for post-65 retirees by introducing RRAs to align with the EMD delivery model.
The Corporation had an accrued postretirement benefit liability $ 20.0 million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Corporation expects to contribute $ 1.7 million to the plan during 2024. Activity associated with the postretirement benefit liability for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was immaterial.
Foreign Plans
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total projected benefit obligation related to all foreign plans was $ 80.8 million and $ 69.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Corporation had a net pension asset of $ 10.7 million and $ 9.8 million, respectively. The Corporation's contributions to the foreign plans are expected to be $ 1.2 million in 2024.
Components of net periodic benefit expense
The net pension and net postretirement benefit costs consisted of the following:
Pension Benefits
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Service cost $ 16,224 $ 23,217 $ 26,735
Interest cost 34,085 20,923 17,419
Expected return on plan assets ( 63,013 ) ( 54,855 ) ( 60,286 )
Amortization of prior service cost ( 106 ) ( 318 ) ( 251 )
Recognized net actuarial loss 139 17,198 28,905
Cost of settlements/curtailments — 4,499 3,310
Special termination benefits — — 52
Net periodic benefit cost $ ( 12,671 ) $ 10,664 $ 15,884
The cost of settlements/curtailments indicated above represents events that are accounted for under guidance on employers’ accounting for settlements and curtailments of defined benefit pension plans. In 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized settlement charges related to the retirement of former executives.
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The following table outlines the Corporation's consolidated disclosure of the pension benefits information described previously. The Corporation had no foreign postretirement plans. All plans were valued using a December 31, 2023 measurement date.
Pension Benefits
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Change in benefit obligation:
Beginning of year $ 733,434 $ 979,070
Service cost 16,224 23,217
Interest cost 34,085 20,923
Plan participants’ contributions 1,200 1,229
Actuarial (gain) loss 17,312 ( 201,592 )
Benefits paid ( 52,228 ) ( 75,770 )
Actual expenses ( 1,997 ) ( 1,681 )
Acquisitions — 496
Divestitures — ( 4,341 )
Currency translation adjustments 5,340 ( 8,117 )
End of year $ 753,370 $ 733,434
Change in plan assets:
Beginning of year $ 912,702 $ 1,156,616
Actual return on plan assets 93,488 ( 182,519 )
Employer contribution 4,601 24,865
Plan participants’ contributions 1,200 1,229
Benefits paid ( 52,228 ) ( 75,770 )
Actual expenses ( 1,997 ) ( 1,681 )
Currency translation adjustments 5,598 ( 10,038 )
End of year $ 963,364 $ 912,702
Funded status $ 209,994 $ 179,268
Pension Benefits
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet
Noncurrent assets $ 261,869 $ 222,627
Current liabilities ( 3,280 ) ( 3,272 )
Noncurrent liabilities ( 48,595 ) ( 40,087 )
Total $ 209,994 $ 179,268
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)
Net actuarial loss $ 121,557 $ 133,813
Prior service cost ( 163 ) ( 239 )
Total $ 121,394 $ 133,574
Information for plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation $ 77,189 $ 64,669
Accumulated benefit obligation 68,257 61,368
Fair value of plan assets 25,314 21,311
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Plan Assumptions
Pension Benefits
2023 2022
Weighted-average assumptions in determination of benefit obligation:
Discount rate 4.71 % 4.95 %
Rate of compensation increase 3.33 % 3.34 %
Health care cost trends:
Rate assumed for subsequent year N/A N/A
Ultimate rate reached in 2032
N/A N/A
Weighted-average assumptions in determination of net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate 4.95 % 2.72 %
Expected return on plan assets 6.41 % 5.47 %
Rate of compensation increase 3.34 % 3.40 %
Health care cost trends:
Rate assumed for subsequent year N/A N/A
Ultimate rate reached in 2032
N/A N/A
The Corporation applies the spot rate, or full yield curve, approach for developing discount rates. The discount rate for each plan's past service liabilities and service cost is determined by discounting the plan’s expected future benefit payments using a yield curve developed from high quality bonds that are rated Aa or better by Moody’s as of the measurement date. The yield curve calculation matches the notional cash inflows of the hypothetical bond portfolio with the expected benefit payments to arrive at one effective rate for these components. Interest cost is determined by applying the spot rate from the full yield curve to each anticipated benefit payment, based on the anticipated optional form elections.
The overall expected return on assets assumption is based on a combination of historical performance of the pension fund and expectations of future performance. Expected future performance is determined by weighting the expected returns for each asset class by the plan’s asset allocation. The expected returns are based on long-term capital market assumptions utilizing a ten-year time horizon through consultation with investment advisors. While consideration is given to recent performance and historical returns, the assumption represents a long-term prospective return.
Pension Plan Assets
The overall objective for plan assets is to earn a rate of return over time to meet anticipated benefit payments in accordance with plan provisions. The long-term investment objective of the domestic retirement plan is to achieve a total rate of return, net of fees, which exceeds the actuarial overall expected return on asset assumptions used for funding purposes and which provides an appropriate premium over inflation. The intermediate-term objective of the domestic retirement plan, defined as three to five years, is to outperform each of the capital markets in which assets are invested, net of fees. During periods of extreme market volatility, preservation of capital takes a higher precedence than outperforming the capital markets.
The Finance Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors is responsible for formulating investment policies, developing investment manager guidelines and objectives, and approving and managing qualified advisors and investment managers. The guidelines established define permitted investments within each asset class and apply certain restrictions such as limits on concentrated holdings, and prohibits selling securities short, buying on margin, and the purchase of any securities issued by the Corporation.
The Corporation maintains the funds of the CW Pension Plan under a trust that is diversified across investment classes and among investment managers to achieve an optimal balance between risk and return. In the first quarter of 2022, the Corporation implemented an asset de-risking strategy in recognition of the strong funded status of the plan and a desire to reduce volatility as the plan approaches the cessation of accruals in 2028. As a part of its strategy shift, the Corporation transitioned to an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer model that introduces asset allocation constraints that increase the fixed income allocation over time and with changes in the funded status. Accordingly, our established target allocations for each of the following asset classes: domestic equity securities, international equity securities, and debt securities have changed. Below are the Corporation’s actual and current target allocations for the CW Pension Plan, representing 90 % of consolidated assets:
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As of December 31, Target Expected
2023 2022 Exposure Range
Asset class
Domestic equities 29 % 33 % 29 % 24 %- 34 %
International equities 10 % 11 % 11 % 7 %- 15 %
Total equity 39 % 44 % 40 % 30 %- 50 %
Fixed income 61 % 56 % 60 % 50 %- 70 %
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash funds in the CW Pension Plan represented approximately 2 % and 4 % of portfolio assets, respectively.
Foreign plan assets represent 10 % of consolidated plan assets, with most of the assets supporting the U.K. plan. Generally, the foreign plans follow a similar asset allocation strategy and are more heavily weighted in fixed income resulting in a weighted expected return on assets assumption of 5 % for all foreign plans.
The Corporation may from time to time require the reallocation of assets in order to bring the retirement plans into conformity with these ranges. The Corporation may also authorize alterations or deviations from these ranges where appropriate for achieving the objectives of the retirement plans.
Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents consolidated plan assets (in thousands) using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023.
Asset Category Total Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1) Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2) Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,272 $ 730 $ 32,542 $ —
Equity securities (1)
388,343 370,028 18,315 —
Fixed Income (2)
481,169 373,963 107,206 —
Other (3)
9,918 4,167 — 5,751
December 31, 2022 $ 912,702 $ 748,888 $ 158,063 $ 5,751
Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,105 $ 16,105 $ — $ —
Equity securities (1)
358,082 341,575 16,507 —
Fixed Income (2)
578,797 9,316 569,481 —
Other (3)
10,380 3,672 — 6,708
December 31, 2023 $ 963,364 $ 370,668 $ 585,988 $ 6,708
(1) This category consists of domestic and international equity securities. It is comprised of individual U.S. securities and exchange-traded funds benchmarked against the S&P 500 index and Russell Mid Cap and Russell 2000 indices, international securities and exchange-traded funds benchmarked against the MSCI EAFE and EM indices, global equity index mutual funds associated with our U.K. based pension plans, and a balanced fund associated with the Canadian based pension plan.
(2) This category consists of domestic and international bonds. The domestic fixed income securities consist of a portfolio of investment grade corporate debt, below investment-grade issues, fixed income exchange traded funds, and U.S. Treasury securities of intermediate and long-term duration for liability matching fixed income. International bonds consist of bond mutual funds for institutional investors associated with the Switzerland and U.K. based pension plans.
(3) This category consists of a domestic real estate exchange-traded fund and real estate investment trusts in Switzerland.
Valuation
Equity securities and exchange-traded equity and bond mutual funds are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments. Pooled institutional funds are valued at their net asset values and are calculated by the sponsor of the fund.
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Fixed income securities are primarily valued using a market approach utilizing various underlying pricing sources and methodologies. Real estate investment trusts are priced at net asset value based on valuations of the underlying real estate holdings using inputs such as discounted cash flows, independent appraisals, and market-based comparable data.
Cash balances in the United States are held in money market funds and classified as a Level 1 asset. Non-U.S. cash is valued using a market approach based on quoted market prices of identical instruments.
Activity associated with Level 3 assets held during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was immaterial.
Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from the plans:
(In thousands) Pension
Plans
2024 $ 50,025
2025 52,823
2026 54,281
2027 55,157
2028 57,403
2029 - 2033 274,696
Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
The Corporation offers all of its full-time domestic employees the opportunity to participate in a defined contribution plan. Effective January 1, 2014, all non-union employees who were not currently receiving final or career average pay benefits became eligible to receive employer contributions in the Corporation's sponsored 401(k) plan. The employer contributions include both employer match and non-elective contribution components, up to a maximum employer contribution of 7 % of eligible compensation. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the expense relating to the plan was $ 23.5 million, consisting of $ 12.2 million in matching contributions to the plan in 2023, and $ 11.3 million in non-elective contributions, primarily paid in January 2024. Cumulative contributions of approximately $ 123 million are expected to be made from 2024 through 2028.
18. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Corporation’s segments are composed of similar product groupings that serve the same or similar end markets. Based on this approach, the Corporation has three reportable segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power, as described below in further detail.
The Aerospace & Industrial reportable segment is comprised of businesses that provide a diversified offering of highly engineered products and services supporting critical applications primarily across the commercial aerospace and general industrial markets. The products offered include electronic throttle control devices, joysticks, power management electronics, traction inverters and transmission shifters, electro-mechanical actuation control components, and surface technology services such as shot peening, laser peening, and engineered coatings.
The Defense Electronics reportable segment is comprised of businesses that primarily provide products to the defense markets and to a lesser extent the commercial aerospace market. The products offered include commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded computing board level modules, integrated subsystems, turret aiming and stabilization products, tactical communications solutions for battlefield network management, weapons handling systems, avionics and electronics, flight test equipment, and aircraft data management solutions.
The Naval & Power reportable segment is comprised of businesses that provide products to the naval defense market and to a lesser extent the power & process and aerospace defense markets. The products offered include main coolant pumps, power-dense compact motors, generators, secondary propulsion systems, pumps, pump seals, valves, control rod drive mechanisms, fastening systems, specialized containment doors, airlock hatches, spent fuel management products, fluid sealing products, and arresting systems.
The Corporation’s measure of segment profit or loss is operating income. Interest expense and income taxes are not reported on an operating segment basis as they are not considered in the segments’ performance evaluation by the Corporation’s chief operating decision-maker, its Chief Executive Officer.
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Operating results by reportable segment are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Net sales
Aerospace & Industrial $ 889,744 $ 838,885 $ 789,054
Defense Electronics 818,547 693,709 727,828
Naval & Power 1,142,590 1,030,918 990,339
Less: Intersegment Revenues ( 5,508 ) ( 6,487 ) ( 6,460 )
Total Consolidated $ 2,845,373 $ 2,557,025 $ 2,500,761
Operating income (expense)
Aerospace & Industrial $ 145,278 $ 136,996 $ 121,817
Defense Electronics 191,775 154,568 159,089
Naval & Power 189,227 177,582 136,106
Corporate and Eliminations (1)
( 41,678 ) ( 45,703 ) ( 39,883 )
Total Consolidated $ 484,602 $ 423,443 $ 377,129
Depreciation and amortization expense
Aerospace & Industrial $ 33,994 $ 34,336 $ 36,999
Defense Electronics 33,347 35,120 38,136
Naval & Power 46,165 39,712 35,937
Corporate 2,666 2,859 3,312
Total Consolidated $ 116,172 $ 112,027 $ 114,384
Capital expenditures
Aerospace & Industrial $ 17,067 $ 18,554 $ 16,799
Defense Electronics 5,573 3,504 3,922
Naval & Power 18,112 13,652 18,106
Corporate 3,914 2,507 2,281
Total Consolidated $ 44,666 $ 38,217 $ 41,108
(1) Corporate and Eliminations includes pension expense, environmental remediation and administrative expenses, legal, and other expenses.
As of December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Segment assets
Aerospace & Industrial $ 1,077,808 $ 1,041,562
Defense Electronics 1,517,877 1,546,331
Naval & Power 1,496,063 1,487,568
Corporate 529,221 372,842
Total Consolidated $ 4,620,969 $ 4,448,303
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Reconciliations
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Earnings before taxes:
Total reportable segment operating income $ 526,280 $ 469,146 $ 417,012
Corporate and Eliminations ( 41,678 ) ( 45,703 ) ( 39,883 )
Interest expense 51,393 46,980 40,240
Other income, net 29,861 12,732 12,067
Earnings before income taxes $ 463,070 $ 389,195 $ 348,956
As of December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Assets:
Total assets for reportable segments $ 4,091,748 $ 4,075,461
Non-segment cash 228,930 122,198
Other assets 300,291 250,644
Total consolidated assets $ 4,620,969 $ 4,448,303
Geographic Information
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Revenues
United States of America $ 2,060,986 $ 1,879,001 $ 1,851,827
United Kingdom 115,078 102,965 93,154
Other foreign countries 669,309 575,059 555,780
Consolidated total $ 2,845,373 $ 2,557,025 $ 2,500,761
As of December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Long-Lived Assets - Property, plant, and equipment, net
United States of America $ 243,542 $ 254,317
United Kingdom 25,898 27,049
Other foreign countries 63,356 61,342
Consolidated total $ 332,796 $ 342,708
19. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
From time to time, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to the operation of our business. Some of these proceedings allege damages relating to asbestos and environmental exposures, intellectual property matters, copyright infringement, personal injury claims, employment and employee benefit matters, government contract issues, commercial or contractual disputes, and acquisitions or divestitures. The Corporation continues to defend vigorously against all claims. Although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on present information, including assessment of the merits of the particular claim, as well as current accruals and insurance coverage, the Corporation does not believe that the disposition of any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Legal Proceedings
The Corporation has been named in a number of lawsuits that allege injury from exposure to asbestos. To date, the Corporation has not been found liable for or paid any material sum of money in settlement in any asbestos-related case. The Corporation believes its minimal use of asbestos in its past operations and the relatively non-friable condition of asbestos in its products
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make it unlikely that it will face material liability in any asbestos litigation, whether individually or in the aggregate. The Corporation maintains insurance coverage for these potential liabilities and believes adequate coverage exists to cover any unanticipated asbestos liability. The Corporation is party to a number of other legal actions and claims, none of which individually or in the aggregate, in the opinion of management, are expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial position.
Letters of Credit and Other Arrangements
The Corporation enters into standby letters of credit agreements and guarantees with financial institutions and customers primarily relating to guarantees of repayment, future performance on certain contracts to provide products and services, and to secure advance payments from certain international customers. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were $ 20 million and $ 17 million of stand-by letters of credit outstanding, respectively, and $ 16 million and $ 3 million of bank guarantees outstanding, respectively.
The Corporation, through its Electro-Mechanical Division (EMD) business unit, has three Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) radioactive materials licenses that are utilized in the continued operation of the EMD business. In connection with these licenses, the Corporation has known conditional asset retirement obligations related to asset decommissioning activities to be performed in the future, when the Corporation terminates these licenses. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation has recorded an asset retirement obligation of approximately $ 8 million for two of the three licenses. For its third license, the Corporation has not recorded an asset retirement obligation as it is not reasonably estimable due to insufficient information about the timing and method of settlement of the obligation. Accordingly, this obligation has not been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A liability for this obligation will be recorded in the period when sufficient information regarding timing and method of settlement becomes available to make a reasonable estimate of the liability’s fair value. The Corporation is required to provide the Nuclear Regulatory Commission financial assurance demonstrating its ability to cover the cost of decommissioning its Cheswick, Pennsylvania facility upon closure, though the Corporation does not intend to close this facility. The Corporation has provided this financial assurance in the form of a $ 35 million surety bond.
20. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The total cumulative balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, is as follows:
(In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net Total pension and postretirement adjustments, net Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
December 31, 2021 $ ( 99,566 ) $ ( 90,899 ) $ ( 190,465 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (1)
( 61,241 ) ( 23,447 ) ( 84,688 )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
— 16,237 16,237
Net current period other comprehensive loss ( 61,241 ) ( 7,210 ) ( 68,451 )
December 31, 2022 $ ( 160,807 ) $ ( 98,109 ) $ ( 258,916 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (1)
37,519 8,218 45,737
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
— ( 44 ) ( 44 )
Net current period other comprehensive income 37,519 8,174 45,693
December 31, 2023 $ ( 123,288 ) $ ( 89,935 ) $ ( 213,223 )
(1) All amounts are after tax.
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Details of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are below:
Amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Affected line item in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(In thousands) 2023 2022
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans
Amortization of prior service costs $ 133 $ 345 Other income, net
Recognized net actuarial losses ( 85 ) ( 17,198 ) Other income, net
Settlements — ( 4,499 ) Other income, net
48 ( 21,352 ) Earnings before income taxes
( 4 ) 5,115 Provision for income taxes
Total reclassifications $ 44 $ ( 16,237 ) Net earnings
* * * * * *
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Report of the Corporation
The Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared by the Corporation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial statements necessarily include some amounts that are based on the best estimates and judgments of the Corporation. Other financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with that in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Corporation maintains accounting systems, procedures, and internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are executed in accordance with the appropriate corporate authorization and are properly recorded. The accounting systems and internal accounting controls are augmented by written policies and procedures, organizational structure providing for a division of responsibilities, selection and training of qualified personnel, and an internal audit program. Management of the Corporation has completed an assessment of the Corporation’s internal controls over financial reporting and has included “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, performed an integrated audit of the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements that also included forming an opinion on the internal controls over financial reporting of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2023. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. The objective of their audit is the expression of an opinion on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, in all material respects, and on the internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed entirely of directors who are independent of the Corporation, appoints the independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by stockholders and, among other things, considers the scope of the independent registered public accounting firm’s examination, the audit results, and the adequacy of internal accounting controls of the Corporation. The independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditor have direct access to the Audit Committee, and they meet with the committee from time to time, with and without management present, to discuss accounting, auditing, non-audit consulting services, internal control, and financial reporting matters.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 20, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue– Over-Time Basis – Refer to Note 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company recognizes revenue when control of a promised good and/or service is transferred to a customer at a transaction price that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for that good and/or service. The Company identifies a performance obligation for each promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. Revenue recognized on an over-time basis for the year ended December 31, 2023, accounted for approximately 47% of total net sales. Contracts that qualify for over-time revenue recognition are generally associated with the design, development, and manufacture of highly engineered industrial products used in commercial and defense applications and generally span between 2-5 years in duration. Typically, over-time revenue recognition is based on the utilization of an input measure used to measure progress, such as costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs.
Included within revenue recognized on an over-time basis are certain contracts that require the use of reasonable and dependable estimates of future costs that will be incurred to complete production of goods or provision of services as well as a
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disciplined cost estimating system in which all functions of the business are integrally involved. These estimates are determined based on industry knowledge and experience of engineers, project managers, and financial staff. Specific to these contracts, auditing over-time revenue required extensive audit effort due to a high degree of auditor judgment when performing audit procedures and evaluating the results of those procedures.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to auditing over-time revenue specific to these contracts (as described above) included the following, among others:
◦ At select business units, we tested the effectiveness of controls over the recognition of over-time basis revenue, including those over costs incurred to date and estimates of future costs related to the performance obligation.
◦ Obtained the population of active contracts during 2023 and assessed (1) contract year-to-date revenue in relation to inception-to-date margin and (2) contract value in relation to inception-to-date margin to identify potential outliers in the portfolio of active contracts that may contain characteristics of audit interest.
◦ For those contracts identified that contained characteristics of audit interest, performed further audit procedures tailored to address the specific characteristics of audit interest identified. Procedures performed, among others, included:
▪ Read the relevant portions of contracts including any recent contract modifications to understand contract terms, including incentives, fee arrangement, scope of work, and any unusual contract terms.
▪ Evaluated the estimates of total costs and profits for these selected contracts by:
• Evaluating management’s ability to achieve the estimated cost and profit by 1) performing inquiries with the business managers and corroborating the information gained from these inquiries with other parties who have detailed knowledge of the contract’s progress, issues being encountered, and overall production status, 2) considering management’s historical performance against estimates, and 3) considering any contradictory information.
• Comparing management’s estimates for selected contracts to costs and profits of similar related contracts, when applicable.
◦ We developed independent estimates of revenue based on historical profit margins and current year costs incurred to date. We compared those estimates to revenue recognized by the Company.
◦ Tested the accuracy and completeness of the costs incurred to date.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Morristown, New Jersey
February 20, 2024
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2003.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, of the Company and our report dated February 20, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Morristown, New Jersey
February 20, 2024
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.