Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report.
OVERVIEW
We are a worldwide designer, manufacturer and systems integrator of high-performance precision motion and fluid controls and control systems for a broad range of applications in aerospace and defense and industrial markets.
Within the aerospace and defense market, our products and systems include:
• Defense market - primary and secondary flight controls and components for military aircraft, tactical and strategic missile steering controls, defense ground vehicle systems including turreted weapon systems and various other defense product components.
• Commercial aircraft market - primary and secondary flight controls and components for commercial aircraft.
• Space market - satellite avionics, propulsion and positioning controls and components, launcher thrust vector controls and components, as well as integrated space vehicles.
In the industrial market, our products are used in a wide range of applications including:
• Industrial market - various components and systems used in applications including: heavy industrial machinery used for metal forming and pressing, flight simulation motion control systems, energy exploration and generation products, material and automotive structural and fatigue testing systems, as well as liquid cooling pumps used in data centers.
• Medical market - pumps and sets for enteral clinical nutrition and infusion therapy, slip rings used in CT scan medical equipment and various components used in ultrasonic sensors and surgical handpieces.
We operate under four segments, Space and Defense, Military Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Industrial. Our principal manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, Philippines, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, China, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, India and Lithuania.
Under ASC 606, 64% of revenue was recognized over time for the year ended September 27, 2025, using the cost-to-cost method of accounting. The over-time method of revenue recognition is predominantly used in Space and Defense, Military Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft. We use this method for U.S. Government contracts and repair and overhaul arrangements as we are creating or enhancing assets that the customer controls. In addition, many of our large commercial contracts qualify for over-time accounting as our performance does not create an asset with an alternative use and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.
For the year ended September 27, 2025, 36% of revenue was recognized at the point in time control transferred to the customer. This method of revenue recognition is used most frequently in Industrial. We use this method for commercial contracts in which the asset being created has an alternative use. We determine the point in time control transfers to the customer by weighing the five indicators provided by ASC 606. When control has transferred to the customer, profit is generated as cost of sales is recorded and as revenue is recognized.
Our products and technologies affect millions of people worldwide. Our solutions preserve national security, ensure safe air transportation, reduce industrial factory emissions and enhance patients' lives, while driving innovation. Our engineers collaboratively design and manufacture the most advanced motion control products, to the highest quality standards, for use in demanding applications. By building on these core foundational capabilities, we believe we have achieved a leadership position in the high-performance, precision controls market, and are "Shaping The Way Our World Moves™."
We leverage our engineering expertise and close customer relationships to solve complex technical problems. This approach has allowed us to expand, organically and through acquisitions, our high-performance components business to also offer the design, manufacture and integration of high-performance systems across multiple markets. We continue to expand our content on existing platforms as well, seeking to be the leading precision motion-controls supplier across the niche markets we serve. We are also modernizing operations through productivity‑enhancing technologies and targeted talent development to strengthen operational performance.
Our long-term strategies to achieve our financial objectives focus on pricing and simplification initiatives. Our pricing strategy seeks recognition for the value we deliver to our customers across our markets. Our simplification initiatives, guided by 80/20 principles, include:
• shaping our product and business portfolio to invest in growth areas and divest non-core assets,
• rationalizing our global footprint to meet current and future business volumes,
• focusing our factories to meet the specific needs of each market, and
• investing in automation and technologies to improve operational efficiency.
We aim to improve shareholder value through strategic revenue growth, both organic and acquired, manufacturing and operating efficiencies and utilizing low-cost manufacturing facilities without compromising quality. Historically and over the long-term, our capital deployment strategy has balanced strategic acquisitions, share buybacks and dividend payments to maximize shareholder returns. In the near term, our capital deployment prioritizes organic growth while opportunistically pursuing acquisitions that complement our business.
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale
See Note 3 - Acquisitions, Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for details.
Equity Method and Other Investments
See Note 9 - Equity Method and Other Investments, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for details.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are affected by our application of accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report. We believe the accounting policies discussed below are the most critical in understanding and evaluating our financial results. These critical accounting policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Revenue Recognition on Over-Time Contracts
We recognize revenue from contracts with customers using the five-step model prescribed in ASC 606. For contracts that qualify for over-time treatment, we recognize revenue as control of the promised goods or services is being transferred to the customer. This is accomplished by using the cost-to-cost method of accounting, which measures progress as determined by the ratio of cumulative costs incurred to date to estimated total contract costs at completion, multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue, less cumulative revenue recognized in prior periods. We believe this is an appropriate measure of progress toward satisfaction of performance obligations as this measure most accurately depicts the progress of our work and transfer of control to our customers. Changes in estimates affecting sales, costs and profits are recognized in the period in which the change becomes known using the cumulative catch-up method of accounting. Revenue recognized using the cost-to-cost method of accounting over time for the year ended September 27, 2025 was 64% of total revenue. Revenue and cost estimates for substantially all over-time contract performance obligations are reviewed and updated quarterly. For further information, refer to Note 2 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers and Note 22 - Segments, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.
Contract Reserves
At September 27, 2025, we had contract reserves of $84 million. Contract reserves are comprised of contract loss reserves, recall reserves, and contract-related reserves. Contract loss reserves are recorded for open contracts where it is anticipated that contract costs will be greater than contract income and are determined considering all direct and indirect contract costs, exclusive of any selling, general or administrative cost allocations that are treated as period expenses. In accordance with ASC 606, we calculate contract losses at the contract level, versus the performance obligation level. Recall reserves are recorded when additional work is needed on completed products for them to meet contract specifications. Contract-related reserves are recorded for other reasons, such as delivery issues outside of the ordinary scope of the contract. For all three types of reserves, a provision for the entire amount of the loss is charged against income in the period in which the loss becomes known and can be reasonably estimated by management. For further information, refer to Note 2 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.
Reserves for Inventory Valuation
At September 27, 2025, we had net inventories of $914 million, or 39% of current assets. Reserves for inventory were $146 million, or 14% of gross inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined primarily on the first-in, first-out method of valuation.
We record valuation reserves to provide for slow-moving or obsolete inventory by principally using a formula-based method that increases the valuation reserve as the inventory ages. We also take specific circumstances into consideration. We consider overall inventory levels in relation to firm customer backlog in addition to forecasted demand including aftermarket sales. Changes in these and other factors, such as low demand and technological obsolescence, could cause us to increase our reserves for inventory valuation, which would negatively impact our gross margin. As we record provisions within cost of sales to increase inventory valuation reserves, we establish a new, lower cost basis for the inventory.
Income Taxes
Our annual tax rate is based on our earnings before tax by jurisdiction, applicable statutory tax rates, the impacts of permanent differences, tax incentives and tax planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions.
An estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to our quarterly ordinary operating results. For certain significant, unusual or infrequent events, we recognize the tax impact in the quarter in which it occurs.
We record reserves against tax benefits when it’s more likely than not that we will not sustain a position if the appropriate taxing jurisdiction had full information and examined our position. We adjust these reserves when facts and circumstances change, such as when progress is made by taxing authorities in their review of our position. There is a considerable amount of judgment in making these assessments. There were no significant reserves taken in 2024.
Valuation allowances associated with deferred tax assets are another area that requires judgment. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We consider recent earnings projections, allowable tax carryforward periods, tax planning strategies and historical earnings performance to determine the amount of the valuation allowance. Changes in these factors could cause us to adjust our valuation allowances, which would impact our income tax expense when we determine that these factors have changed.
At September 27, 2025, we had gross deferred tax assets of $209 million and deferred tax asset valuation allowances of $12 million. The deferred tax assets principally relate to benefit accruals, inventory obsolescence, tax benefit carryforwards, contract reserves and lease liabilities. The deferred tax assets include $13 million related to tax benefit carryforwards associated with net operating losses and tax credits, for which $12 million of deferred tax asset valuation allowances are recorded. For further information, refer to Note 16 - Income Taxes, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 27, 2025, management identified misstatements in previously issued annual consolidated financial statements and interim consolidated condensed financial statements, impacting prior periods.
The principal misstatement related to the accounting for a distinct group of long-term aftermarket service contracts with customers in the Commercial Aircraft segment. Specifically, there were inaccurate inputs used in the total costs at completion estimate within the over-time revenue recognition calculation for these contracts that accumulated over several years. Additionally, other unrelated misstatements, including an adjustment for the understatement of certain warranty costs, were also identified.
We evaluated the nature and magnitude of all identified misstatements to assess the materiality, including quantitative and qualitative considerations and determined that the misstatements were not material, individually or in aggregate, to any previously issued quarterly or annual consolidated financial statements. However, correcting these misstatements entirely in the current period would have been material to our 2025 financial statements. As a result, within this annual report, we have revised our prior period annual consolidated financial statements for 2023 and 2024 and our quarterly consolidated condensed financial statements for 2024 and 2025 to reflect the corrections in the periods in which the misstatements originated.
A summary of the corrections and their related impacts on each financial statement line items from our previously issued financial statements are presented in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 25 – Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following is a discussion of our results of operations in 2025 compared to revised 2024 results and our revised 2024 results of operations compared to revised 2023 results.
(In millions, except per share data)
$ Variance
% Variance
$ Variance
% Variance
Net sales
Gross margin
Research and development expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales
Interest expense
Asset impairment
Restructuring expense
Loss on sale of businesses
Gain on sale of buildings
Pension settlement
Other
Effective tax rate
Net earnings
Diluted average common shares outstanding
Diluted earnings per share
Total backlog
Twelve-month backlog
Net sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by demand in Commercial Aircraft and by defense market growth in Space and Defense and Military Aircraft. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in Industrial, driven by the lost sales associated with our divestitures at the beginning of 2025. Net sales increased across all our segments in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by production ramps in Commercial Aircraft and by defense market growth in Military Aircraft and Space and Defense.
Gross margin decreased in 2025 compared to 2024. This was driven by a benefit of $14 million from the Employee Retention Credit associated with the CARES Act in 2024. Gross margin increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by improved performance on our space vehicle development programs, a $14 million benefit from the Employee Retention Credit associated with the CARES Act and the results of our pricing and simplification initiatives across all our segments.
Research and development expenses decreased in 2025 compared to 2024 due to lower level of activity, primarily in Industrial. Research and development expenses increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by activities supporting our new growth programs in Space and Defense and Industrial.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by expenses associated with the settlement of a legal dispute of $12 million and increased business capture activities. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting the incremental benefit from higher sales volume.
Interest expense increased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by higher outstanding debt balances, partially offset by lower interest rates. Interest expense increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by higher interest rates, as well as higher debt balances.
In 2025, 2024 and 2023, inventory write-down, asset impairment and restructuring charges included charges for various simplification activities, primarily within Industrial. In 2023, we also incurred a non-cash pension settlement charge, which was mostly offset by the gain from the sales of three buildings in Industrial.
The effective tax rate was higher in 2025 compared to 2024, as 2024 included a benefit associated with a capital investment incentive in the United Kingdom. The effective tax rate was higher in 2024 compared to 2023, as the effective tax rate in 2023 reflected higher amounts of research and development tax credit benefits.
The twelve-month backlog at September 27, 2025 increased as compared with the twelve-month backlog at September 28, 2024. The twelve-month backlog in Military Aircraft increased due to the timing of orders for the F-35 program and new production programs. Within Space and Defense, we had higher orders across the entire portfolio of the business, reflecting strong business capture and broad-based growth in both space and defense. The twelve-month backlog in Industrial increased due to increased orders in medical and liquid cooling pumps used in data centers.
The twelve-month backlog at September 28, 2024 increased as compared with the twelve-month backlog at September 30, 2023. Within Commercial Aircraft, we had higher spares orders in our aftermarket programs. Within Space and Defense, we had higher orders across our satellite and launch vehicle programs, as well as for defense component programs. These were partially offset by the timing of orders in various Military Aircraft programs.
SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Operating profit, as presented below, is net sales less cost of sales and other operating expenses, excluding interest expense, equity-based compensation expense, non-service pension expense and other corporate expenses. Cost of sales and other operating expenses are directly identifiable to the respective segment or allocated on the basis of sales, headcount or profit. Operating profit is reconciled to earnings before income taxes in Note 22 - Segments, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.
Space and Defense
(dollars in millions)
$ Variance
% Variance
$ Variance
% Variance
Net sales
Operating profit
Operating margin
Space and Defense net sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting broad-based defense demand. Higher demand for components for both satellites and defense applications, including missiles, was partially offset by timing of activity on spacecraft vehicles and turrets.
Operating margin decreased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by the benefit from the Employee Retention Credit associated with the CARES Act in 2024 and expenses associated with the settlement of a legal dispute in 2025, partially offset by profitable sales growth.
Space and Defense net sales increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by strong, broad-based demand for defense applications. Higher U.S. demand for our component products, the ramp of new defense pursuits serving European needs and higher demand for launch vehicle and satellite components increased sales. These were partially offset by lower activity across our space vehicle programs.
Operating margin increased in 2024 compared to 2023 driven by strong operational performance, including improved performance on our space vehicle programs, the benefits from our pricing initiatives and the one-time benefit from the Employee Retention Credit associated with the CARES Act.
Military Aircraft
(dollars in millions)
$ Variance
% Variance
$ Variance
% Variance
Net sales
Operating profit
Operating margin
Military Aircraft net sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024. Sales increased in military OEM programs $63 million, driven by the ramp-up of activity on the MV-75 program and new production programs. Military aftermarket sales increased $14 million, driven primarily by fleet readiness activities.
Operating margin increased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by stronger business performance and pricing, which was partially offset by the benefit from the Employee Retention Credit and the gain from the sale of a mature product line in 2024.
Military Aircraft net sales increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by growth on development and new production aircraft. Sales increased $88 million in military OEM programs, driven by the ramp-up of activity on the MV-75 program and other OEM production programs. Military aftermarket sales increased $3 million.
Operating margin increased in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by the benefits of cost absorption from having a full year of activity on the MV-75 program, a reduction in research and development expenses and the benefit from the Employee Retention Credit. Partially offsetting these benefits were higher impairment, restructuring and other charges in 2024.
Commercial Aircraft
(dollars in millions)
$ Variance
% Variance
$ Variance
% Variance
Net sales
Operating profit
Operating margin
Commercial Aircraft net sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024. Commercial aftermarket sales increased $68 million, driven largely by strong fleet utilization on the 787 and A350 programs. Commercial OEM sales increased $48 million, as we experienced growth from production ramps on widebody programs .
Operating margin decreased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by pressure associated with tariffs, offset by the sale of a non-core product line as part of our portfolio shaping activities.
Commercial Aircraft net sales increased in 2024 compared to 2023. Commercial OEM sales increased $93 million, as we experienced growth from production ramps on widebody, narrowbody and business jet programs. Commercial aftermarket sales increased $29 million, driven by higher levels of spares for initial provisioning and higher repair volumes.
Operating margin decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. The absence of favorable aftermarket retrofit activity and the sale of a non-core product line as part of our portfolio shaping activities in 2023 were partially offset by the recovering OEM production volume in 2024.
Industrial
(dollars in millions)
$ Variance
% Variance
$ Variance
% Variance
Net sales
Operating profit
Operating margin
Industrial net sales decreased in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by divestitures, primarily within industrial automation, and lower sales for flight simulation systems and test products. These were partially offset by market share gains for medical devices.
Operating margin increased in 2025 compared to 2024 due to the benefits of our ongoing simplification initiatives, as well as prior year charges related to those initiatives. These were partially offset by the benefit from the Employee Retention Credit in 2024.
Industrial net sales increased in 2024 compared to 2023. Sales increased in our simulation and test market, driven by higher demand for flight simulation systems and test products. Sales also increased in our energy market. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in our industrial automation market, reflecting a slowdown in orders.
Operating margin decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 due to higher amounts of simplification charges, partially offset by the benefits from our pricing initiatives. In 2024 we incurred impairment, restructuring and inventory write-down charges of $32 million. In 2023, we incurred impairment, restructuring, inventory write-down and other charges of $21 million, partially offset by a $10 million gain related to the sales of three buildings.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in millions)
$ Variance
$ Variance
Net cash provided (used) by:
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased in 2025 compared to 2024. Customer advances provided $123 million more cash, as we secured customer advances on multiple defense programs. Inventories used $80 million less cash, as the growth of inventories slowed in Military Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft. These were partially offset by accounts receivable, which used $123 million more cash, primarily in Commercial Aircraft, driven by the timing of collections.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased in 2024 compared to 2023. Billed and unbilled receivables provided $90 million more cash, driven by better collections and the expansion of our receivables financing program. Also, net earnings increased. Partially offsetting these sources of cash was customer advances, which used $81 million more cash as we worked down advances across all our segments.
Investing activities
Net cash used by investing activities in 2025 included $145 million of capital expenditures and $41 million associated with the acquisition of COTSWORKS, which were partially offset by $13 million of proceeds from the sales of businesses.
Net cash used by investing activities in 2024 included $152 million of capital expenditures. Net cash used by investing activities in 2024 also included $6 million associated with the acquisition of DCL.
Net cash used by investing activities in 2023 included $177 million of capital expenditures, including a $28 million building purchase. Also, 2023 included $22 million of proceeds from the sales of buildings and businesses.
Financing activities
Net cash used by financing activities in 2025 included a use of cash of $100 million for shares under the repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors and $36 million for dividend payments. These were partially offset by $70 million of net borrowings on our credit facilities.
Net cash used by financing activities in 2024 included $35 million for dividend payments. Partially offsetting the dividend payments were $9 million of net borrowings on our credit facilities.
Net cash used by financing activities in 2023 included $34 million for dividend payments. Partially offsetting the dividend payments were $26 million of net borrowings on our credit facilities.
General
Cash flows from our operations, together with our various financing arrangements, fund on-going activities, debt service requirements, organic growth, acquisition opportunities and the ability to return capital to shareholders. We believe these sources of funding will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
At September 27, 2025, our cash balances were $62 million, the majority of which is held outside of the U.S. by foreign operations. We regularly assess our cash needs, including repatriation of foreign earnings which may be subject to regulatory approvals and withholding taxes, where applicable by law.
Financing Arrangements
In addition to operations, our capital resources include bank credit facilities and an accounts receivable financing program to fund our short and long-term capital requirements. We continuously evaluate various forms of financing to improve our liquidity and position ourselves for future opportunities, which from time to time, may result in selling debt and equity securities to fund acquisitions or take advantage of favorable market conditions.
We are generally not required to obtain the consent of lenders of the U.S. revolving credit facility before raising significant additional debt financing; however, certain limitations and conditions may apply that would require consent to be obtained. We have demonstrated our ability to secure consents to access debt markets. We have also been successful in accessing equity markets from time to time. We believe that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing as needed.
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate risk from our long-term debt. To manage these risks, we may enter into derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps which are used to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to variable and fixed interest rates.
Our U.S. revolving credit facility, which matures on October 27, 2027, has a capacity of $1.1 billion and also provides an expansion option, which permits us to request an increase of up to $400 million to the credit facility upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding credit facility borrowings was 5.80% and is based on SOFR plus the applicable margin, which was 1.60% at September 27, 2025. On May 30, 2025, we amended and restated our loan agreement to include a $250 million term loan with installment payments of $3 million in 2026, $9 million in 2027 and the remaining balance on the maturity date of October 27, 2027. Additional principal payments may be required under certain conditions. The proceeds of the term loan were used to pay down the outstanding revolver borrowings of the U.S. revolving credit facility. The interest rate on the term loan borrowings was 5.90% and is based on SOFR plus the applicable margin, which was 1.60% at September 27, 2025.
The loan agreement for the U.S. revolving credit facility and term loan contains various covenants. The minimum for the interest coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of EBITDA to interest expense for the most recent four quarters, is 3.0. The maximum for the leverage ratio, defined as the ratio of net debt to EBITDA for the most recent four quarters, is 4.0. EBITDA is defined in the loan agreement as (i) the sum of net income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, other non-cash items reducing consolidated net income and non-cash equity-based compensation expenses minus (ii) other non-cash items increasing consolidated net income.
The SECT has a revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $25 million, maturing on October 26, 2026. Interest was 6.36% as of September 27, 2025 and is based on SOFR plus a margin of 2.23%.
We have $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due December 15, 2027 with interest paid semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The senior notes are unsecured obligations, guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain subsidiaries and contain normal incurrence-based covenants and limitations such as the ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, make other restricted payments and investments, create liens and certain corporate acts such as mergers and consolidations.
At September 27, 2025, we had $925 million of unused capacity, including $901 million from the U.S. revolving credit facility after considering standby letters of credit and other limitations.
Our Receivables Purchase Agreement, which matures on December 11, 2026, allows the Receivables Subsidiary to sell receivables to the Purchasers in amounts up to a $125 million limit so long as certain conditions are satisfied. The receivables are sold to the Purchasers in consideration for the Purchasers making payments of cash. Each Purchaser’s share of capital accrues yield at a variable rate plus an applicable margin, which totaled 5.21% as of September 27, 2025.
We are in compliance with all covenants under each of our financing arrangements. See Note 4 - Receivables and Note 10 - Indebtedness, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional details regarding our financing arrangements.
Dividends and Common Stock
We believe we can create long term value for our shareholders by continuing to invest in our business through both capital expenditures as well as investments in new market opportunities. We will also continue exploring opportunities to make strategic acquisitions and return capital to shareholders.
We are currently paying quarterly cash dividends on our Class A and Class B common stock and expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. See the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders Equity and Cash Flows, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional de tails regarding our financing arrangements.
The Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program that permits repurchases for both Class A and Class B common stock, and allows us to buy up to an aggregate 3 million common shares. There are approximately 1.7 million common shares remaining under this authorization. See the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders Equity and Cash Flows, of Part II, Item 8, Financial Information and Part II, Item 5, Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, of this report for additional details.
Today, we believe we can create long term value for our shareholders by continuing to invest in our business through both capital expenditures as well as investments in new market opportunities. We will also continue exploring opportunities to make strategic acquisitions and return capital to shareholders.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any material off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
For further information on our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 27, 2025, see the notes referenced below, of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.
Right-of-use lease liabilities - See Note 7 - Leases, for details on obligations and timing of expected future payments, including a five-year maturity schedule.
De bt Obligations and Interest Payments - See Note 10 - Indebtedness, for details of our debt and timing of expected future principal and interest payments. Our current and long-term interest obligation on fixed-rate debt is $21 million and $26 mill ion, respectively. Interest on variable-rate long-term debt, assuming the rate and outstanding balances do not change from those at September 27, 2025, would be approximately $28 million annually.
Employee Benefit Plans - See Note 15 - Employee Benefit Plans, for details on our obligations and timing of expected future payments under these plan s. In 2026, we anticipate making contributions to defined benefit pension plans of $10 million, of which approximately $6 million is for a non-qualified U.S. plan. We are unable to determine minimum funding requirements beyond 2025 . We have made no discretionary incremental contributions to our defined benefit plans in excess of minimum funding requirements. We do not plan to make additional contributions for the foreseeable future.
Income Taxes - We are unable to determine or estimate any potential changes to unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 16 - Income Taxes, for additional details of tax obligations.
Commitments - See Note 23 - Commitments and Contingencies, for additional details.
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND MARKET TRENDS
We operate within the aerospace and defense and industrial markets. A common factor throughout our markets is the continuing demand for technologically advanced products.
Our aerospace and defense businesses represented 75% of our 2025 sales. Our defense market, which represented 52% of our 2025 sales, is directly affected by defense funding levels and product demand, which have recently increased. Our commercial aircraft market, which represented 23% of our 2025 sales, is aligning with our customers' current plans. Within our various industrial markets, which represented 25% of our 2025 sales, our customers are affected by a broad range of factors.
Aerospace and Defense
Within aerospace and defense, we serve three end markets: defense, commercial aircraft and space.
The defense market is dependent on military spending for development and production programs. We have a growing development program order book for future generation aircraft and turret programs, and we strive to embed our technologies within these high-performance military programs of the future, including the Textron Bell MV-75. Aircraft production programs are typically long-term in nature, offering predictable capacity needs and future revenues. We maintain positions on numerous high priority programs, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The large installed base of our products leads to attractive aftermarket sales and service opportunities. The tactical and strategic missile, missile defense and defense vehicle controls markets are dependent on many of the same market conditions as military aircraft, including overall military spending and program funding levels. At times when there are perceived threats to national security, U.S. and European defense spending can increase; at other times, defense spending can decrease. Future levels of defense spending have increased in the near-term given the current global tensions, and are subject to governmental approvals.
The commercial OEM aircraft market depends on a number of factors, including both the increasing global demand for air travel and increasing fuel prices. Both factors contributed to the demand for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft with lower operating costs that led to large production backlogs for Boeing and Airbus. Boeing and Airbus are producing widebody aircraft at rates to support their projected demand while working through their current supply-chain constraints. Any adjustments to their production rates affect the timing of the demand for our flight control systems.
The commercial aftermarket is driven by usage and the age of the existing aircraft fleet for passenger and cargo aircraft, which drives the need for maintenance and repairs. We have seen higher demand levels for our maintenance services and spare parts due to the increased number of flight hours across existing fleets.
The space market is comprised of three customer markets: civil, U.S. defense and commercial space. The civil market, namely NASA, is driven by investment for exploration activities. The U.S. defense market is driven by government-authorized levels of defense spending, including funding for defense-related satellite and space vehicle technologies. Levels of U.S. defense spending could increase as there is growing emphasis on space as the next frontier of potential future conflicts. The commercial space market is driven by demand for small satellites, which increases the demand for increased launch vehicle capacity. Our launch vehicle and satellite components and systems will continue to benefit from increased investments in each of these markets.
Industrial
Within industrial, we serve two end markets: industrial and medical. The industrial market consists of industrial automation products, simulation and test products and energy generation and exploration products. The medical market consists of medical devices and medical component products.
The industrial market we serve with our industrial automation products is influenced by several factors including capital investment levels, the pace of product and technology innovation, economic conditions and cost-reduction efforts. A portion of our industrial automation customers serve the automotive market as well as the data center cooling market.
Our simulation and test products operate in markets that are largely affected by the same factors as our commercial aircraft market. Demand for our flight simulation systems will match the airline training market and the change in domestic and foreign flight hours.
Our energy generation and exploration products operate in a market that is influenced by changing oil and natural gas prices, global urbanization and the resulting change in supply and demand for global energy. Drivers for global energy growth include investments in power generation infrastructure and exploration of new oil and gas resources.
The medical market we serve, in general, is influenced by economic conditions, regulatory environments, hospital and outpatient clinic spending on equipment, population demographics, medical advances, patient demands and the need for precision control components and systems. Advances in medical technology and treatments have resulted in the greater need for medical services, which drive the demand for our medical devices and medical component offerings.
Foreign Currencies
We are affected by the movement of foreign currencies compared to the U.S. dollar. About one-sixth of our 2025 sales were denominated in foreign currencies. During 2025, average foreign currency rates generally strengthened against the U.S. dollar compared to 2024. The translation of the results of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars increased sales by $5 million compared to one year ago. During 2024, average foreign currency rates generally weakened against the U.S. dollar compared to 2023. The translation of the results of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars decreased 2024 sales by $4 million compared to 2023.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for further information regarding Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU").