MTS Systems Corporation announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended December 29, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported income from operations of $20,057,000, income before income taxes of $20,515,000 and net income of $13,783,000 or $0.87 per diluted share on revenue of $142,668,000 compared to income from operations of $23,549,000, income before income taxes of $23,320,000 and net income of $15,539,000 or $0.98 per diluted share on revenue of $133,697,000 a year ago period. The decrease in income from operations resulted from a lower gross margin rate and higher sales expenses from planned investments. Capital expenditures were $8.0 million.

The company expects to see the gradual impact of the investments as it move into the second half of fiscal 2013. The company is reaffirming its outlook for fiscal 2013 revenue and EPS growth in the 5 to 10% range, and still expect its performance to be more back-half loaded due to order timing and the nature of Test backlog.