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Lincoln Electric Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

  • Net sales of $1,004 million
  • Operating income margin of 16.4%; Adjusted operating income margin of 16.9%
  • EPS of $2.10; Adjusted EPS of $2.16
  • Record first quarter cash flows from operations of $186 million and 130% cash conversion
  • Returned $150 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LECO) today reported first quarter 2025 net income of $118.5 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.10, which included special item after-tax net charges of $3.4 million, or $0.06 EPS. This compares with prior year period net income of $123.4 million, or $2.14 EPS, which included special item after-tax net charges of $5.2 million, or $0.09 EPS. Excluding special items, first quarter 2025 adjusted net income was $121.9 million, or $2.16 adjusted EPS. This compares with adjusted net income of $128.7 million, or $2.23 adjusted EPS, in the prior year period.

First quarter 2025 sales increased 2.4% to $1,004.4 million reflecting a 4.9% benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by a 1.2% decrease in organic sales and 1.3% unfavorable foreign exchange. Operating income for the first quarter 2025 was $164.9 million, or 16.4% of sales, as compared with operating income of $165 million, or 16.8% of sales, in the prior year period. Excluding special items, adjusted operating income was $169.4 million, or 16.9% of sales, as compared with $171.4 million, or 17.5% of sales, in the prior year period.

“We continued to execute well in the quarter with solid core operating results,” said Steven B. Hedlund, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are continuing to invest in the business and are focused on integrating our acquisitions to expand growth and margin performance, while diligently managing costs and maintaining a cautious posture during this portion of the cycle.” Hedlund concluded, “Our action plans, strong balance sheet and record cash flow generation position us well to navigate this dynamic period and continue to generate long-term value for our shareholders.”

Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2025 financial results will be webcast live today, April 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Those interested in participating via webcast in listen-only mode can access the event here or on the Company's Investor Relations home page at https://ir.lincolnelectric.com. For participants who would like to participate via telephone, please dial (888) 440-4368 (domestic) or (646) 960-0856 (international) and use confirmation code 6709091. A replay of the earnings call will be available via webcast on the Company's website.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the engineering, design, and manufacturing of advanced arc welding solutions, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment, and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys. Lincoln is recognized as the Welding Expert™ for its leading materials science, software development, automation engineering, and application expertise, which advance customers’ fabrication capabilities to help them build a better world. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln operates 71 manufacturing and automation system integration locations across 20 countries and maintains a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices serving customers in over 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at https://www.lincolnelectric.com.

Non-GAAP Information

Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted EBIT, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted diluted earnings per share (“adjusted EPS”), Organic sales, Cash conversion, adjusted net operating profit after taxes and adjusted return on invested capital (“adjusted ROIC”) are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses non-GAAP measures to assess the Company's operating performance by excluding certain disclosed special items that management believes are not representative of the Company's core business. Management believes that excluding these special items enables them to make better period-over-period comparisons and benchmark the Company's operational performance against other companies in its industry more meaningfully. Furthermore, management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with meaningful information that provides a more complete understanding of Company operating results and enables investors to analyze financial and business trends more thoroughly. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation, are not a substitute for GAAP measures and have limitations including, but not limited to, their usefulness as comparative measures as other companies may define their non-GAAP measures differently.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company’s expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Actual results may differ materially from such statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results. The factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, financial and market conditions; the effectiveness of commercial and operating initiatives; the effectiveness of information systems and cybersecurity programs; presence of artificial intelligence technologies; completion of planned divestitures; interest rates; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that may limit our access to capital; currency exchange rates and devaluations; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; actual costs of the Company’s rationalization plans; the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; the effects of changes in tax law; tariff rates in the countries where the Company conducts business; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, including but not limited to, the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, political unrest, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general. For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fav (Unfav) to

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Prior Year

 

 

2025

 

% of Sales

 

2024

 

% of Sales

 

$

%

Net sales

 

$

1,004,388

 

 

100.0

%

$

981,197

100.0

%

$

23,191

 

2.4

%

Cost of goods sold

 

 

638,940

 

 

63.6

%

 

612,798

62.5

%

 

(26,142

)

(4.3

)%

Gross profit

 

 

365,448

 

 

36.4

%

 

368,399

37.5

%

 

(2,951

)

(0.8

)%

Selling, general & administrative expenses

 

 

196,665

 

 

19.6

%

 

198,747

20.3

%

 

2,082

 

1.0

%

Rationalization and asset impairment charges

 

 

3,865

 

 

0.4

%

 

4,605

0.5

%

 

740

 

16.1

%

Operating income

 

 

164,918

 

 

16.4

%

 

165,047

16.8

%

 

(129

)

(0.1

)%

Interest expense, net

 

 

12,127

 

 

1.2

%

 

8,779

0.9

%

 

(3,348

)

(38.1

)%

Other income

 

 

444

 

 

%

 

2,262

0.2

%

 

(1,818

)

(80.4

)%

Income before income taxes

 

 

153,235

 

 

15.3

%

 

158,530

 

16.2

%

 

(5,295

)

(3.3

)%

Income taxes

 

 

34,748

 

 

3.5

%

 

35,115

3.6

%

 

367

 

1.0

%

Effective tax rate

 

 

22.7

%

 

 

 

 

22.2

%

 

 

 

(0.5

)%

 

Net income

 

$

118,487

 

 

11.8

%

$

123,415

 

12.6

%

$

(4,928

)

(4.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

2.11

 

 

 

 

$

2.17

 

 

 

$

(0.06

)

(2.8

)%

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

2.10

 

 

 

 

$

2.14

 

 

 

$

(0.04

)

(1.9

)%

Weighted average shares (basic)

 

 

56,058

 

 

 

 

 

56,865

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares (diluted)

 

 

56,527

 

 

 

 

 

57,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Balance Sheet Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

March 31, 2025

 

December 31, 2024

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

394,705

 

$

377,262

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

522,721

 

 

481,979

 

Inventories

 

 

574,329

 

 

544,037

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,729,627

 

 

1,645,281

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

636,158

 

 

619,181

 

Total assets

 

 

3,625,074

 

 

3,520,142

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

365,267

 

 

296,590

 

Total current liabilities (1)

 

 

969,854

 

 

878,802

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

1,150,473

 

 

1,150,551

 

Total equity

 

 

1,340,170

 

 

1,327,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Working Capital

 

March 31, 2025

 

December 31, 2024

 

Average operating working capital to Net sales (2)

 

 

17.8

%

 

16.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested Capital

 

March 31, 2025

 

December 31, 2024

 

Short-term debt (1)

 

$

109,620

 

$

110,524

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

1,150,473

 

 

1,150,551

 

Total debt

 

 

1,260,093

 

 

1,261,075

 

Total equity

 

 

1,340,170

 

1,327,433

 

Invested capital

 

$

2,600,263

 

$

2,588,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt / invested capital

 

 

48.5

%

 

48.7

%

(1)

Includes current portion of long-term debt.

(2)

Average operating working capital to Net sales is defined as the sum of Accounts receivable, Inventories and contract assets less Trade accounts payable and contract liabilities as of period end divided by annualized rolling three months of Net sales.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

Operating income as reported

 

$

164,918

 

 

$

165,047

 

 

Special items (pre-tax):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (2)

 

 

3,865

 

 

 

4,605

 

 

Acquisition transaction costs (3)

 

 

802

 

 

 

1,762

 

 

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (4)

 

 

(140

)

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income (1)

 

$

169,445

 

 

$

171,414

 

 

As a percent of net sales

 

 

16.9

%

 

17.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

118,487

 

 

$

123,415

 

 

Special items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (2)

 

 

3,865

 

 

 

4,605

 

 

Acquisition transaction costs (3)

 

 

802

 

 

 

1,762

 

 

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (4)

 

 

(140

)

 

 

 

 

Tax effect of Special items (5)

 

 

(1,158

)

 

 

(1,126

)

 

Adjusted net income (1)

 

 

121,856

 

 

 

128,656

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

12,127

 

 

 

8,779

 

 

Income taxes as reported

 

 

34,748

 

 

 

35,115

 

 

Tax effect of Special items (5)

 

 

1,158

 

 

 

1,126

 

 

Adjusted EBIT (1)

 

$

169,889

 

 

$

173,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate as reported

 

 

22.7

%

 

22.2

%

Net special item tax impact

 

 

0.1

%

 

(0.2

)%

Adjusted effective tax rate (1)

 

 

22.8

%

 

22.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share as reported

 

$

2.10

 

 

$

2.14

 

 

Special items per share

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)

 

$

2.16

 

 

$

2.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares (diluted)

 

 

56,527

 

 

 

57,641

 

 

(1)

Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted EBIT, adjusted effective tax rate and adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to Non-GAAP Information section.

(2)

2025 charges primarily relate to rationalization plans initiated in Americas Welding and International Welding. 2024 charges primarily relate to rationalization plans initiated within International Welding and the Harris Products Group.

(3)

Transaction costs related to acquisitions which are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses.

(4)

Costs related to acquisitions which are included in Cost of goods sold.

(5)

Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods. The tax effect of Special items impacting pre-tax income was calculated as the pre-tax amount multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The applicable tax rates reflect the taxable jurisdiction and nature of each Special item.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended March 31,

 

Return on Invested Capital

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

461,180

 

 

$

546,733

 

 

Plus: Interest expense (after-tax)

 

 

41,450

 

 

 

36,519

 

 

Less: Interest income (after-tax)

 

 

6,868

 

 

 

6,793

 

 

Net operating profit after taxes

 

$

495,762

 

 

$

576,459

 

 

Special Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges

 

 

55,120

 

 

 

(7,586

)

 

Acquisition transaction costs

 

 

6,085

 

 

 

1,762

 

 

Pension settlement charges

 

 

3,792

 

 

 

845

 

 

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories

 

 

4,883

 

 

 

8,397

 

 

Loss on asset disposal

 

 

4,950

 

 

 

 

 

Tax effect of Special items (2)

 

 

(11,545

)

 

 

2,228

 

 

Adjusted net operating profit after taxes (1)

 

$

559,047

 

 

$

582,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested Capital

 

March 31, 2025

 

March 31, 2024

 

Short-term debt

 

$

109,620

 

 

$

4,720

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

1,150,473

 

 

 

1,102,677

 

 

Total debt

 

 

1,260,093

 

 

 

1,107,397

 

 

Total equity

 

 

1,340,170

 

 

 

1,307,828

 

 

Invested capital

 

$

2,600,263

 

 

$

2,415,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on invested capital as reported

 

 

19.1

%

 

23.9

 

%

Adjusted return on invested capital (1)

 

 

21.5

%

 

24.1

%

(1)

Adjusted net operating profit after taxes and adjusted ROIC are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to Non-GAAP Information section.

(2)

Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods. The tax effect of Special items impacting pre-tax income was calculated as the pre-tax amount multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The applicable tax rates reflect the taxable jurisdiction and nature of each Special item.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

118,487

 

 

$

123,415

 

Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges

 

 

 

 

 

64

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

23,784

 

 

 

21,586

 

Other non-cash items, net

 

 

2,796

 

 

 

11,946

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in accounts receivable

 

 

(34,108

)

 

 

(9,603

)

Increase in inventories

 

 

(20,167

)

 

 

(9,416

)

Decrease in other current assets

 

 

2,057

 

 

 

3,331

 

Increase in trade accounts payable

 

 

64,884

 

 

 

3,957

 

Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities

 

 

21,206

 

 

 

(8,121

)

Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities

 

 

6,754

 

 

 

(3,865

)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

185,693

 

 

 

133,294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(26,949

)

 

 

(26,256

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

 

4,646

 

 

 

316

 

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(22,303

)

 

 

(25,940

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Payments on) proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

 

(904

)

 

 

2,016

 

Payments on long-term borrowings

 

 

(169

)

 

 

(169

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

6,254

 

 

 

24,438

 

Purchase of shares for treasury

 

 

(106,694

)

 

 

(110,405

)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

(42,975

)

 

 

(41,280

)

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(144,488

)

 

 

(125,400

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(1,459

)

 

 

(763

)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

17,443

 

 

 

(18,809

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

377,262

 

 

 

393,787

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

394,705

 

 

$

374,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per share

 

$

0.75

 

 

$

0.71

 

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Segment Highlights (1)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

International

 

The Harris

 

Corporate /

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welding

 

Welding

 

Products

Group

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Three months ended March 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

653,107

 

$

219,061

 

$

132,220

 

$

 

 

$

1,004,388

 

Inter-segment sales

 

 

30,372

 

 

6,832

 

 

3,984

 

 

(41,188

)

 

 

 

Total sales

 

$

683,479

 

$

225,893

 

$

136,204

 

$

(41,188

)

 

$

1,004,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

118,487

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBIT (1)

 

$

122,063

 

$

21,600

 

$

24,151

 

$

(2,452

)

 

$

165,362

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

17.9

%

 

9.6

%

 

17.7

%

 

 

 

 

16.5

%

Special items charges (3)

 

 

2,135

 

 

1,412

 

 

178

 

 

802

 

 

 

4,527

 

Adjusted EBIT (2)

 

$

124,198

 

$

23,012

 

$

24,329

 

$

(1,650

)

 

$

169,889

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

18.2

%

 

10.2

%

 

17.9

%

 

 

 

 

16.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

624,099

 

$

235,761

 

$

121,337

 

$

 

 

$

981,197

 

Inter-segment sales

 

 

29,978

 

 

8,408

 

 

3,093

 

 

(41,479

)

 

 

 

Total sales

 

$

654,077

 

$

244,169

 

$

124,430

 

$

(41,479

)

 

$

981,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

123,415

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBIT (1)

 

$

136,100

 

$

24,707

 

$

18,342

 

$

(11,840

)

 

$

167,309

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

20.8

%

 

10.1

%

 

14.7

%

 

 

 

 

17.1

%

Special items charges (4)

 

 

 

 

3,069

 

 

1,536

 

 

1,762

 

 

 

6,367

 

Adjusted EBIT (2)

 

$

136,100

 

$

27,776

 

$

19,878

 

$

(10,078

)

 

$

173,676

 

As a percent of total sales

 

 

20.8

%

 

11.4

%

 

16.0

%

 

 

 

 

17.7

%

(1)

EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other income.

(2)

The primary profit measure used by management to assess segment performance is adjusted EBIT. EBIT for each operating segment is adjusted for special items to derive adjusted EBIT.

(3)

Special items in 2025 primarily reflect Rationalization and asset impairments net charges of $2,135 in Americas Welding, $1,552 in International Welding and $178 in Harris Products Group, as well as acquisition transaction costs of $802 in Corporate/Eliminations.

(4)

Special items in 2024 primarily reflect rationalization and asset impairment charges of $3,069 and $1,536 in International Welding and the Harris Products Group, respectively, and acquisition transaction costs of $1,762 in Corporate/Eliminations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Change in Net Sales by Segment

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31st Change in Net Sales by Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Net Sales due to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

2024

 

Volume

 

Price

 

Acquisitions

 

Exchange

 

2025

 

 

Operating Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Welding

 

$

624,099

 

$

(24,740

)

 

$

13,369

 

$

47,327

 

$

(6,948

)

 

$

653,107

 

 

International Welding

 

 

235,761

 

 

(13,648

)

 

 

828

 

 

815

 

 

(4,695

)

 

 

219,061

 

 

The Harris Products Group

 

 

121,337

 

 

787

 

 

 

11,534

 

 

 

 

(1,438

)

 

 

132,220

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

981,197

 

$

(37,601

)

 

$

25,731

 

$

48,142

 

$

(13,081

)

 

$

1,004,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Welding

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)%

 

2.1

%

 

7.6

%

 

(1.1

)%

 

4.6

%

International Welding

 

 

 

 

 

(5.8

)%

 

0.4

%

 

0.3

%

 

(2.0

)%

 

(7.1

)%

The Harris Products Group

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

9.5

%

 

 

 

(1.2

)%

 

9.0

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

(3.8

)%

 

2.6

%

 

4.9

%

 

(1.3

)%

 

2.4

%

 

Contacts