Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.

04/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 10:07

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2026 (Form 10-Q)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

General

The Company is a high-performance industrial machinery and technology leader who helps customers manufacture and maintain vital equipment and infrastructure. The Company's innovative solutions enable higher quality and productivity across a variety of processes including welding, cutting, brazing, machining, process automation, and field repair.

The Company's products include arc welding equipment, filler metals (welding, brazing and soldering consumables), cutting systems (laser, plasma and oxyfuel), wire feeding systems, fume control equipment, welding accessories, specialty gas regulators, mobile power equipment, wear solutions, software, and education solutions; as well as a comprehensive portfolio of automated solutions and system integration services for joining, cutting, material handling, module assembly, and end of line testing. Services include additive manufacturing, precision fabrication, wear services, upfitting, and training.

Solutions range in technology and features from basic units used for personal, maintenance and light manufacturing use to highly sophisticated robotic solutions for complex fabrication and production activities.

The Company's business units are aligned into three operating segments. The operating segments consist of Americas Welding, International Welding and The Harris Products Group. The Americas Welding segment includes welding operations in North and South America. The International Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company's global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses, specialty gas equipment, as well as the retail business which is primarily in the United States.

Results of Operations

The following table shows the Company's results of operations:

Three Months Ended March 31,

Favorable (Unfavorable)

2026

2025

2026 vs. 2025

Amount

​ ​ ​

% of Sales

​ ​ ​

Amount

​ ​ ​

% of Sales

​ ​ ​

$

​ ​ ​

%

Net sales

$

1,121,434

$

1,004,388

$

117,046

11.7

%

Cost of goods sold

722,302

638,940

(83,362)

(13.0)

%

Gross profit

399,132

35.6

%

365,448

36.4

%

33,684

9.2

%

Selling, general & administrative expenses

210,811

18.8

%

196,665

19.6

%

(14,146)

(7.2)

%

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges

2,163

0.2

%

3,865

0.4

%

1,702

44.0

%

Operating income

186,158

16.6

%

164,918

16.4

%

21,240

12.9

%

Interest expense, net

13,374

12,127

(1,247)

(10.3)

%

Other income

570

444

126

28.4

%

Income before income taxes

173,354

15.5

%

153,235

15.3

%

20,119

13.1

%

Income taxes

36,972

34,748

(2,224)

(6.4)

%

Effective tax rate

21.3

%

22.7

%

1.4

%

Net income

$

136,382

12.2

%

$

118,487

11.8

%

$

17,895

15.1

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.47

$

2.10

$

0.37

17.6

%

Net Sales:

The following table summarizes the impact of volume, acquisitions, price and foreign currency exchange rates on Net sales on a consolidated basis:

Three Months Ended March 31,

​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

Change in Net Sales due to:

​ ​ ​

Net Sales

Foreign

Net Sales

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​

Volume

​ ​ ​

Price

​ ​ ​

Acquisitions

​ ​ ​

Exchange

​ ​ ​

2026

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

$

1,004,388

$

(25,641)

$

104,558

$

15,794

$

22,335

$

1,121,434

% Change

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

(2.6)

%

10.4

%

1.6

%

2.3

%

11.7

%

Net sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 2026 due to an increase in organic sales and a benefit from acquisitions and foreign exchange. The increase in organic sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 is driven by an increase in pricing primarily due to higher input costs, partially offset by lower volumes.

Gross Profit:

Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased 0.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the same 2025 period, driven by an unfavorable impacts from volumes and product mix. The three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 includes last-in, first-out ("LIFO") charges of $838 and $1,761, respectively, which was primarily due to rising input costs.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses:

Selling, general & administrative expenses increased in the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the same 2025 period, primarily due to increases in discretionary spend, employee costs and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. Selling, general & administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased primarily due to higher organic sales.

Operating Income:

Operating income as a percentage of sales was 16.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to 16.4% in the prior year period. Excluding special items, Operating income as a percentage of sales was 16.9% for both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Refer to explanations above for additional details. Also refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a reconciliation of Adjusted operating income.

Income Taxes:

The effective tax rate was lower for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the same 2025 period, primarily due to the mix of earnings and timing of discrete tax items.

Segment Results

The following table presents components of Net sales by segment:

Three Months Ended March 31,

Change in Net Sales due to:

Net Sales

​ ​ ​

Foreign

​ ​ ​

Net Sales

2025

Volume (1)

Price (2)

Acquisitions (3)

Exchange (4)

2026

Operating Segments

Americas Welding

$

653,107

$

(2,635)

$

49,479

$

-

$

6,274

$

706,225

International Welding

219,061

(21,631)

297

15,794

13,514

227,035

The Harris Products Group

132,220

(1,375)

54,782

-

2,547

188,174

% Change

Americas Welding

(0.4)

%

7.6

%

-

0.9

%

8.1

%

International Welding

(9.9)

%

0.1

%

7.2

%

6.2

%

3.6

%

The Harris Products Group

(1.0)

%

41.4

%

-

1.9

%

42.3

%

(1) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2026 in International Welding is primarily related to lower project volumes within the Automation product line and the Middle East conflict.
(2) Increase in Americas Welding and The Harris Products Group due to price actions taken in response to higher input costs.
(3) Increase in International Welding due to the acquisition discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
(4) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2026 for all three segments relates to the weaker U.S. dollar.

Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary measure being the Adjusted EBIT profit measure. Adjusted EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other income, adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets.

The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment:

​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

Favorable

(Unfavorable)

March 31,

2026 vs. 2025

​ ​ ​

2026

2025

$

%

Americas Welding:

Net sales

$

706,225

$

653,107

$

53,118

8.1

%

Inter-segment sales

36,709

30,372

6,337

20.9

%

Total Sales

$

742,934

$

683,479

$

59,455

8.7

%

Adjusted EBIT (1) (4)

$

127,468

$

124,198

$

3,270

2.6

%

As a percent of total sales (1)

17.2

%

18.2

%

(1.0)

%

International Welding:

Net sales

$

227,035

$

219,061

$

7,974

3.6

%

Inter-segment sales

5,807

6,832

(1,025)

(15.0)

%

Total Sales

$

232,842

$

225,893

$

6,949

3.1

%

Adjusted EBIT (2) (5)

$

22,662

$

23,012

$

(350)

(1.5)

%

As a percent of total sales (2)

9.7

%

10.2

%

(0.5)

%

The Harris Products Group:

Net sales

$

188,174

$

132,220

$

55,954

42.3

%

Inter-segment sales

4,664

3,984

680

17.1

%

Total Sales

$

192,838

$

136,204

$

56,634

41.6

%

Adjusted EBIT (3) (6)

$

40,809

$

24,329

$

16,480

67.7

%

As a percent of total sales (3)

21.2

%

17.9

%

3.3

%

Corporate / Eliminations:

Inter-segment sales

$

(47,180)

$

(41,188)

$

(5,992)

(14.5)

%

Adjusted EBIT (7)

(1,395)

(1,650)

255

15.5

%

Consolidated:

Net sales

$

1,121,434

$

1,004,388

$

117,046

11.7

%

Net income

$

136,382

$

118,487

$

17,895

15.1

%

As a percent of total sales

12.2

%

11.8

%

0.4

%

Adjusted EBIT (8)

$

189,544

$

169,889

$

19,655

11.6

%

As a percent of sales

16.9

%

16.9

%

-

%

(1) Adjusted EBIT increased for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to March 31, 2025 driven by the favorable net impact of organic sales, partially offset by unfavorable impact of product mix; Adjusted EBIT as a percent of sales decreased for the same period due to the timing of pricing actions, higher employee costs and an increase in allocated corporate costs related to strategic initiatives.
(2) Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT as a percent of sales decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to March 31, 2025 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of lower volumes and an increase in allocated corporate costs related to strategic initiatives, partially offset by the benefit of acquisitions.
(3) Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT as a percent of sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to March 31, 2025 primarily driven by operating leverage from higher organic sales.
(4) The three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $573 and $2,135, respectively, as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(5) The three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,772 and $1,552, respectively, as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(6) The three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net gains of $182 and net charges of $178, respectively, as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(7) The three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 exclude transaction costs of $653 and $802, respectively, as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
(8) See non-GAAP Financial Measures for a reconciliation of Net income as reported and Adjusted EBIT.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reviews Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, Adjusted return on invested capital ("Adjusted ROIC"), Adjusted net operating profit after taxes, Free cash flow, Cash conversion and Organic sales, all non-GAAP financial measures, in assessing and evaluating the Company's underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of special items on the Company's reported financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") financial measures, as non-GAAP measures are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.

The following table presents the reconciliations of Operating income as reported to Adjusted operating income, Net income as reported to Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBIT, Effective tax rate as reported to Adjusted effective tax rate and Diluted earnings per share as reported to Adjusted diluted earnings per share:

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

​ ​ ​

2025

Operating income as reported

$

186,158

$

164,918

Special items (pre-tax):

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges (1)

2,163

3,865

Transaction costs (2)

653

802

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)

-

(140)

Adjusted operating income

$

188,974

$

169,445

As a percentage of net sales

16.9

%

16.9

%

Net income as reported

$

136,382

$

118,487

Special items:

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges (1)

2,163

3,865

Transaction costs (2)

653

802

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)

-

(140)

Tax effect of Special items (4)

(740)

(1,158)

Adjusted net income

138,458

121,856

Interest expense, net

13,374

12,127

Income taxes as reported

36,972

34,748

Tax effect of Special items (4)

740

1,158

Adjusted EBIT

$

189,544

$

169,889

Effective tax rate as reported

21.3

%

22.7

%

Net special item tax impact

0.1

%

0.1

%

Adjusted effective tax rate

21.4

%

22.8

%

Diluted earnings per share as reported

$

2.47

$

2.10

Special items per share

0.03

0.06

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$

2.50

$

2.16

(1) Primarily related to restructuring activities as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2) Transaction costs primarily relate to acquisitions and are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses.
(3) Costs relate to acquisitions and are included in Cost of goods sold.
(4) 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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

The Company's primary sources of liquidity are operating cash flows and revolving credit facilities. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $298,903 of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $163,502 of outstanding borrowings under its $1,024,982 revolving credit facilities.

The Company's capital allocation priorities include internal investment to support existing operations and organic growth, investment in acquisitions to grow the business and then returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

The Company's cash flow from operations can be cyclical. In assessing liquidity, the Company reviews working capital measurements to define areas for improvement. Management anticipates the Company will be able to satisfy cash requirements for its ongoing businesses for the foreseeable future primarily with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances, borrowings under its existing credit facilities and raising debt in capital markets.

The Company continues to expand globally and periodically consider acquisitions that would involve significant investments. The Company can fund its global expansion plans with operational cash flow, but a significant acquisition may require access to capital markets, in particular, the long-term debt market, as well as the syndicated bank loan market. The Company's financing strategy is to fund itself at the lowest after-tax cost of funding. Where possible, the Company utilizes operational cash flows and raises capital in the most efficient market, usually the United States, and then lends funds to the specific subsidiary needing or requiring funding. If additional acquisitions providing appropriate financial benefits become available, additional expenditures may be made.

Cash Flow

The following table reflects changes in key cash flow measures:

​ ​ ​

Three Months Ended March 31,

​ ​ ​

2026

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​

$ Change

Cash provided by operating activities (1)

$

102,170

$

185,693

$

(83,523)

Cash used by investing activities

(38,715)

(22,303)

(16,412)

Capital expenditures

(39,163)

(26,949)

(12,214)

Cash used by financing activities

(72,569)

(144,488)

71,919

Proceeds from (payments on) short-term borrowings, net

19,613

(904)

20,517

Purchase of shares for treasury

(56,670)

(106,694)

50,024

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

(44,071)

(42,975)

(1,096)

(Decrease) increase in Cash and cash equivalents

(9,886)

17,443

(27,329)

(1) Cash provided by operating activities decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to unfavorable working capital.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash of $298,903, of which $281,612 was held by international subsidiaries.

In April 2026, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.79 per share, or $43,282, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2026.

The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $110,000 to $130,000 in 2026. Anticipated capital expenditures include investments to increase capacity, improve operational effectiveness and for general maintenance. Management critically evaluates all proposed capital expenditures and expects each project to increase efficiency, reduce costs, support sales growth or improve the overall safety and environmental conditions of the Company's facilities.

Revolving Credit Agreements

On June 20, 2024, the Company entered into a $1 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility matures on June 20, 2029. Additionally, the Company has other lines of credit with total availability of $24,982. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had total availability of $861,480 under its revolving credit facilities. Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on our revolving lines of credit.

Working Capital Ratios

March 31, 2026

​ ​ ​

December 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Average operating working capital to Net sales (1) (2)

18.6

%

17.9

%

17.8

%

Days sales in Inventories (2)

120.8

116.4

115.7

Days sales in Accounts receivable

51.2

49.4

50.5

Average days in Trade accounts payable

63.0

53.4

58.6

(1) 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.
(2) Due to the strategic increase of inventory to serve customers, the Company had higher inventories relative to expected Net sales resulting in higher Days sales in Inventories and Average operating working capital to Net sales.

Stock Repurchase Program

On February 12, 2020, the Company's Board authorized a share repurchase program for up to 10 million shares of the Company's common stock. As of March 31, 2026, there were 4.9 million shares available under the authorization. The Company is not obligated to make any repurchases.

Rationalization and Asset Impairments

Refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's rationalization plans. The Company believes the rationalization actions will positively impact future results of operations and will not have a material effect on liquidity and sources and uses of capital.

Acquisitions

Refer to Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's recent acquisitions.

Return on Invested Capital

The Company reviews ROIC in assessing and evaluating the Company's underlying operating performance. As discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section above, Adjusted ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful metric to investors in evaluating the Company's financial performance. The calculation may be different than the method used by other companies to calculate ROIC. Adjusted ROIC is defined as rolling 12 months of Adjusted net income excluding tax-effected interest income and expense divided by invested capital. Invested capital is defined as total debt, which includes Short-term debt and Long-term debt, less current portions, plus Total equity.

The following table presents the reconciliations of ROIC and Adjusted ROIC to net income:

\

Twelve Months Ended March 31,

​ ​ ​

2026

​ ​ ​

2025

Net income as reported

$

538,428

$

461,180

Plus: Interest expense (after-tax)

44,044

41,450

Less: Interest income (after-tax)

4,459

6,868

Net operating profit after taxes

$

578,013

$

495,762

Special items:

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges

16,497

55,120

Transaction costs

2,590

6,085

Pension settlement net charges

719

3,792

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories

4,104

4,883

Loss on asset disposal

-

4,950

Tax effect of Special items (1)

5,595

(11,545)

Adjusted net operating profit after taxes

$

607,518

$

559,047

Invested Capital

​ ​ ​

March 31, 2026

​ ​ ​

March 31, 2025

Short-term debt

$

163,502

$

109,620

Long-term debt, less current portion

1,150,138

1,150,473

Total debt

1,313,640

1,260,093

Total equity

1,511,260

1,340,170

Invested capital

$

2,824,900

$

2,600,263

Return on invested capital as reported

20.5

%

19.1

%

Adjusted return on invested capital

21.5

%

21.5

%

(1) 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.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

Forward-looking Statements

The Company's expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this report 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 systems; 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; possible 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 geopolitical conflicts, 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" presented herein, as well as in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. published this content on April 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on April 30, 2026 at 16:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]