Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. 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 the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a broad line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. Welding products include arc welding power sources, computer numerical control and plasma cutters, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, integrated automation systems, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes, fluxes, welding accessories and specialty welding consumables and fabrication. The Company’s product offering also includes oxy-fuel cutting systems and regulators and torches used in oxy-fuel welding, cutting and brazing. In addition, the Company has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
The Company’s products are sold globally. In the Americas, products are sold principally through industrial distributors, retailers and also directly to users of welding products. Outside of the Americas, the Company has an international sales organization comprised of Company employees and agents who sell products from the Company’s various manufacturing sites to distributors and product users.
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 oxy-fuel cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States.
In 2025, the U.S. government announced a series of tariffs on imported goods into the U.S., which prompted retaliatory actions from some of its trading partners. The Company has taken actions to address the impact of these initial trade policies and while the Company cannot predict the ultimate impact on its business, the Company will continue to monitor evolving trade negotiations to determine if additional measures are warranted.
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Results of Operations
The following table shows the Company’s results of operations:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Favorable (Unfavorable)
2025
2024
2025 vs. 2024
Amount
% of Sales
Amount
% of Sales
$
%
Net sales
$
1,004,388
$
981,197
$
23,191
2.4
%
Cost of goods sold
638,940
612,798
(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 net 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
8,779
(3,348)
(38.1)
%
Other income
444
2,262
(1,818)
(80.4)
%
Income before income taxes
153,235
15.3
%
158,530
16.2
%
(5,295)
(3.3)
%
Income taxes
34,748
35,115
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)
%
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.10
$
2.14
$
(0.04)
(1.9)
%
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
2024
Volume
Price
Acquisitions
Exchange
2025
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
$
981,197
$
(37,601)
$
25,731
$
48,142
$
(13,081)
$
1,004,388
% Change
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
(3.8)
%
2.6
%
4.9
%
(1.3)
%
2.4
%
Net sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to a benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in organic sales due to softer demand and an unfavorable foreign exchange impact.
Gross Profit:
Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the same 2024 period, driven by unfavorable impact from acquisitions and operational inefficiencies. The three months ended March 31, 2025 includes a last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) charge of $1,761, as compared with a benefit of $531 in the comparable 2024 period.
Selling, General & Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses:
SG&A expenses decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the same 2024 period, primarily due to reductions in employee costs partially offset by acquisitions.
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Operating Income:
Operating income as a percentage of sales was 16.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to 16.8% in the prior year period. Excluding special items, Operating income as a percentage of sales was 16.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to 17.5% in the prior year period. 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 higher for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to mix of earnings and discrete tax items.
Segment Results
The following table presents components of sales by segment:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change in Net Sales due to:
Net Sales
Foreign
Net Sales
2024
Volume (1)
Price (2)
Acquisitions (3)
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
% 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
%
(1) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2025 for Americas Welding and International Welding due to softer demand.
(2) Increase for all the segments due to price actions taken in response to higher input costs.
(3) Increase for Americas Welding and International Welding due to the acquisitions discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary measure being the Adjusted EBIT profit measure. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other (expense) income. EBIT is 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.
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The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment:
Favorable (Unfavorable)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025 vs. 2024
2025
2024
$
%
Americas Welding:
Net sales
$
653,107
$
624,099
$
29,008
4.6
%
Inter-segment sales
30,372
29,978
394
1.3
%
Total Sales
$
683,479
$
654,077
29,402
4.5
%
Adjusted EBIT (4)
$
124,198
$
136,100
(11,902)
(8.7)
%
As a percent of total sales (1)
18.2
%
20.8
%
(2.6)
%
International Welding:
Net sales
$
219,061
$
235,761
(16,700)
(7.1)
%
Inter-segment sales
6,832
8,408
(1,576)
(18.7)
%
Total Sales
$
225,893
$
244,169
(18,276)
(7.5)
%
Adjusted EBIT (5)
$
23,012
$
27,776
(4,764)
(17.2)
%
As a percent of total sales (2)
10.2
%
11.4
%
(1.2)
%
The Harris Products Group:
Net sales
$
132,220
$
121,337
10,883
9.0
%
Inter-segment sales
3,984
3,093
891
28.8
%
Total Sales
$
136,204
$
124,430
11,774
9.5
%
Adjusted EBIT (6)
$
24,329
$
19,878
4,451
22.4
%
As a percent of total sales (3)
17.9
%
16.0
%
1.9
%
Corporate / Eliminations:
Inter-segment sales
$
(41,188)
$
(41,479)
291
0.7
%
Adjusted EBIT (7)
(1,650)
(10,078)
8,428
83.6
%
Consolidated:
Net sales
$
1,004,388
$
981,197
23,191
2.4
%
Net income
$
118,487
$
123,415
(4,928)
(4.0)
%
As a percent of total sales
11.8
%
12.6
%
(0.8)
%
Adjusted EBIT (8)
$
169,889
$
173,676
(3,787)
(2.2)
%
As a percent of sales
16.9
%
17.7
%
(0.8)
%
(1) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to March 31, 2024 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of lower volumes and the impact of acquisitions.
(2) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to March 31, 2024 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of lower volumes.
(3) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to March 31, 2024 primarily reflects effective cost management and operational improvements.
(4) The three months ended March 31, 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $2,135 as discussed in Note 6.
(5) The three months ended March 31, 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,552 as discussed in Note 6. The three months ended March 31, 2024 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $3,069 as discussed in Note 6.
(6) The three months ended March 31, 2025 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $178 as discussed in Note 6. The three months ended March 31, 2024 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,536 as discussed in Note 6.
(7) The three months ended March 31, 2025 exclude acquisition transaction costs of $802 as discussed in Note 4. The three months ended March 31, 2024 exclude acquisition transaction costs of $1,762.
(8) See non-GAAP Financial Measures for a reconciliation of Net income as reported and Adjusted EBIT.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company reviews Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate, Adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”), Adjusted return on invested capital (“Adjusted ROIC”), Adjusted net operating profit after taxes, 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,
2025
2024
Operating income as reported
$
164,918
$
165,047
Special items (pre-tax):
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)
3,865
4,605
Acquisition transaction costs (2)
802
1,762
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)
(140)
—
Adjusted operating income
$
169,445
$
171,414
As a percentage of net sales
16.9
%
17.5
%
Net income as reported
$
118,487
$
123,415
Special items:
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)
3,865
4,605
Acquisition transaction costs (2)
802
1,762
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)
(140)
—
Tax effect of Special items (4)
(1,158)
(1,126)
Adjusted net income
121,856
128,656
Interest expense, net
12,127
8,779
Income taxes as reported
34,748
35,115
Tax effect of Special items (4)
1,158
1,126
Adjusted EBIT
$
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
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
$
2.16
$
2.23
(1) Primarily related to restructuring activities as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2) Transaction costs related to acquisitions which are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses.
(3) Costs related to acquisitions which 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.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are operating cash flows and revolving credit facilities. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $394,705 of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $4,391 of outstanding borrowings under its $1,031,457 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,
2025
2024
$ Change
Cash provided by operating activities (1)
$
185,693
$
133,294
$
52,399
Cash used by investing activities
(22,303)
(25,940)
3,637
Capital expenditures
(26,949)
(26,256)
(693)
Cash used by financing activities (2)
(144,488)
(125,400)
(19,088)
(Payments on) proceeds from short-term borrowings
(904)
2,016
(2,920)
Purchase of shares for treasury
(106,694)
(110,405)
3,711
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
(42,975)
(41,280)
(1,695)
Increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents
17,443
(18,809)
36,252
(1) Cash provided by operating activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to improved working capital.
(2) Cash used by financing activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from exercise of stock options.
As of March 31, 2025, the Company had cash of $394,705, of which $298,917 was held by international subsidiaries.
In April 2025, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.75 per share, or $41,870, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2025.
The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $100,000 to $120,000 in 2025. Anticipated capital expenditures include investments to increase capacity, improve operational effectiveness and for general maintenance.
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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. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $1 billion of availability under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company has other lines of credit with total availability of $27,066 as of March 31, 2025. Refer to Note 10 for further information on our revolving credit agreements.
Working Capital Ratios
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
March 31, 2024
Average operating working capital to Net sales (1)
17.8
%
16.9
%
18.8
%
Days sales in Inventories
115.7
106.0
120.5
Days sales in Accounts receivable
50.5
46.9
53.6
Average days in Trade accounts payable
58.6
45.8
54.9
(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.
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, 2025, there were 6.2 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.
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The following table presents the reconciliations of ROIC and Adjusted ROIC to net income:
Twelve Months Ended March 31,
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 net 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 (1)
(11,545)
2,228
Adjusted net operating profit after taxes
$
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
21.5
%
24.1
%
(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 operating initiatives; 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 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” presented herein, as well as in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since December 31, 2024. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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