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Lincoln Electric Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

 
First Quarter 2017 Highlights
 - Sales increase 5.5% on higher volumes and price
 - Operating income margin of 14.0%, 14.6% on an adjusted basis
 - EPS increases 11% to $0.84, Adjusted EPS increases 16% to $0.88
 - Solid cash flow from operations and cash conversion of net income (1)
  
 (1) Cash conversion is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities less Capital expenditures divided by Adjusted net income.
  

CLEVELAND, April 18, 2017 -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq:LECO) today reported first quarter 2017 net income of $55.8 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.84 which includes acquisition transaction costs of $3.6 million, $2.7 million after-tax, or $0.04 EPS, related to the proposed acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.  This compares with net income of $53.6 million, or $0.76 EPS in the comparable 2016 period.

First quarter 2017 sales increased 5.5% to $580.9 million primarily due to 2.9% higher volumes, a 2.1% increase in price and a 0.6% benefit from acquisitions.  Excluding Venezuela from prior year results due to the deconsolidation of the operation, sales increased 6.4%, primarily from 3.9% higher volumes and a 2.1% increase in price.

Operating income for first quarter 2017 was $81.5 million, or 14.0% of sales. Adjusted operating income margin was 14.6% of sales, reflecting higher volumes and favorable mix.  This compares with operating income of $75.3 million, or 13.7% of sales, in the comparable 2016 period.

"We achieved a solid start to the year on improving demand, favorable prior year comparisons and higher profitability across all of our segments," stated Christopher L. Mapes, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “As markets continue to recover in 2017, we are advancing our '2020 Strategy' with exciting product launches and an active M&A pipeline with the proposed acquisition of Air Liquide Welding. We expect these investments will enhance our portfolio of solutions and provide us with a stronger, broader organization to serve our global customers.”

On March 2, 2017, the Company entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the Air Liquide Welding businesses, which generated sales of approximately $400 million in 2016. The proposed acquisition is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement between the parties and customary conditions and provisions for a transaction of this type, including the “information-consultation” process with employee representative bodies and applicable competition authorities’ approval.

Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2017 financial results will be webcast live today, April 18, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.  This webcast is accessible at http://ir.lincolnelectric.com.  Listeners should go to the web site prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.  A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's web site.

Investors who are unable to access the webcast may listen to the conference call live by telephone by dialing (877) 344-3899 (domestic) or (315) 625-3087 (international) and use confirmation code 3102743.  Telephone participants are asked to dial in 10 - 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

Financial results for the first quarter 2017 can also be obtained at http://ir.lincolnelectric.com.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 47 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries.  For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at www.lincolnelectric.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted diluted earnings per share and Return on invested capital 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 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 enter into a definitive agreement for the purchase of Air Liquide’s welding business and the ability to successfully complete such acquisition; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as political unrest, acts of terror and natural disasters, 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, 2016.

 
 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
  Three Months Ended March 31, Fav (Unfav) to
Prior Year
  2017 % of
Sales
 2016 % of
Sales
 $ %
Net sales $580,897  100.0% $550,722  100.0% $30,175  5.5%
Cost of goods sold 377,041  64.9% 361,620  65.7% (15,421) (4.3%)
Gross profit 203,856  35.1% 189,102  34.3% 14,754  7.8%
Selling, general & administrative expenses 122,370  21.1% 113,810  20.7% (8,560) (7.5%)
Operating income 81,486  14.0% 75,292  13.7% 6,194  8.2%
Interest income 777  0.1% 430  0.1% 347  80.7%
Equity earnings in affiliates 795  0.1% 626  0.1% 169  27.0%
Other income 956  0.2% 661  0.1% 295  44.6%
Interest expense (6,114) (1.1%) (3,827) (0.7%) (2,287) (59.8%)
Income before income taxes 77,900  13.4% 73,182  13.3% 4,718  6.4%
Income taxes 22,052  3.8% 19,558  3.6% (2,494) (12.8%)
Effective tax rate 28.3%   26.7%   (1.6%)  
Net income including non-controlling interests 55,848  9.6% 53,624  9.7% 2,224  4.1%
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ income (loss) 4    (14)   18  128.6%
Net income $55,844  9.6% $53,638  9.7% $2,206  4.1%
             
Basic earnings per share $0.85    $0.77    $0.08  10.4%
Diluted earnings per share $0.84    $0.76    $0.08  10.5%
Weighted average shares (basic) 65,688    69,585       
Weighted average shares (diluted) 66,583    70,246       
               


 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Balance Sheet Highlights
 
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents $401,440  $379,179 
Total current assets 1,148,070  1,043,713 
Property, plant and equipment, net 376,120  372,377 
Total assets 2,052,677  1,943,437 
Total current liabilities 422,263  388,107 
Short-term debt (1) 2,136  1,889 
Long-term debt, less current portion 703,378  703,704 
Total equity 784,124  712,206 
     
Operating Working Capital March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Accounts receivable, net $302,599  $273,993 
Inventories 281,250  255,406 
Trade accounts payable 186,253  176,757 
Operating working capital $397,596  $352,642 
     
Average operating working capital to Net sales (2) 17.1% 15.6%
     
Invested Capital March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Short-term debt (1) $2,136  $1,889 
Long-term debt, less current portion 703,378  703,704 
Total debt 705,514  705,593 
Total equity 784,124  712,206 
Invested capital $1,489,638  $1,417,799 
     
Total debt / invested capital 47.4% 49.8%


(1)Includes current portion of long-term debt.
(2)Average operating working capital to Net sales is defined as operating working capital 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,
  2017 2016
Operating income as reported $81,486  $75,292 
Special items (pre-tax):    
Acquisition transaction costs (2) 3,615   
Adjusted operating income (1) $85,101  $75,292 
As a percent of total sales 14.6% 13.7%
     
Net income as reported $55,844  $53,638 
Special items (after-tax):    
Acquisition transaction costs (2) 2,734   
Adjusted net income (1) $58,578  $53,638 
     
Diluted earnings per share as reported $0.84  $0.76 
Special items 0.04   
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1) $0.88  $0.76 
     
Weighted average shares (diluted) 66,583  70,246 


(1)Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share 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.
(2)Related to proposed acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.
  


 
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 2017 2016
Net income as reported $200,605  $112,762 
Rationalization and asset impairment charges, net of tax of $1,776   18,181 
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary, net of tax of $1,097 33,251   
Income tax valuation reversals (7,196)  
Pension settlement charges, net of tax of $55,428   87,310 
Venezuela currency devaluation   27,214 
Acquisition transaction costs, net of tax of $880 (3) 2,734   
Adjusted net income (1) $229,394  $245,467 
Plus: Interest expense, net of tax of $8,180 and $9,114 in 2017 and 2016, respectively 13,186  14,693 
Less: Interest income, net of tax of $934 and $977 in 2017 and 2016, respectively 1,505  1,574 
Adjusted net income before tax effected interest $241,075  $258,586 
     
Invested Capital March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016
Short-term debt $2,136  $24,844 
Long-term debt, less current portion 703,378  350,106 
Total debt 705,514  374,950 
Total equity 784,124  892,669 
Invested capital $1,489,638  $1,267,619 
     
Return on invested capital (1)(2) 16.2% 20.4%


(1)Adjusted net income and Return on invested capital 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.
(2)Return on invested capital is defined as rolling 12 months of Adjusted net income excluding tax-effected interest income and expense divided by invested capital.
(3)Related to proposed acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.
  


 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2017 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income $55,844  $53,638 
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ income (loss) 4  (14)
Net income including non-controlling interests 55,848  53,624 
Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 16,166  15,625 
Equity earnings in affiliates, net (270) (2)
Pension (income) expense (1,345) 4,144 
Pension contributions and payments (550) (20,865)
Other non-cash items, net 6,541  (2,079)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:    
  Increase in accounts receivable (24,195) (16,592)
  Increase in inventories (20,946) (10,780)
  Increase in trade accounts payable 7,164  4,657 
  Net change in other current assets and liabilities 35,333  (2,554)
  Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities 2,494  (460)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 76,240  24,718 
     
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Capital expenditures (12,037) (8,885)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 203  458 
Purchase of marketable securities (34,925)  
Proceeds from marketable securities 3,800   
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (42,959) (8,427)
     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Net change in borrowings 110  21,756 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 5,643  2,015 
Purchase of shares for treasury (403) (102,488)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders (22,986) (22,625)
Other financing activities (7) (3,806)
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (17,643) (105,148)
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents 6,623  5,670 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 22,261  (83,187)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 379,179  304,183 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $401,440  $220,996 
     
Cash dividends paid per share $0.35  $0.32 
         


 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Segment Highlights
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  Americas
Welding
 International
Welding
 The Harris
Products
Group
 Corporate /
Eliminations
 Consolidated
Three months ended
  March 31, 2017
          
Net sales $383,324  $128,888  $68,685  $  $580,897 
Inter-segment sales 22,460  4,285  2,300  (29,045)  
Total $405,784  $133,173  $70,985  $(29,045) $580,897 
           
EBIT (1) $68,723  $9,605  $8,460  $(3,551) $83,237 
As a percent of total sales 16.9% 7.2% 11.9%   14.3%
Special items charge (3)       3,615  3,615 
Adjusted EBIT (2) $68,723  $9,605  $8,460  $64  $86,852 
As a percent of total sales 16.9% 7.2% 11.9%   15.0%
Three months ended
  March 31, 2016
          
Net sales $359,008  $124,305  $67,409  $  $550,722 
Inter-segment sales 23,831  4,426  2,303  (30,560)  
Total $382,839  $128,731  $69,712  $(30,560) $550,722 
           
EBIT (1) $61,438  $6,233  $7,711  $1,197  $76,579 
As a percent of total sales 16.0% 4.8% 11.1%   13.9%
Special items charge          
Adjusted EBIT (2) $61,438  $6,233  $7,711  $1,197  $76,579 
As a percent of total sales 16.0% 4.8% 11.1%   13.9%


(1)EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Equity earnings in affiliates and 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 reflect acquisition transaction costs related to proposed acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.
  


 
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
2016
 Volume Acquisitions Price Foreign
Exchange
 Net Sales
2017
Operating Segments            
Americas Welding $359,008  $14,761  $3,338  $5,520  $697  $383,324 
International Welding 124,305  3,347    3,199  (1,963) $128,888 
The Harris Products Group 67,409  (1,984)   2,718  542  $68,685 
Consolidated $550,722  $16,124  $3,338  $11,437  $(724) $580,897 
             
Americas Welding
(excluding Venezuela)
 $354,028  $19,741  $3,338  $5,520  $697  $383,324 
Consolidated
(excluding Venezuela)
 $545,742  $21,104  $3,338  $11,437  $(724) $580,897 
             
% Change            
Americas Welding   4.1% 0.9% 1.5% 0.2% 6.8%
International Welding   2.7%   2.6% (1.6%) 3.7%
The Harris Products Group   (2.9%)   4.0% 0.8% 1.9%
Consolidated   2.9% 0.6% 2.1% (0.1%) 5.5%
             
Americas Welding
(excluding Venezuela)
   5.6% 0.9% 1.6% 0.2% 8.3%
Consolidated
(excluding Venezuela) (1)
   3.9% 0.6% 2.1% (0.1%) 6.4%


(1)First quarter 2016 Venezuelan sales were $5 million.
  
Contact

Amanda Butler
Director, Investor Relations 
Tel: 216.383.2534
Email: [email protected]

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