UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 21, 2015
 
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
0-1402
(Commission File Number)
 
Ohio
 
34-1860551
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
22801 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44117
(Address of principal executive offices, with zip code)
 
(216) 481-8100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


















Item 2.02
 
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
 
On April 21, 2015, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.  A copy of the Company’s press release issued on April 21, 2015 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.  The press release is also available through the Company’s website at www.lincolnelectric.com.  The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
 
Item 9.01
 
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
 
 
 
 
(d) Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
99.1  The Company’s press release dated April 21, 2015.






SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Vincent K. Petrella
 
 
Vincent K. Petrella
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
 
April 21, 2015

















































LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
99.1

 
The Company’s press release dated April 21, 2015.
 
 
 







Exhibit 99.1
 
Investor Relations: Amanda Butler (216) 383-2534
Amanda_Butler@lincolnelectric.com

 
LINCOLN ELECTRIC REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2015 RESULTS

First Quarter 2015 Key Metric Highlights
§ Sales decreased 4% to $658 million, up 4% excluding unfavorable foreign exchange
§ Operating income margin of 13.8% of net sales
§ Diluted EPS of $0.89
§    Cash flows from operations increased to $53 million
§ ROIC increased 100 bps to 20.1%
 
 
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Tuesday, April 21, 2015 -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LECO) today reported first quarter 2015 net income of $68.4 million, or $0.89 diluted earnings per share (EPS). This compares with net income of $56.5 million, or EPS of $0.69 and adjusted net income of $74.1 million, or EPS of $0.91, in the comparable 2014 period. The 2014 adjusted EPS includes $0.14 of earnings from our Venezuelan operations, which operates in a hyper-inflationary environment. This compares with earnings of $0.03 per share from our Venezuelan operations in the first quarter 2015.

Sales decreased 4.0% to $657.9 million in the first quarter 2015 versus $685.1 million in the comparable 2014 period primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency translation and lower volumes in the Asia Pacific segment. Operating income for the first quarter increased 12.5% to $90.5 million, or 13.8% of sales, from $80.4 million, or 11.7% of sales, in the comparable 2014 period.  Adjusted operating income decreased 7.7% to $90.5 million or 13.8% of sales, compared with $98.1 million, or 14.3% of sales in 2014. Excluding Venezuelan operations, our adjusted operating margin would have increased 60 basis points from the comparable 2014 period.

Christopher L. Mapes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "Our business demonstrated resilience in a challenging first quarter. We achieved volume growth in Europe Welding and The Harris Products Group on solid execution of their commercial initiatives, and maintained steady volume performance in North America. As anticipated, we experienced weakness in South American end-markets and continued to strategically reposition our business in Asia Pacific for long-term profitable growth. Our first quarter profitability margins remained strong on operational initiatives and favorable mix, helping offset unfavorable foreign exchange translation. Cash flows from operations improved, supporting an accelerated return of cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the quarter.”

Dividend and Share Repurchases

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which was paid on April 15, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2015. During the quarter, the Company returned $102.9 million to shareholders through the repurchase of the Company’s common shares.

Other Matters

The Company issued Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Notes") totaling $350 million through a private placement, of which $150 million in proceeds were received during April 2015. The Notes have maturities ranging from 10 to 30 years with a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.5% and an average tenure of 19 years. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.




Lincoln Electric Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results


Webcast Information
 
A conference call to discuss first quarter 2015 financial results will be webcast live today, April 21, 2015, at 9:00 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 and 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 11243771. Telephone participants are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

Financial results for the first quarter 2015 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 http://www.lincolnelectric.com.

Non-GAAP Information

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are important to investors to evaluate and compare the Company’s financial performance from period to period.  Management uses this information in assessing and evaluating the Company’s underlying operating performance.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures, as non-GAAP measures are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.  Please refer to the attached schedule for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP financial measures.

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, including in highly inflationary countries such as Venezuela; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; actual costs of the Company’s rationalization plans; possible acquisitions; 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, 2014.







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
 
 
2015
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
% of Sales
 
$
 
%
Net sales
 
$
657,900

 
100.0
%
 
$
685,062

 
100.0
%
 
$
(27,162
)
 
(4.0
%)
Cost of goods sold
 
437,510

 
66.5
%
 
458,726

 
67.0
%
 
21,216

 
4.6
%
Gross profit
 
220,390

 
33.5
%
 
226,336

 
33.0
%
 
(5,946
)
 
(2.6
%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
129,891

 
19.7
%
 
145,915

 
21.3
%
 
16,024

 
11.0
%
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)
 

 

 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
 
(100.0
%)
Operating income
 
90,499

 
13.8
%
 
80,438

 
11.7
%
 
10,061

 
12.5
%
Interest income
 
593

 
0.1
%
 
914

 
0.1
%
 
(321
)
 
(35.1
%)
Equity earnings in affiliates
 
849

 
0.1
%
 
1,561

 
0.2
%
 
(712
)
 
(45.6
%)
Other income
 
2,610

 
0.4
%
 
1,083

 
0.2
%
 
1,527

 
141.0
%
Interest expense
 
(1,844
)
 
(0.3
%)
 
(1,570
)
 
(0.2
%)
 
(274
)
 
(17.5
%)
Income before income taxes
 
92,707

 
14.1
%
 
82,426

 
12.0
%
 
10,281

 
12.5
%
Income taxes
 
24,389

 
3.7
%
 
26,002

 
3.8
%
 
1,613

 
6.2
%
Effective tax rate
 
26.3
%
 
 

 
31.5
%
 
 

 
5.2
%
 
 
Net income including non-controlling interests
 
68,318

 
10.4
%
 
56,424

 
8.2
%
 
11,894

 
21.1
%
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss
 
(36
)
 

 
(29
)
 

 
(7
)
 
(24.1
%)
Net income
 
$
68,354

 
10.4
%
 
$
56,453

 
8.2
%
 
$
11,901

 
21.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.90

 
 

 
$
0.70

 
 

 
$
0.20

 
28.6
%
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.89

 
 

 
$
0.69

 
 

 
$
0.20

 
29.0
%
Weighted average shares (basic)
 
76,242

 
 

 
80,648

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average shares (diluted)
 
77,059

 
 

 
81,616

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Operating income as reported
 
$
90,499

 
$
80,438

Special items (pre-tax):
 
 

 
 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) (1)
 

 
(17
)
Venezuela foreign exchange losses (2)
 

 
17,665

Adjusted operating income (3)
 
$
90,499

 
$
98,086

 
 
 
 
 
Net income as reported
 
$
68,354

 
$
56,453

Special items (after-tax):
 
 

 
 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) (1)
 

 
(7
)
Venezuela foreign exchange losses (2)
 

 
17,665

Adjusted net income (3)
 
$
68,354

 
$
74,111

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share as reported
 
$
0.89

 
$
0.69

Special items
 

 
0.22

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (3)
 
$
0.89

 
$
0.91

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares (diluted)
 
77,059

 
81,616


(1)
The three months ended March 31, 2014 include net credits primarily related to the sale of assets at rationalized operations.
(2)
The three months ended March 31, 2014 include the impact of the Venezuelan remeasurement loss related to the adoption of a new foreign exchange mechanism. This remeasurement loss was classified in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
(3)
Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are important to investors to evaluate and compare the Company’s financial performance from period to period.  Management uses this information in assessing and evaluating the Company’s underlying operating performance.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures, as non-GAAP measures are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.





Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Balance Sheet Highlights
 
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
289,017

 
$
278,379

Total current assets
 
1,095,002

 
1,098,677

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
423,020

 
437,209

Total assets
 
1,921,508

 
1,939,215

Total current liabilities
 
608,425

 
492,419

Short-term debt (1)
 
167,985

 
68,166

Long-term debt
 
3,882

 
2,488

Total equity
 
1,179,955

 
1,285,781

 
 
 
 
 
Net Operating Working Capital
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Accounts receivable
 
$
334,928

 
$
321,862

Inventory
 
332,892

 
330,840

Trade accounts payable
 
185,944

 
202,482

Net operating working capital
 
$
481,876

 
$
450,220

 
 
 
 
 
Net operating working capital to net sales (2)
 
18.3
%
 
16.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
Invested Capital
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Short-term debt (1)
 
$
167,985

 
$
68,166

Long-term debt
 
3,882

 
2,488

Total debt
 
171,867

 
70,654

Total equity
 
1,179,955

 
1,285,781

Invested capital
 
$
1,351,822

 
$
1,356,435

 
 
 
 
 
Total debt / invested capital
 
12.7
%
 
5.2
%
Return on invested capital (3)
 
20.1
%
 
19.1
%

(1)
Includes current portion of long-term debt.
(2)
Net operating working capital to net sales is defined as net operating working capital divided by annualized rolling three months of sales.
(3)
Return on invested capital is defined as rolling 12 months of earnings excluding tax-effected interest divided by invested capital.















Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
68,354

 
$
56,453

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss
 
(36
)
 
(29
)
Net income including non-controlling interests
 
68,318

 
56,424

Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash
   provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)
 
30

 
(35
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
16,032

 
17,931

Equity earnings in affiliates, net
 
(216
)
 
(796
)
Pension expense
 
5,679

 
2,800

Pension contributions and payments
 
(21,234
)
 
(22,081
)
Other non-cash items, net
 
(18,562
)
 
23,984

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

 
 

Increase in accounts receivable
 
(25,377
)
 
(43,885
)
Increase in inventories
 
(16,233
)
 
(15,157
)
Decrease in trade accounts payable
 
(12,916
)
 
(12,108
)
Net change in other current assets and liabilities
 
55,069

 
5,547

Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities
 
2,194

 
1,007

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
52,784

 
13,631

 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
 
(12,456
)
 
(14,506
)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
 

 
(892
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
1,187

 
1,066

Other investing activities
 
2,024

 
573

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
(9,245
)
 
(13,759
)
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 

 
 

Net change in borrowings
 
101,510

 
(8,056
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
1,733

 
2,956

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
537

 
1,652

Purchase of shares for treasury
 
(102,853
)
 
(51,021
)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
(22,329
)
 
(18,623
)
Other financing activities
 
(20
)
 
(2,330
)
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
(21,422
)
 
(75,422
)
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents
 
(11,479
)
 
(18,888
)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
10,638

 
(94,438
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
278,379

 
299,825

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
289,017

 
$
205,387

 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends paid per share
 
$
0.29

 
$
0.23






Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Segment Highlights
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
North
America
Welding
 
Europe
Welding
 
Asia Pacific
Welding
 
South
America
Welding
 
The Harris
Products
Group
 
Corporate /
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Three Months Ended
   March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net sales
 
$
412,988

 
$
88,416

 
$
49,250

 
$
37,430

 
$
69,816

 
$

 
$
657,900

Inter-segment sales
 
26,129

 
3,593

 
3,270

 

 
2,011

 
(35,003
)
 

Total
 
$
439,117

 
$
92,009

 
$
52,520

 
$
37,430

 
$
71,827

 
$
(35,003
)
 
$
657,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBIT (1)
 
$
71,184

 
$
8,748

 
$
3,128

 
$
3,150

 
$
7,549

 
$
199

 
$
93,958

As a percent of total sales
 
16.2
%
 
9.5
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
 

 
14.3
%
Special items charge (gain)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

EBIT, as adjusted (2)(3)
 
$
71,184

 
$
8,748

 
$
3,128

 
$
3,150

 
$
7,549

 
$
199

 
$
93,958

As a percent of total sales
 
16.2
%
 
9.5
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
 

 
14.3
%
Three months ended
   March 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net sales
 
$
401,906

 
$
105,406

 
$
61,286

 
$
43,993

 
$
72,471

 
$

 
$
685,062

Inter-segment sales
 
32,943

 
5,860

 
4,449

 
29

 
2,118

 
(45,399
)
 

Total
 
$
434,849

 
$
111,266

 
$
65,735

 
$
44,022

 
$
74,589

 
$
(45,399
)
 
$
685,062

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBIT (1)
 
$
71,411

 
$
9,253

 
$
(631
)
 
$
(5,900
)
 
$
6,058

 
$
2,891

 
$
83,082

As a percent of total sales
 
16.4
%
 
8.3
%
 
(1.0
%)
 
(13.4
%)
 
8.1
%
 
 

 
12.1
%
Special items charge (gain) (4)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
39

 
$
(9
)
 
$
17,665

 
$

 
$

 
$
17,648

EBIT, as adjusted (2)
 
$
71,364

 
$
9,292

 
$
(640
)
 
$
11,765

 
$
6,058

 
$
2,891

 
$
100,730

As a percent of total sales
 
16.4
%
 
8.4
%
 
(1.0
%)
 
26.7
%
 
8.1
%
 
 

 
14.7
%
(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 EBIT, as adjusted.  EBIT for each operating segment is adjusted for special items to derive EBIT, as adjusted.
(3)
Asia Pacific Welding EBIT, as adjusted includes a $1,769 gain associated with the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary and the related non-controlling interest.
(4)
Special items in the three months ended March 31, 2014 include net credits primarily related to the sale of assets at rationalized operations and the impact of the Venezuelan remeasurement loss related to the adoption of a new foreign exchange mechanism.




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
2014
 
Volume
 
Acquisitions
 
Price
 
Foreign
Exchange
 
Net Sales
2015
Operating Segments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

North America Welding
 
$
401,906

 
$
927

 
$
12,471

 
$
4,023

 
$
(6,339
)
 
$
412,988

Europe Welding
 
105,406

 
3,202

 

 
(301
)
 
(19,891
)
 
88,416

Asia Pacific Welding
 
61,286

 
(9,103
)
 

 
(669
)
 
(2,264
)
 
49,250

South America Welding
 
43,993

 
(4,693
)
 

 
21,474

 
(23,344
)
 
37,430

The Harris Products Group
 
72,471

 
4,474

 

 
(4,589
)
 
(2,540
)
 
69,816

Consolidated
 
$
685,062

 
$
(5,193
)
 
$
12,471

 
$
19,938

 
$
(54,378
)
 
$
657,900

% Change
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

North America Welding
 
 

 
0.2
%
 
3.1
%
 
1.0
%
 
(1.6
%)
 
2.8
%
Europe Welding
 
 

 
3.0
%
 

 
(0.3
%)
 
(18.9
%)
 
(16.1
%)
Asia Pacific Welding
 
 

 
(14.9
%)
 

 
(1.1
%)
 
(3.7
%)
 
(19.6
%)
South America Welding
 
 

 
(10.7
%)
 

 
48.8
%
 
(53.1
%)
 
(14.9
%)
The Harris Products Group
 
 

 
6.2
%
 

 
(6.3
%)
 
(3.5
%)
 
(3.7
%)
Consolidated
 
 

 
(0.8
%)
 
1.8
%
 
2.9
%
 
(7.9
%)
 
(4.0
%)



Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Lincoln Electric Charts.
Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Lincoln Electric Charts.