Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO) Sets New 1-Year High Following Earnings Beat

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $310.00 and last traded at $303.9820, with a volume of 411490 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $290.50.

The industrial products company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.53 by $0.12. Lincoln Electric had a net margin of 12.56% and a return on equity of 40.33%. The company had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.57 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Key Lincoln Electric News

Here are the key news stories impacting Lincoln Electric this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly EPS topped expectations — adjusted EPS came in above consensus (reported $2.65 vs. ~$2.53 expected), which is the primary bullish driver. Lincoln Electric Holdings (LECO) Tops Q4 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Underlying profitability remains strong — the company reported solid margins and a high return on equity, indicators investors reward for operational efficiency. Lincoln Electric stock page
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue grew year-over-year (~+5.5%) but slightly missed consensus ($1.08B reported vs. ~$1.09B expected), which tempers the EPS beat and explains some mixed reactions. Lincoln Electric misses Q4 CY2025 sales expectations
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call and transcript provide color on demand, mix and outlook — analysts and investors will be parsing management’s commentary for signs on end-market momentum and FY guidance. LECO Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: GAAP results were reduced by special items — the quarter includes after-tax charges (~$10.6M, ~$0.20 per share) that lowered GAAP EPS versus adjusted figures, a factor some investors view as a quality-of-earnings concern. Lincoln Electric Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and momentum considerations — the stock trades at a premium multiple and near its 1-year high, so upside may be limited absent stronger revenue/guidance beats. Lincoln Electric stock page

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on LECO. Zacks Research lowered shares of Lincoln Electric from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $297.00 price target (up previously from $285.00) on shares of Lincoln Electric in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Lincoln Electric in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut Lincoln Electric from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Lincoln Electric from $252.00 to $253.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $255.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Electric

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Lincoln Electric by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,850,816 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $436,478,000 after buying an additional 72,826 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Lincoln Electric during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $415,155,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Lincoln Electric by 5.6% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,558,783 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $323,167,000 after purchasing an additional 83,035 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Lincoln Electric by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,306,641 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $313,175,000 after purchasing an additional 6,070 shares during the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp raised its stake in Lincoln Electric by 5,862.4% during the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 1,271,364 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $304,670,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250,041 shares in the last quarter. 79.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Lincoln Electric Stock Up 1.9%

The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $256.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $243.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The firm has a market cap of $16.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.26.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: LECO) is a global manufacturer and distributor of welding products, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment, and surface treatment systems. The company’s portfolio encompasses welding consumables such as electrodes and wires, as well as power sources, torches, and automated welding cells. Lincoln Electric also offers software solutions and training services designed to optimize productivity and quality in fabrication and manufacturing operations.

Founded in 1895 by John C.