Principal Financial Group Inc. Decreases Stock Position in Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. $LECO

Principal Financial Group Inc. lessened its stake in Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) by 6.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 346,613 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 24,999 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.63% of Lincoln Electric worth $81,744,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in Lincoln Electric in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Lincoln Electric by 3,700.0% during the 3rd quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 114 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Lincoln Electric during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its holdings in Lincoln Electric by 82.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 155 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its position in shares of Lincoln Electric by 3,860.0% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 198 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the period. 79.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Lincoln Electric Trading Up 1.3%

LECO opened at $271.22 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $161.11 and a 52 week high of $272.65. The stock has a market cap of $14.93 billion, a PE ratio of 29.04, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a 50 day moving average of $249.43 and a 200-day moving average of $240.69.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on LECO. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Lincoln Electric from $209.00 to $208.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Lincoln Electric in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barclays boosted their target price on Lincoln Electric from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $297.00 price target (up previously from $285.00) on shares of Lincoln Electric in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Lincoln Electric from $252.00 to $253.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lincoln Electric has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $255.00.

Lincoln Electric Profile

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.