Lincoln Electric Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

CLEVELAND, Oct. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LECO) today reported third quarter 2020 net income of $58.5 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.97, which includes special item after-tax charges of $7.5 million, or $0.13 EPS. This compares with prior year period net income of $72.5 million, or $1.17 EPS, which included special item after-tax net benefits of $4.8 million, or $0.08 EPS. Excluding these items, third quarter 2020 Adjusted net income was $66.0 million, or $1.10 Adjusted EPS. This compares with Adjusted net income of $67.7 million, or $1.09 Adjusted EPS in the prior year period.

Third quarter 2020 sales decreased 8.5% to $668.9 million from an 8.3% decrease in organic sales and 0.2% unfavorable foreign exchange. Operating income for the third quarter 2020 was $77.8 million, or 11.6% of sales, including $6.3 million in rationalization and asset impairment charges. This compares with operating income of $88.5 million, or 12.1% of sales, in the prior year period. Excluding special items, Adjusted operating income was $84.1 million, or 12.6% of sales, as compared with $91.6 million, or 12.5% of sales, in the prior year period.

“We operated safely while supporting a rebound in demand across all of our regions and reportable segments in the third quarter," stated Christopher L. Mapes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Improved demand and diligent cost management generated solid profitability and earnings performance in the quarter.” Mapes continued, “Looking ahead, we are well-positioned to maximize growth and are focused on increasing profitability and returns to generate long-term value for our shareholders.”

Nine Months 2020 Summary

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $141.0 million, or $2.34 EPS, which includes special item after-tax charges of $33.9 million, or $0.57 EPS. This compares with prior year period net income of $229.4 million, or $3.64 EPS, which included special item after-tax net benefits of $5.8 million, or $0.09 EPS. Excluding these items, Adjusted net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $174.9 million, or $2.91 Adjusted EPS, compared with Adjusted net income of $223.6 million, or $3.55 Adjusted EPS, in the comparable 2019 period.

Sales decreased 13.5% to $2.0 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from a 14.3% decrease in organic sales and 0.9% unfavorable foreign exchange, partially offset by a 1.8% benefit from acquisitions. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $198.6 million, or 10.1% of sales. This compares with operating income of $288.2 million, or 12.7% of sales, in the comparable 2019 period. Excluding special items, Adjusted operating income was $235.5 million, or 12.0% of sales, as compared with $296.3 million, or 13.1% of sales, in the comparable 2019 period.

Dividend

The Company's Board of Directors declared a 4.1% increase in the quarterly cash dividend, from $0.49 per share to $0.51 per share, or $2.04 per share on an annual basis. The declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.51 per share is payable January 15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2020.

Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss third quarter 2020 financial results will be webcast live today, October 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.  This webcast is accessible at https://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.

If investors would like to ask questions, please dial (877) 344-3899 (domestic) or (315) 625-3087 (international) and use confirmation code 3879509. Telephone participants are asked to dial in 10 - 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

Financial results for the third quarter 2020 can also be obtained at https://ir.lincolnelectric.com.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric has 59 manufacturing locations in 18 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 https://www.lincolnelectric.com.

Non-GAAP Information

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, Organic sales, Cash conversion, Return on invested capital and Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") 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, 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, such as political unrest, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics, including the current coronavirus disease ("COVID-19") outbreak, on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general.  The Company has experienced the negative impacts of COVID-19 on its markets and operations; however, the ultimate duration and severity on the Company's business remains unknown. New and changing government actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic continue to occur. As a result, the countries in which the Company’s products are manufactured and distributed are in varying stages of restrictions. Certain jurisdictions may have to re-establish restrictions due to a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Additionally, although most of the Company’s customers have re-opened and increased operating levels, such customers may be forced to close or limit operations as any new COVID-19 outbreaks occur. Even as government restrictions are lifted and economies reopen, the ultimate shape of the economic recovery is uncertain and may continue to negatively impact the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position in subsequent quarters. Given this current level of economic and operational uncertainty over the impacts of COVID-19, the ultimate financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Consolidated Statements of Income

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Balance Sheet Highlights

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
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 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

1. Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures.  Refer to Non-GAAP Information section.
2. Primarily related to severance, asset impairments of long-lived assets and gains or losses on the disposal of assets.
3. Related to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding and are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses.
4. Related to an acquisition and are included in Cost of goods sold.
5. Primarily included in Cost of goods sold.
6. Related to lump sum pension payments and are included in Other income (expense).
7. Related to the acquisition of Askaynak and is included in Other income (expense).
8. Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods, including tax benefits of $4,852 for the settlement of a tax item as well as tax deductions associated with an investment in a subsidiary in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. 
   
   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.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

1. Adjusted net income, Return on invested capital and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to Non-GAAP Information section.
2. Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods, including tax benefits of $4,852 for the settlement of a tax item as well as tax deductions associated with an investment in a subsidiary in the twelve months ended September 30, 2019.
   
   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.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Segment Highlights ⁽¹⁾
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1. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other income (expense).
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 in 2020 reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $3,856 and $2,401 in Americas Welding and International Welding, respectively, and pension settlement charges of $3,188 in Americas Welding.
4. Special items in 2019 reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,495, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $1,609 and a gain on change in control of $7,601 related to the acquisition of Askaynak in International Welding.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Segment Highlights ⁽¹⁾
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1. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other income (expense).
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 in 2020 reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $27,719 and $8,297 in Americas Welding and International Welding, respectively, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $806 in International Welding related to an acquisition, and pension settlement charges of $6,522 in Americas Welding,
4. Special items in 2019 reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,716 in Americas Welding and $4,621 in International Welding, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $1,399 in Americas Welding and $1,609 in International Welding, gains on disposals of assets of $3,554 and a gain on change in control of $7,601 related to the acquisition of Askaynak in International Welding and acquisition transaction and integration costs of $1,804 in Corporate/Eliminations related to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
Change in Net Sales by Segment
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