We issued an updated research report on Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO Quick QuoteLECO - Free Report) on Feb 20. The manufacturer and reseller of welding and cutting products is poised to gain from improving end markets, acquisitions and execution of 2020 vision and strategy. Lower tax rate due to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will also boost earnings.

 

Let’s illustrate the factors in detail.

 

 

Lincoln Electric delivered adjusted earnings of $1.01 per share in fourth-quarter 2017, up 25% year over year. Earnings came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 96 cents. Results were driven by the company’s focused operational and commercial initiatives. Total revenues climbed 33% year over year to $747 million including a 20.3% benefit from acquisitions, 6.8% higher volumes, 3.2% increase in price and 2.2% from favorable foreign exchange. Sales also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $698 million.

 

The company generated solid organic growth across all business segments, key product areas, and geographies in the fourth quarter. Throughout 2017, the company’s focus on operational and commercial initiatives along with aggressive integration plan led to double-digit EPS growth, record working capital performance, strong cash flows and excellent return on invested capital.

 

 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for both fiscal 2018 and 2019 has undergone positive revisions following the strong results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2018 has gone up by 6% while the same for fiscal 2019 has moved up 4%.

 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is currently pegged at $4.72 for fiscal 2018 which reflects year-over-year growth of 25%. For fiscal 2019, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $5.24, year-over-year growth of 11%.

 

Lincoln Electric has long-term expected earnings per share growth of 11.5%.

 

 

Lincoln Electric’s end markets continue to improve. Around 95% of revenues are now exposed to end sector applications which are trending positively. The current sales trends signal accelerating global industrial demand in 2018. Consequently, the company expects mid to high-single digit percent organic sales growth in 2018. Additionally, its focus on commercializing innovative product and cost-cutting initiatives will drive growth. Earnings growth is likely to be augmented by a decrease in the company’s tax rate due to the recently enacted U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

 

 

Lincoln Electric has increased investment in research and development. Further, it has acquired complementary technologies to increase the strength of existing product line and introduce new offerings such as automation to supplement core market growth. China has long-term growth potential for both traditional Lincoln welding systems and automated welding.

 

Lincoln Electric has been consistently investing in welding automation. Welding automation is on the growth path due to the shortage of welding labor and new, low-cost welding robots that provide productivity savings to customers. Over the past five years, the company acquired welding automation companies, for approximately $320 million. Lincoln Electric completed the acquisition of Air Liquide's France-based subsidiary, Air Liquide Welding in July 2017.

 

The acquisition will advance its 2020 Vision and Strategy and better position Lincoln Electric as a leader in key international markets in the long term. The Air Liquide buyout increases Lincoln Electric’s European presence and provides potential sales and expense synergies. Further, the company will leverage Air Liquide’s existing distribution channels to offer a broader product line. Additionally, Air Liquide has attractive brands that are not currently sold to the Lincoln Electric customer base. Cost synergies include improved procurement and facilities rationalization. The company remains on track to deliver its targeted synergies of $30 million.

 

 

Over the past three months, Lincoln Electric has recorded an average return of 2.8%, while the industry declined 2.4%.

 

Lincoln Electric currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

 

 

Some other top-ranked stocks in the same sector include H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (HEES Quick QuoteHEES - Free Report) , Caterpillar Inc. (CAT Quick QuoteCAT - Free Report) and Komatsu Ltd. (KMTUY Quick QuoteKMTUY - Free Report) . While H&E Equipment Services sports a Zacks Rank #1, Astec and Komatsu carry a Zacks Rank #2.

 

H&E Equipment Services has a long-term earnings growth rate of 18.6%. Its shares have soared 51% in the past year.

 

Caterpillar has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3%. The company’s shares have rallied 58% in last year.

 

Komatsu has a long-term earnings growth rate of 27%. The stock has surged 47% in a year’s time.

 

 

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