Upgrade to SI Premium - Free Trial

Lincoln Electric Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

April 27, 2020 7:30 AM
First Quarter 2020 Highlights
• Operating as an “essential business” (1) in substantially all locations to serve customers
• Implemented best practice hygiene and safety measures to protect employees
• Net sales declined 7.5%; Organic sales declined 9.5%
• Operating income margin declined 90 basis points to 11.5%; Adjusted operating income margin declined 40 basis points to 12.6%
• Q1 EPS decreases 18.8% to $0.91; Adjusted EPS decreases 14.5% to $1.00
• $140 million returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases
• Solid balance sheet with 1.85 Total debt/EBITDA ratio, $163 million in cash and $314 million in available credit under existing borrowing facilities
(1) "Essential business" defined as business that continues to operate within a critical infrastructure sector established by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as other governments worldwide.

CLEVELAND, April 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LECO) today reported first quarter 2020 net income of $55.6 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.91, which includes special item after-tax net charges of $5.4 million, or $0.09 EPS. This compares with prior year period net income of $71.5 million, or $1.12 EPS, which included special item after-tax charges of $3.5 million, or $0.05 EPS. Excluding these items, first quarter 2020 adjusted net income was $60.9 million, or $1.00 EPS, as compared with $75.0 million, or $1.17 EPS in the prior year period. The reported and adjusted effective tax rate was 26.8% in the first quarter 2020 as compared with a reported 23.1% tax rate in the prior year period, or 22.9% on an adjusted basis.

First quarter 2020 sales decreased 7.5% to $702.0 million from a 9.5% decrease in organic sales and 1.3% unfavorable foreign exchange, partially offset by a 3.2% benefit from acquisitions. Operating income for the first quarter 2020 was $81.1 million, or 11.5% of sales. This compares with operating income of $94.5 million, or 12.4% of sales, in the prior year period. Excluding special items, adjusted operating income was $88.4 million, or 12.6% of sales, as compared with $98.8 million, or 13.0% of sales, in the prior year period.

“We executed well in an increasingly challenging environment,” said Christopher L. Mapes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our priority has been to protect employees’ health and safety as we operated as an ‘essential business’ across substantially all of our locations in the quarter.”

“Global demand trends weakened significantly in April, declining in the low 40% range versus the prior year,” stated Mapes. “To mitigate the impact of lower demand, we expanded our cost reduction initiatives and expect these new measures, combined with earlier actions, to now generate $40 to $45 million in realized cost savings in 2020. While we expect demand to trough in the second quarter, our strong investment-grade balance sheet profile, liquidity, and cash flow generation give me tremendous confidence in our ability to successfully navigate this challenging period and generate long-term value for our shareholders.”

Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2020 financial results will be webcast live today, April 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 9746539. Telephone participants are asked to dial in 10 - 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

Financial results for the first 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 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 begun to see the impacts of COVID-19 on its markets and operations including softening demand, supply chain disruptions, and other logistics constraints. The full extent to which COVID-19 will adversely impact the Company’s business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information concerning the severity of the outbreak and the effectiveness of actions globally to contain or mitigate its effects. While this matter will negatively impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position, the current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the full 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.

Contact

Amanda ButlerVice President, Investor Relations & CommunicationsTel: 216.383.2534Email: [email protected]

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.Financial Highlights(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)

Consolidated Statements of Income

Three Months Ended March 31, Fav (Unfav) toPrior Year
2020 % of Sales 2019 % of Sales $ %
Net sales$701,991 100.0% $759,174 100.0% $(57,183) (7.5%)
Cost of goods sold464,669 66.2% 500,753 66.0% 36,084 7.2%
Gross profit237,322 33.8% 258,421 34.0% (21,099) (8.2%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses149,727 21.3% 160,408 21.1% 10,681 6.7%
Rationalization and asset impairment charges6,521 0.9% 3,535 0.5% (2,986) (84.5%)
Operating income81,074 11.5% 94,478 12.4% (13,404) (14.2%)
Interest expense, net5,458 0.8% 5,323 0.7% (135) (2.5%)
Other income (expense)309 3,763 0.5% (3,454) (91.8%)
Income before income taxes75,925 10.8% 92,918 12.2% (16,993) (18.3%)
Income taxes20,370 2.9% 21,452 2.8% 1,082 5.0%
Effective tax rate26.8% 23.1% (3.7%)
Net income including non-controlling interests55,555 7.9% 71,466 9.4% (15,911) (22.3%)
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(7) (14) 7 50.0%
Net income$55,562 7.9% $71,480 9.4% $(15,918) (22.3%)
Basic earnings per share$0.92 $1.13 $(0.21) (18.6%)
Diluted earnings per share$0.91 $1.12 $(0.21) (18.8%)
Weighted average shares (basic)60,184 63,160
Weighted average shares (diluted)60,799 63,899

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.Financial Highlights(In thousands)(Unaudited)

Balance Sheet Highlights

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet DataMarch 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents$163,375 $199,563
Total current assets1,059,344 1,075,581
Property, plant and equipment, net503,179 529,344
Total assets2,305,900 2,371,213
Total current liabilities654,822 563,135
Short-term debt (1)132,378 34,969
Long-term debt, less current portion715,950 712,302
Total equity667,960 819,077
Operating Working CapitalMarch 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable, net$385,673 $374,649
Inventories398,248 393,748
Trade accounts payable248,335 273,002
Operating working capital$535,586 $495,395
Average operating working capital to Net sales (2)19.1% 16.8%
Invested CapitalMarch 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Short-term debt (1)$132,378 $34,969
Long-term debt, less current portion715,950 712,302
Total debt848,328 747,271
Total equity667,960 819,077
Invested capital$1,516,288 $1,566,348
Total debt / invested capital55.9% 47.7%

(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(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited) Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Three Months Ended March 31,
2020 2019
Operating income as reported$81,074 $94,478
Special items (pre-tax):
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (2)6,521 3,535
Acquisition transaction and integration costs (3) 790
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (4)806
Adjusted operating income (1)$88,401 $98,803
As a percent of total sales12.6% 13.0%
Net income as reported$55,562 $71,480
Special items:
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (2)6,521 3,535
Acquisition transaction and integration costs (3) 790
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (4)806
Tax effect of Special items (5)(1,976) (813)
Adjusted net income (1)60,913 74,992
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(7) (14)
Interest expense, net5,458 5,323
Income taxes as reported20,370 21,452
Tax effect of Special items (5)1,976 813
Adjusted EBIT (1)$88,710 $102,566
Effective tax rate as reported26.8% 23.1%
Net special item tax impact (0.2%)
Adjusted effective tax rate (1)26.8% 22.9%
Diluted earnings per share as reported$0.91 $1.12
Special items per share0.09 0.05
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)$1.00 $1.17
Weighted average shares (diluted)60,799 63,899

(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 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)Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods.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

Twelve Months Ended March 31,
Return on Invested Capital2020 2019
Net income as reported$277,191 $297,722
Rationalization and asset impairment charges18,174 18,645
Acquisition transaction and integration costs1,014 3,381
Pension settlement charges 5,928
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories3,814
Gains on asset disposals(3,554)
Gain on change in control(7,601)
Tax effect of Special items (2)(8,549) (7,328)
Adjusted net income (1)$280,489 $318,348
Plus: Interest expense, net of tax of $6,484 and $6,211 in 2020 and 2019, respectively19,489 18,666
Less: Interest income, net of tax of $605 and $1,605 in 2020 and 2019, respectively1,818 4,825
Adjusted net income before tax-effected interest$298,160 $332,189
Invested CapitalMarch 31, 2020 March 31, 2019
Short-term debt$132,378 $110
Long-term debt, less current portion715,950 705,725
Total debt848,328 705,835
Total equity667,960 864,665
Invested capital$1,516,288 $1,570,500
Return on invested capital (1)19.7% 21.2%
Twelve Months Ended March 31,
Total Debt / EBITDA2020 2019
Net income as reported$277,191 $297,722
Income taxes74,328 79,741
Interest expense, net23,550 18,447
Depreciation and amortization83,614 73,113
EBITDA (1)$458,683 $469,023
March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019
Total debt$848,328 $705,835
Total debt / EBITDA1.85 1.50

(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 March 31, 2020.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)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31,
2020 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income$55,562 $71,480
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(7) (14)
Net income including non-controlling interests55,555 71,466
Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash provided by operating activities:
Rationalization and asset impairment net (gains) charges(236) 1,424
Depreciation and amortization21,028 18,901
Equity earnings in affiliates, net(162) (448)
Other non-cash items, net(4,182) 4,394
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Increase in accounts receivable(25,698) (26,900)
Increase in inventories(17,401) (14,638)
Decrease in trade accounts payable(16,676) (15,107)
Net change in other current assets and liabilities11,693 (14,648)
Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities(1,949) 1,434
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES21,972 25,878
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures(11,828) (16,251)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment6,100 302
Other investing activities 2,000
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES(5,728) (13,949)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in borrowings97,777 (3)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options1,047 637
Purchase of shares for treasury(109,762) (75,584)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(30,675) (30,560)
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES(41,613) (105,510)
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents(10,819) 1,866
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(36,188) (91,715)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period199,563 358,849
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$163,375 $267,134
Cash dividends paid per share$0.49 $0.47

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.Segment Highlights (1)(In thousands)(Unaudited)

Americas Welding International Welding The HarrisProducts Group Corporate /Eliminations Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2020
Net sales$418,535 $197,923 $85,533 $ $701,991
Inter-segment sales24,783 4,483 1,725 (30,991)
Total$443,318 $202,406 $87,258 $(30,991) $701,991
Net income $55,562
As a percent of total sales 7.9%
EBIT (1)$69,512 $478 $12,492 $(1,099) $81,383
As a percent of total sales15.7% 0.2% 14.3% 11.6%
Special items charges (gains) (3)1,190 6,137 7,327
Adjusted EBIT (2)$70,702 $6,615 $12,492 $(1,099) $88,710
As a percent of total sales15.9% 3.3% 14.3% 12.6%
Three months ended March 31, 2019
Net sales$457,719 $218,086 $83,369 $ $759,174
Inter-segment sales29,388 4,209 1,867 (35,464)
Total$487,107 $222,295 $85,236 $(35,464) $759,174
Net income $71,480
As a percent of total sales 9.4%
EBIT (1)$80,416 $11,138 $10,519 $(3,832) $98,241
As a percent of total sales16.5% 5.0% 12.3% 12.9%
Special items charges (gains) (4)1,336 2,199 790 4,325
Adjusted EBIT (2)$81,752 $13,337 $10,519 $(3,042) $102,566
As a percent of total sales16.8% 6.0% 12.3% 13.5%

(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 $1,190 and $5,331 in Americas Welding and International Welding, respectively, and amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $806 in International Welding related to an acquisition.
(4)Special items in 2019 reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,336 in Americas Welding and $2,199 in International Welding and acquisition transaction and integration costs of $790 in Corporate/Eliminations related to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.

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 2019 Volume Acquisitions Price Foreign Exchange Net Sales 2020
Operating Segments
Americas Welding $457,719 $(37,692) $6,190 $(5,392) $(2,290) $418,535
International Welding 218,086 (30,507) 18,302 (1,691) (6,267) 197,923
The Harris Products Group 83,369 2,800 323 (959) 85,533
Consolidated $759,174 $(65,399) $24,492 $(6,760) $(9,516) $701,991
% Change
Americas Welding (8.2%) 1.4% (1.2%) (0.5%) (8.6%)
International Welding (14.0%) 8.4% (0.8%) (2.9%) (9.2%)
The Harris Products Group 3.4% 0.4% (1.2%) 2.6%
Consolidated (8.6%) 3.2% (0.9%) (1.3%) (7.5%)

lincoln logo.jpg

Source: Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

Categories

Globe Newswire Press Releases

Next Articles