Lincoln Electric (LECO)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $240.65 | Market Cap: $13.3 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
Lincoln Electric (LECO)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $240.65Market Cap: $13.3 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.3% | Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -2.4%, Dist 3Y High is -4.6% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -24% | |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 31% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Automation & Robotics, Renewable Energy Transition, and Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Show more. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.3% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 31% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Automation & Robotics, Renewable Energy Transition, and Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving. Themes include Industrial Robotics, Show more. |
| Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -2.4%, Dist 3Y High is -4.6% |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -24% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
LECO Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The provided time period from 8/31/2025 to today (December 4, 2025) is in the future. Therefore, specific details and key points for why Lincoln Electric (LECO) stock moved by -0.4% during this future period cannot be provided. However, information regarding recent performance and analyst outlook is available.
Lincoln Electric (LECO) recently reported strong financial performance in Q3 2025, with earnings per share and revenue exceeding analyst expectations.
Recent market data from late November/early December 2025 shows a slight monthly fall of -0.44% for LECO, following a rise of 3.35% in the previous week. Over the last year, the stock has shown an 8.36% increase.
Analyst ratings for LECO are generally positive, with an average "Buy" rating and a 12-month stock price target of $244.0, representing a potential increase of 1.35% from a recent price. Some analysts have even higher price targets, up to $285.00. The company is expected to release its next earnings report on February 12, 2026.
Lincoln Electric has a history of increasing its dividend, with 30 consecutive years of dividend growth, and its dividend payout ratio is considered sustainable.
The company's Q3 2025 results highlighted significant growth in automation sales, positioning it to exceed its $1 billion automation sales target by 2025. This was coupled with strong cash flow generation and an increase in adjusted operating income margins.
1. LECO's Q3 2025 Financial Performance Exceeded Expectations: Lincoln Electric reported strong third-quarter 2025 earnings with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.47, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.39 per share, and revenue of $1.06 billion, also exceeding forecasts.
2. Positive Analyst Sentiment and Price Targets: The consensus among analysts is a "Buy" rating for LECO stock, with an average 12-month price target of $244.00, indicating a potential upside from recent prices.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| LECO Return | 23% | 22% | 5% | 53% | -13% | 28% | 170% |
| Peers Return | 5% | 14% | -3% | 9% | 5% | 5% | 40% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| LECO Win Rate | 67% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 42% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 58% | 61% | 36% | 50% | 50% | 57% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| LECO Max Drawdown | -38% | -3% | -14% | 0% | -20% | -10% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -31% | -4% | -23% | -5% | -6% | -16% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ITW, KMB, DCI, ADVEN, BENN. See LECO Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | LECO | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -21.7% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 27.7% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 50 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -38.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 63.6% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 158 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -27.2% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 37.4% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 661 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -69.3% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 225.5% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1059 days | 1480 days |
Compare to ITW, KMB, DCI, ADVEN, BENN
In The Past
Lincoln Electric's stock fell -21.7% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 7/20/2023. A -21.7% loss requires a 27.7% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | |
|---|---|
| ARTICLES |
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to LECO. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Lincoln Electric
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 173.55 |
| Mkt Cap | 24.3 |
| Rev LTM | 10,030 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,944 |
| FCF LTM | 1,324 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 1,500 |
| CFO LTM | 1,767 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,934 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 1.3% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 2.1% |
| Rev Chg Q | 3.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.9% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 17.1% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 16.1% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.2% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 15.5% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 16.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 12.1% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 12.9% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 24.3 |
| P/S | 2.7 |
| P/EBIT | 16.8 |
| P/E | 23.4 |
| P/CFO | 19.5 |
| Total Yield | 6.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 4.8% |
| D/E | 0.1 |
| Net D/E | 0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 3.7% |
| 3M Rtn | -1.7% |
| 6M Rtn | 13.4% |
| 12M Rtn | 3.6% |
| 3Y Rtn | 33.6% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 3.8% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -8.5% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -1.3% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -11.4% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -36.5% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas Welding | 2,783 | 2,411 | 1,824 | 1,510 | 1,816 |
| International Welding | 1,072 | 986 | 948 | 787 | 854 |
| The Harris Products Group | 507 | 529 | 462 | 359 | 333 |
| Corporate/Eliminations | -170 | -165 | |||
| Total | 4,192 | 3,761 | 3,234 | 2,655 | 3,003 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas Welding | 2,366 | 2,123 | 1,521 | 1,423 | 1,490 |
| International Welding | 1,046 | 995 | 938 | 807 | 832 |
| The Harris Products Group | 340 | 362 | 331 | 226 | 204 |
| Corporate/Eliminations | -375 | -299 | -198 | -142 | -155 |
| Total | 3,377 | 3,181 | 2,592 | 2,314 | 2,371 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10302025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7312025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4302025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2262025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10312024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7312024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 4252024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2272024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 10272023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7272023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4272023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2212023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10272022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7282022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4282022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2182022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
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| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |