LECO

Industrials

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. · Manufacturing - Tools & Accessories · $14B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
62.1
Good

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. scores 62.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
LECO
62.1
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Strong
Moat
Neutral
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Good
Valuation
Good

What is Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.?

Lincoln Electric Holdings is a global leader in welding, cutting, and brazing technology, serving industries from automotive to energy. Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Cleveland, the company has built one of the most recognized brands in industrial manufacturing.

Lincoln Electric designs, manufactures, and sells a broad range of welding and cutting products through three segments: Americas Welding, International Welding, and The Harris Products Group. Revenue comes from selling equipment and consumables directly to industrial users and through distributors, retailers, and agents. The company also manufactures components for the HVAC sector and participates in the U.S. retail market, giving it diversified exposure across multiple end markets.

Lincoln Electric was founded in 1895 and remains headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Arc welding power sources and wire feeding systems
  • Robotic welding packages and integrated automation systems
  • Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems
  • Brazing and soldering alloys and consumables
  • HVAC copper and aluminum manifold assemblies

Is LECO a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates LECO as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.

Lincoln Electric's strongest pillar is Quality, where it ranks among the more dependable names in the industrials sector — a reflection of consistent operational execution and financial discipline built over decades. The Risk pillar also comes in as Good, suggesting the company carries a manageable financial and operational risk profile relative to peers.

Moat and Growth both register as Neutral, indicating that while Lincoln Electric holds a respected market position, competitive differentiation and near-term expansion momentum are not standout features at this time. Valuation is also Neutral, meaning the stock is neither obviously cheap nor stretched.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does LECO pay dividends?

Yes — Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. pays a dividend.

Lincoln Electric pays a regular dividend, consistent with its long operating history and mature cash generation profile. The company's dividend reflects a commitment to returning capital to shareholders — a posture common among established industrials businesses with predictable revenue streams. Income-oriented investors often view LECO's dividend as a meaningful component of total return alongside any capital appreciation.

When does LECO report earnings?

Lincoln Electric reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed large-cap equities.

The company's Quality pillar suggests a track record of consistent operational delivery across reporting periods. Results tend to reflect demand trends across its core end markets — general fabrication, energy, automotive, and construction — which can introduce some cyclicality quarter to quarter.

For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit Lincoln Electric's investor relations page directly.

LECO Price History

+118.1% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$22,516
That's a +125% total return, or +17.6% annualized.

Based on Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

LECO Long-term Outlook

Lincoln Electric's Neutral Growth pillar points to a steady rather than accelerating trajectory. The company's exposure to infrastructure, automation, and energy end markets provides a foundation for durable demand, though near-term expansion may be tempered by broader industrial cycle dynamics. The Good Risk profile suggests the business is positioned to navigate downturns without significant structural stress, while the Neutral Valuation label indicates the market is pricing in a reasonable — but not discounted — outlook.

Growth drivers

  • Growing adoption of robotic and automated welding in manufacturing
  • Infrastructure and energy-sector capital spending supporting consumables demand
  • International welding segment expansion in developing industrial markets

Key risks

  • Cyclical exposure to automotive and heavy fabrication end markets
  • Competitive pressure in consumables from lower-cost global producers
  • Valuation leaves limited margin of safety if industrial demand softens

LECO vs Peers

Lincoln Electric operates in a competitive industrials landscape alongside diversified tool and industrial component manufacturers.

SWKLECO scores higher
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Stanley Black & Decker competes across a much broader range of tools and storage products, giving it wider consumer exposure compared to Lincoln Electric's industrial-focused welding niche.

RBCLECO scores higher
RBC Bearings Incorporated

RBC Bearings focuses on precision engineered bearings and components for aerospace and defense, representing a higher-margin, more specialized industrial niche than Lincoln Electric's welding portfolio.

SNALECO scores higher
Snap-on Incorporated

Snap-on targets professional technicians and repair shops with premium hand tools and diagnostics, competing with Lincoln Electric primarily for industrial distribution channel attention rather than direct product overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lincoln Electric do?

Lincoln Electric designs, manufactures, and sells welding equipment, cutting systems, and brazing products worldwide. Its customers span general fabrication, energy, automotive, construction, and shipbuilding industries. The company also makes HVAC components and participates in the U.S. retail market through its Harris Products Group segment.

Does LECO pay dividends?

Yes, Lincoln Electric pays a regular dividend. The company has a long history of returning capital to shareholders, consistent with its mature business model and steady cash generation. Investors seeking income alongside industrial exposure often consider LECO's dividend a meaningful part of its total return profile.

When does LECO report earnings?

Lincoln Electric reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed large-cap companies. For exact dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of Lincoln Electric's official website, where earnings releases and webcasts are posted.

Is LECO a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates LECO as Good overall. Its Quality and Risk pillars are among its stronger attributes, while Growth, Moat, and Valuation are each Neutral. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your own investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is LECO overvalued?

LECO's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly cheap nor significantly stretched relative to its fundamentals. This middle-ground reading means investors are paying a fair price for the business as currently assessed — not a deep discount, but not an obvious premium either.

How does LECO compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like Stanley Black & Decker, RBC Bearings, and Snap-on, Lincoln Electric is more narrowly focused on welding and cutting technology. This specialization can be a strength in its core markets but limits diversification. The UQS competitor comparison module shows relative scoring across all five pillars.

What is LECO's market cap bracket?

Lincoln Electric is classified as a large-cap stock. This places it among the more established and liquid names in the industrials sector, typically associated with greater analyst coverage, lower volatility relative to small-caps, and access to capital markets for strategic investments.

Who founded Lincoln Electric?

Lincoln Electric was founded in 1895 by John C. Lincoln in Cleveland, Ohio. His brother James F. Lincoln later joined and shaped much of the company's distinctive employee profit-sharing and incentive management culture, which became widely studied in business circles.

Is LECO a long-term quality stock?

As a long-term quality indicator, LECO's Strong Quality pillar and Good Risk rating suggest a business with durable operational characteristics. Its century-long operating history and consistent dividend record add to that picture. Long-term suitability still depends on individual goals — Pro members can view the complete multi-pillar analysis.

What is the main competitive advantage of Lincoln Electric?

Lincoln Electric's competitive position rests on its deep product breadth across welding consumables and equipment, its global distribution network, and a brand built over more than a century of industrial manufacturing. Its Moat pillar is rated Neutral, reflecting a respected but not insurmountable competitive position in its markets.

What sector does LECO belong to?

Lincoln Electric belongs to the Industrials sector. Within that broad category, it operates in the machinery and welding equipment sub-industry, serving end markets including energy, automotive, construction, and heavy fabrication. You can explore other [top industrials stocks](/sector/industrials) on the UQS platform.

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Pro Analysis

LECO — Score History

55606570Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 17 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202662.280.747.059.761.461.1-0.3
May 7, 202662.582.047.058.365.058.6-0.1
May 4, 202662.682.047.058.365.059.7+0.3
May 3, 202662.382.047.057.265.059.3-0.2
Apr 26, 202662.582.047.057.265.060.1+0.1
Apr 19, 202662.482.047.057.265.059.5-0.1
Apr 18, 202662.582.147.057.265.060.1-0.8
Apr 14, 202663.382.147.057.165.065.40.0
Apr 12, 202663.382.147.057.165.065.8-0.4
Apr 11, 202663.782.147.057.165.068.00.0

LECO — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

80.6/100 (25%)

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Strong

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

59.7/100 (20%)

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

61.4/100 (15%)

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageStrong

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

60.6/100 (15%)

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowModerate

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

47/100 (25%)

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for LECO.

Score Composition

Quality
80.6×25%20.1
Growth
59.7×20%11.9
Risk
61.4×15%9.2
Valuation
60.6×15%9.1
Moat
47.0×25%11.8
Total
62.1Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the LECO UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.