Lincoln Electric Holdings (NASDAQ:LECO) reported a strong start to the 2026 fiscal year, characterized by broad-based volume growth and improved operational efficiency.
The Cleveland-based manufacturer posted first-quarter sales of $1.12 billion, an 11.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
The performance was anchored by a 7.8% rise in organic sales, supplemented by a 1.6% contribution from recent acquisitions and a 2.3% favorable impact from foreign exchange.
The company’s bottom line reflected the benefits of its higher-margin automation and specialized welding portfolios.
Net income for the quarter rose to $136.4 million, or $2.47 per diluted share, up from $118.5 million in the prior year.
On an adjusted basis, excluding special items, earnings per share climbed 15.7% to $2.50, comfortably exceeding the prior year’s $2.16.
Operating income for the quarter reached $186.2 million, or 16.6% of sales, representing a slight margin expansion over the 16.4% reported in the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted operating income was $189 million, maintaining a steady margin of 16.9%.
Management noted that the results were supported by disciplined pricing strategies and effective cost-management initiatives that offset inflationary pressures in raw materials and labor.