Table of Contents


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 2017

March 31, 2024

or

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission File Number:  0-1402

g198901ba01i001q32015a03.jpg 

Graphic

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio

34-1860551

Ohio34-1860551

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22801 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

44117

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(216) 481-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(216) 481-8100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Shares, without par value

LECO

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x  No o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”filer”, “accelerated filer”, “small reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerx

Accelerated filero

Non-accelerated filero (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting companyo

Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common shares as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 was 65,755,702.56,908,333.

Table of Contents



TABLE OF CONTENTS

6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

7

8

21

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

31

Item 6. Exhibits

31

32

EX-10.1*

2005 Deferred Compensation PlanForm of Stock Option Agreement for Executives (Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2018)Executive Officers (filed herewith).


EX-10.2*

EX-10.3*

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for Executive Officers (filed herewith).

EX-31.1

Certification of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

EX-101

Instance Document

EX-101

Schema Document

EX-101

Calculation Linkbase Document

EX-101

Label Linkbase Document

EX-101

Presentation Linkbase Document

EX-101

Definition Linkbase Document

*
Reflects management contract or other compensatory arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report.


2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net sales$669,491
 $567,646
 $1,877,246
 $1,710,786
Cost of goods sold449,975
 367,834
 1,236,386
 1,118,945
Gross profit219,516
 199,812
 640,860
 591,841
Selling, general & administrative expenses132,748
 117,983
 384,964
 352,290
Pension settlement charges (Note 11)5,283
 
 5,283
 
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary (Note 1)
 
 
 34,348
Bargain purchase gain (Note 3)(51,585) 
 (51,585) 
Operating income133,070
 81,829
 302,198
 205,203
        
Other income (expense): 
  
  
  
Interest income1,327
 360
 3,349
 1,225
Equity earnings in affiliates766
 619
 2,001
 2,084
Other income1,401
 1,303
 3,293
 2,552
Interest expense(5,922) (3,815) (18,333) (11,828)
Total other income (expense)(2,428) (1,533) (9,690) (5,967)
Income before income taxes130,642
 80,296
 292,508
 199,236
Income taxes (Note 12)24,531
 20,257
 69,218
 54,264
Net income including non-controlling interests106,111
 60,039
 223,290
 144,972
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(15) (10) (32) (32)
Net income$106,126
 $60,049
 $223,322
 $145,004
        
Basic earnings per share (Note 2)$1.61
 $0.90
 $3.40
 $2.13
Diluted earnings per share (Note 2)$1.59
 $0.89
 $3.35
 $2.11
Cash dividends declared per share$0.35
 $0.32
 $1.05
 $0.96

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Net sales (Note 2)

    

$

981,197

    

$

1,039,343

Cost of goods sold

 

612,798

 

683,986

Gross profit

 

368,399

 

355,357

Selling, general & administrative expenses

 

198,747

 

190,116

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (Note 6)

 

4,605

 

877

Operating income

 

165,047

 

164,364

Interest expense, net

 

8,779

 

13,201

Other income

 

2,262

 

4,181

Income before income taxes

 

158,530

 

155,344

Income taxes (Note 11)

 

35,115

 

33,413

Net income

$

123,415

$

121,931

Basic earnings per share (Note 3)

$

2.17

$

2.12

Diluted earnings per share (Note 3)

$

2.14

$

2.09

Cash dividends declared per share

$

0.71

$

0.64

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.


3

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income including non-controlling interests$106,111
 $60,039
 $223,290
 $144,972
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:   
  
  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of $239 and $(95) in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017; $50 and $54 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016(684) (175) 563
 16
Defined benefit pension plan activity, net of tax of $2,170 and $2,532 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017; $778 and $2,821 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 20163,958
 1,313
 5,384
 5,548
Currency translation adjustment18,931
 (3,030) 72,820
 2,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):22,205
 (1,892) 78,767
 7,786
Comprehensive income128,316
 58,147
 302,057
 152,758
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests16
 (16) 47
 (73)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders$128,300
 $58,163
 $302,010
 $152,831

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Net income

    

$

123,415

    

$

121,931

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

 

  

 

  

Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges

3,715

9,131

Defined benefit pension plan activity

73

560

Currency translation adjustment

 

(13,395)

 

14,818

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

(9,607)

 

24,509

Comprehensive income

$

113,808

$

146,440

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.


4

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (UNAUDITED) (NOTE 1)
ASSETS 
  
Current Assets 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$299,453
 $379,179
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,427 in 2017; $7,768 in 2016)401,231
 273,993
Inventories (Note 6)389,722
 255,406
Marketable securities (Note 14)179,284
 38,922
Other current assets108,991
 96,213
Total Current Assets1,378,681
 1,043,713
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $772,366 in 2017; $716,665 in 2016)475,071
 372,377
Goodwill235,899
 231,919
Other assets321,452
 295,428
TOTAL ASSETS$2,411,103
 $1,943,437
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
  
Current Liabilities 
  
Short-term debt (Note 10)$2,135
 $1,889
Trade accounts payable242,253
 176,757
Other current liabilities295,468
 209,461
Total Current Liabilities539,856
 388,107
Long-term debt, less current portion (Note 10)704,804
 703,704
Other liabilities220,515
 139,420
Total Liabilities1,465,175
 1,231,231
Shareholders’ Equity 
  
Common shares9,858
 9,858
Additional paid-in capital330,522
 309,417
Retained earnings2,389,771
 2,236,071
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(250,349) (329,037)
Treasury shares(1,534,650) (1,514,832)
Total Shareholders’ Equity945,152
 711,477
Non-controlling interests776
 729
Total Equity (Note 5)945,928
 712,206
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$2,411,103
 $1,943,437

March 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

(NOTE 1)

ASSETS

    

  

    

  

Current Assets

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

374,978

$

393,787

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,237 in 2024; $11,464 in 2023)

 

544,514

 

538,830

Inventories (Note 8)

 

567,279

 

562,864

Other current assets

 

192,979

 

197,630

Total Current Assets

 

1,679,750

 

1,693,111

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $885,421 in 2024; $876,990 in 2023)

582,178

575,316

Goodwill

 

689,868

 

694,452

Other assets

 

427,921

 

414,418

TOTAL ASSETS

$

3,379,717

$

3,377,297

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

  

Current Liabilities

 

 

  

Short-term debt (Note 10)

$

4,720

$

2,435

Trade accounts payable

 

327,798

 

325,435

Accrued employee compensation and benefits

 

114,770

 

112,373

Other current liabilities

 

301,585

 

314,367

Total Current Liabilities

 

748,873

 

754,610

Long-term debt, less current portion (Note 10)

 

1,102,677

 

1,102,771

Other liabilities

 

220,339

 

211,064

Total Liabilities

 

2,071,889

 

2,068,445

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

  

Common Shares

 

9,858

 

9,858

Additional paid-in capital

 

560,439

 

523,357

Retained earnings

 

3,766,297

 

3,688,038

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(239,454)

 

(229,847)

Treasury Shares

 

(2,789,312)

 

(2,682,554)

Total Equity

 

1,307,828

 

1,308,852

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY

$

3,379,717

$

3,377,297

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.


5

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

    

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

    

Common

Additional

Other

Shares

Common

Paid-In

Retained

Comprehensive

Treasury

    

Outstanding

    

Shares

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Income (Loss)

    

Shares

    

Total

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

56,977

$

9,858

$

523,357

$

3,688,038

$

(229,847)

$

(2,682,554)

$

1,308,852

Net income

 

123,415

 

123,415

Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

 

73

 

73

Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax

 

3,715

 

3,715

Currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

(13,395)

 

(13,395)

Cash dividends declared - $0.71 per share

 

(41,273)

 

(41,273)

Stock-based compensation activity

 

397

34,981

3,647

 

38,628

Purchase of shares for treasury

 

(466)

(110,405)

 

(110,405)

Other

 

2,101

(3,883)

 

(1,782)

Balance at March 31, 2024

 

56,908

$

9,858

$

560,439

$

3,766,297

$

(239,454)

$

(2,789,312)

$

1,307,828

    

    

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

    

Common

Additional

Other

Shares

Common

Paid-In

Retained

Comprehensive

Treasury

    

Outstanding

    

Shares

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Income (Loss)

    

Shares

    

Total

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

57,624

$

9,858

$

481,857

$

3,306,500

$

(275,398)

$

(2,488,776)

$

1,034,041

Net income

 

121,931

 

121,931

Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

 

560

 

560

Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax

 

9,131

 

9,131

Currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

14,818

 

14,818

Cash dividends declared – $0.64 per share

 

(36,971)

 

(36,971)

Stock-based compensation activity

 

143

12,475

1,635

 

14,110

Purchase of shares for treasury

 

(194)

(32,158)

 

(32,158)

Other

 

3,691

(3,917)

 

(226)

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

57,573

$

9,858

$

498,023

$

3,387,543

$

(250,889)

$

(2,519,299)

$

1,125,236

6

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
  
Net income$223,322
 $145,004
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(32) (32)
Net income including non-controlling interests223,290
 144,972
Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash
   provided by operating activities:
 
  
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary (Note 1)
 34,348
Bargain purchase gain (Note 3)(51,585) 
Depreciation and amortization50,457
 48,495
Equity earnings in affiliates, net(216) (64)
Deferred income taxes3,129
 (12,813)
Stock-based compensation9,966
 7,516
Pension expense and settlement charges (Note 11)816
 12,472
Pension contributions and payments(2,724) (22,159)
Other, net2,394
 (1,840)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: 
  
Increase in accounts receivable(24,300) (11,956)
Increase in inventories(22,526) (7,673)
Decrease in other current assets515
 2,481
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable(8,932) 13,922
Increase in other current liabilities61,332
 31,357
Net change in other assets and liabilities3,738
 1,122
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES245,354
 240,180
    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
  
Capital expenditures(38,959) (39,377)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (Note 3)(72,468) (71,567)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment1,994
 936
Purchase of marketable securities(145,553) 
Proceeds from marketable securities5,190
 
Other investing activities
 (283)
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES(249,796) (110,291)
    
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
  
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
 1,892
Payments on short-term borrowings
 (1,822)
Amounts due banks, net(602) 183,395
Proceeds from long-term borrowings34
 261
Payments on long-term borrowings(37) (467)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options14,333
 10,418
Purchase of shares for treasury (Note 5)(23,012) (288,594)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(69,083) (66,180)
Other financing activities(15,561) (18,244)
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES(93,928) (179,341)
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents18,644
 2,197
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(79,726) (47,255)
    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period379,179
 304,183
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$299,453
 $256,928

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

    

2024

    

2023

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

  

  

Net income

$

123,415

$

121,931

Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

  

Rationalization and asset impairment net charges

 

64

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

21,586

 

21,295

Deferred income taxes

 

(7,348)

 

(7,019)

Stock-based compensation

 

14,190

 

11,634

Other, net

 

5,104

 

(2,117)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

 

 

  

Increase in accounts receivable

 

(9,603)

 

(27,664)

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

(9,416)

 

5,881

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

 

3,331

 

(16,587)

Increase in trade accounts payable

 

3,957

 

6,841

(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities

 

(8,121)

 

10,505

Net change in other assets and liabilities

 

(3,865)

 

(769)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

133,294

 

123,931

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

  

Capital expenditures

 

(26,256)

 

(18,787)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

316

 

3,314

Other investing activities

 

 

(576)

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(25,940)

 

(16,049)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

  

Proceeds from (payments on) short-term borrowings

2,016

(43,940)

Payments on long-term borrowings

 

(169)

 

(111)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

24,438

 

2,476

Purchase of shares for treasury

 

(110,405)

 

(32,158)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

 

(41,280)

 

(37,583)

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(125,400)

 

(111,316)

Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents

 

(763)

 

5,087

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(18,809)

 

1,653

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

393,787

 

197,150

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

$

374,978

$

198,803

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.


7

6

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts



NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

As used in this report,

The consolidated financial statements include the term “Company,” except as otherwise indicated by the context, meansaccounts of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest. 

The consolidated financial statements include the accountsinterest (the “Company”) after elimination of all legal entities in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The Company is also considered to have a controlling interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Investments in legal entities in which the Company does not own a majority interest but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operatinginter-company accounts, transactions and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method.
profits.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Operating results for the ninethree months endedSeptember 30, 2017 March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

2024.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 20162023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2023.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statementsperiod amounts to conform to the current year classifications.

Effective June 30, 2016, the Company concluded that it no longer met the accounting criteria for control over its Venezuelan subsidiary based on deteriorating conditions in Venezuela; therefore, the Company deconsolidated the financial statementsperiod presentation, none of the Venezuelan subsidiary and began reporting the results under the cost method of accounting. As a result, beginning July 1, 2016, the Company no longer includes the results of the Venezuelan subsidiary in its consolidated financial statements. Under the cost method of accounting, if cash were to be received from the Venezuela entity in future periods from the sale of inventory, dividends or royalties, income would be recognized. The Company does not anticipate dividend or royalty payments being made in the foreseeable future and has no outstanding receivables or payables with the Venezuelan entity. The factors that led to the Company’s conclusion to deconsolidate at June 30, 2016 continued to exist through September 30, 2017.  The Company expects these conditions to continue for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the Company has no remaining financial commitments to the Venezuelan subsidiary and therefore believes the exposure to future losses is notwhich are material.
The following

New Accounting Pronouncements:

This section provides a description of new accounting pronouncements ("(“Accounting Standard Update"Standards Updates” or "ASU"“ASUs”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"(“FASB”) that are applicable to the Company.

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted:

8

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017.
ASU 2016-09 requires prospective recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation award vesting and exercises as a discrete income tax adjustment in the income statement. Previously, these amounts were recognized in Additional paid-in capital. Net excess tax benefits of $305 and $4,452 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, were recognized as a reduction of income tax expense. Earnings per share increased by $0.01 and $0.07 per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as a result of this change. In addition, ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be prospectively excluded from the assumed future proceeds in the calculation of diluted shares. This change results in an insignificant increase in diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

7

Table of Contents

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


ASU 2016-09 requires that excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards be reported as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Previously, this activity was included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company has elected to apply this change on a retrospective basis. As a result, excess tax benefits of $305 and $4,452 are reported as Net cash provided by operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1,892 and $3,414 of excess tax benefitsfollowing ASUs were reclassified from Net cash used by financing activities to Net cash provided by operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

ASU 2016-09 requires that employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes be reported as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on a retrospective basis. Previously, this activity was included in operating activities. The impact of this change was immaterial to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The Company has elected to continue to estimate the number of stock-based awards expected to vest, as permitted by ASU 2016-09, rather than electing to account for forfeitures as they occur.
New Accounting Pronouncements to be adopted:
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also specifies the accounting of some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and expands the disclosure requirements around contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date," which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. An entity can either adopt this amendment retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of initial application. To evaluate the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed a scoping analysis of revenue streams against the requirements of the standard. In addition, the Company completed a review of customer contracts and is in the process of identifying and implementing changes to processes and controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements, in accordance with the Company's implementation plan. ASU 2014-09 may accelerate the timing of when certain transactions are recognized as revenue upon adoption of the guidance’s control model. The Company intends to adopt ASU 2014-09adopted as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of that date. Upon adoption, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of adopting this guidance as an adjustment to our opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
2024:

Standard

Description

ASU No. 2023-01, Leases-Common Control Arrangements (Topic 842), issued March 2023

Requires a lessee in a common-control arrangement to amortize leasehold improvements that it owns over the improvements’ useful life, regardless of the lease term. The requirements of the ASU are effective January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), issued November 2023

Requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, including significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the title and position of the CODM, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment, and disclosures about segment profit or loss and assets on an annual and interim basis. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2024, and interim periods beginning January 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the required disclosures for the annual period.

ASU No. 2022-04, Liabilities-Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50), issued September 2022.

Requires disclosure about a company’s supplier finance programs, including a period-over-period balance roll forward. This requirement of the ASU is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2024 and should be applied prospectively. The Company will adopt the required disclosures for the annual period.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements of the following ASUs:

StandardDescription

Standard

Description

ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities2023-06, Disclosure Improvements, issued August 2017.October 2023

ASU 2017-12 provides updated guidance to more closely align hedge accounting with

Requires amending certain disclosure and presentation requirements for a company's risk management strategy, to simplifyvariety of topics within the application of hedge accounting and to better portray the economic results of hedging instrumentsASC. The effective date for each amended topic in the financial statements.ASC is either the date on which the SEC’s removal of the related disclosure requirement from Regulation S-X or S-K becomes effective, or June 30, 2027, if the SEC has not removed the requirements by that date. Early adoption is prohibited.

ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), issued December 2023.

Requires disclosure of specific categories in rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, additional information about income taxes paid, and disclosure of disaggregated income tax information. The ASU isamendments are effective January 1, 20192025 and early adoption is permitted. On the date of adoption, the ASU applies to all existing hedging relationships and should be reflected as of the beginning of the respective fiscal year.

ASU No. 2017-09, 2024-01, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, , issued May 2017.March 2024

ASU 2017-09 provides updated guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of

Requires determining whether a profits interest award should be accounted for as a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Under this ASU, an entity should accountarrangement or other compensation in accordance with Topic 718. The amendments are effective for the effects of an award modification unless the fair value, vesting conditions and equity or liability classification of the modified award are the same as the original award. The ASU is effectiveannual periods beginning January 1, 2018, early2025, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied prospectively.permitted.

NOTE 2 — REVENUE RECOGNITION

The following table presents the Company’s Net sales disaggregated by product line:

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Consumables

$

527,738

$

569,684

Equipment

 

453,459

 

469,659

Net sales

$

981,197

$

1,039,343

Consumable sales consist of welding, brazing and soldering filler metals. Equipment sales consist of arc welding, welding accessories, arc welding equipment, wire feeding systems, fume control equipment, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems, specialty gas regulators, and education solutions; as well as a comprehensive portfolio of automated solutions


9

8

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Period Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, issued March 2017.
ASU 2017-07 requires an entity to report the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs. The other components of the net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of any subtotal of operating income. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The ASU is effective January 1, 2018, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost in the income statement and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component. The Company estimates the adoption of the ASU in 2018 will reduce Operating income by $9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Income before income taxes and Net income will not be affected by the adoption of the ASU.
ASU No. 2017-04, Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, issued January 2017.
ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Under this ASU, an entity should perform the Step 1 annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount.  If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The ASU is effective January 1, 2020, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied prospectively.
ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, issued January 2017.
ASU 2017-01 provides updated guidance for evaluating whether certain transactions should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of an asset or a business. The ASU is effective January 1, 2018, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied prospectively.
ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows(Topic 230): Restricted Cash, issued November 2016.
ASU 2016-18 requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective January 1, 2018, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied retrospectively.
ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, issued October 2016.
ASU 2016-16 requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The ASU is effective January 1, 2018, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings, as of the beginning of the period of adoption.
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, issued August 2016.
ASU 2016-15 reduces existing diversity in practice by addressing eight specific cash flow issues related to how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective January 1, 2018, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied retrospectively (or prospectively as of earliest date practicable).
ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), issued February 2016.
ASU 2016-02 aims to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring disclosure of key information about leasing agreements. Entities are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The ASU is effective January 1, 2019, early adoption is permitted and the ASU should be applied using either a modified retrospective or modified retrospective with practical expedients approach.

9

for joining, cutting, material handling, module assembly, and end of line testing. Consumable and Equipment products are sold within each of the Company’s operating segments.

Within the Equipment product line, there are certain customer contracts related to automation products that may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Company allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company generally determines the standalone selling price based on the prices charged to customers or using expected cost plus margin. Less than 10% of the Company’s Net sales are recognized over time.

At March 31, 2024, the Company recorded $37,609 related to advance customer payments and $55,401 related to billings in excess of revenue recognized. These contract liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2023, the balances related to advance customer payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized were $40,063 and $52,422, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s contract liabilities are recognized within twelve months based on contract duration. The Company records an asset for contracts where it has recognized revenue, but has not yet invoiced the customer for goods or services. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $45,147 and $41,816, respectively, related to these contract assets which are included in Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract asset amounts are expected to be billed within the next twelve months.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

NOTE 23 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Numerator: 
  
  
  
Net income$106,126
 $60,049
 $223,322
 $145,004
Denominator (shares in 000's): 
  
  
  
Basic weighted average shares outstanding65,806
 66,477
 65,769
 68,081
Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options and awards896
 705
 910
 703
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding66,702
 67,182
 66,679
 68,784
Basic earnings per share$1.61
 $0.90
 $3.40
 $2.13
Diluted earnings per share$1.59
 $0.89
 $3.35
 $2.11

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

2024

 

2023

Numerator:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

123,415

$

121,931

Denominator (shares in 000's):

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

56,865

 

57,596

Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options and awards

 

776

 

821

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

57,641

 

58,417

Basic earnings per share

$

2.17

$

2.12

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.14

$

2.09

For the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and 2016,2023, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 182,61525,147 and 803,741,29,112, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 149,888 and 807,763, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive.


NOTE 34 — ACQUISITIONS

Upon acquisition of a business,

On April 1, 2024, the Company uses the income, market, or cost approach (oracquired 100% ownership of Superior Controls, LLC (“RedViking”), a combination thereof) for the valuation as appropriate.privately held automation system integrator based in Plymouth, Michigan. The valuation inputs in these models and analyses are based on market participant assumptions.  Market participants are considered to be buyers and sellers unrelated to the Company in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

Fair value estimates are based on a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. Management values properties using the cost approach supported where available by observable market data, which includes consideration of obsolescence. Management values acquired intangible assets using the relief from royalty method, a form of the income approach supported by observable market data for peer companies. Acquired inventories are marked to fair value. For certain items, the carrying value is determined to be a reasonable approximation of fair value based on information available to the Company.
2017 Acquisitions
On July 31, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Air Liquide Welding, a subsidiary of Air Liquide. The agreed uponnet purchase price was $135,123, which was adjusted for certain debt like obligations, for a net purchase price of $72,468,$115,000, net of cash acquired. The primary debt like obligation was a pension liability. The acquisitionacquired, and it was accounted for as a business combination. In 2023, RedViking generated sales of approximately $70,000 (unaudited). RedViking specializes in the development and integration of state-of-the-art autonomous guided vehicles and mobile robots, custom assembly and dynamic test systems, and proprietary manufacturing execution system software. The funding of the cash portion of the purchase price and acquisition costs was provided for with available cash.
The complementary business will enhancebroadened the Company’s global specialty consumables portfolio of automation solutions and extend its channel reach for equipment systems and cutting, soldering and brazing solutions in Europe. The acquisition will also offer Europeanextends the Company’s ability to serve customers more comprehensive welding solutions, greater technical application expertise and improved service levels.
The preliminary fair value of the net assets acquired exceeded the purchase consideration by $51,585, resulting in a bargain purchase gain at acquisition, which is included in Bargain purchase gain in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company believes that the bargain purchase gain was primarily the result of the divestiture by Air Liquide of the welding business, which was outside Air Liquide’s core business, as part of an overall repositioning of its core business. The Company anticipates future integration initiatives are necessary in order to achieve commercialgrowing aerospace and operational synergies. The Company is in the process of reassessing the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, including further redefining the values of certain identifiable assets and liabilities, deferred income taxes and contractual arrangements. Asdefense industries.

On May 3, 2023, the Company finalizes the fair valueacquired 100% ownership of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and purchase price, additional purchase price adjustments may be recorded during the measurement period. This may also resultPowermig Automação e Soldagem Ltda. (“Powermig”), a privately held automation engineering firm headquartered in a corresponding changeCaxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, in the amount of the bargain purchase gain recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.Brazil. The net


10

10

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


The following table summarizes the preliminary

purchase price allocationwas $29,572, net of cash acquired, and it was accounted for as a business combination. Beginning May 3, 2023, the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income includes the results of Powermig, which were not material for the Air Liquide Welding acquisition:

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed As of July 31, 2017
Accounts receivable $89,710
Inventory (1)
 98,529
Property, plant and equipment (2)
 79,619
Intangible assets (3)
 11,715
Accounts payable (66,959)
Pension liability (67,563)
Bargain purchase gain (51,585)
Net other assets and liabilities (4)
 (20,998)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $72,468
(1)A portion of inventories acquired were sold in the third quarter of 2017 resulting in a $2,314 increase in cost of sales for the amortization of step up in the value of acquired inventories. 
(2)Property, plant and equipment acquired includes a number of manufacturing and distribution sites, including the related facilities, land and leased sites, and machinery and equipment for use in manufacturing operations.
(3)$7,099 of the intangible asset balance was assigned to a trade name expected to have an indefinite life. Of the remaining amount, $1,183 was assigned to a finite-lived trade name (10 year weighted average useful life) and $3,433 was assigned to other intangible assets (9 year weighted average life).     
(4)Consists primarily of other accrued liabilities.
three months ended March 31, 2024. Powermig specializes in designing and engineering industrial welding automation solutions for the heavy industry and transportation sectors. The acquisition broadened the Company’s automation portfolio and capabilities.

In 2017,2024, the Company recognized $11,386$1,762 in acquisition transaction and integration costs, related to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding. Such costswhich were expensed as incurred andincurred.

The acquired companies discussed above are includednot material individually, or in the "Selling, general and administrative expenses" line item inaggregate, to the actual or pro forma Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In 2016, the Air Liquide Welding businesses generated sales of approximately $400 million. Beginning August 1, 2017, the Company'sIncome or Consolidated Statements of Operations include the results of the Air Liquide Welding businesses, including sales revenue of $63 million through September 30, 2017. The impact on net income in the third quarter of 2017 from Air Liquide Welding businesses was immaterial. ProCash Flows; as such, pro forma information related to this acquisition hasthese acquisitions have not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations is not material.
2016 Acquisitions
During May 2016, the Company acquired Vizient Manufacturing Solutions ("Vizient"). Vizient, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, is a robotic integrator specializing in custom engineered tooling and automated arc welding systems for general and heavy fabrication applications. The acquisition assisted in diversifying end-market exposure and broadening global growth opportunities. Pro forma information related to this acquisition has not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is not material.  Vizient is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

presented.

NOTE 45 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company'sCompany’s business units are aligned into three operating segments. The operating segments consist of Americas Welding, International Welding and The Harris Products Group. The Americas Welding segment includes welding operations in North and South America. The International Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company’s global oxy-fuel cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States.

Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being the adjusted earnings before interest and income taxes (“Adjusted EBIT”). profit measure. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Equity earnings in affiliates and Other income.income (expense). EBIT is adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets.

The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment:

The Harris

Americas

International

Products

Corporate /

    

Welding

    

Welding

    

Group

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net sales

$

624,099

$

235,761

$

121,337

$

$

981,197

Inter-segment sales

 

29,978

8,408

3,093

(41,479)

Total

$

654,077

$

244,169

$

124,430

$

(41,479)

$

981,197

Adjusted EBIT

$

136,100

$

27,776

$

19,878

$

(10,078)

$

173,676

Special items charge (1)

 

3,069

1,536

1,762

6,367

EBIT

$

136,100

$

24,707

$

18,342

$

(11,840)

$

167,309

Interest income

3,221

Interest expense

(12,000)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

$

158,530

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net sales

$

658,645

$

252,416

$

128,282

$

$

1,039,343

Inter-segment sales

 

32,318

 

6,753

 

2,897

 

(41,968)

Total

$

690,963

$

259,169

$

131,179

$

(41,968)

$

1,039,343

Adjusted EBIT

$

132,453

$

29,598

$

18,983

$

(9,402)

$

171,632

Special items charge (2)

 

2,785

 

302

 

 

3,087

EBIT

$

129,668

$

29,296

$

18,983

$

(9,402)

$

168,545

Interest income

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

854

Interest expense

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

(14,055)

Income before income taxes

 

  

 

  

 

  

$

155,344


11

11

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


(1)In the three months ended March 31, 2024, special items include Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $3,069 and $1,536 in International Welding and The Harris Products Group, respectively, as discussed in Note 6 and Acquisition transaction costs of $1,762 in Corporate/Eliminations.
(2)In the three months ended March 31, 2023, special items include amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $2,785 and $1,071 in Americas and International Welding, respectively, Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $877 in International Welding and a gain on disposal of $1,646 in International Welding.
Financial information

NOTE 6 — RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

The Company has rationalization plans within International Welding and The Harris Products Group segments. The plans include headcount restructuring and the consolidation of manufacturing operations to better align the Company’s cost structure with economic conditions and operating needs. At March 31, 2024, liabilities of $9,801 and $386 for International Welding and The Harris Products Group, respectively, were recognized in Other current liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company does not anticipate significant additional charges related to the completion of these plans.

The Company recorded Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $3,069 and $1,536 in International Welding and The Harris Products Group in the three months ended March 31, 2024, respectively. The Company recorded Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $877 in International Welding in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The charges are primarily related to restructuring activities.

The Company believes the rationalization actions will positively impact future results of operations and will not have a material effect on liquidity and sources and uses of capital. The Company continues to evaluate its cost structure and additional rationalization actions may result in charges in future periods.

The following table summarizes the activity related to rationalization liabilities for the reportable segments follows:three months ended March 31, 2024:

    

International

    

The Harris Products

    

Welding

    

Group

    

Consolidated

Balance at December 31, 2023

$

15,086

$

$

15,086

Payments and other adjustments

 

(8,290)

 

(1,150)

 

(9,440)

Charged to expense

 

3,005

 

1,536

 

4,541

Balance at March 31, 2024

$

9,801

$

386

$

10,187

12

 
Americas Welding (1)
 
International Welding (1)
 
The Harris
Products Group
 
Corporate /
Eliminations (1)
 Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
Net sales$398,289
 $197,617
 $73,585
 $
 $669,491
Inter-segment sales25,546
 5,451
 2,064
 (33,061) 
Total$423,835
 $203,068
 $75,649
 $(33,061) $669,491
          
Adjusted EBIT$74,096
 $10,612
 $9,244
 $570
 $94,522
Special items charge (gain)5,283
 2,314
 
 (48,312) (40,715)
EBIT$68,813
 $8,298
 $9,244
 $48,882
 $135,237
Interest income 
  
  
  
 1,327
Interest expense 
  
  
  
 (5,922)
Income before income taxes 
  
  
  
 $130,642
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
Net sales$377,520
 $119,564
 $70,562
 $
 $567,646
Inter-segment sales22,386
 3,688
 1,856
 (27,930) 
Total$399,906
 $123,252
 $72,418
 $(27,930) $567,646
          
Adjusted EBIT$68,285
 $5,796
 $8,757
 $913
 $83,751
Special items charge (gain)
 
 
 
 
EBIT$68,285
 $5,796
 $8,757
 $913
 $83,751
Interest income 
  
  
  
 360
Interest expense 
  
  
  
 (3,815)
Income before income taxes 
  
  
  
 $80,296
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
Net sales$1,186,760
 $468,003
 $222,483
 $
 $1,877,246
Inter-segment sales75,380
 15,214
 6,763
 (97,357) 
Total$1,262,140
 $483,217
 $229,246
 $(97,357) $1,877,246
          
Adjusted EBIT$217,317
 $29,713
 $27,491
 $369
 $274,890
Special items charge (gain)5,283
 2,314
 
 (40,199) (32,602)
EBIT$212,034
 $27,399
 $27,491
 $40,568
 $307,492
Interest income 
  
  
  
 3,349
Interest expense 
  
  
   (18,333)
Income before income taxes 
  
  
  
 $292,508
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
Net sales$1,124,900
 $376,684
 $209,202
 $
 $1,710,786
Inter-segment sales69,673
 11,955
 6,983
 (88,611) 
Total$1,194,573
 $388,639
 $216,185
 $(88,611) $1,710,786
          
Adjusted EBIT$194,924
 $21,699
 $25,752
 $1,812
 $244,187
Special items charge (gain)
 
 
 34,348
 34,348
EBIT$194,924
 $21,699
 $25,752
 $(32,536) $209,839
Interest income 
  
  
  
 1,225
Interest expense 
  
  
  
 (11,828)
Income before income taxes 
  
  
  
 $199,236



12

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


(1) In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, special items reflect pension settlement charges in Americas Welding, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories in International Welding and transaction and integration costs offset by a bargain purchase gain in Corporate / Eliminations related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, special items in Corporate / Eliminations reflect a loss on the deconsolidation of the Venezuelan subsidiary.

NOTE 5 — EQUITY

Changes in equity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 are as follows:
 
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Non-controlling
Interests
 Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016$711,477
 $729
 $712,206
Comprehensive income (loss): 
  
  
Net income223,322
 (32) 223,290
Other comprehensive income (loss)78,688
 79
 78,767
Total comprehensive income (loss)302,010
 47
 302,057
      
Cash dividends declared - $1.05 per share(69,622) 
 (69,622)
Issuance of shares under benefit plans24,299
 
 24,299
Purchase of shares for treasury(23,012) 
 (23,012)
Balance at September 30, 2017$945,152
 $776
 $945,928
On April 20, 2016, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, which increased the total number of the Company's common shares authorized to be repurchased to 55 million shares.  At management’s discretion, the Company repurchases its common shares from time to time in the open market, depending on market conditions, stock price and other factors. As of September 30, 2017, there remained 8.6 million common shares available for repurchase under this program.  The repurchased common shares remain in treasury and have not been retired. 

13

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

The following tables set forth the total changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)7 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ("AOCI") by component, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
  Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension plan activity Currency translation adjustment Total
Balance at June 30, 2017 $1,834
 $(94,513) $(179,844) $(272,523)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassification
 (1,814) 
 18,900
3 

17,086
Amounts reclassified from AOCI 1,130
1 

3,958
2 


 5,088
Net current-period other
comprehensive income (loss)
 (684) 3,958
 18,900
 22,174
Balance at September 30, 2017 $1,150
 $(90,555) $(160,944) $(250,349)
         
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
  Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension plan activity Currency translation adjustment Total
Balance at June 30, 2016 $739
 $(95,541) $(191,752) $(286,554)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassification
 170
 
 (3,024)
3 

(2,854)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (345)
1 

1,313
2 


 968
Net current-period other
comprehensive income (loss)
 (175) 1,313
 (3,024) (1,886)
Balance at September 30, 2016 $564
 $(94,228) $(194,776) $(288,440)
         
(1)During the 2017 period, this AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $968 (net of tax of $398) and Cost of goods sold of $162 (net of tax of $25); during the 2016 period, the reclassification is a component of Net sales of $(174) (net of tax of $(71)) and Cost of goods sold of $(171) (net of tax of $(46)). See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.
(2)This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $2,170 and $778 during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively). See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.
(3)The Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications excludes $31 and $(6) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.




14

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:taxes:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

Unrealized gain

(loss) on derivatives

designated and

Defined benefit

Currency

qualifying as cash

pension plan

translation

flow hedges

activity

adjustment

Total

Balance at December 31, 2023

$

16,536

$

(1,996)

$

(244,387)

$

(229,847)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

 

4,528

(13,395)

(8,867)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

 

(813)

73

(740)

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

3,715

 

73

 

(13,395)

 

(9,607)

Balance at March 31, 2024

$

20,251

$

(1,923)

$

(257,782)

$

(239,454)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Unrealized gain

(loss) on derivatives

designated and

Defined benefit

Currency

qualifying as cash

pension plan

translation

flow hedges

activity

adjustment

Total

Balance at December 31, 2022

$

13,909

$

(1,781)

$

(287,526)

$

(275,398)

Other comprehensive income before reclassification

 

10,134

 

 

14,818

 

24,952

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

 

(1,003)

 

560

 

 

(443)

Net current-period other comprehensive income

 

9,131

 

560

 

14,818

 

24,509

Balance at March 31, 2023

$

23,040

$

(1,221)

$

(272,708)

$

(250,889)

13

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
  Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension plan activity Currency translation adjustment Total
Balance at December 31, 2016 $587
 $(95,939) $(233,685) $(329,037)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassification
 (1,547) 
 72,741
3 

71,194
Amounts reclassified from AOCI 2,110
1 

5,384
2 


 7,494
Net current-period other
comprehensive income (loss)
 563
 5,384
 72,741
 78,688
Balance at September 30, 2017 $1,150
 $(90,555) $(160,944) $(250,349)
         
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
  Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension plan activity Currency translation adjustment Total
Balance at December 31, 2015 $548
 $(99,776) $(197,039) $(296,267)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassification
 1,530
 (15) (580)
3 

935
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1,514)
1 

5,563
2 

2,843
4 

6,892
Net current-period other
comprehensive income (loss)
 16
 5,548
 2,263
 7,827
Balance at September 30, 2016 $564
 $(94,228) $(194,776) $(288,440)
         

(1)During the 2017 period, the AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $1,580 (net of tax of $602) and Cost of goods sold of $530 (net of tax of $214); during the 2016 period, the AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $(1,113) (net of tax of $(418)) and Cost of goods sold of $(401) (net of tax of $(41)). See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.
(2)The AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $2,532 and $2,821 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively). See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.
(3)The Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications excludes $79 and $(41) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(4)The reclassification from AOCI reflects foreign currency translation losses recognized due to the Company's deconsolidation of its Venezuelan subsidiary. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.


15

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


NOTE 68 — INVENTORY

INVENTORIES

Inventories in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet isSheets are comprised of the following components:

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Raw materials$104,713
 $76,811
Work-in-process62,901
 40,556
Finished goods222,108
 138,039
Total$389,722
 $255,406
The valuation

    

    

March 31, 2024

    

December 31, 2023

Raw materials

$

141,217

$

160,809

Work-in-process

 

137,803

 

125,756

Finished goods

 

288,259

 

276,299

Total

$

567,279

$

562,864

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately 36% and 37%, respectively, of total inventories were valued using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method inventories is made at the end of each year based on inventory levels and costs at that time.  Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs.  Actual year-end costs and inventory levels may differ from interim LIFO inventory valuations.method. The excess of current cost over LIFO cost was $67,185$129,415 and $129,946 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and $61,329 at December 31, 2016. 2023, respectively.

NOTE 9 — LEASES

The increasetable below summarizes the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in total Inventories was primarily the result of the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.


NOTE 7 — ACCRUED EMPLOYEE BONUS
Other current liabilities at September 30, 2017 and 2016 include accruals for year-end bonuses and related payroll taxes of $74,816and $69,433, respectively, related to the Company’s employees worldwide.  The paymentCondensed Consolidated Balance sheets:

Operating Leases

    

Balance Sheet Classification

    

March 31, 2024

    

December 31, 2023

Right-of-use assets

 

Other assets

$

52,615

$

53,284

Current liabilities

 

Other current liabilities

$

13,191

$

13,104

Noncurrent liabilities

 

Other liabilities

 

40,747

 

41,576

Total lease liabilities

 

  

$

53,938

$

54,680

Total lease expense, which is included in Cost of bonuses is discretionarygoods sold and subject to approvalSelling, general & administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income, was $6,161 and $5,851 in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were $4,049 and $3,145 and are included in Net cash provided by operating activities in the BoardCompany’s Consolidated Statements of Directors.  A majority of annual bonuses are paidCash Flows. Right-of-use assets obtained in December, resulting in an increasing bonus accrualexchange for operating lease liabilities were $3,546 and $3,896 during the Company’s fiscal year.   


NOTE 8 — CONTINGENCIES
three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Company, like other manufacturers,total future minimum lease payments for noncancelable operating leases were as follows:

    

March 31, 2024

2024

$

11,281

2025

 

12,540

2026

 

9,807

2027

 

7,148

2028

 

5,191

After 2028

 

14,394

Total lease payments

$

60,361

Less: Imputed interest

 

6,423

Operating lease liabilities

$

53,938

As of March 31, 2024, the weighted average remaining lease term is subject from time to time to a variety of civil and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.  Such claims and litigation include, without limitation, product liability claims, regulatory claims and health, safety and environmental claims, some of which relate to cases alleging asbestos induced illnesses.  The claimants in the asbestos cases seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified amounts.  The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to contest such suits vigorously.

The Company accrues its best estimate of the probable costs, after a review of the facts with management and counsel and taking into account past experience. If an unfavorable outcome is determined to be reasonably possible but not probable6.8 years and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, or if an unfavorable outcomeweighted average discount rate used to determine the operating lease liability is determined to be probable and the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, disclosure would be provided for material claims or litigation. Many of the current cases are in differing procedural stages and information on the circumstances of each claimant, which forms the basis for judgments as to the validity or ultimate disposition of such actions, varies greatly. Therefore, in many situations a range of possible losses cannot be made. Reserves are adjusted as facts and circumstances change and related management assessments of the underlying merits and the likelihood of outcomes change. Moreover, reserves only cover identified and/or asserted claims. Future claims could, therefore, give rise to increases to such reserves.3.6%.

Based on the Company's historical experience in litigating product liability claims, including a significant number of dismissals, summary judgments and defense verdicts in many cases and immaterial settlement amounts, as well as the Company's current assessment of the underlying merits of the claims and applicable insurance, the Company believes resolution of these claims and proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

14



16

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


NOTE 9 — PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS
The changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals are as follows:
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
Balance at beginning of year$21,053
 $19,469
Accruals for warranties8,118
 9,222
Settlements(8,672) (8,529)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments (1)
2,368
 111
Balance at September 30$22,867
 $20,273
(1)  At September 30, 2017, Foreign currency translation and other adjustments includes $2,114 in an acquired liability related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 10DEBT

Revolving Credit Agreement

TheAgreements

On April 23, 2021, the Company has aamended and restated the agreement governing its line of credit totaling $400,000 throughby entering into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit(“Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement has a five-yearline of credit totaling $500,000, has a term of 5 years with a maturity date of April 23, 2026 and may be increased, subject to certain conditions including the consent of its lenders, by an additional amount up to $100,000. The$150,000. On March 8, 2023, the Credit Agreement was amended to replace the LIBOR rate to a term secured overnight finance rate (“SOFR”); as such, the interest rate on borrowings is based on either the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the prime rate,SOFR plus a spread of 0.85% to 1.85%based on (1) the Company’s net leverage ratio at the Company’s election. The Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement on June 30, 2017, extending the maturity of the line of(2) a credit to June 30, 2022.spread adjustment. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type (subject to negotiated baskets and exceptions), including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates and a fixed charges coverage ratio and total leverage ratio.  affiliates. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

The Company has other lines of credit and debt agreements totaling $90,945. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had outstanding debt under short-term lines of credit of $4,720.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 1, 2015 and October 20, 2016, the Company entered into aseparate Note Purchase AgreementAgreements pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "2015 Notes""Notes") in thethrough a private placement. The 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes each have an aggregate principal amount of $350,000, comprised of four different series ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with maturity dates ranging from August 20, 2025 through a private placement.April 1, 2045, and interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 4.02%. Interest on the Notes is paid semi-annually. The Company’s total weighted average effective interest rate and remaining weighted average tenure of the Notes is 3.3% and 10.1 years, respectively. The proceeds of the Notes were used for general corporate purposes. The 2015 Notes, as shown in the table below, have original maturities ranging from 10 to 30 years with a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.5%, excluding accretion of original issuance costs, and an initial average tenure of 19 years. Interest is payable semi-annually. The 2015 Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants relating to the 2015 Notes.

The maturity and interest rates of the 2015 Notes are as follows:
 Amount Maturity Date Interest Rate
Series A$100,000
 August 20, 2025 3.15%
Series B100,000
 August 20, 2030 3.35%
Series C50,000
 April 1, 2035 3.61%
Series D100,000
 April 1, 2045 4.02%

Term Loan

On October 20, 2016,November 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "2016 Notes")term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $350,000 through$400,000 (the “Term Loan”), which was borrowed in full. The Term Loan matures on November 29, 2025. The Term Loan bears an interest at a private placement. The proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes. The 2016 Notes, as shown in the table below, have original maturitiesrate based on SOFR, plus a margin ranging from 120.75% to 25 years with a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.1%, excluding accretion of original issuance costs, and an initial average tenure of 18 years. Interest is payable semi-annually. The 2016 Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants.1.75% based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

In March 2023, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert the interest rate on $150,000 of the Term Loan from a variable rate to a fixed rate.

Fair Value of Debt

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of long-term debt, covenants relating toincluding the 2016 Notes.current portion, was approximately $981,481 and $1,013,795, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $1,102,677 and $1,102,771, respectively. Since judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.


15

17

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


The maturity and interest rates of the 2016 Notes are as follows:
 Amount Maturity Date Interest Rate
Series A$100,000
 October 20, 2028 2.75%
Series B100,000
 October 20, 2033 3.03%
Series C100,000
 October 20, 2037 3.27%
Series D50,000
 October 20, 2041 3.52%
The Company's total weighted average effective interest rate and weighted average initial tenure, inclusive of the 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes, is 3.3% and 18 years, respectively.

NOTE 11RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of total pension cost were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Service cost$925
 $4,116
 $2,394
 $12,985
Interest cost5,769
 5,906
 16,843
 17,935
Expected return on plan assets(9,469) (8,850) (26,710) (26,608)
Amortization of prior service cost4
 (98) 12
 (296)
Amortization of net loss (1)
983
 2,142
 2,994
 8,456
Settlement charges (2)
5,283
 
 5,283
 
Defined benefit plans3,495
 3,216
 816
 12,472
Multi-employer plans217
 192
 634
 587
Defined contribution plans6,179
 2,244
 18,748
 6,405
Total pension cost (3)
$9,891
 $5,652
 $20,198
 $19,464

(1) The amortization of net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes a $959 charge resulting from the deconsolidation of the Venezuelan subsidiary.
(2)Pension settlement charges resulting from lump sum pension payments in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
(3) The increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year periods reflect pension settlement charges and higher defined contribution plan expense related to the Company's amended U.S. defined contribution plan that was effective January 1, 2017, partially offset by lower service cost and lower amortization of net losses related to the defined benefit plan freeze effective December 31, 2016.

NOTE 12 — INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized $69,218$35,115 of tax expense on pretax income of $292,508,$158,530, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 23.7%22.2% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2024. The effective income tax rate was 27.2%21.5% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016. March 31, 2023.

The 2017 effective tax rate was lower thanhigher for the Company's statutory ratethree months ended March 31, 2024, as compared with the same period in 2023, primarily due to the nontaxable bargain purchase gain recorded during the current period in connection with the acquisitionmix of Air Liquide Welding, excessearnings and discrete tax benefits resulting from exercising of stock-based compensation awards and income earned in lower tax rate jurisdictions. The 2016 effective tax rate was lower than the Company's statutory rate primarily due to the utilization of U.S. tax credits, income earned in lower tax rate jurisdictions, the reversal of an income tax valuation allowance as a result of a legal entity change and an income tax benefit related to a worthless stock deduction of a foreign subsidiary.

items.

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, the Company had $16,006$12,855 of unrecognized tax benefits. If recognized, approximately $11,876$10,304 would be reflected as a component of income tax expense.


18

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013.2019. The Company is currently subject to U.S., various state and non-U.S. income tax audits.

Unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted for changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits and closing of statutes of limitations. Based on information currently available, management believes that additional audit activity could be completed and/or statutes of limitations may close relating to existing unrecognized tax benefits. It is reasonably possible there could be a reduction of $1,379$1,864 in previously unrecognized tax benefits by the end of the thirdfirst quarter2018.


2025.

NOTE 1312 — DERIVATIVES

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices arising in the normal course of business. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are assessed as to their effectiveness, when applicable. Hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and 2016.

2023.

The Company is subject to the credit risk of the counterparties to derivative instruments. Counterparties include a number of major banks and financial institutions. None of the concentrations of risk with any individual counterparty was considered significant at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2024. The Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.

Cash Flow Hedges

Certain foreign currency forward contracts wereare qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these short-term contracts was $43,998$98,808 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and $36,385$84,148 at December 31, 2016.2023.

The Company has interest rate forward starting swap agreements that are qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. In the first quarter 2024, the Company entered into short-term contracts with the dollar equivalent gross notional amount of $100,000 at March 31, 2024 and have a termination date of June 2024. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of the long-term contracts was $100,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and have a termination date of August 2025.

The Company has commodity contracts that are qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. The Notional amount of these contracts were 150,000 pounds and 200,000 pounds at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Fair Value Hedges

16

Certain

Table of Contents

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

In March 2023, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements, which were qualified and designated as fair value hedges. At September 30, 2017, the Company hadcash flow hedges, with an aggregate notional amount of $150,000. The interest rate swap agreements outstanding thatswaps will effectively convert notional amountsthe interest rate on $150,000 of $100,000 of debtthe Term Loan discussed in Note 10 from a fixed interest rate to a variable interest rate based on three-month LIBOR plusone-month SOFR to a spread of between 0.6% and 1.8%. The variable rates reset every three months, at which time payment or receipt of interest will be settled.

fixed rate.

Net Investment Hedges

From time to time, the

The Company executeshas foreign currency forward contracts that qualify and are designated as net investment hedges. No suchThe dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these contracts were outstandingwas $117,578 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and $119,607 at December 31, 2016.

2023.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company has certain foreign exchange forward contracts that are not designated as hedges. These derivatives are held as economic hedges of certain balance sheet exposures. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these contracts was $381,921$416,200 and $492,600 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and $261,168 at December 31, 2016

2023, respectively.

Fair values of derivative instruments in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follow:

  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Derivatives by hedge designation  Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities
Designated as hedging instruments:  
  
    
  
  
Foreign exchange contracts $598
 $323
 $
 $439
 $923
 $
Interest rate swap agreements 
 
 4,476
 
 
 5,439
Not designated as hedging instruments:            
Foreign exchange contracts 702
 2,573
 
 746
 1,529
 
Total derivatives $1,300
 $2,896
 $4,476
 $1,185
 $2,452
 $5,439

19

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

March 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Other

Other

Other

Other

Current

Current

Other

Other

Current

Current

Other

Other

Derivatives by hedge designation

Assets

    

Liabilities

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

Designated as hedging instruments:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

$

2,391

$

238

$

$

$

1,548

$

687

$

$

Interest rate swap agreements

 

 

2,649

 

 

 

1,460

 

Forward starting swap agreements

23,005

40

20,377

Net investment contracts

1,261

3,351

Commodity contracts

52

45

Not designated as hedging instruments:

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

1,617

998

 

4,063

 

623

 

 

Total derivatives

$

5,321

$

1,236

$

25,654

$

40

$

5,656

$

4,661

$

21,837

$

The effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016Income consisted of the following:

    Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
Derivatives by hedge designation Classification of gain (loss) 2017 2016 2017 2016
Not designated as hedges:    
  
    
Foreign exchange contracts Selling, general & administrative expenses $1,788
 $(2,952) $23,031
 $(9,862)
Commodity contracts Cost of goods sold 
 
 
 (742)

    

    

Three Months Ended March 31, 

Derivatives by hedge designation

    

Classification of (loss) gain

    

2024

    

2023

Not designated as hedges:

  

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

Selling, general
& administrative expenses

$

(1,615)

$

6,690

The effects of designated hedges on AOCI and the Company’s Consolidated Statements of OperationsIncome consisted of the following:

    

    

Total gain recognized in AOCI, net of tax

    

March 31, 2024

    

December 31, 2023

    

Foreign exchange contracts

$

1,628

$

721

Interest rate swap agreements

2,198

1,085

Forward starting swap agreements

16,386

14,696

Net investment contracts

9,089

 

7,136

Commodity contracts

 

39

 

34

17

Table of Contents

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

Total gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Foreign exchange contracts $51
 $(512)
Net investment contracts 1,099
 1,099

The Company expects a gain of $51$1,667 related to existing contracts to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings over the next 12 months as the hedged transactions are realized.

    Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
Derivative type Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to: 2017 2016 2017 2016
Foreign exchange contracts Sales $968
 $(174) $1,580
 $(1,113)
  Cost of goods sold 162
 (171) 530
 (401)

    

    

Three Months Ended March 31, 

Gain recognized in the

Derivative type

    

Consolidated Statements of Income:

    

2024

    

2023

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Sales

$

839

$

1,206

 

Cost of goods sold

 

232

 

3

Commodity contracts

Cost of goods sold

2

179

NOTE 1413 - FAIR VALUE

The following table provides a summary of assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

    

    

Quoted Prices in

    

    

Active Markets for

Identical Assets or

Significant Other

Significant

Balance as of

Liabilities

Observable Inputs

Unobservable

Description

    

March 31, 2024

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

Inputs (Level 3)

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

$

4,008

$

$

4,008

$

Net investment contracts

1,261

1,261

Commodity contracts

52

52

Interest rate swap agreements

2,649

2,649

Forward starting swap agreements

 

23,005

 

 

23,005

 

Pension surplus

38,323

38,323

Total assets

$

69,298

$

38,323

$

30,975

$

Liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

$

1,236

$

$

1,236

$

Forward starting swap agreements

40

40

Deferred compensation

 

54,126

 

 

54,126

 

Total liabilities

$

55,402

$

$

55,402

$

18

Description Balance as of
September 30, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
or Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:  
  
  
  
Foreign exchange contracts $1,300
 $
 $1,300
 $
Marketable securities 179,284
 
 179,284
 
Total assets $180,584
 $
 $180,584
 $
         
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
Foreign exchange contracts $2,896
 $
 $2,896
 $
Interest rate swap agreements 4,476
 
 4,476
 
Contingent considerations 7,067
 
 
 7,067
Deferred compensation 28,227
 
 28,227
 
Total liabilities $42,666
 $
 $35,599
 $7,067

20

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts


The following table provides a summary of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016,2023, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Description Balance as of December 31, 2016 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
or Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:  
  
  
  
Foreign exchange contracts $1,185
 $
 $1,185
 $
Marketable securities 38,922
 
 38,922
 
Total assets $40,107
 $
 $40,107
 $
         
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
Foreign exchange contracts $2,452
 $
 $2,452
 $
Interest rate swap agreements 5,439
 
 5,439
 
Contingent considerations 8,154
 
 
 8,154
Forward contract 15,272
 
 
 15,272
Deferred compensation 25,244
 
 25,244
 
Total liabilities $56,561
 $
 $33,135
 $23,426

    

    

Quoted Prices in

    

    

Active Markets for

Identical Assets or

Significant Other

Significant

Balance as of

Liabilities

Observable Inputs

Unobservable

Description

    

December 31, 2023

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

Inputs (Level 3)

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

$

5,611

$

$

5,611

$

Interest rate swap agreements

1,460

1,460

Commodity contracts

45

45

Forward starting swap agreements

20,377

20,377

Pension Surplus

 

41,849

 

41,849

 

 

Total assets

$

69,342

$

41,849

$

27,493

$

Liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign exchange contracts

$

1,310

$

$

1,310

$

Net investment contracts

 

3,351

 

 

3,351

 

Deferred compensation

 

53,628

 

 

53,628

 

Total liabilities

$

58,289

$

$

58,289

$

The fair value of the Company’s pension surplus assets are based on quoted market prices in active markets and are included in the Level 1 fair value hierarchy. The pension surplus assets are invested in money market and short-term duration bond funds at March 31, 2024.

The Company’s derivative contracts are valued at fair value using the market approach. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts, forward starting swap agreements, net investment contracts and interest rate swap agreements using Level 2 inputs based on observable spot and forward rates in active markets.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.

The Company measures the fair value of marketable securities using Level 2 inputs based on quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets.
In connection with acquisitions, the Company recorded contingent considerations fair valued at $7,067 as of September 30, 2017. Under the contingent consideration agreements, the amounts to be paid are based upon actual financial results of the acquired entity for specified future periods.  The fair value of the contingent considerations are a Level 3 valuation and fair valued using either a probability weighted discounted cash flow analysis or an option pricing model.
In connection with an acquisition, the Company obtained a controlling financial interest in the acquired entity and at the same time entered into a forward contract to obtain the remaining financial interest in the entity over a three-year period. The final payment associated with the forward contract was paid by the Company in the second quarter of 2017.

The deferred compensation liability is the Company’s obligation under its executive deferred compensation plan. The Company measures the fair value of the liability using the market values of the participants’ underlying investment fund elections.

The fair value of Cash and cash equivalents, Marketable securities, Accounts receivable, Short-term debt excluding the current portion of long-term debt and Trade accounts payable approximated book value due to the short-term nature of these instruments at both September 30, 2017 and DecemberMarch 31, 2016.  The fair value of long-term debt at September 30, 20172024 and December 31, 2016,2023.

The Company has various financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term debt and forward contracts. While these financial instruments are subject to concentrations of credit risk, the current portion, was approximately $676,997Company has minimized this risk by entering into arrangements with a number of major banks and $669,209, respectively, which was determined using available market informationfinancial institutions and methodologies requiring judgment.investing in several high-quality instruments. The carrying valueCompany does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.

19

Table of this debtContents

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

NOTE 14 – SUPPLIER FINANCING PROGRAM

The Company’s suppliers, at such dates was $704,913 and $703,835, respectively.  Since considerable judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair valuesupplier’s sole discretion, are able to factor receivables due from the Company to a financial institution on terms directly negotiated with the financial institution without affecting the Company’s balance sheet classification of the debt iscorresponding payable. The Company pays the financial institution the stated amount of the confirmed invoices from its designated suppliers on the original maturity dates of the invoices. Invoices with suppliers have terms between 120 and 180 days. The Company does not necessarilyprovide secured legal assets or other forms of guarantees under the amountarrangement and has no involvement in establishing the terms or conditions of the arrangement between its suppliers and the financial institution. The amounts due to the financial institution for suppliers that could be realizedparticipate in a current market exchange.the supplier financing program are included in Trade accounts payable on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the associated payments are included in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Trade accounts payable included $35,936 and $29,111, respectively, payable to suppliers that have elected to participate in the supplier financing program.

(1)


20

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

General

The Company is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a broad line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. Welding products include arc welding power sources, CNCcomputer numerical control and plasma cutters, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, integrated automation systems, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes, fluxes, and welding accessories and specialty welding consumables and fabrication. The Company'sCompany’s product offering also includes oxy-fuel cutting systems and regulators and torches used in oxy-fuel welding, cutting and brazing. In addition, the Company has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.

The Company’s products are sold in both domestic and international markets. In the Americas, products are sold principally through industrial distributors, retailers and directly to users of welding products. Outside of the Americas, the Company has an international sales organization comprised of Company employees and agents who sell products from the Company’s various manufacturing sites to distributors and product users.

The Company'sCompany’s business units are aligned into three operating segments. The operating segments consist of Americas Welding, International Welding and The Harris Products Group. The Americas Welding segment includes welding operations in North and South America. The International Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company’s global oxy-fuel cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States.

Effective June 30, 2016, the Company concluded that it no longer met the accounting criteria for control over its Venezuelan subsidiary based on deteriorating conditions in Venezuela; therefore, the Company deconsolidated the financial statements

21


Results of Operations

The following table shows the Company'sCompany’s results of operations:

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Increase (Decrease)
2017 vs 2016
 Amount % of Sales Amount % of Sales $ %
Net sales$669,491
   $567,646
   101,845
 17.9%
Cost of goods sold449,975
   367,834
   82,141
 22.3%
Gross profit219,516
 32.8% 199,812
 35.2% 19,704
 9.9%
Selling, general & administrative expenses132,748
 19.8% 117,983
 20.8% 14,765
 12.5%
Pension settlement charges5,283
   
   5,283
 100.0%
Bargain purchase gain(51,585)   
   51,585
 100.0%
Operating income133,070
 19.9% 81,829
 14.4% 51,241
 62.6%
Interest income1,327
   360
   967
 268.6%
Equity earnings in affiliates766
   619
   147
 23.7%
Other income1,401
   1,303
   98
 7.5%
Interest expense(5,922)   (3,815)   2,107
 55.2%
Income before income taxes130,642
 19.5% 80,296
 14.1% 50,346
 62.7%
Income taxes24,531
   20,257
   4,274
 21.1%
Effective tax rate18.8%   25.2%      
Net income including non-controlling interests106,111
   60,039
   46,072
 76.7%
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(15)   (10)   5
 50.0%
Net income$106,126
 15.9% $60,049
 10.6% 46,077
 76.7%
Diluted earnings per share$1.59
   $0.89
      
            
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 
Increase (Decrease)
2017 vs 2016
 Amount % of Sales Amount % of Sales $ %
Net sales$1,877,246
 

 $1,710,786
 

 166,460
 9.7%
Cost of goods sold1,236,386
 

 1,118,945
 

 117,441
 10.5%
Gross profit640,860
 34.1% 591,841
 34.6% 49,019
 8.3%
Selling, general & administrative expenses384,964
 20.5% 352,290
 20.6% 32,674
 9.3%
Pension settlement charges5,283
 

 
 

 5,283
 100.0%
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary
 

 34,348
 

 (34,348) (100.0%)
Bargain purchase gain(51,585)   
   51,585
 100.0%
Operating income302,198
 16.1% 205,203
 12.0% 96,995
 47.3%
Interest income3,349
 

 1,225
 

 2,124
 173.4%
Equity earnings in affiliates2,001
 

 2,084
 

 (83) (4.0%)
Other income3,293
 

 2,552
 

 741
 29.0%
Interest expense(18,333) 

 (11,828) 

 6,505
 55.0%
Income before income taxes292,508
 15.6% 199,236
 11.6% 93,272
 46.8%
Income taxes69,218
 

 54,264
 

 14,954
 27.6%
Effective tax rate23.7%   27.2%      
Net income including non-controlling interests223,290
 

 144,972
 

 78,318
 54.0%
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss(32) 

 (32) 

 
 
Net income$223,322
 11.9% $145,004
 8.5% 78,318
 54.0%
Diluted earnings per share$3.35
   $2.11
   

 


Three Months Ended March 31, 

 

Favorable  (Unfavorable) 

 

2024

2023

2024 vs. 2023

Amount

    

% of Sales

    

Amount

    

% of Sales

    

$

    

%

 

Net sales

$

981,197

$

1,039,343

 

$

(58,146)

 

(5.6)

%

Cost of goods sold

 

612,798

 

 

683,986

 

  

71,188

 

10.4

%

Gross profit

 

368,399

 

37.5

%

 

355,357

 

34.2

%

 

13,042

 

3.7

%

Selling, general & administrative expenses

 

198,747

 

20.3

%

 

190,116

 

18.3

%

 

(8,631)

 

(4.5)

%

Rationalization and asset impairment charges

 

4,605

 

0.5

%

 

877

 

0.1

%

  

(3,728)

 

(425.1)

%

Operating income

 

165,047

 

16.8

%

 

164,364

 

15.8

%

 

683

 

0.4

%

Interest expense, net

 

8,779

 

 

13,201

 

 

4,422

 

33.5

%

Other income

 

2,262

 

 

4,181

 

  

(1,919)

 

(45.9)

%

Income before income taxes

 

158,530

 

16.2

%

 

155,344

 

14.9

%

 

3,186

 

2.1

%

Income taxes

 

35,115

 

 

33,413

 

 

(1,702)

 

(5.1)

%

Effective tax rate

 

22.2

%  

 

 

21.5

%  

  

(0.7)

%  

Net income

$

123,415

 

12.6

%

$

121,931

 

11.7

%

$

1,484

 

1.2

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.14

$

2.09

 

  

$

0.05

 

2.4

%

Net Sales:

The following tables summarizetable summarizes the impact of volume, acquisitions, price and foreign currency exchange rates on Net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 on a consolidated basis:

Three Months Ended September 30th   Change in Net Sales due to:  
  Net Sales
2016
 Volume Acquisitions Price Foreign Exchange Net Sales
2017
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. $567,646
 $21,439
 $62,660
 $10,039
 $7,707
 $669,491
             
% Change  
  
  
  
  
  
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.  
 3.8% 11.0% 1.8% 1.4% 17.9%
Nine Months Ended September 30th   Change in Net Sales due to:  
  Net Sales
2016
 Volume Acquisitions Price Foreign Exchange Net Sales
2017
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. $1,710,786
 $56,622
 $67,352
 $37,099
 $5,387
 $1,877,246
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (excluding Venezuela) 1,699,973
 67,435
 67,352
 37,099
 5,387
 1,877,246
             
% Change  
  
  
  
  
  
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.  
 3.3% 3.9% 2.2% 0.3% 9.7%
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (excluding Venezuela)   4.0% 4.0% 2.2% 0.3% 10.4%

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

    

Change in Net Sales due to:

    

 

Net Sales

Foreign

Net Sales

    

2023

    

Volume

    

Acquisitions

    

Price

    

Exchange

    

2024

 

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

$

1,039,343

$

(63,781)

$

4,164

$

(283)

 

$

1,754

$

981,197

% Change

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

 

(6.1)

%

 

0.4

%  

 

0.0

%

0.2

%

(5.6)

%

Net sales increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily as a result of acquisitions, improved volume due to higher demand and increased product pricing. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 include $10,813 in sales from the Company's Venezuelan operations. The increase in net sales from acquisitions in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was driven by acquired companies within Americas Welding and International Welding.

Gross Profit: 
Gross profitdecreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 decreased, as a percent of sales, compared to the prior yearMarch 31, 2024 primarily due to rising input costs.softer demand across segments.

Gross Profit:

Gross profit increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 driven by favorable mix and effective cost management. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 includes a last-in, first-out ("LIFO"(“LIFO”) chargebenefit of $2,196 and $5,855, respectively,$531, as compared with a LIFO chargecharges of $452 and $2,474, respectively,$2,191 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

comparable 2023 period.

Selling, General & Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses:

SG&A expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 as compared to September 30, 2016the same 2023 period, primarily due to SG&A from acquisitions, higher compensation costs, as well as acquisition transaction and integration costs, partially offset by lower legal professional fees.

Pension Settlement Charges
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded pension settlement charges of $5,283, $3,260 after-tax, related to lump sum pension payments.
Loss on Deconsolidation of Venezuelan Subsidiary:
In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded a loss of $34,348, $33,251 after-tax, related to the deconsolidation of its Venezuelan subsidiary. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Bargain Purchase Gain:
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a bargain purchase gain of $51,585 related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Equity Earnings in Affiliates:
Equity earnings in affiliates has remained relatively flat in the comparable periods.



Interest Expense:
The increase in interest expense for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 was due to interest accrued on higher borrowings in 2017.
employee-related costs.

Income Taxes:

The effective income tax rate is lowerwas higher for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 primarily due to the nontaxable bargain purchase gain recorded during the current period in connection with the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding partially offset by the income tax benefit related to a worthless stock deduction of a foreign subsidiary recorded during the prior year.

The effective income tax rate is lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 primarily due to the nontaxable bargain purchase gain in connection with the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding and the change in the reporting of excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock based compensation awards recorded in the current year. In 2016, the effective income tax rate was also higher due to the impact of the deconsolidation of the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary, partially offset by the reversal of a valuation allowance as a result of a legal entity change and an income tax benefit related to a worthless stock deduction of a foreign subsidiary recorded during the prior year.
Net Income:
Net income for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 increasedMarch 31, 2024 as compared to the prior yearsame period in 2023, primarily due to higher volumesmix of earnings and the bargain purchase gain related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition, offset by rising input costs, higher SG&A costs, pension settlement charges and higher interest expense. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes a loss related to the deconsolidationdiscrete tax items.

22


Segment Results

Net Sales:  The tables below summarize the impact of volume, acquisitions, price and foreign currency exchange rates on Net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017:

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

Change in Net Sales due to:

    

    

 

Net Sales

Foreign

Net Sales

2023

  

Volume (1)

  

Acquisitions

  

Price

  

 Exchange

  

2024

Operating Segments

Americas Welding

$

658,645

$

(42,653)

$

4,164

$

2,284

 

$

1,659

$

624,099

International Welding

252,416

 

(12,272)

 

 

(4,010)

 

(373)

 

235,761

The Harris Products Group

128,282

 

(8,856)

 

 

1,443

 

468

 

121,337

% Change

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Americas Welding

(6.5)

%

 

0.6

%

0.3

%

0.3

%

(5.2)

%

International Welding

(4.9)

%

 

(1.6)

%

(0.1)

%

(6.6)

%

The Harris Products Group

(6.9)

%

 

1.1

%

0.4

%

(5.4)

%

(1)Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2024 for all segments due to softer demand.
Three Months Ended September 30th  Change in Net Sales due to:  
 Net Sales
2016
 
Volume (1)
 
Acquisitions (2)
 
Price (3)
 
Foreign
Exchange
 Net Sales
2017
Operating Segments 
  
  
  
  
  
Americas Welding$377,520
 $8,401
 $1,140
 $9,197
 $2,031
 $398,289
International Welding119,564
 7,988
 61,520
 3,446
 5,099
 197,617
The Harris Products Group70,562
 5,050
 
 (2,604) 577
 73,585
            
% Change 
  
  
  
  
  
Americas Welding 
 2.2% 0.3% 2.4% 0.5% 5.5%
International Welding 
 6.7% 51.5% 2.9% 4.3% 65.3%
The Harris Products Group 
 7.2% 
 (3.7%) 0.8% 4.3%
(1) Increase for Americas Welding due to higher consumable volumes. Increase for International Welding due to improving demand in a broad range of end markets. Increase for The Harris Products Group due to higher consumable volumes.
(2) Increase due to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding within Americas Welding and International Welding (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's recent acquisitions).
(3) Increase for Americas Welding and International Welding segments due to increased product pricing as a result of higher input costs. Decrease for The Harris Products Group due to declines in the cost of silver compared to the prior year period.
Nine Months Ended September 30th  Change in Net Sales due to:  
 
Net Sales
2016
 
Volume (1)
 
Acquisitions (2)
 
Price (3)
 
Foreign
Exchange
 
Net Sales
2017
Operating Segments 
  
  
  
  
  
Americas Welding$1,124,900
 $29,928
 $5,832
 $25,225
 $875
 $1,186,760
International Welding376,684
 15,712
 61,520
 11,068
 3,019
 468,003
The Harris Products Group209,202
 10,982
 
 806
 1,493
 222,483
            
% Change 
  
  
  
  
  
Americas Welding 
 2.7% 0.5% 2.2% 0.1% 5.5%
International Welding 
 4.2% 16.3% 2.9% 0.8% 24.2%
The Harris Products Group 
 5.2% 
 0.4% 0.7% 6.3%
(1) Increase in all segments due to improving demand in a broad range of end markets.
(2) Increase due to the acquisitions of Vizient Manufacturing Solutions and Air Liquide Welding within Americas Welding and Air Liquide Welding within International Welding (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's recent acquisitions).
(3) Increase for Americas Welding and International Welding segments due to increased product pricing as a result of higher input costs.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes:

Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being the Adjusted EBIT.EBIT profit measure. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Equity earnings in affiliates and Other income.income (expense). EBIT is adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets.

23

The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017:

 Three Months Ended September 30, 
Increase (Decrease)
2017 vs. 2016
 2017 2016 $ %
Americas Welding: 
  
  
  
Net sales$398,289
 $377,520
 20,769
 5.5%
Inter-segment sales25,546
 22,386
 3,160
 14.1%
Total Sales$423,835
 $399,906
 23,929
 6.0%
        
Adjusted EBIT (3)
$74,096
 $68,285
 5,811
 8.5%
As a percent of total sales (1)
17.5% 17.1%  
 0.4%
International Welding: 
  
  
  
Net sales$197,617
 $119,564
 78,053
 65.3%
Inter-segment sales5,451
 3,688
 1,763
 47.8%
Total Sales$203,068
 $123,252
 79,816
 64.8%
        
Adjusted EBIT (4)
$10,612
 $5,796
 4,816
 83.1%
As a percent of total sales (2)
5.2% 4.7%  
 0.5%
The Harris Products Group: 
  
  
  
Net sales$73,585
 $70,562
 3,023
 4.3%
Inter-segment sales2,064
 1,856
 208
 11.2%
Total Sales$75,649
 $72,418
 3,231
 4.5%
        
Adjusted EBIT$9,244
 $8,757
 487
 5.6%
As a percent of total sales12.2% 12.1%  
 0.1%
Corporate / Eliminations:       
Inter-segment sales$(33,061) $(27,930) 5,131
 18.4%
Adjusted EBIT (5)
570
 913
 (343) (37.6%)
Consolidated:       
Net sales$669,491
 $567,646
 101,845
 17.9%
        
Adjusted EBIT$94,522
 $83,751
 10,771
 12.9%
        
As a percent of sales14.1% 14.8%  
 (0.7%)

segment:

Favorable (Unfavorable) 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 

2024 vs. 2023

 

    

2024

    

2023

    

$

    

%

 

Americas Welding:

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

Net sales

$

624,099

$

658,645

$

(34,546)

(5.2)

%

Inter-segment sales

 

29,978

 

32,318

 

(2,340)

(7.2)

%

Total Sales

$

654,077

$

690,963

(36,886)

(5.3)

%

Adjusted EBIT (3)

$

136,100

$

132,453

3,647

2.8

%

As a percent of total sales (1)

 

20.8

%  

 

19.2

%  

1.6

%

International Welding:

 

 

  

  

  

Net sales

$

235,761

$

252,416

(16,655)

(6.6)

%

Inter-segment sales

 

8,408

 

6,753

1,655

24.5

%

Total Sales

$

244,169

$

259,169

(15,000)

(5.8)

%

Adjusted EBIT (4)

$

27,776

$

29,598

(1,822)

(6.2)

%

As a percent of total sales

 

11.4

%  

 

11.4

%  

The Harris Products Group:

 

 

  

  

  

Net sales

$

121,337

$

128,282

(6,945)

(5.4)

%

Inter-segment sales

 

3,093

 

2,897

196

6.8

%

Total Sales

$

124,430

$

131,179

(6,749)

(5.1)

%

Adjusted EBIT (5)

$

19,878

$

18,983

895

4.7

%

As a percent of total sales (2)

 

16.0

%  

 

14.5

%  

1.5

%

Corporate / Eliminations:

 

 

  

  

  

Inter-segment sales

$

(41,479)

$

(41,968)

489

1.2

%

Adjusted EBIT (6)

 

(10,078)

 

(9,402)

(676)

(7.2)

%

Consolidated:

 

 

  

  

  

Net sales

$

981,197

$

1,039,343

(58,146)

(5.6)

%

Net income

$

123,415

$

121,931

1,484

1.2

%

As a percent of total sales

 

12.6

%  

 

11.7

%  

0.9

%

Adjusted EBIT (7)

$

173,676

$

171,632

2,044

1.2

%

As a percent of sales

 

17.7

%  

 

16.5

%  

 

1.2

%

(1)Increase for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 as compared to September 30, 2016March 31, 2023 primarily driven by higher Net sales volumes, partially offset by rising input costs.effective cost management.
(2)Increase for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 as compared to September 30, 2016March 31, 2023 primarily driven by higher Net sales volumes.effective cost management.
(3)The three months ended September 30, 2017 excludes pension settlement charges related to lump sum pension payments as discussed in Note 11 toMarch 31, 2023 exclude the consolidated financial statements.
(4)The three months ended September 30, 2017 excludes amortization of the step up in value of acquired inventories relatedof $2,785.
(4)The three months ended March 31, 2024 exclude rationalization and asset impairment charges of $3,069 primarily due to the Air Liquide Welding acquisitionrestructuring activities as discussed in Note 36 of the consolidated financial statements. The three months ended March 31, 2023 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $877 primarily due to restructuring activities as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(5)The three months ended September 30, 2017 excludes a bargain purchase gain and acquisition transaction and integration costs related tostatements, the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Increase (Decrease)
2017 vs. 2016
 2017 2016 $ %
Americas Welding: 
  
  
  
Net sales$1,186,760
 $1,124,900
 61,860
 5.5%
Inter-segment sales75,380
 69,673
 5,707
 8.2%
Total Sales$1,262,140
 $1,194,573
 67,567
 5.7%
        
Adjusted EBIT (3)
$217,317
 $194,924
 22,393
 11.5%
As a percent of total sales (1)
17.2% 16.3%  
 0.9%
International Welding: 
  
  
  
Net sales$468,003
 $376,684
 91,319
 24.2%
Inter-segment sales15,214
 11,955
 3,259
 27.3%
Total Sales$483,217
 $388,639
 94,578
 24.3%
        
Adjusted EBIT (4)
$29,713
 $21,699
 8,014
 36.9%
As a percent of total sales (2)
6.1% 5.6%  
 0.5%
The Harris Products Group: 
  
  
  
Net sales$222,483
 $209,202
 13,281
 6.3%
Inter-segment sales6,763
 6,983
 (220) (3.2%)
Total Sales$229,246
 $216,185
 13,061
 6.0%
        
Adjusted EBIT$27,491
 $25,752
 1,739
 6.8%
As a percent of total sales12.0% 11.9%  
 0.1%
Corporate / Eliminations:       
Inter-segment sales$(97,357) $(88,611) 8,746
 9.9%
Adjusted EBIT (5)
369
 1,812
 (1,443) (79.6%)
Consolidated:       
Net sales$1,877,246
 $1,710,786
 166,460
 9.7%
        
Adjusted EBIT$274,890
 $244,187
 30,703
 12.6%
        
As a percent of sales14.6% 14.3%  
 0.3%

(1)Increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 driven by higher Net sales volumes, partially offset by rising input costs.
(2)Increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016 driven by higher Net sales volumes, partially offset by higher SG&A costs as a percent of sales related to acquisitions.
(3)The nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes pension settlement charges related to lump sum pension payments as discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
(4)The nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes amortization of the step up in value of acquired inventories relatedof $1,071 and a gain on asset disposal of $1,646.
(5)The three months ended March 31, 2024 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,536 primarily due to the Air Liquide Welding acquisitionrestructuring activities as discussed in Note 36 to the consolidated financial statements.
(6)
(5)The ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 excludes a bargain purchase gain and acquisitionMarch 31, 2024 exclude Acquisition transaction and integration costs related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisitionof $1,762 as discussed in Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements. The nine months ended September 30, 2016 excludes the loss related to deconsolidation
(7)See non-GAAP Financial Measures for a reconciliation of the Company's Venezuelan subsidiaryNet income as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.reported and Adjusted EBIT.

24

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reviews Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate, Adjusted diluted earnings per share and Return(“EPS”), Adjusted return on invested capital (“Adjusted ROIC”), Adjusted net operating profit after taxes, Cash conversion and Organic sales, all non-GAAP financial measures, in assessing and evaluating the Company'sCompany’s underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of special items on the Company'sCompany’s reported financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") financial measures, as non-GAAP measures are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.

The following table presents a reconciliationthe reconciliations of Operating income as reported to Adjusted operating income, Net income as reported to Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBIT, Effective tax rate as reported to Adjusted effective tax rate and Diluted earnings per share as reported to Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income and Adjusteddiluted earnings per share:

Three Months Ended March 31, 

 

2024

    

2023

 

Operating income as reported

$

165,047

$

164,364

Special items (pre-tax):

 

  

 

  

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)

 

4,605

 

877

Acquisition transaction costs (2)

 

1,762

 

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)

 

 

3,856

Adjusted operating income

$

171,414

$

169,097

Net income as reported

$

123,415

$

121,931

Special items:

 

Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)

 

4,605

877

Acquisition transaction costs (2)

 

1,762

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories (3)

 

3,856

Gain on asset disposal (4)

 

(1,646)

Tax effect of Special items (5)

 

(1,126)

(818)

Adjusted net income

128,656

124,200

Interest expense, net

 

8,779

13,201

Income taxes as reported

 

35,115

33,413

Tax effect of Special items (5)

 

1,126

818

Adjusted EBIT

$

173,676

$

171,632

Effective tax rate as reported

22.2

%  

21.5

%

Net special item tax impact

(0.2)

%  

0.1

%

Adjusted effective tax rate

22.0

%  

21.6

%

Diluted earnings per share as reported

$

2.14

$

2.09

Special items per share

 

0.09

0.04

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$

2.23

$

2.13

(1)Primarily related to restructuring activities as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2)Costs related to acquisitions and are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses.
(3)Costs related to acquisitions and are included in Cost of goods sold.
(4)Gain on asset disposal and included in Other income
(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.

25

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Operating income as reported$133,070
 $81,829
 $302,198
 $205,203
Special items (pre-tax):       
Pension settlement charges (1)
5,283
 
 5,283
 
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary (2)

 
 
 34,348
Acquisition transaction and integration costs (4)
3,273
 
 11,386
 
Amortization of step up in value of
    acquired inventories (4)
2,314
 
 2,314
 
Bargain purchase gain (4)
(51,585) 
 (51,585) 
Adjusted operating income$92,355
 $81,829
 $269,596
 $239,551
        
Net income as reported$106,126
 $60,049
 $223,322
 $145,004
Special items (after-tax):       
Pension settlement charges (1)
3,260
 
 3,260
 
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary (2)

 
 
 33,251
Income tax valuation reversal (3)

 
 
 (7,196)
Acquisition transaction and integration costs (4)
2,229
 
 8,457
 
Amortization of step up in value of
    acquired inventories (4)
1,745
 
 1,745
 
Bargain purchase gain (4)
(51,585) 
 (51,585) 
Adjusted net income$61,775
 $60,049
 $185,199
 $171,059
        
Diluted earnings per share as reported$1.59
 $0.89
 $3.35
 $2.11
Special items(0.66) 
 (0.57) 0.38
Adjusted diluted earnings per share$0.93
 $0.89
 $2.78
 $2.49
(1) Three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes pension settlement charges related to lump sum pension payments.
(2) Nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes a loss on the deconsolidation of the Venezuelan subsidiary as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
(3) Nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes the reversal of an income tax valuation allowance as a result of a legal entity change.
(4) Three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 include costs and a bargain purchase gain related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash flow from operations can be cyclical. Operational cash flow is a key driver of liquidity, providing cash and access to capital markets. In assessing liquidity, the Company reviews working capital measurements to define areas for improvement. Management anticipates the Company will be able to satisfy cash requirements for its ongoing businesses for


at least the next twelve months and the foreseeable future thereafter primarily with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances, borrowings under its existing credit facilities and raising debt in capital markets.

The Company continues to expand globally and periodically looks at transactions that would involve significant investments. The Company can fund its global expansion plans with operational cash flow, but a significant acquisition may require access to capital markets, in particular, the long-term debt market, as well as the syndicated bank loan market. The Company’s financing strategy is to fund itself at the lowest after-tax cost of funding. Where possible, the Company utilizes operational cash flows and raises capital in the most efficient market, usually the United States, and then lends funds to the specific subsidiary that requires funding. If additional acquisitions providing appropriate financial benefits become available, additional expenditures may be made.

The following table reflects changes in key cash flow measures:

    

Three Months Ended March 31, 

2024

    

2023

    

$ Change

Cash provided by operating activities

$

133,294

$

123,931

$

9,363

Cash used by investing activities (1)

 

(25,940)

 

(16,049)

 

(9,891)

Capital expenditures

 

(26,256)

 

(18,787)

 

(7,469)

Cash used by financing activities (2)

 

(125,400)

 

(111,316)

 

(14,084)

Proceeds from (payments on) short-term borrowings

 

2,016

 

(43,940)

 

45,956

Purchase of shares for treasury

 

(110,405)

 

(32,158)

 

(78,247)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

 

(41,280)

 

(37,583)

 

(3,697)

(Decrease) increase in Cash and cash equivalents (3)

 

(18,809)

 

1,653

 

(20,462)

(1)Cash used by investing activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to capital expenditures. The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $90,000 to $110,000 in 2024. Anticipated capital expenditures include investments for capital maintenance and projects to increase efficiency, reduce costs, promote business growth or improve the overall safety and environmental conditions of the Company’s facilities.
(2)Cash used by financing activities increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to increased purchase of treasury stock in 2024.
(3)Cash and cash equivalents decreased 4.8%, or $18,809, to $374,978 during the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $393,787 as of December 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, $179,657 of Cash and cash equivalents was held by international subsidiaries.
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 $ Change
Cash provided by operating activities (1)
$245,354
 $240,180
 5,174
Cash used by investing activities (2)
(249,796) (110,291) (139,505)
Capital expenditures(38,959) (39,377) 418
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired(72,468) (71,567) (901)
Purchase of marketable securities, net of proceeds(140,363) 
 (140,363)
Cash used by financing activities (3)
(93,928) (179,341) 85,413
(Payments on) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net(602) 183,465
 (184,067)
Purchase of shares for treasury(23,012) (288,594) 265,582
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(69,083) (66,180) (2,903)
Decrease in Cash and cash equivalents (4)
(79,726) (47,255)  
(1) Cash provided by operating activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to improved company performance.
(2) Cash used by investing activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2016 predominantly due to the purchase of marketable securities in 2017. The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $55,000 in 2017.  Anticipated capital expenditures include investments for capital maintenance to improve operational effectiveness.  Management critically evaluates all proposed capital expenditures and expects each project to increase efficiency, reduce costs, promote business growth or improve the overall safety and environmental conditions of the Company’s facilities.
(3) Cash used by financing activities decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The decrease was due to lower purchases of common shares for treasury, partially offset by higher proceeds from short-term borrowings in 2016.
(4) Cash and cash equivalents decreased 21.0%, or $79,726, to $299,453 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, from $379,179 as of December 31, 2016.  This decrease was predominantly due to cash provided by operating activities offset by the purchase of marketable securities, cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired and cash dividends paid to shareholders.The decrease in Cash and cash equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compares to a decrease of 15.5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in 2016 was primarily due to cash paid for the acquisition of a business and the purchase of common shares for treasury, partially offset by proceeds from short-term borrowings. At September 30, 2017, $254,291 of Cash and cash equivalents was held by international subsidiaries and may be subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes if repatriated to the U.S.
The Company's total debt remained consistent as compared to December 31, 2016. Total debt to total invested capital decreased to 42.8% at September 30, 2017 from 49.8% at December 31, 2016.

In October 2017,April 2024, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.35$0.71 per share, or $23,014,$40,405, to shareholders of record as of September 29, 2017.March 31, 2024.


26




Working Capital Ratios

March 31, 2024

    

December 31, 2023

 

March 31, 2023

 

Average operating working capital to Net sales (1)

 

18.8

%  

17.1

%

19.6

%

Days sales in Inventories

 

120.5

 

104.6

122.4

Days sales in Accounts receivable

 

53.6

 

50.0

52.9

Average days in Trade accounts payable

 

54.9

 

47.6

53.9

(1)Average operating working capital to net sales is defined as the sum of Accounts receivable, Inventories and contract assets less Trade accounts payable and contract liabilities as of period end divided by annualized rolling three months of Net sales.
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
Average operating working capital to net sales (1)
 20.5% 15.6% 17.7%
Days sales in Inventories 108.8 92.1 100.3
Days sales in Accounts receivable 58.6 47.7 48.2
Average days in Trade accounts payable 54.8 48.9 45.3
(1) Average operating working capital to net sales is defined as the sum of Accounts receivable and Inventories less Trade accounts payable as of period end divided by annualized rolling three months of Net sales.

Return on Invested Capital

The Company reviews return on invested capital ("ROIC")ROIC in assessing and evaluating the Company'sCompany’s underlying operating performance. As discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section above, Adjusted ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful metric to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial performance andperformance. The calculation may be different than the method used by other companies to calculate ROIC. Adjusted ROIC is defined as rolling 12 months of Adjusted net income excluding tax-effected interest income and expense divided by invested capital. Invested capital is defined as total debt, which includes Short-term debt and Long-term debt, less current portions, plus Total equity.

The following table presents the reconciliations of ROIC and Adjusted ROIC to net income:

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

 

Net income as reported

$

546,733

 

$

468,125

Plus: Interest expense (after-tax)

36,519

28,875

Less: Interest income (after-tax)

6,793

1,560

Net operating profit after taxes

$

576,459

$

495,440

Special items:

Rationalization and asset impairment charges

 

(7,586)

 

 

10,780

Acquisition transaction costs

 

1,762

 

 

6,003

 

Pension settlement charges

 

845

 

 

Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories

 

8,397

 

 

4,962

Gain on asset disposal

 

 

 

(1,646)

Tax effect of Special items (1)

 

2,228

 

 

(3,051)

Adjusted net operating profit after taxes

$

582,105

 

$

512,488

 

 

Invested Capital

    

March 31, 2024

    

March 31, 2023

Short-term debt

$

4,720

$

49,340

Long-term debt, less current portion

1,102,677

1,110,626

Total debt

1,107,397

1,159,966

Total equity

 

1,307,828

 

1,125,236

Invested capital

$

2,415,225

$

2,285,202

Return on invested capital as reported

 

23.9

%  

 

21.7

%

Adjusted return on invested capital

 

24.1

%  

 

22.4

%

(1)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.

ROIC for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

27

  Twelve Months Ended September 30,
  2017 2016
Net income $276,717
 $193,696
Rationalization and asset impairment charges, net of tax of ($16) 
 450
Pension settlement charges, net of tax of $2,023 and $2,438 in 2017 and 2016, respectively 3,260
 3,969
Loss on deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary, net of tax of $1,097 
 33,251
Income tax valuation reversals 
 (7,196)
Venezuela currency devaluation 
 708
Acquisition transaction and integration costs, net of tax of $2,929 8,457
 
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories, net of tax of $569 1,745
 
Bargain purchase gain (51,585) 
Adjusted net income $238,594
 $224,878
Plus: Interest expense, net of tax of $9,795 and $6,816 in 2017 and 2016, respectively 15,789
 13,342
Less: Interest income, net of tax of $1,614 and $596 in 2017 and 2016, respectively 2,602
 1,182
Adjusted net income before tax effected interest $251,781
 $237,038
     
Invested Capital September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Short-term debt $2,135
 $183,827
Long-term debt, less current portion 704,804
 359,831
Total debt 706,939
 543,658
Total equity 945,928
 752,917
Invested capital $1,652,867
 $1,296,575
Return on invested capital 15.2% 18.3%

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.



Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2017-07 requires a change in the income statement line item classification of the components of net periodic pension costs. The Company estimates the adoption of ASU 2017-07 in 2018 will reduce Operating income by $9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Income before income taxes and Net income will not be affected by the adoption of ASU 2017-07.

Acquisitions

Refer to Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company'sCompany’s recent acquisitions.


Debt

Refer

Fair Value of Debt

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $981,481 and $1,013,795, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $1,102,677 and $1,102,771, respectively. Since judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.

Revolving Credit Agreement

On April 23, 2021, the Company amended and restated the agreement governing its line of credit by entering into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement has a line of credit totaling $500,000, has a term of 5 years with a maturity date of April 23, 2026 and may be increased, subject to certain conditions including the consent of its lenders, by an additional amount up to $150,000. On March 8, 2023, the Credit Agreement was amended to replace the LIBOR rate to a term secured overnight finance rate (“SOFR”); as such, the interest rate on borrowings is based on SOFR plus a spread of 0.85% to 1.85% based on (1) the Company’s net leverage ratio and (2) a credit spread adjustment. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type (subject to negotiated baskets and exceptions), including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

The Company has other lines of credit and debt agreements totaling $90,945. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had outstanding debt under short-term lines of credit of $4,720.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 1, 2015 and October 20, 2016, the Company entered into separate Note 10Purchase Agreements pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") through a private placement. The 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes each have an aggregate principal amount of $350,000, comprised of four different series ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with maturity dates ranging from August 20, 2025 through April 1, 2045, and interest rates ranging from 2.75% and 4.02%. Interest on the Notes is paid semi-annually. The Company’s total weighted average effective interest rate and remaining weighted average tenure of the Notes is 3.3% and 10.1 years, respectively. The proceeds of the Notes were used for general corporate purposes. The Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants relating to the Notes.

Term Loan

On November 29, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $400,000 (the “Term Loan”), which was borrowed in full. The Term Loan matures on November 29, 2025. The Term Loan bears an interest at a rate based on SOFR, plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a discussionnet leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

28

In March 2023, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert the interest rate on $150,000 of the Company's debt.


Term Loan from a variable rate to a fixed rate.

Forward-looking Statements

The Company’s expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this report 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 the Air Liquide Welding business acquisition;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 the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, political unrest, acts of terror, and natural disasters and pandemics, on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general. For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


2023.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since December 31, 2016.2023. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


2023.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017.

March 31, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired Air Liquide Welding. The acquired business operated under its own set of systems and internal controls and the Company is currently maintaining those systems and much of that control environment until it is able to incorporate their processes into the Company's own systems and control environment. The Company expects to complete the incorporation of the acquired business' operations into the Company's systems and control environment in fiscal year 2018.
Except for changes in connection with the Company's acquisition of the Air Liquide Welding business noted above, there

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


29


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject, from time to time, to a variety of civil and administrative proceedings arising out of its normal operations, including, without limitation, product liability claims, regulatory claims and health, safety and environmental claims. Among such proceedings are the cases described below.

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024, the Company was a co-defendant in cases alleging asbestos-inducedasbestos induced illness involving claims by approximately 3,7511,367 plaintiffs, which is a net decrease of 3320 claims from those previously reported. In each instance, the Company is one of a large number of defendants. The asbestos claimants seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified sums. Since January 1, 1995, the Company has been a co-defendant in other similarasbestos cases that have been resolved as follows: 54,57357,005 of those claims were dismissed, 23 were tried to defense verdicts, seven7 were tried to plaintiff verdicts (one of which was appealed by defendants and was remanded to the trial court for a new trial)(which were reversed or resolved after appeal), one1 was resolved by agreement for an immaterial amount and 7741,017 were decided in favor of the Company following summary judgment motions.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report,Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2023, which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer purchases of its common shares during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172024 were as follows:

Period 
Total Number of
Shares Repurchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Repurchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)
July 1 - 31, 2017 
 $
 
 8,802,894
August 1 - 31, 2017 98,297
 86.65
 98,297
 8,704,597
September 1 - 30, 2017 75,722
 89.10
 75,722
 8,628,875
Total 174,019
 87.72
 174,019
  

Total Number of

    

    

    

Shares

    

Maximum Number

Repurchased

of Shares that May

Total Number of

as Part of Publicly

Yet be Purchased

Shares

Average Price

Announced Plans or

Under the Plans or

Period

Repurchased

Paid Per Share

Programs

Programs (2)

January 1 - 31, 2024

 

161,478

(1)

$

215.54

 

160,459

 

7,698,061

February 1 - 29, 2024

 

160,627

(1)

 

237.17

 

140,167

 

7,557,894

March 1 - 31, 2024

 

144,090

(1)

 

253.91

 

121,818

 

7,436,076

Total

 

466,195

 

234.85

 

422,444

 

  

(1)
The above share repurchases include the surrender of the Company’s common shares in connection with the vesting of restricted awards.
(2)On April 20, 2016,February 12, 2020, the Company announced that theCompany’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program which increased the total numberfor up to an additional 10 million shares of the Company’s common shares authorized to be repurchased to 55 million shares.stock. Total shares purchased through the share repurchase programs were 46.42.6 million shares at a total cost of $1.7 billion$444.4 million for a weighted average cost of $35.85$170.40 per share through September 30, 2017.March 31, 2024.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

(a)Exhibits

10.1

10.1*

2005 Deferred Compensation Plan

Form of Stock Option Agreement for Executives (Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2018)Executive Officers (filed herewith).

31.1

10.2*

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (filed herewith).

10.3*

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for Executive Officers (filed herewith).

31.1

Certification of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2

Certification of the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1

Certification of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

104

Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in the Exhibit 101 attachments)

*
Reflects management contract or other compensatory arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report.


31


SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

/s/ Geoffrey P. Allman


Gabriel Bruno

Geoffrey P. Allman

Gabriel Bruno

Senior

Executive Vice President, Corporate ControllerChief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(principal accounting officer)Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

October 30, 2017

April 25, 2024


32

35