EXHIBIT 99.3
LINCOLN ELECTRIC REPORTS
2003 THIRD-QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
|X| NET SALES FOR THIRD QUARTER OF $256.9 MILLION
|X| NET INCOME OF $14.1 MILLION
|X| DILUTED EPS OF 34 CENTS
CLEVELAND, Ohio, U.S.A., Oct. 17, 2003 -- Lincoln Electric Holdings,
Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO) today reported 2003 third-quarter net income of $14.1
million, or 34 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $256.9 million. The
results compare with 2002 third-quarter net income of $18.3 million, or 43 cents
per diluted share, and net sales of $247.5 million.
"We are very pleased with the results for the quarter," said Anthony A.
Massaro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "A very strong showing in
September U.S. sales contributed to our best year-over-year sales comparison for
the U.S. operations in over five years."
Net sales in the third quarter from the Company's U.S. operations were
$154.3 million, compared with $154.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Export
sales were $15.2 million, compared with $15.6 million in last year's quarter.
Mr. Massaro said, "Our international business was helped by strong
activity with energy-related projects in Asia and the market region covering
Russia, Africa and the Middle East."
Third-quarter net sales from non-U.S. operations were $102.6 million,
compared with $93.3 million in the same quarter last year. In local currencies,
net sales from non-U.S. operations were essentially the same, compared with the
year-ago period.
Net income in the nine-month period was $40.5 million, or 97 cents per
diluted share, compared with $10.9 million in the 2002 nine-month period, or 26
cents per diluted share. The 2003 net income includes rationalization charges of
approximately $1.3 million, net of tax. Excluding the rationalization charges,
net income was $41.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted share. Net income for the
first nine months of 2002, before the cumulative effect of an accounting change,
was $48.5 million, or $1.14 per diluted share. Excluding the cumulative effect
of an accounting change and rationalization charges, net income was $55.5
million, or $1.30 per diluted share
For the nine-month period, net sales were $771.1 million, compared with
$755.5 million in the comparable period last year, an increase of approximately
2%.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC REPORTS 2003 THIRD-QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS -2-
Net sales in the first nine months from the Company's U.S. operations
were $456.9 million, compared with $468.4 million in the year-ago period. Export
sales in the first nine months were $46.2 million, compared with $48.0 million
in the same period last year. Non-U.S. net sales were $314.2 million, compared
with $287.1 million in the year-ago period. In local currencies, non-U.S. net
sales were essentially the same, compared with the year-ago period.
Cash flow from operations in the 2003 nine-month period was $69.9
million, compared with $81.8 million in the comparable period last year. Cash
flows from operations include pension contributions to U.S. benefit plans of $30
million and $20 million in the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2003 and
2002, respectively.
The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of 16 cents per diluted
share on October 15, 2003 to shareholders of record as of September 30, 2003.
Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and
manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and
oxyfuel cutting equipment. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has
operations, manufacturing alliances and joint ventures in 18 countries and a
worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160
countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric, its products and
services, visit the Company's Web site at www.lincolnelectric.com.
The Company's expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained
in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect
management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. 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: the effectiveness of
operating initiatives; currency exchange and interest rates; adverse outcome of
pending or potential litigation; possible acquisitions; the strength of recovery
in U.S. demand for the Company's products; and the possible effects of
international terrorism and hostilities on the Company or its customers,
suppliers and the economy in general.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months to September 30,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 2003 2002
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Net Sales $ 256.9 100.0% $ 247.5 100.0%
Cost of Goods Sold 186.9 72.8% 174.3 70.4%
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Gross Profit 70.0 27.2% 73.2 29.6%
SG&A Expenses 51.9 20.2% 48.2 19.5%
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Operating Income 18.1 7.0% 25.0 10.1%
Interest Income 0.6 0.2% 0.8 0.3%
Equity Earnings in Affiliates 0.9 0.4% 0.6 0.3%
Other Income 0.5 0.2% 0.6 0.2%
Interest Expense (2.1) (0.8%) (2.5) (1.0%)
Income Before Income Taxes 18.0 7.0% 24.5 9.9%
Income Taxes 3.9 1.5% 6.2 2.5%
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Net Income $14.1 5.5% $ 18.3 7.4%
Basic Earnings Per Share $0.34 $0.43
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.34 $0.43
Weighted Average Shares (Basic) 41.4 42.3
Weighted Average Shares (Diluted) 41.7 42.8
</Table>
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months to September 30,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 2003 2002
-------- -------
Net Sales $ 771.1 100.0% $ 755.5 100.0%
Cost of Goods Sold 563.6 73.1% 526.7 69.7%
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Gross Profit 207.5 26.9% 228.8 30.3%
SG&A Expenses 154.4 20.0% 151.8 20.1%
Rationalization Charges 1.7 0.2% 10.5 1.4%
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Operating Income 51.4 6.7% 66.5 8.8%
Interest Income 2.0 0.3% 2.1 0.3%
Equity Earnings in Affiliates 2.5 0.3% 1.2 0.2%
Other Income 1.9 0.2% 0.9 0.1%
Interest Expense (6.2) (0.8%) (6.6) (0.9%)
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Income Before Income Taxes and Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle 51.6 6.7% 64.1 8.5%
Income Taxes 11.1 1.4% 15.6 2.1%
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Income Before Cumulative Effect of a
Change in Accounting Principle 40.5 5.3% 48.5 6.4%
Cumulative Effect of a Change in
Accounting Principle, net of tax -- 0.0% (37.6) (5.0%)
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Net Income $ 40.5 5.3% $ 10.9 1.4%
Basic Earnings Per Share Before the Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle $0.97 $1.15
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle, net of tax - (0.89)
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Basic Earnings Per Share $0.97 $0.26
Basic Earnings Per Share Before the Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle $0.97 $1.15
Rationalization Charges (A) 0.03 0.16
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Basic Earnings Per Share without the Cumulative Effect of a
Change in Accounting Principle and Rationalization Charges (A) $1.00 $1.31
Diluted Earnings Per Share Before the Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle $0.97 $1.14
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle, net of tax - (0.88)
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Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.97 $ 0.26
Diluted Earnings Per Share Before the Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle $0.97 $1.14
Rationalization Charges (A) 0.03 0.16
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Diluted Earnings Per Share without the Cumulative Effect of a
Change in Accounting Principle and Rationalization Charges (A) $1.00 $1.30
Weighted Average Shares (Basic) 41.6 42.3
Weighted Average Shares (Diluted) 41.8 42.8
(A) Basic and diluted earnings per share without rationalization charges are
presented as management believes this financial measure is important to
investors to evaluate and compare the Company's financial performance from
period to period. Management uses this information in assessing and evaluating
the Company's underlying operating performance.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
<Table>
<Caption>
September 30, December 31,
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA 2003 2002
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Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 198.2 $ 176.1
Total Current Assets 566.4 524.0
Net Property, Plant and Equipment 275.3 271.9
Total Assets 939.5 901.3
Total Current Liabilities 200.8 191.6
Short-Term Debt 14.3 14.4
Long-Term Debt 172.6 174.1
Total Shareholders' Equity 456.0 429.2
Nine Months to September 30,
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA 2003 2002
------------- ------------
Cash Flow from Operations $69.9 $81.8
Capital Expenditures 24.4 18.6
Acquisitions - 8.0
Purchase of Common Shares for Treasury, net 14.0 4.4
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 22.1 163.3
Depreciation and Amortization 28.1 27.6
Dividends Paid 20.1 19.1
Cash Dividends Paid Per Share $0.48 $0.45