Lincoln Electric(US:LECO)2025-07-09 12:04Financial Performance - Net sales decreased by 4.7% to $685.1 million compared to $718.6 million in Q1 2013 [12] - Reported EPS decreased by 14% to $0.69, primarily due to a Venezuela remeasurement loss [4] - Adjusted EPS decreased by 1% to $0.91 [4] - Reported operating income margin was 11.7%, down 60 basis points, while adjusted operating income margin was 14.3%, up 50 basis points [4] - The company returned $70 million in cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [4] Sales Volume and Market Trends - Sales volume decreased by 5.0% [4] - Q1-2014 volume trends improved in March, but March and April volume run-rates remain below prior year levels [6] - Net Sales in North America decreased by 4.2% to $401.9 million [14] - Net Sales in Europe decreased by 4.6% to $105.4 million [16] - Net Sales in Asia Pacific decreased by 12.5% to $61.3 million [18] - Net Sales in Venezuela increased by 20.9% to $44.0 million [20] - Net Sales in The Harris Products Group decreased by 11.7% to $72.5 million [23] Capital Allocation - Dividends paid in Q1 2014 totaled $19 million, a 15% increase to $0.23 per common share [27] - Share repurchases in Q1 2014 increased by 299% to $51 million [28] - Capital expenditures in Q1 2014 decreased by 4% to $15 million [28]