Lincoln Electric Q4 Profit Retreats

(RTTNews) - Lincoln Electric (LECO) announced earnings for fourth quarter that retreated compared to the same period last year.

The company said its earnings totaled $24.18 million, or $0.36 per share. This was down from $53.39 million, or $0.81 per share, in last year's fourth quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.96 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company said revenue for the quarter rose 32.5% to $747.19 million. This was up from $563.83 million last year.

Lincoln Electric earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $24.18 Mln. vs. $53.39 Mln. last year. -Earnings Decline (Y-o-Y): -54.7% -EPS (Q4): $0.36 vs. $0.81 last year. -EPS Decline (Y-o-Y): -55.6% -Analysts Estimate: $0.96 -Revenue (Q4): $747.19 Mln vs. $563.83 Mln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 32.5%