Mario Balotelli smiles as he arrives in Busto Arsizio, near Varese, Italy, for medical checks, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. AC Milan announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Italy striker Mario Balotelli from the English champions. City declined to comment on reports that a deal had been struck for the 22-year-old forward, who joined the Premier League club from Milan's city rival Inter in 2010. "An agreement has been reached with Manchester City, Balotelli will have a medical tomorrow and then sign," Milan director Umberto Gandini told The Associated Press. "If he doesn't pass the medical, it won't happen." (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Lincoln Electric 4Q profit rises 7.5 percent

Published: 05:32:54 PM, Fri 15 February 2013 UTC

CLEVELAND (AP) — Welding equipment maker Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. said on Friday that its net income rose 7.5 percent as higher prices helped offset a drop in volume.

The company earned $62.1 million, or 74 cents per share, during the fourth quarter. That was up from $57.7 million, or 68 cents per share, during the same period a year earlier.

Revenue fell 1.4 percent to $684.6 million, from $694.5 million a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been expecting a profit of 74 cents per share on revenue of $693 million.

Sales in its biggest segment, North America Welding, 8.6 percent to $392.9 million as higher prices and acquisition offset a decline in volume. Revenue — and volume — fell in its other segments, too. Revenue from Europe fell 15.3 percent to $107.5 million.

It said it expects slower growth in the first half of 2013 and continues "to be cautious based on the uncertain global macroeconomic environment."

For all of 2012, net income rose 18.5 percent to $257.4 million, or $3.06 per share. In 2011 it earned $217.2 million, or $2.56 per share. Revenue rose 5.9 percent to $2.85billion.

Shares fell 10 cents to $55.49 in morning trading.

Tags: ap, factset, lincoln electric, cleveland, science_technology, cents, period, income, generally accepted accounting principles, quarter, segments, million, percent, friday, higher prices, company, europe, analysts, drop, net income, morning trading, sales, stock market, decline, revenue, share, volume, electric 4q profit, electric holdings inc., welding equipment maker, global macroeconomic environment, north america welding, biggest segment, slower growth, 107.5, segment

Close
Loading
Close