10-Q 1 leco-20160331x10q.htm 10-Q
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 ended March 31, 2016
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
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio |  | 34-1860551
(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
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x |  | Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  | Smaller reporting company 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 March 31, 2016 was 68,807,794.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 3
Item 1. Financial Statements | 3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) | 3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED) | 4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) | 5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) | 6
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 24
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 24
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | 25
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | 25
Item 1A. Risk Factors | 25
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 25
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures | 25
Item 6. Exhibits | 26
Signatures | 27
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-31.2 | Certification of the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
EX-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 Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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 |

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Net sales | $ | 550,722 |  |  | $ | 657,900 |
Cost of goods sold | 361,620 |  |  | 437,510 |
Gross profit | 189,102 |  |  | 220,390 |
Selling, general & administrative expenses | 113,810 |  |  | 129,891 |
Operating income | 75,292 |  |  | 90,499 |
Other income (expense): |  |  |  |  |
Interest income | 430 |  |  | 593 |
Equity earnings in affiliates | 626 |  |  | 849 |
Other income | 661 |  |  | 2,610 |
Interest expense | (3,827 | ) |  | (1,844 | )
Total other income (expense) | (2,110 | ) |  | 2,208 |
Income before income taxes | 73,182 |  |  | 92,707 |
Income taxes | 19,558 |  |  | 24,389 |
Net income including non-controlling interests | 53,624 |  |  | 68,318 |
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss | (14 | ) |  | (36 | )
Net income | $ | 53,638 |  |  | $ | 68,354 |
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.77 |  |  | $ | 0.90 |
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.76 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |
Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 0.32 |  |  | $ | 0.29 |

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Net income including non-controlling interests | $ | 53,624 |  |  | $ | 68,318 |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(203) and $58 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 | 836 |  |  | 1,100 |
Defined benefit pension plan activity, net of tax of $911 and $2,395 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 | 1,618 |  |  | 3,538 |
Currency translation adjustment | 24,249 |  |  | (56,552 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 26,703 |  |  | (51,914 | )
Comprehensive income | 80,327 |  |  | 16,404 |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | 1 |  |  | (577 | )
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders | $ | 80,326 |  |  | $ | 16,981 |

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

| March 31, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
| (UNAUDITED) |  | (NOTE 1)
ASSETS |  |  |  |  |
Current Assets |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 220,996 |  |  | $ | 304,183 |
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,233 in 2016; $7,299 in 2015) | 286,120 |  |  | 264,715 |
Inventories: |  |  |  |  |
Raw materials | 86,314 |  |  | 87,919 |
Work-in-process | 44,355 |  |  | 39,555 |
Finished goods | 162,040 |  |  | 148,456 |
Total inventory | 292,709 |  |  | 275,930 |
Other current assets | 102,522 |  |  | 91,167 |
Total Current Assets | 902,347 |  |  | 935,995 |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |  |  |
Land | 46,821 |  |  | 45,775 |
Buildings | 362,426 |  |  | 362,325 |
Machinery and equipment | 718,062 |  |  | 696,849 |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,127,309 |  |  | 1,104,949 |
Less accumulated depreciation | 713,483 |  |  | 693,626 |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net | 413,826 |  |  | 411,323 |
Goodwill | 190,596 |  |  | 187,504 |
Non-current assets | 270,326 |  |  | 249,349 |
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 1,777,095 |  |  | $ | 1,784,171 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |  |  |  |  |
Current Liabilities |  |  |  |  |
Short-term debt | $ | 24,844 |  |  | $ | 4,278 |
Trade accounts payable | 159,590 |  |  | 152,620 |
Other current liabilities | 217,021 |  |  | 213,224 |
Total Current Liabilities | 401,455 |  |  | 370,122 |
Long-Term Liabilities |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt, less current portion | 350,106 |  |  | 350,347 |
Other long-term liabilities | 132,865 |  |  | 131,254 |
Total Long-Term Liabilities | 482,971 |  |  | 481,601 |
Shareholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |
Common shares | 9,858 |  |  | 9,858 |
Additional paid-in capital | 276,853 |  |  | 272,908 |
Retained earnings | 2,157,330 |  |  | 2,125,838 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (269,579 | ) |  | (296,267 | )
Treasury shares | (1,282,655 | ) |  | (1,180,750 | )
Total Shareholders’ Equity | 891,807 |  |  | 931,587 |
Non-controlling interests | 862 |  |  | 861 |
Total Equity | 892,669 |  |  | 932,448 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 1,777,095 |  |  | $ | 1,784,171 |

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2016 |  | 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |  |  |  |  |
Net income | $ | 53,638 |  |  | $ | 68,354 |
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss | (14 | ) |  | (36 | )
Net income including non-controlling interests | 53,624 |  |  | 68,318 |
Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |  |  |
Rationalization and asset impairment charges | — |  |  | 30 |
Depreciation and amortization | 15,625 |  |  | 16,032 |
Equity earnings in affiliates, net | (2 | ) |  | (216 | )
Deferred income taxes | (4,238 | ) |  | (16,886 | )
Stock-based compensation | 2,154 |  |  | 1,957 |
Pension expense | 4,144 |  |  | 5,679 |
Pension contributions and payments | (20,865 | ) |  | (21,234 | )
Other, net | 5 |  |  | (3,633 | )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: |  |  |  |  |
Increase in accounts receivable | (16,592 | ) |  | (25,377 | )
Increase in inventories | (10,780 | ) |  | (16,233 | )
(Increase) decrease in other current assets | (10,546 | ) |  | 25,657 |
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable | 4,657 |  |  | (12,916 | )
Increase in other current liabilities | 7,635 |  |  | 29,412 |
Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities | (460 | ) |  | 2,194 |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 24,361 |  |  | 52,784 |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |  |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures | (8,885 | ) |  | (12,456 | )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 458 |  |  | 1,187 |
Other investing activities | — |  |  | 2,024 |
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (8,427 | ) |  | (9,245 | )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from short-term borrowings | 1,295 |  |  | 1,517 |
Payments on short-term borrowings | (563 | ) |  | (4,774 | )
Amounts due banks, net | 21,055 |  |  | 104,370 |
Proceeds from long-term borrowings | 224 |  |  | 2,500 |
Payments on long-term borrowings | (255 | ) |  | (2,103 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2,015 |  |  | 1,733 |
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 357 |  |  | 537 |
Purchase of shares for treasury | (102,488 | ) |  | (102,853 | )
Cash dividends paid to shareholders | (22,625 | ) |  | (22,329 | )
Other financing activities | (3,806 | ) |  | (20 | )
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (104,791 | ) |  | (21,422 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents | 5,670 |  |  | (11,479 | )
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (83,187 | ) |  | 10,638 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 304,183 |  |  | 278,379 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | 220,996 |  |  | $ | 289,017 |

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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
As used in this report, the term “Company,” except as otherwise indicated by the context, means Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest. 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 three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.
The accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015 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, 2015.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to current year classifications.
Venezuela — Highly Inflationary Economy
Venezuela is a highly inflationary economy under GAAP. As a result, the financial statements of the Company’s Venezuelan operation are reported under highly inflationary accounting rules as of January 1, 2010. Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of the Company’s Venezuelan operation have been remeasured into the Company’s reporting currency and exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings.
In January 2014, the Venezuelan government announced the formation of the National Center of Foreign Trade (“CENCOEX”) to replace the Commission for the Administration of Currency Exchange (“CADIVI”). Effective January 24, 2014, the exchange rate applicable to the settlement of certain transactions through CENCOEX, including payments of dividends and royalties, changed to utilize the Complementary System of Foreign Currency Administration ("SICAD") auction-based exchange rate (the "SICAD rate") as opposed to the official rate. In February 2014, the government announced a new market based foreign exchange system, the SICAD II. The exchange rate established through SICAD II fluctuated daily and was significantly higher than both the official rate and the SICAD rate. At March 31, 2014, the Company determined that the rate used in remeasuring the Venezuelan operation's financial statements into U.S. dollars would change to the SICAD rate.
In February 2015, the Venezuelan government eliminated the SICAD II rate and announced a new exchange market called the Marginal Currency System ("SIMADI"), which allows for trading based on supply and demand. At September 30, 2015, the Company determined that the rate used in remeasuring the Venezuelan operation's financial statements into U.S. dollars would change to the SIMADI rate, as the SIMADI rate most appropriately approximates the rates used to transact business in its Venezuelan operations. At September 30, 2015, the SIMADI rate was 199.4 bolivars to the U.S. dollar, resulting in a remeasurement charge on the bolivar-denominated monetary net asset position of $4,334. This foreign exchange loss was recorded in Selling, general & administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Additionally, the Company recorded lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustments of $22,880 within Cost of goods sold, related to the adoption of the SIMADI rate.
In the first quarter of 2016, the Venezuelan government reduced its three-tier system of exchange rates to two tiers by eliminating the SICAD rate and stated that the SIMADI rate, which was renamed DICOM, would be free floating. As of March 31, 2016, the DICOM rate was 272.9 bolivars to the U.S. dollar. If the Company were to convert bolivars at a rate other than the DICOM rate, the Company may realize additional losses or gains to earnings.
Future impacts to earnings of applying highly inflationary accounting for Venezuela on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon the applied currency exchange mechanisms, the movements in the applicable exchange rates between the bolivar and the U.S. dollar and the amount of monetary assets and liabilities included in the Company’s Venezuelan operation’s balance sheet. The bolivar-denominated monetary net liability position was $748 at March 31, 2016, including $510 of cash and cash equivalents as compared with a bolivar-denominated monetary net asset position of $32 at December 31, 2015, including $642 of cash and cash equivalents.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted:
In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." ASU 2015-16 requires an acquiring entity to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments also require an entity to record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. An entity must present separately on the face of the statement of operations or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The amendments should be applied prospectively. ASU 2015-16 was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016 and did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements.
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share." ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for these investments. The amendment should be applied retrospectively. ASU 2015-07 was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016 and did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Yet to be Adopted:
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. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. If early adopted, an entity must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on the Company's financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." 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. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on the Company's financial statements.
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. To achieve that core principle, the amendment provides five steps that an entity should apply when recognizing revenue. The amendment 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. 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. 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. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's financial statements.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
NOTE 2 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |
Net income | $ | 53,638 |  |  | $ | 68,354 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) | 69,585 |  |  | 76,242 |
Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options and awards (in 000's) | 661 |  |  | 817 |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) | 70,246 |  |  | 77,059 |
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.77 |  |  | $ | 0.90 |
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.76 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 776,600 and 407,290, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive.
NOTE 3 — ACQUISITIONS
During August 2015, the Company acquired Specialised Welding Products ("SWP"). SWP, based in Melbourne, Australia, is a provider of specialty welding consumables and fabrication, maintenance and repair services for alloy and wear resistant products commonly used in mining and energy sector applications. The acquisition broadens the Company's presence and specialty alloy offering in Australia and New Zealand.
During August 2015, the Company acquired Rimrock Holdings Corporation ("Rimrock"). Rimrock is a manufacturer of industrial automation products and robotic systems with two divisions, Wolf Robotics LLC, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Rimrock Corporation, based in Columbus, Ohio. Wolf Robotics integrates robotic welding and cutting systems predominantly for heavy fabrication and transportation OEMs and suppliers. The acquisition advances the Company's leadership position in automated welding and cutting solutions. Rimrock Corporation designs and manufactures automated spray systems and turnkey robotic systems for the die casting, foundry and forging markets. The Company is currently reviewing strategic options for Rimrock Corporation.
Pro forma information related to these acquisitions have not been presented because the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.
NOTE 4 — SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s primary business is the design and manufacture 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, CNC and plasma cutters, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, integrated automation systems, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes, fluxes and welding accessories. The Company'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.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company realigned its organizational and leadership structure into three operating segments to support growth strategies and enhance the utilization of the Company’s worldwide resources and global sourcing initiatives. 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 primarily includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company’s global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States. All prior period results have been revised to reflect the realigned segment structure.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being earnings before interest and income taxes (“EBIT”), as adjusted. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Equity earnings in affiliates and Other income. Segment 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.
Financial information for the reportable segments follows:

| Americas Welding |  | International Welding |  | The Harris Products Group |  | Corporate / Eliminations |  | Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 359,008 |  |  | $ | 124,305 |  |  | $ | 67,409 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 550,722 |
Inter-segment sales | 23,831 |  |  | 4,426 |  |  | 2,303 |  |  | (30,560 | ) |  | — |
Total | $ | 382,839 |  |  | $ | 128,731 |  |  | $ | 69,712 |  |  | $ | (30,560 | ) |  | $ | 550,722 |
EBIT, as adjusted | $ | 61,438 |  |  | $ | 6,233 |  |  | $ | 7,711 |  |  | $ | 1,197 |  |  | $ | 76,579 |
Special items charge (gain) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
EBIT | $ | 61,438 |  |  | $ | 6,233 |  |  | $ | 7,711 |  |  | $ | 1,197 |  |  | $ | 76,579 |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 430 |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,827 | )
Income before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 73,182 |
Three months ended March 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 448,837 |  |  | $ | 139,247 |  |  | $ | 69,816 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 657,900 |
Inter-segment sales | 23,023 |  |  | 5,027 |  |  | 2,011 |  |  | (30,061 | ) |  | — |
Total | $ | 471,860 |  |  | $ | 144,274 |  |  | $ | 71,827 |  |  | $ | (30,061 | ) |  | $ | 657,900 |
EBIT, as adjusted | $ | 75,415 |  |  | $ | 10,934 |  |  | $ | 7,549 |  |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | 93,958 |
Special items charge (gain) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
EBIT | $ | 75,415 |  |  | $ | 10,934 |  |  | $ | 7,549 |  |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | 93,958 |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 593 |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1,844 | )
Income before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 92,707 |

NOTE 5 — RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
In prior periods, the Company initiated various rationalization plans whose costs were substantially recognized in the prior year. As such, no charges were recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2016. A description of each restructuring plan and the related costs follows:
Americas Welding Plans:
During 2015, the Company initiated a rationalization plan within Americas Welding that included a voluntary separation incentive program covering certain U.S.-based employees. The plan was completed during 2016.
International Welding Plans:
During 2015, the Company initiated rationalization plans within International Welding. The plans include headcount restructuring to better align cost structures with economic conditions and operating needs. The Company does not anticipate any additional charges related to the completion of these plans. At March 31, 2016, liabilities relating to the International Welding plans of $7,173 were recognized in Other current liabilities, which will be substantially paid during 2016.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
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 tables summarize the activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016:

| Americas Welding |  | International Welding |  | Consolidated
Balance, December 31, 2015 | $ | 67 |  |  | $ | 7,598 |  |  | $ | 7,665 |
Payments and other adjustments | (67 | ) |  | (425 | ) |  | (492 | )
Charged to expense | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance, March 31, 2016 | $ | — |  |  | $ | 7,173 |  |  | $ | 7,173 |

NOTE 6 — EQUITY
Changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:

| Shareholders’ Equity |  | Non-controlling Interests |  | Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2015 | $ | 931,587 |  |  | $ | 861 |  |  | $ | 932,448 |
Comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) | 53,638 |  |  | (14 | ) |  | 53,624 |
Other comprehensive income | 26,688 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 26,703 |
Total comprehensive income | 80,326 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 80,327 |
Cash dividends declared - $0.32 per share | (22,145 | ) |  | — |  |  | (22,145 | )
Issuance of shares under benefit plans | 4,527 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,527 |
Purchase of shares for treasury | (102,488 | ) |  | — |  |  | (102,488 | )
Balance, March 31, 2016 | $ | 891,807 |  |  | $ | 862 |  |  | $ | 892,669 |

In July 2013, the Company's 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 45 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. During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, the Company purchased a total of 1.9 million shares. As of March 31, 2016, there remained 2.8 million common shares available for repurchase under this program. The repurchased common shares remain in treasury and have not been retired.
In April 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to an additional 10 million of the Company's common shares.
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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 three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31, 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 |  | 1,699 |  |  | (20 | ) |  | 24,234 |  | 3 |  | 25,913 |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  | (863 | ) | 1 |  | 1,638 |  | 2 |  | — |  |  | 775 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  | 836 |  |  | 1,618 |  |  | 24,234 |  |  | 26,688 |
Balance at March 31, 2016 |  | $ | 1,384 |  |  | $ | (98,158 | ) |  | $ | (172,805 | ) |  | $ | (269,579 | )
|  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
|  | 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, 2014 |  | $ | (9 | ) |  | $ | (197,893 | ) |  | $ | (90,720 | ) |  | $ | (288,622 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification |  | 1,322 |  |  | — |  |  | (56,011 | ) | 3 |  | (54,689 | )
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  | (222 | ) | 1 |  | 3,538 |  | 2 |  | — |  |  | 3,316 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  | 1,100 |  |  | 3,538 |  |  | (56,011 | ) |  | (51,373 | )
Balance at March 31, 2015 |  | $ | 1,091 |  |  | $ | (194,355 | ) |  | $ | (146,731 | ) |  | $ | (339,995 | )

1 | During the 2016 period, this AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $(787) (net of tax of $(278)) and Cost of goods sold of $(76) (net of tax of $22); during the 2015 period, the reclassification is a component of Net sales of $(529) (net of tax of $(249)) and Cost of goods sold of $307 (net of tax of $202). (See Note 14 - Derivatives for additional details.)

2 | This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $911 and $2,395 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively). (See Note 12 - Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans for additional details.)

3 | The Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications excludes $15 and $(541) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

NOTE 7 — INVENTORY VALUATION
The valuation of 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. The excess of current cost over LIFO cost was $59,765 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
NOTE 8 — ACCRUED EMPLOYEE BONUS
Other current liabilities at March 31, 2016 and 2015 include accruals for year-end bonuses and related payroll taxes of $26,174 and $32,987, respectively, related to the Company’s employees worldwide. The payment of bonuses is discretionary and subject to approval by the Board of Directors. A majority of annual bonuses are paid in December, resulting in an increasing bonus accrual during the Company’s fiscal year.
12

NOTE 9 — CONTINGENCIES
The Company, like other manufacturers, 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 probable, or if the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, disclosure is 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.
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.
NOTE 10 — PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS
The changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Balance at December 31 | $ | 19,469 |  |  | $ | 15,579 |
Accruals for warranties | 3,035 |  |  | 2,979 |
Settlements | (3,063 | ) |  | (3,209 | )
Foreign currency translation | 147 |  |  | (271 | )
Balance at March 31 | $ | 19,588 |  |  | $ | 15,078 |

NOTE 11 — DEBT
The Company has a line of credit totaling $400,000 through the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which was entered into on September 12, 2014. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets, transactions with affiliates and a fixed charges coverage ratio and total leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has a five-year term and may be increased, subject to certain conditions, by an additional amount up to $100,000. The interest rate on borrowings is based on either LIBOR or the prime rate, plus a spread based on the Company’s leverage ratio, at the Company’s election.
On April 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it agreed to issue Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $350,000 through a private placement. At March 31, 2016, $349,161, net of debt issuance costs of $839 and excluding accretion of original issuance costs, was outstanding and recorded in Long-term debt, less current portion. The proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes. The Notes, as shown in the table below, have 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 average tenure of 19 years. Interest is payable semi-annually. The Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

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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 Notes are as follows:

| Amount |  | Maturity Date |  | Interest Rate
Series A | $ | 100,000 |  |  | August 20, 2025 |  | 3.15 | %
Series B | 100,000 |  |  | August 20, 2030 |  | 3.35 | %
Series C | 50,000 |  |  | April 1, 2035 |  | 3.61 | %
Series D | 100,000 |  |  | April 1, 2045 |  | 4.02 | %

NOTE 12 — RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The components of total pension cost were as follows:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2016 |  | 2015
Service cost |  | $ | 4,430 |  |  | $ | 5,422 |
Interest cost |  | 6,011 |  |  | 10,331 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (8,864 | ) |  | (15,738 | )
Amortization of prior service cost |  | (99 | ) |  | (156 | )
Amortization of net loss |  | 2,666 |  |  | 5,820 |
Defined benefit plans |  | 4,144 |  |  | 5,679 |
Multi-employer plans |  | 202 |  |  | 217 |
Defined contribution plans |  | 1,969 |  |  | 3,016 |
Total pension cost |  | $ | 6,315 |  |  | $ | 8,912 |

The Company voluntarily contributed $20,000 to its defined benefit plans in the United States during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in components of total pension cost for the defined benefit plans in 2016 was primarily due to the purchase of a group annuity contract in August 2015.
NOTE 13 — INCOME TAXES
The Company recognized $19,558 of tax expense on pre-tax income of $73,182, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 26.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The effective income tax rate was 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The 2016 effective income tax rate was lower than the Company’s statutory rate primarily due to the utilization of U.S. tax credits and deductions, income earned in lower tax rate jurisdictions and utilization of loss carry-forwards for which valuation allowances had been previously provided. The 2015 effective income tax rate was lower than the Company’s statutory rate due to the utilization of U.S. tax credits, refund interest recognized as a reduction to tax expense and income earned in lower tax rate jurisdictions.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $14,526 of unrecognized tax benefits. If recognized, approximately $8,369 would be reflected as a component of income tax expense.
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 2011. The Company is currently subject to various U.S. 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 $2,236 in previously unrecognized tax benefits by the end of the first quarter 2017.
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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
NOTE 14 — DERIVATIVES
The Company uses derivatives 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 three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
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 March 31, 2016. The Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.
Cash Flow Hedges
Certain foreign currency forward contracts were qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these short-term contracts was $46,497 at March 31, 2016 and $30,388 at December 31, 2015.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company has foreign currency forward contracts that were qualified and designated as net investment hedges. No such contracts were outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
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 $290,209 at March 31, 2016 and $267,626 at December 31, 2015.
The Company had short-term silver forward contracts with notional amounts of $3,219 and $2,804 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Fair values of derivative instruments in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets follow:

|  | March 31, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Derivatives by hedge designation |  | Other Current Assets |  | Other Current Liabilities |  | Other Current Assets |  | Other Current Liabilities
Designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | $ | 1,268 |  |  | $ | 708 |  |  | $ | 178 |  |  | $ | 731 |
Not designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | 9,821 |  |  | 2,021 |  |  | 625 |  |  | 2,303 |
Commodity contracts |  | 3 |  |  | 32 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 8 |
Total derivatives |  | $ | 11,092 |  |  | $ | 2,761 |  |  | $ | 843 |  |  | $ | 3,042 |

The effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:

|  |  |  | Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives by hedge designation |  | Classification of gain (loss) |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Not designated as hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | Selling, general & administrative expenses |  | $ | 3,597 |  |  | $ | (9,604 | )
Commodity contracts |  | Cost of goods sold |  | (369 | ) |  | (144 | )

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

Total gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax |  | March 31, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Foreign exchange contracts |  | $ | 285 |  |  | $ | (551 | )
Net investment contracts |  | 1,099 |  |  | 1,099 |

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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
The Company expects a gain of $285 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 March 31,
Derivative type |  | Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to: |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Foreign exchange contracts |  | Sales |  | $ | (787 | ) |  | $ | (529 | )
|  | Cost of goods sold |  | (76 | ) |  | 307 |

NOTE 15 - FAIR VALUE
The following table provides a summary of assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Description |  | Balance as of March 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 |  | $ | 11,089 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 11,089 |  |  | $ | — |
Commodity contracts |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |
Total assets |  | $ | 11,092 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 11,092 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | $ | 2,729 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,729 |  |  | $ | — |
Commodity contracts |  | 32 |  |  | — |  |  | 32 |  |  | — |
Contingent consideration |  | 1,761 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,761 |
Forward contract |  | 28,543 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 28,543 |
Deferred compensation |  | 24,127 |  |  | — |  |  | 24,127 |  |  | — |
Total liabilities |  | $ | 57,192 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 26,888 |  |  | $ | 30,304 |

The following table provides a summary of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Description |  | Balance as of December 31, 2015 |  | 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 |  | $ | 803 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 803 |  |  | $ | — |
Commodity contracts |  | 40 |  |  | — |  |  | 40 |  |  | — |
Total assets |  | $ | 843 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 843 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | $ | 3,034 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,034 |  |  | $ | — |
Commodity contracts |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |
Contingent considerations |  | 9,184 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9,184 |
Forward contract |  | 26,484 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26,484 |
Deferred compensation |  | 23,201 |  |  | — |  |  | 23,201 |  |  | — |
Total liabilities |  | $ | 61,911 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 26,243 |  |  | $ | 35,668 |

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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
The Company’s derivative contracts are valued at fair value using the market approach. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts and net investment contracts using Level 2 inputs based on observable spot and forward rates in active markets. The Company measures the fair value of commodity contracts using Level 2 inputs through observable market transactions in active markets provided by financial institutions. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.
In connection with an acquisition, the Company recorded a contingent consideration fair valued at $1,761 as of March 31, 2016. Under the contingent consideration agreement the amount to be paid is based upon actual financial results of the acquired entity over the three-year period ending August 2018. The fair value of the contingent consideration is a Level 3 valuation and fair valued using a probability weighted discounted cash flow analysis.
In connection with an acquisition, the Company obtained a controlling financial interest in the acquired entity and at the same time entered into a contract to obtain the remaining financial interest in the entity over a three-year period through 2016. The amount to be paid to obtain the remaining financial interest will be based upon actual financial results of the entity. A liability was recorded for the Canadian dollar denominated forward contract at a fair value of $28,543 as of March 31, 2016. The change in liability from December 31, 2015 was primarily the result of foreign exchange translation and additional accruals of $193 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The fair value of the contract is a Level 3 valuation and is based on the present value of the expected future payments. The expected future payments are based on a multiple of forecasted earnings and cash flows over the three-year period ending December 31, 2016, present valued utilizing a risk based discount rate of 3.5% reflective of the Company's cost of debt and 14.0% as a risk adjusted cost of capital.
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, 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 March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The fair value of long-term debt at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, including the current portion, was approximately $348,911 and $342,602, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $351,275 and $351,803, respectively. Since considerable judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount that could be realized in a current market exchange.
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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, CNC and plasma cutters, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, integrated automation systems, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes, fluxes and welding accessories. The Company'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 North America, products are sold principally through industrial distributors, retailers and directly to users of welding products. Outside of North America, 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.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company realigned its organizational and leadership structure into three operating segments to support growth strategies and enhance the utilization of the Company’s worldwide resources and global sourcing initiatives. 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 primarily includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company’s global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States. All prior period results have been revised to reflect the realigned segment structure.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change
|  | Amount |  | % of Sales |  | Amount |  | % of Sales |  | Amount |  | %
Net sales |  | $ | 550,722 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 657,900 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | (107,178 | ) |  | (16.3 | %)
Cost of goods sold |  | 361,620 |  |  | 65.7 | % |  | 437,510 |  |  | 66.5 | % |  | (75,890 | ) |  | (17.3 | %)
Gross profit |  | 189,102 |  |  | 34.3 | % |  | 220,390 |  |  | 33.5 | % |  | (31,288 | ) |  | (14.2 | %)
Selling, general & administrative expenses |  | 113,810 |  |  | 20.7 | % |  | 129,891 |  |  | 19.7 | % |  | (16,081 | ) |  | (12.4 | %)
Operating income |  | 75,292 |  |  | 13.7 | % |  | 90,499 |  |  | 13.8 | % |  | (15,207 | ) |  | (16.8 | %)
Interest income |  | 430 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | 593 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | (163 | ) |  | (27.5 | %)
Equity earnings in affiliates |  | 626 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | 849 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | (223 | ) |  | (26.3 | %)
Other income |  | 661 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | 2,610 |  |  | 0.4 | % |  | (1,949 | ) |  | (74.7 | %)
Interest expense |  | (3,827 | ) |  | (0.7 | %) |  | (1,844 | ) |  | (0.3 | %) |  | (1,983 | ) |  | (107.5 | %)
Income before income taxes |  | 73,182 |  |  | 13.3 | % |  | 92,707 |  |  | 14.1 | % |  | (19,525 | ) |  | (21.1 | %)
Income taxes |  | 19,558 |  |  | 3.6 | % |  | 24,389 |  |  | 3.7 | % |  | (4,831 | ) |  | (19.8 | %)
Net income including non-controlling interests |  | 53,624 |  |  | 9.7 | % |  | 68,318 |  |  | 10.4 | % |  | (14,694 | ) |  | (21.5 | %)
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ loss |  | (14 | ) |  | — |  |  | (36 | ) |  | — |  |  | 22 |  |  | 61.1 | %
Net income |  | $ | 53,638 |  |  | 9.7 | % |  | $ | 68,354 |  |  | 10.4 | % |  | $ | (14,716 | ) |  | (21.5 | %)

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Net Sales: Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased 16.3% from the comparable period in 2015. The sales decrease reflects volume decreases of 14.2%, price increases of 11.4%, increases from acquisitions of 1.6% and unfavorable impacts from foreign exchange of 15.0%. Sales volumes decreased as a result of softer demand associated with the current economic environment and weakness in oil & gas and U.S. export markets. Product pricing increased from prior year levels, reflecting the highly inflationary environment in Venezuela. Excluding Venezuela, pricing and foreign exchange had 1.0% and 2.2% unfavorable impacts, respectively, on sales in the quarter.
Gross Profit: Gross profit decreased 14.2% to $189,102 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with $220,390 in the comparable period in 2015. As a percentage of Net sales, Gross profit increased to 34.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2016 from 33.5% in the comparable period in 2015.
Selling General & Administrative Expenses ("SG&A"): SG&A expenses were lower by $16,081, or 12.4%, in the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with the comparable period in 2015. As a percentage of Net sales, SG&A expenses were 20.7% and 19.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily due to lower bonus expense of $5,927, lower foreign exchange transaction losses of $5,020 and lower salaries and wages of $2,575. Foreign currency exchange rates had a $3,154 favorable translation impact on SG&A expenses.
Other Income: Other income decreased to $661 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $2,610 in the comparable period in 2015. The decrease was the result of a gain associated with the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary and the related non-controlling interest in 2015.
Interest Expense: Interest expense increased to $3,827 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $1,844 in the comparable period in 2015. The increase was due to interest accrued on higher borrowings.
Income Taxes: The Company recognized $19,558 of tax expense on pre-tax income of $73,182, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 26.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with an effective income tax rate of 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Net Income: Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $53,638 compared with Net income of $68,354 in the three months ended March 31, 2015. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $0.76 compared with $0.89 in the comparable period in 2015.
Segment Results
Net Sales: The table below summarizes the impacts of volume, acquisitions, price and foreign currency exchange rates on Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016:

|  |  | Change in Net Sales due to: |  |
| Net Sales 2015 |  | Volume |  | Acquisitions |  | Price |  | Foreign Exchange |  | Net Sales 2016
Operating Segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Americas Welding | $ | 448,837 |  |  | $ | (85,063 | ) |  | $ | 6,977 |  |  | $ | 80,320 |  |  | $ | (92,063 | ) |  | $ | 359,008 |
International Welding | 139,247 |  |  | (9,822 | ) |  | 3,465 |  |  | (3,105 | ) |  | (5,480 | ) |  | 124,305 |
The Harris Products Group | 69,816 |  |  | 1,390 |  |  | — |  |  | (2,404 | ) |  | (1,393 | ) |  | 67,409 |
Consolidated | $ | 657,900 |  |  | $ | (93,495 | ) |  | $ | 10,442 |  |  | $ | 74,811 |  |  | $ | (98,936 | ) |  | $ | 550,722 |
Consolidated (excluding Venezuela) | $ | 635,021 |  |  | $ | (79,236 | ) |  | $ | 10,442 |  |  | $ | (6,490 | ) |  | $ | (13,995 | ) |  | $ | 545,742 |
% Change |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Americas Welding |  |  |  | (19.0 | %) |  | 1.6 | % |  | 17.9 | % |  | (20.5 | %) |  | (20.0 | %)
International Welding |  |  |  | (7.1 | %) |  | 2.5 | % |  | (2.2 | %) |  | (3.9 | %) |  | (10.7 | %)
The Harris Products Group |  |  |  | 2.0 | % |  | — |  |  | (3.4 | %) |  | (2.0 | %) |  | (3.4 | %)
Consolidated |  |  |  | (14.2 | %) |  | 1.6 | % |  | 11.4 | % |  | (15.0 | %) |  | (16.3 | %)
Consolidated (excluding Venezuela) |  |  | (12.5 | %) |  | 1.6 | % |  | (1.0 | %) |  | (2.2 | %) |  | (14.1 | %)

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Net sales volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased for Americas Welding and International Welding due to softer demand associated with the current economic environment and weakness in oil & gas markets. Americas Welding sales also decreased due to weakness in U.S. exports. Product pricing increased in Americas Welding primarily due to the highly inflationary environment in Venezuela. Excluding Venezuela, pricing had a 1.0% unfavorable impact on sales in the quarter. All segments sales decreased due to the translation effect of a stronger U.S. dollar. Excluding Venezuela, foreign exchange had a 2.2% unfavorable impact on sales in the quarter.
Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes (“EBIT”), as Adjusted: Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being EBIT, as adjusted. The following table presents EBIT, as adjusted for the three months ended March 31, 2016 by segment compared with the comparable period in 2015:

| Three Months Ended March 31, |  |  |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | $ Change |  | % Change
Americas Welding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 359,008 |  |  | $ | 448,837 |  |  | (89,829 | ) |  | (20.0 | %)
Inter-segment sales | 23,831 |  |  | 23,023 |  |  | 808 |  |  | 3.5 | %
Total Sales | $ | 382,839 |  |  | $ | 471,860 |  |  | (89,021 | ) |  | (18.9 | %)
EBIT, as adjusted | $ | 61,438 |  |  | $ | 75,415 |  |  | (13,977 | ) |  | (18.5 | %)
As a percent of total sales | 16.0 | % |  | 16.0 | % |  |  |  |  | — |
International Welding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 124,305 |  |  | $ | 139,247 |  |  | (14,942 | ) |  | (10.7 | %)
Inter-segment sales | 4,426 |  |  | 5,027 |  |  | (601 | ) |  | (12.0 | %)
Total Sales | $ | 128,731 |  |  | $ | 144,274 |  |  | (15,543 | ) |  | (10.8 | %)
EBIT, as adjusted | $ | 6,233 |  |  | $ | 10,934 |  |  | (4,701 | ) |  | (43.0 | %)
As a percent of total sales | 4.8 | % |  | 7.6 | % |  |  |  |  | (2.8 | %)
The Harris Products Group: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 67,409 |  |  | $ | 69,816 |  |  | (2,407 | ) |  | (3.4 | %)
Inter-segment sales | 2,303 |  |  | 2,011 |  |  | 292 |  |  | 14.5 | %
Total Sales | $ | 69,712 |  |  | $ | 71,827 |  |  | (2,115 | ) |  | (2.9 | %)
EBIT, as adjusted | $ | 7,711 |  |  | $ | 7,549 |  |  | 162 |  |  | 2.1 | %
As a percent of total sales | 11.1 | % |  | 10.5 | % |  |  |  |  | 0.6 | %

EBIT, as adjusted decreased for Americas Welding and International Welding in the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared with the same period of the prior year due to volume decreases and unfavorable foreign exchange translation.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted diluted earnings per share and Return on invested capital are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are 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. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of special items on the Company’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.
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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 the foreseeable future 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,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 24,361 |  |  | $ | 52,784 |  |  | $ | (28,423 | )
Cash used by investing activities | (8,427 | ) |  | (9,245 | ) |  | 818 |
Capital expenditures | (8,885 | ) |  | (12,456 | ) |  | 3,571 |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 458 |  |  | 1,187 |  |  | (729 | )
Other investing activities | — |  |  | 2,024 |  |  | (2,024 | )
Cash used by financing activities | (104,791 | ) |  | (21,422 | ) |  | (83,369 | )
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net | 21,787 |  |  | 101,113 |  |  | (79,326 | )
(Payments on) proceeds from long-term borrowings, net | (31 | ) |  | 397 |  |  | (428 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2,015 |  |  | 1,733 |  |  | 282 |
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 357 |  |  | 537 |  |  | (180 | )
Purchase of shares for treasury | (102,488 | ) |  | (102,853 | ) |  | 365 |
Cash dividends paid to shareholders | (22,625 | ) |  | (22,329 | ) |  | (296 | )
Other financing activities | (3,806 | ) |  | (20 | ) |  | (3,786 | )
(Decrease) increase in Cash and cash equivalents | (83,187 | ) |  | 10,638 |  |  |

Cash and cash equivalents decreased 27.3% or $83,187 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $220,996 from $304,183 as of December 31, 2015. This decrease was predominantly due to the purchase of common shares for treasury and cash dividends paid to shareholders being partially offset by cash provided by operating activities and net proceeds from short-term borrowings. The decrease in Cash and cash equivalents during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compares to an increase of 3.8% or $10,638 to $289,017 during the three months ended March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, $216,515 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.
Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $28,423 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease was predominantly due to a refund of a Canadian tax deposit of $24,976 in the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Cash used by investing activities decreased by $818 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease was predominantly due to a decrease in capital expenditures. The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $65,000 to $75,000 in 2016. Anticipated capital expenditures reflect investments for capital maintenance to improve operational effectiveness and the Company's continued international expansion. 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.
Cash used by financing activities increased by $83,369 to $104,791 in the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2015. The increase was predominantly due to decreased proceeds from short-term borrowings in the current period. The Company anticipates share repurchases of approximately $400,000 in 2016.
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The Company’s total debt levels increased from $354,625 at December 31, 2015 to $374,950 at March 31, 2016. The increase was predominantly due to additional short-term borrowings. Total debt to total invested capital increased to 29.6% at March 31, 2016 from 27.6% at December 31, 2015.
In April 2016, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.32 per share, or $22,018 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2016.
Working Capital Ratios

|  | March 31, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015 |  | March 31, 2015
Net operating working capital to net sales 1 |  | 19.0 | % |  | 17.1 | % |  | 19.1 | %
Days sales in Total inventory |  | 103.9 |  | 89.2 |  | 99.8
Days sales in Accounts receivable |  | 51.3 |  | 46.9 |  | 50.9
Average days in Trade accounts payable |  | 44.8 |  | 38.7 |  | 44.4

1 Net operating working capital to net sales is defined as the sum of Accounts receivable and Total inventory less Trade accounts payable divided by annualized rolling three months of sales.
Return on Invested Capital
The Company reviews return on invested capital ("ROIC") in assessing and evaluating the Company's underlying operating performance. ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful metric to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and may be different than the method used by other companies to calculate ROIC. 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.
ROIC for the twelve months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

|  | Twelve Months Ended March 31,
Return on Invested Capital |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Net income |  | $ | 112,762 |  |  | $ | 266,587 |
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) |  | 18,181 |  |  | 30,920 |
Venezuela currency devaluation |  | 27,214 |  |  | 3,468 |
Pension settlement charges |  | 87,310 |  |  | — |
Noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | (805 | )
Adjusted net income |  | $ | 245,467 |  |  | $ | 300,170 |
Plus: Interest expense (after-tax) |  | 14,693 |  |  | 6,608 |
Less: Interest income (after-tax) |  | 1,574 |  |  | 1,711 |
Adjusted net income before tax effected interest |  | $ | 258,586 |  |  | $ | 305,067 |
Invested Capital |  | March 31, 2016 |  | March 31, 2015
Short-term debt |  | $ | 24,844 |  |  | $ | 167,985 |
Long-term debt |  | 350,106 |  |  | 3,882 |
Total debt |  | 374,950 |  |  | 171,867 |
Total equity |  | 892,669 |  |  | 1,179,955 |
Invested capital |  | $ | 1,267,619 |  |  | $ | 1,351,822 |
Return on invested capital |  | 20.4 | % |  | 22.6 | %

Venezuela — Highly Inflationary Economy
Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's Venezuelan operation's highly inflationary accounting and the foreign exchange mechanisms available for remeasurement of the financial statements.
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At March 31, 2016, the amount of bolivar requests awaiting government approval to be paid in U.S. dollars at the DICOM rate include $1,138 for dividend payments, of which $375 have been outstanding for more than a year, and $7,871 for other payments to be paid at the official rate, all of which have been outstanding for more than a year.
In the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s Venezuela operations contributed $4,980 to Net sales, $116 to Net income and had no impact to diluted earnings per share. In the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s Venezuela operations contributed $22,879 to Net sales and $1,811 to Net income, or $0.03 per diluted share.
Future impacts to earnings of applying highly inflationary accounting for Venezuela on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon the applied currency exchange mechanisms, the movements in the applicable exchange rates between the bolivar and the U.S. dollar and the amount of monetary assets and liabilities included in the Company’s Venezuelan operation’s balance sheet. The bolivar-denominated monetary net liability position was $748 at March 31, 2016, including $510 of cash and cash equivalents as compared with a bolivar-denominated monetary net asset position of $32 at December 31, 2015, including $642 of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company’s ability to effectively manage sales and profit levels in Venezuela will be impacted by several factors. In addition to those factors previously mentioned, these include the Company’s ability to mitigate the effect of any potential future devaluation and Venezuelan government price or exchange controls. There is a risk that the new DICOM process will be discontinued or not accessible when needed in the future, which may continue to prevent us from repatriating dividends or obtaining U.S. dollars. The various restrictions on the distribution of foreign currency by the Venezuelan government could also affect the Company’s ability to pay obligations and maintain normal production levels in Venezuela. Additional actions by the Venezuelan government could limit or cause cessation of operations.
A need to deconsolidate the Company’s Venezuelan operations may result from an inability to exchange bolivar-denominated currency coupled with an inability to make key operational decisions due to government regulations in Venezuela. The Company monitors factors such as its ability to access various exchange mechanisms; the impact of government regulations on the Company’s ability to manage its Venezuelan operation’s capital structure, purchasing, product pricing, and labor relations; and the current political and economic situation within Venezuela. Based upon such factors as of March 31, 2016, the Company continues to consolidate its Venezuelan subsidiary. As of March 31, 2016, the Company's total investment in Venezuela was approximately $35,000.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of accounting standards recently adopted or required to be adopted in the future.
Acquisitions
Refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's recent acquisitions.
Debt
Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's debt.
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 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, including in highly inflationary countries such as Venezuela; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; actual costs of the Company’s rationalization plans; possible acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as political unrest, acts of terror and natural disasters, 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, 2015.
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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, 2015. 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, 2015.
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 March 31, 2016.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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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.
At March 31, 2016, the Company was a co-defendant in cases alleging asbestos-induced illness involving claims by approximately 7,274 plaintiffs, which is a net decrease of 1,141 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 similar cases that have been resolved as follows: 50,867 of those claims were dismissed, 22 were tried to defense verdicts, seven were tried to plaintiff verdicts (one of which is being appealed), one was resolved by agreement for an immaterial amount and 752 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, 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, 2015, 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 first quarter of 2016 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 (2) (3)
January 1 - 31, 2016 |  | 847,109 |  |  | $ | 49.15 |  |  | 847,109 |  |  | 3,900,812 |
February 1 - 29, 2016 |  | 476,091 |  | (1) | 53.34 |  |  | 476,079 |  |  | 3,424,733 |
March 1 - 31, 2016 |  | 622,217 |  |  | 56.99 |  |  | 622,217 |  |  | 2,802,516 |
Total |  | 1,945,417 |  |  | 52.68 |  |  | 1,945,405 |  |  |

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) | The above share repurchases include the surrender of the Company's common shares in connection with the vesting of restricted awards.

(2) | In July 2013, the Company's 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 45 million shares. Total shares purchased through the share repurchase programs were 42,197,484 shares at a total cost of $1.4 billion for a weighted average cost of $33.18 per share through March 31, 2016.

(3) | In April 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to an additional 10 million of the Company's common shares.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits

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 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 Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS |  | XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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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
|  | Geoffrey P. Allman
|  | Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller
|  | (principal accounting officer)
|  | April 22, 2016

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