Q1 2026 Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc Earnings Call

April 30, 2026

Operator: Greetings, welcome to the Lincoln Electric 2026 Q1 Financial Results Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute, this call is being recorded. It is my pleasure to introduce your host, Amanda Butler, Vice President of Investor Relations and Communications. Thank you. You may begin.

Speaker #2: It is my pleasure to introduce your host, Amanda Butler, Vice President of Investor Relations and Communications. Thank you. You may begin. Thank you, Kathleen, and good morning, everyone.

Amanda Butler: Thank you, Kathleen, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Lincoln Electric's Q1 2026 conference call. We released our financial results earlier today, and you can find our release and this call's slide presentation at lincolnelectric.com in the investor relations section. Joining me on the call today is Steve Hedlund, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Gabe Bruno, our Chief Financial Officer. Following our prepared remarks, we're happy to take your questions. Before we start our discussion, please note that certain statements made during this call may be forward-looking, and the actual results may differ materially from our expectations due to a number of risk factors and uncertainties, which are provided both in our press release and in our SEC filings on forms 10-K and 10-Q. In addition, we do discuss financial measures that do not conform to U.S. GAAP.

Speaker #2: Welcome to LINCON ELECTRIC's first quarter 2026 conference call. We released our financial results earlier today, and you can find our release and this call's slide presentation at LINCONELECTRIC.COM in the Investor Relations section.

Speaker #2: Joining me on the call today is Steve Hedlund, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Gabe Bruno, our Chief Financial Officer. Following our prepared remarks, we're happy to take your questions.

Speaker #2: But before we start our discussion, please note that certain statements made during this call may be forward-looking, and the actual results may differ materially from our expectations due to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which are provided both in our press release and in our SEC filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Speaker #2: And in addition, we do discuss financial measures that do not conform to US GAAP, a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure, is found in the financial tables in our earnings release, which again is available in the Investor Relations section of our website at LINCONELECTRIC.COM.

Amanda Butler: A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure is found in the financial tables in our earnings release, which again is available in the investor relations section of our website at lincolnelectric.com. With that, I'll turn the call over to Steve Hedlund. Steve.

Speaker #2: And with that, I'll turn the call over to Steve Hedlund. Steve?

Speaker #3: Thank you, Amanda. Good morning, everyone. Turning to slide three, we achieved solid results, led by record quarterly sales and adjusted EPS performance, while also navigating heightened operating complexity from geopolitics and evolving trade negotiations.

Steven B. Hedlund: Thank you, Amanda. Good morning, everyone. Turning to slide 3, we achieved solid results led by record quarterly sales and adjusted EPS performance while also navigating heightened operating complexity from geopolitics and evolving trade negotiations. Teamwork exemplified our success this quarter. We remained agile in addressing short-term dynamics while staying customer-focused, investing in long-term growth, and reimagining how work gets done. The global launch of our new RISE strategy was successful. We celebrated a string of early wins, which include the US launch of our elite customer program as part of our enterprise-wide Spotlight initiative, which raises the bar for customer service in our industry. It enables us to provide superior on-time delivery, hassle-free support, and value-added services to help customers grow their business with us. In addition, we commissioned a new automated manufacturing line in one of our Harris facilities that triples the line's productivity while significantly improving quality.

Steve Hedlund: Thank you, Amanda. Good morning, everyone. Turning to slide 3, we achieved solid results led by record quarterly sales and adjusted EPS performance while also navigating heightened operating complexity from geopolitics and evolving trade negotiations. Teamwork exemplified our success this quarter. We remained agile in addressing short-term dynamics while staying customer-focused, investing in long-term growth, and reimagining how work gets done. The global launch of our new RISE strategy was successful. We celebrated a string of early wins, which include the US launch of our elite customer program as part of our enterprise-wide Spotlight initiative, which raises the bar for customer service in our industry. It enables us to provide superior on-time delivery, hassle-free support, and value-added services to help customers grow their business with us. In addition, we commissioned a new automated manufacturing line in one of our Harris facilities that triples the line's productivity while significantly improving quality.

Speaker #3: Teamwork exemplified our success this quarter. We remained agile in addressing short-term dynamics while staying customer-focused, investing in long-term growth, and reimagining how work gets done.

Speaker #3: The global launch of our new RISE strategy was successful, and we celebrated a string of early wins which include the US launch of our elite customer program as part of our enterprise-wide Spotlight initiative, which raises the bar for customer service in our industry.

Speaker #3: It enables us to provide superior on-time delivery, hassle-free support, and value-added services to help customers grow their business with us. In addition, we commissioned a new automated manufacturing line in one of our Harris facilities that triples the line's productivity while significantly improving quality.

Speaker #3: This investment also showcases the breadth of automated manufacturing solutions we engineer beyond traditional welding robots. Finally, we launched a new center-led process innovation function in welding consumables to accelerate our speed to market.

Steven B. Hedlund: This investment also showcases the breadth of automated manufacturing solutions we engineer beyond traditional welding robots. Finally, we launched a new center-led process innovation function in welding consumables to accelerate our speed to market. I am pleased by the speed of progress. We will work hard to maintain this pace. Turning back to quarterly performance, we are encouraged by improving sales and order momentum in the Americas region through April. This aligns well with three consecutive months of expanding manufacturing PMI data. In the quarter, we held our adjusted operating income margin steady with prior year. While we targeted a slight margin improvement, our 10% higher price did not fully offset inflation in the quarter. To ensure we achieve our neutral price cost target this year, we have already announced new price actions across our welding segments, which go into effect in early May.

Steve Hedlund: This investment also showcases the breadth of automated manufacturing solutions we engineer beyond traditional welding robots. Finally, we launched a new center-led process innovation function in welding consumables to accelerate our speed to market. I am pleased by the speed of progress. We will work hard to maintain this pace. Turning back to quarterly performance, we are encouraged by improving sales and order momentum in the Americas region through April. This aligns well with three consecutive months of expanding manufacturing PMI data. In the quarter, we held our adjusted operating income margin steady with prior year. While we targeted a slight margin improvement, our 10% higher price did not fully offset inflation in the quarter. To ensure we achieve our neutral price cost target this year, we have already announced new price actions across our welding segments, which go into effect in early May.

Speaker #3: I am pleased by the speed of progress, and we will work hard to maintain this pace. Turning back to quarterly performance, we are encouraged by improving sales and order momentum in the Americas region through April.

Speaker #3: This aligns well with three consecutive months of expanding manufacturing PMI data. In the quarter, we held our adjusted operating income margin steady with the prior year.

Speaker #3: While we targeted a slight margin improvement, our 10% higher price did not fully offset inflation in the quarter. To ensure we achieve our neutral price-cost target this year, we have already announced new price actions across our welding segments which go into effect in early May.

Speaker #3: Cash flows, while seasonally lower, were further affected by a temporary increase in inventory levels we put in place to maintain high fill rates and service levels while we pursue our Spotlight initiative and migrate select products to next-generation versions.

Steven B. Hedlund: Cash flows, while seasonally lower, were further affected by a temporary increase in inventory levels we put in place to maintain high fill rates and service levels while we pursue our Spotlight initiative and migrate select products to next generation versions. We continue to invest in long-term growth through CapEx and R&D and return cash to shareholders through both dividends and share repurchases. ROIC performance remained at top quartile levels at 21.5%. Turning to slide 4 to spend a few minutes on demand trends. The Americas region continued to outperform other geographies, and consumables remained the most resilient product category. This was driven by factory activity and infrastructure investments in energy and data centers, which helped offset slower auto production. These same end market drivers, along with an increase in capital spending from off-highway customers, supported modest automation growth in the Americas in the quarter as well.

Steve Hedlund: Cash flows, while seasonally lower, were further affected by a temporary increase in inventory levels we put in place to maintain high fill rates and service levels while we pursue our Spotlight initiative and migrate select products to next generation versions. We continue to invest in long-term growth through CapEx and R&D and return cash to shareholders through both dividends and share repurchases. ROIC performance remained at top quartile levels at 21.5%. Turning to slide 4 to spend a few minutes on demand trends. The Americas region continued to outperform other geographies, and consumables remained the most resilient product category. This was driven by factory activity and infrastructure investments in energy and data centers, which helped offset slower auto production. These same end market drivers, along with an increase in capital spending from off-highway customers, supported modest automation growth in the Americas in the quarter as well.

Speaker #3: We continue to invest in long-term growth through CapEx and R&D and return cash to shareholders through both dividends and share repurchases. ROIC performance remained at top quartile levels at 21.5%.

Speaker #3: Turning to slide four to spend a few minutes on demand trends. The Americas region continued to outperform other geographies and consumables remained the most resilient product category.

Speaker #3: This was driven by factory activity and infrastructure investments in energy and data centers which helped offset slower auto production. These same end-market drivers, along with an increase in capital spending from off-highway customers, supported modest automation growth in the Americas in the quarter as well.

Speaker #3: Globally, our automation portfolio achieved 210 million dollars in sales versus 215 million dollars in the prior year with compression from international markets where we have a challenging prior year comparison.

Steven B. Hedlund: Globally, our automation portfolio achieved $210 million in sales versus $215 million in the prior year, with compression from international markets where we have a challenging prior year comparison. We have been encouraged by the continued acceleration in both equipment and automation order rates and backlog levels in the Americas through April. This should support modest volume growth in the Americas Welding segment starting in Q2, with further improvement in the H2 if conditions are sustained. Internationally, we also saw a broad improvement in sales from European customers, with organic sales pivoting to growth across Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, and in Turkey. In addition, India and Australia improved.

Steve Hedlund: Globally, our automation portfolio achieved $210 million in sales versus $215 million in the prior year, with compression from international markets where we have a challenging prior year comparison. We have been encouraged by the continued acceleration in both equipment and automation order rates and backlog levels in the Americas through April. This should support modest volume growth in the Americas Welding segment starting in Q2, with further improvement in the H2 if conditions are sustained. Internationally, we also saw a broad improvement in sales from European customers, with organic sales pivoting to growth across Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, and in Turkey. In addition, India and Australia improved.

Speaker #3: We have been encouraged by the continued acceleration in both equipment and automation order rates and backlog levels in the Americas through April. This should support modest volume growth in the Americas welding segment starting in the second quarter with further improvement in the back half of the year if conditions are sustained.

Speaker #3: Internationally, we also saw a broad improvement in sales from European customers with organic sales pivoting to growth across northern, eastern, and central Europe and in Turkey.

Speaker #3: In addition, India and Australia improved. The headwind in our international business was largely from challenging prior year comparisons in regional automation and energy projects and to a lesser extent the Middle East conflict.

Steven B. Hedlund: The headwind in our international business was largely from challenging prior year comparisons in regional automation and energy projects and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East conflict. On a consolidated basis, the Middle East represents a relatively small portion of sales, and we estimate an approximate $8 million sales impact from the conflict as several customers suspended activity. In April, EMEA order rates continued to improve, and we are monitoring for consistency as activity may reflect pre-buying ahead of higher inflation and regional commodity supply concerns. In the Middle East, we are engaged with regional customers servicing active requests, and our global team of welding experts are ready to support their repair and expansion needs as called upon, whether for rapid large-scale metal 3D printing of re-replacement and spare parts to core welding and automation solutions.

Steve Hedlund: The headwind in our international business was largely from challenging prior year comparisons in regional automation and energy projects and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East conflict. On a consolidated basis, the Middle East represents a relatively small portion of sales, and we estimate an approximate $8 million sales impact from the conflict as several customers suspended activity. In April, EMEA order rates continued to improve, and we are monitoring for consistency as activity may reflect pre-buying ahead of higher inflation and regional commodity supply concerns. In the Middle East, we are engaged with regional customers servicing active requests, and our global team of welding experts are ready to support their repair and expansion needs as called upon, whether for rapid large-scale metal 3D printing of re-replacement and spare parts to core welding and automation solutions.

Speaker #3: On a consolidated basis, the Middle East represents a relatively small portion of sales and we estimate an approximate 8 million dollar sales impact from the conflict as several customers suspended activity.

Speaker #3: In April, EMEA order rates continued to improve and we are monitoring for consistency as activity may reflect pre-buying ahead of higher inflation and regional commodity supply concerns.

Speaker #3: In the Middle East, we are engaged with regional customers servicing active requests and our global team of welding experts are ready to support their repair and expansion needs as called upon.

Speaker #3: Whether for rapid large-scale metal 3D printing of replacement and spare parts, to core welding and automation solutions. Pivoting to end-market performance, we continue to see three of our five end markets achieving flat to higher organic sales growth in the quarter.

Steven B. Hedlund: Pivoting to end market performance, we continue to see 3 of our 5 end markets achieving flat to higher organic sales growth in the quarter. Most notable is the high 30% growth rate in General Fabrication, which represented accelerated factory and fabrication activity in the Americas, as well as in data center and HVAC projects. Heavy industries grew in the quarter, led by growth in off-highway globally. Both construction and ag equipment grew across a broad mix of solutions, including automation. Energy was steady, but was bifurcated between a high teens% growth rate in Americas, which was offset internationally. We remain bullish on energy and expect Americas to continue to outperform international with a strong pipeline of pending LNG projects and energy infrastructure projects needed to support data center investments.

Steve Hedlund: Pivoting to end market performance, we continue to see 3 of our 5 end markets achieving flat to higher organic sales growth in the quarter. Most notable is the high 30% growth rate in General Fabrication, which represented accelerated factory and fabrication activity in the Americas, as well as in data center and HVAC projects. Heavy industries grew in the quarter, led by growth in off-highway globally. Both construction and ag equipment grew across a broad mix of solutions, including automation. Energy was steady, but was bifurcated between a high teens% growth rate in Americas, which was offset internationally. We remain bullish on energy and expect Americas to continue to outperform international with a strong pipeline of pending LNG projects and energy infrastructure projects needed to support data center investments.

Speaker #3: Most notable is the high 30% growth rate in general fabrication which represented accelerated factory and fabrication activity in the Americas as well as in data center and HVAC projects.

Speaker #3: Heavy industries grew in the quarter led by growth in off-highway globally. Both construction and ag equipment grew across a broad mix of solutions including automation.

Speaker #3: Energy was steady but was bifurcated between a high teens percent growth rate in Americas which was offset internationally. We remain bullish on energy and expect Americas to continue to outperform international with a strong pipeline of pending LNG projects and energy infrastructure projects needed to support data center investments.

Speaker #3: With our strong broad presence across oil and gas and power generation applications, including gas turbine, battery, nuclear, and renewables, our energy team is encouraged by the opportunities ahead.

Steven B. Hedlund: With our strong broad presence across oil and gas and power generation applications, including gas turbine, battery, nuclear, and renewables, our energy team is encouraged by the opportunities ahead. Our two challenged end markets, non-residential structural steel and transportation, are both project-oriented and capital-intensive, which can result in choppy results quarter to quarter. Non-residential was largely impacted by international weakness, while transportation was broader and largely driven by lower capital spending versus prior year and a slight decline in production rates. To conclude, before passing the call to Gabe, while we are operating in a more complex environment, we are well-positioned to adapt and react effectively to short-term dynamics. We are financially disciplined, maintained a solid balance sheet profile, and continue to generate strong cash flows. Manage the business for long-term profitable growth.

Steve Hedlund: With our strong broad presence across oil and gas and power generation applications, including gas turbine, battery, nuclear, and renewables, our energy team is encouraged by the opportunities ahead. Our two challenged end markets, non-residential structural steel and transportation, are both project-oriented and capital-intensive, which can result in choppy results quarter to quarter. Non-residential was largely impacted by international weakness, while transportation was broader and largely driven by lower capital spending versus prior year and a slight decline in production rates. To conclude, before passing the call to Gabe, while we are operating in a more complex environment, we are well-positioned to adapt and react effectively to short-term dynamics. We are financially disciplined, maintained a solid balance sheet profile, and continue to generate strong cash flows. Manage the business for long-term profitable growth.

Speaker #3: Our two challenged end markets, non-residential structural steel and transportation, are both project-oriented and capital-intensive which can result in choppy results quarter to quarter. Non-residential was largely impacted by international weakness while transportation was broader and largely driven by lower capital spending versus prior year and a slight decline in production rates.

Speaker #3: To conclude before passing the call to Gabe, while we are operating in a more complex environment, we are well positioned to adapt and react effectively to short-term dynamics.

Speaker #3: We are financially disciplined, maintain a solid balance sheet profile, and continue to generate strong cash flows and manage the business for long-term profitable growth.

Steven B. Hedlund: This is evident in our balanced capital allocation strategy, as well as our track record of compounding earnings and increasing shareholder returns through the cycle to deliver superior long-term value. This is an exciting time at Lincoln Electric with the launch of our new RISE strategy, and the entire team is energized to achieve our mission of being the essential link to help customers build better and execute on our 2030 goals. Now I will pass the call to Gabe Bruno to cover Q1 financials in more detail.

Steve Hedlund: This is evident in our balanced capital allocation strategy, as well as our track record of compounding earnings and increasing shareholder returns through the cycle to deliver superior long-term value. This is an exciting time at Lincoln Electric with the launch of our new RISE strategy, and the entire team is energized to achieve our mission of being the essential link to help customers build better and execute on our 2030 goals. Now I will pass the call to Gabe Bruno to cover Q1 financials in more detail.

Speaker #3: This is evident in our balanced capital allocation strategy, as well as our track record of compounding earnings and increasing shareholder returns through the cycle to deliver superior long-term value.

Speaker #3: This is an exciting time at Lincoln Electric with the launch of our new RISE strategy, and the entire team is energized to achieve our mission of being the essential link to help customers build better and execute on our 2030 goals.

Speaker #3: And now I'll pass the call to Gabe Bruno to cover first quarter financials in more detail.

Gabriel Bruno: Thank you, Steve. Moving to slide 5, our Q1 sales increased approximately 12% to $1,121 million from approximately 10% higher price, 2% favorable foreign exchange translation, and a 1.6% benefit from the Alloy Steel Australia acquisition. This was partially offset by 2.6% lower volumes. Gross profit increased approximately 9% to $399 million, reflecting higher sales. Our gross profit margin declined 80 basis points to 35.6% due to lower volumes, timing of price cost recovery, and an approximate $1 million LIFO charge. Price cost was unfavorable 90 basis points in the quarter. We continue to target a neutral price cost posture and have implemented new pricing actions in our welding segments, which will go into effect in early May.

Gabe Bruno: Thank you, Steve. Moving to slide 5, our Q1 sales increased approximately 12% to $1,121 million from approximately 10% higher price, 2% favorable foreign exchange translation, and a 1.6% benefit from the Alloy Steel Australia acquisition. This was partially offset by 2.6% lower volumes. Gross profit increased approximately 9% to $399 million, reflecting higher sales. Our gross profit margin declined 80 basis points to 35.6% due to lower volumes, timing of price cost recovery, and an approximate $1 million LIFO charge. Price cost was unfavorable 90 basis points in the quarter. We continue to target a neutral price cost posture and have implemented new pricing actions in our welding segments, which will go into effect in early May.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Steve. Moving to slide five, our first quarter sales increased approximately 12% to 1 billion 121 million dollars from approximately 10% higher price to 2% favorable foreign exchange translation and a 1.6% benefit from the alloy steel acquisition.

Speaker #1: This was partially offset by 2.6% lower volumes. Gross profit increased approximately 9% to 399 million dollars reflecting higher sales. Our gross profit margin declined 80 basis points to 35.6% due to lower volumes, timing of price cost recovery, and an approximate 1 million dollar LIFO charge.

Speaker #1: Price cost was unfavorable 90 basis points in the quarter. We continue to target a neutral price cost posture and have implemented new pricing actions in our welding segments which will go into effect in early May.

Gabriel Bruno: Our SG&A expense increased by 7% or $14 million to $211 million. The increase was driven by foreign exchange translation, higher discretionary spending, which was largely commercially driven, and from higher employee costs. SG&A as a percent of sales improved 80 basis points to 18.8% on higher sales levels. On 1 April, we implemented our seasonal merit increase, which raises employee costs by approximately $6 million per quarter on a year-over-year basis. We expect our quarterly SG&A run rate to be at $250 million for the balance of the year. For analysts reviewing our segment EBIT schedule, our corporate expense of approximately $1.4 million reflects our decision to allocate additional center-led enterprise investments to our reportable segments.

Gabe Bruno: Our SG&A expense increased by 7% or $14 million to $211 million. The increase was driven by foreign exchange translation, higher discretionary spending, which was largely commercially driven, and from higher employee costs. SG&A as a percent of sales improved 80 basis points to 18.8% on higher sales levels. On 1 April, we implemented our seasonal merit increase, which raises employee costs by approximately $6 million per quarter on a year-over-year basis. We expect our quarterly SG&A run rate to be at $250 million for the balance of the year. For analysts reviewing our segment EBIT schedule, our corporate expense of approximately $1.4 million reflects our decision to allocate additional center-led enterprise investments to our reportable segments.

Speaker #1: Our SG&A expense increased by 7% or 14 million dollars to 211 million dollars. The increase was driven by foreign exchange translation, higher discretionary spending which was largely commercially driven, and from higher employee costs.

Speaker #1: SG&A as a percent of sales improved 80 basis points to 18.8% on higher sales levels. On April 1st, we implemented our seasonal merit increase which raises employee costs by approximately 6 million dollars per quarter on a year-over-year basis.

Speaker #1: We expect our quarterly SG&A run rate to be at 250 million dollars for the balance of the year. For analysts reviewing our segment EBIT schedule, our corporate expense of approximately 1.4 million dollars reflects our decision to allocate additional center-led enterprise investments to our reportable segments.

Gabriel Bruno: Looking ahead, we expect corporate expense to be approximately $1 to 2 million per quarter for the balance of the year. Reported operating income increased 13% on higher sales. Excluding special items, adjusted operating income increased 11.5% to $189 million, and we held our adjusted operating income margin steady year-over-year at 16.9% with a 17% incremental margin. Our steady margin performance reflected favorable SG&A leverage, which offset the impact of lower volumes and an unfavorable price cost position. Q1 diluted earnings per share performance increased 18% to $2.47. On an adjusted basis, earnings per share increased 16% to $2.50. We recognized a $0.04 benefit from foreign exchange translation and $0.05 from share repurchases. Moving to our reportable segments on Slide 6.

Gabe Bruno: Looking ahead, we expect corporate expense to be approximately $1 to 2 million per quarter for the balance of the year. Reported operating income increased 13% on higher sales. Excluding special items, adjusted operating income increased 11.5% to $189 million, and we held our adjusted operating income margin steady year-over-year at 16.9% with a 17% incremental margin. Our steady margin performance reflected favorable SG&A leverage, which offset the impact of lower volumes and an unfavorable price cost position. Q1 diluted earnings per share performance increased 18% to $2.47. On an adjusted basis, earnings per share increased 16% to $2.50. We recognized a $0.04 benefit from foreign exchange translation and $0.05 from share repurchases. Moving to our reportable segments on Slide 6.

Speaker #1: Looking ahead, we expect corporate expense to be approximately $1 to $2 million per quarter for the balance of the year. Reported operating income increased 13% on higher sales.

Speaker #1: Excluding special items, adjusted operating income increased 11.5% to $189 million, and we held our adjusted operating income margin steady year-over-year at 16.9% with a 17% incremental margin.

Speaker #1: Our steady margin performance reflected favorable SG&A leverage which offset the impact of lower volumes and an unfavorable price cost position. First quarter diluted earnings per share performance increased 18% to $2.47.

Speaker #1: On an adjusted basis, earnings per share increased 16% to $2.50. We recognized a 4% benefit from foreign exchange translation and 5% from share repurchases.

Speaker #1: Moving to our reportable segments on slide six. America's welding sales increased approximately 8% in the quarter driven by nearly 8% higher price and 1% favorable foreign exchange translation.

Gabriel Bruno: Americas Welding sales increased approximately 8% in the quarter, driven by nearly 8% higher price and 1% favorable foreign exchange translation. Volume declines narrowed to 40 basis points as orders accelerated through the quarter across all three product areas on improving demand trends from most end markets. We expect volumes to inflect to modest growth in Q2. Q1 Americas price marked peak levels in the segment as we started to anniversary last year's actions in Q2. The team has recently announced new pricing actions to mitigate rising raw material and logistics costs. We expect Americas Welding to achieve a full quarter benefit of these new actions starting Q3 at 150 basis points per quarter run rate. We will continue to monitor evolving operating conditions and will respond as necessary.

Gabe Bruno: Americas Welding sales increased approximately 8% in the quarter, driven by nearly 8% higher price and 1% favorable foreign exchange translation. Volume declines narrowed to 40 basis points as orders accelerated through the quarter across all three product areas on improving demand trends from most end markets. We expect volumes to inflect to modest growth in Q2. Q1 Americas price marked peak levels in the segment as we started to anniversary last year's actions in Q2. The team has recently announced new pricing actions to mitigate rising raw material and logistics costs. We expect Americas Welding to achieve a full quarter benefit of these new actions starting Q3 at 150 basis points per quarter run rate. We will continue to monitor evolving operating conditions and will respond as necessary.

Speaker #1: Volume declines narrowed to 40 basis points as orders accelerated through the quarter across all three product areas on improving demand trends from most end markets.

Speaker #1: We expect volumes to inflect to modest growth in the second quarter. First quarter America's price marked peak levels in the segment as we started to anniversary last year's actions in the second quarter.

Speaker #1: The team has recently announced new pricing actions to mitigate rising raw material and logistics costs. We expect America's welding to achieve a full quarter benefit of these new actions starting the third quarter at 150 basis points per quarter run rate.

Speaker #1: We will continue to monitor evolving operating conditions and will respond as necessary. America's welding segments first quarter adjusted EBIT increased approximately 3% to 128 million dollars on higher sales.

Gabriel Bruno: Americas Welding segment's Q1 adjusted EBIT increased approximately 3% to $128 million on higher sales. The adjusted EBIT margin declined 100 basis points to 17.2%, primarily due to timing of price cost recovery and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment. We expect Americas Welding margin to perform in the mid-18% to mid-19% EBIT margin range for the remainder of the year. Moving to Slide 7, the International Welding segment sales increased approximately 4% primarily from favorable foreign exchange translation and strong sales in our alloy steel acquisition, which will anniversary in early August. This increase was partially offset by 10% lower volumes primarily from automation and to a lesser extent, a temporary decline in customer activity due to the Middle East conflict. Adjusted EBIT decreased 1.5% to $23 million.

Gabe Bruno: Americas Welding segment's Q1 adjusted EBIT increased approximately 3% to $128 million on higher sales. The adjusted EBIT margin declined 100 basis points to 17.2%, primarily due to timing of price cost recovery and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment. We expect Americas Welding margin to perform in the mid-18% to mid-19% EBIT margin range for the remainder of the year. Moving to Slide 7, the International Welding segment sales increased approximately 4% primarily from favorable foreign exchange translation and strong sales in our alloy steel acquisition, which will anniversary in early August. This increase was partially offset by 10% lower volumes primarily from automation and to a lesser extent, a temporary decline in customer activity due to the Middle East conflict. Adjusted EBIT decreased 1.5% to $23 million.

Speaker #1: The adjusted EBIT margin declined 100 basis points to 17.2%, primarily due to the timing of price-cost recovery and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment.

Speaker #1: We expect America's welding margin to perform in the mid-18 to mid-19% EBIT margin range for the remainder of the year. Moving to slide seven, the international welding segment sales increased approximately 4% primarily from favorable foreign exchange translation and strong sales in our alloy steel acquisition which will anniversary in early August.

Speaker #1: This increase was partially offset by 10% lower volumes primarily from automation and to a lesser extent a temporary decline in customer activity due to the Middle East conflict.

Speaker #1: Adjusted EBIT decreased 1.5% to $23 million. Margin declined 50 basis points to 9.7%, as the benefit from alloy steel was offset by lower volumes and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment.

Gabriel Bruno: Margin declined 50 basis points to 9.7% as the benefit from alloy steel was offset by lower volumes and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment. We now expect International Welding's margins performance to improve sequentially, but remain in the 11% range until conditions improve in the Middle East. Moving to The Harris Products Group on slide 8. Q1 sales increased 42%, led by 41% higher price. The outsized price impact reflects actions taken to mitigate record high metal costs, most notably in silver and copper. The segment effectively managed costs and achieved their neutral price cost target in the quarter. While metal prices remain elevated, we expect Harris's price to moderate from Q1 record levels based on current metal price trends and prior year comparisons.

Gabe Bruno: Margin declined 50 basis points to 9.7% as the benefit from alloy steel was offset by lower volumes and higher corporate expense allocated to the segment. We now expect International Welding's margins performance to improve sequentially, but remain in the 11% range until conditions improve in the Middle East. Moving to The Harris Products Group on slide 8. Q1 sales increased 42%, led by 41% higher price. The outsized price impact reflects actions taken to mitigate record high metal costs, most notably in silver and copper. The segment effectively managed costs and achieved their neutral price cost target in the quarter. While metal prices remain elevated, we expect Harris's price to moderate from Q1 record levels based on current metal price trends and prior year comparisons.

Speaker #1: We now expect international welding's margins performance to improve sequentially but remain in the 11% range until conditions improve in the Middle East. Moving to the Harris Products Group on slide eight.

Speaker #1: First quarter sales increased 42%, led by 41% higher price. The outsized price impact reflects actions taken to mitigate record high metal costs, most notably in silver and copper.

Speaker #1: The segment effectively managed costs and achieved their neutral price cost target in the quarter. While metal prices remain elevated, we expect Harris's price to moderate from first quarter record levels based on current metal price trends and prior year comparisons.

Gabriel Bruno: Harris volume compression narrowed, benefiting from the growth in the retail channel, as well as an improvement in HVAC production activity, which we anticipate will inflect positive by mid-year. Looking ahead to Q2, we expect segment volumes to compress due to a challenging comparison from last year's retail channel load-in of a new customer. Volumes are expected to pivot to growth in H2. Adjusted EBIT increased approximately 68% to $41 million, and margin improved 330 basis points to 21.2%. The profitability improvement reflects SG&A leverage from higher sales dollars and favorable mix. We expect the Harris segment will operate in the 19% to 20% margin range at current metal prices. Moving to slide nine.

Gabe Bruno: Harris volume compression narrowed, benefiting from the growth in the retail channel, as well as an improvement in HVAC production activity, which we anticipate will inflect positive by mid-year. Looking ahead to Q2, we expect segment volumes to compress due to a challenging comparison from last year's retail channel load-in of a new customer. Volumes are expected to pivot to growth in H2. Adjusted EBIT increased approximately 68% to $41 million, and margin improved 330 basis points to 21.2%. The profitability improvement reflects SG&A leverage from higher sales dollars and favorable mix. We expect the Harris segment will operate in the 19% to 20% margin range at current metal prices. Moving to slide nine.

Speaker #1: Harris volume compression narrowed benefiting from the growth in the retail channel as well as an improvement in HVAC production activity which we anticipate will inflect positive by mid-year.

Speaker #1: Looking ahead to the second quarter, we expect segment volumes to compress due to a challenging comparison from last year's retail channel load-in of a new customer.

Speaker #1: Volumes are then expected to pivot to growth in the back half of the year. Adjusted EBIT increased approximately 68% to 41 million dollars and margin improved 330 basis points to 21.2%.

Speaker #1: The profitability improvement reflects SG&A leverage from higher sales dollars and favorable mix. We expect the Harris segment will operate in the 19 to 20 percent margin range at current metal prices.

Gabriel Bruno: We generated $102 million in cash flows from operations in the quarter, which was lower due to higher uses of working capital. We strategically increased inventory levels on a short-term basis to ensure high customer service levels while we transition select products to newer models and ensure we capitalize on early strengthening of demand, especially in the Americas. We expect to reduce inventory levels in H2 of the year. The increase in inventories resulted in an 80 basis point increase in our average operating working capital to sales ratio to 18.6%. Moving to slide 10. We continued to execute on our capital allocation strategy by investing $39 million in CapEx, and returned $101 million to shareholders from a combination of our higher dividend payout and from share repurchases.

Gabe Bruno: We generated $102 million in cash flows from operations in the quarter, which was lower due to higher uses of working capital. We strategically increased inventory levels on a short-term basis to ensure high customer service levels while we transition select products to newer models and ensure we capitalize on early strengthening of demand, especially in the Americas. We expect to reduce inventory levels in H2 of the year. The increase in inventories resulted in an 80 basis point increase in our average operating working capital to sales ratio to 18.6%. Moving to slide 10. We continued to execute on our capital allocation strategy by investing $39 million in CapEx, and returned $101 million to shareholders from a combination of our higher dividend payout and from share repurchases.

Speaker #1: Moving to slide nine. We generated $102 million in cash flows from operations in the quarter, which was lower due to higher uses of working capital.

Speaker #1: We strategically increased inventory levels on a short-term basis to ensure high customer service levels while we transition select products to newer models and ensure we capitalize on early strengthening of demand especially in the Americas.

Speaker #1: We expect to reduce inventory levels in the second half of the year. The increase in inventories resulted in an 80 basis point increase in our average operating working capital to sales ratio to 18.6%.

Speaker #1: Moving to slide 10. We continue to execute on our capital allocation strategy by investing 39 million dollars in CAPEX and returned 101 million dollars to shareholders from a combination of our higher dividend payout and from share repurchases.

Gabriel Bruno: We maintained a solid adjusted return on invested capital ratio of 21.5%. Moving to slide 11 to discuss our operating assumptions for 2026. We have increased our net sales growth assumption to incorporate recently announced price actions taken to offset rising input costs. We now expect net sales growth to be in the high single-digit percent range as compared to our initial assumption of mid-single digit percent growth. Our organic sales mix is now expected to be three-quarters price at a mid-single digit percent rate and one-quarter volume. Given how early we are in the year and the potential trade-off of strong order rates in Americas offsetting lower sales from the Middle East conflict, we have not changed our original volume growth assumption of a low single-digit percent growth rate.

Gabe Bruno: We maintained a solid adjusted return on invested capital ratio of 21.5%. Moving to slide 11 to discuss our operating assumptions for 2026. We have increased our net sales growth assumption to incorporate recently announced price actions taken to offset rising input costs. We now expect net sales growth to be in the high single-digit percent range as compared to our initial assumption of mid-single digit percent growth. Our organic sales mix is now expected to be three-quarters price at a mid-single digit percent rate and one-quarter volume. Given how early we are in the year and the potential trade-off of strong order rates in Americas offsetting lower sales from the Middle East conflict, we have not changed our original volume growth assumption of a low single-digit percent growth rate.

Speaker #1: We maintained a solid adjusted return on invested capital ratio of 21.5%. Moving to slide 11 to discuss our operating assumptions for 2026. We have increased our net sales growth assumption to incorporate recently announced price actions taken to offset rising input costs.

Speaker #1: We now expect net sales growth to be in the high single digit percent range as compared to our initial assumption of mid-single digit percent growth.

Speaker #1: Our organic sales mix is now expected to be three quarters price at a mid-single digit percent rate and one quarter volume. Given how early we are in the year and the potential trade-off of strong order rates in America's offsetting lower sales from the Middle East conflict, we have not changed our original volume growth assumption of a low single digit percent growth rate.

Gabriel Bruno: We estimate the sales impact from the Middle East conflict to be $8 to $10 million per quarter while the conflict persists, which is split evenly between the Americas Welding and International Welding segments. We also continue to anticipate a 70 basis point M&A benefit from the alloy steel acquisition, which again anniversaries in early August. We are maintaining our other full year assumptions on operating income margin improvement, a mid 20% incremental margin, interest expense, tax rate, CapEx, and cash conversion. Now I would like to turn the call over for questions.

Gabe Bruno: We estimate the sales impact from the Middle East conflict to be $8 to $10 million per quarter while the conflict persists, which is split evenly between the Americas Welding and International Welding segments. We also continue to anticipate a 70 basis point M&A benefit from the alloy steel acquisition, which again anniversaries in early August. We are maintaining our other full year assumptions on operating income margin improvement, a mid 20% incremental margin, interest expense, tax rate, CapEx, and cash conversion. Now I would like to turn the call over for questions.

Speaker #1: We estimate the sales impact from the Middle East conflict to be 8 to 10 million dollars per quarter while the conflict persists. Which is split evenly between the Americas and international welding segments.

Speaker #1: We also continue to anticipate a 70 basis point M&A benefit from the alloy steel acquisition, which again anniversaries in early August. We're maintaining our other full-year assumptions on operating income margin improvement, a mid-20% incremental margin, interest expense, tax rate, CAPEX, and cash conversion.

Speaker #1: And now I would like to turn the call over for questions.

Operator 2: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we will be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, press the star 1 again. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, we ask that you ask 1 question and 1 follow-up question. Your first question comes from the line of Brian Drab of Oppenheimer. Your line is now open.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we will be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, press the star 1 again. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, we ask that you ask 1 question and 1 follow-up question. Your first question comes from the line of Bryan Blair of Oppenheimer. Your line is now open.

Speaker #2: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we will be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #2: And if you would like to withdraw your question, press the star one again. And to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, we ask that you ask one question and one follow-up question.

Speaker #2: And your first question comes from the line of Brian Blair of Oppenheimer. Your line is now open.

Brian Drab: Thank you. Good morning, everyone.

Bryan Blair: Thank you. Good morning, everyone.

Gabriel Bruno: Good morning, Brian.

Gabe Bruno: Good morning, Bryan.

Speaker #3: Thank you. Good morning, everyone.

Brian Drab: It'd be great to hear a little more on how your team's thinking about cycle positioning here and the prospects for overall demand acceleration and broadening product growth over the coming quarters. You know, consumables growth has been encouraging since Q2 of last year. Obviously very robust in Q1. Trends have been a bit choppier on the equipment side, but it sounds like you do expect near-term improvement. Just any additional color on that front would be helpful.

Bryan Blair: It'd be great to hear a little more on how your team's thinking about cycle positioning here and the prospects for overall demand acceleration and broadening product growth over the coming quarters. You know, consumables growth has been encouraging since Q2 of last year. Obviously very robust in Q1. Trends have been a bit choppier on the equipment side, but it sounds like you do expect near-term improvement. Just any additional color on that front would be helpful.

Speaker #4: Good morning, Brian.

Speaker #3: It'd be great to hear a little more on how your team's thinking about. Cycle positioning here and the prospects for overall demand acceleration and broadening product growth over the coming quarters.

Speaker #3: Consumables growth has been encouraging since Q2 of last year. Obviously, very robust in Q1. Trends have been a bit choppier on the equipment side, but it sounds like you do expect near-term improvement.

Speaker #3: Just any additional color on that front would be helpful.

Steven B. Hedlund: Yeah, Brian, this is Steve. I would say we're cautiously optimistic, right? We're seeing good order rates in the Americas business. We've got continued strength in the PMI data. You know, conversations with customers are encouraging. We don't wanna get ahead of ourselves, right? We wanna see a little bit more consistency month to month. In Europe, there's a lot of choppiness. We're concerned that some of the volume growth we saw there might have been pull forward around pricing and other regulatory issues in terms of carbon taxes and the like. Don't really have any more clarity than anybody else about what's gonna happen in the Middle East and keeping our fingers crossed there. Cautiously optimistic, I guess, is our overall position. Yeah.

Steve Hedlund: Yeah, Bryan, this is Steve. I would say we're cautiously optimistic, right? We're seeing good order rates in the Americas business. We've got continued strength in the PMI data. You know, conversations with customers are encouraging. We don't wanna get ahead of ourselves, right? We wanna see a little bit more consistency month to month. In Europe, there's a lot of choppiness. We're concerned that some of the volume growth we saw there might have been pull forward around pricing and other regulatory issues in terms of carbon taxes and the like. Don't really have any more clarity than anybody else about what's gonna happen in the Middle East and keeping our fingers crossed there. Cautiously optimistic, I guess, is our overall position. Yeah.

Speaker #4: Yeah, Brian. This is Steve. I would say we're cautiously optimistic, right? We're seeing good order rates in the Americas business. We've got continued strength in the PMI data.

Speaker #4: Conversations with customers are encouraging. But we don't want to get ahead of ourselves, right? We want to see a little bit more consistency month to month.

Speaker #4: In Europe, there's a lot of choppiness. We're concerned that some of the volume growth we saw there might have been pull forward around pricing and other regulatory issues in terms of carbon taxes and the like.

Speaker #4: Don't really have any more clarity than anybody else about what's going to happen in the Middle East and keeping our fingers crossed there. So cautiously optimistic, I guess, is our overall position.

Gabriel Bruno: Brian, just to add, you know, as we mentioned, you know, in the Americas Welding segment, when we look at real volumes, consumables, and automation were up. As Steve mentioned as well as I, the progression in the quarter on orders were strengthening through March as well as into April. It also positions for growth on the equipment side. Steve mentioned, keyword for us is being just cautiously optimistic about what we're seeing in the business.

Gabe Bruno: Bryan, just to add, you know, as we mentioned, you know, in the Americas Welding segment, when we look at real volumes, consumables, and automation were up. As Steve mentioned as well as I, the progression in the quarter on orders were strengthening through March as well as into April. It also positions for growth on the equipment side. Steve mentioned, keyword for us is being just cautiously optimistic about what we're seeing in the business.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Brian, just to add, as we mentioned, in the Americas welding segment, our I mean, look at real volumes. Consumables and automation were up.

Speaker #5: And as Steve mentioned, as well as I, the progression in the quarter on orders were strengthening. Through March as well as into April. And also positions for growth on the equipment side.

Speaker #5: So Steve mentioned keyword for us as being just cautiously optimistic about what we're seeing in the business.

Brian Drab: Okay. That, that all makes sense. Specific to automation, sorry if I missed any related detail here, is the expectation that the strategy turns to growth in Q2, is mid-single digit range is still a reasonable outlook for 2026? Have you seen any improvements in, you know, the scope of quoting outside of the large projects that, you cited last quarter?

Bryan Blair: Okay. That, that all makes sense. Specific to automation, sorry if I missed any related detail here, is the expectation that the strategy turns to growth in Q2, is mid-single digit range is still a reasonable outlook for 2026? Have you seen any improvements in, you know, the scope of quoting outside of the large projects that, you cited last quarter?

Speaker #3: Okay, that all makes sense. And, specific to automation—sorry if I missed any related detail here—is the expectation that the strategy turns to growth in Q2?

Speaker #3: Is it mid-single digit range is still a reasonable outlook for 2026? And have you seen any improvements in the scope of quoting outside of the large projects that you cited last quarter?

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. Brian, we do expect to turn to modest growth on the automation side as we exit Q2 with an expectation that H2 we see a broad volume improvement across the automation business. Our order intake continues to be strong, backlog levels strong. The mix, while a lot of project activity, which creates some choppiness as you saw, particularly on the international side in this Q1. We do expect to posture to growth H2.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. Bryan, we do expect to turn to modest growth on the automation side as we exit Q2 with an expectation that H2 we see a broad volume improvement across the automation business. Our order intake continues to be strong, backlog levels strong. The mix, while a lot of project activity, which creates some choppiness as you saw, particularly on the international side in this Q1. We do expect to posture to growth H2.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So Brian, we do expect to turn to modest growth on the automation side as we exit Q2 with an expectation that second half we see broad volume improvement across the automation business.

Speaker #5: Our order intake continues to be strong. Backlog levels strong. And the mix while a lot of project activity, which creates some choppiness as you saw, particularly in the international side in this first quarter, but we do expect to posture to growth second half.

Brian Drab: Understood. Thank you again.

Bryan Blair: Understood. Thank you again.

Speaker #3: Understood. Thank you again.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Angel Castillo of Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Angel Castillo of Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Angel Castillo of Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Hey, good morning Steve, Gabe. This is Oliver on for Angel this morning. Just a question on your GenFab end markets. I know you guys were up, you know, high 30s this quarter. Can you help us unpack that in terms of how much of that was driven by price versus volume? Just on the H2, you know, we're seeing some of your customers talk about, you know, order numbers that are higher than that even. You know, just how does that translate in terms of volume growth for you guys in the H2?

Speaker #6: Hey, good morning, Steve, Gabe. This is Oliver on for Angel this morning. Just a question on your GenFab end markets. I know you guys were up high 30s this quarter.

Speaker #6: Can you help us unpack that in terms of how much of that was driven by price versus volume? And then just on the back half of the year, we're seeing some of your customers talk about order numbers that are higher than that even.

Speaker #6: So. Just how does that translate in terms of volume growth for you guys in the back half of the year?

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. Just a high level, you know, our volumes, particularly on consumables in the Americas Welding segment, were up low double digits. We're pleased with the mix. You know, we do have a significant component of the overall increase tied to automation projects in this Q1. Overall, we're seeing a broad-based strength across general industry. We're optimistic, you know, cautiously optimistic that, as you know, almost a third of our business is tied to general industries. As we see now 3 months in a row on PMI improving and the flash numbers in April also point to positive, we're tracking that closely because it's a key part of our business.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. Just a high level, you know, our volumes, particularly on consumables in the Americas Welding segment, were up low double digits. We're pleased with the mix. You know, we do have a significant component of the overall increase tied to automation projects in this Q1. Overall, we're seeing a broad-based strength across general industry. We're optimistic, you know, cautiously optimistic that, as you know, almost a third of our business is tied to general industries. As we see now 3 months in a row on PMI improving and the flash numbers in April also point to positive, we're tracking that closely because it's a key part of our business.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So just high level, our volumes particularly on consumables in the Americas welding segment, we're up a little double digits. So we're pleased with the mix.

Speaker #5: We do have a significant component of the overall increase tied to automation projects in this first quarter. But overall, we're seeing broad-based strength across general industry.

Speaker #5: So we're optimistic. Cautiously optimistic that, as you know, almost a third of our business is tied to general industries. And so as we see now three months in a row on PMI improving and the flash numbers in April also point to positive, we're tracking that closely.

Speaker #5: Because it's a key part of our business.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Got it. That's super helpful. Maybe just one on automation. Was that a drag on Americas margin this quarter? You know, looking forward, how does the margin look in terms of what you signed into your backlog? You know, I know you guys are targeting mid-teens there, any color there would be helpful.

Speaker #6: Got it. That's super helpful. And then maybe just one on automation. Was that a drag on America's margin this quarter? And then looking forward, how does the margin look in terms of what you signed into your backlog?

Speaker #6: I know you guys are targeting mid-teens there. So any color there would be helpful.

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. For Q1, we did have some pressure on automation margins. You know, as you know, that's dilutive to our overall business. It wasn't a key driver to the overall margin performance in the Americas Welding segment because as I mentioned, it was driven by price costs. We're trailing a bit there, as well as the increase in corporate allocations into the segment, which is about 40 basis points. We expect improvement in volumes to also track with it with a high single-digit type of margin for the automation business.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. For Q1, we did have some pressure on automation margins. You know, as you know, that's dilutive to our overall business. It wasn't a key driver to the overall margin performance in the Americas Welding segment because as I mentioned, it was driven by price costs. We're trailing a bit there, as well as the increase in corporate allocations into the segment, which is about 40 basis points. We expect improvement in volumes to also track with it with a high single-digit type of margin for the automation business.

Speaker #5: Yeah. For the first quarter, we did have some pressure on automation mergers. As you know, that's dilutive to overall business. Wasn't as key driver to the overall margin performance in the Americas welding segment because, as I mentioned, it was driven by price costs were trailing a bit there as well as the increase in corporate allocations into the segment, which is about 40 basis points.

Speaker #5: But we expect improvement in volumes to also track with a high single-digit type of margin for the Automation business.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Got it. Appreciate that.

Speaker #6: Got it. Appreciate that.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Mig Dobre of Baird. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Mig Dobre of Baird. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: And your next question comes from the line of Meag Tobre of Beard. Please go ahead.

Mig Dobre: Hey, good morning, everyone. I just have a couple of points of clarification here. Gabe, I appreciate all the commentary. Was trying to take notes, but I guess I'm not a fast enough note-taker here. In terms of pricing, do you expect to be back to neutral from a price cost standpoint in Q2, or is that delayed until later in the year? As far as the embedded price in the guide, does that reflect the actions that you talked about in the welding business that occurred in May? Is that embedded in that or not? How about Harris? Because obviously, I mean, what we saw in Q1 at Harris is just outsized, and I know things are moderating, but at what pace should we expect that to happen?

Speaker #7: Hey, good morning, everyone. I just have a couple of points of clarification here, Gabe. I appreciate all the commentary trying to take notes, but I guess I'm not a fast enough note-taker here.

Speaker #7: In terms of pricing, do you expect to be back to neutral from a price-cost standpoint in Q2? Or is that delayed until later in the year?

Speaker #7: And as far as the embedded price, in the guide, does that reflect the actions that you talked about in the welding business that occurred in May?

Speaker #7: Is that embedded in that? Or not? And how about Harris? Because obviously, I mean, what we saw in Q1 at Harris is just outsized and I know things are moderating, but at what pace should we expect that to happen?

Steven B. Hedlund: Yeah. Mig, let me handle the first part of that, I'll let Gabe comment more specifically. You know, obviously our goal is to be price cost neutral at the margin level, we've got a long history of achieving that objective. What you saw was an inflection in input costs for us in the latter part of Q1, there's a little bit of a delay for us to be able to announce the pricing to our customers, communicate all that, and have it go effective. I would expect that we're gonna recover most of that in Q2 as the pricing goes into effect, beginning of May. I think our guide for the year on total price reflects that assumption of the pricing we've already announced.

Steve Hedlund: Yeah. Mig, let me handle the first part of that, I'll let Gabe comment more specifically. You know, obviously our goal is to be price cost neutral at the margin level, we've got a long history of achieving that objective. What you saw was an inflection in input costs for us in the latter part of Q1, there's a little bit of a delay for us to be able to announce the pricing to our customers, communicate all that, and have it go effective. I would expect that we're gonna recover most of that in Q2 as the pricing goes into effect, beginning of May. I think our guide for the year on total price reflects that assumption of the pricing we've already announced.

Speaker #4: Yeah. So Meg, let me handle the first part of that, and then I'll let Gabe comment more specifically. Obviously, our goal is to be price-cost neutral at the margin level.

Speaker #4: And that we've got a long history of achieving that objective. What you saw was an inflection in input costs for us in the latter part of Q1.

Speaker #4: And then there's a little bit of a delay for us to be able to announce the pricing to our customers, communicate all that, and have it go effective.

Speaker #4: So I would expect that we're going to recover most of that in Q2 as the pricing goes into effect. Beginning of May. And then I think our guide for the year on total price reflects that assumption of the pricing we've already announced.

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. Mig Dobre, Steve Match. I would expect price cost neutral as we enter Q3. The timing of the price increases will have an impact positively in Q2, but we'll have the full impact in Q3. In terms of our price assumptions, if you think about the increase in between 300 and 400 basis points, the way I think about it is about a quarter of that on a full year basis is tied to the new price actions and the balance really tied to Harris, what we've seen throughout Harris. We don't get the full year impact, obviously, with the new price actions being taken.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. Mig I would expect price cost neutral as we enter Q3. The timing of the price increases will have an impact positively in Q2, but we'll have the full impact in Q3. In terms of our price assumptions, if you think about the increase in between 300 and 400 basis points, the way I think about it is about a quarter of that on a full year basis is tied to the new price actions and the balance really tied to Harris, what we've seen throughout Harris. We don't get the full year impact, obviously, with the new price actions being taken.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So Meg, as Steve mentioned, I would expect the price-cost neutral as we enter the third quarter. So the timing of the price increases will have an impact, positively, in the second quarter, but we'll have the full impact in the third quarter.

Speaker #5: In terms of our price assumptions, if you think about the increase between 300 and 400 basis points, the way I think about it is about a quarter of that on a full-year basis is tied to the new price actions and the balance really tied to the Harris, what we've seen throughout Harris.

Speaker #5: We don't get the full-year impact, obviously, with the new price actions being taken. So if you just think about that 150 basis points that I mentioned, that begins in the third quarter, take about half of that.

Gabriel Bruno: If you just think about that 150 basis points that I mentioned, that begins in Q3, think about half of that, and that's really about a quarter of the overall pricing change assumption.

Gabe Bruno: If you just think about that 150 basis points that I mentioned, that begins in Q3, think about half of that, and that's really about a quarter of the overall pricing change assumption.

Speaker #5: And that's really about a quarter of the overall pricing change assumption.

Mig Dobre: Great. That's very helpful. My follow-up, going back to international, I'm trying to make sense of the volume decline that you have in there. I understand the Middle East impact, something around 230 basis points. You know, what about the rest of it? Because at least optically to me, when I'm looking at the prior year, the comparison was not that difficult. I know you talked about tough comps, you know, volumes were down about 6% last year as well. Can you unpack what's going on here and what regions are doing what outside of the Middle East?

Speaker #7: Great. That's very helpful. And then my follow-up, going back to international, I'm trying to make sense of the volume decline that you have in there.

Speaker #7: I understand the Middle East impact, something around 230 basis points. But what about the rest of it? Because at least optically to me, when I'm looking at the prior year, the comparison was not that difficult.

Speaker #7: I know you talked about tough comms, but volumes were down about 6% last year as well. So can you unpack what's going on here and what regions are doing what outside of the Middle East?

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. Just real simply, the largest driver was the timing of projects within our automation business. We did see pockets of strength in certain markets within Europe, and you had the impact of Middle East, but that was the key driver. On the Asia side, we've seen favorable trends in the likes of India, Australia, and that. Biggest driver overall was the timing of projects and the tough comps on the automation side. We were down automation international. We are slightly up on the Americas side.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. Just real simply, the largest driver was the timing of projects within our automation business. We did see pockets of strength in certain markets within Europe, and you had the impact of Middle East, but that was the key driver. On the Asia side, we've seen favorable trends in the likes of India, Australia, and that. Biggest driver overall was the timing of projects and the tough comps on the automation side. We were down automation international. We are slightly up on the Americas side.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So just real simply, the largest driver was the timing of projects within our automation business. We did see pockets of strength in certain markets within Europe.

Speaker #5: And you had the impact of Middle East. But that was the key driver. On the Asia side, we've seen favorable trends in the likes of India, Australia, and that.

Speaker #5: But the biggest driver overall was the timing of projects and the tough comms on the automation side. We were down automation international. We were slightly up on the America side.

Mig Dobre: Thank you.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Operator 2: We have our last question from Nathan Jones of Stifel. Please go ahead.

Operator: We have our last question from Nathan Jones of Stifel. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: And we have our last question from Nathan Jones of Stifel. Please go ahead.

[Analyst] (Stifel): Good morning, everyone, and thanks for the question. This is Andreson for Nathan. Just moving on to the margin side, can you maybe talk about some of the cost management actions Lincoln's taking to drive improved margins near term?

Speaker #4: Good morning, everyone. And thanks for the question. It's Andres on from Nathan. Just moving on to the margin side, can you maybe talk about some of the cost management actions Lincoln's taking to drive improved margins near term?

Steven B. Hedlund: Yeah. We have a series of initiatives we're driving under this Rise Strategy in terms of enterprise-led initiatives. We're focusing a lot on sourcing and trying to get more leverage out of our global spend. We're looking at trying to improve supply chain planning so we can become more efficient in how we run the factories and servicing our customers with less inventory going forward. We're looking at SG&A productivity initiatives. The combination of all those things are reflected in our assumptions around incremental margins over the course of the Rise Strategy period.

Steve Hedlund: Yeah. We have a series of initiatives we're driving under this Rise Strategy in terms of enterprise-led initiatives. We're focusing a lot on sourcing and trying to get more leverage out of our global spend. We're looking at trying to improve supply chain planning so we can become more efficient in how we run the factories and servicing our customers with less inventory going forward. We're looking at SG&A productivity initiatives. The combination of all those things are reflected in our assumptions around incremental margins over the course of the Rise Strategy period.

Speaker #8: Yeah, we have a series of initiatives we're driving under this RISE strategy in terms of enterprise-led initiatives. We're focusing a lot on sourcing and trying to get more leverage out of our global spend.

Speaker #8: We're looking at trying to improve supply chain planning so we can become more efficient in how we run the factories. And servicing our customers with less inventory, going forward.

Speaker #8: We're looking at SG&A productivity initiatives and the combination of all those things are reflected in our assumptions around incremental margins over the course of the RISE strategy period.

Gabriel Bruno: Just to remind you know, when we talk about our expectations in the operating margins as well as incrementals for 2026, as you know, we're targeting that mid-20s. When you think about our 2030 targets, we're talking about high 20s. We're looking to make a step change, and a lot of the investments we're making currently have longer term implications while we're continuing to improve the short-term margin outlook.

Gabe Bruno: Just to remind you know, when we talk about our expectations in the operating margins as well as incrementals for 2026, as you know, we're targeting that mid-20s. When you think about our 2030 targets, we're talking about high 20s. We're looking to make a step change, and a lot of the investments we're making currently have longer term implications while we're continuing to improve the short-term margin outlook.

Speaker #5: And just to remind you, when we talk about our expectations in the operating margins as well as incrementals for 2026, as you know, we're targeting that mid-20s.

Speaker #5: When you think about our 2030 targets, we're talking about high 20s. So we're looking to make a step change in a lot of the investments we're making currently have longer-term implications while we're continuing to improve the short-term margin outlook.

[Analyst] (Stifel): Gotcha. Thank you. That's helpful. Just specifically to Harris, I guess, can you walk us through what were the primary margin drivers in Harris? Was it mainly mix related? Maybe just a little bit more color there.

Speaker #7: Gotcha. Thank you, that's helpful. And just specifically to Harris, I guess, can you walk us through what were the primary margin drivers in Harris?

Speaker #7: Was it mainly mix-related? Maybe just a little bit more color there.

Gabriel Bruno: Well, mix was certainly favorable. We did have some strengthening across on the retail side as well as what we've seen on HVAC, which was better than expected. We also have the pricing impact, where we've achieved our price cost neutral posture. With the leverage on SG&A, you probably have about low to mid-20s% type of incremental margin on that. Mix a big part of it, and then our pricing and strategy as well.

Gabe Bruno: Well, mix was certainly favorable. We did have some strengthening across on the retail side as well as what we've seen on HVAC, which was better than expected. We also have the pricing impact, where we've achieved our price cost neutral posture. With the leverage on SG&A, you probably have about low to mid-20s% type of incremental margin on that. Mix a big part of it, and then our pricing and strategy as well.

Speaker #5: Well, mix was certainly a favorable. We did have some strengthening across in the retail side as well as what we've seen on HVAC, which was better than expected.

Speaker #5: And then we also have the pricing impact where we've achieved our price-cost neutral posture. And with the leverage on SG&A, you probably have about low to mid-20s type of incremental margin on that.

Speaker #5: So mix is a big part of it. And then our pricing and strategy as well.

[Analyst] (Stifel): Thank you. I'll hop back into the queue. Appreciate it.

Speaker #7: Thank you. I'll hop back into the queue. Appreciate it.

Operator 2: We have more questions. The next question comes from Walter Liptak of Seaport Research Partners. Please proceed.

Operator: We have more questions. The next question comes from Walt Liptak of Seaport Research Partners. Please proceed.

Speaker #2: And we have more questions. The next question comes from Walt Liptak of Seaport Research Partners. Please proceed.

Walter Liptak: Hi. Thanks. Good morning. Hey, I wanted to ask about.

Walt Liptak: Hi. Thanks. Good morning. Hey, I wanted to ask about.

Speaker #9: Hi. Thanks, good morning. Hey, I wanted to ask about the lower international margins. I wanted to hopefully talk about that a little bit. I think you talked about an 11% international margin throughout the year.

Steven B. Hedlund: Yeah

Steve Hedlund: Yeah

Walter Liptak: Hi, the lower international margins. I wanted you to hopefully talk about that a little bit. I think you, Gabe, talked about an 11% international margin throughout the year. I think previously it was at 11% to 12%. I wonder if you could help us understand, is this more price cost or is it the Middle East, you know, kind of volume overhang? Help us understand what's going on with the international profitability.

Walt Liptak: Hi, the lower international margins. I wanted you to hopefully talk about that a little bit. I think you, Gabe, talked about an 11% international margin throughout the year. I think previously it was at 11% to 12%. I wonder if you could help us understand, is this more price cost or is it the Middle East, you know, kind of volume overhang? Help us understand what's going on with the international profitability.

Speaker #9: And I think previously, it was at 11 to 12. And I wonder if you could help us understand, is this more price-cost, or is it the Middle East kind of volume overhang?

Speaker #9: Help us understand what's going on with the international profitability.

Gabriel Bruno: Well, certainly the volume impact in Q1, Walt, being 9.9% down had an impact, and we do expect to see more stability in the overall business profile as we enter Q2. Timing of projects, as I mentioned, on automation has an impact. Depending on how the conflict progresses in the Middle East, we'll continue to see an impact there. But the mix is good from an Alloy Steel acquisition standpoint. The anniversary, as I mentioned, in August, and we expect that to also have a favorable impact. The impact on volumes, you know, had an impact coming into Q2, which we expect that to stabilize.

Gabe Bruno: Well, certainly the volume impact in Q1, Walt, being 9.9% down had an impact, and we do expect to see more stability in the overall business profile as we enter Q2. Timing of projects, as I mentioned, on automation has an impact. Depending on how the conflict progresses in the Middle East, we'll continue to see an impact there. But the mix is good from an Alloy Steel acquisition standpoint. The anniversary, as I mentioned, in August, and we expect that to also have a favorable impact. The impact on volumes, you know, had an impact coming into Q2, which we expect that to stabilize.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Well, certainly, the volume impact in the first quarter, while being 9.9% down, had an impact. And we do expect to see more stability in the overall business profile as we enter the second quarter.

Speaker #5: Timing of projects, as I mentioned on automation, has an impact. Depending on how the conflict progresses in the Middle East, we'll continue to see an impact there.

Speaker #5: But the mix is good from an alloy steel acquisition standpoint. That will anniversary, as I mentioned, in August. And we expect that to also have a favorable impact.

Speaker #5: So the impact on volumes, it had an impact coming into the second quarter, which we expect that to stabilize.

Walter Liptak: Okay, great. You know, kind of going back to the earlier questions about some of the General Fabrication markets and just the way that things trended, was this Q1 kind of in line with what you guys were thinking going into it, or did you see more of a pickup as Q1 went on and into April?

Walt Liptak: Okay, great. You know, kind of going back to the earlier questions about some of the General Fabrication markets and just the way that things trended, was this Q1 kind of in line with what you guys were thinking going into it, or did you see more of a pickup as Q1 went on and into April?

Speaker #7: Okay, great. And then, kind of going back to the earlier questions about some of the general fab markets and just the way that things trended.

Speaker #7: Was this quarter kind of in line with what you guys were thinking going into it? Or did you see more of a pickup as the quarter went on and into April?

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah. As you know, I mentioned the level of, in Americas Welding consumable volumes being up low double digits. That was stronger than we would have expected as we spoke in February. We saw strengthening in real volume activity in general industries. We continue to see that momentum into April. That's what gives us the cautious optimism on the early parts of a recovery, particularly in the Americas Welding side.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah. As you know, I mentioned the level of, in Americas Welding consumable volumes being up low double digits. That was stronger than we would have expected as we spoke in February. We saw strengthening in real volume activity in general industries. We continue to see that momentum into April. That's what gives us the cautious optimism on the early parts of a recovery, particularly in the Americas Welding side.

Speaker #5: Yeah. As I mentioned, the level of in America's welding consumable volumes being up double digits. So that was stronger than we would have expected as we've spoken February.

Speaker #5: So, we saw strengthening in real volume activity in general industries. We continued to see that momentum into April, so that's what gives us the cautious optimism on the early parts of recovery.

Steven B. Hedlund: Walt, I would say the improvement in Gen Fab, particularly in the Americas, consumables may be a little bit ahead of what we were anticipating, and standard equipment may be a little bit behind what we were anticipating.

Steve Hedlund: Walt, I would say the improvement in Gen Fab, particularly in the Americas, consumables may be a little bit ahead of what we were anticipating, and standard equipment may be a little bit behind what we were anticipating.

Speaker #5: Particularly in the America's welding side.

Speaker #7: Yeah. Walt, I would say the improvement in gen fab, particularly in the Americas, consumables may be a little bit ahead of what we were anticipating and standard equipment may be a little bit behind what we were anticipating.

Gabriel Bruno: The consumables are great barometer of factory activity and with continued strength and the factory activity and hopefully improving confidence, we should see the standard equipment follow in fairly short order.

Gabe Bruno: The consumables are great barometer of factory activity and with continued strength and the factory activity and hopefully improving confidence, we should see the standard equipment follow in fairly short order.

Speaker #7: The consumables are great barometer of factory activity and with continued strength and the factory activity and hopefully improving confidence, we should see the standard equipment follow in fairly short order.

Walter Liptak: Okay, understood. Sounds great. Thank you.

Walt Liptak: Okay, understood. Sounds great. Thank you.

Speaker #9: Okay. Understood. Sounds great. Thank you.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Steve Barger of KeyBanc. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Steve Barger of KeyBanc. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: And your next question comes from the line of Steve Parker of KeyBank. Please go ahead.

Christian Zyla: Morning, everyone. This is Christian Zyla on for Steve Barger.

Speaker #10: Good morning, everyone. This is Christian Zyla on for Steve Barger. One clarifying morning. One clarifying question. Just with your earlier comments on the 2Q volume expectations, are you expecting overall margins in 2Q to be somewhat similar to 1Q and then a pretty meaningful step up to get to your full guide of slight improvement?

Gabriel Bruno: Hey, Christian.

Gabe Bruno: Hey, Christian.

Christian Zyla: Morning. One clarifying question. Just with your earlier comments on the Q2 volume expectations, are you expecting overall margins in Q2 to be somewhat similar to Q1 and then a pretty meaningful step up to get to your full guide of slight improvement? Can you just help us walk through the cadence for the full year?

Speaker #10: Can you just help us walk through the cadence for the full year?

Gabriel Bruno: I expect the Q2 to show a step improvement compared to what we've realized in the Q1 and seeing that progressively stable as we get full realization of price cost neutral in the Q3.

Gabe Bruno: I expect the Q2 to show a step improvement compared to what we've realized in the Q1 and seeing that progressively stable as we get full realization of price cost neutral in the Q3.

Speaker #5: Yeah. No, I expect the second quarter to show a step improvement compared to what we've realized in the first quarter, and see that progressively stabilize as we get full realization of price-cost neutral in the third quarter.

Christian Zyla: Got it. Then to follow up on that, is that driven primarily by volume or mix in H2? Just kinda help us parse that out.

Speaker #10: Got it. And then to follow up on that, is that driven primarily by volume or mix in the back half? Just kind of help us parse that out.

Gabriel Bruno: Yes. For sure volumes, we do see progressively improving. You know, as we talked prior to the increase in our pricing assumptions for the year, we did point to the mix of price volume to progress into volumes in the back half of the year as we've anniversary then the price actions from that we had taken in 2025. We have pivoted to volume in the back half of the year. The only comment we made to reinforce mix is that the strengthening of Americas Welding depending on what progresses within the Middle East conflict could be an offset, which, you know, we estimate that impact to be about $8 million to $10 million per Q.

Gabe Bruno: Yes. For sure volumes, we do see progressively improving. You know, as we talked prior to the increase in our pricing assumptions for the year, we did point to the mix of price volume to progress into volumes in the back half of the year as we've anniversary then the price actions from that we had taken in 2025. We have pivoted to volume in the back half of the year. The only comment we made to reinforce mix is that the strengthening of Americas Welding depending on what progresses within the Middle East conflict could be an offset, which, you know, we estimate that impact to be about $8 million to $10 million per quarter.

Speaker #5: Yes. So for sure, volumes, we do see progressively improving as we talked prior to the increase in our pricing assumptions for the year. We did point to the mix of price-volume to progress into volumes in the back half of the year as we've anniversary then the price actions from that we had taken in 2025.

Speaker #5: So we had pivoted to volume in the back half of the year. The only comment we made to reinforce mix is that the strengthening of America is depending on what progresses within the Middle East conflict could be an offset.

Speaker #5: Which we estimate that impact to be about 8 to 10 million dollars per quarter.

Steven B. Hedlund: Yeah, Christian, our expectation is still for continued volume improvement in H2 of the year. We haven't seen anything yet to have us come off of that, we're cautiously monitoring demand trends to stay on top of that. Hence our cautious optimism.

Steve Hedlund: Yeah, Christian, our expectation is still for continued volume improvement in H2 of the year. We haven't seen anything yet to have us come off of that, we're cautiously monitoring demand trends to stay on top of that. Hence our cautious optimism.

Speaker #7: Yeah, Christian. So our expectation is still for continued volume improvement in the second half of the year. We haven't seen anything yet to have us come off of that.

Speaker #7: But we're cautiously monitoring demand trends to stay on top of that, so. Hence our cautious optimism.

Christian Zyla: Thank you. Understood. One final one for me is just on the cash flow for the year. I think I understood the comment of the increased working capital or inventory levels. Do you expect that to repeat as we go for the full year? Should we expect a similar, you know, 2026 versus 2025 free cash flow, which then would imply about $140 million to $150 million per quarter? Thank you.

Speaker #10: Thank you. Understood. One final one for me is just on the cash flow for the year. I think I understood the comment of the increased working capital or inventory levels.

Speaker #10: Do you expect that to repeat as we go for the full year, or should we expect a similar 26 versus 25 free cash flow?

Speaker #10: Which then would apply about 140, 50 million per quarter. Thank you.

Gabriel Bruno: Yeah, no, we expect to, we're still anchored on 100% cash conversion. We expect that while we're investing short term with some product transitions, that that would turn around in the back half of the year.

Gabe Bruno: Yeah, no, we expect to, we're still anchored on 100% cash conversion. We expect that while we're investing short term with some product transitions, that that would turn around in the back half of the year.

Speaker #5: Yeah. No, we expect to. We're still anchored on 100% cash conversion. So we expect that while we're investing short-term, there's some product transitions that would turn around in the back half of the year.

Christian Zyla: Great. Thank you.

Speaker #10: Great. Thank you.

Operator 2: We have one last follow-up question from Mig Dobre of Baird. Please go ahead.

Operator: We have one last follow-up question from Mig Dobre of Baird. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: And we have one last follow-up question from Meek Dobrev of Baird. Please go ahead.

Mig Dobre: Hey, thanks for taking a follow-up. Still back on international for me. If we're kind of leaving out the Middle East conflict and the drag that you've outlined from that, so excluding this, you know, do you expect to see volume growth in the rest of that business at any point in time in 2026? As far as inflation goes, what is the impact on that flow-through in pricing in international? Well, thank you.

Speaker #11: Hey, thanks for taking a follow-up. Still back on international for me. If we're kind of leaving out the Middle East conflict and the drag that you've outlined from that, so excluding this, do you expect to see volume growth in the rest of that business at any point in time in '26?

Speaker #11: And as far as inflation goes, what is the impact on that flow-through and pricing in international wealth? Thank you.

Steven B. Hedlund: Mig Dobre, I would say we're expecting volume growth in the Asia Pacific region of the business. The Western Europe in particular and the broader European region, excluding the Middle East, a little more cautious. We were pleased to see a little bit of an uptick this quarter versus the prior quarters, but we're concerned that that might be pulled forward related to pricing actions and also some of the government regulations around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism coming into play. It's just a little too early to call any bottoming and improvement in Europe at this point in time. We continue to see growth in Asia Pac and believe that we're investing appropriately to take advantage of that growth.

Steve Hedlund: Mig, I would say we're expecting volume growth in the Asia Pacific region of the business. The Western Europe in particular and the broader European region, excluding the Middle East, a little more cautious. We were pleased to see a little bit of an uptick this quarter versus the prior quarters, but we're concerned that that might be pulled forward related to pricing actions and also some of the government regulations around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism coming into play. It's just a little too early to call any bottoming and improvement in Europe at this point in time. We continue to see growth in Asia Pac and believe that we're investing appropriately to take advantage of that growth.

Speaker #7: Yeah. Mike, I would say we're expecting volume growth in the Asia-Pacific region of the business. The western Europe in particular and the broader European region, excluding the Middle East, a little more cautious.

Speaker #7: We were pleased to see a little bit of an uptick this quarter versus the prior quarters, but we're concerned that that might be pulled forward related to pricing actions and also some of the government regulations around the carbon border adjustment mechanism coming into play.

Speaker #7: And so it's just a little too early to call any bottoming improvement in Europe at this point in time. But we continue to see growth in Asia-Pac and believe that we're investing appropriately to take advantage of that growth.

Gabriel Bruno: Our posture, Mig, there in international markets is to be price cost neutral. We'll take some action to achieve that objective. That's what drives the improvement as we see from Q1 into that 11% type EBIT margin profile that we expect from the business.

Gabe Bruno: Our posture, Mig, there in international markets is to be price cost neutral. We'll take some action to achieve that objective. That's what drives the improvement as we see from Q1 into that 11% type EBIT margin profile that we expect from the business.

Speaker #5: And our posture there in international markets is to be price-cost neutral. So we'll take some action to achieve that objective. And that's what drives the improvement as we see from Q1 into that 11% type EBIT margin profile that we expect from the business.

Mig Dobre: All right. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Speaker #10: All right. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Operator 2: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Gabriel Bruno for the closing remarks.

Operator: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Gabe Bruno for the closing remarks.

Speaker #2: And this concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Gabe Bruno for the closing remarks.

Gabriel Bruno: I would like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today and for your continued interest in Lincoln Electric. We look forward to discussing the progression of our RISE strategy in the future. Thank you very much.

Gabe Bruno: I would like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today and for your continued interest in Lincoln Electric. We look forward to discussing the progression of our RISE strategy in the future. Thank you very much.

Speaker #5: I would like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today and for your continued interest in Lincoln Electric. We look forward to discussing the progression of our RISE strategy in the future.

Speaker #5: Thank you very much.

Operator 2: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you everyone for joining. You may now disconnect.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you everyone for joining. You may now disconnect.

Q1 2026 Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc Earnings Call

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