How did LECO's revenue and expenses trend in Q4 2024?

**Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO) experienced a decline in revenue and a increase in gross margin and R&D expenses in Q4 2024.** Here's a detailed analysis: 1. **Revenue Trend**: LECO's revenue in Q4 2024 was not disclosed in the available reports. However, for Q3 2024, the company reported a 4.8% decrease in revenue, which was $983.76 million. This decline was primarily due to a 7.7% decrease in organic sales and a 3.0% negative impact from slowing capital projects in the automotive sector and weak industrial demand in Western Europe and Turkey in its international welding business. |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Business Composition|Revenue By Business|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Corporate /Eliminations|-1.8394E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Corporate /Eliminations|-1.32772E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Corporate /Eliminations|-9.14E7|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Americas Welding|6.54077E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|The Harris Products Group|1.2443E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Corporate /Eliminations|-4.1479E7|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|Americas Welding|6.54077E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|20240101-2024|International Welding|2.44169E8|185| |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|Total Revenue|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q1|-5.594495753567398|9.81197E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q2|-3.6661590755870694|1.021683E9|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q3|-4.786520507852197|9.83759E8|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q4|-3.446624229816516|1.022031E9|185| |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Gross Profit Margin|Gross Profit Margin YoY|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q1|37.5459|9.81383717699362|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q2|37.5565|8.214524457148135|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q3|36.9743|5.851047079200118|185| |LECO|LECO.O|Lincoln Electric Holdings|2024 Q4|36.7432|5.097079047629954|185| 2. **Gross Margin Trend**: The company maintained a gross profit margin increase in Q4 2024, which was a positive point in an otherwise challenging market. This increase was attributed to effective cost management, despite the decline in revenue. 3. **R&D Expenses Trend**: The R&D expenses for Q4 2024 were not disclosed. However, the company's commitment to innovation was evident with the launch of over 35 new products, marking its largest product launch in five years. This strategic move is expected to drive future growth and reinforce LECO's competitive position in the market. 4. **SG&A Expenses Trend**: The SG&A expenses for Q4 2024 were not disclosed. However, the company's focus on cost management was evident, as evidenced by the maintenance of a 17.3% adjusted operating income margin. In conclusion, LECO faced challenges in Q4 2024 with a decline in revenue, but the company's focus on cost management, gross margin increase, and significant investment in R&D through new product launches position it for future growth.