Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) Short Interest Down 13.3% in January

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 560,375 shares, a decline of 13.3% from the December 31st total of 646,489 shares. Currently, 1.0% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 260,772 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 260,772 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Lincoln Electric in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $354,063,000. M&T Bank Corp grew its stake in shares of Lincoln Electric by 5,862.4% during the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 1,271,364 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $304,670,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250,041 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners purchased a new position in Lincoln Electric in the second quarter valued at $141,550,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Lincoln Electric by 439.8% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 596,617 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $123,691,000 after buying an additional 486,090 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cartenna Capital LP raised its stake in Lincoln Electric by 675.0% in the third quarter. Cartenna Capital LP now owns 310,000 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $73,107,000 after buying an additional 270,000 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.61% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln Electric Stock Up 3.5%

LECO traded up $9.40 on Wednesday, hitting $280.62. 199,492 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 296,140. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $249.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $240.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Lincoln Electric has a twelve month low of $161.11 and a twelve month high of $280.79. The company has a market cap of $15.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.26.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Lincoln Electric from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Lincoln Electric from $252.00 to $253.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Lincoln Electric from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Barclays increased their target price on Lincoln Electric from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $297.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Lincoln Electric in a report on Tuesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $255.00.

Lincoln Electric Company Profile

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: LECO) is a global manufacturer and distributor of welding products, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment, and surface treatment systems. The company’s portfolio encompasses welding consumables such as electrodes and wires, as well as power sources, torches, and automated welding cells. Lincoln Electric also offers software solutions and training services designed to optimize productivity and quality in fabrication and manufacturing operations.

Founded in 1895 by John C.