Lincoln Electric Holdings (Nasdaq: LECO) reported earnings on Feb. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Lincoln Electric Holdings met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank slightly and GAAP earnings per share grew.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Lincoln Electric Holdings tallied revenue of $684.6 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $689.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.79. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.74 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.74 for Q4 were 8.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.68 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 31.1%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.3%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $751.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.80.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.33.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 376 members out of 384 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 145 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 144 give Lincoln Electric Holdings a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Lincoln Electric Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $51.33.

Looking for alternatives to Lincoln Electric Holdings? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.