Lincoln Electric Holdings (Nasdaq: LECO) reported earnings on Feb. 17. 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 increased significantly and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Lincoln Electric Holdings booked revenue of $694.5 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $697.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $564.3 million.

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 $0.68. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.64 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.68 for Q4 were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.49 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 28.0%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.9%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.3%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $669.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.65.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.06 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.93.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 363 members rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 146 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 146 give Lincoln Electric Holdings a green thumbs-up.

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 $47.00.