BWX Technologies (BWXT) vs Lincoln Electric (LECO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Lincoln Electric (LECO) has outperformed BWX Technologies (BWXT) over the past year, gaining 11.3% versus a loss of 26.0%. Over five years, BWXT leads with a +150.8% price change compared with +89.6% for LECO. Lincoln Electric is the larger company by market cap ($14.04 billion vs $13.06 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while BWX Technologies is growing revenue faster (+18.3% vs +5.6%).
On valuation, Lincoln Electric trades at a lower forward P/E (20.6x vs 27.2x for BWX Technologies). Lincoln Electric offers the higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.73%). Lincoln Electric converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.3% versus 10.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BWXT | LECO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $142.51 | $257.56 |
| Market cap | $13.06B | $14.04B |
| 1-day change | +0.69% | -2.13% |
| YTD return | -18.11% | +9.82% |
| 1-year return | -26.05% | +11.31% |
| 5-year return | +150.82% | +89.59% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.92 | 25.73 |
| Forward P/E | 27.25 | 20.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.86 | $10.01 |
| Dividend yield | 0.73% | 1.21% |
| Annual dividend | $1.04 | $3.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.20B | $4.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.30% | +5.60% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $328.94M | $520.53M |
| Gross margin | 22.91% | 36.25% |
| Operating margin | 12.65% | 16.96% |
| Net margin | 10.28% | 12.30% |
| 52-week high | $241.82 | $310.00 |
| 52-week low | $131.86 | $216.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -41.07% | -16.92% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +51.22% | +18.38% |
| Average volume | 1.09M | 420.42K |
| Shares outstanding | 91.62M | 54.51M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 12,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- LECO has outperformed BWXT by 37.4 percentage points over the past year.
- BWX Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.9x vs 25.7x trailing P/E).
- BWX Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.30% vs +5.60%).
About BWX Technologies
BWXT stock →BWX Technologies, Inc. manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 11,000 employees
About Lincoln Electric
LECO stock →Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells welding, cutting, and brazing products in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Americas Welding, International Welding, and The Harris Products Group.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 12,000 employees
BWXT vs LECO FAQ
Which is bigger, BWX Technologies or Lincoln Electric?
Lincoln Electric (LECO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.04B compared with $13.06B for BWX Technologies (BWXT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BWXT or LECO?
LECO returned +11.31% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.05% for BWXT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BWXT or LECO?
LECO has the lower trailing P/E at 25.7, versus 36.9 for BWXT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, BWX Technologies or Lincoln Electric?
Lincoln Electric has the higher yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.73% for BWX Technologies.
Are BWX Technologies and Lincoln Electric in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.