Lincoln Electric (LECO) vs Snap-On (SNA)
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 Snap-On (SNA) over the past year, gaining 11.3% versus a gain of 6.8%. Over five years, LECO leads with a +89.6% price change compared with +64.2% for SNA. Snap-On is the larger company by market cap ($18.45 billion vs $13.99 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Lincoln Electric is growing revenue faster (+5.6% vs +0.9%).
On valuation, Snap-On trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 20.5x for Lincoln Electric). Snap-On offers the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.22%). Snap-On converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.7% versus 12.3%.
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 | LECO | SNA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $256.69 | $356.66 |
| Market cap | $13.99B | $18.45B |
| 1-day change | -2.46% | -0.90% |
| YTD return | +9.82% | +4.44% |
| 1-year return | +11.31% | +6.84% |
| 5-year return | +89.59% | +64.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.64 | 18.18 |
| Forward P/E | 20.49 | 16.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.01 | $19.62 |
| Dividend yield | 1.22% | 2.65% |
| Annual dividend | $3.12 | $9.46 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.23B | $5.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.60% | +0.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $520.53M | $1.02B |
| Gross margin | 36.25% | — |
| Operating margin | 16.96% | 25.75% |
| Net margin | 12.30% | 19.72% |
| 52-week high | $310.00 | $423.02 |
| 52-week low | $216.22 | $320.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.20% | -15.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.79% | +16.33% |
| Average volume | 420.42K | 314.80K |
| Shares outstanding | 54.51M | 51.73M |
| Employees | 12,000 | 13,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- Lincoln Electric trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.6x vs 18.2x trailing P/E).
- Snap-On offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.22%).
- Snap-On is more profitable, keeping 19.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.3 cents for Lincoln Electric.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Lincoln Electric in Industrials and Snap-On in Consumer Discretionary.
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
About Snap-On
SNA stock →Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 13,000 employees
LECO vs SNA FAQ
Which is bigger, Lincoln Electric or Snap-On?
Snap-On (SNA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.45B compared with $13.99B for Lincoln Electric (LECO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LECO or SNA?
LECO returned +11.31% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.84% for SNA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LECO or SNA?
SNA has the lower trailing P/E at 18.2, versus 25.6 for LECO. 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, Lincoln Electric or Snap-On?
Snap-On has the higher yield at 2.65%, compared with 1.22% for Lincoln Electric.
Are Lincoln Electric and Snap-On in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.