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LECO vs ZWS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Lincoln Electric Holdings (LECO) vs. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ZWS has outperformed LECO in recent market activity, with a one-month gain of approximately 17.75% compared to LECO's 0.68% rise, driven by a strong Q1 2026 earnings beat.
- LECO boasts a higher return on equity (ROE, a measure of profitability relative to shareholders' equity) at 37.22% versus ZWS's 13.33%, reflecting efficient capital use in its welding operations.
- Both stocks trade at premium valuations, with LECO's trailing P/E (price-to-earnings ratio) at 28.03 and ZWS at 42.93, but ZWS shows year-to-date gains of 13.82% against LECO's 9.35%.
- ZWS exhibits lower risk with a beta of 0.81 (less market volatility) and debt-to-equity of 34.37%, compared to LECO's beta of 1.29 and 91.68%.
- LECO provides a higher dividend yield of 1.21% versus ZWS's 0.84%, appealing to income-focused investors.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines LECO and ZWS, two industrials sector players offering distinct exposure: Lincoln Electric Holdings specializes in welding and cutting equipment, while Zurn Elkay Water Solutions focuses on water management products. Traders seeking relative performance insights amid industrial cycles and investors diversifying within manufacturing and infrastructure may find value here. Recent earnings, sustainability recognitions, and momentum shifts provide timely context for evaluating their market positioning in the current environment.
LECO Overview and Recent Performance
Lincoln Electric Holdings, a leader in arc welding solutions, designs, manufactures, and sells welding, cutting, and brazing products across Americas, International, and Harris Products segments. Serving fabrication, oil & gas, automotive, and construction markets, it emphasizes automation, metallurgy, and sustainability.
In recent weeks, LECO shares have shown stability around $261, with year-to-date gains of 9.35% amid a 52-week range of $170–$310. Positive sentiment stems from a 'Prime' ESG rating by ISS STOXX for its RISE sustainability strategy, a declared dividend (yield 1.21%), and anticipation for Q1 2026 earnings on April 30. However, some analysts have trimmed price targets, citing priced-in industrial recovery, contributing to modest monthly gains of 0.68%.
ZWS Overview and Recent Performance
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions designs, manufactures, and markets water dispensing, filtration, safety, and flow control products under brands like Elkay, Zurn, and Wilkins. Targeting commercial, institutional, and residential markets, it supports hydration, hygiene, and sustainable water management.
Recent market activity has boosted ZWS shares to $52.80, with year-to-date returns of 13.82% within a 52-week range of $33.51–$53.76. Key drivers include a Q1 2026 earnings beat (EPS $0.41 vs. $0.36 expected, revenue $433M), recognition as a USA TODAY Climate Leader, and top workplace honors. These factors have fueled a 17.75% one-month surge and positive analyst revisions, enhancing sentiment in water infrastructure demand.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
LECO and ZWS operate in industrials but diverge in models: LECO's equipment-centric focus on welding automation contrasts ZWS's consumables and systems for water safety and drainage. Growth drivers differ—LECO leverages industrial recovery and ESG initiatives, while ZWS benefits from infrastructure spending and hydration trends.
Recent momentum favors ZWS with superior short-term returns and earnings catalysts, versus LECO's steadier but slower gains ahead of results. Risk profiles highlight trade-offs: LECO's higher beta (1.29) and debt-to-equity (91.68%) suit aggressive traders, while ZWS's lower beta (0.81) and debt (34.37%) appeal for stability. Sector exposure ties both to economic cycles, but ZWS gains from water utility tailwinds. Market sentiment tilts positive for ZWS post-earnings, with LECO buoyed by dividends yet tempered by target cuts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward ZWS for its consistent recent trend strength, earnings outperformance, lower volatility, and positive catalysts in water solutions demand. LECO remains competitively positioned with superior profitability metrics and income appeal, but near-term stability gives ZWS a probabilistic edge in the prevailing industrial landscape.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is LECO is a Hold and ZWS is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
LECO’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileZWS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- LECO’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- ZWS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
LECO’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ZWS’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LECO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ZWS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
LECO (@Tools & Hardware) experienced а +6.46% price change this week, while ZWS (@Industrial Specialties) price change was +2.65% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Tools & Hardware industry was +4.96%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +12.64%, and the average quarterly price growth was +19.89%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Specialties industry was +3.41%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +13.46%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.55%.
Reported Earning Dates
LECO is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
ZWS is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Tools & Hardware (+4.96% weekly)Tools & Hardware industry includes companies that manufacture security products, storage cabinets, steel rules and tapes, calipers, shoe hook fasteners, lumber, structural materials and other related supplies. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Snap-on Incorporated and L.S. Starrett Company are some of the largest, established players in this industry. The industry is also seeing rapid growth in online sales. The proliferation of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects has boosted industry demand. But oil price volatility poses potential risks to this industry, particularly to e-commerce companies which spend on services of shipping companies, which might alter charges based on oil price movements.
@Industrial Specialties (+3.41% weekly)Companies in the industrial specialties industry process basic materials and minerals into various specialty products, such as flat and safety glass, fire retardant products, paints and coatings. Examples of companies operating in this industry are Sherwin-Williams Company, PPG Industries, Inc. and RPM International Inc.
| LECO | ZWS | LECO / ZWS | |
| Capitalization | 15.1B | 8.34B | 181% |
| EBITDA | 849M | 392M | 217% |
| Gain YTD | 12.855 | 4.517 | 285% |
| P/E Ratio | 28.40 | 40.63 | 70% |
| Revenue | 4.35B | 1.74B | 250% |
| Total Cash | 299M | 274M | 109% |
| Total Debt | 1.31B | 552M | 238% |
LECO | ZWS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 20 | 14 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 84 Overvalued | 57 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 26 | 31 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 44 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ZWS's Valuation (57) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as LECO (84). This means that ZWS’s stock grew similarly to LECO’s over the last 12 months.
LECO's Profit vs Risk Rating (26) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ZWS (31). This means that LECO’s stock grew similarly to ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
LECO's SMR Rating (25) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ZWS (62). This means that LECO’s stock grew somewhat faster than ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
LECO's Price Growth Rating (47) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ZWS (48). This means that LECO’s stock grew similarly to ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
LECO's P/E Growth Rating (38) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ZWS (44). This means that LECO’s stock grew similarly to ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
| LECO | ZWS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 61% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 56% | 12 days ago 60% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 59% |
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LECO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LECO has been closely correlated with GGG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LECO jumps, then GGG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To LECO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LECO | 100% | -1.45% | ||
| GGG - LECO | 74% Closely correlated | -1.31% | ||
| DOV - LECO | 73% Closely correlated | -0.83% | ||
| DCI - LECO | 73% Closely correlated | -1.66% | ||
| ZWS - LECO | 70% Closely correlated | -2.42% | ||
| FELE - LECO | 70% Closely correlated | -0.27% | ||
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