Is The Buyback The Reason To Own Lincoln Electric Stock?

Lincoln Electric (LECO) makes welding equipment and the consumables that go with it. The stock is up 7.4% over the past twelve months, has slipped over the past three months, and sits about 15% below its 52-week high. Owners are usually pointed to the buyback as the reason to sit tight. The buyback is real and fully paid for, but it is smaller than the story built around it.