Linde (NASDAQ:LIN) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Linde (NASDAQ:LIN) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The basic materials company reported $4.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.52 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. Linde had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 20.43%. The firm had revenue of $9.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $9.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.21 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Linde’s conference call:

• Third-quarter results reached records: sales rose 9% to $9.4 billion, operating profit increased 8% to $2.8 billion, and EPS grew 9% to $4.59.
• Electronics grew 15%, supported by strength in Asia-Pacific and the U.S.; approximately $2 billion of electronics projects under construction is expected to support continued double-digit growth.
• Linde continues to hold roughly $8 billion of sale-of-gas backlog, with nearly $3 billion of sale-of-plant backlog, providing visibility for future growth and higher supply density.
• Management recorded a $425 million restructuring charge and said Lincare remains a material earnings headwind; the company is restructuring the business and evaluating strategic alternatives, but does not expect meaningful profit improvement in the fourth quarter.
• Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $4.40–$4.50 implies 5%–7% year-over-year growth, with management citing currency, seasonality, weaker equity income and continued caution on the economy; Europe remains essentially flat with no near-term industrial recovery catalyst.

Linde Trading Down 1.0%

LIN traded down $5.01 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $503.15. 2,838,503 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,017,745. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.88. Linde has a one year low of $387.78 and a one year high of $548.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $231.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.48, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.71. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $482.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $492.00.

Linde Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 3rd. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Linde’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.34%.

Key Linde News

Here are the key news stories impacting Linde this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Adjusted earnings and revenue beat expectations. Linde posted adjusted EPS of $4.59, above the $4.52 consensus, while sales increased 9% year over year to $9.4 billion versus expectations of $9.16 billion. Adjusted EPS rose 9% from the prior-year quarter. Linde Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Pricing, volumes and electronics demand supported growth. Higher pricing and volume gains in the Americas, along with strong demand for gases used in semiconductor manufacturing and artificial-intelligence infrastructure, helped drive the sales increase. Management also raised its full-year 2026 earnings outlook. LIN Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher Americas Pricing and Volumes
• Positive Sentiment: Demand trends remain constructive. The earnings call highlighted continued momentum in electronics and other end markets, reinforcing the long-term growth case for Linde’s specialty and industrial gases businesses. Linde plc Q3 2026 Earnings Call Summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported results were mixed. GAAP net income declined 12% to $1.69 billion and diluted EPS fell 11% to $3.66, primarily reflecting purchase-accounting effects and other costs; adjusted profitability was substantially stronger.
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term guidance and restructuring costs may limit enthusiasm. Linde guided fourth-quarter adjusted EPS to $4.40–$4.50 and expects to record a $425 million restructuring charge. Investors are also evaluating strategic options for Lincare, adding uncertainty around near-term earnings and capital allocation. Linde Guides Q4 EPS and Takes Restructuring Charge

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on LIN. Berenberg Bank reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Linde in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Linde in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Linde in a report on Monday, October 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $577.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Linde from $553.00 to $549.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, DZ Bank reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Linde in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $547.48.

About Linde

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is a global industrial gases and engineering company. It produces and distributes atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon, as well as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and specialty gases. The company serves customers through packaged gases, bulk deliveries, on-site production and pipeline systems.

Linde’s products and services support a broad range of industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, manufacturing, chemicals, energy, refining, electronics and metals.