Linde (NASDAQ:LIN) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.07 EPS

Linde (NASDAQ:LIN) released its earnings results on Thursday. The basic materials company reported $4.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $9.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.16 billion. Linde had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 20.43%. Linde’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.21 EPS.

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 1.2%

Shares of LIN traded down $6.34 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $501.81. 1,586,735 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,302,237. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. Linde has a 1 year low of $387.78 and a 1 year high of $548.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $231.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.41, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.71. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $482.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $491.70.

Linde Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on LIN shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on Linde from $580.00 to $575.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Evercore raised their target price on shares of Linde from $515.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Linde in a research note on Monday, October 19th. Argus decreased their target price on shares of Linde from $563.00 to $538.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Finally, DZ Bank reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Linde in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $547.48.

Linde News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Linde this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations. Adjusted EPS was $4.59, above the $4.52 consensus estimate, while sales rose 9.3% year over year to $9.40 billion, topping expectations of $9.16 billion. Linde Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Growth was supported by pricing, volume gains and electronics demand. Management cited strong Americas pricing and volumes, while artificial-intelligence-related demand for semiconductor manufacturing gases provided an additional catalyst. Adjusted EPS increased 9% from the prior year. LIN Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher Americas Pricing & Volumes
• Positive Sentiment: Linde raised its 2026 earnings outlook. The improved forecast signals continued confidence in pricing power, contract-based revenue and demand from industrial and electronics customers. Linde Q3 Adjusted Earnings, Revenue Rise; Q4, 2026 Adjusted EPS Outlook Updated
• Neutral Sentiment: GAAP results were weaker because of one-time items. Reported net income declined 12% to $1.69 billion, while adjusted net income rose 7%, highlighting the impact of purchase-accounting and restructuring-related charges. Linde Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Investors may be concerned about near-term costs and guidance. Linde forecast fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $4.40-$4.50, below the third-quarter result, and expects to record a $425 million restructuring charge while evaluating strategic options for Lincare. Linde Guides Q4 EPS and Takes Restructuring Charge

Linde Company Profile

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.