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Linde PLC (LIN) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

LIN Nasdaq Industrial Inorganic Chemicals L2 CIK: 0001707925
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 12, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
Combined AI Rating
BUY
77% Confidence
STRONG AGREEMENT
BUY
72% Conf
BUY
82% Conf

📊 LIN Key Takeaways

Revenue: $34.0B
Net Margin: 20.3%
Free Cash Flow: $5.1B
Current Ratio: 0.88x
Debt/Equity: 0.59x
EPS: $14.61
AI Rating: BUY with 72% confidence
Linde PLC (LIN) receives a BUY rating with 77% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $34.0B, net profit margin of 20.3%, and return on equity (ROE) of 18.0%, Linde PLC demonstrates strong fundamentals in the Materials sector. Below is our complete LIN stock analysis for 2026.

Is Linde PLC (LIN) a Good Investment?

Claude

Linde demonstrates exceptional profitability with 26.3% operating margin and 20.3% net margin, coupled with robust free cash flow generation ($5.1B FCF) and strong interest coverage (15.5x), indicating a financially healthy industrial chemicals business. However, the unexplained 13,427.8% YoY revenue surge and below-1.0 current ratio raise concerns about data quality and short-term liquidity management.

ChatGPT

Linde demonstrates durable profitability (26% operating margin, 20% net margin) and strong cash generation, producing $5.1B of FCF with a 15% margin. Moderate leverage and 15.5x interest coverage support continued capex and disciplined capital returns, with EPS growth outpacing net income. While liquidity is below 1x and net income dipped slightly YoY, the business appears resilient and cash-rich.

Why Buy Linde PLC Stock? LIN Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional profitability margins (26.3% operating, 20.3% net margin)
  • + Strong free cash flow generation of $5.1B with 15% FCF margin
  • + Excellent interest coverage ratio of 15.5x indicates strong debt servicing ability
  • + Solid ROE of 18% demonstrates effective capital deployment
  • + Moderate leverage at 0.59x debt-to-equity ratio
ChatGPT
  • + High margins and returns (26% operating, 18% ROE)
  • + Strong free cash flow generation (15% FCF margin)
  • + Healthy balance sheet with moderate leverage and 15.5x coverage

LIN Stock Risks: Linde PLC Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Anomalous 13,427.8% YoY revenue growth suggests merger/acquisition accounting issue or data quality problem requiring clarification
  • ! Current ratio of 0.88x and quick ratio of 0.74x indicate potential working capital and short-term liquidity constraints
  • ! Missing gross margin data raises transparency concerns and limits profitability analysis depth
  • ! High absolute long-term debt of $22.5B relative to cash position of $5.1B creates refinancing risk
  • ! CapEx of $5.3B represents significant capital requirements for business maintenance
ChatGPT
  • ! Sub-1.0 liquidity ratios (current 0.88x, quick 0.74x)
  • ! Capital-intensive growth requiring sustained high capex execution
  • ! Cyclical end-market and energy cost exposure affecting volumes and contracts

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Organic revenue growth excluding merger/acquisition effects
  • * Current and quick ratio trends and working capital management
  • * Gross margin trends and operating leverage sustainability
  • * Operating cash flow consistency and free cash flow conversion rates
  • * Debt reduction trajectory and net debt levels
ChatGPT
  • * Free cash flow margin
  • * Interest coverage

Linde PLC (LIN) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$34.0B
Net Income
$6.9B
EPS (Diluted)
$14.61
Free Cash Flow
$5.1B
Total Assets
$86.8B
Cash Position
$5.1B

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.

LIN Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 26.3%
Net Margin 20.3%
ROE 18.0%
ROA 7.9%
FCF Margin 15.0%

LIN vs Materials Sector: How Linde PLC Compares

How Linde PLC compares to Materials sector averages

Net Margin
LIN 20.3%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
LIN Sector
ROE
LIN 18.0%
vs
Sector Avg 14.0%
LIN Sector
Current Ratio
LIN 0.9x
vs
Sector Avg 1.6x
LIN Sector
Debt/Equity
LIN 0.6x
vs
Sector Avg 0.6x
LIN Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Linde PLC Stock Overvalued? LIN Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Linde PLC has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Materials sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
18.0%
Sector avg: 14%
Net Profit Margin
20.3%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.59x
Sector avg: 0.6x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

Linde PLC Balance Sheet: LIN Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
0.88x
Quick Ratio
0.74x
Debt/Equity
0.59x
Debt/Assets
54.2%
Interest Coverage
15.52x
Long-term Debt
$22.5B

LIN Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

LIN 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $30.8B, Net Income $2.3B, EPS $4.19. Year 2022: Revenue $33.4B, Net Income $2.5B, EPS $4.71. Year 2023: Revenue $33.4B, Net Income $3.8B, EPS $7.33. Year 2024: Revenue $33.4B, Net Income $4.1B, EPS $8.23. Year 2025: Revenue $34.0B, Net Income $6.2B, EPS $12.59.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Linde PLC's revenue has grown significantly by 10% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $12.59 reflects profitable operations.

LIN Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
15.0%
Free cash flow / Revenue

LIN Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Linde PLC including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $8.4B $1.6B $3.22
Q2 2025 $8.3B $1.7B $3.44
Q1 2025 $8.1B $1.6B $3.35
Q3 2024 $8.2B $1.6B $3.19
Q2 2024 $8.2B $1.6B $3.19
Q1 2024 $8.1B $1.5B $3.06
Q3 2023 $8.2B $1.3B $2.54
Q2 2023 $8.2B $372.0M $0.74

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Linde PLC Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$10.4B
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$4.6B
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$5.3B
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$2.8B
Returned to shareholders

LIN SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Linde PLC (CIK: 0001707925)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Apr 3, 2026 4 xslF345X06/wk-form4_1775236330.xml View →
Apr 3, 2026 4 xslF345X06/wk-form4_1775236291.xml View →
Mar 12, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773340886.xml View →
Mar 12, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773340819.xml View →
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773265270.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about LIN

What is the AI rating for LIN?

Linde PLC (LIN) has a Combined AI Rating of BUY from Claude (BUY) and ChatGPT (BUY) with 77% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are LIN's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional profitability margins (26.3% operating, 20.3% net margin). Strong free cash flow generation of $5.1B with 15% FCF margin. ChatGPT: High margins and returns (26% operating, 18% ROE). Strong free cash flow generation (15% FCF margin).

What are the risks of investing in LIN?

Claude: Anomalous 13,427.8% YoY revenue growth suggests merger/acquisition accounting issue or data quality problem requiring clarification. Current ratio of 0.88x and quick ratio of 0.74x indicate potential working capital and short-term liquidity constraints. ChatGPT: Sub-1.0 liquidity ratios (current 0.88x, quick 0.74x). Capital-intensive growth requiring sustained high capex execution.

What is LIN's revenue and growth?

Linde PLC reported revenue of $34.0B.

Does LIN pay dividends?

Linde PLC pays dividends, with $2,811.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find LIN SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Linde PLC (CIK: 0001707925) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is LIN's EPS?

Linde PLC has a diluted EPS of $14.61.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is LIN a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Linde PLC has a BUY rating with 77% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.

Is LIN stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for LIN: ROE of 18.0% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 20.3% (sector avg: 10%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy LIN stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Linde PLC a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is LIN's free cash flow?

Linde PLC's operating cash flow is $10.4B, with capital expenditures of $5.3B. FCF margin is 15.0%.

How does LIN compare to other Materials stocks?

Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin 20.3% (avg: 10%), ROE 18.0% (avg: 14%), current ratio 0.88 (avg: 1.6).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 12, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI