Key statistics

Is LIN a good stock to buy in 2026?

Linde plc (LIN) presents a compelling investment case in 2026, with its P/E ratio of 28.82x trading at a discount compared to the Chemicals – Specialty sector average of 34.0x. Our discounted cash flow (DCF) model suggests a fair value of $555.11, indicating a significant 12.7% upside from current prices. This positive outlook is largely echoed by analysts, with a strong 85.7% issuing a ‘Buy’ rating for LIN stock.

2026 LIN price scenarios

Based on analyst consensus of $516 from 28 analysts. Not a prediction by Alert Invest.

About Linde plc (LIN)

Linde plc operates as an industrial gas and engineering company in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It offers atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases, such as carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene. The company also designs and constructs turnkey process plants for third-party customers, as well as for the gas businesses in various locations, such as olefin,

Under the leadership of CEO Sanjiv Lamba, Linde plc maintains its position as a global leader in industrial gases and engineering, employing approximately 65,069 people worldwide. The company’s distinctive strengths lie in its comprehensive product portfolio, which serves diverse end markets from healthcare to manufacturing, along with its extensive global distribution network. Linde’s technological prowess in gas production and application, coupled with its focus on sustainability initiatives and robust client relationships, provides a strong foundation for its market leadership and operational excellence, contributing significantly to its long-term viability.

LIN competitive moat and business analysis

Linde plc demonstrates a formidable competitive moat, primarily driven by its vast scale, proprietary technology in gas production and delivery, and strong customer relationships in critical industries. The company’s impressive net margin of 20.3% highlights its operational efficiency and pricing power in a capital-intensive sector. While specific ROE and ROIC figures are currently unavailable (N/A), the high gross margin of 43.33% and EBITDA margin of 38.09% suggest effective capital deployment and superior profitability, underpinning the company’s ability to reinvest in innovation and maintain its market leadership for LIN stock.

Linde’s revenue generation is globally diversified, underpinning its resilience. As of fiscal year 2025, the company’s segments include industrial gases and engineering, serving a broad array of industries. Geographically, its operations span North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, ensuring broad market exposure. This geographic and segmental diversification helps mitigate risks associated with regional economic fluctuations or specific industry downturns, making LIN a more stable investment amidst global uncertainties.

Despite its robust position, Linde plc’s revenue growth of 3.0% indicates a somewhat slowing trend, suggesting the industrial gas market might be maturing or facing temporary headwinds. To maintain its competitive edge, Linde will need to continue innovating in areas such as hydrogen technologies for decarbonization, which represents a significant long-term growth vector. Without specific transcript quotes available for detailed management commentary, ongoing investments in efficiency, strategic partnerships, and next-generation solutions are crucial for sustaining and expanding its competitive moat.

When evaluating the LIN stock, comparing its performance against key competitors within the Basic Materials sector is essential. Linde’s strong margins and vast operational footprint often position it favorably against peers, though specific LIN valuation metrics like P/E and P/B should always be analyzed in context of the overall industry. Understanding how LIN’s operational efficiencies and strategic initiatives stack up against similar companies provides a clearer picture of its long-term investment attractiveness and helps answer the fundamental question: ‘is LIN a good stock’ when measured against alternatives.

Linde plc analyst rating

Based on 28 analysts. 85.7% rate LIN Buy or Strong Buy.

With 85.7% of analysts rating LIN as a ‘Buy’ or ‘Strong Buy’, the sentiment around Linde plc stock is overwhelmingly positive, which is a strong endorsement within the Basic Materials sector. While precise sector benchmarks for buy ratings vary, such a high proportion typically signals robust confidence in the company’s future performance and strategic direction. This strong consensus suggests that market professionals view LIN as a compelling opportunity, reinforcing the perception that ‘is LIN a good stock’ is met with an affirmative response from the analyst community.

Is LIN undervalued or overvalued?

Assessing the LIN valuation reveals a nuanced picture. Currently, Linde plc trades at a P/E ratio of 28.82x, which is notably lower than the Chemicals – Specialty sector average of 34.0x. This indicates that LIN stock is trading at a discount compared to its industry peers on an earnings multiple basis, which could suggest an attractive entry point for investors. This relative discount warrants closer inspection into the company’s growth prospects and overall financial health to determine if it is indeed undervalued.

Further reinforcing the potential for an attractive LIN valuation, our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates Linde’s fair value at $555.11. This suggests a substantial 12.7% upside from its current trading price, implying that the market may not yet fully appreciate Linde’s intrinsic value. Investors often look for stocks trading below their intrinsic value, and this DCF analysis provides a strong indicator that LIN might be undervalued relative to its long-term earnings potential, making ‘is LIN a good stock’ a pertinent question for value-oriented investors.

LIN financial health & key metrics

For value investors considering LIN stock, the financial metrics present a mixed yet generally favorable outlook. Linde plc boasts excellent profitability, highlighted by a strong net margin of 20.3%, significantly contributing to its financial robustness. While the P/E ratio of 28.82x appears attractive relative to the sector average, suggesting potential undervaluation, the debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71x indicates a moderate leverage position. The Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield of 2.23% is on the lower side, but the DCF fair value of $555.11 points to a considerable upside. However, the slowing revenue growth of 3.0% warrants attention, indicating that while LIN valuation appears reasonable, growth drivers need careful monitoring. This blend of strong profitability and potential value, balanced against growth rates and leverage, is key to assessing ‘is LIN a good stock’ for long-term portfolios.

Linde plc earnings history & next report

Linde plc reported EPS of $4.2, beating estimates by 0.48%. Next earnings: 2026-05-07 with EPS estimate of $4.26.

Linde plc’s upcoming earnings report on 2026-05-07 will be critical for investors, especially after the company’s last EPS of $4.2 notably beat estimates by 0.48%. The market will be keenly watching for the projected EPS estimate of $4.26, along with any updates on revenue guidance and margin performance. Key areas to focus on include demand trends across its various industrial gas segments, progress in strategic growth initiatives such as hydrogen and clean energy applications, and commentary on managing input costs. Any deviations from analyst expectations or changes in management’s outlook could significantly impact LIN stock price and overall LIN valuation, providing fresh insights into ‘is LIN a good stock’ going forward.

LIN insider trading activity

Corporate insiders must report trades to the SEC within two business days.

Source: SEC Form 4 via EDGAR · Data: Financial Modeling Prep · Not investment advice

Recent LIN analyst rating changes

Linde plc stock news today

How does LIN compare to its peers?

To provide a comprehensive perspective on LIN stock, it’s insightful to compare Linde plc with its peers within the Basic Materials sector, specifically in Chemicals – Specialty. While specific peer tickers were not provided for direct comparison, generally, investors should consider companies with similar business models, market capitalization, and growth profiles. This comparative analysis is crucial for understanding LIN valuation in context and determining ‘is LIN a good stock’ relative to other opportunities in the industrial gas and chemical space.

FAQ — Linde plc (LIN) stock