Linde plc (LIN)

Over the past six months, Linde Plc's stock has seen an increase. Linde reported its Q1 2025 results on May 1, 2025, revealing a slight increase in sales and a 3% increase in net income compared to the same period in 2024. On June 23, 2025, Linde announced a new long-term agreement to supply industrial gases to Blue Point Number One's low-carbon ammonia plant in Louisiana. On July 21, 2025, Linde announced significant new investments to support the U.S. commercial space industry. Linde published its 2024 Sustainable Development Report on June 20, 2025, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. There has been significant insider selling of Linde stock over the past three months. Linde declared a dividend of $1.50 per share on April 28, 2025, payable on June 18, 2025. Linde plc is scheduled to report its Q2 2025 results on August 1, 2025.

Demand for Linde Plc's products and services exhibits some seasonality, influenced by factors such as seasonal effects in the food and beverage industry, the Chinese New Year, and Southern Hemisphere LPG demand. Linde's business model is characterized by its diversification across various end markets, which helps to mitigate turnover volatility during economic downturns. Demand for industrial gases is also driven by secular growth trends in electronics, including battery production for electric vehicles, as well as in the glass and metal manufacturing sectors.

Linde Plc is a global multinational chemical company and the world's largest industrial gas supplier by market share and revenue, formed in 2018 through the merger of Linde AG and Praxair. The company operates primarily in the Basic Materials sector, specifically within the Chemical Manufacturing or Major Chemicals industry. Linde manufactures and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and provides engineering solutions, catering to industries including healthcare, chemicals and energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, food and beverage, and electronics. Its major products include atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases), process gases (carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, ammonia, electronic gases, specialty gases, carbon monoxide, and acetylene), and engineering services (design and construction of industrial plants for gas production).

Linde Plc has a significant global operational footprint, with operations in over 100 countries across every major region. The Americas account for 44% of its revenues, EMEA contributes 25%, and APAC accounts for 20%. Specific countries where Linde Plc operates include the United States, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil.

Linde Plc maintains a strong brand reputation due to its position as the world's largest industrial gas supplier and its commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability. The company's practices and governance, contributions to communities, and innovative solutions have been recognized by various third-party stakeholders. Linde has faced ongoing legal disputes and government investigations, such as Brazilian tax disputes and appraisal proceedings in Germany, which are noted as potential weaknesses.

Linde Plc's ownership is largely controlled by institutional shareholders, who collectively own approximately 80.58% to 85% of the company. The Vanguard Group Inc. is the largest individual shareholder, holding 9.41% of the company. Other major institutional shareholders include BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corp, VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares, and Jpmorgan Chase & Co. Insiders hold a smaller stake of 0.28% of the company, and there have been recent reports of insider selling. Retail investors own 19.15% of Linde Plc.