Air Liquide, FR0000120073

Air Liquide stock gets a EUR 4 billion buyback plan

Published on 10/07/2026 at 13:03 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Air Liquide targets recurring net EPS growth of 10% plus or minus 2% annually through 2030. Its shares traded at EUR 168.72 on October 7, 2026.

Extreme Nahaufnahme von Eiskristallen auf einem kryogenem Metallrohr in Blautönen — Air Liquide S.A. Makroaufnahme kristalliner Eisstrukturen auf einem kryogenen Metallrohr, ISIN FR0000120073, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Air Liquide stock is trading at EUR 168.72 on Euronext Paris on October 7, 2026, down 0.22 percent from the previous close. The company unveiled a first EUR 4 billion share buyback for 2027-2028 in its BEYOND strategy plan dated October 5, 2026.

Buyback changes capital allocation

According to Air Liquide, the program will run during 2027-2028 alongside regular dividend growth. The group also plans capital allocation of over EUR 40 billion from 2026 through 2030, with industrial investment decisions of EUR 24 billion.

The shareholder-return shift sits alongside a profitability agenda. Air Liquide targets recurring net EPS growth of 10% plus or minus 2% annually through 2030, sales growth of 5% plus or minus 1%, and operating margin improvement of 400 to 600 basis points, according to Air Liquide on October 5, 2026.

Targets meet analyst scrutiny

The margin target is the central execution test because it sets a 400 to 600 basis-point improvement range rather than a single outcome. Euronext reported on October 5, 2026, that Jefferies viewed the strategy as capable of narrowing Air Liquide's margin gap with Linde to 5.5 to 7.5 percentage points by 2030.

Deutsche Bank Research raised its Air Liquide target from EUR 190 to EUR 192 while keeping a Buy rating on September 23, 2026, according to finanzen.ch. The change placed the upcoming strategy plan at the center of the bank's assessment.

Investing.com lists a Strong Buy consensus from 20 analysts, including 18 Buy and 2 Hold ratings. Its average 12-month target is EUR 196.33, with a high of EUR 216 and a low of EUR 162, putting the average target 16.36 percent above the EUR 168.72 price.

Stock remains below yearly peak

Air Liquide stock was 7.43 percent below its 52-week high of EUR 182.26 on October 7, 2026, while its 52-week low stood at EUR 140.78. The market capitalization was EUR 107.3 billion and trading volume reached 106,697 shares at 12:47 p.m. CEST.

Next results arrive October 29

Investing.com lists October 29, 2026, as Air Liquide's next earnings date. That report will give investors the next operating check on the growth and margin targets now attached to BEYOND.