Linde stock trades below Friday's Xetra close after Q3 results

Linde stock traded at 457.90 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 09:48 CET on Monday, November 2, 2026, 0.89 percent below the Xetra close of Friday, October 30. The move came as investors continued to assess the industrial gases group's third-quarter report released on October 29.

In its third-quarter results, Linde reported sales of 9.404 billion US dollars, an increase of 9 percent from the prior-year period. Underlying sales rose 5 percent, driven by 3 percent price attainment and 2 percent volume growth, with electronics, chemicals and energy, and manufacturing among the main end markets.

Adjusted earnings set new record

Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 9 percent year over year to 4.59 US dollars. Linde also reported adjusted operating profit of 2.763 billion US dollars, up 8 percent, while the adjusted operating margin reached 29.4 percent.

The statutory figures were weaker. Diluted earnings per share declined 11 percent to 3.66 US dollars, and net income fell 12 percent to 1.692 billion US dollars. Linde said its adjusted figures exclude items including Linde AG purchase accounting impacts, cost-reduction program charges and other charges. That distinction remains relevant for investors comparing the reported earnings trend with the company's underlying operating performance.

Guidance points to continued growth

For the fourth quarter, Linde expects adjusted diluted earnings per share of 4.40 to 4.50 US dollars, representing growth of 5 to 7 percent from the year-earlier quarter. Full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance stands at 17.82 to 17.92 US dollars, implying growth of 8 to 9 percent assuming a 2 percent favorable currency effect.

The company also reported third-quarter operating cash flow of 3.169 billion US dollars, up 8 percent year over year, and a project backlog of 11 billion US dollars. Linde returned 1.685 billion US dollars to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, net of issuances.

Investors can follow the real-time quote of Linde stock during the European session.

Broader sentiment for Linde's US-listed shares is also shaped by the S&P 500 market environment.

For more news and analyses on Linde stock, investors can follow the company's earnings outlook, capital allocation and demand trends in its key end markets.

Linde plc at a glance

• Company: Linde plc
• ISIN: IE000S9YS762
• Market quote: 457.90 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 09:48 CET on November 2, 2026
• Xetra reference: 462.00 euros, close on October 30, 2026
• Quarter: Third quarter 2026
• Sales: 9.404 billion US dollars, up 9 percent year over year
• Adjusted diluted EPS: 4.59 US dollars, up 9 percent year over year