Linde’s take-or-pay contracts and on-site gas plants create a structural moat that generated a $7.1 billion sale-of-gas backlog and a 30% adjusted operating margin in Q1 2026. The company has raised its dividend for 33 consecutive years at a 13% average rate, with the quarterly payout nearly doubling from $0.825 in 2018 to $1.60 in 2026, supported by $10.4 billion in FY2025 operating cash flow. Linde posted 10% EPS growth and adjusted EPS of $4.33 in Q1 2026, marking eight straight quarters of beating consensus, and guided for FY2026 adjusted EPS of $17.60 to $17.90 despite challenging global conditions. With a beta of 0.73, the stock offers low-volatility compounding for long-term, retirement-focused investors.
Linde plc Ordinary SharesStrong Q1 earnings beat, raised guidance, and 33-year dividend growth streak highlight financial strength.
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