Forbes J M & Co. LLP Purchases 39,118 Shares of Linde PLC $LIN

Key Points

• Forbes J M & Co. LLP acquired 39,118 Linde shares worth approximately $18.6 million, making Linde its 21st-largest holding and representing about 1.3% of its portfolio. Institutional investors collectively own 82.8% of the company.
• Wall Street remains broadly positive on Linde, with an overall “Buy” rating and an average price target of $547.10. Analysts cited targets ranging from $525 to $574, including Barclays’ new “overweight” rating.
• Linde reported quarterly revenue of $9.29 billion and EPS of $4.50, both slightly above expectations, while revenue increased 9.3% year over year. The company also pays a quarterly dividend of $1.60, or $6.40 annually, but its valuation remains a potential concern.

Forbes J M & Co. LLP bought a new stake in Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 39,118 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $18,567,000. Linde comprises about 1.3% of Forbes J M & Co. LLP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LIN. Atwood & Palmer Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Linde by 12.9% during the second quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 175 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Meadowbrook Advisors Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Linde by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Meadowbrook Advisors Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its position in Linde by 0.5% during the first quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 4,159 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,062,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. Ellenbecker Investment Group boosted its holdings in Linde by 3.7% in the first quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group now owns 652 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $323,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principia Wealth Advisory LLC grew its position in Linde by 74.2% during the 2nd quarter. Principia Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 54 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.80% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on LIN shares. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Linde from $532.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Linde from $612.00 to $574.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. Barclays started coverage on shares of Linde in a research note on Monday, October 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $577.00 price target for the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Linde from $535.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Evercore upped their price target on Linde from $515.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $547.10.

Linde Stock Performance

NASDAQ LIN opened at $498.43 on Friday. Linde PLC has a 1-year low of $387.78 and a 1-year high of $548.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $478.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $498.15. The company has a market capitalization of $229.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.20, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.71.

Linde (NASDAQ:LIN - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $4.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.49 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $9.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.02 billion. Linde had a net margin of 20.43% and a return on equity of 20.09%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.09 EPS. Linde has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.700-17.900 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 4.450-4.550 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Linde PLC will post 17.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Linde Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd were paid a $1.60 dividend. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 3rd. Linde's dividend payout ratio is 41.34%.

Linde News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Linde this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays turned bullish on Linde. The firm initiated coverage with an “overweight” rating, adding to recent positive sentiment around Linde’s earnings durability, pricing power and exposure to long-term industrial and technology demand. Barclays initiates coverage of Linde at overweight
• Positive Sentiment: Linde is expanding its carbon-capture business in Sweden. The company plans to build a facility capable of capturing 200,000 tonnes of CO2 annually at a waste-to-energy site, reinforcing its position in industrial decarbonization and potentially expanding its project pipeline. Linde to build 200,000-tonne CO2 capture plant at Swedish waste-to-energy facility
• Positive Sentiment: Linde’s Taiwan affiliate is pursuing hydrogen infrastructure growth. Linde LienHwa is developing hydrogen-as-a-service and refueling solutions, which could create longer-term revenue opportunities as Taiwan increases hydrogen adoption. Linde LienHwa tackles hydrogen transport dilemma with HaaS Interview: Linde LienHwa fuels Taiwan’s hydrogen push
• Neutral Sentiment: RBC remains constructive but lowered its target. Royal Bank of Canada cut its price target from $553 to $549 while retaining an “outperform” rating, suggesting continued confidence but slightly less near-term upside.
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is becoming a concern. Commentary that Linde appears fully valued on current earnings could weigh on the stock, particularly given its elevated earnings multiple and the need for continued earnings growth to justify further appreciation. Linde Stock Looks Fully Valued On Current Earnings

Linde Company Profile

Linde plc NASDAQ: LIN is a global industrial gases and engineering company. It produces and distributes atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon, as well as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and specialty gases. The company serves customers through packaged gases, bulk deliveries, on-site production and pipeline systems.

Linde's products and services support a broad range of industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, manufacturing, chemicals, energy, refining, electronics and metals.

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