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Linde PLC (LIN) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Margins and Dividend Growth Amidst ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue: $8.1 billion, flat compared to the prior year and down 2% sequentially.

  • Operating Margin: Expanded by 120 basis points to 30.1%.

  • Return on Capital (ROC): Maintained at 25.7%.

  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): $3.95, a 5% increase over the prior year, or 8% excluding currency effects.

  • Capital Expenditure (CapEx): $1.3 billion, split equally between base CapEx and project backlog.

  • Operating Cash Flow: $2.2 billion, an 11% increase from the previous year.

  • Dividend Growth: Annual dividend increased by 8%, marking 32 consecutive years of growth.

  • Stock Repurchase: $1.1 billion worth of stock repurchased during the quarter.

  • Project Backlog: $10 billion, with more than $7 billion in sale of gas projects.

  • Second Quarter EPS Guidance: $3.95 to $4.05, representing 3% to 5% growth.

  • Full Year EPS Guidance: $16.20 to $16.50, maintaining the original guidance midpoint.

Release Date: May 01, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) achieved an 8% growth in APS XFX and expanded operating margins by 120 basis points to 30.1%.

  • The company maintained an industry-leading return on capital (ROC) at 25.7%.

  • Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) has a strong backlog of $10 billion, with over $7 billion in sale of gas projects underpinned by long-term contracts.

  • The company raised its annual dividend by 8%, marking 32 consecutive years of dividend growth.

  • Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) continues to see attractive acquisition opportunities, contributing 1% to sales growth through packaged gas tuck-ins in North America.

Negative Points

  • Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) experienced a 1% decline in volumes, primarily driven by seasonal factors and weaker trends in certain packaged gas markets.

  • The company faces challenges from lower helium and rare gas prices, particularly impacting the APAC region.

  • Industrial activity remains sluggish in most geographies, dragging down base volumes.

  • The American segment is experiencing mixed results, with weakness in Canada and US package gases due to manufacturing uncertainty.

  • Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) anticipates more volatility in end market trends due to rapid changes in global trade policy.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Dow recently announced the delay of its Alberta project, where Linde is a partner. Can you speak to the impact on your project timing and startup, or what contingencies Linde has to protect itself? A: As expected, most on-site contracts have built-in contractual protection for customer-driven delays. There is a grace period beyond which invoicing starts, and the customer begins paying. We will work with Dow to explore alternatives while maintaining Linde's interests. - Sanjiv Lamba, CEO