Linde Reports Increased Earnings and Solid First-Quarter 2026 Results

Linde plc has reported an 8% increase in sales for the first quarter of 2026, reaching $8.8 billion. The company's adjusted operating profit rose by 8%, totaling $2.6 billion. The adjusted earnings per share climbed to $4.33, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

In the Americas, sales grew by 10% to $4,025 million, driven by higher pricing and volumes. Asia Pacific saw an 11% increase in sales, fueled by a rise in volumes. Meanwhile, EMEA sales rose by 7%, despite a 2% decrease in underlying sales.

Free cash flow for the quarter was $898 million. The company returned $1,545 million to shareholders via dividends and stock repurchases. For the full year, Linde anticipates an adjusted EPS of $17.60 to $17.90, representing growth of 7% to 9%.

CEO Sanjiv Lamba expressed confidence in Linde's ability to continue generating shareholder value amid challenging global conditions.