Air Products and Chemicals (APD) vs Linde (LIN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Air Products and Chemicals (APD) has outperformed Linde (LIN) over the past year, gaining 3.5% versus a gain of 3.1%. Over five years, LIN leads with a +57.0% price change compared with -4.2% for APD. Linde is the larger company by market cap ($223.11 billion vs $61.93 billion), about 3.6 times the size.
On valuation, Air Products and Chemicals trades at a lower forward P/E (19.3x vs 24.7x for Linde). Air Products and Chemicals offers the higher dividend yield (2.59% vs 1.28%). Linde converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.3% versus -3.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.12 | $483.98 |
| Market cap | $61.93B | $223.11B |
| 1-day change | -1.02% | -1.22% |
| YTD return | +13.48% | +13.72% |
| 1-year return | +3.48% | +3.09% |
| 5-year return | -4.23% | +57.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 31.24 |
| Forward P/E | 19.26 | 24.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.21 | $15.49 |
| Dividend yield | 2.59% | 1.28% |
| Annual dividend | $7.20 | $6.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.04B | $33.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.52% | +2.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-394.50M | $6.90B |
| Gross margin | 31.41% | 48.83% |
| Operating margin | -7.29% | 26.25% |
| Net margin | -3.28% | 20.30% |
| 52-week high | $314.87 | $548.20 |
| 52-week low | $229.11 | $387.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.67% | -11.71% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.50% | +12.36% |
| Average volume | 1.09M | 2.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 222.69M | 460.98M |
| Employees | 21,087 | 64,649 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Major Chemicals |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Linde is about 3.6 times larger than Air Products and Chemicals by market value ($223.11B vs $61.93B).
- Air Products and Chemicals offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.59% vs 1.28%).
- Linde is more profitable, keeping 20.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -3.3 cents for Air Products and Chemicals.
About Air Products and Chemicals
APD stock →Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, equipment, and related services in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and internationally.
Basic Materials · Major Chemicals · 21,087 employees
About Linde
LIN stock →Linde plc operates as an industrial gas company worldwide. The company offers atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene.
Basic Materials · Major Chemicals · 64,649 employees
APD vs LIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Air Products and Chemicals or Linde?
Linde (LIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $223.11B compared with $61.93B for Air Products and Chemicals (APD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, APD or LIN?
APD returned +3.48% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.09% for LIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Air Products and Chemicals or Linde?
Air Products and Chemicals has the higher yield at 2.59%, compared with 1.28% for Linde.
Are Air Products and Chemicals and Linde in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Basic Materials sector.