Dow (DOW) vs Linde (LIN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Dow (DOW) has outperformed Linde (LIN) over the past year, gaining 23.4% versus a gain of 2.9%. Over five years, LIN leads with a +57.0% price change compared with -52.9% for DOW. Linde is the larger company by market cap ($222.05 billion vs $20.65 billion), about 10.8 times the size.
On valuation, Dow trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 24.6x for Linde). Dow offers the higher dividend yield (4.90% vs 1.29%). Linde converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.3% versus -6.1%.
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 | DOW | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.59 | $481.70 |
| Market cap | $20.65B | $222.05B |
| 1-day change | +2.95% | -0.47% |
| YTD return | +18.78% | +13.51% |
| 1-year return | +23.42% | +2.89% |
| 5-year return | -52.90% | +57.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 31.10 |
| Forward P/E | 16.57 | 24.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.84 | $15.49 |
| Dividend yield | 4.90% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $1.40 | $6.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $39.97B | $33.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.97% | +2.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-2.44B | $6.90B |
| Gross margin | 6.34% | 48.83% |
| Operating margin | — | 26.25% |
| Net margin | -6.11% | 20.30% |
| 52-week high | $42.74 | $548.20 |
| 52-week low | $20.65 | $387.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.11% | -12.13% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.63% | +12.89% |
| Average volume | 9.05M | 2.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 722.34M | 460.98M |
| Employees | 32,800 | 64,649 |
| Sector | Industrials | 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 10.8 times larger than Dow by market value ($222.05B vs $20.65B).
- DOW has outperformed LIN by 20.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Dow offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.90% vs 1.29%).
- Linde is more profitable, keeping 20.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -6.1 cents for Dow.
- Linde grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.97% vs -6.97%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Dow in Industrials and Linde in Basic Materials.
About Dow
DOW stock →Dow Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various materials science solutions for packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 32,800 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
DOW vs LIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Dow or Linde?
Linde (LIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $222.05B compared with $20.65B for Dow (DOW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DOW or LIN?
DOW returned +23.42% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.89% for LIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Dow or Linde?
Dow has the higher yield at 4.90%, compared with 1.29% for Linde.
Are Dow and Linde in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.