Element Solutions (ESI) 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
Element Solutions (ESI) has outperformed Linde (LIN) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 2.9%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with +57.0% for LIN. Linde is the larger company by market cap ($223.11 billion vs $9.06 billion), about 24.6 times the size, while Element Solutions is growing revenue faster (+3.8% vs +3.0%).
On valuation, Element Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (17.5x vs 24.7x for Linde). Linde offers the higher dividend yield (1.28% vs 0.86%). Linde converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.3% versus 7.5%.
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 | ESI | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.17 | $483.98 |
| Market cap | $9.06B | $223.11B |
| 1-day change | -1.51% | -1.22% |
| YTD return | +48.74% | +13.51% |
| 1-year return | +40.53% | +2.89% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | +57.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.23 | 31.24 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 24.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $15.49 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 1.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $6.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $33.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | +2.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $6.90B |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 48.83% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | 26.25% |
| Net margin | 7.48% | 20.30% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $548.20 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $387.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.53% | -11.71% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.24% | +12.36% |
| Average volume | 4.83M | 2.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 460.98M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 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 24.6 times larger than Element Solutions by market value ($223.11B vs $9.06B).
- ESI has outperformed LIN by 37.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Element Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (50.2x vs 31.2x trailing P/E).
- Linde is more profitable, keeping 20.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.5 cents for Element Solutions.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Element Solutions in Industrials and Linde in Basic Materials.
About Element Solutions
ESI stock →Element Solutions Inc operates as a specialty chemicals technology company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments: MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions and Element Specialties.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 5,200 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
ESI vs LIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or Linde?
Linde (LIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $223.11B compared with $9.06B for Element Solutions (ESI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or LIN?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.89% for LIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESI or LIN?
LIN has the lower trailing P/E at 31.2, versus 50.2 for ESI. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Element Solutions or Linde?
Linde has the higher yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and Linde in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.