International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) 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
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has outperformed Linde (LIN) over the past year, gaining 37.8% versus a gain of 2.9%. Over five years, LIN leads with a +57.0% price change compared with -43.0% for IFF. Linde is the larger company by market cap ($223.11 billion vs $21.46 billion), about 10.4 times the size.
On valuation, International Flavors & Fragrances trades at a lower forward P/E (21.2x vs 24.7x for Linde). International Flavors & Fragrances offers the higher dividend yield (1.90% 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 | IFF | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $84.11 | $483.98 |
| Market cap | $21.46B | $223.11B |
| 1-day change | +0.23% | -1.22% |
| YTD return | +24.81% | +13.51% |
| 1-year return | +37.84% | +2.89% |
| 5-year return | -43.01% | +57.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 83.28 | 31.63 |
| Forward P/E | 21.21 | 24.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.01 | $15.30 |
| Dividend yield | 1.90% | 1.28% |
| Annual dividend | $1.60 | $6.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $10.89B | $33.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -5.17% | +2.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-359.00M | $6.90B |
| Gross margin | 36.16% | 48.83% |
| Operating margin | -3.51% | 26.25% |
| Net margin | -3.30% | 20.30% |
| 52-week high | $89.32 | $548.20 |
| 52-week low | $59.14 | $387.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.83% | -11.71% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.48% | +12.36% |
| Average volume | 1.66M | 2.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 255.15M | 460.98M |
| Employees | 21,500 | 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 10.4 times larger than International Flavors & Fragrances by market value ($223.11B vs $21.46B).
- IFF has outperformed LIN by 34.9 percentage points over the past year.
- International Flavors & Fragrances trades at a higher earnings multiple (83.3x vs 31.6x trailing P/E).
- Linde is more profitable, keeping 20.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -3.3 cents for International Flavors & Fragrances.
- Linde grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.97% vs -5.17%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: International Flavors & Fragrances in Industrials and Linde in Basic Materials.
About International Flavors & Fragrances
IFF stock →International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food, beverage, health and biosciences, scent, and complementary adjacent products in the United States, and internationally. It operates in through Taste, Food Ingredients, Health & Biosciences, and Scent segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 21,500 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
IFF vs LIN FAQ
Which is bigger, International Flavors & Fragrances or Linde?
Linde (LIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $223.11B compared with $21.46B for International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IFF or LIN?
IFF returned +37.84% 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, IFF or LIN?
LIN has the lower trailing P/E at 31.6, versus 83.3 for IFF. 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, International Flavors & Fragrances or Linde?
International Flavors & Fragrances has the higher yield at 1.90%, compared with 1.28% for Linde.
Are International Flavors & Fragrances and Linde in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.