Linde Q4 Profit Beats View, Sales Miss; Sees Q1, FY25 Adj. EPS Below Market; Stock Down

(RTTNews) - Industrial gases company Linde plc (LIN) reported Thursday higher profit in its fourth quarter, above market estimates, while sales remained nearly flat and missed the Street view. Further, the company said it expects higher adjusted earnings in its first quarter and fiscal 2025, but both below the market.

In pre-market activity on the Nasdaq, Linde shares were losing around 4.6 percent to trade at $432.72.

For the fourth quarter, Linde reported net income of $1.73 billion , up 12 percent from last year's $1.54 billion. Earnings per share grew 14 percent to $3.60 from $3.16 a year ago.

Adjusted net income was $1.90 billion or $3.97 per share, compared to $1.75 billion or $3.59 per share last year.

The Wall Street analysts on average expected the company to report earnings of $3.92 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Linde's sales were $8.282 billion, slightly lower than $8.302 billion a year ago. The Street was looking for sales of $8.41 billion for the quarter.

Sales grew 2 percent excluding negative currency impact. Underlying sales increased 2 percent from price attainment and stable volumes.

Looking ahead, for the first quarter, the company projects adjusted earnings per share of $3.85 to $3.95, representing 3 percent to 5 percent growth from last year.

For fiscal 2025, adjusted earnings per share are projected to be $16.15 - $16.55, up 4 percent to 7 percent versus prior year.

The analysts expect earnings of $3.97 per share for the first quarter and $16.82 per share fiscal 2025.

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