Linde vs CRH

Linde plc and CRH plc are presented side by side to compare their business models, financial performance, and market context. This page aims to explain how each company positions itself, highlights core activities, and discusses the factors shaping their competitive environments in a clear, neutral way. Educational content, not financial advice.

Linde plc and CRH plc are presented side by side to compare their business models, financial performance, and market context. This page aims to explain how each company positions itself, highlights co...

About The Companies

Linde (LIN)

Linde plc (LIN) is a global leader in industrial gases, supplying oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and related services to sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, chemicals and energy. The company operates a capital‑intensive, asset‑heavy business with long‑term contracts and a mix of bulk gas, on‑site production and specialised engineering solutions, which can produce steady cash flows and resilient margins. Linde is also a visible participant in the energy transition through hydrogen production and carbon‑capture projects, offering potential long‑term growth avenues. Key considerations for investors include sensitivity to industrial cyclical demand, energy and feedstock costs, regulatory developments, and the capital expenditure required to expand capacity. The company has a history of steady shareholder returns, but past performance does not guarantee future results. This summary is for general educational purposes only and is not personalised investment advice; investors should assess suitability against their objectives and consult a qualified adviser where appropriate.

CRH (CRH)

CRH plc is a global building‑materials group headquartered in Ireland, with a market capitalisation of about $79.3 billion. It manufactures and supplies aggregates, cement, asphalt, ready‑mixed concrete and specialised construction products across Europe, North America and other markets. The group grows through a mix of organic demand from construction cycles and strategic acquisitions that expand its product range and geographic reach. Investors should note CRH’s exposure to the cyclical construction sector, sensitivity to commodity and energy costs, and foreign‑exchange moves given its broad international footprint. Strengths include scale, a diversified product mix and a track record of operational integration, while challenges include cyclical volumes, margin pressure from input costs and regulatory or environmental constraints. This summary is for general educational purposes only and is not personalised investment advice; potential investors should consider their objectives, risk tolerance and seek professional advice where appropriate.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

LIN

Metric

CRH

$194.36B

Market Cap

$84.60B

19.56%

Potential Profit

-3.86%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Linde Shores Up Investor Confidence with Steady Dividend and Strong Analyst Backing Amid Valuation Dip

Dividend announcement of $1.50 per share payable December 17 underscores reliable shareholder returns, appealing to income-focused investors in a volatile market.
Evercore ISI reiterates Outperform with $490 target, highlighting $7B+ backlog including key deals with TSMC, Samsung, and SpaceX to drive 3% earnings boost in 2026.
Jefferies holds Buy rating at $535 target on December 12, betting on Linde's high single-digit EPS growth trajectory even with muted industrial demand.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

CRH surges on S&P 500 inclusion and aggressive share buyback momentum.

S&P 500 addition announced in quarterly review, with shares up 7.1% in pre-market and 6.3% in London trading, drawing index fund buying pressure.
Repurchased 2.4 million NYSE-listed shares worth $0.3 billion from August to November, pushing total returns to shareholders to $9.4 billion since 2018.
New $0.3 billion buyback via Santander starts November 6 and runs through February 2026, plus December 10 transaction, underscoring robust balance sheet.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Linde Shores Up Investor Confidence with Steady Dividend and Strong Analyst Backing Amid Valuation Dip

Dividend announcement of $1.50 per share payable December 17 underscores reliable shareholder returns, appealing to income-focused investors in a volatile market.
Evercore ISI reiterates Outperform with $490 target, highlighting $7B+ backlog including key deals with TSMC, Samsung, and SpaceX to drive 3% earnings boost in 2026.
Jefferies holds Buy rating at $535 target on December 12, betting on Linde's high single-digit EPS growth trajectory even with muted industrial demand.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

CRH surges on S&P 500 inclusion and aggressive share buyback momentum.

S&P 500 addition announced in quarterly review, with shares up 7.1% in pre-market and 6.3% in London trading, drawing index fund buying pressure.
Repurchased 2.4 million NYSE-listed shares worth $0.3 billion from August to November, pushing total returns to shareholders to $9.4 billion since 2018.
New $0.3 billion buyback via Santander starts November 6 and runs through February 2026, plus December 10 transaction, underscoring robust balance sheet.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

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Published: September 11, 2025

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Published: September 10, 2025

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Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Bloom Energy Stock: What's Next for Digital Africa

As Africa's digital economy expands, the demand for stable and clean electricity for data centers and industry is growing rapidly. This basket offers exposure to US-listed firms at the forefront of providing next-generation power solutions, from fuel cells to the infrastructure that supports them.

Published: September 11, 2025

Explore Basket

Best REITs Nigeria: Beyond Traditional Property

Africa's rapid urbanization is creating massive demand for new housing, offices, and infrastructure, offering a significant growth opportunity for investors. This basket provides exposure to this trend through US and EU-listed global real estate giants, asset managers, and technology firms shaping Africa's property markets.

Published: September 10, 2025

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Investment Analysis

Linde

LIN

Pros

Linde plc operates as a global leader in industrial gases with extensive geographic diversification including the US, China, and Europe.
The company demonstrates strong profitability supported by a net income of $7.09 billion and a return on equity around 19.59%.
Linde maintains a robust balance sheet with high interest coverage of 18.51 and pays a consistent dividend yield of approximately 1.44%.

Considerations

Linde's stock has shown a recent price decline and is forecasted to decrease by about 2.7% by year-end 2025, reflecting bearish market sentiment.
Its valuation multiples such as a P/E ratio near 28 and price-to-book of 5.82 are elevated compared to industry peers, indicating premium pricing.
The stock’s beta of 0.86 suggests market volatility that could impact performance during broader economic downturns.

CRH

Pros

CRH plc is a well-established global building materials company with a diversified product portfolio and broad geographic exposure.
The stock trades above its recent 52-week low, indicating some price stability with upside potential against cyclical headwinds.
Analyst coverage and market interest remain steady, reflecting confidence in CRH's operational resilience.

Considerations

CRH operates in the cyclical construction materials sector, exposing it to economic slowdowns and fluctuating demand in construction markets.
The company faces execution risks from global supply chain disruptions and cost inflation impacting margins.
Limited recent financial data transparency and analysis detail complicate assessment of its near-term growth drivers and profitability.

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Linde vs CRH

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Why It's Moving

Linde Shores Up Investor Confidence with Steady Dividend and Strong Analyst Backing Amid Valuation Dip

CRH surges on S&P 500 inclusion and aggressive share buyback momentum.

Linde Shores Up Investor Confidence with Steady Dividend and Strong Analyst Backing Amid Valuation Dip

CRH surges on S&P 500 inclusion and aggressive share buyback momentum.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Bloom Energy Stock: What's Next for Digital Africa

Best REITs Nigeria: Beyond Traditional Property

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Bloom Energy Stock: What's Next for Digital Africa

Best REITs Nigeria: Beyond Traditional Property