APD vs. LIN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APD and LIN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
LIN’s market capitalization of 223.87 billion USD is significantly greater than APD’s 64.95 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.87 for APD and 0.98 for LIN, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. | Linde plc |
| Country | US | GB |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| CEO | Eduardo F. Menezes | Sanjiv Lamba |
| Price | 291.84 USD | 475.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 64.95 billion USD | 223.87 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.98 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | June 17, 1992 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APD and LIN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
APD
9.65%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 34.45%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -12.04%
APD’s Return on Equity of 9.65% is on par with the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
LIN
17.23%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 34.45%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -12.04%
In the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.23% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
APD
3.50%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 5.25%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- -8.62%
APD’s Return on Invested Capital of 3.50% is in line with the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
LIN
8.94%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 5.25%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- -8.62%
LIN’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.94% is in line with the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
APD
12.76%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 23.23%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 5.14%
- Q1
- 0.64%
- Min
- -8.93%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.76% places APD in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
LIN
20.02%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 23.23%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 5.14%
- Q1
- 0.64%
- Min
- -8.93%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.02% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
APD
12.29%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 10.07%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -7.44%
APD’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.29% is around the midpoint for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
LIN
26.42%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 10.07%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -7.44%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.42% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.65% | 17.23% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.94% | 7.99% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 3.50% | 8.94% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.76% | 20.02% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.29% | 26.42% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.94% | 42.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
APD
1.00
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.95
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.77
APD’s Current Ratio of 1.00 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
LIN
0.94
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.95
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.77
LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
APD
1.12
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.01
APD’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals - Specialty industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.12. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
LIN
0.63
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.01
LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 is typical for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
APD
7.77
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.69
- Q3
- 9.06
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -3.09
APD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.77 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
LIN
34.75
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.69
- Q3
- 9.06
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -3.09
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.75, LIN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.00 | 0.94 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.85 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.12 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.42 | 0.29 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 4.19 | 1.48 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.77 | 34.75 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for APD and LIN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
APD
2.44%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.19%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.46%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.44%, APD offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
LIN
1.22%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.19%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.46%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.22% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
APD
102.68%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 163.70%
- Q3
- 57.04%
- Median
- 30.02%
- Q1
- 12.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
APD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.68% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
LIN
40.75%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 163.70%
- Q3
- 57.04%
- Median
- 30.02%
- Q1
- 12.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.75% is within the typical range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.44% | 1.22% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 102.68% | 40.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
APD
42.39
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 56.68
- Q3
- 33.75
- Median
- 23.45
- Q1
- 16.09
- Min
- 7.50
A P/E Ratio of 42.39 places APD in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
LIN
34.05
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 56.68
- Q3
- 33.75
- Median
- 23.45
- Q1
- 16.09
- Min
- 7.50
A P/E Ratio of 34.05 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
APD
6.80
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.16
APD’s Forward PEG Ratio of 6.80 is exceptionally high for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
LIN
4.93
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.16
A Forward PEG Ratio of 4.93 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
APD
5.40
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.16
With a P/S Ratio of 5.40, APD trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
LIN
6.78
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.16
With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
APD
4.42
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.35
APD’s P/B Ratio of 4.42 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
LIN
5.92
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.35
LIN’s P/B Ratio of 5.92 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APD | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 42.39 | 34.05 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 6.80 | 4.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.40 | 6.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 4.42 | 5.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -14.99 | 45.58 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 22.33 | 19.26 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 6.65 | 7.34 |