CRH vs. LIN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CRH and LIN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	CRH	LIN
Company Name	CRH plc	Linde plc
Country	Ireland	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Construction Materials	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	76.39 billion USD	223.03 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	July 13, 1989	June 17, 1992
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CRH 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.

CRH vs. LIN: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CRH	LIN
5-Day Price Return	6.29%	1.32%
13-Week Price Return	15.11%	4.67%
26-Week Price Return	8.04%	3.25%
52-Week Price Return	38.77%	6.46%
Month-to-Date Return	19.07%	3.34%
Year-to-Date Return	22.84%	13.61%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.42M	1.53M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.74M	1.91M
3-Month Volatility	31.13%	13.61%
Beta	1.34	0.96

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CRH

15.20%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 24.78%
Q3: 14.96%
Median: 10.37%
Q1: 4.14%
Min: -2.94%

In the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, CRH’s Return on Equity of 15.20% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

LIN

17.46%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 26.17%
Q3: 13.48%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 2.52%
Min: -11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CRH

9.09%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 28.01%
Q3: 15.18%
Median: 9.09%
Q1: 3.32%
Min: -4.30%

CRH’s Net Profit Margin of 9.09% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction Materials industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

LIN

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 21.80%
Q3: 9.57%
Median: 4.44%
Q1: 1.14%
Min: -11.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CRH

13.88%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 31.67%
Q3: 18.49%
Median: 11.57%
Q1: 7.82%
Min: -1.44%

CRH’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.88% is around the midpoint for the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

LIN

26.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.97%
Median: 8.08%
Q1: 4.46%
Min: -8.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.75% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CRH	LIN
Return on Equity (TTM)	15.20%	17.46%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.36%	8.10%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.09%	20.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.88%	26.75%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.99%	48.45%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CRH

1.74

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.14
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.92
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.79

CRH’s Current Ratio of 1.74 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

LIN

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.38
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.55

LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CRH

0.71

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 0.99
Q3: 0.72
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

CRH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.71 is typical for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

LIN

0.67

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.65
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.65
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CRH

11.05

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 54.89
Q3: 34.04
Median: 7.92
Q1: 4.28
Min: -6.24

CRH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.05 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

LIN

33.09

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 9.38
Q1: 3.10
Min: -9.39

LIN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 33.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CRH	LIN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.74	0.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.11	0.70
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	0.67
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	11.05	33.09

Growth

Revenue Growth

CRH vs. LIN: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CRH vs. LIN: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CRH

1.28%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.91%
Q3: 4.64%
Median: 2.57%
Q1: 1.11%
Min: 0.00%

CRH’s Dividend Yield of 1.28% is consistent with its peers in the Construction Materials industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LIN

1.23%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.56%
Q3: 4.04%
Median: 2.47%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: 0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CRH

28.69%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 174.17%
Q3: 91.80%
Median: 44.42%
Q1: 23.07%
Min: 0.00%

CRH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.69% is within the typical range for the Construction Materials industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

LIN

40.71%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 181.25%
Q3: 95.01%
Median: 53.52%
Q1: 26.59%
Min: 0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.71% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CRH	LIN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.28%	1.23%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	28.69%	40.71%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CRH

23.07

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 49.05
Q3: 24.51
Median: 12.09
Q1: 7.70
Min: 4.06

CRH’s P/E Ratio of 23.07 is within the middle range for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

LIN

33.22

Chemicals Industry

Max: 42.94
Q3: 29.77
Median: 20.37
Q1: 14.27
Min: 6.19

A P/E Ratio of 33.22 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CRH

2.10

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 4.03
Q3: 2.26
Median: 1.31
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.19

CRH’s P/S Ratio of 2.10 aligns with the market consensus for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

LIN

6.71

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.36
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.16

With a P/S Ratio of 6.71, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CRH

2.77

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 3.19
Q3: 1.80
Median: 1.08
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.11

CRH’s P/B Ratio of 2.77 is in the upper tier for the Construction Materials 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

5.73

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.92
Q3: 2.56
Median: 1.54
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.30

At 5.73, LIN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

CRH vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CRH	LIN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	23.07	33.22
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.10	6.71
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.77	5.73
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	21.84	44.00