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

Updated on October 4, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	LIN	WLK
Company Name	Linde plc	Westlake Corporation
Country	United Kingdom	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	222.46 billion USD	9.96 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	June 17, 1992	August 12, 2004
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of LIN and WLK 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	LIN	WLK
5-Day Price Return	0.18%	-2.31%
13-Week Price Return	1.24%	1.49%
26-Week Price Return	2.94%	-24.15%
52-Week Price Return	-0.94%	-48.66%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.69%	-12.25%
Year-to-Date Return	13.45%	-32.79%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.87M	1.12M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.75M	1.25M
3-Month Volatility	12.74%	50.57%
Beta	0.93	0.97

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

LIN

17.46%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
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.

WLK

-0.64%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
Min: -11.86%

WLK has a negative Return on Equity of -0.64%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

LIN

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

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.

WLK

-0.57%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

WLK has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.57%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

LIN

26.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

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.

WLK

0.89%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

WLK’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.89% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	LIN	WLK
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.46%	-0.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.10%	-0.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	20.20%	-0.57%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.75%	0.89%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.45%	11.20%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

LIN

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

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.

WLK

2.47

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

WLK’s Current Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

LIN

0.67

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
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.

WLK

0.46

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

WLK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 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.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

LIN

33.09

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
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.

WLK

157.33

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
Min: -9.39

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 157.33, WLK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	LIN	WLK
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.93	2.47
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.70	1.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.67	0.46
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	33.09	157.33

Growth

Revenue Growth

LIN vs. WLK: 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

LIN vs. WLK: 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)

LIN

1.25%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.25% 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.

WLK

2.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

WLK’s Dividend Yield of 2.75% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

LIN

40.71%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
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.

WLK

43.85%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
Min: 0.00%

WLK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.85% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	LIN	WLK
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.25%	2.75%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	40.71%	43.85%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

LIN

32.60

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

A P/E Ratio of 32.60 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.

WLK

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

P/E Ratio data for WLK is currently unavailable.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

LIN

6.58

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

With a P/S Ratio of 6.58, 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.

WLK

0.84

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

WLK’s P/S Ratio of 0.84 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

LIN

5.73

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
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.

WLK

0.95

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
Min: 0.30

WLK’s P/B Ratio of 0.95 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

LIN vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	LIN	WLK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	32.60	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.58	0.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.73	0.95
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	43.18	24.03