Linde raises bottom end of 2026 guidance after Q1 beat
Financial Performance and Updated Guidance
By Tristan Veyet
May 1 (Reuters) - Linde, the world's largest industrial gases company, raised the bottom end of its 2026 earnings forecast on Friday after posting first-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations.
Updated Earnings Forecast
The company said it now expects adjusted earnings per share of $17.60 to $17.90 this year, compared with a previous range of $17.40 to $17.90.
Its shares were up 2.9% around 1430 GMT.
Market Position and Industry Impact
The U.S.-German group is seen as a bellwether for industrial production because it supplies gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to customers across industries including chemicals, manufacturing, steelmaking, and food and beverages.
Linde said it was also well positioned amid recent helium shortages affecting the sector.
Management Commentary
"Given our business is largely contracted, the priority is to meet existing customer commitments," finance chief Matt White said on a call following the results.
"After that, we still anticipate excess molecules, allowing us to pursue new multi-year contracts with high-quality customers," he added.
First Quarter Results
Linde reported a 10% rise in adjusted earnings per share to $4.33 for January to March, helped by favourable currency moves. That was ahead of analysts' mean estimate of $4.26 per share, according to LSEG data.
Second Quarter Outlook
For the second quarter, it expects adjusted earnings per share of $4.40 to $4.50, compared with analysts' estimate of $4.44, according to LSEG data.
(Reporting by Tristan Veyet in Gdansk. Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Mark Potter)
