Seeds Investor LLC has increased its stake in Linde PLC, a major player in the industrial gas sector, by **22.4%** during the second quarter of 2023. According to its recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the firm now holds **1,707 shares** of Linde’s stock after purchasing an additional **312 shares** in this period. The total value of Seeds Investor LLC’s holdings in Linde is approximately **$801,000**.
Other institutional investors have also been active in the Linde market. **Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC** raised its stake by **1.3%** in the same quarter, owning **249,742 shares** now valued at **$117.17 million** following the acquisition of **3,230 shares**. Additionally, **Markel Group Inc.** increased its holdings by **3.1%**, bringing its total to **186,600 shares** worth **$87.55 million** after buying another **5,600 shares**.
**Destiny Wealth Partners LLC** entered the Linde market with a new position valued at approximately **$465,000**, while **Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd.** boosted its stake by **25.9%**, owning **23,558 shares** now worth **$10.97 million** after acquiring **4,839 shares**. **Ethos Financial Group LLC** also acquired a new stake during the first quarter, estimated at **$345,000**. Institutional investors currently hold **82.80%** of Linde’s stock.
Analyst Ratings and Market Performance
Equities analysts have shown a favorable outlook for Linde shares. **Weiss Ratings** reaffirmed a “buy (B)” rating on **October 8, 2023**. In subsequent reports on **November 3, 2023**, **Seaport Res Ptn** upgraded Linde from a “hold” to a “strong-buy” rating. Meanwhile, **Citigroup** adjusted its price target from **$535.00** to **$520.00**, maintaining a “buy” rating. Analysts from **Sanford C. Bernstein** and **JPMorgan Chase & Co.** have also provided strong ratings and price objectives, with Linde currently holding a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of **$508.83**.
As of the last trading day, shares of Linde were priced at **$408.51**, positioning the company with a market capitalization of **$190.75 billion**. The company’s price-to-earnings (PE) ratio stands at **29.05**, while its beta is **0.91**. Linde’s stock has fluctuated between a **12-month low of $408.21** and a **high of $486.38**.
Recent Earnings and Future Guidance
Linde reported its quarterly earnings on **October 31, 2023**, posting an earnings per share (EPS) of **$4.21**, surpassing analysts’ expectations of **$4.18** by **$0.03**. The company achieved a revenue of **$8.62 billion**, which matched analyst estimates, reflecting a year-over-year revenue increase of **2.9%**. Linde has set guidance for fiscal year 2025 at an EPS range of **16.350-16.450** and for the fourth quarter of 2025 at **4.100-4.200** EPS. Analysts forecast an average EPS of **16.54** for the current year.
In addition to its strong earnings performance, Linde has declared a quarterly dividend of **$1.50 per share**, to be paid on **December 17, 2023**. This dividend will benefit investors who are on record as of **December 3, 2023**, representing an annualized payout of **$6.00** and a yield of **1.5%**. The company’s dividend payout ratio is currently **40.19%**, indicating a solid return for shareholders.
Linde PLC operates globally in the industrial gas market, providing a wide range of products including atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, as well as process gases like hydrogen and specialty gases. The company continues to demonstrate strong financial performance and growth potential, attracting the interest of both institutional and individual investors alike.
