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BHP vs LIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
BHP vs LIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial Materials | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $214.12B | $232.56B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $107.64B | $34.66B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $21.64B | $7.13B |
| Gross Margin | 82.7% | 46.0% |
| Operating Margin | 41.0% | 28.8% |
| Forward P/E | 16.7x | 28.1x |
| Total Debt | $24.50B | $26.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $11.89B | $5.06B |
BHP vs LIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP Group Limited (BHP) | 100 | 200.8 | +100.8% |
| Linde plc (LIN) | 100 | 248.0 | +148.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BHP vs LIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
BHP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.22, Low D/E 46.9%, current ratio 1.46x
- Beta 1.22, yield 3.0%, current ratio 1.46x
- Lower P/E (16.7x vs 28.1x)
LIN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.24, yield 1.2%
- Rev growth 3.0%, EPS growth 7.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.6%
- 376.9% 10Y total return vs BHP's 369.5%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 3.0% revenue growth vs BHP's -7.9% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.7x vs 28.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.6% margin vs BHP's 20.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.24 vs BHP's 1.22 | |
| Dividends | 3.0% yield, vs LIN's 1.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +78.1% vs LIN's +13.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 18.7% ROA vs LIN's 8.3%, ROIC 24.0% vs 11.3% |
BHP vs LIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
BHP vs LIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BHP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BHP is the larger business by revenue, generating $107.6B annually — 3.1x LIN's $34.7B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 20.6% (LIN) to 20.1% (BHP).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $107.6B | $34.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $53.9B | $12.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $21.6B | $7.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $20.9B | $5.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +82.7% | +46.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +41.0% | +28.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +20.1% | +20.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +19.4% | +14.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.0% | +8.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.6% | +13.4% |
Valuation Metrics
BHP leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 23.7x trailing earnings, BHP trades at a 31% valuation discount to LIN's 34.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), LIN offers better value at 1.36x vs BHP's 8.44x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $214.1B | $232.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $226.7B | $254.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 23.69x | 34.40x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.68x | 28.12x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 8.44x | 1.36x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.34x | 20.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.18x | 6.84x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.10x | 5.92x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.08x | 45.70x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BHP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BHP delivers a 39.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $39 in annual profit, vs $18 for LIN. BHP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LIN's 0.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LIN scores 6/9 vs BHP's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +39.0% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +18.7% | +8.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +24.0% | +11.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +21.5% | +13.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.47x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $12.6B | $21.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $11.9B | $5.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $24.5B | $27.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 23.05x | 34.52x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BHP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LIN five years ago would be worth $17,813 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,990 for BHP. Over the past 12 months, BHP leads with a +78.1% total return vs LIN's +13.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BHP at 15.0% vs LIN's 12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +38.9% | +17.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +78.1% | +13.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +52.0% | +41.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +49.9% | +78.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +369.5% | +376.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.0% | +12.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BHP and LIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LIN is the less volatile stock with a 0.24 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BHP's 1.22 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BHP currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs LIN's 96.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.22x | 0.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $84.42 | $521.28 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $45.74 | $387.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.9% | +96.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.7 | 50.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.2M | 2.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — BHP and LIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BHP as "Hold" and LIN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 7.5% upside for LIN (target: $540) vs -15.2% for BHP (target: $72). For income investors, BHP offers the higher dividend yield at 2.98% vs LIN's 1.20%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $71.50 | $539.71 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 31 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.0% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.52 | $6.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.0% |
BHP leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
BHP vs LIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BHP or LIN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Linde plc (LIN) is the stronger pick with 3.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). BHP Group Limited (BHP) offers the better valuation at 23. 7x trailing P/E (16. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Linde plc (LIN) a "Buy" — based on 28 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BHP or LIN?
On trailing P/E, BHP Group Limited (BHP) is the cheapest at 23.
7x versus Linde plc at 34. 4x. On forward P/E, BHP Group Limited is actually cheaper at 16. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Linde plc wins at 1. 11x versus BHP Group Limited's 5. 94x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BHP or LIN?
Over the past 5 years, Linde plc (LIN) delivered a total return of +78.
1%, compared to +49. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LIN returned +376. 9% versus BHP's +369. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BHP or LIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
24β versus BHP Group Limited's 1. 22β — meaning BHP is approximately 409% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BHP Group Limited (BHP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — BHP or LIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Linde plc (LIN) is pulling ahead at 3.
0% versus -7. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BHP Group Limited grew EPS 14. 1% year-over-year, compared to 7. 1% for Linde plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, LIN leads at 0. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — BHP or LIN?
Linde plc (LIN) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
3% net margin versus 17. 6% for BHP Group Limited — meaning it keeps 20. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BHP leads at 38. 0% versus 26. 3% for LIN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BHP leads at 82. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is BHP or LIN more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Linde plc (LIN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 11x versus BHP Group Limited's 5. 94x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, BHP Group Limited (BHP) trades at 16. 7x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 11. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LIN: 7. 5% to $539. 71.
08Which pays a better dividend — BHP or LIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
BHP Group Limited (BHP) offers the highest yield at 3. 0%, versus 1. 2% for Linde plc (LIN).
09Is BHP or LIN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Linde plc (LIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
24), 1. 2% yield, +376. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIN: +376. 9%, BHP: +369. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between BHP and LIN?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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