EQX vs LIN

For growth investors, Equinox Gold Corp.

(EQX) is the stronger pick with 22. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for Linde plc (LIN). Linde plc (LIN) offers the better valuation at 34. 4x trailing P/E (28. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX) a "Buy" — based on 1 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.

On trailing P/E, Linde plc (LIN) is the cheapest at 34.

4x versus Equinox Gold Corp. at 39. 9x. On forward P/E, Equinox Gold Corp. is actually cheaper at 10. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Linde plc (LIN) delivered a total return of +78.

1%, compared to +69. 8% for Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LIN returned +376. 9% versus EQX's +236. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

24β versus Equinox Gold Corp. 's 0. 72β — meaning EQX is approximately 199% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 27% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Equinox Gold Corp.

(EQX) is pulling ahead at 22. 1% versus 3. 0% for Linde plc (LIN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Linde plc grew EPS 7. 1% year-over-year, compared to -47. 1% for Equinox Gold Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EQX leads at 24. 8% 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.

Linde plc (LIN) is the more profitable company, earning 20.

3% net margin versus 12. 2% for Equinox Gold Corp. — meaning it keeps 20. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LIN leads at 26. 3% versus 23. 8% for EQX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LIN leads at 43. 3%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Equinox Gold Corp.

(EQX) trades at 10. 4x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 17. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, LIN (1.

2% yield) pays a dividend. EQX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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%, EQX: +236. 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.

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.

In terms of investment character: EQX is a mid-cap high-growth stock; LIN is a large-cap quality compounder stock. LIN pays a dividend while EQX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.