GFI vs LIN

For growth investors, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is the stronger pick with 15.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for Linde plc (LIN). Gold Fields Limited (GFI) offers the better valuation at 32. 5x trailing P/E (7. 6x 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.

On trailing P/E, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is the cheapest at 32.

5x versus Linde plc at 33. 8x. On forward P/E, Gold Fields Limited is actually cheaper at 7. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Gold Fields Limited wins at 0. 16x versus Linde plc's 1. 09x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) delivered a total return of +361.

9%, compared to +73. 9% for Linde plc (LIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GFI returned +1087% versus LIN's +375. 2%. 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 Gold Fields Limited's 0. 86β — meaning GFI is approximately 257% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 55% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is pulling ahead at 15.

6% versus 3. 0% for Linde plc (LIN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Gold Fields Limited grew EPS 79. 2% year-over-year, compared to 7. 1% for Linde plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, GFI leads at 7. 4% 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.

Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is the more profitable company, earning 23.

9% net margin versus 20. 3% for Linde plc — meaning it keeps 23. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GFI leads at 40. 2% versus 26. 3% for LIN. 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.

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, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 16x versus Linde plc's 1. 09x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 27. 7x for Linde plc — 20. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GFI: 21. 2% to $54. 42.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Linde plc (LIN) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 9% for Gold Fields Limited (GFI).

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, +375. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIN: +375. 2%, GFI: +1087%), 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: GFI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; LIN is a large-cap quality compounder stock. 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.