Industrial - Machinery
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2 / 10Stock Comparison
GTLS vs LIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
GTLS vs LIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $9.94B | $232.56B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.26B | $34.66B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $40M | $7.13B |
| Gross Margin | 32.6% | 46.0% |
| Operating Margin | 8.5% | 28.8% |
| Forward P/E | 16.4x | 28.1x |
| Total Debt | $3.74B | $26.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $366M | $5.06B |
GTLS vs LIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chart Industries, I… (GTLS) | 100 | 529.3 | +429.3% |
| Linde plc (LIN) | 100 | 248.0 | +148.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GTLS vs LIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GTLS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 7.4% 10Y total return vs LIN's 376.9%
- Lower P/E (16.4x vs 28.1x)
- +37.4% vs LIN's +13.6%
LIN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for 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%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.24, Low D/E 67.9%, current ratio 0.88x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 3.0% revenue growth vs GTLS's 2.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.4x vs 28.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.6% margin vs GTLS's 0.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.24 vs GTLS's 0.56, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.2% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs GTLS's 0.3% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +37.4% vs LIN's +13.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.3% ROA vs GTLS's 0.4%, ROIC 11.3% vs 7.4% |
GTLS vs LIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
GTLS 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)
LIN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LIN is the larger business by revenue, generating $34.7B annually — 8.1x GTLS's $4.3B. LIN is the more profitable business, keeping 20.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GTLS's 0.9%. On growth, LIN holds the edge at +8.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.3B | $34.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $644M | $12.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $40M | $7.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $203M | $5.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +32.6% | +46.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.5% | +28.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.9% | +20.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.8% | +14.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.5% | +8.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -36.1% | +13.4% |
Valuation Metrics
GTLS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 34.4x trailing earnings, LIN trades at a 95% valuation discount to GTLS's 629.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, GTLS's 14.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LIN's 20.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $9.9B | $232.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $13.3B | $254.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 629.58x | 34.40x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.43x | 28.12x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.36x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.35x | 20.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.33x | 6.84x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.79x | 5.92x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 49.04x | 45.70x |
Profitability & Efficiency
LIN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LIN delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $1 for GTLS. LIN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.68x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GTLS's 1.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LIN scores 6/9 vs GTLS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.2% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.4% | +8.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.4% | +11.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.6% | +13.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.11x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.4B | $21.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $366M | $5.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.7B | $27.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.08x | 34.52x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GTLS 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 $13,325 for GTLS. Over the past 12 months, GTLS leads with a +37.4% total return vs LIN's +13.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GTLS at 17.7% vs LIN's 12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.7% | +17.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +37.4% | +13.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +63.0% | +41.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.2% | +78.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +740.5% | +376.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +17.7% | +12.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — GTLS 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 GTLS's 0.56 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GTLS currently trades 99.6% 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 | 0.56x | 0.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $208.51 | $521.28 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $140.50 | $387.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.6% | +96.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.9 | 50.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 2.3M |
Analyst Outlook
LIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GTLS as "Buy" and LIN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 7.5% upside for LIN (target: $540) vs -6.7% for GTLS (target: $194). For income investors, LIN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.20% vs GTLS's 0.29%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $193.81 | $539.71 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 37 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.60 | $6.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.0% |
LIN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). GTLS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
GTLS vs LIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GTLS 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 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). 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 Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) a "Buy" — based on 37 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 — GTLS or LIN?
On trailing P/E, Linde plc (LIN) is the cheapest at 34.
4x versus Chart Industries, Inc. at 629. 6x. On forward P/E, Chart Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GTLS or LIN?
Over the past 5 years, Linde plc (LIN) delivered a total return of +78.
1%, compared to +33. 2% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GTLS returned +740. 5% versus LIN's +376. 9%. 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 — GTLS or LIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
24β versus Chart Industries, Inc. 's 0. 56β — meaning GTLS is approximately 132% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Linde plc (LIN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 68% versus 111% for Chart Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — GTLS or LIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Linde plc (LIN) is pulling ahead at 3.
0% versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Linde plc grew EPS 7. 1% year-over-year, compared to -92. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GTLS leads at 38. 3% 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 — GTLS or LIN?
Linde plc (LIN) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
3% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — 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 15. 2% for GTLS. 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.
07Is GTLS or LIN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) trades at 16. 4x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 11. 7x 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 — GTLS or LIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Linde plc (LIN) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 3% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS).
09Is GTLS 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%, GTLS: +740. 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 GTLS and LIN?
These companies operate in different sectors (GTLS (Industrials) and LIN (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
LIN pays a dividend while GTLS 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.
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