HDSN vs LIN vs APD vs NDSN vs ITW

For growth investors, Hudson Technologies, Inc.

(HDSN) is the stronger pick with 4. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 5% for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD). Hudson Technologies, Inc. (HDSN) offers the better valuation at 14. 3x trailing P/E (11. 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.

On trailing P/E, Hudson Technologies, Inc.

(HDSN) is the cheapest at 14. 3x versus Linde plc at 33. 8x. On forward P/E, Hudson Technologies, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Linde plc wins at 1. 09x versus Illinois Tool Works Inc. 's 2. 36x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Hudson Technologies, Inc.

(HDSN) delivered a total return of +145. 4%, compared to +13. 2% for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LIN returned +375. 2% versus HDSN's +45. 6%. 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 Hudson Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 45β — meaning HDSN is approximately 505% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Hudson Technologies, Inc. (HDSN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 3% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Hudson Technologies, Inc.

(HDSN) is pulling ahead at 4. 0% versus -0. 5% for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Linde plc grew EPS 7. 1% year-over-year, compared to -110. 3% for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NDSN leads at 2. 5% 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 -3. 3% for Air Products and Chemicals, 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 -7. 3% for APD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NDSN leads at 55. 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.

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. 09x versus Illinois Tool Works Inc. 's 2. 36x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Hudson Technologies, Inc. (HDSN) trades at 11. 7x forward P/E versus 27. 7x for Linde plc — 16. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HDSN: 82. 5% to $9. 67.

In this comparison, APD (2.

4% yield), ITW (2. 4% yield), LIN (1. 2% yield), NDSN (1. 1% yield) pay a dividend. HDSN 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, +375. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIN: +375. 2%, HDSN: +45. 6%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (HDSN (Basic Materials) and LIN (Basic Materials) and APD (Basic Materials) and NDSN (Industrials) and ITW (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: HDSN is a small-cap deep-value stock; LIN is a large-cap quality compounder stock; APD is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NDSN is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; ITW is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. LIN, APD, NDSN, ITW pay a dividend while HDSN 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.