IAG vs LIN

For growth investors, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the stronger pick with 77.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for Linde plc (LIN). IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) offers the better valuation at 14. 0x trailing P/E (6. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) a "Buy" — based on 29 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, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the cheapest at 14.

0x versus Linde plc at 34. 3x. On forward P/E, IAMGOLD Corporation is actually cheaper at 6. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: IAMGOLD Corporation wins at 0. 10x versus Linde plc's 1. 10x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) delivered a total return of +416.

7%, compared to +80. 6% for Linde plc (LIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IAG returned +385. 8% versus LIN's +379. 1%. 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 IAMGOLD Corporation's 0. 93β — meaning IAG is approximately 288% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 20% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is pulling ahead at 77.

8% 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 -22. 7% for IAMGOLD Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, IAG leads at 44. 7% 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.

IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the more profitable company, earning 23.

3% net margin versus 20. 3% for Linde plc — meaning it keeps 23. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IAG leads at 38. 9% 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, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 10x versus Linde plc's 1. 10x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) trades at 6. 8x forward P/E versus 28. 0x for Linde plc — 21. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IAG: 81. 3% to $29. 50.

In this comparison, LIN (1.

2% yield) pays a dividend. IAG 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, +379. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIN: +379. 1%, IAG: +385. 8%), 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: IAG is a small-cap high-growth stock; LIN is a large-cap quality compounder stock. LIN pays a dividend while IAG 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.