LIN
Linde plc
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$232.56B
5Y Perf.+148.0%
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Stock Comparison
LIN vs BHP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
BHP
BHP Group Limited
Industrial Materials
Market Cap$214.12B
5Y Perf.+100.8%
LIN vs BHP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LIN | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Industrial Materials |
| Market Cap | $232.56B | $214.12B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $34.66B | $107.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $7.13B | $21.64B |
| Gross Margin | 46.0% | 82.7% |
| Operating Margin | 28.8% | 41.0% |
| Forward P/E | 28.1x | 16.7x |
| Total Debt | $26.99B | $24.50B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5.06B | $11.89B |
LIN vs BHP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LIN
BHP
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linde plc (LIN) | 100 | 248.0 | +148.0% |
| BHP Group Limited (BHP) | 100 | 200.8 | +100.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LIN vs BHP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LIN leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. BHP Group Limited is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LIN
Linde plc
The Income Pick
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%
- 376.9% 10Y total return vs BHP's 369.5%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
BHP
BHP Group Limited
The Defensive Pick
BHP is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 1.22, yield 3.0%, current ratio 1.46x
- Lower P/E (16.7x vs 28.1x)
- +78.1% vs LIN's +13.6%
Best for: defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LIN | 3.0% revenue growth vs BHP's -7.9% |
| Value | BHP | Lower P/E (16.7x vs 28.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | LIN | 20.6% margin vs BHP's 20.1% |
| Stability / Safety | LIN | Beta 0.24 vs BHP's 1.22 |
| Dividends | LIN | 1.2% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs BHP's 3.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | BHP | +78.1% vs LIN's +13.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BHP | 18.7% ROA vs LIN's 8.3%, ROIC 24.0% vs 11.3% |
LIN vs BHP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
LIN vs BHP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLBHPLAGGINGLIN
LINLinde plc
0leads
BHPBHP Group Limited
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LINMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
BHP5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BHP6/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BHP7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BHP4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BHP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BHP is the larger business by revenue, generating $107.6B annually — 3.1x LIN's $34.7B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 20.6% (LIN) to 20.1% (BHP).
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $34.7B | $107.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $12.1B | $53.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7.1B | $21.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5.1B | $20.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +46.0% | +82.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +28.8% | +41.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +20.6% | +20.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.7% | +19.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.2% | +11.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.4% | +27.6% |
BHP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BHP leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 23.7x trailing earnings, BHP trades at a 31% valuation discount to LIN's 34.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), LIN offers better value at 1.36x vs BHP's 8.44x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $232.6B | $214.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $254.5B | $226.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 34.40x | 23.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 28.12x | 16.68x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.36x | 8.44x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 20.04x | 9.34x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.84x | 4.18x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.92x | 4.10x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 45.70x | 23.08x |
BHP leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BHP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BHP delivers a 39.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $39 in annual profit, vs $18 for LIN. BHP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LIN's 0.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LIN scores 6/9 vs BHP's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +17.8% | +39.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.3% | +18.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +11.3% | +24.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +13.0% | +21.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | 0.47x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $21.9B | $12.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5.1B | $11.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $27.0B | $24.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 34.52x | 23.05x |
BHP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BHP 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 $14,990 for BHP. Over the past 12 months, BHP leads with a +78.1% total return vs LIN's +13.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BHP at 15.0% vs LIN's 12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +17.3% | +38.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +13.6% | +78.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +41.9% | +52.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.1% | +49.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +376.9% | +369.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.4% | +15.0% |
BHP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LIN and BHP 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 BHP's 1.22 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BHP currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs LIN's 96.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.24x | 1.22x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $521.28 | $84.42 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $387.78 | $45.74 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.3% | +99.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.6 | 56.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.3M | 3.2M |
Evenly matched — LIN and BHP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — LIN and BHP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LIN as "Buy" and BHP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 7.5% upside for LIN (target: $540) vs -15.2% for BHP (target: $72). For income investors, BHP offers the higher dividend yield at 2.98% vs LIN's 1.20%.
| Metric | LINLinde plc | BHPBHP Group Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $539.71 | $71.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 31 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +3.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $6.00 | $2.52 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — LIN and BHP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
BHP leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
Best OverallBHP Group Limited (BHP)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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LIN vs BHP: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LIN or BHP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Linde plc (LIN) is the stronger pick with 3.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). BHP Group Limited (BHP) offers the better valuation at 23. 7x trailing P/E (16. 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.
02Which has the better valuation — LIN or BHP?
On trailing P/E, BHP Group Limited (BHP) is the cheapest at 23.
7x versus Linde plc at 34. 4x. On forward P/E, BHP Group Limited is actually cheaper at 16. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Linde plc wins at 1. 11x versus BHP Group Limited's 5. 94x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LIN or BHP?
Over the past 5 years, Linde plc (LIN) delivered a total return of +78.
1%, compared to +49. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LIN returned +376. 9% versus BHP's +369. 5%. 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 — LIN or BHP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
24β versus BHP Group Limited's 1. 22β — meaning BHP is approximately 409% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BHP Group Limited (BHP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LIN or BHP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Linde plc (LIN) is pulling ahead at 3.
0% versus -7. 9% for BHP Group Limited (BHP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BHP Group Limited grew EPS 14. 1% year-over-year, compared to 7. 1% for Linde plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, LIN leads at 0. 6% 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 — LIN or BHP?
Linde plc (LIN) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
3% net margin versus 17. 6% for BHP Group Limited — meaning it keeps 20. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BHP leads at 38. 0% versus 26. 3% for LIN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BHP leads at 82. 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.
07Is LIN or BHP more undervalued right now?
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. 11x versus BHP Group Limited's 5. 94x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, BHP Group Limited (BHP) trades at 16. 7x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 11. 4x 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 — LIN or BHP?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
BHP Group Limited (BHP) offers the highest yield at 3. 0%, versus 1. 2% for Linde plc (LIN).
09Is LIN or BHP 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%, BHP: +369. 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 LIN and BHP?
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.
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(LIN: 8.2% · BHP: 11.0%)Net Margin>
%
(LIN: 20.6% · BHP: 20.1%)P/E Ratio<
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