SQM vs LIN

For growth investors, Linde plc (LIN) is the stronger pick with 3.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). 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 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 forward P/E, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.

A. is actually cheaper at 15. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.

A. (SQM) delivered a total return of +104. 5%, compared to +78. 1% for Linde plc (LIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SQM returned +442. 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.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

24β versus Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. 's 1. 24β — meaning SQM is approximately 414% 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 93% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Linde plc (LIN) is pulling ahead at 3.

0% versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Linde plc grew EPS 7. 1% year-over-year, compared to -120. 1% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SQM leads at 16. 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 -8. 9% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — 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 23. 5% for SQM. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.

A. (SQM) trades at 15. 3x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 12. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LIN: 7. 5% to $539. 71.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Linde plc (LIN) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 3% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM).

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%, SQM: +442. 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.

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.

LIN pays a dividend while SQM 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.