WS
Worthington Steel, Inc.
Steel
Market Cap$2.08B
5Y Perf.+52.3%
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Stock Comparison
WS vs LIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
LIN
Linde plc
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$232.56B
5Y Perf.+21.3%
WS vs LIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | WS | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Steel | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $2.08B | $232.56B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.27B | $34.66B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $125M | $7.13B |
| Gross Margin | 12.8% | 46.0% |
| Operating Margin | 4.8% | 28.8% |
| Forward P/E | 19.5x | 28.1x |
| Total Debt | $228M | $26.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $38M | $5.06B |
WS vs LIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WS
LIN
| Stock | Nov 23 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worthington Steel, … (WS) | 100 | 152.3 | +52.3% |
| Linde plc (LIN) | 100 | 121.3 | +21.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WS vs LIN
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. Worthington Steel, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
WS
Worthington Steel, Inc.
The Defensive Pick
WS is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.92, Low D/E 19.0%, current ratio 1.66x
- Beta 1.92, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.66x
- Lower P/E (19.5x vs 28.1x)
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and defensive
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 WS's 73.3%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LIN | 3.0% revenue growth vs WS's -9.8% |
| Value | WS | Lower P/E (19.5x vs 28.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | LIN | 20.6% margin vs WS's 3.8% |
| Stability / Safety | LIN | Beta 0.24 vs WS's 1.92 |
| Dividends | WS | 1.5% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs LIN's 1.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WS | +62.0% vs LIN's +13.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LIN | 8.3% ROA vs WS's 5.8%, ROIC 11.3% vs 8.2% |
WS vs LIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
WS vs LIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLINLAGGINGWS
WSWorthington Steel, In…
2leads
LINLinde plc
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
LIN4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WS6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
LIN5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
LIN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LIN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LIN is the larger business by revenue, generating $34.7B annually — 10.6x WS's $3.3B. LIN is the more profitable business, keeping 20.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WS's 3.8%. On growth, WS holds the edge at +18.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.3B | $34.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $231M | $12.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $125M | $7.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $127M | $5.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.8% | +46.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.8% | +28.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.8% | +20.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.9% | +14.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.0% | +8.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +48.0% | +13.4% |
LIN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 19.1x trailing earnings, WS trades at a 44% valuation discount to LIN's 34.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WS's 10.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LIN's 20.0x.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.1B | $232.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.3B | $254.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.12x | 34.40x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.48x | 28.12x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.36x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.63x | 20.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.67x | 6.84x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.73x | 5.92x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 20.77x | 45.70x |
WS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LIN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LIN delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $9 for WS. WS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.19x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LIN's 0.68x.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.3% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.8% | +8.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.2% | +11.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.4% | +13.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.19x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $190M | $21.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $38M | $5.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $228M | $27.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 22.24x | 34.52x |
LIN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WS 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 $17,328 for WS. Over the past 12 months, WS leads with a +62.0% total return vs LIN's +13.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WS at 20.1% vs LIN's 12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +19.6% | +17.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +62.0% | +13.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.3% | +41.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.3% | +78.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.3% | +376.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.1% | +12.4% |
WS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LIN leads this category, winning 2 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 WS's 1.92 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LIN currently trades 96.3% from its 52-week high vs WS's 85.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.92x | 0.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $49.17 | $521.28 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $24.23 | $387.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.2% | +96.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 65.7 | 50.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 299K | 2.3M |
LIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — WS and LIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WS as "Buy" and LIN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 7.5% upside for LIN (target: $540) vs -9.3% for WS (target: $38). For income investors, WS offers the higher dividend yield at 1.54% vs LIN's 1.20%.
| Metric | WSWorthington Steel… | LINLinde plc |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $38.00 | $539.71 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.5% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.64 | $6.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +2.0% |
Evenly matched — WS and LIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
LIN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). WS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallLinde plc (LIN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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WS vs LIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WS 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 -9. 8% for Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS). Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) offers the better valuation at 19. 1x trailing P/E (19. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 — WS or LIN?
On trailing P/E, Worthington Steel, Inc.
(WS) is the cheapest at 19. 1x versus Linde plc at 34. 4x. On forward P/E, Worthington Steel, Inc. is actually cheaper at 19. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — WS or LIN?
Over the past 5 years, Linde plc (LIN) delivered a total return of +78.
1%, compared to +73. 3% for Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LIN returned +376. 9% versus WS's +73. 3%. 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 — WS or LIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Linde plc (LIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
24β versus Worthington Steel, Inc. 's 1. 92β — meaning WS is approximately 701% more volatile than LIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 19% versus 68% for Linde plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — WS or LIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Linde plc (LIN) is pulling ahead at 3.
0% versus -9. 8% for Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Linde plc grew EPS 7. 1% year-over-year, compared to -29. 6% for Worthington Steel, Inc.. 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 — WS or LIN?
Linde plc (LIN) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
3% net margin versus 3. 6% for Worthington Steel, 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 4. 8% for WS. 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 WS or LIN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Worthington Steel, Inc.
(WS) trades at 19. 5x forward P/E versus 28. 1x for Linde plc — 8. 6x 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 — WS or LIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 1. 2% for Linde plc (LIN).
09Is WS 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). Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) carries a higher beta of 1. 92 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIN: +376. 9%, WS: +73. 3%), 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 WS and LIN?
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>
%
(WS: 18.0% · LIN: 8.2%)Net Margin>
%
(WS: 3.8% · LIN: 20.6%)P/E Ratio<
x
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