Core Insights - Goldman Sachs has added four new stocks to its Conviction List, which are expected to have double-digit upside potential and three of which offer reliable dividends [4][5][6]. Group 1: Goldman Sachs Conviction List - The Conviction List is a curated selection of stocks that Goldman Sachs analysts believe will outperform the market, focusing on themes like artificial intelligence and sustainability [2][4]. - The four new stocks added in October are Abbott Laboratories, Air Products and Chemicals, Hershey, and Madison Square Garden Entertainment [5][6]. Group 2: Stock Details - **Abbott Laboratories**: Offers a 1.74% dividend with a target price of $157, indicating a potential 17% gain [7][8]. - **Air Products and Chemicals**: Provides a 2.63% dividend and has a target price of $335, suggesting a 23% upside [9][15]. - **Hershey**: Features a 2.82% dividend with a target price of $222, representing a potential 19% gain [16][20]. - **Madison Square Garden Entertainment**: A live entertainment company with a target price of $52, indicating a 15% upside [21][23].

Core Insights - Linde plc, with a market cap of $214.1 billion, is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company serving various industries including healthcare, chemical, energy, manufacturing, and electronics [1] Financial Performance - Linde is expected to announce fiscal Q3 2025 results on October 31, with analysts predicting an adjusted EPS of $4.18, reflecting a 6.1% increase from $3.94 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an adjusted EPS of $16.46, a 6.1% growth from $15.51 in fiscal 2024, and a further increase to $17.97 in fiscal 2026, representing a 9.2% year-over-year growth [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Linde's shares have declined nearly 5%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 14.4% return, but faring better than the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's 9.4% decrease [4] - Despite reporting better-than-expected Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $4.09 and revenues of $8.5 billion, Linde's shares fell slightly due to a disappointing operating profit in the Engineering segment and lower volumes in key markets [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus among analysts is bullish, with a "Strong Buy" rating for Linde stock; 18 out of 27 analysts recommend a "Strong Buy," 2 suggest a "Moderate Buy," and 7 recommend a "Hold" [6] - The average analyst price target for Linde is $518.30, indicating a potential upside of 13.5% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - Air Products and Chemicals Inc. is a global leader in industrial gases and related applications, serving various industries including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, and food and beverage [1] Financial Performance - The company is set to report its Q4 2025 earnings on November 6, with analysts expecting an EPS of $3.40, a decrease from $3.56 in the same period last year [2] - Quarterly revenue for Q4 2025 is anticipated to be $3.20 billion, slightly up from $3.19 billion a year earlier [2] - In Q3 2025, Air Products reported an adjusted EPS of $3.09, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.98, and revenues of $3.02 billion, exceeding the consensus of $2.96 billion [3] Guidance and Expectations - The CEO highlighted solid quarterly results that exceeded guidance and were higher than the previous year, excluding the impact of an LNG sale [4] - The company has revised its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $11.90 to $12.10, with Q4 2025 adjusted EPS expected between $3.27 and $3.47 [4] Dividend Information - Air Products and Chemicals has a dividend yield of 2.64%, having paid $7.16 per share in dividends over the last 12 months [2] - To generate an income of $100 per month from dividends, an investment of approximately $45,455 is required, based on the current dividend yield [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Air Products is set to hold a conference call on November 6, 2025, to discuss its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter financial results, which will be accessible to the public and media in listen-only mode [1]. Company Overview - Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a leading industrial gases company with over 80 years of operation, focusing on energy, environmental, and emerging markets to promote a cleaner future [3]. - The company supplies essential industrial gases and related equipment to various industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical, and food [3]. - As the top global supplier of hydrogen, Air Products is involved in developing and operating some of the largest clean hydrogen projects, aiding the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy [3]. Financial Performance - In fiscal 2024, Air Products reported sales of $12.1 billion from operations across approximately 50 countries [4]. - The company currently has a market capitalization of about $60 billion [4].

Market Overview - Stocks were higher on Wednesday, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq on track for record closes, following a rebound in AI infrastructure and technology stocks [1] - Nvidia shares increased nearly 2% in Wednesday afternoon trading [1] Company Insights - Linde's shares are up about 12% this year, despite a slow start in October due to macroeconomic concerns [1] - Goldman Sachs remains favorable on Linde, expecting third-quarter results toward the high end of its guidance range, which is $4.10 to $4.20 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 4% to 7% [1] - BNP Paribas noted that Linde's CFO's commentary aligns with previous assumptions, with potential for more favorable currency conditions [1] - Linde is recognized for consistently beating earnings estimates and outperforming peers due to its pricing power and cost management [1] Industry Developments - Amazon Pharmacy plans to launch in-office kiosks in One Medical locations starting December 2025, aiming to enhance healthcare access [1] - The kiosks will offer common medications and are tailored to specific prescribing patterns, posing a threat to CVS's core pharmacy business [1] - Amazon's healthcare ambitions could disrupt the sector, leveraging its existing services for Prime Members [1] - Amazon's stock performance has been disappointing in 2025 compared to its peers, with a need for Amazon Web Services to show revenue growth re-acceleration [1] Upcoming Earnings - PepsiCo and Delta Airlines are scheduled to report earnings before the opening bell on Thursday [1]

Core Insights - Non-U.S. companies are planning to expand or establish operations in the United States to counteract the effects of President Trump's tariffs on imported goods Company Investments - Air Liquide plans to invest up to $200 million in Louisiana and over $50 million in the U.S. semiconductor industry [2] - AstraZeneca intends to spend $50 billion on a new plant in Virginia and expansions in several states including Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas [3] - Honda aims to shift some car production from Mexico and Canada to the U.S., targeting 90% local production for cars sold in the country [4] - Hyundai Motor is localizing production in the U.S. and will manufacture hybrid vehicles at a new factory in Georgia [5] - Inventec has agreed to invest up to $85 million to build manufacturing facilities in Texas [6] - Lavazza plans to increase its U.S. production from 50% to 100% of its sales [7] - Nissan is considering moving production of its Sentra automobile from Mexico to the U.S. and shifting some domestic production of U.S.-bound vehicles [8] - Novartis plans to invest $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. [9] - Roche will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years and announced an additional $550 million for its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub [10] - Rolls-Royce plans a $75 million investment to enhance U.S. manufacturing capabilities in South Carolina [11] - Samsung Electronics is considering relocating dryer manufacturing from Mexico to its South Carolina plant [13] - Sanofi plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to enhance manufacturing and research [14] - Stellantis is set to invest about $10 billion in the United States [15]

Core Insights - Understanding the performance of leading European stocks reveals differences compared to American firms, with Europe excelling in fashion and having notable successes in tech and defense [4][8] - Long-term value creation is essential for sustained performance, with firms that consistently excel in customer value, autonomous networks, and adaptive mindsets outperforming others [4][8] Consistently Poor Performers - Diageo PLC: Overall score 8.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 7%/243% [5] - Bayer: Overall score 8.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 20%/243% [5] - Sanofi S.A.: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 50%/243% [5] - National Grid: Overall score 8.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 67%/243% [5] - Adidas: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 173%/243% [5] - Anheuser-Busch InBev: Overall score 8.7/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 50%/243% [5] Mixed Performers - Nestlé S.A.: Overall score 8.9/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 55%/243% [6] - British American Tobacco: Overall score 8.9/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 74%/243% [6] - Unilever PLC: Overall score 8.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 94%/243% [6] - Allianz: Overall score 9.3/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 133%/243% [6] - L'Oréal: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 168%/243% [6] - HSBC Holdings: Overall score 8.7/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 203%/243% [6] Consistently Successful Firms - EssilorLuxottica: Overall score 10.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 204%/243% [7] - AXA: Overall score 9.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 218%/243% [7] - Novo Nordisk: Overall score 11.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 103%/243% [7] - Enel: Overall score 9.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 246%/243% [7] - LVMH: Overall score 10.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 291%/243% [7] - Relx: Overall score 9.8/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 296%/243% [7] - AstraZeneca: Overall score 10.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 300%/243% [7] High Performers - Iberdrola: Overall score 9.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 307%/243% [9] - Siemens: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 309%/243% [9] - Airbus: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 312%/243% [9] - SAP: Overall score 11.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 357%/243% [9] - Zurich Insurance Group: Overall score 9.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 370%/243% [9] - Münchener Rück: Overall score 9.4/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 402%/243% [9] - Linde PLC: Overall score 10.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 424%/243% [9] - ABB: Overall score 10.2/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 444%/243% [9] - Schneider Electric: Overall score 10.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 486%/243% [9] - Hermes: Overall score 11.0/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 546%/243% [9] - Rheinmetall: Overall score 9.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at +1000%/243% [9] - ASML: Overall score 11.5/15.0, TSR/S&P500 at 1070%/243% [9]

Core Insights - Air Products will showcase its high-quality gases and technologies for the lithium-ion battery industry at the Battery Show North America from October 6-9, 2025 [1][4] - The company supports the entire lithium-ion battery supply chain, providing a range of high-purity gases with a reliability rate of 99.95% [2][3] Company Overview - Air Products is a leading industrial gases company with over 80 years of experience, focusing on energy, environmental, and emerging markets [5] - The company reported fiscal 2024 sales of $12.1 billion and has a market capitalization exceeding $60 billion [6]

Core Insights - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) is leveraging its project investments, productivity initiatives, and new business deals despite challenges from a sluggish Chinese economy and reduced helium demand [1][7] - The company has faced project cancellations and the divestment of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, which are expected to negatively impact performance [1][8] Investment and Growth Strategies - APD is well-positioned to benefit from investments in high-return industrial gas projects and productivity measures, focusing on its gasification strategy and executing growth projects that are expected to enhance earnings and cash flows [2][3] - Major projects include the NEOM green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia, expected to start production in 2027, and the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, anticipated to commence in 2028 or 2029 [3][4] Productivity and Cost Management - The company is implementing productivity actions to improve its cost structure, with expected productivity benefits of at least $75 million in fiscal 2025 and annual savings of $185-$195 million from global cost-reduction plans [5][6] - Air Products is also focused on improving pricing strategies in an inflationary environment [5] Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - The board of Air Products increased its quarterly dividend to $1.79 per share, marking the 43rd consecutive year of dividend increases, with an operating cash flow of approximately $2 billion for the nine months ending June 30, 2025 [6] - The company updated its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2025 to a range of $11.90 to $12.10, with fourth-quarter expectations between $3.27 and $3.47 [9] Market Challenges - A slower economic recovery in China and lower helium demand are significant concerns, with no material improvement expected in the near term [7] - The cancellation of several large projects is projected to create a 3% year-over-year headwind in full-year fiscal 2025, while the divestment of the LNG business is expected to result in a 4% headwind [8]

Group 1 - Linde has appointed Sanjiv Lamba as both CEO and Chairman of the Board, effective January 31, 2026, succeeding Steve Angel who will retire on the same date [1][2][3] - The Board believes that having a combined leadership structure with Lamba in both roles is the most effective model for the company at this time [2] - Steve Angel has served Linde and its predecessor for 25 years, including roles as Chairman since 2022 and CEO from 2018 to 2022 [2] Group 2 - Sean Durbin has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, effective October 1, 2023, after serving as Executive Vice President of Linde North America [3] - Linde operates as an industrial gas company across multiple countries including the US, China, Germany, the UK, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil [4]