Company Overview - Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is a leading provider of industrial gases and has a market capitalization of $238.33 billion [2]. - The stock closed at $508.27 per share on February 25, 2026, with a one-month return of 11.71% and a 52-week gain of 10.43% [2]. Performance Analysis - The Aristotle Growth Equity Fund sold its position in Linde plc due to a prolonged trend of negative base volumes attributed to soft industrial activity in Europe [3]. - The fund noted that Linde's high exposure to North American industrial markets poses increased risks if the U.S. economy experiences a prolonged slowdown [3]. Investment Sentiment - Linde plc is not among the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds, although 89 hedge fund portfolios held the stock at the end of Q4 2025, an increase from 76 in the previous quarter [3]. - The fund believes that certain AI stocks present greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to Linde plc [3].

Linde plc (LIN) is a leading global industrial gases company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen to industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. Its principal executive offices are headquartered in Woking, the United Kingdom. The company has a market capitalization of $232.63 billion, which classifies it as a “mega-cap” stock. Linde’s shares had reached a 52-week high of $504.49 on Feb. 24, and are only marginally down from that level, as the ...

Brossard, Quebec, February 25, 2026 – TheNewswire - CHARBONE CORPORATION (TSXV: CH; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (“CHARBONE” or the “Company”), a North American producer and distributor specializing in clean Ultra High Purity (“UHP”) hydrogen and strategic industrial gases, is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated January 14, 2026, the Company has secured additional orders from an existing U.S. customer based in New York State.The customer has placed new orders for clean UHP hydrogen, pro ...

Linde Increases Dividend 7%Feb 24, 2026 12:58 PM Eastern Standard Time# Linde Increases Dividend 7%Share---WOKING, England--([BUSINESS WIRE])-- Linde plc (Nasdaq: LIN) today announced its Board of Directors has declared a 7% increase in the company's quarterly dividend to $1.60 per share. This marks the 33rd consecutive year of quarterly dividend increases on the company's common stock.The dividend is payable on March 26, 2026, to shareholders of record on March 11, 2026.About LindeLinde is a leading global ...

Group 1 - The company, Air Liquide, reported an increase in full-year net profit [1] - All gas and services businesses, which constitute the majority of group sales, achieved a 2% sales growth [1]

Air Liquide - Air Liquide reported full-year revenue of €26.94 billion, slightly missing analyst estimates of €27.07 billion [10] - The company achieved recurring operating income of €5.58 billion, just below the anticipated €5.60 billion, with a recurring operating margin of 20.7% [2] - A dividend of €3.70 per share was announced, up from €3.30 the previous year, indicating management's confidence in long-term cash flow stability [3] HSBC - HSBC downgraded Walmart (WMT) from Buy to Hold due to cautious guidance for the 2026 fiscal year, citing tariff uncertainty and moderating inflation as potential headwinds [4] - The bank raised its price target for Merck & Co (MRK) to $135 from $120, highlighting the company's credible oncology strategy and management of patent cliffs [5] - HSBC also increased the price target for Occidental Petroleum (OXY) to $59 from $54, reflecting a positive outlook on the company's operations in the Permian Basin [5] MOL - MOL has been granted preferential access to Hungary's strategic crude oil reserves following the cessation of Russian crude deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline [6] - To address the supply gap, MOL is transitioning to maritime imports via the Adriatic port of Omišalj in Croatia, with the release of approximately 250,000 tons of strategic reserves deemed essential for refinery operations in Hungary and Slovakia [7] APAC Markets - The Hang Seng index experienced a sharp decline after the Lunar New Year holidays, influenced by a negative sentiment from Wall Street and concerns regarding private credit funds [8] - Big tech companies led the decline in Hong Kong, with investors adjusting expectations post-holiday [9] - Market participants are monitoring for potential support measures from Beijing to address ongoing producer deflation and weak consumer sentiment [9]

Core Viewpoint - Air Liquide reported a recurring operating income of 5.58 billion euros for 2025, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of 5.56 billion euros, driven by efficiencies, pricing management, and dynamic asset portfolio management [1][1][1] Financial Performance - The recurring operating profit increased from 5.39 billion euros in 2024 to 5.58 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a positive growth trend [1][1][1] - Analysts from Vara Research had anticipated a sales figure of 5.56 billion euros on average, indicating that Air Liquide's performance was above market expectations [1][1][1] Business Operations - The company specializes in supplying industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen to various sectors, including factories and hospitals, highlighting its critical role in industrial operations [1][1][1] - The growth in operating income is attributed to effective pricing strategies particularly in the Industrial Merchant unit, showcasing the company's ability to manage costs and optimize revenue streams [1][1][1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the Zacks Style Scores, which are designed to help investors identify stocks with the best chances of outperforming the market over the next 30 days [2] Group 1: Zacks Style Scores Overview - Zacks Style Scores are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][3] - Each stock is assigned a rating from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Group 2: Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying stocks that are undervalued based on ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Group 3: Growth Score - The Growth Score evaluates a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Group 4: Momentum Score - The Momentum Score identifies trends in stock prices or earnings outlooks, helping investors time their positions based on recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] Group 5: VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [6] Group 6: Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks yielding an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988 [7][10] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B are recommended for maximizing returns [9] Group 7: Company Spotlight - Air Products and Chemicals - Air Products and Chemicals Inc. is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank and has a VGM Score of B [11] - The company is projected to have year-over-year earnings growth of 8.2% for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Air Products' earnings has increased by $0.05 to $13.01 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +0.4% [12]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence through various research services [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, serving as complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank [3] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperforming the market [4] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks by analyzing financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [4] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to identify sustainable growth opportunities [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes to identify favorable buying opportunities [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors seeking attractive value, growth, and momentum [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [8] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [9] Stock Recommendation: Air Products and Chemicals (APD) - Air Products and Chemicals Inc. is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank with a VGM Score of A, making it a notable option for momentum investors [12] - The stock has seen a 4.6% increase over the past four weeks, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions [12][13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 has risen by $0.05 to $13.01 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +0.4% [13]

With a market cap of $62.3 billion, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) is a global supplier of atmospheric, process, and specialty gases, serving a wide range of industries including energy, chemicals, manufacturing, electronics, food, and healthcare across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and India. It also designs and manufactures advanced equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon processing, natural gas liquefaction, and liquid hydrogen and helium storage and transport. Shares of the A ...