Should I Buy LIN? LIN 2026 Analysis

Should You Buy Linde PLC (LIN) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Conclusion

Buy

Latest Price

455.000

1 Day change

0.78%

52 Week Range

486.380

Analysis Updated At

2026/01/26

Linde PLC is a good buy for a beginner investor with a long-term horizon and $50,000-$100,000 available for investment. The company demonstrates strong financial performance, positive analyst sentiment, and a solid growth outlook. While there are no immediate trading signals, the stock's defensive nature and growth potential make it a suitable long-term investment.

Technical Analysis

The MACD histogram is positive and expanding, indicating bullish momentum. RSI is neutral at 76.301, and moving averages are converging, suggesting a stable trend. The stock is trading near resistance levels (R1: 449.74, R2: 455.123), with support at 432.313. Overall, the technical indicators suggest a positive trend.

Options Data

Bullish

Open Interest Put-Call Ratio

Bearish

Option Volume Put-Call Ratio

Technical Summary

Sell

Buy

Positive Catalysts

Strong Q3 2025 financial performance with revenue up 3.10% YoY, net income up 24.45% YoY, and EPS up 27.02% YoY.
Positive analyst sentiment with multiple Buy ratings and price targets ranging from $490 to $
Defensive growth stock with a high-quality project backlog and cyclical leverage to industrial production recovery.

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

Potential headwinds from weak industrial production in Europe and Asia.
Concerns about volume challenges in industrial gas and macroeconomic risks.

Financial Performance

In Q3 2025, Linde reported revenue of $8.615 billion, up 3.10% YoY. Net income grew by 24.45% YoY to $1.929 billion, and EPS increased by 27.02% to 4.09. Gross margin improved to 38.02%, up 4.51% YoY, showcasing robust financial health and operational efficiency.

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

Analysts are generally positive on Linde, with multiple Buy ratings and price targets ranging from $490 to $540. Citi recently raised its price target to $540, citing a better sales environment and a high-quality project backlog. UBS upgraded the stock to Buy, highlighting its defensive growth potential and attractive valuation.

17 Analyst Rating

Wall Street analysts forecast LIN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LIN is 499.07 USD with a low forecast of 455 USD and a high forecast of 540 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

15 Buy

2 Hold

0 Sell

Strong Buy

Current: 451.500

Low

455

Averages

499.07

High

540

Current: 451.500

Low

455

Averages

499.07

High

540

Citi

Buy

upgrade

$520 -> $540

AI Analysis

2026-01-21

Reason

Citi

Price Target

$520 -> $540

AI Analysis

2026-01-21

upgrade

Buy

Reason

Citi raised the firm's price target on Linde to $540 from $520 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the specialty chemicals group as part of a Q4 preview. Citi sees a better currency and sales environment for the sector, but with the potential for "fresh tariff risks."

RBC Capital

Arun Viswanathan

Outperform -> Outperform

downgrade

$540 -> $490

2025-12-12

Reason

RBC Capital

Arun Viswanathan

Price Target

$540 -> $490

2025-12-12

downgrade

Outperform -> Outperform

Reason

RBC Capital analyst Arun Viswanathan lowered the firm's price target on Linde to $490 from $540 but keeps an Outperform rating on the shares after attending the company's annual investor event. CEO Lambda hinted at his new Growth6 strategy, which may provide a needed third non-macro dependent element to ensure double-digit EPS growth, especially if European de-industrialization continues, global trade restrictions persist and the consumer remains pressured by declining affordability, the analyst tells investors in a research note. RBC adds that continued weak IP, with negative Europe, flattish Americas, and low-mid single digit Asia growth in 2026, could result in a 1%-3% EPS drag from volume headwinds.

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LIN Should I Buy

LIN Should I Buy

Should You Buy Linde PLC (LIN) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Technical Analysis

Options Data

Technical Summary

Positive Catalysts

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

Financial Performance

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

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