Linde plc LIN is set to report first-quarter 2026 results on May 1, before the opening bell.
Let us delve into the factors that are likely to have influenced the performance of this global industrial gas producer. However, before that, it would be worth reviewing LIN’s performance in the previous quarter.
Highlights of LIN’s Q4 Earnings & Surprise History
In the last reported quarter, Linde’s earnings of $4.20 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.18, driven by higher pricing and increased volumes from the Americas segment.
Linde’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 0.8%. This is depicted in the graph below:
Linde PLC Price and EPS Surprise
Linde PLC price-eps-surprise | Linde PLC Quote
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings per share is pegged at $4.27, with one upward and one downward revision in the past seven days. The bottom-line estimate implies an improvement of 8.1% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is pegged at $8.5 billion, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 4.95%.
LIN’s Key Factors to Note
Linde is a global leader in the production of industrial gases, such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and others that cater to a variety of end markets, including healthcare, manufacturing, chemicals & energy and food & beverage.
The company is expected to have sustained a stable performance in the to-be-reported quarter, supported by its long-term contracts with major on-site clients. Linde’s operations in resilient end markets, such as healthcare and food & beverage, along with its strong project backlog, are expected to have supported its earnings. The company’s earnings are expected to have been aided by a currency tailwind, as the U.S. dollar weakened against the euro between late January and March, as per the EUR/USD exchange rate data by the European Central Bank.
These factors are anticipated to have affected demand and pricing dynamics, potentially aiding Linde’s quarterly performance.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating profit in the Americas segment is pegged at $1.20 billion, up from $1.14 billion reported in the first quarter of 2025.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating profit from the Engineering business unit is pegged at $101 million, down from $114 million recorded a year ago.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Linde this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP : Linde’s Earnings ESP is +0.29%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank : The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are some other stocks that you may want to consider, as these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
Barrick Mining Corporation B is one of the largest gold mining companies globally, with exploration and production activities across five continents. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.60% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Barrick Mining is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on May 11. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 73 cents per share, suggesting a 108.6% increase from the prior-year reported figure.
Kinross Gold Corporation KGC is one of the top 10 gold mining companies in the world. The company currently has an Earnings ESP of +7.07% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Kinross is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on April 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KGC’s earnings is pegged at 68 cents per share, indicating a 126.7% increase from the prior-year reported figure.
Centerra Gold CGAU currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.53% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Centerra Gold is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on April 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 41 cents per share, indicating a 241.7% increase from the prior-year reported figure.
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Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).