Linde plc

• LIN Stock Price 24h change: -0.16%. From 443.63 USD to 442.90 USD.
• Linde's minor decline reflected a broader caution in the materials sector, primarily due to persistent industrial gas volume stagnation in Europe and weak demand from China, though pricing power remains a supportive factor.
• From a technical perspective, LIN presents a "Neutral to Bullish" outlook. The stock is currently trading above its 50-day moving average ($418.32) but remains below its 200-day moving average ($450.10). The 14-day RSI stands at 53.47, indicating a neutral momentum phase, while MACD (0.807) suggests a slight buy signal.
• Mar Vista Investment Partners highlighted LIN as a core holding despite a Q4 decline, citing its $10+ billion backlog in clean hydrogen and electronics as a foundation for long-term growth recovery.
• Nordea Investment Management increased its stake in Linde by 6.1% during the recent quarter, holding shares worth approximately $753 million, signaling continued institutional confidence.
• Analysts maintain a consensus "Buy" rating with an average 12-month price target of $499.25, following a slight quarterly EPS beat of $4.21 vs. $4.18 expected.
• Global construction chemicals leader Sika reported a 4.8% drop in annual sales, leading to a 7% share price plunge due to the ongoing property downturn in China and a strong Swiss franc impacting margins.
• The U.S. chemical industry outlook for 2026 remains challenged by overcapacity in basic materials and projected contraction in production volumes (0.2%), as high interest rates continue to dampen demand in automotive and residential construction sectors.

• LIN Stock Price 24h change: -0.09%. From 443.63 USD to 443.21 USD. Prices remained relatively stable as the market awaits the Q4 2025 earnings release and monitors institutional stake adjustments.
• From a technical perspective, the stock maintains a "Strong Buy" sentiment with the 14-day RSI at 63.11, indicating healthy upward momentum without being overbought. While trading above its 50-day moving average ($418.32), it faces resistance near its 200-day average ($450.10), suggesting a long-term consolidation phase within a bullish short-term recovery.
• Linde announced it will release its fourth quarter 2025 financial results on February 5, 2026, with analysts expecting an EPS of approximately $4.21.
• Institutional investors including Nordea Investment Management and Citizens Financial Group recently increased their holdings in LIN, signaling sustained confidence in the company's "Buy" rating and $500+ price targets.
• The industrial gases sector is navigating a "critical crossroads" in early 2026, as companies pivot toward hydrogen economy infrastructure and carbon capture technologies to drive long-term growth.
• Global energy markets face downward pressure as the EIA forecasts WTI crude prices to fall below $50/bbl by late 2026 due to oversupply, potentially impacting input costs and demand dynamics for industrial gas engineering projects.