ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with its consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Page
Business Overview
Executive Summary – Financial Results & Outlook
Consolidated Results and Other Information
Segment Discussion
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Financial Data
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Critical Accounting Estimates
New Accounting Standards
Fair Value Measurements
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Supplemental Guarantee Information
Table of Contents
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
The company's primary products in its industrial gases business are atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases) and process gases (hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, electronic gases, specialty gases, acetylene). The company also designs, engineers, and builds equipment that produces industrial gases and offers its customers a wide range of gas production and processing services such as olefin plants, natural gas plants, air separation plants, hydrogen and synthesis gas plants and other types of plants.
Linde’s industrial gas operations are managed on a geographical basis and in 2025 90% of sales were generated by Linde's three geographic segments (Americas, EMEA and APAC) and the remaining 10% were related largely to the Engineering segment, and to a lesser extent Other (see Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for operating segment details).
Linde serves a diverse group of industries including healthcare, chemicals and energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, food and beverage, and electronics. The diversity of end-markets supports financial stability for Linde in varied business cycles.
Linde's industrial gas business generates most of its revenues and earnings in the following geographies where the company has its strongest market positions and where distribution and production operations allow the company to deliver the highest level of service to its customers at the lowest cost.
North and South America ("Americas")
Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)
Asia and Pacific
(“APAC”)
United States
Germany
China
Brazil
United Kingdom
Australia
Mexico
Eastern Europe
South Korea
Canada
India
The company manufactures and distributes its industrial gas products through networks of thousands of production plants, pipeline complexes, distribution centers and delivery vehicles. Major pipeline complexes are primarily located in the United States and China. These networks are a competitive advantage, providing the foundation of reliable product supply to the company’s customer base. The majority of Linde’s business is conducted through long-term contracts which provide stability in cash flow and the ability to pass through changes in energy and feedstock costs to customers. The company has growth opportunities in all major geographies and in diverse end-markets such as healthcare, chemicals and energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, food and beverage, and electronics.
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – FINANCIAL RESULTS & OUTLOOK
2025 Year in review
• Sales of $33,986 million were 3% above 2024 sales of $33,005 million. Sales increased 2% from higher price attainment primarily in the Americas and EMEA segments. Acquisitions increased sales by 1% largely in APAC and Americas. Sales from volumes were flat as base volume declines were largely offset by new project start-ups. Currency translation and cost pass-through, representing the contractual billing of energy cost variances primarily to onsite customers, were flat.
• Reported operating profit of $8,923 million was 3% above 2024 reported operating profit of $8,635 million. Adjusted operating profit of $10,137 million was 4% above 2024 adjusted operating profit of $9,720 million. The increase in the reported and adjusted operating profit was primarily driven by higher pricing and savings from productivity initiatives in 2025. These increases more than offset the adverse impacts of cost inflation.*
• Net income - Linde plc of $6,898 million and diluted earnings per share of $14.61 increased from $6,565 million and $13.62, respectively, in 2024. Adjusted net income - Linde plc of $7,772 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $16.46 were 4% and 6%, respectively, above 2024 adjusted amounts.*
• Cash flow from operations of $10,350 million was $927 million above 2024. The increase was driven primarily by higher net income and lower net working capital requirements. Capital expenditures were $5,261 million; dividends paid were $2,811 million; net purchases of ordinary shares were $4,578 million; and debt borrowings, net were $2,911 million.
*A reconciliation of the adjusted amounts can be found in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section in this MD&A.
2026 Outlook
Linde provides quarterly updates on operating results, material trends that may affect financial performance, and financial guidance via earnings releases and investor teleconferences. These materials are available on the company’s website, www.linde.com, but are not incorporated herein.
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS AND OTHER INFORMATION
The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For the discussion comparing the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, refer to Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The following table provides summary information for 2025 and 2024. The reported amounts are GAAP amounts from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The adjusted amounts are intended to supplement investors' understanding of the company's financial information and are not a substitute for GAAP measures.
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Reported Amounts
Sales
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
As a percent of sales
Selling, general and administrative
As a percent of sales
Depreciation and amortization
Cost reduction program and other charges (a)
Other income (expense) - net
Operating profit
Operating margin
Interest expense - net
Net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost
Effective tax rate
Income from equity investments
Noncontrolling interests
Net Income – Linde plc
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted shares outstanding
Number of employees
Adjusted Amounts (b)
Depreciation and amortization
Operating profit
Operating margin
Net Income – Linde plc
Diluted earnings per share
Other Financial Data (b)
EBITDA
As percent of sales
Adjusted EBITDA
As percent of sales
(a) See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
(b) Adjusted amounts and Other Financial Data are non-GAAP performance measures. A reconciliation of reported amounts to adjusted amounts can be found in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Table of Contents
Results of Operations
The following table provides a summary of changes in consolidated sales:
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Volume
Price/Mix
Cost pass-through
Currency
Acquisitions/Divestitures
Engineering
2025 Compared With 2024
Sales
Linde sales increased $981 million, or 3%, for the 2025 year versus 2024. Sales grew 2% from higher price attainment. Acquisitions increased sales by 1% during the year. Volumes were flat, as new project start-ups were largely offset by base volume declines. Currency translation and cost pass-through, representing the contractual billing of energy cost variances primarily to onsite customers, were flat.
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased $246 million, or 1%, for the year primarily due to cost inflation partially offset by productivity gains. Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, was 51.2% and 51.9% of sales, in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily due to higher pricing and productivity gains.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") increased $96 million, or 3%, from $3,337 million in 2024 to $3,433 million in 2025. SG&A was 10.1% of sales in 2025 and 2024. SG&A increased in 2025 due to acquisitions and cost inflation, partially offset by savings from cost reduction programs and productivity initiatives.
Depreciation and amortization
Reported depreciation and amortization expense decreased $17 million versus 2024. The decrease was due to lower depreciation and amortization of assets acquired in the merger, partially offset by the net impact of new project start-ups.
On an adjusted basis, depreciation and amortization expense increased $129 million, or 5%, versus 2024, driven largely by new project start-ups.
Cost reduction program and other charges
Cost reduction program and other charges include global severance charges of $308 million largely related to Engineering, and other benefits of $35 million largely related to a divestiture. 2024 includes severance charges of $165 million, other charges of $23 million and other benefit of $43 million related to a divestiture.
On an adjusted basis, these charges have been excluded in both periods.
Other income (expense) - net
Reported other income (expense) - net was an expense of $58 million in 2025 and a benefit of $185 million in 2024. In 2025, other expense included a charge of $164 million for merger-related purchase accounting impacts. In 2024, other income included a benefit of $41 million related to a settlement with a supplier in the Americas and $45 million in insurance recoveries primarily within the Other segment (Note 7).
On an adjusted basis, which excludes merger-related purchase accounting impacts, other income (expense) - net decreased $96 million from income of $202 million in 2024 to income of $106 million in 2025.
Operating profit
Table of Contents
On a reported basis, operating profit increased $288 million in 2025, or 3%. The increase was primarily driven by higher pricing and savings from productivity initiatives which more than offset the adverse impacts of cost inflation, and higher cost reduction program and other charges.
On an adjusted basis, which excludes the merger-related purchase accounting impacts as well as cost reduction program and other charges, operating profit increased $417 million, or 4%, for 2025 versus 2024. Operating profit growth was driven by higher pricing and productivity initiatives, which more than offset the effects of cost inflation during 2025. A discussion of operating profit by segment is included in the segment discussion that follows.
Interest expense - net
Reported interest expense – net was an expense of $255 in 2025 and $256 in 2024.
Net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost
Reported net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost were benefits of $229 million and $190 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase primarily relates to lower interest cost due to lower benefit obligations and higher amortization of deferred gains year-over-year. (see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements).
Effective tax rate
The reported effective tax rate ("ETR") for 2025 was 22.4% versus 23.4% in 2024. The decrease in the rate was primarily due to a tax rate decrease in Germany including merger-related purchase accounting impacts, partially offset by tax benefits in 2024 from a repatriation that did not recur in 2025. The benefit related to the tax rate decrease in Germany was $158 million.
On an adjusted basis, the ETR for 2025 was 23.7% versus 23.4% in 2024. The increase in the rate is largely due to tax benefits from a repatriation in 2024 that did not recur in 2025, partially offset by a tax rate decrease in Germany excluding merger-related purchase accounting impacts.
On July 4, 2025, H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted into law (OBBBA). The Bill makes permanent key elements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including 100% bonus depreciation and domestic research cost expensing. These changes provide current and future cash tax benefits to the company. OBBBA did not have a material impact to 2025 results.
Income from equity investments
Reported income from equity investments for 2025 was $150 million as compared to $170 million in 2024. On an adjusted basis, income from equity investments for 2025 was $228 million versus $242 million in 2024.
Noncontrolling interests
At December 31, 2025, noncontrolling interests consisted primarily of noncontrolling shareholders’ investments in APAC (primarily in China). Reported noncontrolling interests decreased $12 million, from $172 million in 2024 to $160 million in 2025. 2024 noncontrolling interests income included the impact of a divestiture in the APAC segment.
Adjusted noncontrolling interests increased $3 million in 2025 as compared to 2024.
Net Income - Linde plc
Reported net income - Linde plc increased $333 million, or 5%. On an adjusted basis, which excludes merger-related purchase accounting impacts and cost reduction program and other charges, net income - Linde plc increased $297 million, or 4%, in 2025 versus 2024. On both a reported and adjusted basis, the increase was driven by higher operating profit.
Diluted earnings per share
Reported diluted earnings per share increased $0.99, or 7%, in 2025 as compared to 2024. On an adjusted basis, diluted EPS of $16.46 in 2025 increased $0.95 versus 2024. The increase on both a reported and adjusted basis was primarily due to higher net income - Linde plc and lower diluted shares outstanding.
Employees
The number of employees at December 31, 2025 was 65,177, a decrease of 112 employees from 2024, primarily driven by the impact of ongoing cost reduction programs partially offset by acquisitions.
Other Financial Data
EBITDA increased to $12,836 million in 2025 from $12,585 million in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $13,351 million for 2025 as compared to $12,819 million in 2024. The increase on both a reported and adjusted basis was driven by higher net income - Linde plc versus prior year.
Table of Contents
See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section for definitions and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to reported GAAP amounts.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2025 was income of $693 million that resulted primarily from currency translation adjustments of $646 million. The translation adjustments reflect the impact of translating local currency foreign subsidiary financial statements to U.S. dollars, and are largely driven by the movement of the U.S. dollar against major currencies including the Euro and British pound. See the "Currency" section of the MD&A for exchange rates used for translation purposes and Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of the currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by segment.
Related Party Transactions
The company’s related parties are primarily unconsolidated equity affiliates. The company did not engage in any material transactions involving related parties that included terms or other aspects that differ from those which would be negotiated with independent parties.
Environmental Matters
Linde’s principal operations relate to the production and distribution of atmospheric and other industrial gases, many of which are used to help customers reduce their emissions. The production and distribution of industrial gases, however, is energy intensive resulting in significant greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions. Given its own carbon footprint, and the opportunities its gases provide for carbon productivity and energy transition, climate change is an area of significant impact for Linde.
Linde operates in jurisdictions that have, or are developing, laws and/or regulations to reduce or mitigate the adverse effects of GHG emissions and therefore faces a highly uncertain regulatory environment in this area. Linde continues to evaluate emerging regulatory changes and assess appropriate responses. For example, hydrogen production plants and other manufacturing and electricity-generating plants have been identified as sources of carbon dioxide emissions and are subject to carbon taxation or cap-and-trade regulations in jurisdictions including California, China, Singapore and the European Union impacting both Linde and its customers. Linde believes it will be able to mitigate the costs of these regulations through the terms of its product supply contracts. However, legislation that limits GHG emissions may impact growth by increasing capital, compliance, operating and maintenance costs and/or decreasing demand.
To manage business risks from current and potential GHG emission regulation as well as physical risks associated with climate change, Linde actively monitors emerging developments, evaluates the direct and indirect business risks, and takes appropriate actions. Among others, actions include: increasing relevant resources and training; maintaining contingency plans; obtaining advice and counsel from expert vendors, insurance providers and industry experts; incorporating GHG provisions in commercial agreements; and conducting regular reviews of the business risks with management. Although there are considerable uncertainties, Linde believes that the business risk from potential regulations can be effectively managed through its commercial contracts. Additionally, Linde’s plant design, operations, and risk management teams are engaged to manage and mitigate losses from physical climate change, and the company does not anticipate material effects regarding its plant operations or business arising from potential physical risks of climate change.
At the same time, external factors may provide Linde with future business opportunities. Linde anticipates continued growth in clean hydrogen sales due to increased focus on decarbonization projects. Other factors include governmental regulation of GHG and other emissions; uncertain costs of energy and certain natural resources; the development of renewable energy alternatives; and new technologies that help extract natural gas, improve air quality, increase energy efficiency and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Linde continues to develop new applications that can help customers lower emissions by reducing energy consumption and increasing product throughput. Linde’s oxyfuel combustion technology is a significant advancement in industrial combustion processes offering enhanced efficiency, higher productivity, reduced emissions and effective carbon capture solutions across various industries including metals, glass, refining and chemicals processes. Stricter regulation of water quality in emerging economies such as China provide a growing market for a number of gases, e.g., oxygen for wastewater treatment. Increased concern about drought in areas such as California and Australia may create additional markets for carbon dioxide for desalination. Renewable fuel standards in the European Union and U.S. can create a market for second-generation biofuels which use industrial gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
Linde continuously seeks opportunities to optimize energy use and reduce GHG emissions through research and development in customer applications and operational energy efficiency, sourcing low-carbon energy, and purchasing hydrogen as a chemical byproduct where feasible. Linde tracks GHG emission performance versus targets and reports regularly to business management and the Sustainability Committee of Linde's Board of Directors. The Sustainability
Table of Contents
Committee is responsible for oversight of the company's programs and policies related to environmental matters, including climate change, greenhouse gas reduction goals and decarbonization and clean energy efforts.
Costs Relating to the Protection of the Environment
The environmental protection costs incurred in 2025 were not significant. Linde anticipates that future annual environmental protection expenditures will be similar to 2025, subject to any significant changes in existing laws and regulations.
Legal Proceedings
See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for information concerning legal proceedings.
Retirement Benefits
Pensions
The net periodic benefit cost (benefit) was a benefit of $147 million, $106 million and $80 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The funded status (pension benefit obligation ("PBO") less the fair value of plan assets) for the U.S. plans was a surplus of $169 million and $86 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The funded status for non-U.S. plans was a surplus of $615 million and $464 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During 2025, the U.S. and non-U.S. plans derived a benefit from plan asset performance and currency translation impacts, partially offset by actuarial losses due to discount rate environment.
Global pension contributions were $25 million in 2025, $35 million in 2024, and $46 million in 2023. At a minimum, Linde contributes to its pension plans to comply with local regulatory requirements (e.g., ERISA in the U.S.). Discretionary contributions in excess of the local minimum requirements are made based on many factors, including long-term projections of the plans' funded status, the economic environment, potential risk of overfunding, pension insurance costs and alternative uses of cash. Changes to these factors can impact the timing of discretionary contributions from year to year. Estimated required cash contributions for 2026 are currently expected to be in the range of $25 million to $35 million.
Linde assumes expected returns on plan assets for 2026 of 7.00% and 6.01% f or the U.S. and non-U.S. plans, respectively, which are consistent with the long-term expected returns on its investment portfolios.
Excluding the impact of any settlements, 2026 consolidated pension expense is expected to be a benefit of approximately $136 million. The benefit derived from the expected return on assets assumption for Linde's most significant plans is anticipated to more than offset the expense from service and interest cost accruals and the higher amortization of deferred losses.
Refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion of the company’s retirement benefits, including a description of the various retirement plans and the assumptions used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost (benefit) and funded status.
Insurance
Linde purchases insurance to limit a variety of property and casualty risks, including those related to property, business interruption, third-party liability and workers’ compensation. Currently, the company self retains up to $10 million per occurrence for vehicle liability and $5 million per occurrence for workers' compensation and general liability in the United States. Linde has a captive insurance company that provides coverage for property damage resulting from fire, flood and other perils and business interruption up to $50 million per event, and $100 million, in the annual aggregate, of losses above local deductibles (ranging from $5 to $7.5 million per event) at the group's sites globally. To mitigate the risk of losses above these self retention levels, the company purchases catastrophic insurance coverage from highly rated insurance companies.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the company had recorded a total of $84 million and $80 million, respectively, representing an estimate of the retained liability for the ultimate cost of claims incurred and unpaid as of the balance sheet dates. The estimated liability is established using statistical analysis and is based upon historical experience, actuarial assumptions and professional judgment. These estimates are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency and are subject to a significant degree of inherent variability. If actual claims differ from the company’s estimates, they will be adjusted at that time and financial results could be impacted.
Table of Contents
Linde recognizes estimated insurance proceeds relating to damages at the time of loss only to the extent of incurred losses. Any insurance recoveries for business interruption and for property damages in excess of the net book value of the property are recognized only when realized or pending payments confirmed by its insurance companies.
SEGMENT DISCUSSION
Linde’s operations consist of two major product lines: industrial gases and engineering. As further described in the following paragraph, Linde’s industrial gases operations are managed on a geographic basis, which represents three of the company's reportable segments - Americas, EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa), and APAC (Asia/South Pacific); a fourth reportable segment, which represents the company's Engineering business, designs and manufactures equipment for air separation and other industrial gas applications specifically for end customers and is managed on a worldwide basis operating in all geographic segments. Other consists of corporate costs and a few smaller businesses which individually do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate presentation.
The industrial gases product line centers on the manufacturing and distribution of atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases) and process gases (hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, electronic gases, specialty gases, acetylene). Many of these products are co-products of the same manufacturing process. Linde manufactures and distributes nearly all of its products and manages its customer relationships on a regional basis. Linde’s industrial gases are distributed to various end-markets within a regional segment through one of three basic distribution methods: on-site or tonnage; merchant or bulk; and packaged or cylinder gases. The distribution methods are generally integrated in order to best meet the customer’s needs and very few of its products can be economically transported outside of a region. Therefore, the distribution economics are specific to the various geographies in which the company operates and are consistent with how management assesses performance.
The company’s measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes is segment operating profit. Segment operating profit is defined as operating profit excluding purchase accounting impacts of the Linde AG merger, cost reduction program and other charges, and items not indicative of ongoing business trends. This is the manner in which the company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") assesses performance and allocates resources.
The table below presents sales and operating profit information about reportable segments and Other for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
(Millions of dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Sales
Americas
EMEA
APAC
Engineering
Other
Total sales
Operating Profit
Americas
EMEA
APAC
Engineering
Other
Segment operating profit
Reconciliation to reported operating profit:
Cost reduction program and other charges (Note 3)
Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG
Total operating profit
Table of Contents
Americas
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Variance
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
As a percent of sales
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Volume
Price/Mix
Cost pass-through
Currency
Acquisitions/Divestitures
The Americas segment includes Linde’s industrial gases operations in approximately 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Sales
Sales for the Americas segment increased $766 million, or 5%, in 2025 versus 2024. Higher pricing contributed 3% to sales. Volumes increased sales by 1% primarily driven by electronics, metals and mining, and chemicals and energy end markets including project start-ups. Cost pass-through increased sales by 1% with minimal impact on operating profit. The impact of net acquisitions increased sales by 1%. Currency translation decreased sales by 1% driven primarily by the weakening of the Brazilian real and Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar.
Operating Profit
Operating profit in the Americas segment increased $197 million, or 4%, in 2025 versus 2024 driven primarily by higher pricing and continued productivity initiatives, which more than offset cost inflation. 2024 included a settlement gain with a supplier.
EMEA
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Variance
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
As a percent of sales
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Volume
Price/Mix
Cost pass-through
Currency
Acquisitions/Divestitures
Table of Contents
The EMEA segment includes Linde's industrial gases operations in approximately 50 European, Middle Eastern, and African countries including Germany, the U.K., France, Sweden and the Republic of South Africa.
Sales
EMEA segment sales increased $197 million, or 2%, in 2025 versus 2024. Currency translation increased sales by 3% driven primarily by the strengthening of the Euro and British pound against the U.S. dollar . Higher price attainment increased sales by 2%. Cost pass-through was flat. Volumes decreased sales by 3% primarily driven by the metals and mining, manufacturing, and chemicals and energy end markets.
Operating Profit
Operating Profit for the EMEA segment increased $275 million, or 10%, in 2025 versus 2024. The increase was driven primarily by higher pricing, currency translation, and continued productivity initiatives, partially offset by lower volumes.
APAC
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Variance
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
As a percent of sales
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Volume
Price/Mix
Cost pass-through
Currency
Acquisitions/Divestitures
The APAC segment includes Linde's industrial gases operations in approximately 15 Asian and South Pacific countries and regions including China, Australia, India and South Korea.
Sales
Sales for the APAC segment were flat in 2025 versus 2024. Acquisitions increased sales by 2%. Volumes decreased sales by 1%. Currency translation decreased sales by 1% primarily due to the weakening of the Australian dollar and Korean won against the U.S. dollar . Cost pass-through and pricing were flat.
Operating Profit
Operating profit in the APAC segment increased $15 million, or 1%, in 2025 versus 2024. The increase was primarily driven by productivity initiatives and acquisitions, partially offset by cost inflation, lower volumes, and currency translation.
Engineering
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Variance
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
As a percent of sales
Table of Contents
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Currency
Other
Sales
Engineering segment sales decreased $72 million, or 3%, in 2025 versus 2024 driven by project timing. Currency translation increased sales by 3%, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar.
Operating profit
Engineering segment operating profit decreased $2 million, or 1%, in 2025 versus 2024, as declines driven by project timing were largely offset by currency translation impacts.
Other
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Variance
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
As a percent of sales
% Change
Factors Contributing to Changes - Sales
Volume/Price
Currency
Acquisitions/Divestitures
Other consists of corporate costs and a few smaller businesses including: Linde Advanced Materials Technology ("LAMT") and global helium wholesale; which individually do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate presentation.
Sales
Sales for Other increased $61 million, or 5%, in 2025 versus 2024. Underlying s ales increased 4% in 2025 versus 2024 primarily due to higher volumes in LAMT partially offset by helium. Currency translation increased sales by 1% in 2025 versus 2024.
Operating profit
Operating profit in Other decreased $68 million, or 110%, in 2025 versus 2024. The decrease was driven by helium and an insurance recovery in 2024, partially offset by LAMT volumes and continued productivity initiatives .
Currency
The results of Linde’s non-U.S. operations are translated to the company’s reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, from the functional currencies used in the countries in which the company operates. For most foreign operations, Linde uses the local currency as its functional currency. There is inherent variability and unpredictability in the relationship of these functional currencies to the U.S. dollar and such currency movements may materially impact Linde’s results of operations in any given period.
Table of Contents
To help understand the reported results, the following is a summary of the significant currencies underlying Linde’s consolidated results and the exchange rates used to translate the financial statements (rates of exchange expressed in units of local currency per U.S. dollar):
Percentage of 2025 Consolidated Sales
Exchange Rate for Statements of Income
Exchange Rate for Balance Sheet
Average Year Ended December 31,
December 31,
Currency
Euro
Chinese yuan
British pound
Brazilian real
Australian dollar
Mexican peso
Korean won
Canadian dollar
Indian rupee
Swedish krona
South African rand
Swiss franc
Table of Contents
LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
(Millions of dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
Net Cash Provided by (Used for)
Operating Activities
Net income (including noncontrolling interests)
Non-cash charges (credits):
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net of payments (a)
Add: Depreciation and amortization
Add (Less): Deferred income taxes
Add (Less): Non-cash charges and other
Net income adjusted for non-cash charges and other
Less: Pension contributions
Add (Less): Working capital
Add (Less): Other
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Divestitures, net of cash divested and asset sales
Other investing, net
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
Financing Activities
Debt increases (decreases) – net
Issuances (purchases) of ordinary shares – net
Cash dividends – Linde plc shareholders
Noncontrolling interest transactions and other
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Cash and cash equivalents, end-of-period
(a) See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Cash increased $206 million in 2025 versus 2024. The primary sources of cash in 2025 were cash flows from operations of $10,350 million and net debt borrowings of $2,911 million. The primary uses of cash included capital expenditures of $5,261 million, net purchases of ordinary shares of $4,578 million, and cash dividends to shareholders of $2,811 million.
2025 compared with 2024
Cash Flows From Operations
Cash flows from operations were $10,350 million, an increase of $927 million from 2024. The increase was driven primarily by higher net income adjusted for non-cash charges and lower net working capital requirements, including higher inflows for contract liabilities from engineering customer advance payments when compared with 2024.
Investing
Net cash used for investing activities was $5,721 million in 2025 compared to $4,644 million in 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher capital expenditures.
Capital expenditures in 2025 were $5,261 million, an increase of $764 million from 2024. Capital expenditures during 2025 related primarily to investments in new plant and production equipment for backlog growth requirements.
Table of Contents
Approximately 60% of the capital expenditures were in the Americas segment with 21% in the APAC segment and the rest largely in the EMEA segment.
At December 31, 2025, Linde's sale of gas backlog of large projects under construction was approximately $7.3 billion. This represents the total estimated capital cost of large plants under construction.
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired for 2025 were $412 million, an increase of $95 million from 2024. In 2025, acquisitions were primarily related to the EMEA and APAC segments. Acquisitions in the prior year were $317 million, primarily related to packaged gas businesses in the Americas (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).
Divestitures, net of cash divested and asset sales in 2025 were $42 million compared with $170 million in 2024. Divestiture proceeds in 2024 included $69 million in net proceeds for a divestiture in APAC and a settlement with a supplier in the Americas.
Other investing, net for 2025 was an outflow of $90 million and relates to the cash settlement of foreign exchange contracts designated in a net investment hedging relationship. There were no cash settlements in 2024.
Financing
Linde’s financing strategy is to secure long-term committed funding by issuing public notes and debentures and commercial paper backed by a long-term bank credit agreement. Linde’s international operations are funded through a combination of local borrowing and intercompany funding to minimize the total cost of funds and to manage and centralize currency exchange exposures. As deemed necessary, Linde manages its exposure to interest-rate changes through the use of financial derivatives (see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements and Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk).
Cash used for financing activities was $4,554 million in 2025 as compared to $4,359 million in 2024. Cash provided by debt was $2,911 million in 2025 versus $3,167 million in 2024, driven primarily by lower net debt issuances in 2025 partially offset by higher commercial paper issuances. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, Linde issued €4,000 million Euro-denominated notes and CHF500 million Swiss-franc denominated notes, and redeemed or repaid $1,000 million U.S. dollar-denominated notes and €1,000 million Euro denominated notes (see Note 11).
Net purchases of ordinary shares were $4,578 million in 2025 versus $4,451 million in 2024. For additional information related to share repurchase programs, see Part II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Cash dividends increased to $2,811 million in 2025 versus $2,655 million in 2024 driven primarily by an 8% increase in dividends per share to $6.00 per share from $5.56 per share, partially offset by lower shares outstanding. Cash used for Noncontrolling interest transactions and other was $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 versus cash used of $420 million for the respective 2024 period, driven primarily by cash inflows from financing related derivatives and the collection of notes receivable from the sale of the Company's GIST business (see Note 7).
Linde’s total net debt outstanding at December 31, 2025 was $21,933 million, $5,160 million higher than $16,773 million at December 31, 2024, and included higher foreign currency translation impacts of approximately $2,400 million. The December 31, 2025 net debt balance includes $26,388 million in public securities, and $601 million representing primarily worldwide bank borrowings, net of $5,056 million of cash. Linde’s global effective borrowing rate was approximately 2.3% for 2025.
The company believes that it has sufficient operating flexibility, cash reserves, and funding sources to maintain adequate amounts of liquidity to meet its business needs around the world. At December 31, 2025, Linde's credit ratings as reported by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s were A-1 and P-1 for short-term debt, respectively, and A and A2 for long-term debt, respectively. The company maintains a $5 billion and a $1.5 billion unsecured and undrawn revolving credit agreement with no associated financial covenants. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit agreements as of December 31, 2025. The company does not anticipate any limitations on its ability to access the debt capital markets and/or other external funding sources and remains committed to its strong ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.
Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements includes information with respect to the company’s debt activity, current debt position, debt covenants and the available credit facilities; and Note 12 includes information relating to derivative financial instruments. Linde's credit facilities are with major financial institutions and are non-cancelable until maturity. Therefore, the company believes the risk of the financial institutions being unable to make required loans under the credit facilities, if requested, to be low. Linde’s major bank credit and long-term debt agreements contain standard covenants. The company was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2025 and expects to remain in compliance for the foreseeable future.
Table of Contents
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As discussed in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements, at December 31, 2025, Linde had undrawn outstanding letters of credit, bank guarantees and surety bonds entered into in connection with normal business operations and they are not reasonably likely to have a material impact on Linde’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to understanding Linde’s financial statements and accompanying notes prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Their application places significant importance on management’s judgment as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Linde’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected if actual results differ from estimates made. These policies are determined by management and have been reviewed by Linde’s Audit Committee.
Revenue Recognition
Long-Term Construction Contracts
The company designs and manufactures equipment for air separation and other varied gas production and processing plants manufactured specifically for end customers. Revenues for sale of equipment contracts are generally recognized over time as Linde has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date and performance does not create an asset with alternative use. For contracts recognized over time, revenue is recognized primarily using a cost incurred input method. Costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion are used to measure progress toward satisfying performance obligations. The result is applied to total expected revenue and results in financial statement recognition of revenue in addition to costs incurred to date. Any expected loss on a contract is recognized as an expense immediately. Contract modifications are typically accounted for as part of the existing contract and are recognized as a cumulative adjustment for the inception-to-date effect of such change. We assess performance as progress towards completion is achieved on specific projects, earnings will be impacted by changes to our forecast of revenues and costs on these projects.
The cost incurred input method places considerable importance on accurate estimates of the extent of progress towards completion and may involve estimates on the scope of deliveries and services required to fulfill the contractually defined obligations. The key source of estimation uncertainty is the total estimated costs at completion including material, labor and overhead costs and the resultant state of completion of the contracts. There are inherent uncertainties associated with the estimation process, including technical complexity, duration of construction cycle, potential cost inflation (whether equipment or manpower), and scope considerations all of which may affect the total estimation process. Changes in these estimates may lead to a significant impact on future financial statements.
Pension Benefits
Pension benefits represent financial obligations that will be ultimately settled in the future with employees who meet eligibility requirements. Because of the uncertainties involved in estimating the timing and amount of future payments, significant estimates are required to calculate pension expense and liabilities related to the company’s plans. The company utilizes the services of independent actuaries, whose models are used to facilitate these calculations.
Several key assumptions are used in actuarial models to calculate pension expense and liability amounts recorded in the financial statements. Management believes the three most significant variables in the models are the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate, and the expected rate of compensation increase. The actuarial models also use assumptions for various other factors, including long-term inflation rates, employee turnover, retirement age, and mortality. Linde management believes the assumptions used in the actuarial calculations are reasonable, reflect the company’s experience and expectations for the future and are within accepted practices in each of the respective geographic locations in which it operates. Actual results in any given year will often differ from actuarial assumptions because of economic and other factors. The sensitivities to each of the key assumptions presented below exclude the impact of special items that occurred during the year.
The weighted-average expected long-term rates of return on pension plan assets were 7.00% for U.S. plans and 6.01% for non-U.S. plans at December 31, 2025 (7.00% and 6.02%, respectively at December 31, 2024). The expected long-term rate of return on the U.S. and Non-U.S. plan assets is estimated based on the plans' investment strategy and asset allocation, historical capital market performance and, to a lesser extent, historical plan performance. A 0.50% change in these expected long-term rates of return, with all other assumptions held constant, would change Linde’s pension expense by approximately $45 million.
Table of Contents
The company has consistently used a market-related value of assets rather than the fair value at the measurement date to determine annual pension expense. The market-related value recognizes investment gains or losses over a five-year period. As a result, changes in the fair value of assets from year to year are not immediately reflected in the company’s annual pension expense. Instead, annual pension expense in future periods will be impacted as deferred investment gains or losses are recognized in the market-related value of assets over the five-year period. The consolidated market-related value of assets was $9,245 million, or $334 million higher than the fair value of assets of $8,911 million at December 31, 2025. These net deferred investment losses of $334 million will be recognized in the calculation of the market-related value of assets ratably over the next four years and will impact future pension expense. Future actual investment gains or losses will impact the market-related value of assets and, therefore, will impact future annual pension expense in a similar manner.
Discount rates are used to calculate the present value of plan liabilities and pension costs and are determined annually by management. The company measures the service and interest cost components of pension and OPEB expense for significant U.S. and non-U.S. plans using the spot rate approach. U.S. plans that do not use the spot rate approach continue to determine discount rates by using a cash flow matching model provided by the company's independent actuaries. The model includes a portfolio of corporate bonds graded AA or better by at least half of the ratings agencies and matches the U.S. plans' projected cash flows to the calculated spot rates. Discount rates for the remaining Non-U.S. plans are based on market yields for high-quality fixed income investments representing the approximate duration of the pension liabilities on the measurement date. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of the discount rates used to calculate plan liabilities and benefit costs, and to the Retirement Benefits section of the Consolidated Results and Other Information section of this MD&A for a further discussion of 2025 benefit costs. A 0.50% reduction in discount rates, with all other variables held constant, would increase Linde’s pension expense by approximately $3 million, whereas a 0.50% increase in discount rates would result in a decrease of $4 million. A 0.50% reduction in discount rates would increase the PBO by approximately $433 million whereas a 0.50% increase in discount rates would have a favorable impact to the PBO of approximately $394 million.
The weighted-average expected rate of compensation increase was 3.50% for U.S. plans and 2.53% for non-U.S. plans at December 31, 2025 (3.50% and 2.55%, respectively, at December 31, 2024). The estimated annual compensation increase is determined by management every year and is based on historical trends and market indices. A 0.50% change in the expected rate of compensation increase, with all other variables held constant, would change Linde’s pension expense by approximately $3 million and would impact the PBO by approximately $25 million.
Asset Impairments
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles Assets
At December 31, 2025, the company had goodwill of $27,927 million and $1,826 million of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill represents the aggregate of the excess consideration paid for acquired businesses over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Indefinite-lived other intangibles relate to the Linde name.
The company performs a goodwill impairment test annually as of October 1 or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred. The impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2025 indicated no impairment. At December 31, 2025, Linde’s enterprise value was approximately $220 billion (outstanding shares multiplied by the year-end stock price plus net debt, and without any control premium) while its total capital was approximately $62 billion.
The impairment test allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than carrying value. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than carrying value then the company will estimate and compare the fair value of its reporting units to their carrying value, including goodwill. Reporting units are determined based on one level below the operating segment level.
Management believes that the quantitative and qualitative factors used to perform its annual goodwill impairment assessment are appropriate and reasonable. Although the 2025 assessment indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, changes in circumstances or conditions affecting this analysis could have a significant impact on the fair value determination, which could then result in a material impairment charge to the company's results of operations.
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, and no impairments were indicated.
See Notes 9 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
Table of Contents
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived other intangible assets, are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an individual asset or asset group may not be recoverable. For purposes of this test, asset groups are determined based upon the lowest level for which there are independent and identifiable cash flows. Based upon Linde's business model an asset group may be a single plant and related assets used to support on-site, merchant and packaged gas customers. Alternatively, the asset group may be a collection of distribution related assets (cylinders, distribution centers, and stores) or be a pipeline complex which includes multiple interdependent plants and related assets connected by pipelines within a geographic area used to support the same distribution methods.
Income Taxes
At December 31, 2025, Linde had deferred tax assets of $1,284 million (net of valuation allowances of $151 million), and deferred tax liabilities of $6,417 million. At December 31, 2025, uncertain tax positions totaled $315 million (see Note 1 and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements). Income tax expense was $1,989 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, or about 22.4% of pre-tax income (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to taxes).
In the preparation of consolidated financial statements, Linde estimates income taxes based on diverse legislative and regulatory structures that exist in various jurisdictions where the company conducts business. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent tax benefits or obligations that arise from temporary differences due to differing treatment of certain items for accounting and income tax purposes. Linde evaluates deferred tax assets each period to ensure that estimated future taxable income will be sufficient in character (e.g. capital gain versus ordinary income treatment), amount and timing to result in their recovery. A valuation allowance is established when management determines that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized to reduce the assets to their realizable value. Considerable judgments are required in establishing deferred tax valuation allowances and in assessing exposures related to tax matters. As events and circumstances change, related reserves and valuation allowances are adjusted to income at that time. Linde’s tax returns are subject to audit and local taxing authorities could challenge the company’s tax positions. The company’s practice is to review tax filing positions by jurisdiction and to record provisions for uncertain income tax positions, including interest and penalties when applicable. Linde believes it records and/or discloses such potential tax liabilities as appropriate and has reasonably estimated its income tax liabilities and recoverable tax assets. If new information becomes available, adjustments are charged or credited against income at that time. Management does not anticipate that such adjustments would have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, it is possible that the final outcomes could have a material impact on the company’s reported results of operations.
Contingencies
The company accrues liabilities for non-income tax contingencies when management believes that a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized or realizable. If new information becomes available or losses are sustained in excess of recorded amounts, adjustments are charged against income at that time. Management does not anticipate that in the aggregate such losses would have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, it is possible that the final outcomes could have a material impact on the company’s reported results of operations.
Linde is subject to various claims, legal proceedings and government investigations that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. These actions are based upon alleged environmental, tax, antitrust and personal injury claims, among others (see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements). Such contingencies are significant and the accounting requires considerable management judgments in analyzing each matter to assess the likely outcome and the need for establishing appropriate liabilities and providing adequate disclosures. Linde believes it records and/or discloses such contingencies as appropriate, and has reasonably estimated its liabilities.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for information concerning new accounting standards and the impact of the implementation of these standards on the company’s financial statements.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Linde does not expect changes in the aggregate fair value of its financial assets and liabilities to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Table of Contents
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of the company’s financial information by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company’s financial leverage and operating performance. Special items which the company does not believe to be indicative of on-going business performance are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures.
The non-GAAP measures in the following reconciliations are presented in this MD&A.
Adjusted Amounts
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Adjusted Operating Profit and Operating Margin
Reported operating profit
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Total adjustments
Adjusted operating profit
Reported percentage change
Adjusted percentage change
Reported sales
Reported operating margin
Adjusted operating margin
Adjusted Depreciation and Amortization
Reported depreciation and amortization
Less: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Adjusted depreciation and amortization
Adjusted Other Income (Expense) - net
Reported other income (expense) - net
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) (d)
Adjusted other income (expense) - net
Adjusted Net Pension and OPEB Cost (Benefit), Excluding Service Cost
Reported net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost
Add: Pension settlement charges
Adjusted Net Pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service costs
Adjusted Interest Expense - Net
Reported interest expense - net
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Adjusted interest expense - net
Table of Contents
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Adjusted Income Taxes (a)
Reported income taxes
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Add: Pension settlement charges
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Total adjustments
Adjusted income taxes
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (a)
Reported income before income taxes and equity investments
Add: Pension settlement charge
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Total adjustments
Adjusted income before income taxes and equity investments
Reported Income taxes
Reported effective tax rate
Adjusted income taxes
Adjusted effective tax rate
Income from Equity Investments
Reported income from equity investments
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Total adjustments
Adjusted income from equity investments
Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests
Reported noncontrolling interests
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Total adjustments
Adjusted noncontrolling interests
Adjusted Net Income - Linde plc (b)
Reported net income
Add: Pension settlement charge
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Total adjustments
Adjusted net income - Linde plc
Table of Contents
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Adjusted Diluted EPS (b)
Reported diluted EPS
Add: Pension settlement charge
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Total adjustments
Adjusted diluted EPS
Reported percentage change
Adjusted percentage change
Adjusted EBITDA and % of Sales
Net Income - Linde plc
Add: Noncontrolling interests
Add: Net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost
Add: Interest expense
Add: Income taxes
Add: Depreciation and amortization
EBITDA
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges
Add: Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG (c)
Total adjustments
Adjusted EBITDA
Reported sales
% of sales
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Sales
(a) The income tax expense (benefit) on the non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments was determined using the applicable tax rates for the jurisdictions that were utilized in calculating the GAAP income tax expense (benefit) and included both current and deferred income tax amounts.
(b) Net of income taxes which are shown separately in “Adjusted Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate”.
(c) The company believes that its non-GAAP measures excluding merger Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG are useful to investors because: (i) the 2018 business combination was a merger of equals in an all-stock merger transaction, with no cash consideration, (ii) the company is managed on a geographic basis and the results of certain geographies are more heavily impacted by merger purchase accounting than others, causing results that are not comparable at the reportable segment level, therefore, the impacts of merger purchasing accounting adjustments to each segment vary and are not comparable within the company and when compared to other companies in similar regions, (iii) business management is evaluated and variable compensation is determined based on results excluding merger purchase accounting impacts, and; (iv) it is important to investors and analysts to understand the purchase accounting impacts to the financial statements.
A summary of each of the adjustments made for Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG are as follows:
Adjusted Operating Profit and Margin: The purchase accounting adjustments for the periods presented relate primarily to depreciation and amortization related to the fair value step up of fixed assets and intangible assets (primarily customer related) acquired in the merger and the allocation of fair value step-up for ongoing Linde AG asset disposals (reflected in Other Income/(Expense)).
Adjusted Interest Expense - Net : Relates to the amortization of the fair value of debt acquired in the merger.
Table of Contents
Adjusted Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate: Relates to the current and deferred income tax impact on the adjustments discussed above. The income tax expense (benefit) on the non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments was determined using the applicable tax rates for the jurisdictions that were utilized in calculating the GAAP income tax expense (benefit) and included both current and deferred income tax amounts.
Adjusted Income from Equity Investments: Represents the amortization of increased fair value on equity investments related to depreciable and amortizable assets.
Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests: Represents the noncontrolling interests’ ownership portion of the adjustments described above determined on an entity by entity basis.
(d) 2025 Adjusted other income (expense) - net excludes a charge of $150 million associated with Linde AG merger-related purchase accounting impacts.
Net Debt and Adjusted Net Debt
Net debt is a financial liquidity measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate the ability of a company to repay its debt. Purchase accounting impacts have been excluded as they are non-cash and do not have an impact on liquidity.
(Millions of dollars)
December 31,
Debt
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Less: purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG
Adjusted net debt
SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTEE INFORMATION
On May 3, 2023, the company filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement with the SEC ("the Registration Statement").
Linde plc may offer debt securities, preferred shares, depositary shares and ordinary shares under the Registration Statement, and debt securities exchangeable for or convertible into preferred shares, ordinary shares or other debt securities. Debt securities of Linde plc may be guaranteed by Linde Inc and/or Linde GmbH. Linde plc may provide guarantees of debt securities offered by its wholly owned subsidiaries Linde Inc. or Linde Finance under the Registration Statement.
Linde Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Linde plc. Linde Inc. may offer debt securities under the Registration Statement. Debt securities of Linde Inc. will be guaranteed by Linde plc, and such guarantees by Linde plc may be guaranteed by Linde GmbH. Linde Inc. may also provide (i) guarantees of debt securities offered by Linde plc under the Registration Statement and (ii) upstream guarantees of downstream guarantees provided by Linde plc of debt securities of Linde Finance offered under the Registration Statement.
Linde Finance B.V. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Linde plc. Linde Finance may offer debt securities under the Registration Statement. Linde plc will guarantee debt securities of Linde Finance offered under the Registration Statement. Linde GmbH and Linde Inc. may guarantee Linde plc’s obligations under its downstream guarantee.
Linde GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Linde plc. Linde GmbH may provide (i) guarantees of debt securities offered by Linde plc under the Registration Statement and (ii) upstream guarantees of downstream guarantees provided by Linde plc of debt securities of Linde Inc. or Linde Finance offered under the Registration Statement.
In September 2019, Linde plc provided downstream guarantees of all pre-existing Linde Inc. and Linde Finance notes, and Linde GmbH and Linde Inc., respectively, provided upstream guarantees of Linde plc’s downstream guarantees.
Linde plc established a European debt issuance program on May 11, 2020, and filed a base prospectus with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange as subsequently updated on May 8, 2025 and supplemented by the first supplement on August 21, 2025 and the second supplement on October 31, 2025, for a €20.0 billion debt issuance program (or the equivalent in other currencies), under which Linde plc may offer debt securities. Linde Inc. and Linde GmbH have provided to Linde plc upstream guarantees in relation to debt securities of Linde plc offered under the European debt issuance program, as confirmed to the current program amount. Under the European debt issuance program, Linde plc may issue unsecured notes with such terms, including currency, interest rate and maturity, as agreed by Linde plc and the purchasers of such notes at the time of sale and as set out in the final terms for the relevant issue of notes. The current
Table of Contents
European debt issuance program will be valid for a period of one year from May 8, 2025, after which it will require updating prior to any further issuance of notes.
For further information about the guarantees of the debt securities registered under the Registration Statement (including the ranking of such guarantees, limitations on enforceability of such guarantees and the circumstances under which such guarantees may be released), see “Description of Debt Securities – Guarantees” and “Description of Debt Securities – Ranking” in the Registration Statement, which subsections are incorporated herein by reference.
The following tables present summarized financial information for Linde plc, Linde Inc., Linde GmbH and Linde Finance on a combined basis, after eliminating intercompany transactions and balances between them and excluding investments in and equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries.
(Millions of dollars)
Statement of Income Data
Year Ended December 31,
Sales
Operating profit
Net income
Transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)
Current assets (a)
Long-term assets (b)
Current liabilities (c)
Long-term liabilities (d)
(a) From current assets above, amount due from non-guarantor subsidiaries
(b) From long-term assets above, amount due from non-guarantor subsidiaries
(c) From current liabilities above, amount due to non-guarantor subsidiaries
(d) From long-term liabilities above, amount due to non-guarantor subsidiaries
Table of Contents
