Shares of Linde PLC (LIN) plummeted 5.22% in the pre-market trading session on Thursday as the company reported fourth-quarter revenue that fell short of Wall Street expectations.
Linde, a leading industrial gases company, posted revenue of $8.28 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $8.39 billion. While the company's adjusted earnings per share of $3.97 beat expectations of $3.93, the top-line miss weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
The revenue miss could be a reflection of softer demand for industrial gases, which are widely used across various sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. Analysts expressed concerns that the sluggish revenue growth may indicate broader macroeconomic headwinds or intensifying competition in the industry.