Alcon AG vs Linde PLC — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $72.25 (market cap $36.44B), while Linde PLC trades at $487 (market cap $226.12B). The key difference: Linde PLC is far larger — about 6.2× Alcon AG's market cap, and Linde PLC pays the higher dividend (1.3%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | LIN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.44B | $226.12B |
Sector | Health | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $546.64 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $389.38 |
Enterprise Value | $40.28B | $249.24B |
Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 1.3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $73.63, up 2.53% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong recent earnings beats. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $10.40B in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 5.92%. Positive news includes raised 2026 profit guidance and new product launches driving investor optimism.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $86.67 implying 17.7% upside, supported by analyst buy ratings. Risks include elevated P/E of 57.52 and potential tariff impacts, but operational cash flow strength and strategic collaborations provide a solid foundation for growth.
Linde (LIN) trades at $492.46, up 0.51% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The company reported consistent earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS of $4.50 exceeding the $4.49 estimate (Zacks Investment Research, 2026-05-01). Revenue growth is steady, and profitability remains robust with a 20.43% net income margin. Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with a consensus price target of $553.60.
The outlook for LIN is favorable due to its operational strength and dividend growth, though valuation multiples are elevated. Key risks include rising debt levels and macroeconomic pressures on industrial demand. The stock offers a compelling opportunity for long-term investors seeking quality industrial exposure, but near-term technical weakness may present entry points.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →Linde is the largest industrial gas supplier in the world, with operations in over 100 countries. The firm's main products are atmospheric gases (including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon) and process gases (including hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and helium), as well as equipment used in industrial gas production. Linde serves a wide variety of end markets, including chemicals, manufacturing, healthcare, and steelmaking. Linde generated approximately $31 billion in revenue and $5 billion in GAAP operating profit in 2021.
Read more on LIN →