Linde PLC vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Linde PLC trades at $507 (market cap $236.74B), while VF Corp trades at $16.87 (market cap $6.62B). The key difference: Linde PLC is far larger — about 35.8× VF Corp's market cap, and VF Corp pays the higher dividend (2.13%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| LIN | VFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $236.74B | $6.62B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $546.64 | $21.55 |
52-Week Low | $389.38 | $11.66 |
Enterprise Value | $259.10B | $10.77B |
Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 2.13% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Linde (LIN) trades at $513.07, down 1.47% today, with strong fundamentals including 20.44% net income margin and consistent earnings beats. Technical indicators show a bearish trend with support at $509 and resistance at $520. The company maintains robust cash flow from operations of $10.35B and has raised dividends, reflecting financial health.
Outlook remains positive with 89% analyst buy ratings and a $564.80 price target, though valuation ratios are elevated. Risks include rising debt-to-asset ratio (31.63% in 2025) and potential macroeconomic pressures. The stock offers growth potential but requires monitoring of leverage and market conditions.
VFC trades at $16.78, down 1.18% on the day, with technical indicators showing a neutral to bearish short-term bias. The company reported mixed quarterly results, beating estimates in Q3 and Q4 2025 but missing in Q1 2026, with revenue declining to $9.50 billion in 2025. Analyst sentiment is cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $19.33, while recent news highlights ongoing brand challenges and debt reduction efforts.
The outlook for VFC hinges on execution of its turnaround strategy, particularly revitalizing the Vans brand. Near-term catalysts include Q2 2026 earnings and continued debt management, but risks remain from weak consumer spending and competitive pressures. The stock offers potential upside to analyst targets if operational improvements materialize.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →VF designs, produces, and distributes branded apparel and accessories. Its largest apparel categories include action sports, outdoor, and workwear. Its portfolio of about a dozen brands includes Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Supreme, and Dickies. VF markets its products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through wholesale sales to retailers, e-commerce, and branded stores owned by the company and partners. The company has grown through multiple acquisitions and traces its roots to 1899.
Read more on VFC →