DGAP-News: Linde plc
/ Key word(s): Quarter Results
Linde Reports First-Quarter 2021 Results Financial Highlights
Guildford, UK, May 6, 2021 - Linde plc (NYSE: LIN; FWB: LIN) today reported first-quarter 2021 income from continuing operations of $979 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.86, an increase of 74% versus prior year. Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges, adjusted income from continuing operations was $1,312 million, up 30% versus prior year and 8% sequentially. Adjusted earnings per share was $2.49, 32% above prior year and 8% higher sequentially. Linde's sales for the first quarter were $7,243 million, 7% above prior year and flat sequentially. Compared to prior year, underlying sales increased 5%, including 2% price attainment and 3% higher volumes, led by healthcare, electronics and a recovery in the cyclical end markets of manufacturing, metals, chemicals and refining. Sequentially, underlying sales increased 2% driven by higher volume and price. First-quarter operating profit was $1,213 million. Adjusted operating profit of $1,688 million was up 25% versus prior year led by higher price and continued productivity initiatives across all segments. Adjusted operating margin of 23.3% expanded 320 basis points versus prior year and 110 basis points sequentially. First-quarter operating cash flow of $2,109 million increased 57% versus prior year. After capital expenditures of $762 million, free cash flow was $1,347 million, up 148% versus prior year. During the quarter, the company returned $1,404 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, net of issuance. Commenting on the financial results and business outlook, Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said, "Linde employees delivered another strong quarter of financial results with operating profit margins expanding over 320 basis points, ROC improving to 14.5% and operating cash flow increasing 57%. In addition, EPS grew 32%, reaching a new record high of $2.49. The resiliency of our business model coupled with the ability to leverage any economic recovery has allowed Linde to continue delivering stellar results." Angel continued, "Looking ahead, I have confidence the company will continue to create significant shareholder value for years to come." For the second quarter of 2021, Linde expects adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.50 to $2.55, up 37% to 39% versus the same quarter in 2019 and 32% to 34% versus prior-year quarter. This guidance assumes a year-over-year 4% currency tailwind and sequentially a negative currency impact of 1%. For the full year 2021, the company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $9.60 to $9.80, up 31% to 34% versus 2019 and 17% to 19% versus prior year. This guidance assumes a 2% currency tailwind versus 2020. Full-year capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $3.0 billion to $3.4 billion to support maintenance and growth requirements including the $3.5 billion contractual sale of gas project backlog.
APAC (Asia Pacific) sales of $1,436 million were 7% above prior year. Underlying sales grew 11% driven by 1% price attainment and 10% volume growth, primarily in the electronics and cyclical end markets plus project start-ups. Sequentially, volume was flat as contribution from project start-ups was offset by weaker base volumes, mainly due to seasonality. Divestitures were driven by an accounting deconsolidation of a joint venture which reduced sales 11% versus prior year and 12% sequentially, but had no impact on earnings per share. Operating profit of $351 million was 24.4% of sales, up 340 basis points versus prior year.
EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) sales of $1,799 million were up 10% versus prior year. Underlying sales grew 4%, primarily led by 3% higher pricing and increased demand from the healthcare end market. Sequentially, underlying sales were flat, with 1% higher pricing offset by slightly lower volumes. Operating profit of $451 million was 25.1% of sales, up 340 basis points versus prior year.
Materials to be used in the teleconference are also available on the website. For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.linde.com Adjusted amounts, free cash flow and return on capital are non-GAAP measures. See the attachments (Earnings release tables: https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?u=07bff9b77ee5f342abf661c8820a93a9) for a summary of non-GAAP reconciliations and calculations for adjusted amounts. Attachments: Summary Non-GAAP Reconciliations, Statements of Income, Balance Sheets, Statements of Cash Flows, Segment Information and Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations.
*Note: We are providing adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") guidance for 2021. This is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (a GAAP measure) but excludes the impact of certain items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business performance, such as cost reduction and other charges, the impact of potential divestitures or other potentially significant items. Given the uncertainty of timing and magnitude of such items, we cannot provide a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP adjusted EPS guidance and the corresponding GAAP EPS measure without unreasonable effort. Additional features: File: Q1 21 Earnings Tables
06.05.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | Linde plc |
The Priestley Centre, 10 Priestley Road | |
GU2 7XY Guildford | |
United Kingdom | |
Phone: | +1-203-837-2210 |
E-mail: | Investor_Relations@Linde.com |
Internet: | www.linde.com |
ISIN: | IE00BZ12WP82 |
WKN: | A2DSYC |
Indices: | DAX |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Moscow, NYSE, Luxembourg Stock Exchange (Euro MTF) |
EQS News ID: | 1193151 |
End of News | DGAP News Service |
1193151 06.05.2021