Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) vs Linde plc (LIN)

FCX leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though LIN is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and Linde plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — FCX vs LIN

growth of $100 · last 30y
FCX +343.1%LIN +2407.5%LIN compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$443$2,508
FCX LIN

FCX vs LIN: by the numbers

  • LIN is the larger company ($242.20B vs $98.34B market cap).
  • LIN trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.77 vs 36.20 P/E).
  • LIN converts more revenue to profit (20.56% vs 10.34% net margin).
  • FCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 4.55% CAGR).
  • LIN pays the higher dividend yield (1.18% vs 0.88%).

Which is better, FCX or LIN?

Metric tally: FCX 9 · LIN 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueLIN(lower P/E)
GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLIN(higher dividend yield)
QualityLIN(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricFCXLIN
P/E ratio36.2034.77
Forward P/E17.7626.71
P/S ratio3.747.05
P/B ratio5.066.33
PEG ratio1.984.12
EV / EBITDA10.9621.52
FCF yield6.32%2.09%

Profitability

MetricFCXLIN
Gross margin27.80%45.99%
Operating margin27.77%28.79%
Net margin10.34%20.56%
ROE14.01%18.47%
ROIC7.77%8.97%

Dividends

MetricFCXLIN
Dividend yield0.88%1.18%
Payout ratio39.22%42.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFCXLIN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.28%4.55%
EPS CAGR (5Y)30.14%25.30%
FCF CAGR (5Y)20.99%1.07%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.39%13.97%

Frequently asked

Which is better, FCX or LIN?
It depends on your goal. value: LIN (lower P/E); growth: FCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LIN (higher dividend yield); quality: LIN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FCX leads 9 to 8.
Is FCX or LIN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, LIN is cheaper: FCX trades at a 36.20 P/E and LIN at 34.77.
Which has grown faster, FCX or LIN?
Over the past five years, FCX grew revenue faster — FCX at a 11.28% CAGR versus LIN at 4.55%.
Does FCX or LIN pay a bigger dividend?
FCX yields 0.88% and LIN yields 1.18% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FCX or LIN more profitable?
LIN runs the higher net margin — FCX at 10.34% versus LIN at 20.56%.
Which has been the better investment, FCX or LIN?
Over the past 10-year, FCX delivered the higher annualized total return — FCX at 22.00% versus LIN at 18.46%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.