International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) vs Linde plc (LIN)
LIN leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though IFF is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and Linde plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
$78.36Basic Materials
LIN
Linde plc
$521.48Basic Materials
Total return — IFF vs LIN
growth of $100 · last 30yIFF +57.5%LIN +2443.8%LIN compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
IFF LIN
IFF vs LIN: by the numbers
- •LIN is the larger company ($238.87B vs $20.01B market cap).
- •IFF trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.96 vs 34.63 P/E).
- •LIN converts more revenue to profit (20.56% vs 7.90% net margin).
- •IFF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 4.55% CAGR).
- •IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 1.19%).
Which is better, IFF or LIN?
Metric tally: IFF 8 · LIN 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueIFF(lower P/E)
GrowthIFF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIFF(higher dividend yield)
QualityLIN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IFF | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.96● | 34.63 |
| Forward P/E | 17.66● | 26.61 |
| P/S ratio | 1.87● | 7.02 |
| P/B ratio | 1.43● | 6.31 |
| PEG ratio | 0.19● | 4.12 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.73● | 20.02 |
| FCF yield | 1.98% | 2.10%● |
Profitability
| Metric | IFF | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 36.35% | 45.99%● |
| Operating margin | 7.56% | 28.79%● |
| Net margin | 7.90% | 20.56%● |
| ROE | 6.03% | 18.47%● |
| ROIC | 3.19% | 8.97%● |
Dividends
| Metric | IFF | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.04%● | 1.19% |
| Payout ratio | — | 42.26% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IFF | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.71%● | 4.55% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -25.13% | 25.30%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -13.45% | 1.07%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -9.46% | 13.80%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, IFF or LIN?
- It depends on your goal. value: IFF (lower P/E); growth: IFF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: LIN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LIN leads 9 to 8.
- Is IFF or LIN cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, IFF is cheaper: IFF trades at a 23.96 P/E and LIN at 34.63.
- Which has grown faster, IFF or LIN?
- Over the past five years, IFF grew revenue faster — IFF at a 11.71% CAGR versus LIN at 4.55%.
- Does IFF or LIN pay a bigger dividend?
- IFF yields 2.04% and LIN yields 1.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IFF or LIN more profitable?
- LIN runs the higher net margin — IFF at 7.90% versus LIN at 20.56%.
- Which has been the better investment, IFF or LIN?
- Over the past 10-year, LIN delivered the higher annualized total return — IFF at -2.30% versus LIN at 18.48%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Flavors & Fragrances P/E ratioLinde P/E ratioInternational Flavors & Fragrances dividend yieldLinde dividend yieldInternational Flavors & Fragrances ROELinde ROEInternational Flavors & Fragrances operating marginLinde operating marginInternational Flavors & Fragrances revenue growthLinde revenue growthInternational Flavors & Fragrances free cash flowLinde free cash flow
International Flavors & Fragrances & Linde appear in these rankings
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 16, 2026.