Is LIN or SHW cheaper?

On trailing earnings, SHW is cheaper: LIN trades at a 34.77 P/E and SHW at 30.45.

Which has grown faster, LIN or SHW?

Over the past five years, SHW grew revenue faster — LIN at a 4.55% CAGR versus SHW at 4.87%.

Does LIN or SHW pay a bigger dividend?

LIN yields 1.18% and SHW yields 1.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is LIN or SHW more profitable?

LIN runs the higher net margin — LIN at 20.56% versus SHW at 10.86%.

Which has been the better investment, LIN or SHW?

Over the past 10-year, LIN delivered the higher annualized total return — LIN at 18.46% versus SHW at 13.58%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Linde plc (LIN) vs The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)

LIN and SHW are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.

A side-by-side comparison of Linde plc and The Sherwin-Williams Company 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).

LIN

Linde plc

$242.20B

$523.57Basic Materials

SHW

The Sherwin-Williams Company

$78.26B

$317.30Basic Materials

Total return — LIN vs SHW

growth of $100 · last 30y

LIN +2407.5%SHW +4300.8%SHW compounded faster

LIN SHW

LIN vs SHW: by the numbers

•LIN is the larger company ($242.20B vs $78.26B market cap).
•SHW trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.45 vs 34.77 P/E).
•LIN converts more revenue to profit (20.56% vs 10.86% net margin).
•SHW grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.87% vs 4.55% CAGR).
•LIN pays the higher dividend yield (1.18% vs 1.00%).

Which is better, LIN or SHW?

Metric tally: LIN 8 · SHW 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSHW(lower P/E)

GrowthSHW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeLIN(higher dividend yield)

QualitySHW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	LIN	SHW
P/E ratio	34.77	30.45●
Forward P/E	26.71	27.07
P/S ratio	7.05	3.29●
P/B ratio	6.33●	17.77
PEG ratio	4.12●	4.52
EV / EBITDA	21.52	20.64●
FCF yield	2.09%	3.69%●

Profitability

Metric	LIN	SHW
Gross margin	45.99%	49.12%●
Operating margin	28.79%●	16.13%
Net margin	20.56%●	10.86%
ROE	18.47%	58.66%●
ROIC	8.97%	15.21%●

Dividends

Metric	LIN	SHW
Dividend yield	1.18%●	1.00%
Payout ratio	42.26%	30.64%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	LIN	SHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	4.55%	4.87%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	25.30%●	6.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	1.07%●	-2.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	13.97%●	3.70%

Frequently asked

Which is better, LIN or SHW?: It depends on your goal. value: SHW (lower P/E); growth: SHW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LIN (higher dividend yield); quality: SHW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is LIN or SHW cheaper?: On trailing earnings, SHW is cheaper: LIN trades at a 34.77 P/E and SHW at 30.45.
Which has grown faster, LIN or SHW?: Over the past five years, SHW grew revenue faster — LIN at a 4.55% CAGR versus SHW at 4.87%.
Does LIN or SHW pay a bigger dividend?: LIN yields 1.18% and SHW yields 1.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LIN or SHW more profitable?: LIN runs the higher net margin — LIN at 20.56% versus SHW at 10.86%.
Which has been the better investment, LIN or SHW?: Over the past 10-year, LIN delivered the higher annualized total return — LIN at 18.46% versus SHW at 13.58%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full LIN analysis Full SHW analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Linde P/E ratio Sherwin-Williams P/E ratio Linde dividend yield Sherwin-Williams dividend yield Linde ROE Sherwin-Williams ROE Linde operating margin Sherwin-Williams operating margin Linde revenue growth Sherwin-Williams revenue growth Linde free cash flow Sherwin-Williams free cash flow

Linde & Sherwin-Williams appear in these rankings

Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks Largest Companies by Market Cap

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.