Linde plc (LIN) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)
LIN leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Linde plc and Vulcan Materials Company 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).
Total return — LIN vs VMC
growth of $100 · last 30yLIN +2419.6%VMC +1474.4%LIN compounded faster
LIN VMC
LIN vs VMC: by the numbers
- •LIN is the larger company ($238.87B vs $39.18B market cap).
- •LIN trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.63 vs 34.84 P/E).
- •LIN converts more revenue to profit (20.56% vs 13.88% net margin).
- •VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 4.55% CAGR).
- •LIN pays the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.69%).
Which is better, LIN or VMC?
Metric tally: LIN 8 · VMC 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLIN(higher dividend yield)
QualityLIN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LIN | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.63 | 34.84 |
| Forward P/E | 26.61 | 27.03 |
| P/S ratio | 7.02 | 4.80● |
| P/B ratio | 6.31 | 4.57● |
| PEG ratio | 4.12 | 1.90● |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.02 | 16.81● |
| FCF yield | 2.10% | 2.89%● |
Profitability
| Metric | LIN | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.99%● | 27.61% |
| Operating margin | 28.79%● | 20.62% |
| Net margin | 20.56%● | 13.88% |
| ROE | 18.47%● | 13.22% |
| ROIC | 8.97%● | 8.02% |
Dividends
| Metric | LIN | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.19%● | 0.69% |
| Payout ratio | 42.26% | 24.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LIN | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.55% | 10.56%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 25.30%● | 13.07% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 1.07% | 5.93%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.80%● | 13.01% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, LIN or VMC?
- It depends on your goal. growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LIN (higher dividend yield); quality: LIN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LIN leads 8 to 7.
- Is LIN or VMC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, LIN is cheaper: LIN trades at a 34.63 P/E and VMC at 34.84.
- Which has grown faster, LIN or VMC?
- Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — LIN at a 4.55% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
- Does LIN or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
- LIN yields 1.19% and VMC yields 0.69% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is LIN or VMC more profitable?
- LIN runs the higher net margin — LIN at 20.56% versus VMC at 13.88%.
- Which has been the better investment, LIN or VMC?
- Over the past 10-year, LIN delivered the higher annualized total return — LIN at 18.48% versus VMC at 11.17%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Linde P/E ratioVulcan Materials P/E ratioLinde dividend yieldVulcan Materials dividend yieldLinde ROEVulcan Materials ROELinde operating marginVulcan Materials operating marginLinde revenue growthVulcan Materials revenue growthLinde free cash flowVulcan Materials free cash flow
Linde & Vulcan Materials 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.