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).

Compare

Total return — LIN vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
LIN +2419.6%VMC +1474.4%LIN compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,520$1,574
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 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLIN(higher dividend yield)
QualityLIN(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLINVMC
P/E ratio34.6334.84
Forward P/E26.6127.03
P/S ratio7.024.80
P/B ratio6.314.57
PEG ratio4.121.90
EV / EBITDA20.0216.81
FCF yield2.10%2.89%

Profitability

MetricLINVMC
Gross margin45.99%27.61%
Operating margin28.79%20.62%
Net margin20.56%13.88%
ROE18.47%13.22%
ROIC8.97%8.02%

Dividends

MetricLINVMC
Dividend yield1.19%0.69%
Payout ratio42.26%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLINVMC
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.

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.