8-K

LINDE PLC (LIN)

8-K 2020-11-05 For: 2020-11-05
View Original
Added on April 03, 2026

UNITED

STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported):

November 5, 2020

Linde

plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ireland 001-38730 98-1448883
(State or other jurisdiction<br><br><br>of incorporation) (Commission<br><br><br>File Number) (I.R.S. Employer<br><br><br>Identification No.)

The Priestley

Centre

10 Priestley

Road

Surrey

Research Park

Guildford,

Surrey GU2 7XY

United

Kingdom

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

+44 1483

242200

(Registrant’s telephone numbers, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title<br>of each class Trading<br>symbol(s) Name of<br>each exchange on which registered
Ordinary shares (€0.001 nominal value per<br>share) LIN New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial

Condition

On November 5, 2020, Linde plc issued a press release setting forth Linde plc’s results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. A copy of Linde plc’s press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02.

ITEM 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)           Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished herewith pursuant to Item 2.02 hereof:

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press<br>Release dated November 5, 2020
104 Cover<br>Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL<br>document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LINDE PLC
By: /s/<br>Kelcey E. Hoyt
Name: Kelcey<br>E. Hoyt
Title: Principal<br>Accounting Officer

Date: November 5, 2020

lin_ex991

Exhibit 99.1

Press release

Linde Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Results

Financial Highlights

➢ Operating profit margin 14.1%; adjusted operating profit margin 22.1%, up 230 basis points versus prior year

➢ EPS of $1.32; adjusted EPS of $2.15, up 11%

➢ Strong free cash flow of $1.1 billion, up 20%

➢ Increased full-year 2020 adjusted EPS guidance to $8.05 - $8.10, represents 12% growth year-over-year, ex-FX*

Guildford, UK, November 5, 2020 – Linde plc (NYSE: LIN; FWB: LIN) today reported third-quarter 2020 income from continuing operations of $699 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.32. Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges, adjusted income from continuing operations was $1,140 million, up 8% versus prior year and 13% sequentially. Adjusted earnings per share was $2.15, 11% above prior year and 13% higher sequentially.

Linde’s sales for the third quarter were $6,855 million, 2% below prior year and up 7% sequentially. Compared to prior year, excluding the impacts of foreign currency, cost pass-through and divestitures, underlying sales decreased 1%, as 2% price attainment was more than offset by 3% lower volumes. Sequentially, industrial gas volumes increased 6% but were partially offset by a 3% decrease in Engineering sales. Higher pricing of 1% was driven by increases across all geographic segments.

Third-quarter operating profit was $969 million. Adjusted operating profit of $1,515 million was up 9% versus prior year led by prudent price and cost management underpinned by the stable fixed payment revenue structure. Adjusted operating margin of 22.1%, expanded 230 basis points versus prior year and 140 basis points sequentially.

Third-quarter operating cash flow of $1,884 million increased 1% versus prior year and 7% sequentially. After capital expenditures of $787 million, free cash flow was $1,097 million, up 20% versus prior year. In the quarter, the company returned $692 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, net of issuance.

Commenting on the financial results and business outlook, Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said, “Linde employees once again delivered a strong quarter with operating profit margins expanding 230 basis points and EPS growing 11%, reaching a record of $2.15.   This high level of profitability combined with disciplined capital management resulted in further expansion of our ROC to approximately 13%.”

Angel continued, “Looking ahead, there is significant uncertainty in the environment, but regardless of the underlying economy, I have confidence in our business model and high-performance culture to continue growing earnings and cash flow for years to come.”

For the full year, the company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $8.05 to $8.10, up 10% versus prior year, or 12% when excluding currency headwinds. Full-year capital expenditures are expected to range between $3.0 billion to $3.2 billion to support operating and growth requirements including the $3.7 billion contractual sale of gas project backlog.

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Press release

Third-Quarter 2020 Results by Segment

Americas sales of $2,641 million were 5% below prior-year quarter, but increased 9% sequentially. Compared with third quarter 2019, underlying sales were flat as 2% higher pricing was offset by a 2% volume decline. Sequentially, pricing increased 1% and volumes grew 8%, led by higher demand across all end markets. Operating profit of $742 million was 28.1% of sales, up 390 basis points versus prior year and 240 basis points sequentially.

APAC (Asia Pacific) sales of $1,484 million were 2% above prior year and up 15% sequentially. Compared to prior year, underlying sales were flat as 1% price attainment was offset by 1% volume decline. Sequentially, price increased 1% and volumes grew 10% led by higher demand, primarily in China and India. Operating profit of $337 million was 22.7% of sales, up 160 basis points versus prior year and steady sequentially.

EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) sales of $1,622 million were down 1% versus prior year, but grew 12% sequentially. Compared with third quarter 2019, underlying sales were down 1% as 3% higher pricing was more than offset by a 4% decline in volume. Sequentially, underlying sales grew 7% due to 2% higher pricing and 5% volume growth primarily in the manufacturing, food and beverage end markets. Operating profit of $370 million was 22.8% of sales, up 230 basis points versus prior year and 190 basis points sequentially.

Linde Engineering sales were $678 million, 6% higher than prior year, and operating profit was $106 million or 15.6% of sales. Order intake for the quarter was $484 million and third-party sale of equipment backlog remained steady at $4.9 billion.

Earnings Call

A teleconference on Linde’s third-quarter 2020 results is being held today at 10:00 am EST.

Live conference call US<br>Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1 855 758 5442<br><br><br>Germany<br>Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 0800 181 5287<br><br><br>UK<br>Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 0800 028 8438<br><br><br>Access<br>code: 1760986
Live webcast (listen-only) https://investors.linde.com/events-presentations<br><br><br>Short<br>URL: https://t1p.de/i2ho

Materials to be used in the teleconference are also available on the website.

About Linde

Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2019 sales of $28 billion (€25 billion). We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet.

The company serves a variety of end markets including chemicals & refining, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing and primary metals. Linde’s industrial gases are used in countless applications, from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity & specialty gases for electronics manufacturing, hydrogen for clean fuels and much more. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.

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Press release

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.linde.com

Adjusted amounts, free cash flow and return on capital are non-GAAP measures. See the attachments for a summary of non-GAAP reconciliations and calculations for adjusted amounts.

Attachments: Summary Non-GAAP Reconciliations, Statements of Income, Balance Sheets, Statements of Cash Flows, Segment Information and Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations.

*Note: We are providing adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) guidance for 2020. This is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (a GAAP measure) but excludes the impact of certain items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business performance, such as cost reduction and other charges, the impact of potential divestitures or other potentially significant items.  Given the uncertainty of timing and magnitude of such items, we cannot provide a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP adjusted EPS guidance and the corresponding GAAP EPS measure without unreasonable effort.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as: anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast, and similar expressions. They are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date the statements are made but involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the performance of stock markets generally; developments in worldwide and national economies and other international events and circumstances, including trade conflicts and tariffs; changes in foreign currencies and in interest rates; the cost and availability of electric power, natural gas and other raw materials; the ability to achieve price increases to offset cost increases; catastrophic events including natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics such as COVID-19 and acts of war and terrorism; the ability to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel; the impact of changes in financial accounting standards; the impact of changes in pension plan liabilities; the impact of tax, environmental, healthcare and other legislation and government regulation in jurisdictions in which the company operates; the cost and outcomes of investigations, litigation and regulatory proceedings; the impact of potential unusual or non-recurring items; continued timely development and market acceptance of new products and applications; the impact of competitive products and pricing; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served; the impact of information technology system failures, network disruptions and breaches in data security; and the effectiveness and speed of integrating new acquisitions into the business. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results or circumstances to differ materially from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, International Financial Reporting Standards or adjusted projections, estimates or other forward-looking statements.

Linde plc assumes no obligation to update or provide revisions to any forward-looking statement in response to changing circumstances. The above listed risks and uncertainties are further described in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Linde plc’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2020 and in Item 1A. of Linde plc's Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020, which should be reviewed carefully. Please consider Linde plc’s forward-looking statements in light of those risks.

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Press release

LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

The following adjusted amounts are Non-GAAP measures and are intended to supplement investors' understanding of the company's financial statements by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company's operating performance. Items which the company does not believe to be indicative of ongoing business trends are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures. See the "NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS" starting on page 10 for additional details relating to the adjustments.

(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

Sales Operating Profit Income from Continuing Operations Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Quarter Ended September 30
Reported GAAP<br>Amounts $6,855 $7,000 $969 $1,000 $699 $728 $1.32 $1.34
Cost reduction<br>program and other charges (a) - - 48 125 36 92 0.07 0.17
Pension<br>settlement charges (b) - - - - 5 30 0.01 0.07
Merger-related<br>divestitures (c) - (7) - (2) - (2) - (0.01)
Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (d) - - 498 425 400 312 0.75 0.58
Gain on sale<br>of businesses (e) - - - (164) - (108) - (0.21)
Total<br>adjustments - (7) 546 384 441 324 0.83 0.60
Adjusted<br>amounts $6,855 $6,993 $1,515 $1,384 $1,140 $1,052 $2.15 $1.94
Sales Operating Profit Income from Continuing Operations Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Year to Date September 30
Reported GAAP<br>Amounts $19,971 $21,148 $2,293 $2,278 $1,728 $1,676 $3.25 $3.07
Cost reduction<br>program and other charges (a) - - 428 355 318 290 0.60 0.54
Pension<br>settlement charges (b) - - - - 5 76 0.01 0.15
Merger-related<br>divestitures (c) - (62) - (15) - (11) - (0.03)
Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (d) - - 1,463 1,471 1,103 1,056 2.07 1.94
Gain on sale<br>of businesses (e) - - - (164) - (108) - (0.21)
Total<br>adjustments - (62) 1,891 1,647 1,426 1,303 2.68 2.39
Adjusted<br>amounts $19,971 $21,086 $4,184 $3,925 $3,154 $2,979 $5.93 $5.46

(a) To adjust for cost reduction program and other charges; 2020 includes severance of $31 million and $281 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods, other cost reduction charges of $8 million and $49 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods, and other charges of $9 million and $98 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods.

(b) To adjust for pension settlement charges. 2019 charges primarily related to the merger.

(c) To adjust for the results of Praxair's merger-related divestitures.

(d) To adjust for purchase accounting impacts related to the merger.

(e) To adjust for gains recognized related to the sale of businesses related to the merger.

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Press release

LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended Year To Date
September 30, September 30,
2020 2019 2020 2019
SALES $6,855 $7,000 $19,971 $21,148
Cost of<br>sales 3,835 4,061 11,297 12,457
Selling,<br>general and administrative 770 850 2,391 2,613
Depreciation<br>and amortization 1,168 1,095 3,434 3,513
Research and<br>development 36 44 114 135
Cost reduction<br>programs and other charges 48 125 428 355
Net gain on<br>sale of business - 164 - 164
Other income<br>(expense) - net (29) 11 (14) 39
OPERATING PROFIT 969 1,000 2,293 2,278
Interest<br>expense - net 38 (3) 80 30
Net pension<br>and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost (41) 2 (131) (7)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY<br>INVESTMENTS 972 1,001 2,344 2,255
Income<br>taxes 265 298 594 607
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE EQUITY<br>INVESTMENTS 707 703 1,750 1,648
Income from<br>equity investments 23 28 69 90
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING<br>INTERESTS) 730 731 1,819 1,738
Add: income<br>from discontinued operations, net of tax 1 7 3 105
INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS) 731 738 1,822 1,843
Less:<br>noncontrolling interests from continuing<br>operations (31) (3) (91) (62)
Less:<br>noncontrolling interests from discontinued<br>operations - - - (7)
NET INCOME - LINDE PLC $700 $735 $1,731 $1,774
NET INCOME - LINDE PLC
Income from<br>continuing operations $699 $728 $1,728 $1,676
Income from<br>discontinued operations $1 $7 $3 $98
PER SHARE DATA - LINDE PLC SHAREHOLDERS
Basic earnings<br>per share from continuing operations $1.33 $1.35 $3.28 $3.09
Basic earnings<br>per share from discontinued operations - 0.01 0.01 0.18
Basic earnings<br>per share $1.33 $1.36 $3.29 $3.27
Diluted<br>earnings per share from continuing operations $1.32 $1.34 $3.25 $3.07
Diluted<br>earnings per share from discontinued operations - 0.01 0.01 0.18
Diluted<br>earnings per share $1.32 $1.35 $3.26 $3.25
Cash<br>dividends $0.963 $0.875 $2.889 $2.625
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic shares<br>outstanding (000's) 525,694 539,753 527,501 542,589
Diluted shares<br>outstanding (000's) 530,415 543,616 531,724 546,507

Note: See page 10 for a reconciliation to adjusted amounts which are Non-GAAP.

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, December 31,
2020 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash<br>equivalents $5,199 $2,700
Accounts<br>receivable - net 4,033 4,322
Contract<br>assets 170 368
Inventories 1,733 1,697
Assets held<br>for sale 3 125
Prepaid and<br>other current assets 1,127 1,140
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 12,265 10,352
Property,<br>plant and equipment - net 27,945 29,064
Goodwill 27,239 27,019
Other<br>intangibles - net 15,731 16,137
Other<br>long-term assets 4,029 4,040
TOTAL ASSETS $87,209 $86,612
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts<br>payable $2,903 $3,266
Short-term<br>debt 4,024 1,732
Current<br>portion of long-term debt 1,820 1,531
Contract<br>liabilities 1,714 1,758
Liabilities of<br>assets held for sale 1 2
Other current<br>liabilities 4,330 3,871
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 14,792 12,160
Long-term<br>debt 11,959 10,693
Other<br>long-term liabilities 11,866 12,124
TOTAL LIABILITIES 38,617 34,977
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 13 113
LINDE PLC SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common<br>stock 1 1
Additional<br>paid-in capital 40,203 40,201
Retained<br>earnings 16,927 16,842
Accumulated<br>other comprehensive income (loss) (5,973) (4,814)
Less: Treasury<br>stock, at cost (4,983) (3,156)
Total Linde<br>plc shareholders' equity 46,175 49,074
Noncontrolling<br>interests 2,404 2,448
TOTAL EQUITY 48,579 51,522
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $87,209 $86,612

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended Year to Date
September 30, September 30,
2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net income -<br>Linde plc $700 $735 $1,731 $1,774
Less: income<br>from discontinued operations, net of tax and noncontrolling<br>interests (1) (7) (3) (98)
Add:<br>noncontrolling interests 31 3 91 62
Net income<br>(including noncontrolling interests) 730 731 1,819 1,738
Adjustments to<br>reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating<br>activities:
Cost reduction<br>programs and other charges, net of payments (a) 1 (70) 240 (356)
Depreciation<br>and amortization 1,168 1,095 3,434 3,513
Accounts<br>receivable 42 158 (76) (30)
Contract<br>assets and liabilities, net 18 68 89 (35)
Inventory (19) 12 (101) (61)
Payables and<br>accruals 15 (164) (12) (411)
Pension<br>contributions (35) (26) (76) (69)
Deferred<br>income taxes and other (36) 68 (322) (344)
Net cash<br>provided by operating activities 1,884 1,872 4,995 3,945
INVESTING
Capital<br>expenditures (787) (959) (2,373) (2,667)
Acquisitions,<br>net of cash acquired - (21) (41) (161)
Divestitures<br>and asset sales 55 271 435 4,960
Net cash<br>provided by (used for) investing activities (732) (709) (1,979) 2,132
FINANCING
Debt increase<br>(decrease) - net (188) (467) 3,335 (1,744)
Issuances of<br>ordinary shares 16 5 41 60
Purchases of<br>ordinary shares (202) (684) (2,030) (1,934)
Cash dividends<br>- Linde plc shareholders (506) (471) (1,523) (1,422)
Noncontrolling<br>interest transactions and other (b) (53) (35) (201) (3,257)
Net cash<br>provided by (used for) financing activities (933) (1,652) (378) (8,297)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash provided<br>by operating activities - (3) - 67
Cash provided<br>by investing activities - - - (59)
Cash provided<br>by financing activities - - - 5
Net<br>cash provided by (used for) discontinued<br>operations - (3) - 13
Effect of<br>exchange rate changes on cash and cash<br>equivalents 39 (77) (139) (126)
Change in cash<br>and cash equivalents 258 (569) 2,499 (2,333)
Cash and cash<br>equivalents, beginning-of-period 4,941 2,686 2,700 4,466
Cash and cash<br>equivalents, including discontinued operations 5,199 2,117 5,199 2,133
Cash and cash<br>equivalents of discontinued operations - 3 - (13)
Cash and cash<br>equivalents, end-of-period $5,199 $2,120 $5,199 $2,120

(a) Cost reduction programs and other charges cash outflows were $47 million and $195 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $188 million and $711 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b) Noncontrolling interest transactions and other for the 2019 year to date period includes approximately $3.2 billion related to the cash merger squeeze-out of the 8% Linde AG shares which were not tendered in the exchange offer.

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended September 30, Year to Date September 30,
2020 2019 2020 2019
SALES
Americas $2,641 $2,771 $7,735 $8,252
EMEA 1,622 1,634 4,703 4,989
APAC 1,484 1,461 4,115 4,376
Engineering 678 641 2,096 2,029
Other 430 486 1,322 1,440
Segment<br>sales $6,855 $6,993 $19,971 $21,086
Merger-related<br>divestitures (a) - 7 - 62
Total<br>sales $6,855 $7,000 $19,971 $21,148
OPERATING PROFIT
Americas $742 $671 $2,025 $1,901
EMEA 370 335 1,028 1,014
APAC 337 308 912 885
Engineering 106 120 335 297
Other (40) (50) (116) (172)
Segment<br>operating profit $1,515 $1,384 $4,184 $3,925
Cost reduction<br>programs and other charges (48) (125) (428) (355)
Merger-related<br>divestitures (a) - 2 - 15
Net gain on<br>sale of business (b) - 164 - 164
Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (498) (425) (1,463) (1,471)
Total<br>operating profit $969 $1,000 $2,293 $2,278

(a) To adjust for the results of Praxair's merger-related divestitures.

(b) To adjust for gains recognized related to the sale of businesses related to the merger.

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

APPENDIX

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

The following Non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of the company’s financial information by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company’s operating performance and liquidity. Items which the company does not believe to be indicative of on-going business trends are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures.

2020 2019
Year to Date September 30, Q3 Q2 Q1 Year to Date September 30, Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Adjusted Sales
Reported<br>Sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,148 $7,080 $7,000 $7,204 $6,944
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (62) (3) (7) (25) (30)
Adjusted<br>Sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,086 $7,077 $6,993 $7,179 $6,914
Adjusted Operating Profit and Operating<br>Margin
Reported<br>operating profit $2,293 $969 $591 $733 $2,278 $655 $1,000 $669 $609
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (15) (1) (2) (6) (7)
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 428 48 249 131 355 212 125 141 89
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of businesses - - - - (164) - (164) - -
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 1,463 498 477 488 1,471 481 425 515 531
Total<br>adjustments 1,891 546 726 619 1,647 692 384 650 613
Adjusted<br>operating profit $4,184 $1,515 $1,317 $1,352 $3,925 $1,347 $1,384 $1,319 $1,222
Reported<br>percentage change 1% (3)% (12)% 20%
Adjusted<br>percentage change 7% 9% -% 11%
Reported<br>sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,148 $7,080 $7,000 $7,204 $6,944
Adjusted<br>sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,086 $7,077 $6,993 $7,179 $6,914
Reported<br>operating margin 11.5% 14.1% 9.3% 10.9% 10.8% 9.3% 14.3% 9.3% 8.8%
Adjusted<br>operating margin 21.0% 22.1% 20.7% 20.1% 18.6% 19.0% 19.8% 18.4% 17.7%
Adjusted Depreciation and amortization
Reported<br>depreciation and amortization $3,434 $1,168 $1,124 $1,142 $3,513 $1,162 $1,095 $1,195 $1,223
Less: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) (1,431) (487) (468) (476) (1,459) (481) (423) (515) (521)
Adjusted<br>depreciation and amortization $2,003 $681 $656 $666 $2,054 $681 $672 $680 $702
Adjusted Other Income (Expense) - net
Reported Other<br>Income (Expense) - net $(14) $(29) $- $15 $39 $29 $11 $10 $18
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) (32) (11) (9) (12) - - - - -
Adjusted Other<br>Income (Expense) - net $18 $(18) $9 $27 $39 $29 $11 $10 $18
Adjusted Net Pension and OPEB Cost (Benefit), Excluding Service<br>Cost
Reported net<br>pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service<br>cost $(131) $(41) $(45) $(45) $(7) $(25) $2 $(24) $15
Add: Pension<br>settlement charges (6) (6) - - (101) (6) (40) (10) (51)
Adjusted Net<br>Pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service<br>costs $(137) $(47) $(45) $(45) $(108) $(31) $(38) $(34) $(36)
Adjusted Interest Expense - Net
Reported<br>interest expense - net $80 $38 $18 $24 $30 $8 $(3) $10 $23
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 67 23 22 22 74 22 22 25 27
Adjusted<br>interest expense - net $147 $61 $40 $46 $104 $30 $19 $35 $50
Adjusted Income Taxes (a)
Reported<br>income taxes $594 $265 $164 $165 $607 $162 $298 $169 $140
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 292 75 95 122 345 105 99 119 127
Add: Pension<br>settlement charges 1 1 - - 25 1 10 2 13
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 110 12 62 36 30 53 (2) 26 6
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (5) - (1) (2) (2)
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of businesses - - - - (56) - (56) - -
Total<br>adjustments 403 88 157 158 339 159 50 145 144
Adjusted<br>income taxes $997 $353 $321 $323 $946 $321 $348 $314 $284
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (a)
Reported<br>income before income taxes and equity<br>investments $2,344 $972 $618 $754 $2,255 $672 $1,001 $683 $571
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (15) (1) (2) (6) (7)
Add: Pension<br>settlement charge 6 6 - - 101 6 40 10 51
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 1,396 475 455 466 1,397 459 403 490 504
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 428 48 249 131 355 212 125 141 89
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of businesses - - - - (164) - (164) - -
Total<br>adjustments 1,830 529 704 597 1,674 676 402 635 637
Adjusted<br>income before income taxes and equity<br>investments $4,174 $1,501 $1,322 $1,351 $3,929 $1,348 $1,403 $1,318 $1,208
Reported<br>Income taxes $594 $265 $164 $165 $607 $162 $298 $169 $140
Reported<br>effective tax rate 25.3% 27.3% 26.5% 21.9% 26.9% 24.1% 29.8% 24.7% 24.5%
Adjusted<br>income taxes $997 $353 $321 $323 $946 $321 $348 $314 $284
Adjusted<br>effective tax rate 23.9% 23.5% 24.3% 23.9% 24.1% 23.8% 24.8% 23.8% 23.5%
Income from Equity Investments
Reported<br>income from equity investments $69 $23 $29 $17 $90 $24 $28 $28 $34
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 42 14 14 14 43 14 15 14 14
Adjusted<br>income from equity investments $111 $37 $43 $31 $133 $38 $43 $42 $48
Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing<br>Operations
Reported<br>noncontrolling interests from continuing<br>operations $(91) $(31) $(25) $(35) $(62) $(27) $(3) $(29) $(30)
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges - - - - (35) - (35) - -
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) (43) (14) (14) (15) (40) (14) (8) (17) (15)
Total<br>adjustments (43) (14) (14) (15) (75) (14) (43) (17) (15)
Adjusted<br>noncontrolling interests from continuing<br>operations $(134) $(45) $(39) $(50) $(137) $(41) $(46) $(46) $(45)

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
APPENDIX
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations (b)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Reported<br>income from continuing operations $1,728 $699 $458 $571 $1,676 $507 $728 $513 $435
Add: Pension<br>settlement charge 5 5 - - 76 5 30 8 38
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (11) (1) (2) (4) (5)
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 318 36 187 95 290 159 92 115 83
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of business - - - - (108) - (108) - -
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (c) 1,103 400 360 343 1,056 354 312 368 376
Total<br>adjustments 1,426 441 547 438 1,303 517 324 487 492
Adjusted<br>income from continuing operations $3,154 $1,140 $1,005 $1,009 $2,979 $1,024 $1,052 $1,000 $927
Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations<br>(b)
Reported<br>diluted EPS from continuing operations $3.25 $1.32 $0.87 $1.07 $3.07 $0.94 $1.34 $0.94 $0.79
Add: Pension<br>settlement charge 0.01 0.01 - - 0.15 0.01 0.07 0.01 0.07
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 0.60 0.07 0.35 0.18 0.54 0.29 0.17 0.22 0.15
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (0.03) - (0.01) (0.01) (0.01)
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of business - - - - (0.21) - (0.21) - -
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG 2.07 0.75 0.68 0.64 1.94 0.65 0.58 0.67 0.69
Total<br>adjustments 2.68 0.83 1.03 0.82 2.39 0.95 0.60 0.89 0.90
Adjusted<br>diluted EPS from continuing operations $5.93 $2.15 $1.90 $1.89 $5.46 $1.89 $1.94 $1.83 $1.69
Reported<br>percentage change 6% (1)% (7)% 35% $7.34 Full Year 2019<br>Adjusted diluted EPS
Adjusted<br>percentage change 9% 11% 4% 12%
Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations Guidance<br>(e) Fourth Quarter 2020 Full Year 2020
--- --- --- --- ---
Low End High End Low End High End
2020 Adjusted<br>Guidance $2.11 $2.16 $8.05 $8.10
Adjusted<br>percentage change versus 2019 adjusted diluted<br>EPS 12% 14% 10% 10%
Add: Estimated<br>currency headwind 1% 1% 2% 2%
Adjusted<br>percentage change excluding currency 13% 15% 12% 12%
Adjusted EBITDA and % of Sales
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Income from<br>continuing operations $1,728 $699 $458 $571 $1,676 $507 $728 $513 $435
Add:<br>Noncontrolling interests related to continuing<br>operations 91 31 25 35 62 27 3 29 30
Add: Net<br>pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service<br>cost (131) (41) (45) (45) (7) (25) 2 (24) 15
Add: Interest<br>expense 80 38 18 24 30 8 (3) 10 23
Add: Income<br>taxes 594 265 164 165 607 162 298 169 140
Add:<br>Depreciation and amortization 3,434 1,168 1,124 1,142 3,513 1,162 1,095 1,195 1,223
EBITDA from<br>continuing operations 5,796 2,160 1,744 1,892 5,881 1,841 2,123 1,892 1,866
Less:<br>Merger-related divestitures (d) - - - - (15) (1) (2) (6) (7)
Less: Net gain<br>on sale of business - - - - (164) - (164) - -
Add: Cost<br>reduction programs and other charges 428 48 249 131 355 212 125 141 89
Add: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG 74 25 23 26 55 14 17 14 24
Total<br>adjustments 502 73 272 157 231 225 (24) 149 106
Adjusted<br>EBITDA from continuing operations $6,298 $2,233 $2,016 $2,049 $6,112 $2,066 $2,099 $2,041 $1,972
Reported<br>sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,148 $7,080 $7,000 $7,204 $6,944
Adjusted<br>sales $19,971 $6,855 $6,377 $6,739 $21,086 $7,077 $6,993 $7,179 $6,914
% of<br>sales
EBITDA from<br>continuing operations 29.0% 31.5% 27.3% 28.1% 27.8% 26.0% 30.3% 26.3% 26.9%
Adjusted<br>EBITDA from continuing operations 31.5% 32.6% 31.6% 30.4% 29.0% 29.2% 30.0% 28.4% 28.5%

(a) The income tax expense (benefit) on the non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments was determined using the applicable tax rates for the jurisdictions that were utilized in calculating the GAAP income tax expense (benefit) and included both current and deferred income tax amounts.

(b) Net of income taxes which are shown separately in “Adjusted Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate”.

(c) The company believes that its non-GAAP measures excluding Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG are useful to investors because: (i) the business combination was a merger of equals in an all-stock merger transaction, with no cash consideration, (ii) the company is managed on a geographic basis and the results of certain geographies are more heavily impacted by purchase accounting than others, causing results that are not comparable at the reportable segment level, therefore, the impacts of purchasing accounting adjustments to each segment vary and are not comparable within the company and when compared to other companies in similar regions, (iii) business management is evaluated and variable compensation is determined based on results excluding purchase accounting impacts, and; (iv) it is important to investors and analysts to understand the purchase accounting impacts to the financial statements.

A summary of each of the adjustments made for Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG are as follows:

Adjusted Operating Profit and Margin: The purchase accounting adjustments for the periods presented relate primarily to depreciation and amortization related to the fair value step up of fixed assets and intangible assets (primarily customer related) acquired in the merger and the allocation of fair value step-up for ongoing Linde AG asset disposals (reflected in Other Income/(Expense)).

Adjusted Interest Expense - Net: Relates to the amortization of the fair value of debt acquired in the merger.

Adjusted Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate: Relates to the current and deferred income tax impact on the adjustments discussed above. The income tax expense (benefit) on the non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments was determined using the applicable tax rates for the jurisdictions that were utilized in calculating the GAAP income tax expense (benefit) and included both current and deferred income tax amounts.

Adjusted Income from Equity Investments: Represents the amortization of increased fair value on equity investments related to depreciable and amortizable assets.

Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations: Represents the noncontrolling interests’ ownership portion of the adjustments described above determined on an entity by entity basis.

(d) To adjust for the results of Praxair's merger-related divestitures.

(e) We are providing adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") guidance for 2020. This is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (a GAAP measure) but excludes the impact of certain items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business performance, such as cost reduction and other charges, the impact of potential divestitures or other potentially significant items. Given the uncertainty of timing and magnitude of such items, we cannot provide a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP adjusted EPS guidance and the corresponding GAAP EPS measure without unreasonable effort.

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LINDE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

APPENDIX

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

2020 2019 2018
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q2 Q1 Q4
Free Cash Flow (FCF)<br>- Free cash flow is a mesure used by<br>investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate the<br>ability of a company to pursue opportunitites that enhance<br>shareholder value. FCF equals cash flow from operations less<br>capital expenditures.
Operating Cash<br>Flow $1,884 $1,764 $1,347 2,174 $1,005 $1,068 $1,305
Less: Capital<br>Expenditures (787) (783) (803) (1,015) (865) (843) (827)
Free<br>Cash Flow $1,097 $981 $544 1,159 $140 $225 $478
Net<br>Debt - Net debt<br>is a financial liquidity metric used by investors, financial<br>analysts and management to evaluate the ability of a company to<br>repay its debt and is calculated as total debt (excluding purchase<br>accounting impacts) less liquid assets.
Debt $17,803 $17,480 $16,875 13,956 $13,957 $14,146 $15,296
Less: Cash and cash<br>equivalents (5,199) (4,941) (4,014) (2,700) (2,686) (5,791) (4,466)
Net<br>debt 12,604 12,539 12,861 11,256 11,271 8,355 10,830
Less: Purchase<br>accounting impacts - Linde AG (133) (150) (170) (195) (243) (262) (291)
Adjusted net<br>debt $12,471 $12,389 $12,691 11,061 $11,028 $8,093 $10,539
Less: Net assets held<br>for sale (2) (2) (115) (123) (272) (1,629) (4,730)
Adjusted net debt less<br>net assets held for sale $12,469 $12,387 $12,576 10,938 $10,756 $6,464 $5,809
After-tax<br>Return on Capital and Adjusted After-tax Return on Capital<br>(ROC)<br>-<br>After-tax return on capital is a measure used by investors,<br>financial analysts and management to evaluate the return on net<br>assets employed in the business. ROC measures the after-tax<br>operating profit that the company was able to generate with the<br>investments made by all parties in the business (debt,<br>noncontrolling interests and Linde plc shareholders’<br>equity).
Reported income from<br>continuing operations $699 $458 $571 507 $513 $435 $2,870
Add: noncontrolling<br>interests from continuing operations 31 25 35 27 29 30 (33)
Add: interest expense -<br>net 38 18 24 8 10 23 72
Less: tax benefit on<br>interest expense - net * (10) (5) (6) (2) (3) (6) (18)
Reported<br>NOPAT $758 $496 $624 540 $549 $482 $2,891
Adjusted income from<br>continuing operations $1,140 $1,005 $1,009 1,024 $1,000 927 $841
Add: adjusted<br>noncontrolling interests from continuing<br>operations 45 39 50 41 46 45 40
Add: adjusted interest<br>expense - net 61 40 46 30 35 50 50
Less: tax benefit on<br>interest expense - net * (15) (10) (12) (7) (9) (13) (12)
Adjusted<br>NOPAT $1,231 $1,074 $1,093 1,088 $1,072 $1,009 $919
4-quarter trailing<br>reported NOPAT $2,418 $2,389 $2,442 2,300
4-quarter trailing<br>adjusted NOPAT $4,486 $4,367 $4,365 4,281
Equity and redeemable<br>noncontrolling interests:
Redeemable<br>noncontrolling interests $13 $13 $92 113 $15 15 $16
Linde plc shareholders'<br>equity 46,175 45,537 44,776 49,074 50,564 51,175 51,596
Noncontrolling<br>interests 2,404 2,387 2,375 2,448 2,315 5,457 5,484
Total equity and<br>redeemable noncontrolling interests $48,592 $47,937 $47,243 51,635 $52,894 $56,647 $57,096
Reported<br>capital $61,194 $60,474 $59,989 62,768 $63,893 63,373 $63,196
Total equity and<br>redeemable noncontrolling interests $48,592 $47,937 $47,243 51,635 $52,894 56,647 $57,096
Add: Adjusted net debt<br>less net assets held for sale 12,469 12,387 12,576 10,938 10,756 6,464 5,809
Less: Linde AG Goodwill<br>(a) 24,256 24,256 24,256 24,256 24,197 24,197 24,197
Less: Linde AG<br>Indefinite lived intangibles (a) 1,868 1,868 1,868 1,868 1,868 1,868 1,868
Adjusted<br>capital $34,937 $34,200 $33,695 36,449 $37,585 $37,046 $36,840
(a) Represent balance sheet purchase accounting impacts of<br>non-amortizing assets related to the Linde AG merger.
Ending capital (see<br>above) $61,194 $60,474 $59,989 62,768
5-quarter average<br>ending capital $61,318 $61,858 $62,438 63,079
Ending adjusted capital<br>(see above) $34,937 $34,200 $33,695 36,449
5-quarter average<br>ending adjusted capital $35,034 $35,564 $36,133 36,762
After-tax<br>ROC (4 quarter reported NOPAT / 5-quarter average ending<br>capital) 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.6%
Adjusted<br>after-tax ROC (4 quarter trailing adjusted NOPAT / 5-quarter<br>average ending adjusted capital) 12.8% 12.3% 12.1% 11.6%
* <br>Tax benefit<br>on interest expense - net is generally presented using the reported<br>effective rate.

All values are in US Dollars.

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