Linde 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.

 

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.