WallStSmart

Linde plc Ordinary Shares (LIN)vsAltria Group (MO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Linde plc Ordinary Shares generates 69% more annual revenue ($33.99B vs $20.14B). MO leads profitability with a 34.5% profit margin vs 20.3%. MO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.65. LIN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).

LIN

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 6.0Profit: 8.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 1.49

MO

Hold

47

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 8.5Value: 7.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.86
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LINSignificantly Overvalued (-396.3%)

Margin of Safety

-396.3%

Fair Value

$99.21

Current Price

$492.34

$393.13 premium

UndervaluedFair: $99.21Overvalued
MOSignificantly Overvalued (-135.3%)

Margin of Safety

-135.3%

Fair Value

$28.02

Current Price

$63.78

$35.76 premium

UndervaluedFair: $28.02Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LIN4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$222.36B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
20.3%9/10

Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
28.2%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 28.2%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.57B8/10

Generating 1.6B in free cash flow

MO6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Profit MarginProfitability
34.5%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
57.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 57.1%

Debt/EquityHealth
-7.3410/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$107.97B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
15.6x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$3.18B8/10

Generating 3.2B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

LIN4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.294/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
32.9x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

EPS GrowthGrowth
-9.4%2/10

Earnings declined 9.4%

MO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.654/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.5%2/10

Revenue declined 0.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-62.9%2/10

Earnings declined 62.9%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LIN

The strongest argument for LIN centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.3% and operating margin at 28.2%.

Bull Case : MO

The strongest argument for MO centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.5% and operating margin at 57.1%.

Bear Case : LIN

The primary concerns for LIN are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : MO

The primary concerns for MO are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LIN profiles as a mature stock while MO is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

LIN carries more volatility with a beta of 0.80 — expect wider price swings.

LIN is growing revenue faster at 5.8% — sustainability is the question.

MO generates stronger free cash flow (3.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LIN scores higher overall (56/100 vs 47/100), backed by strong 20.3% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Linde plc Ordinary Shares

BASIC MATERIALS · SPECIALTY CHEMICALS · USA

Linde plc is a multinational chemical company. It is the largest industrial gas company by market share and revenue. It serves customers in the healthcare, petroleum refining, manufacturing, food, beverage carbonation, fiber-optics, steel making, aerospace, chemicals, electronics and water treatment industries. The company's primary business is the manufacturing and distribution of atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases, and process gases, including carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene.

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Altria Group

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA

Altria Group, Inc. (previously known as Philip Morris Companies, Inc.) is an American corporation and one of the world's largest producers and marketers of tobacco, cigarettes and related products. It operates worldwide and is headquartered in unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia, just outside the city of Richmond.

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