Linde plc: Linde Reports Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2021 Results (Earnings Release Tables Attached)
DGAP-News: Linde plc
/ Key word(s): Quarter Results/Annual Results
Linde Reports Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2021 Results Full-Year Highlights
Fourth-Quarter Highlights
2022
Guildford, UK, February 10, 2022 - Linde plc (NYSE: LIN; FWB: LIN) today reported fourth-quarter 2021 income from continuing operations of $1,024 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.98, up 33% and 37% respectively. Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges, adjusted income from continuing operations was $1,431 million, up 18% versus prior year and 1% sequentially. Adjusted earnings per share was $2.77, 20% above prior year and 1% higher sequentially. Linde's sales for the fourth quarter were $8,298 million, 14% above prior year and 8% sequentially. Compared to prior year, underlying sales increased 9% from 3% price attainment and 6% higher volumes, mostly from the electronics, chemicals and energy end markets. Sequentially, underlying sales increased 2%, led by higher price across all geographic segments. Fourth-quarter operating profit was $1,337 million. Adjusted operating profit of $1,841 million was up 14% versus prior year led by higher price, strong volumes and continued productivity initiatives across all segments. Excluding the effects of cost pass-through, adjusted operating margins expanded 120 basis points versus prior year. Fourth-quarter operating cash flow of $3,233 million increased 33% versus prior year and 26% sequentially. After capital expenditures of $839 million, free cash flow was $2,394 million, up 70% versus prior year. During the quarter, the company returned $1,891 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, net of issuances. For full-year 2021, sales were $30.8 billion, 13% above 2020. Compared to prior year, underlying sales increased 11% from 3% price attainment and 8% higher volumes, mostly from the electronics, chemicals and energy end markets. Operating profit was $5.0 billion and adjusted operating profit was $7.2 billion, 24% above prior year. Operating profit margin was 23.3% of sales, 200 basis points higher versus 2020, or 270 basis points higher when excluding the effects of cost pass-through. Diluted earnings per share were $7.32 and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $10.69, up 30% versus prior year. Commenting on the financial results and business outlook, Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said, "2021 was another successful year for the company thanks to the extraordinary work of our employees worldwide. The Linde team delivered another quarter of record financial results by growing EPS 20%, operating cash flow 33%, and increasing ROC to 17.7% - all while positioning the company for future growth with a contractually secured project backlog of $13 billion. In addition, the company stepped up its commitment to reduce GHG emissions, targeting a 35% reduction by 2035 and climate neutrality by 2050." Angel continued, "Looking ahead, the economic outlook remains uncertain. However, I have confidence in our ability to grow EPS double-digit percent from our industry-leading supply network and project backlog. And as I transition to Chairman, with Sanjiv Lamba taking the CEO reins, I'm convinced the best days for Linde lie ahead." For the full year 2022, the company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $11.55 to $11.85, up 8% to 11% versus prior year or 10% to 13% when excluding estimated currency headwinds. Full-year capital expenditures are expected to range between $3.0 billion and $3.5 billion to support operating and growth requirements, including the $13 billion contractual sale of gas and plant backlog. For the first quarter 2022, adjusted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $2.70 to $2.80, 8% to 12% above prior-year quarter. This range assumes 3% unfavorable currency. APAC (Asia Pacific) sales of $1,589 million were 1% above prior year and up 2% sequentially. Compared to prior year, underlying sales grew 10% driven by 3% price attainment and 7% volume growth, primarily in the electronics, chemicals and energy end markets plus project start-ups. Sequentially, higher pricing of 2% was offset by seasonally lower volumes. Divestitures were driven by an accounting deconsolidation of a joint venture, which reduced sales 12% versus prior year but had no impact on earnings per share. Operating profit of $380 million was 23.9% of sales, 70 basis points above prior year or 140 basis points higher when excluding the effects of cost pass-through. EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) sales of $2,058 million were up 18% versus prior year and grew 8% sequentially. Compared with fourth-quarter 2020, underlying sales grew 8%, primarily led by 6% higher pricing and 2% higher volumes. Sequentially, underlying sales grew 4% driven by price while volumes were flat. Operating profit of $475 million was 23.1% of sales, 190 basis points below prior year or 80 basis points higher when excluding the effects of cost pass-through. Linde Engineering sales were $946 million, 25% above prior year, and operating profit was $150 million or 15.9% of sales. Order intake for the quarter was $799 million and third-party sale of equipment backlog was $9.6 billion.
Materials to be used in the teleconference are also available on the website. 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 (Earnings release tables: https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?u=cb6f854bf5f87d4d3b850b10fac20b09) 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 2022. 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 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, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021 which should be reviewed carefully. Please consider Linde plc's forward-looking statements in light of those risks. Additional features: File: Q4 21 Earnings Tables
10.02.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | Linde plc |
The Priestley Centre, 10 Priestley Road | |
GU2 7XY Guildford | |
United Kingdom | |
Phone: | +1-203-837-2210 |
E-mail: | Investor_Relations@Linde.com |
Internet: | www.linde.com |
ISIN: | IE00BZ12WP82 |
WKN: | A2DSYC |
Indices: | DAX |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Moscow, NYSE, Luxembourg Stock Exchange (Euro MTF) |
EQS News ID: | 1278976 |
End of News | DGAP News Service |
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1278976 10.02.2022