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Making our world more productive Press release Linde Reports Second - Quarter 2021 Results Financial Highlights Linde Sales $ 7.6 billion , up 19 % versus prior - year quarter Operating profit $ 1.1 billion ; adjusted operating profit $ 1.8 billion , up 39 % Operating profit margin 15.1 % ; adjusted operating profit margin 24.2 % , up 350 basis points EPS $ 1.60 , up 84 % ; adjusted EPS $ 2.70 , up 42 % Increased full - year 2021 adjusted EPS guidance to $ 10.10 - $ 10.30 , representing 23 % to 25 % growth year - over - year Guildford , UK , July 30 , 2021 - Linde plc ( NYSE : LIN ; FWB : LIN ) today reported second - quarter 2021 income from continuing operations of $ 840 million and diluted earnings per share of $ 1.60 , an increase of 84 % versus prior year . Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges , adjusted income from continuing operations was $ 1,415 million , up 41 % versus prior year and 8 % sequentially . Adjusted earnings per share was $ 2.70 , 42 % above prior year and 8 % higher sequentially . Linde's sales for the second quarter were $ 7,584 million , 19 % above prior year and up 5 % sequentially . Compared to prior year , underlying sales increased 18 % , including 3 % price attainment and 15 % higher volumes . Volume growth was broad - based across all geographic segments and end markets . Sequentially , underlying sales increased 5 % driven by higher volume and price . Second - quarter operating profit was $ 1,142 million . Adjusted operating profit of $ 1,837 million was up 39 % versus prior year led by higher price , strong volumes and continued productivity initiatives across all segments . Adjusted operating margin of 24.2 % expanded 350 basis points versus prior year and 90 basis points sequentially . Second - quarter operating cash flow of $ 1,827 million increased 4 % versus prior year . After capital expenditures of $ 744 million , free cash flow was $ 1,083 million , up 10 % versus prior year . During the quarter , the company returned $ 1,748 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases , net of issuance . In addition , the company ended the second quarter with a total backlog of approximately $ 7.5 billion which includes both sale of gas and sale of plant projects , all contractually secured with high - quality customers . Page 1 Commenting on the financial results and business outlook , Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said , " Linde employees delivered another quarter of record breaking financial results with operating profit margins expanding 350 basis points , ROC improving to 15.7 % and EPS growing 42 % , reaching an all - time high of $ 2.70 . Our team continues to execute well against our core strategy , producing industry leading performance . " Angel continued , " Looking ahead , I'm confident the company will deliver another outstanding year . " For third quarter 2021 , Linde expects adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $ 2.60 to $ 2.70 , up 34 % to 39 % versus the same quarter in 2019 and 21 % to 26 % versus prior - year quarter . This guidance assumes 3 % currency