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Making our world more productive Press release Linde Reports Third - Quarter 2021 Results Financial Highlights Linde Sales $ 7.7 billion , up 12 % versus prior - year quarter Operating profit $ 1.3 billion ; adjusted operating profit $ 1.8 billion , up 19 % Operating profit margin 16.8 % ; adjusted operating profit margin 23.6 % , up 150 basis points EPS $ 1.88 , up 42 % ; adjusted EPS $ 2.73 , up 27 % Strong operating cash flow $ 2.6 billion , up 36 % Increased full - year 2021 adjusted EPS guidance to $ 10.52 - $ 10.62 , representing 28 % to 29 % growth Guildford , UK , October 28 , 2021 - Linde plc ( NYSE : LIN ; FWB : LIN ) today reported third - quarter 2021 income from continuing operations of $ 978 million and diluted earnings per share of $ 1.88 , an increase of 42 % versus prior year . Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges , adjusted income from continuing operations was $ 1,421 million , up 25 % versus prior year and flat sequentially . Adjusted earnings per share was $ 2.73 , 27 % above prior year and 1 % higher sequentially . Linde's sales for the third quarter were $ 7,668 million , 12 % above prior year and up 1 % sequentially . Compared to prior year , underlying sales increased 11 % , including 3 % price attainment and 8 % higher volumes . Volume growth was broad - based across all geographic segments and end markets . Sequentially , underlying sales increased 1 % driven by higher price . Third - quarter operating profit was $ 1,292 million . Adjusted operating profit of $ 1,810 million was up 19 % versus prior year led by higher price , strong volumes and continued productivity initiatives across all segments . Adjusted operating margin of 23.6 % expanded 150 basis points versus prior year and 220 basis points when excluding the effects of cost pass - through . Sequentially , operating margins were stable when excluding cost pass - through . Cost pass - through represents the contractual billing of energy cost variance , primarily to onsite customers , with minimal effect on profit . Third - quarter operating cash flow of $ 2,556 million increased 36 % versus prior year and 40 % sequentially . After capital expenditures of $ 741 million , free cash flow was $ 1,815 million , up 65 % versus prior year and 68 % sequentially . During the quarter , the company returned $ 1,708 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases , net of issuance . In addition , the company ended the third quarter with a total backlog of approximately $ 13.4 billion which includes both sale of gas and sale of plant projects , all contractually secured with high - quality customers . Commenting on the financial results and business outlook , Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said , " Linde employees delivered another stellar quarter achieving record EPS , operating cash flow and return on capital . We maintained our industry leading performance and significantly expanded our project backlog . We also announced new GHG emission goals including a commitment to absolute emissions reduction , reaching climate neutrality by 2050. " Page 1/11 Angel continued , " The Linde team demonstrated , once again , they can deliver in any environment . We are well positioned for the future and I am confident our best days , indeed , lie ahead . "