15 Blue Chip Dividend Stocks to Build a Passive Income Portfolio

Page 11 of 13

3. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 76

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is one of the best dividend stocks for a passive income portfolio.

On December 3, CICC initiated coverage on Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) with an Outperform rating and a $510 price target.

The company posted strong earnings for the third quarter of 2025, with revenues coming in at $8.6 billion, which showed a 3% growth from the same period last year. Acquisitions also contributed to a 1% growth in its revenue. The company’s EPS of $4.21 was at an all-time high, which it managed while maintaining industry-leading margins and not compromising on shareholder returns. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)’s management highlighted stagnant industrial activity in its earnings report; however, this did not have any impact on the company’s cash generation.

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) reported an 8% YoY growth in its operating cash flow, which came in at $2.9 billion. Its free cash flow, after capital expenditures, sat at $1.6 billion. This cash was sufficient to cover the company’s dividends and share repurchases worth $1.68 billion. Due to this stable cash position, LIN was able to achieve its 32nd consecutive year of dividend growth in 2025.

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is a global multinational chemical company and one of the world’s largest industrial gas suppliers.

Page 11 of 13