We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) stands against the other industrial stocks.

Industrial stocks in the United States encompass a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, defense, and construction. These sectors form the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, employment, and growth. Companies within this category often engage in the production of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure essential for various industries. The performance of industrial stocks is closely tied to the overall health of the economy. Economic expansion typically boosts demand for industrial goods and services, while recessions can lead to contractions in this sector.

Recently, industrial stocks have shown resilience amid global supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, thanks in part to technological advancements and diversified service offerings. Advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are transforming the industrial landscape. Companies are increasingly investing in smart manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are pushing industrial firms toward sustainable practices. Companies are adopting greener technologies and renewable energy sources to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Industrial stocks play a vital role in the US economy, offering a diverse range of investment opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of different sectors, keeping abreast of market trends, and evaluating economic indicators are crucial for making informed investment decisions in this space. With continued advancements in technology and a focus on sustainable practices, the industrial sector remains a critical and evolving component of the financial market landscape. Overall, industrial stocks returned close to 10% so far in 2024.

According to Federal Reserve Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization report, most major market groups saw gains in May. Consumer goods increased by 1.3 percent, driven by rises across all components except home electronics. Business equipment edged up by 0.2 percent despite a drop in transit, buoyed by gains in information processing and industrial sectors. Defense and space equipment rose by 1.0 percent, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from a year ago. The materials market group saw a 0.8 percent increase, with non-energy durables and non-energy nondurables each up by around 1 percent, and energy materials rising by 0.6 percent. In manufacturing, overall output rose by 0.9 percent in May, slightly above last year’s level. Durable manufacturing increased by 0.6 percent, nondurables by 1.1 percent, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) by 0.2 percent. Within durable manufacturing, notable gains were seen in wood products (up 2.6 percent), machinery (up 2.3 percent), and computer/electronic products (up 0.8 percent). Furniture and related products saw the largest decline (down 2.6 percent). In nondurables, printing and support activities decreased by 1.5 percent, while other categories saw gains. Mining output rebounded with a 0.3 percent increase in May, following declines in the previous two months. Oil and gas extraction rose, offsetting decreases in other mining and support activities. Utilities output grew by 1.6 percent, surpassing last year’s level by 3.9 percent. Capacity utilization for manufacturing rose to 77.1 percent in May, slightly below its long-run average. Mining’s operating rate reached 92.7 percent, well above its average, while utilities remained notably below their typical operating levels despite a slight increase to 71.5 percent.

So, what are the best industrial stocks to buy in this current environment?

Our Methodology

We leveraged Insider Monkey’s comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 10 industrial stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular industrial stocks among elite investors.

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)

Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 65

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) operates as an industrial gas company in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific. It offers atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases, such as carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) announced its Q1 2024 earnings results on May 2. It reported a normalized EPS of $3.75 and revenue of $8.1 billion, down 1% from last year. The operating profit was $2.1 billion, with an adjusted profit of $2.3 billion, up 6%. For 2024, Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) expects an adjusted EPS between $15.30 and $15.60, reflecting an 8% to 10% growth. In a recent development, on May 2, Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) announced a long-term agreement with H2 Green Steel to supply industrial gases to the first large-scale green steel production plant. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) will invest about $150 million to build, own, and operate an on-site air separation unit (ASU) in Boden, northern Sweden. This ASU will provide oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to H2 Green Steel’s plant, which aims to cut carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional steelmaking methods. The new ASU is expected to begin operations by 2026 and will also serve Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) current and new customers in the local market.

The number of hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owning stakes in Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) fell to 65 in Q1 2024, from 74 in the preceding quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $3.84 billion. Among these hedge funds, Alexander Mitchell’s Scopus Asset Management was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q1.

Overall LIN ranks 8th on our list of the best industrial stocks stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other industrial stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we acknowledge the potential of LIN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LIN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.