(Alliance News) - Linde PLC on Thursday expressed cautious optimism on its outlook for the full-year, as it reported top and bottom line growth in the first quarter of 2025.

The Dublin-based industrial gases and engineering company said net income for the first quarter of 2025 increased 2.8% to USD1.67 billion from USD1.63 billion the previous year. Diluted EPS advanced to USD3.51 from USD3.35.

The improved earnings are owed to a mix of lower costs and top line gains, with sales edging up by 0.1% to USD8.11 billion from USD8.10 billion.

Selling, general and administrative expenses fell 8.6% to USD786 million from USD860 million, while cost of sales reduced 1.4% to USD4.16 billion from USD4.22 billion.

Chief Executive Sanjiv Lamba noted that "first quarter macroeconomic headwinds largely played out as anticipated".

Linde shares were flat at USD453.23 during pre-market dealing in New York on Thursday.

For 2025 as a whole, Linde anticipates diluted adjusted EPS in the range of USD16.20 to USD16.50, up from USD15.50 achieved in 2024.

It expects full-year capital expenditures in the range of USD5.0 billion to USD.5.5 billion, rising from USD4.50 billion, which it said will support growth and maintenance requirements.

Lamba continued: "Looking forward, while we remain cautious on the economic outlook, I'm confident the Linde business model can continue to create shareholder value in any environment."

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