Form 4: Linde PLC Executive Kelcey E. Hoyt Reports Stock Transactions

Kelcey E. Hoyt, Principal Accounting Officer of Linde PLC, reports acquisition and disposal of ordinary shares and performance/restricted stock units.

Summary

• On March 10, 2025, Kelcey E. Hoyt, Principal Accounting Officer of Linde PLC, reported transactions involving Linde PLC ordinary shares and derivative securities.
• These transactions include the acquisition of shares through the payout of restricted stock units and performance share units (PSUs), as well as the disposal of shares to cover tax withholdings.
• Hoyt acquired 310 ordinary shares from a restricted stock unit grant made on March 7, 2022.
• Additionally, Hoyt acquired 930 and 570 ordinary shares from performance share unit (PSU) grants made on March 7, 2022, based on Linde PLC's return on capital (ROC) from 2022-2025.
• A total of 143.655, 430.963, and 264.138 ordinary shares were disposed of to cover tax withholdings at a price of $468.77 per share.
• Hoyt also reports holding various stock options with exercise prices ranging from $173.13 to $468.77 and expiration dates between 2029 and 2035.
• The report also details holdings of restricted stock units that will vest between 2026 and 2028, as well as deferred stock units acquired under the Compensation Deferred Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral. The document simply reports transactions related to executive compensation. There are no explicit positive or negative indicators about the company's performance or future prospects.

Positives

• The acquisition of shares through PSU payouts indicates that Linde PLC met certain performance goals related to return on capital (ROC) between 2022 and 2025.
• The reporting person continues to hold a significant number of shares and derivative securities, indicating continued investment in the company's success.

Negatives

• The disposal of shares to cover tax withholdings, while standard practice, slightly reduces the reporting person's direct holdings.

Risks

• Fluctuations in Linde PLC's stock price could impact the value of the reporting person's holdings, including stock options and restricted stock units.
• Changes in tax laws could affect the amount of shares required to be disposed of for tax withholdings in the future.

Future Outlook

The document does not contain specific forward-looking statements, but it does indicate the vesting schedules for various stock options and restricted stock units, providing a timeline for future potential share acquisitions.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure required by the SEC for corporate insiders, providing transparency into their transactions in the company's stock. It's a standard practice across all publicly traded companies and doesn't necessarily indicate anything specific about Linde PLC's performance relative to its peers.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Form 4 filings are standard practice for all publicly traded companies, including Linde PLC's competitors such as Air Products and Chemicals (APD), and Air Liquide (AI).
• The vesting schedules and exercise prices of stock options and restricted stock units are generally comparable to those offered by other large industrial gas companies to their executives.
• The specific number of shares and the value of the transactions are dependent on the individual's compensation package and the company's performance.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transactions have a minimal direct impact on shareholders, as they represent routine insider activity.
• Employees may be indirectly impacted by the performance-based compensation, as it aligns executive incentives with company goals.

Key Dates